Smithdown Road Hospital/workhouse

[Philip Roberts]

Due to circumstances beyond my control I was born in the Liverpool Smithdown Road Hospital in 1932. My parents lived in Laurel Grove, Liverpool, at the time. Since I have become involved in my ancestral research I have learnt that this hospital was located near to a workhouse of the same name i.e Smithdown Road. Would it be correct to assume that the hospital was part of the workhouse complex? If this is so then possibly my parents were a 'bit hard up' at the time. My next question would be:- How would people get to the hospital under those circumstances, or any other, without modern day means of communication or transport?

Warts and all answers will be welcome!

[MaryA]

This question in a slightly different style has recently been posed on one of the other messages. Infirmaries were usually attached to Workhouses, but they served the sick people of the area, including mum's to be, so very likely there was no stigma attached to giving birth there.

[Philip Roberts]

Thank you very much for your prompt reply. I accept your point about stigma but all too often it was pretty much the norm in so many cases. I, personally, do not apply stigma to someone because they are poor. I know that you did not mean it that way but some people saw it that way. Thanks again.

[Blue70]

Some information:-

http://www.mersey-gateway.org/server.ph ... pterId=786


Blue

The above site doesn't seem to be active at present. If this is a temporary matter and it is discovered to be up and running again in the future, please would somebody let me know and I can remove this message. Thanks. MA

[Philip Roberts]

Thank you, Blue 70. It certainly looks very intimidating. "Is that Hattie Jaques on the left"?

[Tina]

Hi Philip
I was born a stone's throw away from Smithdown Rd Hospital.
Just about everyone was born there, they had a wonderful maternity wing.
Your parents in Laurel Grove were not on their uppers, for deffo.
Cheers
Tina

[Philip Roberts]

Thank you Tina,

Nice to hear from you again.

Your point about my parents not being less affluent is interesting. I have since discovered that, although living in Laurel Grove at the time, my elder brother, (by 18 months) was born in the Liverpool Maternity Hospital. Spoilt for choice by the sound of it!

[Tina]

Hi again Philip
Lpool Maternity Hosp was always known as Oxford Street.
My Ma was reading the Echo one night and said "Oxford St is so busy, looks like you have to
put your name down 12 months before"...
My bro and I lost the plot@@

Tina

[Philip Roberts]

Good job they didn't have twins then!