1843 Poor Law Commission

In 1843 a Royal Commission was appointed to inquire into the Poor Law in Scotland.  The commission began taking evidence on 2 March 1843 and continued into 1844 when the report was published.  The commission covered the whole of Scotland.   This section contains extracts from "Poor Law inquiry (Scotland.) Appendix, part III. Containing minutes of evidence taken in the synods of Angus and Mearns, Perth and Stirling, Fife, Glasgow and Ayr, Galloway, Dumfries, Merse and Teviotdale, Lothian and Tweeddale. "

We will gradually be adding extracts, concentrating on those areas with mining populations, or where the mining industry developed after 1843-1844.  The general descriptions contain many fascinating details of the assistance provided by the parish.  In addition many of the extracts contain names and biographical details of those receiving relief.  An index to these will be added in the near future.

Links to extracts on specific Parishes

Fife

Lanarkshire

Ayrshire