Genealogy Chat

Hi everyone, Can anyone tell me what a 'House of Industry' would have been in 1871, I have found a rellie, and all the people on this census are widowed or unmarrried, all seem to have had 'jobs' like Blacksmith, Clock cleaner, fisherman, ag lab (of course lol) etc. do you think it was like a retirement home, as these people all seem to been in their late years. (also all men) This one was in Oulton, which I think was in Suffolk/Norfolk, any ideas I would appreciate....thank you.........Lilly

I think you already know the answer but haven't recognised it. It lies in the name. House of Work = Workhouse.

Hi Grampa, do you think so,? its just that all these people had good jobs, lots of them were trade men, thats what stopped me, from thinking work house. now I'm not sure !!!!!lol....Lilly

Hi Lilly House of Industry ; Another name for a workhouse, often associated with the 'Hundred' institutions set up in Norfolk and Suffolk unions in the eighteenth century. There's an Oulton in Norfolk and one in Suffolk....good sites for both........ http://users(.)ox(.)ac(.)uk/~peter/workhouse/ http://www(.)institutions(.)org(.)uk/ lots of history, pictures etc Sarah xxx

You will probably find that most of them were retired. It was not unusual for people to still refer to their Trade which many had served long Apprenticeships learning. Not like the Jack the Lads these days.

Hi Sarah and Grampa. Over 1500 rellies and the first found in the Workhouse, he certainly let the side down didn't he ? lol Thanks Sarah for the web sites I will go and have a look now. Grampa... it just seems so sad/strange that after working and obviously having a bit of money, ( he was a shoemaker) he should end up in the Workhouse, especially as there were quite a few family members living around that area. Why? I will never know. ? Lol. thanks for your help anyway......Lilly

I don't know when it started happening but locally hospitals or old people's homes seem to have used the old workhouse buildings. I think conditions would have been improving by 1871. Does any one know when the workhouse system ended?

Workhouses often had infirmaries attached - he may have been staying there, being treated whilst unwell. Perhaps his nearby relatives had no room and no spare cash. Although he may have made money as a shoemaker, he wouldn't be rolling in it, and would have had to pay for medical treatment etc etc. Perhaps he was too frail to live on his own and as I said there was no room with his relatives. nell who was very glad to find her gt gt gt grandfather, after being evicted from Stoke Poges in a settlement dispute, was allowed to return and spent over 20 years of his life in an old almshouse with just 5 other inhabitants and their own chapel, and lived to the ripe old age of 93.