Genealogy Forum UK

Hi,

After quite a long break I am back to tracing my family and need some help. What was meant by "Institution" in the 1841 census? Did it it refer only to a workhouse or asylum or was it broader to encompass such as lodging houses? I have come across entries with only four people which seems low for a workhouse or an asylum.

Any help appreciated,

Martin

An Institution could also be a Barracks or a hospital. Could you cross reference the address with old maps or trade/street directories via the internet or library - they might show whether the building was likely to be large but for some reason with low occupancy or small so some sort of society or similar.

Thanks Frodo, I'll try that.

I had found one ancestor that ended up in the workhouse following the death of his wife, (I guess we'd call it having a breakdown nowadays) He was lucky, he became a servant to the master eventually after 20 years as an inmate!

Martin.

Just an afterthought - perhaps someone on the forum or the library/archive or even local newspaper may have a photo of the Street.