Workhouse Records

[Jr11]

I think I have traced some ancestors to a workhouse, (1881 census), they were only children at the time. How do I find out how they got there? Names of parents? Are there any workhouse archives with names of inmates and their backgrounds?

[Plummiegirl]

Where in the country?

[Jr11]

They were in the Union Workhouse, Linthorpe, Middlesbrough.

[Plummiegirl]

Most old records from Workshouses are kept in local history achives (mainly run by the local council)

Google "Local History Linthorpe" or "Local History Middlesborough" and see what comes up.

Also Google to see if there is a Local or Family History Society for the county/area, if so they may be worth joining if ony for 1 year.  Or see if they print queries in any magazines they produce for non members.  For some reason many of these societies do not handle queries unless you are a member.

But the best advice which you will be given on here is to Google, Google and Google.

Good Luck

[jorose]

http://www.workhouses.org.uk/index.html?Middlesbrough/Middlesbrough.shtml
 - this suggests Teesside Archives is the place to look, although they don't list admission records for the time period you're looking at (but ask the Archives directly about what they have).
You might also try North Yorkshire County Record Office.

http://www.clevelandfhs.org.uk/Other%20Publications.htm - there is some sort of book/pamphlet, also,

Children of Middlesbrough Workhouse 1876 -1919

Survival of these records, unfortunately, can be patchy.