Runcorn Poor Law Union, Cheshire Genealogy

History
The earliest workhouse recorded for Runcorn was at Grappenhall (1745)

The Runcorn Poor Law Union formally came into being on 26th August 1836. The Union in common with many Northern towns and Unions opposed the provision of a workhouse but was criticiesed by the Poor Law Commissioners for failure to provide adequate accommodation for the destitute.

1855-57 saw the building of the Dutton workhouse with a capacity of 280.

The workhouse infirmary was enlarged in 1881-2. Other extensions took place in 1895, and a nurses' home was added in 1906.

The site later became a Public Assistance Institution also known as Dutton Hospital.

The buildings were later demolished and the site redeveloped to provide housing.

Constituent Parishes
Alvanley, Cheshire, Antrobus, Cheshire, Aston by Sutton, Cheshire , Daresbury, Cheshire , Frodsham, Cheshire , Great Budworth, Cheshire , Halton, Cheshire , Lower Whitley, Cheshire, Norley, Cheshire , Runcorn, Cheshire , Runcorn, Holy Trinity, Cheshire , Runcorn Weston St John, Cheshire , Stockton Heath, Cheshire, Stretton, Cheshire

The following parishes and hamlets are within the ecclesisatial and Ancient parishes above. England Jurisdictions 1851 will assist to identify them:

Acton Grange, Appleton, Aston, Aston Grange, Bartington, Budworth, Clifton, Crowley,  Dutton,  Hatton, Helsby, Keckwick, Kingsley, Kingswood, Manley, Moore, Newton by Daresbury, Newton by Frodsham, Norley, Norton, Preston on the Hill, Runcorn, Stockham, Stretton, Sutton, Thelwall, Walton Superior, Walton Inferior, Weston, Whitley Superior, Whitley Inferior.

Records
Cheshire Archives and Local Studies

Cheshire Record Office Duke Street, Chester, CH1 1RL Tel: 01244 972574 Fax: 01244 973812 Email: recordoffice@cheshireeast.gov.uk Website: http://www.cheshireeast.gov.uk/leisure,_culture_and_tourism/record_office.aspxExternal link - opens in a new window

NHH/1/3221/4-6 1858-1943 Register of births NHH/1/3221/4 Jan 1858 - Feb 1866 Register of births NHH/1/3221/5 Jun 1866 - Mar 1917 Register of births NHH/1/3221/6 May 1914 - Sep 1943

Register of deaths NHH/1/3221/7 Apr 1866 - May 1916 Register of deaths NHH/1/3221/8 May 1914 - Apr 1937 Register of death NHH/1/3221/9 May 1937 - Nov 1960 Register of baptisms Apr 1912 - Jan 1936 NHH/1/3221/10 1912-1936

Religious creed registers NHH/1/3221/11 Apr 1914 - May 1926 Religious creed registers NHH/1/3221/12 May 1926 - May 1937 Religious creed registers NHH/1/3221/13 Apr 1937 - Feb 1951 Register of inmates NHH/1/3221/14 Aug 1907 - Jun 1937 Register of inmates NHH/1/3221/15 Jun 1937 - Nov 1946 No further details Register of inmates NHH/1/3221/16 Dec 1946 - Nov 1951 Register of inmates NHH/1/3221/17 Dec 1951 - Oct 1960 "Particulars of persons aged 65 and over" Jan 1935 - Sep 1948 NHH/1/3221/18 1935-1948 Admission and discharge register Apr 1937 - May 1939 NHH/1/3221/19 1937-1939 Inmates examination book Oct 1937 - May 1958 NHH/1/3221/20 1937-1958

Websites
For more information on the history of the workhouse, see Peter Higginbotham's web site: www.workhouses.org.uk and for maps and images of the Union: http://www.workhouses.org.uk/index.html?Runcorn/Runcorn.shtml