POOR LAW RECORDS

Bastardy Bonds

These were to ensure that the father's of illegitimate children paid maintenance for the child. Each case was dealt with differently. A Bastardy Bond would give the name of the mother of the child, the child's name, date of birth, the Parish where born and chargeable to. It would also show the name of the father that was appearing before the Justices and the amount ordered to be paid for birth fees, to the Overseers of the Poor and the amount for maintenance of the child. A father of a child may be found here when no record is shown on the Parish records. After 1733 any man that swore an oath stating that he was the father of a an illegitimate child was sent to jail.Check Quarter Session records for court proceedings also.

Prisoners committed for different offences since last Sessions, 168
99. George Goodall, age 19. Committed December 19, 1823 ……..for six weeks imprisonment to hard labour, for Bastardy.

Apprenticeship records

Parish Officers appointed Masters to apprentice young people, many of whom were paupers or orphans. They became members of the Masters household and although the apprentice's trades may have looked like a worthwhile trade many were no more than servants.

Church wardens account books

As well as items dealing with the upkeep of the actual building, the following may also be found in the Church Wardens account books: - administrative affairs of Charity Almshouses, listings of Parish rate-payers and the amount they paid, He would also pay parishioners for vermin bought to him.From Otterbourne Hampshire Church Warden's Accounts
02 Jan 1820 Paid J Goodchild for Polecat 6p
1841 – Church rates 3½p in the pound, Goodchild Richard 3p

Overseers of the poor account books

Overseers set the rate of poor relief, collected the money and made sure it went to those in need. The account books show listings of the rate payers also the recipients of poor relief. This relief could have been in the form of money or accommodation in houses built for that purpose. A note was made of all assistance given out such as food, medicine, fuel, clothing and funeral costs. Overseer's accounts and Church Wardens accounts can sometimes be found in the same volume. The parents of illegitimate children may be found in the overseer's account books.
1803. Cash received from George Bart to exonerate him from a bastard child liable to be born on the body of Mary Webb, Ten Pounds.

Workhouses

In 1834 the Poor Law Amendment act was passed. No able –bodied person was to receive help form the Poor Law authorities unless they were in a workhouse. Workhouses were built in every parish where possible but conditions were made deliberately harsh to discourage people wanting to get help. The ratepayers in each parish would then elect a board of Guardians to supervise and collect the Poor rate. Although workhouses had been around previously they now became the main source of relief

Vestry Minutes

All important decisions relating to the Poor law were made at Vestry meetings. Lists of apprentices and newcomers to the Parish can be found along with agreements for the care of illegitimate children in the Parish.

Where can they be found?
Poor Law records prior to 1834 can be found amongst Parish Records. Poor Law records since 1834 are held in the County Records offices and at the National Archives: - The National Archives. Many workhouse records can be found on the internet and some can be found in Ancestry Aids Links and tips forum.


Written By Ancestry Aid Member: Starlight

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