unwed mothers in workhouses?
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Just a query please - did unwed mothers go to a workhouse to have their babies and then return home afterwards?
I have a William Charles HOILE b 6 Apr 1890 Union Workhouse Eastry to Elizabeth P HOILE. I can't understand why she would have had him in the workhouse.
In the 1891 census Elizabeth age 20 and William age 1 were living at her parents' home in Walmer.
Anyone got any ideas on this one please?
There are many reasons to take into account why unwed Mothers had their babies in the Workhouse..Maybe her parents did not know she was in the family way and delivered her baby son in the Workhouse only to arrive back home at her parents house at a later stage with baby in arms. A Workhouse was also an institution where those people who were not in a position to support themselves were offered employment and accomodation..Another thought that comes to mind is maybe her parents sent her packing once they found out she was in the family way and having no money ended up at the Workhouse door step.. Until the 20th Century most Mothers delivered their babies at home as hospitals were very unhygienic and dangerous places to stay in..If you Google Unwed Mothers Workhouses there are a number of links available on this subject..I have attached one of the links...
Unmarried Mothers
Marion
Last edited by The Lady Marion; 08-12-2010 at 04:21 AM. Reason: adding link
Census information Crown Copyright, in care of TNA.
Moreton from Abingdon-Morton from Westham-Davies from ILLOGAN & Westham-Whitehead from Falkirk ,Ireland & Woolwich-Plant from Watermans Field Woolwich,Litchfield ,Ireland, The cape Of Good Hope-Prisk from St Hilary & Marazion-Levitt from Fleet Lincs & Islington-Sturgeon from Suffolk-McClelland from Antrim & Aldershot-Whittlesea from Cambridgeshire-Rowe from Marazion-Head from Woolwich--Carr from St Giles Oxfordshire-Ackley from Loughborough
Thanks for your thoughts Lady Marion, shall look at the link
My Grandfather b 1882 was born in a workhouse. His mother was married but She wasn't in there for long. She was the only adult female in the household, not sure whether this was the reason- or they were just very poor. He was the youngest child and the only one born in the workhouse
pejay
nosce te ipsum
Census information Crown copyright from The National Archives
Searching for Twizell, Brown & Storey from Northumberland. Kelly & Kinsella from Ireland, Parkinson from Lincolnshire. Mellor from Derbyshire and Jackson from Warwickshire.
Hi Pejay, thanks for your reply - I guess we will never really know. Here they used to have places - Bethany Home, I think they were generally called, where young unwed girls went to have their babies
hope your weather warms up soon.
Hi Weemaxcat,
My Aunt was unmarried and she had her child in the local workhouse 'Infirmary'.The infirmary was designed to be of use by the poor and people living in crowded conditions as well of the inmates, it was usual just to put the address of the institute,rather than the name of the place on a birth certificate.
I hope this is of help.
Best Wishes,
WillG
Hi WillG, thanks for replying
I do know the family were rather crowded around that time so it sort of makes sense, doesn't it. The head of the householdl was a pensioner too so probably funds were limited .
Many thanks for that and Happy New Year.
weemaxcat
Hello
Have a look at this link....enjoy your day and the rest of the holiday
workhouses.org.uk
elsabels
goodness, there's heaps there to look at, a great site, keep me quiet for the afternoon! - thanks for that, Elsabels
Happy New Year
And make sure you have the correct drink at the side of you to sipat while your having a history lesson......
enjoy
elsabels
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