Where are Records for Local Workhouse in Southall, Middlesex in 1945?

[Boudicca95]

Hi there

I have known that my grandfather was admitted to Springfield Asylum in the 1940s and today I have found out that he was admitted to Springfield on 20th September 1945 but was in his local workhouse for 3 days prior where he was certified.He lived in Southall and the county I believe was Middlesex. Does anyone know which workhouse he would have been admitted to and where the records are kept?

I have no idea what his medical condition was and I am hoping that as he was certified at the workhouse there might be some records. The Springfield records have nothing specific unfortunately.

Many thanks.

Liz

[LizzieW]

Even if the records exist, you will be lucky to be able to view them.  I tried for a great uncle who went into an asylum in the early 1900s and died there in the 1960s.  Because of a so called 100 year rule, they said I couldn't have copies of them until the 2060s, that is 100 years after his death!  If I was still alive I'd be over 120 by then.  They did relent and send me copies of the first two pages, showing why he was admitted as that was more than 100 years ago.  Many helpful people have told me that apart from census, there is no 100 year rule, but these authorities persist in their belief.

[Boudicca95]

I got a researcher to look at the Springfield Asylum records for me. The 100 year rule did apply to my grandfather's records, unfortunately, and they are not released to the public - a bit pricey - but it has given me some information. His medical condition is still a mystery!

[ValJJJ]

I was successful at the London Metropolitan Archives for workhouse and asylum records but that was for 1902-24.

However, although asylum records come under health privacy and have the 100 year rule applied, it's possibly not so strict for workhouse admission records.  I would try the LMA (now called the London Archives) as they hold Middlesex records.  Contacting them first is probably easier than going through the catalogue so you can find out the exact name of the workhouse and help you with what records they hold.  https://www.thelondonarchives.org/about-us/contact-us

ADD: the workhouse admission records were much more enlightening than the asylum records. The admission gave a lot of details of the problem; the asylum records were basically 'no change' each time. There was more detail at the beginning of the psychosis but in the 1900s I think they just fed and watered the patients, and gave them chores.  There didn't seem to be any treatment, or at least, none recorded.

Death certificates have health conditions so perhaps that would help you?

[Boudicca95]

Thanks for the info. I will search the London Archives. Hopefully I will find something useful. The death certificate only had cause of death - tuberculosis - not the mental medical condition unfortunately.

[Bookbox]

There were no workhouses in 1945. The poor law system of which they were a part ended when the Local Government Act was passed in 1929.

The key to progress this will be to identify the institution in which he was previously living. What is the exact wording in the Springfield Asylum admission record?

If he was in a hospital which subsequently became part of the NHS, there is very little chance of accessing any records from 1945. But if it was another type of institution, it’s possible that an archivist will be able to extract the details for you, depending on where the records are held.

There’s no point contacting any archive until you have identified the institution.

[mazi]

When did he die?  Is it not possible that as he had TB he might have been in an isolation hospital prior to being admitted to the asylum.  There was one in Southall

[Boudicca95]

Good point. I have looked at the record again and it says From: WMCH  Length of time in Workhouse: 3 days. Could this be West Middlesex County Hospital?

[Boudicca95]

He died in Springfield Hospital in 1949.