London, England, Poor Law Hospital Admissions and Discharges, 1842-1918

Source Information

Ancestry.com. London, England, Poor Law Hospital Admissions and Discharges, 1842-1918 [database on-line]. Lehi,UT, USA: Ancestry.com Operations, Inc., 2019.
Original data: Images produced by permission of London Metropolitan Archives (City of London Corporation). The City of London gives no warranty as to the accuracy, completeness or fitness for the purpose of the information provided. Images may be used only for purposes of research, private study or education. Applications for any other use should be made to London Metropolitan Archives, 40 Northampton Road, London EC1R 0HB via – www.cityoflondon.gov.uk/lma. Infringement of the above condition may result in legal action.

About London, England, Poor Law Hospital Admissions and Discharges, 1842-1918

Historical Context

After the Poor Law Act of 1834, workhouses became the main vehicle of assistance for the poor. Conditions were very hard and many of those who entered workhouses needed medical care. Infirmaries attached to workhouses, and administered by the Poor Law Unions were used to provide some relief for the impoverished elderly, chronically ill and anyone who suffered from one of many ailments prevalent at the time.

The role of the Workhouse infirmaries steadily expanded over the 19th century and by 1900, they were used to treat and care for not only Workhouse inmates but non-paupers as well; some were even operating as private hospitals.

This Collection

Users may find the following details for individuals found in the registers (where available):

  • Name
  • Gender
  • Admission Date
  • Age
  • Death Date
  • Discharge Date
  • Poor Law Union