I have been researching one of my great-grandparents, Alfred Bryant, b1846 in Braintree, Essex
In the 1851 Census:
- Alfred was listed as a "Lodger", with a lady called Ann Jarvis, a nurse aged 60-64
- Three of Alfred's siblings, Caroline Bryant, Charles Bryant & Walter Bryant were "scholars" in the Braintree Union Workhouse
- The other two, Emma & Arthur, lived with their parents, Spencer & Caroline Bryant
In the 1861 Census, Alfred is in the Braintree Union Workhouse with his brother Arthur. (Ann Jarvis may have died in 1855.)
It sounds like my great-great grandparents had a lot more children than they could afford, but I'd really like to understand more about what was going on here. Is there any way I could examine the Braintree Union Workhouse records? (I coudl travel to Essex if need be, once the lockdown is over)
thanks for any help!