Can anyone help with Minster Workhouse records? I contacted Kent Archives a while ago and there seemed then to be some confusion as to their exact whereabouts. Louisa Sayer b.1858 gave birth to my grandmother Eliza Sarah there 21 August 1878 and married Frederick James Cox or Cocks on 20 October. I have assumed he was the putative father but wonder if her admission notes might give information. William H.Mirams' death was registered by the Workhouse Master 3 June 1906. His H was recorded as Henry. My great grandfather was William Holloway Mirams and he is the only W.H. I can find. Again, I have assumed they are the same but would like to be more sure. The name is so unusual I am surprised at the apparent error. I once mentioned the Workhouse in complete innocence when staying with my grandparents and the response was distinctly "shock horror". Advice appreciated, Tony Reynolds in Lincoln

Tony, Minster Workhouse was known as the Thanet Union Workhouse, which is confusing, as I think there might also be another Minster workhouse, elsewhere in Kent. Check out the following website, which has some interesting stuff (including pictures) but is not yet complete: http://www.workhouses.org.uk/index.html?Thanet/Thanet.shtml Three out of my four Thanet Great Great Grandparents died in the Minster (Thanet Union) Workhouse. I found this out from census returns and death certificates. It was apparently a great shame to end up there, even for a short period of time, and many were terrified of the prospect. Although I have lots of family stories handed down, there was never any mention of the workhouse, presumably because it was just not talked about. I can well imagine your grandparents reaction, as they might well have been old enough to be alive when it was still in operation. I think it ceased operating as a workhouse in the early 1900's, but carried on as a hospital, and someone once told me that up until recently, old people were terrified of being sent there because of past associations. I believe that the buildings have now been demolished to make way for houses. Good luck in your search, Graham "A.D.Reynolds" <adr@westlodge37.freeserve.co.uk> wrote: Can anyone help with Minster Workhouse records? I contacted Kent Archives a while ago and there seemed then to be some confusion as to their exact whereabouts. Louisa Sayer b.1858 gave birth to my grandmother Eliza Sarah there 21 August 1878 and married Frederick James Cox or Cocks on 20 October. I have assumed he was the putative father but wonder if her admission notes might give information. William H.Mirams' death was registered by the Workhouse Master 3 June 1906. His H was recorded as Henry. My great grandfather was William Holloway Mirams and he is the only W.H. I can find. Again, I have assumed they are the same but would like to be more sure. The name is so unusual I am surprised at the apparent error. I once mentioned the Workhouse in complete innocence when staying with my grandparents and the response was distinctly "shock horror". Advice appreciated, Tony Reynolds in Lincoln ------------------------------- To unsubscribe from the list, please send an email to ISLE-OF-THANET-request@rootsweb.com with the word 'unsubscribe' without the quotes in the subject and the body of the message Send instant messages to your online friends http://uk.messenger.yahoo.com