Memories of Rotherham workhouse

IT’S A book of desperate and forgotten souls whose lives were spent in grinding poverty, but who made up part of the colourful history of the town.

Now the register of births from the feared Rotherham Workhouse is to go on public display.

The register tells of the  darker side of the town’s past  and is being featured in the popular Rotherham Archives and Local Studies Services’ Treasures from the Archives series.

It has been inspired by local author Margaret Drinkall’s new book, Rotherham Workhouse, which tells the history of the house of despair.

To support the new book, which has proved to be a hit with town’s history buffs, the Treasures from the Archives display will be showcasing the register of births for the infamous workhouse from 1848 to 1865.

Assistant Archivist Celia Parker said: "This is the earliest surviving register of people born in the Workhouse, known ominously as 'inmates', in the borough.

"Many of the girls and women who were forced into the workhouse would have been unmarried, although there would also have been some married women whose families were destitute and already living in the workhouse."

The Rotherham Workhouse, which despite its altruistic aim to become a safe haven for the destitute, developed  a dark reputation.

Located on Alma Road, the workhouse was in existence between 1838 and 1929 after which it became the Rotherham Public Assistance Institution, later known as The Mount. The infirmary became Moorgate General Hospital, which closed in 1980.

Built at a total cost of around £10,000 (approximately £440,000 in today's money) and placed in one of the better parts of the town, the workhouse could hold 314 inmates at a time when Rotherham was suffering from both overcrowding and widespread disease.

As a damning indictment of how bad the conditions were for those less well off in Rotherham at the time, despite the fact that desperation was on show day and night, families were kept apart and abuse was rampant.

However, life in the workhouse was still a more attractive proposition than starving to death on the streets.

Celia added: "Although only a few basic details are given in the register, ie mother's name and usual place of residence, with the date of the child's birth and baptism and, usually the child’s name, the outlines of a few human interest stories can still be traced.

"For example, Rebecca Robinson from Treeton, aged 16, discharged herself eight days after her daughter's birth in May 1851, despite, or perhaps because of, being 'remonstrated with' by the doctor and the workhouse Master.

Rebecca returned to her native Treeton and had her daughter, Ann, baptised there in July 1851. Sadly Rebecca herself died in April 1854 aged only 18.

"There is another example of Hannah Maria Cookson, who was born in the workhouse in 1848 to an unnamed Kimberworth woman.

"Unfortunately, poor Hannah was still there, without her mother, 13 years later in 1861 when her place of birth was entered in the census returns as 'unknown'. So much for record-keeping.

"The register is an incredibly important document in Rotherham's history.

“It brings to life the nameless destitute and forgotten souls who, despite their situation, made up the colourful history of the town and maybe even dragged themselves from the gutter to help make the town what it is today.

"Hopefully, the display will make sure their lives, struggle, sacrifices and success won't be forgotten by the current generation."

The register is on display now and for two months in the Archives and Local Studies searchroom, Central Library and Arts Centre, Walker Place, Rotherham.

Opening hours are Tuesday, Wednesday and Friday 10am to 5pm, Thursday 1pm until 5pm, and Saturday 9am to 1pm, 2pm to 4pm.

For further information, please contact Rotherham Archives & Local Studies on 01709 823616 or visit via the web at www.rotherham.gov.uk/graphics/Learning/Archives