Kings Lynn Workhouse 1914-17

[sue1]

Have I got the slightest chance of being able to view workhouse records for this time period. I know there was more than one workhouse in Kings Lynn - All Saints, St. James and St Margarets are three - I suspect the All Saints one is the one I want. The person I want to look for is deceased and I am the only surviving relative - would that help me to gain access. Where are these records kept?

My mother, born 1905, was the inmate. I heard from her so many stories of the workhouse (none of which were bad) I would like to see the records.

Sue

[Lesley Robertson]

Have I got the slightest chance of being able to view workhouse records for this time period. I know there was more than one workhouse in Kings Lynn - All Saints, St. James and St Margarets are three - I suspect the All Saints one is the one I want. The person I want to look for is deceased and I am the only surviving relative - would that help me to gain access. Where are these records kept?

My mother, born 1905, was the inmate. I heard from her so many stories of the workhouse (none of which were bad) I would like to see the records.

Sue


Have you tried the Workhouses website? http://www.workhouses.org.uk/
Lesley

[Jan1954]

According to workhouses.org.uk the Norfolk Records Office hold the following:

St James' Parish Workhouse (various records from 1737 onwards including several series naming inmates);
Admission/discharge registers etc. (1780-1951 with gaps);
Outdoor poor lists (1736-1843, 1870);
Records of South Lynn paupers (1826-40);
Board of Guardians' minute books (1804-1930, with gaps);
Creed registers (1870-82, 1890-1901);
Deaths (1923-43); and more....

It is certainly worth contacting them.

[Geoffers]

I don't know for Lynn and records this recent, but try searching in three places:

1. If available, they are probably at Kings Lynn Archives (http://www.archives.norfolk.gov.uk/documents/pdf/NRO034_KL_Borough_Archives.pdf) (pdf link) - which should be fairly easy for you from Cambridgeshire. If you give them a call they should be able to help

2. Norfolk Record Office (http://www.archives.norfolk.gov.uk/nroindex.htm) - scroll down until you see NROCAT. Try a search for 'Lynn Workhouse' (click on the 'And' button) - if you get stuck try sending the NRO an e-mail - they usually answer the same day.

3. Try a search of Access to Archives (http://www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/a2a/?source=ddmenu_search1)

Lastly, try seaching the workhouses web-site

[Mitch in Notts]

Sue,

Try the www.kingslynn-forums.co.uk , its down this evening, but they have lots of info and will often look things up as Kings Lynn Library has an awful lot of records - its a mini archives in its own right.

Mitch

[Peter Goodey]

According to my documentation, the only surviving records that might be relevant are the Register(s) of Infants 1910-1941.

I don't know whether the Punishment Book 1900-1928 would be of interest :D

Norfolk Record Office will be able to tell you more.

[Marie C..]

Thanks for that link Mitch . It leads to much interesting information. M

[sue1]

Thank you all for your responses. I have joined the Kings Lynn forum and will also be visiting Kings Lynn library - I only live about 7 miles away from KL.

Gratefully, Sue