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Scotland (Counties as in 1851-1901) => Scotland => Topic started by: pendlelad on Monday 31 October 22 15:13 GMT (UK)

Title: Scotland Poor law and poor lists
Post by: pendlelad on Monday 31 October 22 15:13 GMT (UK)
Hi there,

I've found a poor law record on Find My Past relating to my great grandfather. All the information it gives is the name of the person, names of his parents, the place (Paisley, Renfrewshire), the series number and the statement number.

Obviously this doesn't tell me much. Would there be any way of finding out more about this record and perhaps seeing the original papers?

Thanks,
Pendlelad
Title: Re: Scotland Poor law and poor lists
Post by: arthurk on Monday 31 October 22 16:50 GMT (UK)
What you've found sounds very much like the Paisley Poor Law index, which is also available on the Renfrewshire Libraries website:

https://libcat.renfrewshire.gov.uk/iguana/www.main.cls?surl=PoorLaw

That page tells you more about the records and how you can obtain a copy.
Title: Re: Scotland Poor law and poor lists
Post by: pendlelad on Monday 31 October 22 17:02 GMT (UK)
What you've found sounds very much like the Paisley Poor Law index, which is also available on the Renfrewshire Libraries website:

https://libcat.renfrewshire.gov.uk/iguana/www.main.cls?surl=PoorLaw

That page tells you more about the records and how you can obtain a copy.

arthurk,

Thats very helpful thanks. Ive found his name on the index on the Paisley website and have since emailed them to enquire.

Thanks again,
Pendlelad
Title: Re: Scotland Poor law and poor lists
Post by: goldie61 on Monday 31 October 22 19:26 GMT (UK)
These records can often tell you a great deal of information.
I was eventually able to break down the brick wall of my 2 x great grandfather by finding one of these records for his wife. It involved a bit of digging, as she was not named in the listing, but just given as 'widow Paton'.
Just to keep in mind if you're looking for a record of a woman.
It's also worth looking under a woman's maiden name as well.

good luck with yours!
Title: Re: Scotland Poor law and poor lists
Post by: pendlelad on Monday 31 October 22 19:40 GMT (UK)
These records can often tell you a great deal of information.
I was eventually able to break down the brick wall of my 2 x great grandfather by finding one of these records for his wife. It involved a bit of digging, as she was not named in the listing, but just given as 'widow Paton'.
Just to keep in mind if you're looking for a record of a woman.
It's also worth looking under a woman's maiden name as well.

good luck with yours!

Glad you found some interesting information. Good advice, i will search for maiden names too. I have found burial records going back to the early 1800s which just say "Widow" in place of the first name. Usually when they were poor or paupers.

Thanks,
Pendlelad