Genealogy Chat

I have paid for some research via the National Archives and received a telephone call from them today, they supplied me with the entry and discharge dates from a workhouse for my man and said when he left he went to Brocklehurst but couldn't tell me what Brocklehurst was.
I know there is a Brocklehurst area of Kent but the workhouse was in Southwark and as far as I know there were no relatives outside that area.
Can anyone throw any light on what "Brocklehurst" might have been. I've googled but found nothing.

Could it have been Brockenhurst which is a village in the New Forest?

Sue

Hi Linda,

I have lived in Kent all my life, and have never heard of an area here called Brocklehurst. But there is a Brocklehurst Street in Southwark.

If you start in the centre of London, you are heading towards Kent if you head for Southwark. Maybe years ago it was Kent, but got swallowed up as London grew.

Duncan

Sounds as if that street Duncan mentioned is what was meant.

I just looked it up and historically Southwark was in Surrey originally.

However to go from the workhouse in Southwark to a Brocklehurst street in the area makes sense. Perhaps locals called the area around it Brocklehurst at the time.

Sue

Thank you Sue & Duncan,
Sounds like Duncan could be right, any ideas how I find out just what was at Brocklehurst Street, he wouldn't have been going to his own home of that I'm sure.
I live in Kent too Duncan and I thought I'd seen Brocklehurst along the A2/M2, never was anygood at directions!!!

Linda, I would imagine the best way to find out what was there, and is there now, would be to go there - it's near New Cross Gate - and find a library in the area. I'd recommend going by train, driving and parking there will be a nightmare, especially during the day.

Duncan

You might not fancy going there, if you're well into Kent it won't be cheap to get there. There is a website where volunteers take photos in their area, I can't remember the name of it off the top of my head but I can soon find it if you're interested. Somebody reading this might well know it anyway.

As for what was there, I would Google to find something like a history of Southwark to start with.

Duncan

photoexchange.ourgenealogy.co.uk

There are a few libraries in Southwark to include the following:.

Southwark Library & Information Services
15 Spa Road
London
SE16 3QW
telephone:
020 75253445

There is also a Local Studies Library at Southwark. Try the following website:

http://www.mysouthwark.co.uk/southwark/community-local_history_library.htm

I suggest you give either or both a ring to see if they can help you with your enquiry. The Local Studies Library has an e mail address.

Southwark is in the Bermondsey area. There is a map to show you how to get there. Try googling "Southwark Library" for more help

Try the following website to give you some idea of life in a Southwark Workhouse:

http://www.workhouses.org.uk/index.html?Southwark/Southwark.shtml

It is possible that some archives on workhouses are in London Metropolitan Archives (LMA) but this record office, which deals mainly with Middlesex records, is now closed until the middle of January 2008, due to reorganisation for some records to become available online

Southwark used to be Surrey until 1889. After that it became incorporated into London and 1965 was further broken down. You can google Southwark for further help.

Janet North London Borders

Brocklehurst Street is located in the borough of Lewisham.

You could email Lewisham Local History Library

http://www.lewisham.gov.uk/LeisureAndCulture/Libraries/
OurServices/WhoWeAre/LewishamLocalHistoryAndArchivesCentre.htm

They are very knowlegeable about their area in my experience.

If you need a photo of a specific house on Brocklehurst Street today, PM me and I can get it for you... Not straight away, but I'm generally out in this area once every few weeks so will get it for you then.

Thank you kind people for your help.

Al, if/when I manage to find out what number Brocklehurst St. I would be very grateful to take you up on your offer of the photograph. I'll get back to you a.s.a.p.

Linda

Hi Everyone,
Firstly, let me apologise to everyone who has helped me on this thread, I gave you the wrong information so apologies all round.

I now have the correct info. my man left the Newington Lodge 28th August 1951 and went on to "Brocklebank" not Brocklehurst. I have discovered that Brocklebank was another institution originally named Swaffield Road Workhouse but renamed to Brocklebank LCC Institution when the LCC took it over.

My new query is can I only get his discharge date from the LMA as this is costing me a fortune and if there is another way I'd be grateful for the help.

Linda