Bedford Poor Law Union Workhouse Records and Census Records

Information from Admission and Discharge Registers and Census Information

Case study: Henry Catlin
These records show where the family were resident during Henry’s childhood. Details from the Union Workhouse show the family were admitted on a number of occasions and in 1836.

Admission and Discharge Register s PUBV 1/2

Christmas 1836

Admitted to the workhouse 15th Dec 1836

Name / When Born / Parish / Calling / Status / If able bodied/
Disability / Cause of seeking relief / Observations / Creed
John Catlin / 1791 / St John / Shoe-maker / Widower / Able / No home / Dissenter
Maria Catlin / 1826 / St John / - / - / - / - / -
Henry Catlin / 1828 / St John / - / - / - / - / - / "

There is a note to say that Maria and Henry were John’s children.

John Catlin was discharged on Saturday 24th Dec 1836. The observations of general character recorded 'no complaint'.

Maria Catlin died Wednesday 3 January 1837 at the workhouse.

Henry Catlin was discharged Saturday 7th January 1837.

1841 Census Bedford

John and Henry Catlin resident at 'Waterloo' cottages on the riverside.

Bedford Poor Law Union Workhouse Admission and Discharge Register PUBV 1/5

Lady Day 1841

Name / When Born / Parish / Calling / Status / If able bodied/
Disability / Cause of seeking relief / Observations / Creed
John Catlin / 1788 / St John / Shoemaker / Widower / Partially from lame hands / - / Clean, no relations / Estab-lished Church
Henry Catlin / 1828 / St John / - / - / - / - / - / "

Same details recorded Midsummer 1841

1851 Census Bedford

John Catlin returned to Bedford after serving his seven years. The 1851 Census lists him at Allhallows, living with his son Thomas.

Bedford Poor Law Union Workhouse – entries after 1852

1852 onward he was a frequent inmate of the workhouse, admitted for infirmity and drunkenness. The1861 Workhouse returns note that he had been in the workhouse for nine years. He died there in April 1866, aged about 74.

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