The Wirral [occasionally seen spelt Wirrall] Poor Law Union formally came intooperation was overseen by an elected Board of Guardians, 57 in number, representing its 56 constituent being on 16th May 1836. Its parishes as listed below (figures in brackets indicate numbers of Guardians if more than one):
Parish of Bidstone: Birkenhead (2), Bidstone-with-Ford, Claughton-with-GrangeParish of Bebbington: Higher Bebbington, Lower Bebbington, Poulton-cum-Spittle, Storeton, Tranmere., Moreton, Saughall Massey.Parish of Burton: Burton, Puddington. Parish of Bromborrow: Bromborrow, Brimstage.Parish of Eastham: Eastham, Horton, Nether Pool, Over Pool, Great Sutton, Little Sutton, Childen Thornton,Parish of Neston: Lidham, Leighton, Ness, Great Neston, Little Neston, Raby, Thornton Haugh, Willaston. Parish of Wallazey [Wallasey]: Liscard, Poulton-cum-Seacomb, Wallazey.Parish of West Kirby: Caldey, Frankley, Grange, Greasby, Hoose, Great Melose, Little Melose, Newton-withLarton, West Kirby.Parish of Woodchurch: Arrow, Barnston, Irby, Landican, Noctorum, Oxton, Pensby, Prenton, Thingwell,Woodchurch, Thurstaston, Upton or OverchurchLater Additions: Ellesmere Port (1911), Hoylake cum West Kirby (1894), Rock Ferry (1894-98).
"The wise man always has riches within himself". DOCTUS IN SE SEMPER DIVITIAS HABET
The population falling within the Union at the 1831 census had been 17,342 with parishes ranging in size from Nether Pool (population 19) to Birkenhead (2,569). The average annual poor-rate expenditure for the period 1834-36 had been £3,674 or 4s.3d. per head of the population.A new Wirral Union workhouse was erected in 1836-7 at Clatterbridge on the road from Birkenhead to Chester. It was designed by William Cole who was also the architect of the Winchester Union workhouse. In 1837, the Poor Law Commissioners authorised an expenditure of £2,500 on the building which was to accommodate 130inmates. The building was financed by a loan from a clergyman, the Rev RM Feilden, at 4½% interest. The furniture for the establishment cost £64.8s.0d.Unlike the majority of workhouses built during this period, the Wirral Union workhouse had no supervisory hub. The site location and layout can be seen on the Ordnance Survey map of 1908.There were early problems with the workhouse roof — gales caused damage because of the 'want of factability' (i.e. coping) on the gable ends. The original water supply to the building may have been from the nearby brook, but in 1839 an order was issued to sink a four-foot brick-ringed well to provide water. The workman was given a week to do the job and paid £2.5s.6d. There were originally no baths in the workhousesuch things likely to be quite foreign to the workhouse inmates at the time. However, the Board in 1840 'in consequence of the report of the Medical Officer, ordered that the Master and Matron of the House be instructed to take the children to bathe at Bromberrow'. The workhouse was economically furnished. The new Board Room contained only an oil-cloth covered deal table, 12 feet long by four feet wide, and twelve strong rush-bottomed chairs. A number of double-beds were purchased and later on were occupied by three children each.In 1861, parishes at the north of the Wirral separated to form the new Birkenhead Poor Law Union. After the ending of the workhouse system in 1930, Wirral workhouse was renamed Clatterbridge (County) General Hospital and under the National Health Service became Clatterbridge Hospital. The buildings were demolished in 1997.
"The wise man always has riches within himself". DOCTUS IN SE SEMPER DIVITIAS HABET
staff.Theophilus TUCK M 38 M Head Master At Workhouse Portsmouth, Hampshire Olivia TUCK M 29 F Wife Matron At Workhouse Shrewsbury, Shropshire Louisa FRITH U 27 F Sc Mistress School Mistress Manchester, Lancashire George ERRINGTON M 42 M Porter (Head) Porter Little Budworth, Cheshire Elizabeth ERRINGTON M 36 F Portress Portress At Workhouse Dennington, Shropshire Mary Anne FALLON W 30 F Nurse Nurse Liverpool, Lancashire Pheobe JEFFRIES U 21 F Assist S Mis Assistent School Mistress Thornton Hough, Cheshire Thomas H WALL U 1 M Matrons Nephew Rock Ferry, Cheshire Inmates Frederick ABLE 10 M Inmate Scholar Neston, Cheshire Mary ABLE U 37 F Inmate Ness, Cheshire William ABLE 4 M Inmate Scholar Neston, Cheshire Jane ASHBROOK U 21 F Inmate General Servent Ness, Cheshire Jane BARLOW U 20 F Inmate Domestic Servent Heswell, Cheshire Rhoda BARLOW 1 F Inmate Lower Bebington, Cheshire Elizabeth BEAKELL M 41 F Inmate Sacombe, Cheshire Thomas BEAKELL 9 M Inmate Scholar Birkenhead, Cheshire Margaret BIDDLE W 82 F Inmate Scotland John BOWMAN U 46 M Inmate Labourer Buckminster, Leicester Charles BRADSHAW M 41 M Inmate Labourer Ellesmere Port, Cheshire Thomas BRETHERTON U 81 M Inmate Ellesmere, Shropshire William BURKETT U 63 M Inmate Raby, Cheshire John BUTLER W 45 M Inmate Labourer Ireland John CALOW W 29 M Inmate Fisherman Douglas, Isle of Man Ellen CAMPBELL 53 F Inmate Charwoman Ireland Henry COCKRALL U 25 M Inmate Labourer Colchester, Essex John COOPER W 71 M Inmate Farm Labourer Little Sutton, Cheshire Rosa Ann COWAP U 17 F Inmate L Bebington, Cheshire George CRANLEY U 40 M Inmate Sailor Ireland Eunice CUMMINGS M 40 F Casual Inmate Weaver Stockport, Cheshire Joseph CUMMINGS M 47 M Casual Inmate Labourer Manchester, Lancashire Elizabeth DAVIES 10 F Inmate Scholar Little Sutton, Cheshire George DAVIES 7 M Inmate Scholar Little Sutton, Cheshire Henry DAVIES 4 M Inmate Scholar Little Sutton, Cheshire James DAVIES U 23 M Inmate Labourer Willeston, Cheshire John DAVIES U 47 M Inmate Labourer Willeston, Cheshire Mary DAVIES 5 F Inmate Scholar Little Sutton, Cheshire William DAVIES W 68 M Inmate Farm Labourer Newton C Larton, Cheshire Thomas DOLAN U 38 M Inmate Barman Liverpool, Lancashire John EDWARDS U 18 M Inmate Painter Liverpool, Lancashire Joseph EDWARDS U 19 M Inmate Shoemaker Spital, Cheshire William EVANS U 50 M Inmate Painter Ireland Barnus FITZSIMMONS W 76 M Inmate Tinker Great Sutton, Cheshire Elizabeth GIBSON U 17 F Inmate Domestic Servent Heswell, Cheshire Arthur GODWIN W 70 M Inmate Labourer Moreton, Cheshire John GREEN W 68 M Inmate Brickmaker Marberry, Shropshire John HALE W 61 M Inmate Stone Quarryman West Kirby, Cheshire Ellen HAMPSON 9 F Inmate Scholar Lower Bebington, Cheshire Thomas HAMPSON 4 M Inmate Scholar Lower Bebington, Cheshire Ann JOINSON U 23 F Inmate B..rake, Cheshire Anne JONES 10 F Inmate Scholar Wood Church, Cheshire Betsy JONES W 79 F Inmate Hope Church, Flint, Wales Flora JONES 10 F Inmate Scholar Wood Church, Cheshire Mary Ellen JONES 6 F Inmate Scholar Lower Bebington, Cheshire John KELLY U 42 M Inmate Labourer Ireland William LEWIS W 50 M Inmate Baker Salford, Lancashire Emily LITTLE 2 F Inmate Hoylake, Cumberland Sarah LITTLE U 25 F Inmate Silloth, Cumberland James MADDOX U 63 M Inmate Labourer Ledsham, Cheshire Elizabeth MANNESLEY 14 F Inmate Neston, Cheshire John MARSHALL W 43 M Inmate Coach Trimmer Southampton, Hampshire Patrick MC_PARLAND W 35 M Inmate Farm Labourer Ireland Sarah MILLER W 57 F Inmate Charwoman Eastham, Cheshire Alice MONTROSE 3 F Inmate Liverpool, Lancashire Elizabeth MOOTON U 54 F Inmate Farm House Servent Little Sutton, Cheshire William MOOTON 11 M Inmate Scholar Little Sutton, Cheshire Michael MURRAY W 65 M Inmate Gardener Ireland Samuel NOLAN W 84 M Inmate Farm Labourer Great Neston, Cheshire Emelia PARR U 9 F Inmate Scholar L Bebington, Cheshire Annie PEERS 23 F Inmate Domestic Servent Parkgate, Cheshire William PEERS U 36 M Inmate Labourer Brimstage, Cheshire Mary PILLINGTON M 69 F Inmate Ireland Joseph Thos. PRICE U 3 M Inmate L Bebington, Cheshire Margaret PRICE U 5 F Inmate Scholar L Bebington, Cheshire Mary Ann PRICE U 27 F Inmate L Bebington, Cheshire Mary PRICE U 8 F Inmate Scholar L Bebington, Cheshire John PYKE U 53 M Inmate Labourer Great Neston, Cheshire Susan ROBERTS W 73 F Inmate Truro, Cornwall Ann ROSCOE 6 F Inmate Scholar Lower Bebington, Cheshire Jane ROSCOE 12 F Inmate Scholar Lit Neston, Cheshire Mary ROSCOE U 34 F Inmate Domestic Servent Lit Neston, Cheshire William ROSCOE 10 M Inmate Scholar Lower Bebington, Cheshire John SCARSBRICK W 76 M Inmate Farm Labourer Storton, Cheshire Agnes SMITH W 61 F Inmate Eccles, Lancashire Charlotte SMITH 14 F Inmate Heswell, Cheshire Mary SMITH U 20 F Inmate Caldy, Cheshire Thomas SMITH U 45 M Inmate Labourer Lower Bebington, Cheshire Arthur SUDLOW 15 M Inmate Bakers Apprentice Liverpool, Lancashire James TAIGH 5 M Inmate Scholar Birkenhead, Cheshire John TAIGH 9m M Inmate Birkenhead, Cheshire Mary TAIGH 11 F Inmate Scholar Lower Bebington, Cheshire Patrick TAIGH 3 M Inmate Birkenhead, Cheshire Hannah TAYLOR 4 F Inmate Scholar Lower Bebington, Cheshire Jane TAYLOR U 40 F Inmate Charwoman Lit Neston, Cheshire Martha TAYLOR 9 F Inmate Scholar Lower Bebington, Cheshire Peter TRAINER U 60 M Inmate Labourer Ireland James VENABLES W 70 M Inmate Plasterer Brimstage, Cheshire Richard WARING W 60 M Inmate Labourer Eastham, Cheshire Thomas WARRING 13 M Inmate Scholar Eastham, Cheshire Frederick WILLIAMS 11 M Inmate Scholar Heswell, Cheshire Harriet WILLIAMS U 50 F Inmate Childer Thornton, Cheshire James WILLIAMS U 45 M Inmate Great Neston, Cheshire John WILLIAMS 8 M Inmate Scholar Bromborough, Cheshire Martha WILLIAMS W 74 F Inmate Neston, Cheshire Martha WILLIAMS U 10 F Inmate Scholar L Bebington, Cheshire Matilda WILLIAMS U 10 F Inmate Scholar L Bebington, Cheshire Thomas WILLIAMS W 71 M Inmate Coal Miner Ness, Cheshire Henry WILLSON W 57 M Inmate Labourer Ireland William WORRAL U 65 M Inmate Farm Labourer Bromborough, Cheshire
"The wise man always has riches within himself". DOCTUS IN SE SEMPER DIVITIAS HABET
Inmates. Mary ABLE U 37 F Inmate Ness, Cheshire William ABLE 4 M Inmate Scholar Neston, Cheshire Jane ASHBROOK U 21 F Inmate General Servent Ness, Cheshire Jane BARLOW U 20 F Inmate Domestic Servent Heswell, Cheshire Rhoda BARLOW 1 F Inmate Lower Bebington, Cheshire Elizabeth BEAKELL M 41 F Inmate Sacombe, Cheshire Thomas BEAKELL 9 M Inmate Scholar Birkenhead, Cheshire Margaret BIDDLE W 82 F Inmate Scotland John BOWMAN U 46 M Inmate Labourer Buckminster, Leicester Charles BRADSHAW M 41 M Inmate Labourer Ellesmere Port, Cheshire Thomas BRETHERTON U 81 M Inmate Ellesmere, Shropshire William BURKETT U 63 M Inmate Raby, Cheshire John BUTLER W 45 M Inmate Labourer Ireland John CALOW W 29 M Inmate Fisherman Douglas, Isle of Man Ellen CAMPBELL 53 F Inmate Charwoman Ireland Henry COCKRALL U 25 M Inmate Labourer Colchester, Essex John COOPER W 71 M Inmate Farm Labourer Little Sutton, Cheshire Rosa Ann COWAP U 17 F Inmate L Bebington, Cheshire George CRANLEY U 40 M Inmate Sailor Ireland Eunice CUMMINGS M 40 F Casual Inmate Weaver Stockport, Cheshire Joseph CUMMINGS M 47 M Casual Inmate Labourer Manchester, Lancashire Elizabeth DAVIES 10 F Inmate Scholar Little Sutton, Cheshire George DAVIES 7 M Inmate Scholar Little Sutton, Cheshire Henry DAVIES 4 M Inmate Scholar Little Sutton, Cheshire James DAVIES U 23 M Inmate Labourer Willeston, Cheshire John DAVIES U 47 M Inmate Labourer Willeston, Cheshire Mary DAVIES 5 F Inmate Scholar Little Sutton, Cheshire William DAVIES W 68 M Inmate Farm Labourer Newton C Larton, Cheshire Thomas DOLAN U 38 M Inmate Barman Liverpool, Lancashire John EDWARDS U 18 M Inmate Painter Liverpool, Lancashire Joseph EDWARDS U 19 M Inmate Shoemaker Spital, Cheshire William EVANS U 50 M Inmate Painter Ireland Barnus FITZSIMMONS W 76 M Inmate Tinker Great Sutton, Cheshire Elizabeth GIBSON U 17 F Inmate Domestic Servent Heswell, Cheshire Arthur GODWIN W 70 M Inmate Labourer Moreton, Cheshire John GREEN W 68 M Inmate Brickmaker Marberry, Shropshire John HALE W 61 M Inmate Stone Quarryman West Kirby, Cheshire Ellen HAMPSON 9 F Inmate Scholar Lower Bebington, Cheshire Thomas HAMPSON 4 M Inmate Scholar Lower Bebington, Cheshire Ann JOINSON U 23 F Inmate B..rake, Cheshire Anne JONES 10 F Inmate Scholar Wood Church, Cheshire Betsy JONES W 79 F Inmate Hope Church, Flint, Wales Flora JONES 10 F Inmate Scholar Wood Church, Cheshire Mary Ellen JONES 6 F Inmate Scholar Lower Bebington, Cheshire John KELLY U 42 M Inmate Labourer Ireland William LEWIS W 50 M Inmate Baker Salford, Lancashire Emily LITTLE 2 F Inmate Hoylake, Cumberland Sarah LITTLE U 25 F Inmate Silloth, Cumberland James MADDOX U 63 M Inmate Labourer Ledsham, Cheshire Elizabeth MANNESLEY 14 F Inmate Neston, Cheshire John MARSHALL W 43 M Inmate Coach Trimmer Southampton, Hampshire Patrick MC_PARLAND W 35 M Inmate Farm Labourer Ireland Sarah MILLER W 57 F Inmate Charwoman Eastham, Cheshire Alice MONTROSE 3 F Inmate Liverpool, Lancashire Elizabeth MOOTON U 54 F Inmate Farm House Servent Little Sutton, Cheshire William MOOTON 11 M Inmate Scholar Little Sutton, Cheshire Michael MURRAY W 65 M Inmate Gardener Ireland Samuel NOLAN W 84 M Inmate Farm Labourer Great Neston, Cheshire Emelia PARR U 9 F Inmate Scholar L Bebington, Cheshire Annie PEERS 23 F Inmate Domestic Servent Parkgate, Cheshire William PEERS U 36 M Inmate Labourer Brimstage, Cheshire Mary PILLINGTON M 69 F Inmate Ireland Joseph Thos. PRICE U 3 M Inmate L Bebington, Cheshire Margaret PRICE U 5 F Inmate Scholar L Bebington, Cheshire Mary Ann PRICE U 27 F Inmate L Bebington, Cheshire Mary PRICE U 8 F Inmate Scholar L Bebington, Cheshire John PYKE U 53 M Inmate Labourer Great Neston, Cheshire Susan ROBERTS W 73 F Inmate Truro, Cornwall Ann ROSCOE 6 F Inmate Scholar Lower Bebington, Cheshire Jane ROSCOE 12 F Inmate Scholar Lit Neston, Cheshire Mary ROSCOE U 34 F Inmate Domestic Servent Lit Neston, Cheshire William ROSCOE 10 M Inmate Scholar Lower Bebington, Cheshire John SCARSBRICK W 76 M Inmate Farm Labourer Storton, Cheshire Agnes SMITH W 61 F Inmate Eccles, Lancashire Charlotte SMITH 14 F Inmate Heswell, Cheshire Mary SMITH U 20 F Inmate Caldy, Cheshire Thomas SMITH U 45 M Inmate Labourer Lower Bebington, Cheshire Arthur SUDLOW 15 M Inmate Bakers Apprentice Liverpool, Lancashire James TAIGH 5 M Inmate Scholar Birkenhead, Cheshire John TAIGH 9m M Inmate Birkenhead, Cheshire Mary TAIGH 11 F Inmate Scholar Lower Bebington, Cheshire Patrick TAIGH 3 M Inmate Birkenhead, Cheshire Hannah TAYLOR 4 F Inmate Scholar Lower Bebington, Cheshire Jane TAYLOR U 40 F Inmate Charwoman Lit Neston, Cheshire Martha TAYLOR 9 F Inmate Scholar Lower Bebington, Cheshire Peter TRAINER U 60 M Inmate Labourer Ireland James VENABLES W 70 M Inmate Plasterer Brimstage, Cheshire Richard WARING W 60 M Inmate Labourer Eastham, Cheshire Thomas WARRING 13 M Inmate Scholar Eastham, Cheshire Frederick WILLIAMS 11 M Inmate Scholar Heswell, Cheshire Harriet WILLIAMS U 50 F Inmate Childer Thornton, Cheshire James WILLIAMS U 45 M Inmate Great Neston, Cheshire John WILLIAMS 8 M Inmate Scholar Bromborough, Cheshire Martha WILLIAMS W 74 F Inmate Neston, Cheshire Martha WILLIAMS U 10 F Inmate Scholar L Bebington, Cheshire Matilda WILLIAMS U 10 F Inmate Scholar L Bebington, Cheshire Thomas WILLIAMS W 71 M Inmate Coal Miner Ness, Cheshire Henry WILLSON W 57 M Inmate Labourer Ireland William WORRAL U 65 M Inmate Farm Labourer Bromborough, Cheshire
Total residents: 108
"The wise man always has riches within himself". DOCTUS IN SE SEMPER DIVITIAS HABET
Forgive me if these links have been put up before, i thought this was an excellent site, different areas can be researched as well as some census years.
Excellent site, Bert, thanks for the link. Unfortunately it doesn't give the date when the workhouse became Birkenhead Municipal Hospital. Anyone any ideas?
The reason I ask is that my grandmother died there in 1928 - the place of death on the certificate is shown as 56 Church Road, Tranmere which apparently was the address shown on certificates issued by the workhouse to avoid stigma. She died as the result of an accident at her home in Liscard (so she wasn't a workhouse inmate) and it's always puzzled me why she wasn't taken to Victoria Central which was just up the road. Anyone know what the situation was with hospitals in the pre-NHS era?
Forgive me if these links have been put up before, i thought this was an excellent site, different areas can be researched as well as some census years.
Nice one Bert. Note all the staff came from outside the area more or less. Also records a one month old infant as a servant? Start em young isn't in it!
Warning, our precious Tory government would have them back if they could get away with it.
Excellent site, Bert, thanks for the link. Unfortunately it doesn't give the date when the workhouse became Birkenhead Municipal Hospital. Anyone any ideas?
The reason I ask is that my grandmother died there in 1928 - the place of death on the certificate is shown as 56 Church Road, Tranmere which apparently was the address shown on certificates issued by the workhouse to avoid stigma. She died as the result of an accident at her home in Liscard (so she wasn't a workhouse inmate) and it's always puzzled me why she wasn't taken to Victoria Central which was just up the road. Anyone know what the situation was with hospitals in the pre-NHS era?
BIRKENHEAD UNION WORKHOUSE
The Union Workhouse in Derby Road, Tranmere, was opened in 1863 and was subsequently known as Birkenhead Union Infirmary until 1934, then as the Birkenhead Municipal Hospital ...
1871 England Census about Child Name: Child Age: 1 Month Estimated birth year: abt 1871 Relation: Pauper Gender: Male Where born: Birkenhead, Cheshire, England Civil Parish: Tranmere Ecclesiastical parish: St Catherine County/Island: Cheshire Country: England Registration district: Birkenhead Sub-registration district: Tranmere ED, institution, or vessel: Birkenhead Union Workhouse and Hospital Household schedule number: 1 Household Members: Name Age Thomas Redding 46 Ellen Redding 41 Anne Maria 16 Emily Maria 14 William Maria 11 Thomas Samuel 10 George Albert 9 Frances Matilda 7 Frederick John 6 Alfred Syrns 5 Michael Dillon 43 Jane Louisa Dillon 30 Edward Walton 39 Anne Maria Harvey 29 Ellen Greenfield 45 Ann Bell 39 William Ammond 53 Mary Agnew 69 John Agnew 65 Elizabeth Alden 65 John Albinson 10 James Bentley 51 Peter Brown 59 Richard Bennett 71 William Burns 70 Georgina Bennett 36 Mary Brooks 50 John Bent 71 Margaret Bone 45 Elizabeth Branstead 56 Isabella Bridget 51 George Burnes 51 John Brophie 67 Margaret Bartlett 22 Ellen Baker 19 William Bottomley 15 Peter H Boddington 25 Mary Bragger 19 George Coltharp 61 Thomas Clarke 21 Catherine Carroll 53 Frederick Codrington 2 Henry Collins 31 Ann Cothran 54 Alice Corley 61 Mary Cotton 63 Thomas Chandler 50 Winifred Connelly 35 Thomas Champion 54 William Champion 59 Martha Champion 61 James Crompton 47 Catherine Clara 17 Thomas Clay 24 Thomas Cavanagh 65 Sarah Cole 23 Child 1 Month Mabel Crawshaw 14 Mary Curran 40 David Davies 83 Samuel Donelly 77 Thomas Dodd 70 John Dean 67 John Doyle 50 John Dodd 44 Thomas Dernn 25 John Ditchfield 36 Maria Dalton 52 Mary Doyle 31 William Delamore 64 James Dickson 50 Willy Davies 13 David Davies 74 Evan Davies 64 Robert Duncan 72 Sarah Davies 9 Mildred Daily 33 Thomas Davies 28 Emma Duncan 36 John Henry Ellis 39 Ann Elliott 60 Elizabeth Evans 72 Richard Edwards 66 George Foster 79 Michael Fagan 61 Thomas Fahey 56 John Fisher 35 Patrick Flannery 33 John Farrell 64 Catherine H Foster 59 Daniel Farrell 29 Thomas Farrell 35 William Ford 49 Martha Grey 79 John Gilion 74 Samuel Griffiths 62 Francis H Green 35 Timothy Graney 44 John Garrell 28 Jonathan Huntington 28
God help us, Come yourself, Don't send Jesus, This is no place for children.