Ralphs at Wantage Workhouse

[shella_n]

Hi There

Im actually from Berkshire but I live in Australia now.

I believe my 3x GGF William Francis Ralph (known as Francis)  born  approx 1857 was in Wantage Workhouse with his brother, also called William born 1853.  the first time I found them in the workhouse was 1971 when my GGF was 14.  My GGF left the workhouse and had a great life living abroad but sadly his brother lived out his days at the workhouse (this is assuming that my research thus far is all accurate).
I am trying to make sure that I have all the right information and also trying to trace their parents.  So, does anyone know if the workhouse records are available - it would be great to see when they went in and why?
Thanks in advance.

[Milliepede]

Little odd to have two children named William even if one did use his middle name but I see the one in the workhouse is down as a lunatic so that's probably why he lived out his days there 

Birth certificate(s) would confirm the name of the parents - how do you know they were brothers?

[Milliepede]

I can't see a William Francis birth but there is a William Edward birth Jun 1853 Wantage which covers Harwell (birthplace from 1871 census)

[KGarrad]

Info here re Wantage workhouse:
http://www.workhouses.org.uk/Wantage/

Which says that any records are with Berkshire Record Office.
 Holdings include: Guardians' minute books (1835-1930); Births (1836-1913); Deaths (1835-66); etc.

[ribbo39]

Hi,

In the Wantage transcripts there is a William Edward Ralph baptised 17-12-1854 the s/o Leah, Workhouse.
As no father is listed would presume that he was illegitimate.

There is also a burial for a William Ralph 14-4-1926 aged 72, The Downs, Newbury Road. which ties in nicely with the date of bapt. above.

The only other "Ralph's" were females with parents Henry & Ann in 1846 & 1854

I looked in the Harwell transcripts and see there is a Frederick William Ralph bapt... "no date" but in 1851 baseborn s/o Leah. This is possibly the same person listed above.

Alan

[shella_n]

Hello

Many thanks for your responses - much appreciated.

I dont know that they are brothers  - its just a theory I am trying to work on.  My GGF full name was William Francis Ralph born 1857/1858 in Berkshire.  The options in the records are few.

The 1871 census shows a Fracnis Ralph aged 14 and William Ralph aged 19 both from Wantage, Berkshire.  In 1881 Francis is in Portsea in the military and then after that he does not appear in any census.  My GGF moved to India in approx 1886 so this all fits in.  The only was to know for sure of course is to get a birth certificate but I was hoping if I could get the Workhouse records that this might help.

[suzard]

Hello

The 1871 census shows a Fracnis Ralph aged 14 and William Ralph aged 19 both from Wantage, Berkshire. 


1871 census has William & Francis in Wantage workhouse but William's p.o.b. is harwell Berks and Francis p.o.b. is Wantage

1881 William's p.o.b. is Wantage
1891 Harwell
1901 Harwell

Suz

[suzard]

Hi,

In the Wantage transcripts there is a William Edward Ralph baptised 17-12-1854 the s/o Leah, Workhouse.
As no father is listed would presume that he was illegitimate.

There is also a burial for a William Ralph 14-4-1926 aged 72, The Downs, Newbury Road. which ties in nicely with the date of bapt. above.

The only other "Ralph's" were females with parents Henry & Ann in 1846 & 1854

I looked in the Harwell transcripts and see there is a Frederick William Ralph bapt... "no date" but in 1851 baseborn s/o Leah. This is possibly the same person listed above.

Alan

This looks like Frederick William Ralph in 1851
Harwell Berks
James Hoare Head single 21 Wheelwright
Leah Ralf lodger single 22 ag lab
Frederick Wm Ralf son 4mths
all b harwell Berks
HO107 1689 544

Leah Ralph appeared in court 22 Oct 1857 charged with larceny from the person -she was found not guilty
possibly William in the workhouse was another son of Leah??

1841 leah is in Harwell
Jesse Ralph 30 Sarah 35 Leah 12 Mary 8 William 5 Rachel 2

Suz

[LizzieL]

1841 leah is in Harwell
Jesse Ralph 30 Sarah 35 Leah 12 Mary 8 William 5 Rachel 2

Suz

All have surname Day, but note on Ancestry giving alternative as Leah ralph.

There is a report in Oxford Chronicle and Reading Gazette 26 December 1846
of removal of Jesse Day, wife and four children and also Leah Ralph from Britwell to Harwell. The overseer of Britwell who applied for the order was a Mr Ralph (co-incidence?)