Some local knowledge please

[Westy11]

John William TOMLINSON aged 49 died in the Lincoln Workhouse in 1941.

In the 1939 Register John was listed living with his wife and daughters and was incapacitated.  At marriage his occupation was given as Labourer.

The Workhouse record notes John was buried by friends. 

I am wondering if it was usual practice for those without the necessary finances to take their sick family members to a Workhouse? 

Im just trying to get some understanding of a few reasons why John died in a Workhouse rather than in his home.

i know the list of reasons could be many, including he may have been a difficult patient [ ] and his wife decided he needed others assistance.  But seriously I am just wondering if this may have been common practice for those without a lot of finances.

Westy

[stanmapstone]

Just to say that Workhouses, and Boards of Guardians, legally ceased to exist on Monday 31st March 1930, they were then called Public Assistance Institutions, although usually still being referred to by local people as ‘the workhouse’.
After 1930  the Lincoln Workhouse became known as Burton Road Institution, then later as West View.

Stan

[Westy11]

Thanks Stan.  The record is perhaps incorrectly titled "Lincolnshire Workhouse Deaths". 

Westy

[stanmapstone]

According to a report in the Lincolnshire Echo - Wednesday 05 February 1941, Burton Road Institution included a hospital

[Westy11]

Thanks Stan: just on the off chance - I am not questioning your information - you will know whereas i don't hence the post.

I was simply making the point that the record from which I gained my information was headed "Lincolnshire Workhouse Deaths".

Nonetheless thanks for your input as its much appreciated.

Westy

[stanmapstone]

I was simply making the point that the record from which I gained my information was headed "Lincolnshire Workhouse Deaths".

The records are "Lincolnshire Workhouse Deaths, discover your ancestors who died in workhouses in six poor law unions in Lincolnshire between 1866 and 1944."

Poor Law Unions did not exist after 1930, so the title is misleading.

Stan

[Westy11]

Thanks Stan.

Westy

[a-l]

Workhouses contained hospitals. Some of my rels went into the hospital sections when they were too ill to be cared for by family / friends.
They died within a month of being admitted. It could be the same situation for your family.

[Del 80]

A lot of workhouses became hospitals.....I was born in Hill View Hospital Grantham in 1953....it was still known as The Workhouse up until the 1970's, when it was demolished, and even after that when it became an old people's home