Workhouses - London and beyond
Visitors to the London Metropolitan Archives (LMA) at 40 Northampton Road, Clerkenwell, EC1R 0HB currently have the opportunity to inspect a gripping exhibition of documents, photographs and explanations about the network of workhouses that operated the London area and their inmates. Whilst by no means complete, the large number of surviving workhouse records provide many opportunities to find out more about our poorer ancestors, including those who only temporarily fell on hard times. The exhibition continues until 10 January 2013.
Naturally, not everyone will find their way to the LMA. However, if you are interested in workhouse history, it is well worth visiting http://www.workhouses.org.uk/ where Peter Higginbotham provides a comprehensive collection of material about their role in society, including profusely illustrated details of the location of workhouse buildings throughout England, Wales, Scotland and Ireland. The site also provides details of a number of publications on the subject.
Francis Howcutt
FFHS Archives Liaison
10 October 2012
