Genealogy Chat

If a child was born in a workhouse,does anyone know who would of registered the birth?I have received copy of my grandmothers birth certificate and it says the Informer was a H Dixon Occupier of 7 Low Road,Whitehaven.I have done some more research and found out that there was a workhouse on Low Road til 1930sThe Master of it in both 1881 and 1891 census was a Harry Dixon aged 30,then 40,as my grandmother was not born until 1919,i was wondering if this is the same person who registered her birth?I cant find anyrecord of his death anywhere,but he would be nearing his 70th year by 1919.Surely he would of retired by that time?

hi ann, My grandmother was born in the workhouse also, her certificate says the registration was done by the master of the workhouse, I think that was usual. makes life difficult doent it with workhouse births, my gran didnt have a fathers name eitherjust her mothers their name was Lewis and as it was gloucester lewis seems to be rather a comman(no offence meant) name. I was told that the record office in the workhouse area often had more info but havent had time to get to gloucester yet. good luck with yours sandra

I had a look on the 1901 decoder and Harry Dixon was still the workhouse master then, together with his wife Elizabeth. In 1891 they also had a daughter Elizabeth (11), so maybe by 1919 they had a son, with the initial H, who took over the "family business"? Just a guess tho Rachel

My greatgrandfather was also born in the workhouse and the Matron who helped at the birth registered his birth. Shelli

thanks for your replies everyone,Rachel,thanks for looking on 1901 census.I had looked but didnt get very far!!Think i was a bit tired so couldnt see what was in front of my nose!!I have recently read up a bit on workhouses and i found out that the master is a master for life so maybe it was the old guy that was still there in 1919.Seems to have cleared it up for me though thanks

State pensions only started in 1909 and then only paid between 10p-25p per week (means tested). This was paid once a person was 70. So in those days people worked for as long as they were able.