Bolton workhouses, can you get records?

[Fibrokitty]

I've never really looked in to workhouses apart from when they've been in during a census, my gr gr granddad adopted a boy from a workhouse between 1901 and 1911, he was with his parents in the 1901 census in Chorlton and then my ancestors in Bolton in the 1911 census ( his mum died in 1901 and dad 1905 so im not sure when he ended up in a workhouse). For my gr gr granddad to find him and adopt him i presume he was in a Bolton workhouse ( they lived in Westhoughton) but what route is the best route to take to find workhouse records around that time?

Thankyou

[Jebber]

What makes you think he was in the workhouse? He may have been in an orphanage, or he may simply have been taken in by your family if his family were known to them.

You may not find any formal records at all. Formal adoption didn’t take place until 1927, after the adoption act of 1926.

[jonw65]

Hi
There are some Bolton workhouse records available free on FamilySearch.
Need to be registered and logged in.
Workhouse records for Bolton Poor Law Union, 1880-1905
https://www.familysearch.org/search/catalog/1370292

Various workhouse records, 1839-1941
https://www.familysearch.org/search/catalog/375199

[BumbleB]

Looking at the distance between Chorlton and Westhoughton - about 17/18 miles - my thought would be a family connection of some description.  Did both parents die in the Chorlton area?

[Fibrokitty]

What makes you think he was in the workhouse? He may have been in an orphanage, or he may simply have been taken in by your family if his family were known to them.

You may not find any formal records at all. Formal adoption didn’t take place until 1927, after the adoption act of 1926.

From a relative who got stories off her mother, she was told that my gr gr granddad was a Guardian, it would have been a workhouse in the Bolton area and the boy was there, i don't think he officially adopted him no and he kept his own surname, i was just wondering the best way to maybe find records of him and when i went there if its possible?

[Maiden Stone]

"The Workhouse - The story of an institution", Peter Higginbottom's website, is the go-to site for information about workhouses.
www.workhouses.org.uk/Bolton/
Plans dated 1893, 1915, 1929, the 2 later plans show Hollins Cottage Homes which was the children's section. The cottage homes site contained a hospital and gym. Report 1908 mentions "two receiving homes for children". Hollins Cottage Homes opened 1878/9. Bolton Union was one of two pioneers in introducing cottage homes for children. A report of a field and sports day for the children, Aug. 1904 was reported in "Bolton Evening News". There was also separate accommodation for working boys. Townley House working Boys' Home. Links to sources at bottom of page including Bolton Archive & Local Studies Service and Manchester & Lancashire Family History Society.  Bolton Archive holdings include admissions and discharges registers 1839-1930 and religious creeds registers. Manchester & Lancashire FHS members have been transcribing records.

List of holdings in Bolton Archives can be found on National Archives online catalogue.
https://discovery.nationalarchives.gov.uk

Manchester & Lancashire Family History Society has a Bolton branch. As you have Bolton ancestors you may consider joining.
https://www.mlfhs.uk/bolton/research/documents

[Fibrokitty]

Looking at the distance between Chorlton and Westhoughton - about 17/18 miles - my thought would be a family connection of some description.  Did both parents die in the Chorlton area?

They did yes, and they came from Nottingham and Staffordshire areas. I did think it was a bit of a stretch for him to go to Bolton for no reason i just cant find the reason, im hoping to find his siblings in the same workhouse.

[Fibrokitty]

"The Workhouse - The story of an institution", Peter Higginbottom's website, is the go-to site for information about workhouses.
www.workhouses.org.uk/Bolton/
Plans dated 1893, 1915, 1929, the 2 later plans show Hollins Cottage Homes which was the children's section. The cottage homes site contained a hospital and gym. Report 1908 mentions "two receiving homes for children". Hollins Cottage Homes opened 1878/9. Bolton Union was one of two pioneers in introducing cottage homes for children. A report of a field and sports day for the children, Aug. 1904 was reported in "Bolton Evening News". There was also separate accommodation for working boys. Townley House working Boys' Home. Links to sources at bottom of page including Bolton Archive & Local Studies Service and Manchester & Lancashire Family History Society.  Bolton Archive holdings include admissions and discharges registers 1839-1930 and religious creeds registers. Manchester & Lancashire FHS members have been transcribing records.

List of holdings in Bolton Archives can be found on National Archives online catalogue.
https://discovery.nationalarchives.gov.uk

Manchester & Lancashire Family History Society has a Bolton branch. As you have Bolton ancestors you may consider joining.
https://www.mlfhs.uk/bolton/research/documents

Thankyou i shall have a look at what you suggested

[Fibrokitty]

Hi
There are some Bolton workhouse records available free on FamilySearch.
Need to be registered and logged in.
Workhouse records for Bolton Poor Law Union, 1880-1905
https://www.familysearch.org/search/catalog/1370292

Various workhouse records, 1839-1941
https://www.familysearch.org/search/catalog/375199

Thankyou