Life in the Workhouse: the story of the Milton Union, Kent

Life in the Workhouse: The Story of the Milton Union, Kent

For many families, discovering a workhouse entry in the census is a poignant moment in tracing their ancestry. But what did life inside the workhouse truly mean?

This book offers a detailed history of the Milton Union Workhouse in Kent, exploring the experiences of the men, women, and children who lived there. Drawing on parish records, Poor Law documents, and contemporary accounts, it brings to life the reality of poverty, the strict rules of daily routine, and the social attitudes that shaped Victorian poor relief.

From the construction of the workhouse and the role of its staff, to case studies of inmates and the impact of social change, this is both a local history and a window into the wider Poor Law system that governed so many lives in 19th- and early 20th-century England.

Book details:

• Paperback | Local & social history

• Author: Helen Allinson

• Focus on the Milton Union Workhouse (Sittingbourne, Kent)

• Includes historical context, parish sources, and accessible narrative

Perfect for:

• Family historians tracing ancestors in workhouses

• Genealogists exploring Poor Law records

• Readers of Victorian and Edwardian social history

• Local historians of Kent and Sittingbourne

Keywords: Workhouse history, Milton Union Kent, Poor Law England, Victorian poverty, Edwardian workhouse, Kent local history, Family history, Genealogy Poor Law, Sittingbourne history, Life in the workhouse, Helen Allinson.