> Have a look at this Pat:- > > http://www.datchethistory.org.uk/Link%20Articles/link_workhouse.htm > > John > > Patricia Sinfield wrote: > > Hi, > > I am curious about an address in 1841 known as Old Workhouse, > > Datchet. During that census the Goulds and Barnes were there, but > > if it was a workhouse in use, It was possible to set up a workhouse from 1722 (or even earlier) but this was mostly done only in yowns or areas where many people were travelling through - which applied to the parish of Datchet. However, this was not the official Workhouse of the Union of parishes, which could be set up from 1834 (usually a few years later). Earlier, the poor were 'farmed' meaning a person bid for them, for a set sum, putting them into a cottage or cottages and setting them to work on simple tasks like sewing (for women) farm work, picking oakum etc for men. He let out their services to local employers and made whatever profit he could.. In return he gave them shelter and as little food as he could get away with. Most villages had a 'poor house; to which aged folk unable to care for themselves could be moved - sort of sheltered housing before its time. The official workhouse had to supply better accommodation, a controlled amount of food and any work done was for the running of the building. It was inspected regularly and abuses pounced on by the local paper. This meant that in most areas involved, the old workhouse building was converted again to a cottage or cottages/ In my village, there were two cottages adjoing used as poor houses. These were converted to one house and when it changed hands about ten years ago, it was for a very large sum of money indeed. would have thought many more names > > would have appeared. They would be two ordinary families using the converted accommodation, Maybe I didn't submit the query correctly, and > > therefore, only my particular request came up. Could that be so.? > > Also do I have to join the Bucks Family History Soc. No - but why not join the Bucks Genealogical Society? All old registers are now in the County Archives, not in the parish. A transcript of the entry can be supplied or a photocopy made next trip into Aylesbury.