Liverpool & South West Lancashire FHS - Forum

Hi all

The 1851 census shows my Catharine Hughes (aged 63, from Wales, Flint) living in a court with her sister, 65 year old Mary Evans, and they are both on 'parish relief'. Her daughter-in-law and granddaughter are also living with her.
Se is obviously not in the workhouse so can anyone tell me what form the relief would take and how she would be eligible for it?
Also, are there any records that would be relevant?

Although there is a Catharine Hughes on the 1861 census, I think the one I am interested in might have died between 1851 and 1861. There are quite a few in the Index but if anyone can make the link between one of these and my Catharine, I would be very grateful.
Her husband was William Hughes and her son was also William Hughes.

Here's hoping one of you can help.

Glen

What was the address of the recipients? There were different parishes and you will need to know the parish to check whether records have survived.


Blue

Not sure of the parish, Blue, but on the 1851 census they were living in Watkinson Street, near Norfolk Street and Kitchen Street.
They were living in Kitchen Street in 1841 and Catharine was widowed sometime between the 2 censuses.

Glen

Give the reference from the census and that will help us identify the parish, also there is often an Ecclesiastical Parish given at the top of the page.

The Record Office Catalogue might be of help to see if there are any of the records still available,
https://liverpool.gov.uk/libraries/arch ... y-history/
it might also be possible that those records are held at Preston.

Hi, Mary.

Census reference: HO 107/2181
Ecclesiastical District: St Barnabas

How do these tell me the parish?

Also, I've clicked on the link you gave me but not sure what I am actually searching for! Amazingly, given the dwellings and areas my predecessors lived in, this is the first time i have had to research 'Parish Relief' so all help and advice welcomed.

Glen

Down the right of the page for the Liverpool Archive has a button to search the Archive Catalogue. It might be a good idea to see what they have for St Barnabas.

In case you don't have it, here's a link (although C1900) showing the location of Watkinson Street and the nearby St Barnabas, middle square.
http://www.liverpoolhistoryprojects.co. ... rt1013.htm

You could contact the Liverpool Record Office saying you would like to view any surviving records showing parish relief payments to ancestors who were recorded as receiving parish relief in the parish of Liverpool on the 1851 Census:-

https://liverpool.gov.uk/contact-us/ser ... rd-office/


Blue

Thank you, Mary and Blue.

Couldn't see anything relevant as far as St Barnabas was concerned, Mary. Interesting to see the map though - I had looked at the address in relation to where other ancestors lived but your comment about the church made me look at it in a different context.

Blue, thanks for the contact - I'm sending a message to the Record Office now. Feeling a bit stupid that I did not twig it was the parish of Liverpool - how thick can you be?! All these years of doing family history and I had obviously not thought enough about what parish the streets where in.
Never mind - another piece in my education.

That's what I like about this site, not just the fact that so many people try to help but that you learn new strategies that you can use in later searches. Well worth the subscription fee.

Sure I'll be posting again soon for my next lesson!

Glen

I meant parish as in the Workhouse or Union ie Liverpool, West Derby or Toxteth Park provided parish relief payments. Liverpool parish consisted of a number of C of E parishes.


Blue

Ancestry included the following background information with one of its collections:-

"Historical Background:

For many centuries, the task of caring for the poor was left to the Church. Each parish was given an Overseer of the Poor to help with this cause in 1572. Then, in 1601, the Poor Law Act empowered these Overseers to collect a poor rate from wealthier members of the parish, and distribute the funds among the poor.

The 1601 law remained in effect until 1834 when a new law, the Poor Law Amendment Act took over. This collected parishes into groups called Unions. Each Union elected a Board of Guardians, which was then responsible for the care of the poor across all the individual parishes.

Many of our ancestors received help through these Poor Laws. These included the elderly, orphaned, unemployed, sick and afflicted. It wasn’t just money they were given – they also received other daily necessities such as food, clothing and work. Children from poor families were placed in apprenticeships, or sent to particular schools and other institutions."


Blue

It tends to give the story behind the old phrase "on the parish" which was still in common use during the first part of the 20th Century. Historically it also was the reason behind the majority of children being baptised into the church, which then had the responsibility for them if the family fell on hard times. Removal orders came into force when parish relief was claimed from the wrong church.

Thank you once again for your informative comments, Blue and Mary.
I am looking forward to hearing from the RO to know whether there are any records I can follow-up.

G.

I didn't have much luck with the Record Office as they do not have records for outdoor parish relief but I do now have the relevant leaflet, which should prove useful.

I'm still struggling a bit with Catharine after the 1851 census but I've turned up something about her husband, William, that I could do with a bit of advice about so I will put this on a new post.

Thanks again everyone.
G.