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This collection contains correspondence and documents between the poor Law Commission, Poor Law Board, Local Government Board, and various Poor Law Unions and local authorities from 1834 to 1900.

Poor Law Unions were essentially groups of parishes that came together to manage poor relief. Before these unions, some areas had "incorporations," which were similar but lasted until the 1860s, meaning for some regions, there’s no correspondence until the new union system took over.

The Victorian Poor Law was based on what’s known as the "workhouse test." In simple terms, if you were in need, you had to go to the workhouse, which was meant to be a last resort with harsh conditions to discourage people from relying on it. Most workhouses were built in the 1830s and 1840s, though some were added to or rebuilt over time.

The papers cover pretty much everything to do with poor relief, from workhouse administration to finance, and both indoor and outdoor relief. You’ll also find info on specific paupers, and after 1871, it even touches on local government and public health. It’s a treasure trove for understanding how the system worked and the struggles of people who were part of it.