Thread: Tonbridge Wells Workhouse - help needed

My Great Grandmother, Elizabeth Taylor, was born on 19 May 1859 in the Union Workhouse in Tunbridge Wells. Her birth was registered by a Susan Ravenell or Ravenwell... presumably a friend. Mother's name given as Emma Taylor.



When Elizabeth married Edward Barfoot in Maidstone, Kent on 14 July 1877 in All Saints Church, Maidstone, she gives her father's name as John Taylor, gamekeeper.



I've looked and looked for John and Emma Taylor... but can't find them anywhere and wondered whether any records might still exist from the Workhouse that could point me in the right direction to sort out her parentage. If there are... where would I find them?



Elizabeth herself seems not to exist until her marriage ... and I'm longing to find out more about her.



Any ideas anyone?



Gill

Hello Noggin,



Thanks for those links! I'd previously been onto that website but it was some time ago and wasn't so full as it is now.



I went along to the Kentish website... although unfortunately I don't think those records are online currently... perhaps they hold them in the archives and one has to go along there. I'll get in touch with them and see if they have what I need... it isn't so easy to get to Maidstone from the Midlands, so I'll have to plan a visit sometime.



I'd like to thank you for the time and trouble you took in answering - most appreciated!



Gill

Hii there , i had a similar situation. my 3xgreat grandfather was illigitimate, his mothers name was mary ann darlington his name was samuel darlington, on his marriage certificate it said father samuel darlington, that was his grandad, not his dad. he was brought up by his grandad , maybe the same in elizabeths case? just a thought. regards.

Hi Sadies,



That is certainly a thought... and one that I shall follow up on! Great stuff!



It had also occured to me that perhaps Emma, her mother, wasn't using her real name. I wondered if people in her position might perhaps go to the workhouse to have their baby and give a false name - perhaps out of shame. I suppose it depends on whether she was from the area or not.



She's been a real frustration to me... but I'll carry on trying to find her and work out what happened.



Thanks a lot,



Gill

Gillyches, i have found this.. 1861 census, 2, bassinghall st, Tonbridge, Tunbridge wells. william taylor widower 76 gardener born Speldhurst kent. Emma taylor daughter unmarried 29 charwoman. could be your Emma. will look again see what i can find. maybe elizabeth was adopted .

Good heavens, Sadies, I never thought that she could have been adopted... did that happen in those days? That is certainly a thought, isn't it?

not strictly adopted but "farmed out" as my 2xgreat grandmother was she also was born in the workhouse, her mother married afew years later not to the babys father,, how did u know that the elizabeth who marrried edward barfoot was your Elizabeth?

1861 census,,, george ravenall workhouse master, mary ravenall matron, susan ravenall nurse, it says that susan is their niecebut seems to be older than them , susan was born 1810 maidstone kent and was a widow, Tonbridge union workhouse.