Whiston Union Workhouse - Access to Records

[KitCarson]

Gill

Sorry, I hadn't realised you were a relatively new to the site.  PM is 'personal message' which means you can send  me a message direct without it being posted on the site.  We can then share personal contact details if we like.  If you click on my name and scroll down, it will give you an option to send a PM.  Anyway, you've posted the info and I'll do all I can to get you a result.  I can totally appreciate where you are coming from with family mental health problems, there is enough evidence of past and present incidence of this in my family history.

If I can find the time tonight, I'll try and pull together the supporting information on the possible Rimmer/Hill connection and PM you with it.

Speak soon.  Kit

[KitCarson]

Hi Gill, I thought I'd post this on the site rather than PM.   It may be that others are wondering about Whiston Workhouse records available at St Helens Central Library.

Firstly, I'll put you out of your misery and let you know that he doesn't appear in the records held at the library.

Unfortunately, although they have is a book entitled 'Admission and Discharge Register 1870-1898', it has very little before 1890.  The records are shown alphabetically by surname, but there are no records at all for surnames A-F.

I understand that Preston Records Office may hold more, but can't verify that.

Kit

[Gillyches]

Thank you most heartily, Kit, for all your efforts.  I sort of feared that nothing would be available but kept a spark of hope just in case. However, I hope that you found what you were looking for and that it wasn't a fruitless search in terms of information that you were seeking.

Once again, thanks a lot for your efforts,

Gill

[oldbones]

The only archives available at Preston for Whiston Workhouse are the Minutes of the guardians. The meetings which were held fortnightly were published in the local papers. They may not mention the names of all inmates but I have come across some names. The master of the workhouse had to read from his punishment book and and these are included in the newspaper reports. Apparantly records apart from the ones available at St Helens were burnt.


This is a extract taken from the meeting of the Prescot Guardians held on 18th January 1881 and published in The Prescot Reporter 29th January 1881

"Mary Slowey for assaulting Ann Ellison three meals of bread and water"

[FlowerBD20]

Hi there, You might also consider 'thinking laterally' and looking up the history of the place as names do get mentioned here and there, Flower

[KitCarson]

Thanks oldbones and Flower.  Unfortunately, not too great at thinking laterally, any suggestions welcomed 

[FlowerBD20]

Hi Kit, Have you already tried the website,book and Preston records mentioned in this thread? Flower

[KitCarson]

I've looked at the history of the workhouse, tried to search what might be held at Preston, which doesn't appear to be anything other than Plans for the building.  I've put in some searches at the National Archives A2A and found mention of Baptism/Marriages/Burials which I'll plan a trip to view and there is mention of documents held at St Helens Library.

The book/CD will have to wait until sufficient funds are available.

Kit

[FlowerBD20]

Hi Kit, Halton Library have the book so you could order it from your local library? Flower