The Brownlow Hill workhouse and infirmary was was one of the largest workhouses in England and became notable for its role in advancing the training of nurses. The workhouse was demolished in 1931, and the site is now occupied by the Liverpool Metropolitan Cathedral. The first record we have for an admittance is that of Mark…

Prior to their admittance on the 2nd of May 1877 to the Brownlow Hill Workhouse Infirmary Harriet Forrester lived with her son Hugh Grant Forrester in Vernon street. Vernon street still exists today but all Victorian housing disappeared a long time ago. The Vernon Arms pub on the corner of Vernon Street and Dale Street…

When Hugh Grant Forrester was baptized at St. Peter’s church Mark Grant was noted as the father. Mark Grant was married to Maria Wycherley at the time and probably living with Maria in Bidding street. The birth record (a month later) for Hugh Grant Forrester note that Harriet was living in or nearby Cheapside. A…

The baptism of George Lockley Wycherley is the earliest record of our family living in Liverpool. The record shows that Ann Wycherley and Thomas Wycherley were living in Greenland street when they had their son baptized at saint Peter’s church. He was a stonemason. The record is not true, because in fact they were only…

Thomas Wycherley and Ann Martin already had 3 children when they married on the 12th of January 1845. The marriage took place at st. Peters parish church on Church street (later demolished and replaced by Woolworths). Unfortunately Thomas died within 4 months and was buried in Much Woolton, where he was probably employed in the…

We do not know what the circumstances were but on May 2nd 1877 Harriet Forrester and her son Hugh Grant Forrester ended up in Brownlow Hill workhouse. On May 18th Hugh was separated from his mum and sent to Kirkdale Industrial School. Harriet came out the workhouse on 11th of September of the same year…

In 1880 when Harriet Forrester married George Fowler they lived in Northampton street (judging by records probably in one of the tenements). Harriets brother and his wife lived around the corner in Lower Milk street and were witnesses. St Paul’s church was located on the other side of Exchange station. Like so many other Liverpool…

By 1901 Mary Ann and Michael Davies had moved to 9 Smithfield street and were sharing this house with two other families. Smithfield street still exists today but is a lot shorter than it used to be. I’m sure though that Michael & Mary Ann would be delighted to see their local pub still exists…

John Stevenson and Mary Ellen Hampson lived in Roberts street when they got married. One of the witnesses Mary Brown was in fact John Stevenson’s half sister Mary Fowler. Was he thinking about the overhead trains when he said his father’s name was George Stevenson? Robert street still exists, located in the same area but…

When Ann Wycherley married William Stirrup on November the 7th 1845 they lived in Mill street east. Later records indicate that this probably in dwelling located in one of the courts on the east side of Mill street. Unfortunately Mill street is very long (but in this period not quite so long) and so a…