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From: "Shelagh Garside" <>
Subject: The Workhouse
Date: Wed, 1 Sep 2004 18:58:36 +0100


I received the birth certificate for my g-g-grandfather. I was surprised to
see that he'd been born in the workhouse and that his father's occupation is
given as "soldier in the militia". I know that in the early 1850's he was a
steel manufacturer (I think small-scale) and on the birth certificates of
his children born in the late 1850s/1860s his occupation is given as a steel
melter so to see he was in the army in 1855 leaving his wife (and presumably
children) in the workhouse was unexpected. Lots of questions spring to
mind.

If his business had gone bust would there be a record of it? Would he have
joined the army to avoid his debts or possibly pay them off? I know that
there is a Crimea memorial in Sheffield, is it likely that he would have
served in the Crimea? Where was the workhouse? His bc states "Union
Workhouse, Ecclesall Bierlow". I know there was a workhouse at Fir Vale but
didn't think it was this early - were there others?

These are just thoughts off the top off my head, I don't expect anyone to do
any deep research or anything but if anyone has any ideas or give me some
pointers on things I can research myself I'd be grateful.

Thanks - Shelagh

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