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Hi there

I was wondering if someone (possibly with access to Ancestry.co.uk) could help me please?

I am trying to trace my Great Great Grandfather William Johnson (b.c.1847, Westminster) after 1901. He ended his life in a Workhouse - according to the 1911 Census - having previously been married to Amelia, with 6 children I am aware of and working as a bricklayer whilst living in the Hendon / Childs Hill area of Middlesex.

What I am in interested in finding out is:

what workhouse he was in?
why?
when did he enter the workhouse?
did he die in there?
what happened to Amelia?

If anyone can help me I would be very appreciative.

Thanks in advance,

Helen

Is this the 1911 you are referring to?

Person: JOHNSON, William
Institution: Hendon Union Workhouse And Infirmary, HENDON WORKHOUSE INFIRMARY

JOHNSON, William Inmate Married M 64 1847 Bricklayer Westminster

Registration District: Hendon Sub District: Hendon Enumeration District: 29 Parish: Hendon

Address: Burnt Oak: Edgware County: Middlesex

Helen, could you confirm if you are only wanting records AFTER 1911?

MarieCeleste,

Spot on, that's my GGGrandfather!

Any information you are able to trace post 1901 would be fantastic.

Thanks in advance.

H x

1891 Hendon D7a > 39
William johnson born 1847 Westminster Bricklayer
Louisa wife age 45 washerwoman
5 children.
Charles 12
Alice 8
John 6
Benjamin 4
Emma 1

1901 with Amelia and
John 17
Ben 17
Minnie 11

Maryb

Hi Mary

Yes - I believe his wife's name was Amelia Louisa but am still trying to prove this - some records shown her as Amelia and some Louisa.

H x

yes i see now in 1881 she is Amelia l age 34.

Amelia L Johnson born @ 1847 died St Pancras J/A/S 1911

Maryb

And she appears in the 1911 Census as Mrs Johnson - living at the same address as in 1901 (116 Granville Road, Hendon) with 3 of her children.

Hence my 'confusion' as to why William Johnson her husband is in a workhouse.

H x

This is Amelia and the rest of the family in 1911, for reference:

JOHNSON Head Married 36 years F 64 1847 Westminster London
JOHNSON, Charles Son Single M 31 1880 Bricklayers Labourer Hendon Middlesex
JOHNSON, Jack Son Single M 25 1886 Landryman Hendon Middlesex
JOHNSON, Minnie Daughter Single F 21 1890 Ironer Hendon Middlesex

Registration District: Hendon Sub District: Hendon Enumeration District: 18 Parish: Hendon

Address: 116 Granville Road Childs Hill N W County: Middlesex

The form was completed by Charles and he's listed his mother as "Mrs". He's also entered William's details and they've been crossed through.

ADDED: Personally I don't think he was "in the Workhouse". If you look at the census I posted for William it says "Workhouse and Infirmary". I'd guess he was in the infirmary as a patient.

That's correct MarieCeleste. I still don't fully understand why William would be in a workhouse ... have you been able to find out anything to do with William at all as I am at a loss!

Helen, I'd just added my thoughts on that to the bottom of the census above!

I think he's probably only in there as a patient in the infirmary rather than a resident of the workhouse. You did not have to be a resident of the workhouse to be in the infirmary.

There are a lot of deaths for William Johnson's, but I was wondering about this one:


England & Wales, FreeBMD Death Index: 1837-1915

Name: William Johnson
Estimated Birth Year: abt 1847
Year of Registration: 1913
Quarter of Registration: Jan-Feb-Mar
Age at Death: 66
DISTRICT: Hendon (1837-1947)
COUNTY: Middlesex
Volume: 3a
Page: 425

That was my thoughts, he was listed on the Census as an inmate under the Workhouse Master rather than a patient.

I don't know much about workhouses. Do you know if that would have mattered?

Thanks in advance x

The London Metropolitan Archives hold some workhouse records so you may be able to find an admission record. It.s worth checking with them as I have found them to be very helpful.

Thats a great lead - many thanks Julie.

H x

But wouldn't it have said patient and not inmate.


1911 number 112,Granville Road was Amelia and Williams son Benjamin Johnson and his wife.

Maryb

Edit been through all the pages and although it says workhouse and infirmary they are all down as inmates.

Thanks Mary - I had scrolled through and saw patients after the name of the workhouse master, hence my questioning.

H x