Workhouse query

[timetraveller]

Hi All

I found my grt grandfather was in the workhouse in 1911 census where he passed away a few years later.  In the same census his wife is still living in the same house.  Does this mean that they could have been separated?  I thought usually if one person went in the workhouse then so did most if not all the family.

TIA

timetraveller

[suey]

Not necessarily; it could be that your grandfather was unwell or had an infirmity of some description and was unable to work or be looked after at home. 

Very often the workhouse was the only place with any kind of hospital facilty.   

Suey

ps Don't forget with the 1911 we are unable to see the infirmities column...do you have grandpas death cert. it may give a clue as to why he was in the workhouse.

[timetraveller]

Thanks Suey

I've had my grt grandfathers death certificate for a few years now after a newly found rellie and I were trying to find out if his gran was my grandfathers sister as she had put that her father was deceased on her marriage certificate, of course we now know why.  Grt grandfather died in 1918 in Steyning Union infirmary of Carcinoma of the stomach so he must have been ill for many years.  His wife my grt grandmother had died in 1912 at home.

Thanks again

timetraveller