I have traced a (female) relative whose illegitimate daughter was born in Toxteth Park Workhouse in Liverpool - both of them are listed in the 1861 census with the baby aged 7 months. After this all sign of the baby disappears from the records and I suspect either an early death or an adoption. Some years later the mother of this child married my ancestor and there is no sign of her first child in any later records. I haven't been able to find any record of the baby's death (or, come to that, her birth, except for the note on the census that she was born in the workhouse) and I wonder whether any special circumstances might have applied to workhouse births, deaths or adoptions - was it usual for any of these to go unrecorded or might they have been recorded some considerable time after the event, for example? I've been searching, so far, for dates that assume the age given on the census must be pretty accurate because I'd have thought it would be difficult to mistake a 2 week or three year old child for one of 7 months but perhaps there are good reasons why I should expand the search.
Also, while on the subject of Toxteth Park Workhouse, does anyone know where I can find more information about this institution? I have some interesting stuff gleaned from workhouses.org but I'd love to be able to find out more.
Also, while on the subject of Toxteth Park Workhouse, does anyone know where I can find more information about this institution? I have some interesting stuff gleaned from workhouses.org but I'd love to be able to find out more.
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