Find your ancestors in Yorkshire, Sheffield, Workhouse Admissions 1700-1915

What can these records tell me?

Each record includes a transcript of the vital details that were taken from the workhouse and poor law records held at the Sheffield Archives. Most transcripts will include the following facts:

• Name
• Birth year
• Year – the year the event took place
• Document title – this will indicate the type of record your ancestor’s name appeared in
• Occupation
• Other details – this may include a physical description or details about the individual’s circumstances that brought them to the poor law union.
• Document reference – the reference number will help you find the original document at the Sheffield Archives

Discover more about these records

This index of workhouse records was created by the Sheffield Archives. They include the names of those who were admitted to the workhouse along with names from other poor law union records. The records include the names of those who were admitted to both the Bradfield and Ecclesall workhouses.

Below is a list of the various record types you will find in this collection:

• Workhouse admissions
• Examination records
• Removal orders
• Settlement certificates
• Lists of able poor

Some of the records include additional details and even describe the individual circumstances. You can discover that John Ryalls arrived at Bradfield Workhouse from Sheffield in 1794 and he was described as ‘in a ragged state’. John was admitted to the workhouse 11 times between 1821 and 1838. We also discovered Joseph Wortley in 1833 left his wife Mary and his three children, Rebecca, Ann and William at the workhouse. We can presume that Joseph left to try to find work since he could not support his family.

The records use the language of the day. Some terms such as lame or idiot would be considered insensitive or out of date today.