Poor Law Officer

[Jim Muirhead]

My Grandfather Arthur Charles White was listed as a Poor Law Officer on his marriage certificate and listed his residence as Barnes, Surrey. He was 30 years old when he married Margaret Heseltine on Nov.12,1901 in Newcastle-on Tyne. They later lived on Grove Road, Barnes. Can anyone shed a light on what he did, how long was he an 'officer', anything will do.
Jim Muirhead at jimndi@cablelan.net

[Rod Neep]

If someone applied for "parish relief" (the equivalent of social security payments today), then A Poor Law Officer would be the person responsible for looking into their circumstances. He would also be responsible for entry into the workhouse.

[Jim Muirhead]

Ron. thanks for the insight to what a Poor Law Officer did. Do you know of how I may find any details on when he started (mnth/yr), where he was based, when he quit. I'm led to believe that he joined-up for WWI.
Jim

[Rod Neep]

Ron. thanks for the insight to what a Poor Law Officer did. Do you know of how I may find any details on when he started (mnth/yr), where he was based, when he quit. I'm led to believe that he joined-up for WWI.
JimHe will have been based at Barnes in Surrey (as per his marriage certificate). What you really need... not easy to get hold of (it is probably at the county record office, or perhaps even at the parish church), are the parish chest records. Those will almost certainly give his starting and end date.

regards
Rod

[Guy Etchells]

Archive CD Books have a number of cds which give more insight into the Poor Law, Parish Officer etc., such as -
Burn's Justice of the Peace and Parish Officer 1869(Reference #1008)

The Complete Parish Officer 1772(Reference #0766)

and even

The Complete English Lawyer(Reference #0871)


http://www.rod-neep.co.uk/acatalog/eng-misc.html
Cheers
Guy

[Patrisia]

Hi Jim,

In theory the PRO at Kew holds records of Workhouse staff, though I am still looking for my grandfather there.

Barnes Workhouse was part of the Richmond Union, in the county of Surrey. The record office for that is at Surrey History Centre, Woking.
http://www.institutions.org.uk/workhouses/england/surrey/richmond1.htm

This site will give you a great deal of information about workhouses http://www.workhouses.org.uk/ although Barnes is not in the lists, look under Richmond and follow the links.

There is a Grove Road in Richmond and it was the site of the Richmond Workhouse, the Grove Road now in Barnes is within walking distance of Barnes Hospital. I know Barnes hospital and although I have a feeling it might have been a workhouse at one time, I can't find anything at the moment, to verify that. As it is now for the care of the elderly, my sporadic memory is appropriate ;)
Patrisia

[Rossbret]

There is a Grove Road in Richmond and it was the site of the Richmond Workhouse, the Grove Road now in Barnes is within walking distance of Barnes Hospital. I know Barnes hospital and although I have a feeling it might have been a workhouse at one time, I can't find anything at the moment, to verify that. As it is now for the care of the elderly, my sporadic memory is appropriate ;)
Patrisia
Patrisia,
If you go to the Hospital records site at
http://www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/hospitalrecords/search.asp

and type in Richmond, it will produce four results, one of which is Grove Road.

Grove Road Hospital was previously the Richmond Workhouse and Hospital, and associated with Kingsmead Old Peoples Home.

Records are held by Richmond Local Studies Library and Surrey History Centre.

Hope that helps,
All the best, Jan

[Patrisia]

......yes but as I said, no results for Barnes :( Patrisia

[Jim Muirhead]

Patrisa,Rossbret,Guy Etchells and Rod Neep many thanks for all your help and suggestions.Further research has led me to Aysgarth Workhouse.According to 1901 census (RG13,piece4433,folio50,page1) name of institution does not appear, however Arthur White and Margaret ContantineHeseltine are listed as Porter & Assistant Matron.They married in Nov 1901 in Newcastle-on-Tyne becoming my Grandparents.
At a guess the Master & Matron of the workhouse John & Annie Constantine are related. Cheers, Jim