Hi All,
I have just recieved a letter from Surrey History Centre. I was enquiring about Kate
Margaret Heywood the daughter of Martha Ann Catley and Thomas Heywood. On the 1891 census
it gives her as living at the Royal Albert Orphan Asylum. I couldnt understand why she
would be there when she had brothers and sisters still living at home.
It turns out that although I was thinking of it being some sort of orphanage or hospital
it probably wasnt. Children could only be admitted from the age of 6 and 12 years and they
had to have a person contributing £250 within a period of 3 years. Girls were then taught
about housekeeping etc. It gave only basic details of her entry. She was born on 24th Dec
1877 and was admitted on the 10/12/1887 Her height was 4' 1/4" and she weighed
4st 2 1/2lb Her mother is listed as Mrs Heywood originally from St Georges Place Richmond
and then crossed out to 25 Complin Terr which was probably 28 Crompton Terr. She left on
th 16/12/1892 which was the time she had to leave.
This has brought me to the conclusion that Martha Ann's husband died between 1886 and
1891 as she is a widow then, living on her own means. He might have left her some money so
she could then afford her daughter Kate to go to the asylum. Her 3 children after Kate
where to young and the 4 before Kate to old.
The letter also gives info on the Management committee and how things where run at the
asylum. All this cost me was 2 second class stamps.
So if you have a child that might be an orphan double check as it dosent mean they
where.
Regards
Liz