Discover if your ancestor fell on hard times and received help from the parish officers in a London parish. Search 22,344 records to find names and relatives, as well as details of what help they received and why they needed help.
Discover if your ancestor fell on hard times and received help from the parish officers in a London parish. Search 22,344 records to find names and relatives, as well as details of what help they received and why they needed help.
Each record contains a transcript of the information contained in the original records. The information contained can vary considerably but you can find out the following about your ancestor:
These records were compiled by genealogist Cliff Webb, who summarised the genealogically useful information from the Poor Law records of 66 London parishes between 1978 and 1993. There are 22,344 records from seven volumes, originally held in the Guildhall Library, London, but now deposited at the London Metropolitan Archives.
It was in the 16th century, during the reign of Henry VIII and following the dissolution of the monasteries and the closing of almshouses and charity hospitals run by monks and nuns, that the parishes first became responsible for supporting their own poor, with the vestry acting as the parish governing council. The office of overseer of the poor was officially created in 1572 to collect and distribute parish poor relief. The Poor Law was funded by a local tax (Poor Rate). Subsequent Acts of Parliament changed the system from being a purely voluntary measure and introduced new rules and regulations to help maintain and control the poor.
The system radically changed following the great reform act of 1834. The main difference was that the relief of the poor was changed from a local responsibility into a group one. Groups of parishes were consolidated into Poor Law Unions so removing the local community responsibility. Out relief was discouraged and the workhouses, which had been in existence for the previous two centuries, became the primary source of relief. Throughout the remainder of the 19th century the laws were tightened and modified until the administration was transferred to the Ministry of Health in 1918. It was not until 1930 that the Poor Laws were finally abolished.
Information given: name and parish of mother and father; sometimes also sex and date of birth of child, and occupation of father.
Information given: name(s) and parish.
Settlement examination information given: whatever is deemed relevant to establish where the pauper has settlement status; varies but can include place of birth, age, information about immediate family, apprenticeships or employment.
Settlement certificates information given: name(s), parish where they have settlement status; usually also the name of the parish that the certificate holder is moving to. Occupation and ages of children can also be included.
Removal orders information given: whatever is deemed relevant to establish where the pauper has settlement status; varies but can include place of birth, age, information about immediate family, apprenticeships or employment.
Information given: name(s), parish arrested, parish of settlement and next parish vagrant is to be sent to, any punishment inflicted.
Information given: may include name(s), birth year or age; occupation, original parish; record type (admission or discharge).