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Optional Print Course Material: Scottish: The Poor and Poor Relief
*Course material will only be sent to students who are registered in the course.
Scottish: The Poor and Poor Relief explores the background and history of poor relief in Scotland from the Middle Ages to mid-twentieth century. The course includes the system of poorhouses from the eighteenth century, inspectors of poor played a large role in the administration of relief. The Poor Law Amendment Act (Scotland) of 1845 is a crucial piece of legislation in the evolution of poor relief. Its operation and effects on the public are important. The poor law system produced a great deal of documentation, which gives detailed insights into the lives of poor Scots and their families. The course covers in detail how they can be used to trace ancestors. Various strategies used to search these records and other sources available in archives and online are explained. General reference sources useful to clarify Scottish language, geography, and palaeography are also included.
MODULE 1
BEGINNINGS AND NEED OF POOR RELIEF
Overview
History and Background of Poor Relief
Poor relief in earliest recorded times
Begging
Impact of the Reformation
The Poor Rate
The St. John’s Experiment
Women and Children
Migrants
Removal of paupers
Health
Assessing Needs
Church Support
What relief was given?
Other Means of Support
The End of the Poor Law system
Glossary
Reading and Websites
Module 1 Course Assignments
MODULE 2
THE POORHOUSE
History and Operation of the Poorhouse System
Why the Poorhouse?
Poorhouse Plans & Images
Rules of the Poorhouse
Parish Almshouses
Inspectors of the Poor
Module 2 Course Assignments
MODULE 3
POOR LAW FROM 1845
Background to the New Law
The process of applying for poor relief
Criteria for assessment of the poor
Case Studies
Widows: With or Without Dependants
Men Disabled for Work from Sickness or Infirmity
Deserted Wives with Dependants
Orphans and Deserted Children
Single Women with Illegitimate Children
Insanity
Disabled by Old Age
Responsibility of Relatives
Module 3 Course Assignments
MODULE 4
RECORDS OF THE POOR
National Records of Scotland
Visiting the Historical Search Room
Private Archives
Public Archives
Visiting Archives
General Principles in Poor Relief Searching
Learning about the Parish
Poor Rolls
Kirk Session Records
Kirk Session Poor Rolls
Heritors’, Burgh, and Town Council Records
Post-1845 Poor Law Application Records
Confidentiality & Closure Periods
Application Record
Particulars of Settlement
Medical Certificates
Birth or Marriage Records
Correspondence
Proof of Employment
Ephemera
General Register of Poor and Other Registers
Poorhouse Admission Records
Case Study
Parochial Board & Parish Council Records
Miscellaneous Poor Law Records
Other Sources of Poor Law Records
Online Access to Poor Law Records
Archive Indexes
Heritage Society Projects
Genealogy Websites
Case Study
Indexed Images
Unindexed Images
Module 4 Course Assignments
MODULE 5
FINDING THE POOR IN OTHER RECORDS
Other Records
House of Correction
Civil Registration
Census Returns
Asylum Records
Case Study
Health Board Records
Emigration Records
Destitution Records
Night Asylum Records
Burial Records
Friendly Societies and Fraternal Organisations
Trade Organisations
Case Study
Charitable Societies
Module 5 Course Assignments