Any ideas about how these children ended up in a Union Workhouse?

[alllegs]

Hi everyone,

I wondered if anyone can help me at all......

I'm trying to find the parents of Naomi (b 1863-67), Mercy (b 1869) and Clara (b 1872) Reed, in the 1881 census they were living in a Huntingdon St John Union Workshouse (Ref - RG11, 1604 / 50, 32.)

I have searched IGI but only found a possible christening date for Naomi (11/10/1863) this makes her 4 years older than she appears on the 1881 census.  Her parents are stated as Joseph and Mary Ann Reed.  I cannot find any IGI details for the other children.  Neither can I find any of the girls births on FreeBMD......

I would be really greatful for any info on this family (especially Mercy and parents).  I have searched FreeBMD but can't find any deaths that fit Joseph and Mary Ann before 1881.

I'm not sure what to do now....?

Thank you in anticipation
Love
Legs
xxxx

[casalguidi]

A possible 

1871

Upton Parish, Upton, Huntingdon

Joseph READ head mar 71 shepherd b.Buckworth
Sarah wife 64 b.Stowe
Naomi READ grandau 4 b.Buckworth

Rg10/1524 folio 70 page 12

Casalguidi

[johnP-bedford]

Hi Legs,

1871 census has Naomi READ age 4, with Joseph Read Head age 71 (Shepherd) born Buckwoth Hunts & Sarah Read Wife age 64 born Stowe Bucks,  living in Upton Hunts. Note Ancestry records Joseph's age as 11 even though he's the Head !) No mention of Mercy

regards
John

[casalguidi]

Another possible  

1871

Upton Road, Alconbury Weston, Huntingdon

Samuel READ head mar 25 ag lab b.Barham
Catherine wife 24 b.Buckworth
Mary dau 2 b.Barham

Rg10/1525 folio 16 page 1

It definitely says Mary but Mercy and Mary do often get confused in the records  

Casalguidi

[alllegs]

Thank you Casa and John,

Thats certainly a possible, although my Naomi was supposedly born in Alconbury Weston, I'm not sure where that is in relation to Buckworth.......

Where is Mercy...........

Thank you for the info.

Love
Legs
xxxxx

Casa - RE: your second post: Was there any sign of Naomi?

[casalguidi]

Hi Legs

They are exactly as I have them above - it could be Naomi with her grandparents.  I would discount the IGI for the present if they are not showing up as you would expect.

With regards to their births, have you checked under READ REED REID?  Also, freebmd is not yet complete - you may have more success on http://www.1837online.com (pay per view)

It's always trickier when you have a name with a number of common variant spellings 

Does Mercy's marriage certificate not give her father's name?

Best wishes

Casalguidi

[alllegs]

Thanks again Casa....

I have searched IGI and FreeBMD using various spelling of 1st and surnames and still hit brick walls...!

Unfortunatly I'm doing this on a student's budget which doesn't yet stretch to using 1837.....damned tuition fees!

I don't actually have Mercy's marriage cert either, she is not a direct ancestor of myself, I'm researching this line on behalf of an elderly distant relative who I have only recently discovered, I'm not sure what they have but I will find out!  My direct ancestor is Mercy's brother in law!

Thank you so much for your help any way, its is greatly appreciated.

Love
Legs
xxxxx

[casalguidi]

Hi Legs

There is a Clara REED birth registered June quarter 1872 (freebmd) Huntingdon registration district which would fit 

Furthermore, the workhouse records should say when & why the children were admitted/discharged etc.

http://users.ox.ac.uk/~peter/workhouse/Huntingdon/Huntingdon.shtml

Casalguidi

[alllegs]

Hi Casa,

Thank you again......I'm must have missed Clara's birth on FreeBMD, thanks for double checking for me.

Also Thank you for the union workhouse website link - its fab, I will have to have a proper look at it and contact the relevant people to find out why the Reed sister's were there. 

Thanks again
Love
Legs
xxxx