South Shields Workhouse Admissions

[Tickettyboo]

I have been looking at the South Shields Admission and Discharge books today at TWAS.
Its a ledger made out in columns and I would like to know what the following column headers mean :

M.B., H., S.

and

R.O.

The archivist I spoke to didn't know, can anyone enlighten me please?
Thanks

Boo

[diddymiller]

it might help to know what sort of thing was in the columns ie names /numbers /amounts / yes /no etc?

RO is probably receiving/ relieving officer - see Workhouse website for details.

Diddy

[diddymiller]

on the 1881 census online for SS workhouse H was used for handicap?

S could be sex = M/F ?

Diddy

[Tickettyboo]

I am going back tomorrow and hope to take photos of the pages, but from what I saw the entries in the columns were one of the options from the column heading either M.B. , H. or S.
The archivist seemed surprised at my question, apparently most people just find the entry they were looking for and don't ask questions :-)
I must be their first nosey customer !

Boo

[Tickettyboo]

Have been back today and had another look, I do have photos but will be unable to sort those until I get home later  the week.
After another look at the ledgers and a chat to one of the other archivists we have come to the conclusion that the column was to show where the inmate spent their time.
M.B. was Main Building
H was hospital
S was School

Though not included in the column heading there were other entries L.W. which appeared to be Lunatic Ward, and N or Nurse for the tiny babies.

Thank for your interest Diddy, sorry my original post wasn't as clear as it should have been.

Boo

[julie297]

I have been in TWAS today also looking at the South Shields Workhouse Registers and I also asked the same question about the columns MB H & S.  Hospital is logical for H based on my ancestors entry.  Thanks for the info.

[Tickettyboo]

welcome to rootschat :-)

I'm so pleased you wondered about it too, I thought I was their only nosey customer!

Boo

[Kane856]

Probably a stupid question but what is TWAS?

What dates do the registers cover - I had a relative admit himself and several children in the 20s/30s - I have the adoption papers for the kids (adopted by my grandmother - their sister) but little other info .....

[davidft]

TWAS = Tyne and Wear Archives

Tyne and Wear Archives, Discovery Museum, Blandford Square, Newcastle upon Tyne NE1 4JA. Guardians' minutes (1899-1932), Births (1914-37), Deaths (1914-48), Admissions (1926-48), Admissions and discharges (1897-1956), Creed registers (1877-1948), Epilepsy registers (1911-36), Lunacy registers (1908-48).

The above information came from
http://www.workhouses.org.uk/SouthShields/