Poor union workhouse

Hi, I have recently got a copy of my mother's birthday certificate (Mary McCann) and was quite shocked to see she was born in Newry Workhouse on 31/11/1931. My Mother along with her next 2 siblings , Alice (born abt 1936) and Patrick McCann (31/1/1939) were all given away to relatives at birth! My mother's birth wasn't registered until 1939, when I suspect her parents got married, their names are Ellen O'Rourke and John McCann (born abt 1893 Tullydonnell). I cannot find any information on my family, can you please help and also tell me where to find the workhouse records.

kind regards

Shirlie

8 Nov 2020

2 replies

Shirlie,

Here’s a link to information on Newry Workhouse which explains what records exist:

http://www.workhouses.org.uk/Newry/

There do appear to be records for the years you are interested in. They are in PRONI (the public record office) in Belfast. They are not on-line and, in general, you need to go in person to view them. However workhouse records within the past 100 years are closed to the public. You can however make an FOI request to view records relating to a close relative. You’ll need to explain your connection, and apply well in advance of any personal visit. If approved, you’ll get the relevant information with adjacent records redacted.

Normally you can make an FOI request to PRONI by e-mail. However they are closed at present due to Covid, and are not responding to any requests, so that will delay you a bit.

You should monitor the PRONI website for information about re-opening.

https://www.nidirect.gov.uk/proni

Elwyn, IrelandXO Volunteer ☘IrelandXO Volunteer

8 Nov 2020

Hi Elwyn,

Thank you so much for this information, I will definitely be emailing them. I had read that you can visit but didn't realise that you can't view records relating to the last 100 years! I'll see what they say as it is regarding my Mother.

Once again, thank you for your help.

kind regards

Shirlie

16 Nov 2020

Poor union workhouse

2 replies

Reply