In a message dated 30/05/2011 16:10:43 GMT Daylight Time, isbeckett@optusnet.com.au writes: My name is Ian Beckett. I live in Australia and I am researching the family history of the Mitchell and Higgins family. As part of this research was I am seeking information about a lady named Mary Higgins (nee Mitchell). Hi, I am sorry but I just specialise in the ELKINGTON family. I presume the you mean Scartho Nr. Grimsby.This will tell you about the hospital. _http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Scartho_ (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Scartho) It started life as a workhouse, then a hospital/workhouse and finally it was just a hospital at the beginning of the C20. I don't know much about midwives but I do know they must now be registered and I think it became compulsory about one hundred years ago although midwives have practised since time immemorial. You could contact the Royal College if Midwives at _info@rcm.org.uk_ (mailto:info@rcm.org.uk) . I am sure they would answer your query. You could look at the site _www.FreeBMD.org.uk_ (http://www.FreeBMD.org.uk) for her birth and marriage and probably her death. I am sorry but I am not a paid researcher and do not undertake that kind of work. If I can offer you any further help do let me know. It would be better to contact me direct at _Jjupar@aol.com_ (mailto:Jjupar@aol.com) . as this site is only fort ELKINGTON family members. Regards JUDY ELKINGTON _www.elkingtonfamily.com_ (http://www.elkingtonfamily.com/) _Elkington@rootsweb.com_ (http://www.elkingtonfamily.com/)