Shropshire Archives & Oswestry Workhouse admissions / Discharges mid 1800s

[mr_edd]

Hi All

With Shropshire Archives only open on Thursdays & impossible to contact on the phone.
Can anyone confirm that they have Oswestry Workhouse admissions / Discharge registers mid 1800s in particular 1855

According to an AI chat bot it says they do in PLU/Osw/5 but when I search the catalogue that does not show up, only admission/discharge from 1916. I asked the chat bot again & got this reply.

Direct answer: The Oswestry Workhouse admissions and discharge registers do exist at Shropshire Archives, but the reference you tried (PLU/Osw/5) is part of their internal catalogue system, not always visible in the online search. That’s why you’re seeing “no results found” when you search the website.

🗂 Why the reference doesn’t show online
PLU/Osw = Poor Law Union, Oswestry.

The number (e.g., /5) refers to a sub‑series within their physical catalogue.

Shropshire Archives’ online catalogue doesn’t always expose these internal references. Some records are only listed in the black Poor Law Union catalogues in the search room at the Archives.

This means you won’t necessarily find them by typing “PLU/Osw/5” into the online search box.

📜 What records survive
Shropshire Archives holds Oswestry Union records including admission and discharge registers covering roughly 1836–1930.

These registers are part of the Poor Law Union collections, alongside guardians’ minutes, accounts, and other workhouse records.

This is from a standard AI bot nothing to do with the Shropshire Archives.

Does anyone know for sure one way or the other, it's 140 mile round trip for me!

Regards
Ed

[Bookbox]

According to https://www.workhouses.org.uk/Oswestry/, the records for the period of your interest don't survive. The only Admission/Discharge registers referenced there are much later ones (1916-1925).

To confirm, you need to email Shropshire Archives, tell them exactly which registers you're seeking, and ask if they have them, or anything else that might help. This sort of general enquiry is normally answered free of charge.

Email: archives@shropshire.gov.uk

[mr_edd]

Thank You

I had also seen the workhouses.org reference which concerned me.

Regards
Ed