What would a job of "washer & dresser" be, in a Lodging House place such as this? Also, 1880 Old Monkland Poorhouse, family member died here with few details on their death certificate, I Know there is a list for 1881 but wonder how I could find one for 1880? Thanks, Ruth

Ruth, Maybe it was someone who washed and dressed the deceased residents in a model lodging house (another name was doss house or American flophouse . http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Flophouse ) I knew a woman here who prepared the deceased for viewing, did the deceased woman's hair, applied make-up and so on. In a lodging house I am quite sure the deceased would not be prepped for viewing, however. By 1872, I can remember reading of the dead (poor) being buried in just a shift. Possibly, in light of the fact that they likely had one set of clothing which may have been passed along. Google doesn't provide anything on shift, but I distinctly remember seeing photos or sketches that looked like a man's long nightshirt made out of unbleached muslin, referred to as a shift. One of the compensations of being very much into my senior years! Maisie From: [email protected] Subject: [Lanark] 1872 Model lodging House, Glasgow/ Monkland Poor House What would a job of "washer & dresser" be, in a Lodging House place such as this? Also, 1880 Old Monkland Poorhouse, family member died here with few details on their death certificate, I Know there is a list for 1881 but wonder how I could find one for 1880? Thanks, Ruth