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Topics - Hillhurst

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Somerset / Magdalen Hospital School/Rockhall House (Bath)
« on: Monday 25 April 22 21:34 BST (UK)  »
According to the 1921 census, I've discovered that my granny's cousin was an inpatient in this Institution, located on Combe Down in Bath. I know this charity cared for people with learning disabilities at the time.

My Google searching hasn't revealed much about this charity, except for a general history, which I'm not bothered about.

Does anyone have any insights into this charity, particularly if they had a family member there? Was it a grim place? How long did inmates stay inside? Did they stay there until they passed away?

The relative in question is (unfortunately) described in more derogatory terminology in the 1911 census, so I'm not shocked to find her in an Institution a decade later. But I'd like to know if inmates at the Magdalen Hospital School were sadly "lifers".

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The Common Room / Birth declaration conundrum
« on: Saturday 23 April 22 20:50 BST (UK)  »
One of my relatives gave birth to an illegitimate child during the 1920s. Nothing unusual in my family. Here's the conundrum: she registered the birth in the same District she gave birth in.

So why was this birth "as by Declaration" (as noted on the birth certificate)? I thought declarations mainly applied to a birth which took place outside the district where the information is being given.

The birth was registered a month later, and the declaration was dated 4 days before the birth was registered. Apparently some registered births with declarations followed a similar timeline.
The child was subsequently raised by a family member. So I'm left to wonder if it was actually the birth mother or adoptive family member who registered the child's birth (with the declaration)?
The latter was living about 30 miles from the District where the birth was registered. And it's the latter's home address which appears on the birth certificate.

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The Lighter Side / Favourite Apprentice role (18th century)
« on: Friday 08 April 22 21:16 BST (UK)  »
In 1788 one lucky teenager pauper was nominated for an apprenticeship in the Stamp Office warehouse at Somerset House. I reckon he was involved with the Stamp Office stationery and forms.

I wonder if he stayed on in the Stamp Office after his apprenticeship was finished. Hmm...  :-\

4
The Lighter Side / May-December marriages (19th century)
« on: Thursday 31 March 22 20:17 BST (UK)  »
I was reminded today of a vast age gap between my paternal ancestor and his young bride. It was his second marriage and her first. He was nearly 85 (!) and she was 25.  :o  They went on to have several children. Of course this really creeps me out.

Because I like to poke fun at my ancestors, I do wonder if there weren't any "age-appropriate" gentlemen callers for the young bride?  After all, they lived in London (not out in the 'boonies').

It's not like my ancestor was well-off.  Who knows...maybe his charms were hard to resist?

5
The Common Room / Ancestry.com: Free Access to global immigration records until 17 March
« on: Saturday 12 March 22 00:26 GMT (UK)  »
Free access starts today on Ancestry.com - Friday, 11 March through Thursday, 17 March.

ADDED:

If you're logged in via Ancestry.co.uk:

On the main screen - scroll to the drop-down menu "Visit Our Other Sites" and select United States. When the new log in screen appears, log in as normal. This should give you access to the free global immigration records on Ancestry.com

6
The Lighter Side / Long gap between marriage to birth of child
« on: Thursday 03 March 22 18:03 GMT (UK)  »
Can anyone beat this? My grandmother didn't have her first (and only) child until 17 years after she married. I know for a fact that my grandmother never wanted children. So it probably explains the 17 year gap. Apparently the pregnancy came as quite a shock. She was not pleased, to say the least.

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The Lighter Side / My favourite occupation (1861 Census)
« on: Tuesday 01 March 22 17:15 GMT (UK)  »
Quite by accident I found this scintillating occupation for a 30-something married woman in London:

"Female Searcher at Police Station"  :o  :o

Just the job title alone conjures up so many images. Most of them not pleasant. Did Lysol spray exist back in the day? I dare say rubber gloves didn't exist at the time either.

All I can say is: Cagney & Lacey and Scott & Bailey have nothing on this brave woman.

Given that London Metropolitan Police didn't recruit women until 1883, I wonder how this lady got her gig circa 1861? Was she initially employed as the Police Station cleaner, then got a promotion...of sorts?  ;D

I can hear it now...

Police Desk Serjeant: "You're doing a grand job mopping the floors, luv, but "Peckham Patsy the Pickpocket" is back again, and is waiting in the holding tank. Would you mind?"  ;D


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The Common Room / Ministry of Pensions
« on: Saturday 26 February 22 22:51 GMT (UK)  »
Courtesy of the 1921 census I discovered one of my relative's worked for the Ministry of Pensions (Issuing Office) at the time.

I do wonder how many WW1 pensions she calculated?  :-\  She lived to be 95, so it appears the daily grind of pensions work didn't effect her health.

Love the photo of the totally focused MoP employee in this article. She's the lady on the right, hand on her forehead, busy crunching numbers.  ;D  Personally, I think she needs a lie-down.

http://www.westernfrontassociation.com/world-war-i-articles/the-ministry-of-pensions-during-and-after-the-great-war/

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