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England (Counties as in 1851-1901) => England => Westmorland => Topic started by: Brian Holcroft on Wednesday 13 May 15 18:36 BST (UK)
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In 1915 my grandmother Edith Maria Smith is recorded as being at Meathop Sanitorium Cumbria.
I am unaware if she was a patient or a member of staff. At this time the hospital was being used to treat soldiers suffering from gas poisoning.
She had 4 daughters aged between 9 and 2 years old, the youngest being my mother Rose Mary Smith and I wonder what happened to them during this period.
Her husband was away from home during the first World war.
I would like to access records which could help to study this period in my family history.
Your help would be appreciated.
Best wishes,
Brian
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Could you say which records you have accessed for this information?
Is it via this site?
http://www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/hospitalrecords/details.asp?id=271&page=37
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Chempat,
The only information I had was a very brief note in Edith Maria Smith's husbands army service record:
A memorandum from A.H. WHipple of the war relief office in Blackburn stating that he was unable to make contact at her address, 3 Little Peel Street, "as she is in Meathrop Sanitorium".
As she had 4 small children and a husband serving in the war I was intrigued to find out what happened to the family
Is the record you mentioned available to study online.
I have emailed Kendal Records Office to see if they can help.
Thanks for your help.
Brian.
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Dear Chempat,
I have confirmation that Edith Smith was admitted as a patient in 1915 but they are unable to tell me what happened to the children.
I have been advised to enquire at Blackburn re the children and will try to find a contact for this matter.
Thanks
Brian
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Have you considered that they might have been 'taken in' by other members of her or her husband's families?
Unlikely to be any official records of this.
School records of attendance might be of relevance.
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chempat,
Thanks for your response.
I am not aware that any of Edith or her husband's family lived nearby.
I have looked on "find my past" at school records but only national school records are available.
I will ask if Blackburn have retained such archives.
Best wishes.
Brian
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Dear Chempat
Blackburn Library have responded and advise that school and work house records are available.
It appears that trips to Blackburn Library and Preston Records office will be needed to resolve this matter.
Thanks for your help.
Brian.