George & Mary Ellen Roberts nee Thomson

[Laurence Roberts]

Hello Blue, thank you very much.

It is quite something to see this for my great grand mother.

I appreciate it,

Laurence

[Blue70]

The Workhouse birth/baptism record would explain why she was in service at an early age in Liverpool.


Blue

[Laurence Roberts]

Yes, I see. Do you think it means she has been orphaned, Blue, or might she have been there with one or both parents ? I realise I am very ignorant of how this worked out in daily life.

I remember my Nanna (Mary Ellen Roberts nee Thomson) speaking of her mother and Wales and 'the big hats.'

What is amazing to me, is that I stay a few minutes from Lllanbeblig every year with a friend !

[Blue70]

Unmarried women often went into the Workhouse to have their children. Sometimes the mother would marry the father at a later date and the child would stay with her mother. If the family were supportive the child might stay with the mother and extended family even though she remained single. There was a stigma attached to illegitimate children so a lot of children were placed away from the mother so she could return to her former life.


Blue

[dickiesam]

Yes, I see. Do you think it means she has been orphaned, Blue, or might she have been there with one or both parents ? I realise I am very ignorant of how this worked out in daily life.

I remember my Nanna (Mary Ellen Roberts nee Thomson) speaking of her mother and Wales and 'the big hats.'

What is amazing to me, is that I stay a few minutes from Lllanbeblig every year with a friend !

Interesting find Blue. It was not uncommon for illegitimate children to be born in the workhouse and then literally abandoned by the mother often through sheer necessity. The child would be raised in the workhouse and eventually put to work locally or placed in service with a family who could afford to keep her. Usually just board and lodging with perhaps a pittance in pay until she was older.

[Laurence Roberts]

Thank you both for your comments, shedding light on the situation.

It is very helpful. And yes, "what a find" for sure.

[Blue70]

If you want more information there might be surviving records of people who were in the Workhouse. Here is a contact e-mail address for the archives:-

archives.caernarfon@gwynedd.gov.uk


Blue

[Laurence Roberts]

Thank you very much for this. I'll write to them about it.

[Blue70]

I've been having a look at the names/initials of the people at the Workhouse on the 1861 Census. Ellen does not appear there nor can I find her elsewhere. This is not unusual my Great Grandfather's sister had a number of illegitimate children who are still to be found on their first census.

According to Ellen's marriage record her father was a labourer called Lewis Williams. I can't find a baptism or census entry to support this so perhaps she was trying to hide the fact she was illegitimate or the name Lewis could be a hint at her father's surname.


Blue

[Laurence Roberts]

That's very interesting and helpful. It's great to have your know-how, and experience with your Great Grand father's sister, and how the records were kept, Blue.

Thanks very much.

Laurence

[ronpsmith]

Hi Laurence

Just seen your entry on the forum.

John W Furby was my grandfather (through his second marriage), so we are probably related - perhaps through the Halsalls?

All my family details are on these web sites:-

http://liverpolitan.im/furby/
http://liverpolitan.im/halsall/

If you are interested in the Furbys or the Halsalls too, that would be great. You can contact me via the web sites if you wish to.

I look forward to hearing from you.

Ron

[MaryA]

Hi and welcome to the forum. I hope the original poster sees that you have replied to his messages and you make contact with new family members.