Hi, I'm new here but I'm researching family connections (though not mine) with Wolstanton and Burslem Union Workhouse. I've carried out some earlier research on the workhouse buildings etc, and have now turned to the people who passed through, i.e. paupers/inmates, vagrants/tramps, and staff. Tregotha was one such record (pauper) I came across and my basic notes on this are as follows:
One such surname is that of Tregotha, an old Cornish name for ‘cloth’. Elizabeth Tregotha aged 13 (born 1838) appeared to be alone in the workhouse with her sister Emma aged 12 (born 1839). Further research suggests that their parents were Charles and Elizabeth Tregotha (both born in 1805) and their siblings were Eliza (born 1828), Mary (born 1830), and John (born 1832). Both Charles and Elizabeth were born in Staffordshire but Charles’ mother Elizabeth (born 1771) was born outside Staffordshire, quite possibly in Cornwall.
The elder of the two sisters, Elizabeth, went on to marry Luke Tunstall in 1862 at Christ Church, Cobridge. Luke later died and she married again this time to Joseph Patrick. Elizabeth was still alive in 1911 when recorded living with or visiting a daughter.
Despite the unusual surname there is little evidence of the family in the North Staffordshire area although a Charles Tregotha (possibly a brother of the two sisters) married Ann Kelsall in 1865 at Christ Church, Cobridge. There is also birth records for Elizabeth Tregotha (born 1862) and Charles Tregotha (born 1865) and although they cannot be either Elizabeth’s or Emma’s children they are probably a niece and nephew.
My aim is to make forward and backward connections with some of those who 'passed' through the workhouse to suggest how or why they arrived there and how they fared afterwards. Of course I've come to recognise that dates are seldom to be relied upon so these dates should be considered approximations.
I hope this is helpful and if I come across any more information I'll pass it on. If anyone has information that I may find useful with regard to the workhouse and its residents and staff, I would be very pleased to see it.
