The Wirral [occasionally seen spelt Wirrall] Poor Law Union formally came intooperation was overseen by an elected Board of Guardians, 57 in number, representing its 56 constituent being on 16th May 1836. Its parishes as listed below (figures in brackets indicate numbers of Guardians if more than one):
Parish of Bidstone: Birkenhead (2), Bidstone-with-Ford, Claughton-with-GrangeParish of Bebbington: Higher Bebbington, Lower Bebbington, Poulton-cum-Spittle, Storeton, Tranmere., Moreton, Saughall Massey.Parish of Burton: Burton, Puddington.
Parish of Bromborrow: Bromborrow, Brimstage.Parish of Eastham: Eastham, Horton, Nether Pool, Over Pool, Great Sutton, Little Sutton, Childen Thornton,Parish of Neston: Lidham, Leighton, Ness, Great Neston, Little Neston, Raby, Thornton Haugh, Willaston.
Parish of Wallazey [Wallasey]: Liscard, Poulton-cum-Seacomb, Wallazey.Parish of West Kirby: Caldey, Frankley, Grange, Greasby, Hoose, Great Melose, Little Melose, Newton-withLarton, West Kirby.Parish of Woodchurch: Arrow, Barnston, Irby, Landican, Noctorum, Oxton, Pensby, Prenton, Thingwell,Woodchurch, Thurstaston, Upton or OverchurchLater Additions: Ellesmere Port (1911), Hoylake cum West Kirby (1894), Rock Ferry (1894-98).
The population falling within the Union at the 1831 census had been 17,342 with parishes ranging in size from Nether Pool (population 19) to Birkenhead (2,569). The average annual poor-rate expenditure for the period 1834-36 had been £3,674 or 4s.3d. per head of the population.A new Wirral Union workhouse was erected in 1836-7 at Clatterbridge on the road from Birkenhead to Chester. It was designed by William Cole who was also the architect of the Winchester Union workhouse. In 1837, the Poor Law Commissioners authorised an expenditure of £2,500 on the building which was to accommodate 130inmates. The building was financed by a loan from a clergyman, the Rev RM Feilden, at 4½% interest. The furniture for the establishment cost £64.8s.0d.Unlike the majority of workhouses built during this period, the Wirral Union workhouse had no supervisory hub. The site location and layout can be seen on the Ordnance Survey map of 1908.There were early problems with the workhouse roof — gales caused damage because of the 'want of factability' (i.e. coping) on the gable ends. The original water supply to the building may have been from the nearby brook, but in 1839 an order was issued to sink a four-foot brick-ringed well to provide water. The workman was given a week to do the job and paid £2.5s.6d. There were originally no baths in the workhousesuch things likely to be quite foreign to the workhouse inmates at the time. However, the Board in 1840 'in consequence of the report of the Medical Officer, ordered that the Master and Matron of the House be instructed to take the children to bathe at Bromberrow'. The workhouse was economically furnished. The new Board Room contained only an oil-cloth covered deal table, 12 feet long by four feet wide, and twelve strong rush-bottomed chairs. A number of double-beds were purchased and later on were occupied by three children each.In 1861, parishes at the north of the Wirral separated to form the new Birkenhead Poor Law Union. After the ending of the workhouse system in 1930, Wirral workhouse was renamed Clatterbridge (County) General Hospital and under the National Health Service became Clatterbridge Hospital. The buildings were demolished in 1997.
staff.Theophilus TUCK M 38 M Head Master At Workhouse Portsmouth, Hampshire
Olivia TUCK M 29 F Wife Matron At Workhouse Shrewsbury, Shropshire
Louisa FRITH U 27 F Sc Mistress School Mistress Manchester, Lancashire
George ERRINGTON M 42 M Porter (Head) Porter Little Budworth, Cheshire
Elizabeth ERRINGTON M 36 F Portress Portress At Workhouse Dennington, Shropshire
Mary Anne FALLON W 30 F Nurse Nurse Liverpool, Lancashire
Pheobe JEFFRIES U 21 F Assist S Mis Assistent School Mistress Thornton Hough, Cheshire
Thomas H WALL U 1 M Matrons Nephew Rock Ferry, Cheshire
Inmates
Frederick ABLE 10 M Inmate Scholar Neston, Cheshire
Mary ABLE U 37 F Inmate Ness, Cheshire
William ABLE 4 M Inmate Scholar Neston, Cheshire
Jane ASHBROOK U 21 F Inmate General Servent Ness, Cheshire
Jane BARLOW U 20 F Inmate Domestic Servent Heswell, Cheshire
Rhoda BARLOW 1 F Inmate Lower Bebington, Cheshire
Elizabeth BEAKELL M 41 F Inmate Sacombe, Cheshire
Thomas BEAKELL 9 M Inmate Scholar Birkenhead, Cheshire
Margaret BIDDLE W 82 F Inmate Scotland
John BOWMAN U 46 M Inmate Labourer Buckminster, Leicester
Charles BRADSHAW M 41 M Inmate Labourer Ellesmere Port, Cheshire
Thomas BRETHERTON U 81 M Inmate Ellesmere, Shropshire
William BURKETT U 63 M Inmate Raby, Cheshire
John BUTLER W 45 M Inmate Labourer Ireland
John CALOW W 29 M Inmate Fisherman Douglas, Isle of Man
Ellen CAMPBELL 53 F Inmate Charwoman Ireland
Henry COCKRALL U 25 M Inmate Labourer Colchester, Essex
John COOPER W 71 M Inmate Farm Labourer Little Sutton, Cheshire
Rosa Ann COWAP U 17 F Inmate L Bebington, Cheshire
George CRANLEY U 40 M Inmate Sailor Ireland
Eunice CUMMINGS M 40 F Casual Inmate Weaver Stockport, Cheshire
Joseph CUMMINGS M 47 M Casual Inmate Labourer Manchester, Lancashire
Elizabeth DAVIES 10 F Inmate Scholar Little Sutton, Cheshire
George DAVIES 7 M Inmate Scholar Little Sutton, Cheshire
Henry DAVIES 4 M Inmate Scholar Little Sutton, Cheshire
James DAVIES U 23 M Inmate Labourer Willeston, Cheshire
John DAVIES U 47 M Inmate Labourer Willeston, Cheshire
Mary DAVIES 5 F Inmate Scholar Little Sutton, Cheshire
William DAVIES W 68 M Inmate Farm Labourer Newton C Larton, Cheshire
Thomas DOLAN U 38 M Inmate Barman Liverpool, Lancashire
John EDWARDS U 18 M Inmate Painter Liverpool, Lancashire
Joseph EDWARDS U 19 M Inmate Shoemaker Spital, Cheshire
William EVANS U 50 M Inmate Painter Ireland
Barnus FITZSIMMONS W 76 M Inmate Tinker Great Sutton, Cheshire
Elizabeth GIBSON U 17 F Inmate Domestic Servent Heswell, Cheshire
Arthur GODWIN W 70 M Inmate Labourer Moreton, Cheshire
John GREEN W 68 M Inmate Brickmaker Marberry, Shropshire
John HALE W 61 M Inmate Stone Quarryman West Kirby, Cheshire
Ellen HAMPSON 9 F Inmate Scholar Lower Bebington, Cheshire
Thomas HAMPSON 4 M Inmate Scholar Lower Bebington, Cheshire
Ann JOINSON U 23 F Inmate B..rake, Cheshire
Anne JONES 10 F Inmate Scholar Wood Church, Cheshire
Betsy JONES W 79 F Inmate Hope Church, Flint, Wales
Flora JONES 10 F Inmate Scholar Wood Church, Cheshire
Mary Ellen JONES 6 F Inmate Scholar Lower Bebington, Cheshire
John KELLY U 42 M Inmate Labourer Ireland
William LEWIS W 50 M Inmate Baker Salford, Lancashire
Emily LITTLE 2 F Inmate Hoylake, Cumberland
Sarah LITTLE U 25 F Inmate Silloth, Cumberland
James MADDOX U 63 M Inmate Labourer Ledsham, Cheshire
Elizabeth MANNESLEY 14 F Inmate Neston, Cheshire
John MARSHALL W 43 M Inmate Coach Trimmer Southampton, Hampshire
Patrick MC_PARLAND W 35 M Inmate Farm Labourer Ireland
Sarah MILLER W 57 F Inmate Charwoman Eastham, Cheshire
Alice MONTROSE 3 F Inmate Liverpool, Lancashire
Elizabeth MOOTON U 54 F Inmate Farm House Servent Little Sutton, Cheshire
William MOOTON 11 M Inmate Scholar Little Sutton, Cheshire
Michael MURRAY W 65 M Inmate Gardener Ireland
Samuel NOLAN W 84 M Inmate Farm Labourer Great Neston, Cheshire
Emelia PARR U 9 F Inmate Scholar L Bebington, Cheshire
Annie PEERS 23 F Inmate Domestic Servent Parkgate, Cheshire
William PEERS U 36 M Inmate Labourer Brimstage, Cheshire
Mary PILLINGTON M 69 F Inmate Ireland
Joseph Thos. PRICE U 3 M Inmate L Bebington, Cheshire
Margaret PRICE U 5 F Inmate Scholar L Bebington, Cheshire
Mary Ann PRICE U 27 F Inmate L Bebington, Cheshire
Mary PRICE U 8 F Inmate Scholar L Bebington, Cheshire
John PYKE U 53 M Inmate Labourer Great Neston, Cheshire
Susan ROBERTS W 73 F Inmate Truro, Cornwall
Ann ROSCOE 6 F Inmate Scholar Lower Bebington, Cheshire
Jane ROSCOE 12 F Inmate Scholar Lit Neston, Cheshire
Mary ROSCOE U 34 F Inmate Domestic Servent Lit Neston, Cheshire
William ROSCOE 10 M Inmate Scholar Lower Bebington, Cheshire
John SCARSBRICK W 76 M Inmate Farm Labourer Storton, Cheshire
Agnes SMITH W 61 F Inmate Eccles, Lancashire
Charlotte SMITH 14 F Inmate Heswell, Cheshire
Mary SMITH U 20 F Inmate Caldy, Cheshire
Thomas SMITH U 45 M Inmate Labourer Lower Bebington, Cheshire
Arthur SUDLOW 15 M Inmate Bakers Apprentice Liverpool, Lancashire
James TAIGH 5 M Inmate Scholar Birkenhead, Cheshire
John TAIGH 9m M Inmate Birkenhead, Cheshire
Mary TAIGH 11 F Inmate Scholar Lower Bebington, Cheshire
Patrick TAIGH 3 M Inmate Birkenhead, Cheshire
Hannah TAYLOR 4 F Inmate Scholar Lower Bebington, Cheshire
Jane TAYLOR U 40 F Inmate Charwoman Lit Neston, Cheshire
Martha TAYLOR 9 F Inmate Scholar Lower Bebington, Cheshire
Peter TRAINER U 60 M Inmate Labourer Ireland
James VENABLES W 70 M Inmate Plasterer Brimstage, Cheshire
Richard WARING W 60 M Inmate Labourer Eastham, Cheshire
Thomas WARRING 13 M Inmate Scholar Eastham, Cheshire
Frederick WILLIAMS 11 M Inmate Scholar Heswell, Cheshire
Harriet WILLIAMS U 50 F Inmate Childer Thornton, Cheshire
James WILLIAMS U 45 M Inmate Great Neston, Cheshire
John WILLIAMS 8 M Inmate Scholar Bromborough, Cheshire
Martha WILLIAMS W 74 F Inmate Neston, Cheshire
Martha WILLIAMS U 10 F Inmate Scholar L Bebington, Cheshire
Matilda WILLIAMS U 10 F Inmate Scholar L Bebington, Cheshire
Thomas WILLIAMS W 71 M Inmate Coal Miner Ness, Cheshire
Henry WILLSON W 57 M Inmate Labourer Ireland
William WORRAL U 65 M Inmate Farm Labourer Bromborough, Cheshire
Inmates.
Mary ABLE U 37 F Inmate Ness, Cheshire
William ABLE 4 M Inmate Scholar Neston, Cheshire
Jane ASHBROOK U 21 F Inmate General Servent Ness, Cheshire
Jane BARLOW U 20 F Inmate Domestic Servent Heswell, Cheshire
Rhoda BARLOW 1 F Inmate Lower Bebington, Cheshire
Elizabeth BEAKELL M 41 F Inmate Sacombe, Cheshire
Thomas BEAKELL 9 M Inmate Scholar Birkenhead, Cheshire
Margaret BIDDLE W 82 F Inmate Scotland
John BOWMAN U 46 M Inmate Labourer Buckminster, Leicester
Charles BRADSHAW M 41 M Inmate Labourer Ellesmere Port, Cheshire
Thomas BRETHERTON U 81 M Inmate Ellesmere, Shropshire
William BURKETT U 63 M Inmate Raby, Cheshire
John BUTLER W 45 M Inmate Labourer Ireland
John CALOW W 29 M Inmate Fisherman Douglas, Isle of Man
Ellen CAMPBELL 53 F Inmate Charwoman Ireland
Henry COCKRALL U 25 M Inmate Labourer Colchester, Essex
John COOPER W 71 M Inmate Farm Labourer Little Sutton, Cheshire
Rosa Ann COWAP U 17 F Inmate L Bebington, Cheshire
George CRANLEY U 40 M Inmate Sailor Ireland
Eunice CUMMINGS M 40 F Casual Inmate Weaver Stockport, Cheshire
Joseph CUMMINGS M 47 M Casual Inmate Labourer Manchester, Lancashire
Elizabeth DAVIES 10 F Inmate Scholar Little Sutton, Cheshire
George DAVIES 7 M Inmate Scholar Little Sutton, Cheshire
Henry DAVIES 4 M Inmate Scholar Little Sutton, Cheshire
James DAVIES U 23 M Inmate Labourer Willeston, Cheshire
John DAVIES U 47 M Inmate Labourer Willeston, Cheshire
Mary DAVIES 5 F Inmate Scholar Little Sutton, Cheshire
William DAVIES W 68 M Inmate Farm Labourer Newton C Larton, Cheshire
Thomas DOLAN U 38 M Inmate Barman Liverpool, Lancashire
John EDWARDS U 18 M Inmate Painter Liverpool, Lancashire
Joseph EDWARDS U 19 M Inmate Shoemaker Spital, Cheshire
William EVANS U 50 M Inmate Painter Ireland
Barnus FITZSIMMONS W 76 M Inmate Tinker Great Sutton, Cheshire
Elizabeth GIBSON U 17 F Inmate Domestic Servent Heswell, Cheshire
Arthur GODWIN W 70 M Inmate Labourer Moreton, Cheshire
John GREEN W 68 M Inmate Brickmaker Marberry, Shropshire
John HALE W 61 M Inmate Stone Quarryman West Kirby, Cheshire
Ellen HAMPSON 9 F Inmate Scholar Lower Bebington, Cheshire
Thomas HAMPSON 4 M Inmate Scholar Lower Bebington, Cheshire
Ann JOINSON U 23 F Inmate B..rake, Cheshire
Anne JONES 10 F Inmate Scholar Wood Church, Cheshire
Betsy JONES W 79 F Inmate Hope Church, Flint, Wales
Flora JONES 10 F Inmate Scholar Wood Church, Cheshire
Mary Ellen JONES 6 F Inmate Scholar Lower Bebington, Cheshire
John KELLY U 42 M Inmate Labourer Ireland
William LEWIS W 50 M Inmate Baker Salford, Lancashire
Emily LITTLE 2 F Inmate Hoylake, Cumberland
Sarah LITTLE U 25 F Inmate Silloth, Cumberland
James MADDOX U 63 M Inmate Labourer Ledsham, Cheshire
Elizabeth MANNESLEY 14 F Inmate Neston, Cheshire
John MARSHALL W 43 M Inmate Coach Trimmer Southampton, Hampshire
Patrick MC_PARLAND W 35 M Inmate Farm Labourer Ireland
Sarah MILLER W 57 F Inmate Charwoman Eastham, Cheshire
Alice MONTROSE 3 F Inmate Liverpool, Lancashire
Elizabeth MOOTON U 54 F Inmate Farm House Servent Little Sutton, Cheshire
William MOOTON 11 M Inmate Scholar Little Sutton, Cheshire
Michael MURRAY W 65 M Inmate Gardener Ireland
Samuel NOLAN W 84 M Inmate Farm Labourer Great Neston, Cheshire
Emelia PARR U 9 F Inmate Scholar L Bebington, Cheshire
Annie PEERS 23 F Inmate Domestic Servent Parkgate, Cheshire
William PEERS U 36 M Inmate Labourer Brimstage, Cheshire
Mary PILLINGTON M 69 F Inmate Ireland
Joseph Thos. PRICE U 3 M Inmate L Bebington, Cheshire
Margaret PRICE U 5 F Inmate Scholar L Bebington, Cheshire
Mary Ann PRICE U 27 F Inmate L Bebington, Cheshire
Mary PRICE U 8 F Inmate Scholar L Bebington, Cheshire
John PYKE U 53 M Inmate Labourer Great Neston, Cheshire
Susan ROBERTS W 73 F Inmate Truro, Cornwall
Ann ROSCOE 6 F Inmate Scholar Lower Bebington, Cheshire
Jane ROSCOE 12 F Inmate Scholar Lit Neston, Cheshire
Mary ROSCOE U 34 F Inmate Domestic Servent Lit Neston, Cheshire
William ROSCOE 10 M Inmate Scholar Lower Bebington, Cheshire
John SCARSBRICK W 76 M Inmate Farm Labourer Storton, Cheshire
Agnes SMITH W 61 F Inmate Eccles, Lancashire
Charlotte SMITH 14 F Inmate Heswell, Cheshire
Mary SMITH U 20 F Inmate Caldy, Cheshire
Thomas SMITH U 45 M Inmate Labourer Lower Bebington, Cheshire
Arthur SUDLOW 15 M Inmate Bakers Apprentice Liverpool, Lancashire
James TAIGH 5 M Inmate Scholar Birkenhead, Cheshire
John TAIGH 9m M Inmate Birkenhead, Cheshire
Mary TAIGH 11 F Inmate Scholar Lower Bebington, Cheshire
Patrick TAIGH 3 M Inmate Birkenhead, Cheshire
Hannah TAYLOR 4 F Inmate Scholar Lower Bebington, Cheshire
Jane TAYLOR U 40 F Inmate Charwoman Lit Neston, Cheshire
Martha TAYLOR 9 F Inmate Scholar Lower Bebington, Cheshire
Peter TRAINER U 60 M Inmate Labourer Ireland
James VENABLES W 70 M Inmate Plasterer Brimstage, Cheshire
Richard WARING W 60 M Inmate Labourer Eastham, Cheshire
Thomas WARRING 13 M Inmate Scholar Eastham, Cheshire
Frederick WILLIAMS 11 M Inmate Scholar Heswell, Cheshire
Harriet WILLIAMS U 50 F Inmate Childer Thornton, Cheshire
James WILLIAMS U 45 M Inmate Great Neston, Cheshire
John WILLIAMS 8 M Inmate Scholar Bromborough, Cheshire
Martha WILLIAMS W 74 F Inmate Neston, Cheshire
Martha WILLIAMS U 10 F Inmate Scholar L Bebington, Cheshire
Matilda WILLIAMS U 10 F Inmate Scholar L Bebington, Cheshire
Thomas WILLIAMS W 71 M Inmate Coal Miner Ness, Cheshire
Henry WILLSON W 57 M Inmate Labourer Ireland
William WORRAL U 65 M Inmate Farm Labourer Bromborough, Cheshire
Total residents: 108
eney one got old work house pics
got one somewhere of one in liverpool where paddys wig wam is now! will find it kid!
Found these while browsing:
http://www.whitbyhs.cheshire.sch.uk...sework/syllabusa/workhouse/workhouse.htmhttp://www.btinternet.com/~m.royden/mrlhp/local/poorlaw/poorlaw.htm
Remains of the Liverpool Workhouse in front of the newly completed Metropolitan Cathedral
Forgive me if these links have been put up before, i thought this was an excellent site, different areas can be researched as well as some census years.
http://www.workhouses.org.uk/index.html?Birkenhead/Birkenhead.shtml
Excellent site, Bert, thanks for the link. Unfortunately it doesn't give the date when the workhouse became Birkenhead Municipal Hospital. Anyone any ideas?
The reason I ask is that my grandmother died there in 1928 - the place of death on the certificate is shown as 56 Church Road, Tranmere which apparently was the address shown on certificates issued by the workhouse to avoid stigma. She died as the result of an accident at her home in Liscard (so she wasn't a workhouse inmate) and it's always puzzled me why she wasn't taken to Victoria Central which was just up the road. Anyone know what the situation was with hospitals in the pre-NHS era?
Nice one Bert. Note all the staff came from outside the area more or less. Also records a one month old infant as a servant? Start em young isn't in it!
Warning, our precious Tory government would have them back if they could get away with it.
Excellent site, Bert, thanks for the link. Unfortunately it doesn't give the date when the workhouse became Birkenhead Municipal Hospital. Anyone any ideas?
The reason I ask is that my grandmother died there in 1928 - the place of death on the certificate is shown as 56 Church Road, Tranmere which apparently was the address shown on certificates issued by the workhouse to avoid stigma. She died as the result of an accident at her home in Liscard (so she wasn't a workhouse inmate) and it's always puzzled me why she wasn't taken to Victoria Central which was just up the road. Anyone know what the situation was with hospitals in the pre-NHS era?
BIRKENHEAD UNION WORKHOUSE
The Union Workhouse in Derby Road, Tranmere, was opened in 1863 and was subsequently known as Birkenhead Union Infirmary until 1934, then as the Birkenhead Municipal Hospital ...
http://www.stjosephsbirkenhead.co.uk/history_workhouse.asp - 1/7/2011 7:15:00 AM
1871 England Census
about Child Name: Child
Age: 1 Month
Estimated birth year: abt 1871
Relation: Pauper
Gender: Male
Where born: Birkenhead, Cheshire, England
Civil Parish: Tranmere
Ecclesiastical parish: St Catherine
County/Island: Cheshire
Country: England
Registration district: Birkenhead
Sub-registration district: Tranmere
ED, institution, or vessel: Birkenhead Union Workhouse and Hospital
Household schedule number: 1
Household Members: Name Age
Thomas Redding 46
Ellen Redding 41
Anne Maria 16
Emily Maria 14
William Maria 11
Thomas Samuel 10
George Albert 9
Frances Matilda 7
Frederick John 6
Alfred Syrns 5
Michael Dillon 43
Jane Louisa Dillon 30
Edward Walton 39
Anne Maria Harvey 29
Ellen Greenfield 45
Ann Bell 39
William Ammond 53
Mary Agnew 69
John Agnew 65
Elizabeth Alden 65
John Albinson 10
James Bentley 51
Peter Brown 59
Richard Bennett 71
William Burns 70
Georgina Bennett 36
Mary Brooks 50
John Bent 71
Margaret Bone 45
Elizabeth Branstead 56
Isabella Bridget 51
George Burnes 51
John Brophie 67
Margaret Bartlett 22
Ellen Baker 19
William Bottomley 15
Peter H Boddington 25
Mary Bragger 19
George Coltharp 61
Thomas Clarke 21
Catherine Carroll 53
Frederick Codrington 2
Henry Collins 31
Ann Cothran 54
Alice Corley 61
Mary Cotton 63
Thomas Chandler 50
Winifred Connelly 35
Thomas Champion 54
William Champion 59
Martha Champion 61
James Crompton 47
Catherine Clara 17
Thomas Clay 24
Thomas Cavanagh 65
Sarah Cole 23
Child 1 Month
Mabel Crawshaw 14
Mary Curran 40
David Davies 83
Samuel Donelly 77
Thomas Dodd 70
John Dean 67
John Doyle 50
John Dodd 44
Thomas Dernn 25
John Ditchfield 36
Maria Dalton 52
Mary Doyle 31
William Delamore 64
James Dickson 50
Willy Davies 13
David Davies 74
Evan Davies 64
Robert Duncan 72
Sarah Davies 9
Mildred Daily 33
Thomas Davies 28
Emma Duncan 36
John Henry Ellis 39
Ann Elliott 60
Elizabeth Evans 72
Richard Edwards 66
George Foster 79
Michael Fagan 61
Thomas Fahey 56
John Fisher 35
Patrick Flannery 33
John Farrell 64
Catherine H Foster 59
Daniel Farrell 29
Thomas Farrell 35
William Ford 49
Martha Grey 79
John Gilion 74
Samuel Griffiths 62
Francis H Green 35
Timothy Graney 44
John Garrell 28
Jonathan Huntington 28
So the baby didnt even have have a name?
how sad
As hard as it was, it was a form of social caring and shudder the thought of the alternatives for the poor people.
yes bert shudder the alternatives....mainly prostitution and death ...at least in a workhouse there was a bed and a meal for work that was hard labour....very sad...but am sure it was law for local parishes to provide via the poor relief act...
Talking of death, did St Catherine's have their own burial ground, according to the link, some workhouses had their own cemetery.
I heard there was a mortuary under the small carpark but they havent dug it up, in fact the new building is being erected there. Unclear whether this was a workhouse or hospital mortuary, though!?
Not Birkenhead based but i read an extremley interesting book, a while ago. 'Shadows of the Workhouse' by Jennifer Worth. Available from libraries.
Ducko - Birkenhead Institute?