Bedfordshire Poor Law Unions Records

BEDFORDSHIRE:
Bedfordshire Poor Law Unions Records

The Poor Law Amendment Act 1834 removed the onus of dealing with the poor from individual parishes and gave it to Poor Law Unions. These unions dealt with groups of parishes, as noted below and each was responsible for providing various forms of poor relief, most notably the dreaded Workhouse (later known as National Assistance Institution). This was not a new institution since parish workhouses had existed hitherto, but what was new was the scale of these institutions and the grip they came to exercise on the public imagination. In 1929 the government of the day set about dismantling the Poor Law Amendment Act through the Local Government Act but the last vestiges were not to disappear until the 1948 and the full implementation of the welfare state. The old National Assistance Institutions continued to be used after 1948 but now as hospitals, old people's homes etc. though the association of these buildings and institutions with the workhouse lingered in the public mind

It must be stressed that Poor Law Unions dealt with more than just workhouses, for example, giving relief (money, goods etc.) to the poor outside the workhouses and in their constituent parishes (known as outdoor relief, as opposed to indoor relief which was relief given in the workhouse); and that relief given within the workhouses was not always to permanent inmates - each workhouse had a number of casual wards for those seeking temporary assistance, most notably those people classed as vagrants.

Poor Law Union records are a relatively unused research tool but are excellent for genealogists, local historians, social and economic historians and others. Below each Union is described is terms of the records held by the Bedford Record Office and the names of the parishes which made it up.

AMPTHILL POOR LAW UNION

This Union comprised the following parishes: Ampthill; Clophill; Cranfield; Flitton; Flitwick; Upper and Lower Gravenhurst; Haynes; Higham Gobion; Houghton Conquest; Lidlington; Marston Moretaine; Maulden; Millbrook; Pulloxhill; Shillington; Silsoe; Steppingley; Westoning

On the dissolution of Woburn Poor Law Union in 1899 the following parishes joined the Ampthill Union, forming the Woburn District: Aspley Guise; Aspley Heath; Battlesden; Eversholt; Harlington; Hulcote; Husborne Crawley; Milton Bryan; Potsgrove; Ridgmont; Salford; Tingrith; Toddington; Woburn

AGREEMENTS (PUAA) 1835-1903: various agreements such as charges on Poor Rates of specific parishes to raise money, mortgages and other loans

CORRESPONDENCE (PUAC) 1837-1930: out letters for the full period and incoming letters for 1882-1930

DEEDS (PUAE) 1728-1901: these being the title deeds to the workhouse of 1835 and its extension of 1901

FINANCIAL RECORDS (PUAF) 1835-1931: including the following series:

PUAF 1: Treasurer's Book (1924-1927)

PUAF 2: Treasurer's Account (1914-1920)

PUAF 4: Statutory Financial Statements (1911-1927)

PUAF 5: Guardians' Financial Statements (1879-1910)

PUAF 7: Relieving Officer's Receipts and Expenditures (1915-1922)

PUAF 8: Clothing Materials Receipts and Conversions (1912-1917) amounts of material received, clothes made etc.

PUAF 10: Quarterly Provisions Receipts and Consumption (1913-1915)

PUAF 11: Casuals' Provisions (1923-1929) people given shelter on a temporary basis, not long term workhouse inmates

PUAF 15: Extra Provisions Accounts (1908-1920) including tobacco, snuff, tea and sugar

PUAF 16: Workhouse Accounts (1835-1855) including amounts paid to various tradesmen

PUAF 17: Service Register (1891-1898) including names of appointees and details of wages etc.

PUAF 18: Summary of Master's Day Book (1924-1931) names of tradesmen etc.

PUAF 19: Officers' Superannuation (1896-1913) names of officers and service details relating to claims

PUAF 20: Grant for Officers of Union (1888-1889) expenditure on salaries, drugs etc. including names of officers

HEALTH RECORDS (PUAH) 1873-1916: including the following series:

PUAH 3: Registers of Vaccinations (1873-1921) copies of registers of births with names of children

PUAH 4/1: Medical Officer's Report Book (1901-1904) names, descriptions etc. of workhouse inmates

PUAH 4/2: Medical Officer's Relief Book (1909-1916) names, descriptions etc. of out-patients

PUAH 5: Workhouse Medical Relief Book (1887-1890) names, descriptions etc. of workhouse inmates

GENERAL LEDGERS (PUAL) 1835-1930 with gaps: not a full series nor with consistent information given but including: tradesmen; officers; relief; migration; clothing; funeral accounts; vaccination accounts etc.

MINUTE BOOKS (PUAM) 1835-1930: a full series

COMMITTEE RECORDS (PUAMC) 1862-1930: including the following:

PUAMC 1: Assessment Committee (1862-1897) rating assessments of parishes

PUAMC 2: Boarding-Out Committee (1910-1930) children boarded out, including regular lists

PUAMC 3: School Attendance Committee (1885-1903) relating to parishes without School Boards (i.e. Ampthill, Clophill, Cranfield, Flitton, Upper & Lower Gravenhurst, Haynes, Higham Gobion, Houghton Conquest, Pulloxhill, Silsoe and Westoning)

PUAMC 4: Special Visiting Committee (1904-1914) visitors to workhouse

PUAMC 5: Visiting Committee (1896-1906) quarterly visits by Committee members to mentally ill in workhouse

PUAP 4: Parochial Ledger (1897-1901) receipts and payments by constituent parishes

RELIEF (PUAR) 1839-1930: including the following:

PUAR 1: Indoor Relief Lists (1908-1915) lists of workhouse inmates from each parish

PUAR 2: Outdoor Relief Lists (1844-1930 with gaps) weekly lists of recipients of relief in parishes

PUAR 3: Relief Order Books (1876-1930) names, addresses etc. of applicants for relief

PUAR 4: Application and Report Books (1887-1930) names and details of applicants for relief

PUAR 5: Early Application and Report Books (1839-1859) names and details of applicants for relief

PUAR 6: Loans to Paupers (1857-1861) mainly loans for funeral expenses

PUAR 7: Pauper Descriptive Lists (1835-1836) one volume for each parish in Union with full individual descriptions

VARIA (PUAV) 1836-1968: including the following:

PUAV 1: Admission and Discharge Registers (1908-1956) names etc. of those admitted to residential care

PUAV 2: Admission and Discharge Registers (casuals) (1921-1931) names etc. of those admitted to temporary care

PUAV 4: Form A Weekly Returns (1848-1930) statistics of workhouse inmates and those receiving outdoor relief

PUAV 5: Form B Weekly Returns (1904)

PUAV 6: Master's Report & Journal (1896-1948) reports include details of entertainments etc.

PUAV 15: Registers of Births (1912-1936) continuation of Vaccination Registers (PUAH 3)

PUAV 16/1: Register of Deaths of Infants (1906-1910)

PUAV 16/2: Register of Deaths in Public Assistance Institution (1914-1951)

PUAV 16/3: Register of Deaths in Three Counties Hospital (1908-1929)

PUAV 17: Registers of Religious Creed (1883-1941) lists of names etc.

PUAV 18: Visitor's Books (1870-1871, 1911-1913, children 1909-1910)

PUAV 19: Registers of Overseers of the Poor (1903-1927) all parish overseers within the Union

PUAV 20: Chaplain's Report Book (1904-1918) services held and visitations made

PUAV 21: Bread & Meat Contracts (1882, 1884, 1888)

PUAV 22: Workhouse Punishment Books (1853-1929) names, details of offence, punishment etc.

PUAV 23: Registers of Names (1895-1914, 1938-1958) indexed

PUAV 24: Register of Hospital Patients (1954-1957)

PUAV 25: Wages Books (1923-1948 with gaps)

PUAV 26: Vaccination Register (1932-1935) see also PUAH 3

PUAV 27: Menu Book (1964-1967)

PUAV 28: Inventories (1902-1947, 1964) furniture at the workhouse and later small domestic items of clothing

PUAV 29: Report Books (1964-1968) report books for The Cedars Old People's Home

PUAV 30: Prescription Book (1961-1965) for The Cedars Old People's Home

PUAV 33: Admission & Discharge Counterfoil Book (1967-1968) patient details

PUAV 34: Stock Lists (1962-1967) items of food

PUAV 35: Clothing Issued (1961-1962)

PUAV 36: Apprenticeship Indentures from Ampthill Union (1862-1894) the following names of apprentices occur: Anniwell; Ashton; Barratt; Beasley; Braybrooks; Burge; Clarke; Cox; Dicks; Dudley; Gudgin; Halfhead; Haytread; Heathfield; Jordan; Jepps; Kitchiner; Lancaster; Litchfield; Manton; Millard; Newbery; Newman; Nurshall; Richardson; Rogers; Wilson; Young

PUAV 37: Apprenticeship Indentures to Ampthill Union (1882, 1914)

PUAV 38: Apprenticeship Papers & Correspondence (1862-1873) names mentioned include: Barratt; Dudley; Millard; Rogers; Squires; Wilks

PUAV 39: Removal Orders to Parishes outside the Union (1837-1914) names include: Barnes; Chesher; Frendle; Foskett; Hare; Johnson; Neal; Parnwell; Read; Spencer

PUAV 40: Removal Order Within the Union (1864) Jane Plowman - Silsoe to Lower Gravenhurst

PUAV 41: Removal Orders to Parishes in the Union (1837--1899) names include: Abbis; Allen; Arnold; Barker; Barnes/Burley; Berrell; Billingham; Breed; Burley; Clark; Cole; Cooper; Crawley; Day; Draper; Dunham; Ebbs; Edmunds; Faulkner; French; Goodman; Hannawell; Hare; Harrington; Hayhead; Herbert; Hosler; Izzard; Kedge; Leggatt; Litchfield; Maudlin/Mardlin; Newberry; Odell; Parker; Penwright; Peters; Phillips; Porter; Poulter/Leture; Pratt; Redman; Ruddlestone; Sanders; Simkins; Sturgess; Tall; Thompson; Timms; Tompkins; Wharton; Wheeler; Williamson

PUAV 42: Return of Removals to Parishes in the Union (1841) numbers with a few names

PUAV 43: Workhouse Extensions and Alterations (1883) plans, correspondence etc.

PUAV 44: Plans of Proposed Workhouse Wood Chopping Sheds (1903)

PUAV 45: New Windows in Children's Dayroom at Workhouse (1911)

PUAV 46: Dietaries (1917) diets for various categories of inmate

PUAV 47: Constabulary Force Commissioners Returns (1836) questions on law and order answered by parishes

PUAV 48: Terriers of Lands & Inventories of Funds, Securities & Money (1837)

PUAV 49: Rating Valuation (1899-1904) assessments of railway stations, public houses and a farm

PUAV 50: Civil Registration (1899-1902) correspondence

PUAV 51: Census Returns (1900-1912) instructions and background papers

PUAV 52: Return of Board Schools, Parish Rooms & Reading Rooms (c.1900) with details of owners, occupiers etc.

PUAV 53: Circulars & Posters (1836, 1871)

PUAV 54: Workhouse Ground Plan (1895)

PUAV 55: Workhouse New Board Room Plan (1901)

BEDFORD POOR LAW UNION

This Union comprised the following parishes: Great Barford; Bedford; Biddenham; Bletsoe; Bolnhurst; Bromham; Cardington; Carlton; Chellington; Clapham; Colmworth; Cople; Eastcotts; Elstow; Felmersham; Goldington; Harrold; Kempston; Keysoe; Knotting; Melchbourne; Milton Ernest; Oakley; Odell; Pavenham; Ravensden; Renhold; Riseley; Roxton; Sharnbrook; Souldrop; Stagsden; Stevington; Thurleigh; Turvey; Wilden; Willington; Wilshamstead; Wootton; Yielden

AGREEMENTS (PUBA) 1911-1929: lease, mortgages, building contracts etc.

CORRESPONDENCE (PUBC) 1835-1919: incoming letters 1835-1889 and outgoing letters 1835-1919

ESTATES (PUBE) 1906-1993: including:

PUBE 1: Kempston Lodge Children's Home (1910-1993)

PUBE 2: 6 Prebend Street, Bedford (Relief Office) (1906-1923)

PUBE 3: Bedfordshire County Council Estate (1930)

FINANCIAL RECORDS (PUBF) 1837-1930: including the following series:

PUBF 1: Financial Statements (1885-1905)

PUBF 4: Statutory Financial Statements (1887-1928)

PUBF 5: Financial Statement (Guardians) (1908-1909)

PUBF 8: Clothing Materials Receipts & Conversion (1887-1921) material received and clothing made

PUBF 9: Clothing Receipts & Expenditure (1885-1899 with gaps)

PUBF 10: Provisions Receipts & Consumption (1895-1928 with gaps)

PUBF 11: Casual Paupers' Provision Account (1887-1889)

PUBF 12: Quarterly Abstract (1838-1845) statistics about numbers relieved, money spent etc.

PUBF 14: Master's Day Book (1905-1907) weekly account of provisions and work, with tradesmen's names

PUBF 15: Special Diets, Extras & Alternative Rations (1901-1902) inmates entitled to extra rations

PUBF 16: Loans (1837-1951, 1890-1914) early loans to paupers and later loans for work on workhouse

PUBF 18: Tobacco Account (1901-1921) with details on workhouse inmates in receipt of tobacco

PUBF 19: Garden Account (1885-1902, 1917-1922) expenditure on seeds and pigs

PUBF 20: Stone Account (1908-1923) amount of stone broken by workhouse inmates

PUBF 21: Bedding Account (1887-1901) includes cloths, towels, curtains etc. and tradesmen received from

PUBF 22: Leather Department (1862-1901) quantities of shoes made and repaired in workhouse

PUBF 23: Necessaries & Miscellaneous Account (1901-1904)

PUBF 24: Oakum Account (1885-1914) half year account for oakum picked at the workhouse

PUBF 26: Relieving Officer's Account (1873-1876) for relief of the poor in their parishes

PUBF 27: Bank Pass Books (Barnard's Bank) 1835-1838, 1857-1862

PUBF 28: Annual Abstracts of the Separate Accounts of the Parishes (1848-1857)

PUBF 29: Tenders for the Supply of Goods & Materials (1929-1930)

GENERAL LEDGERS (PUBL) 1835-1930

HEALTH RECORDS (PUBH) 1853-1947: including the following:

PUBH 4: Medical Officer's Reports (1873-1909) includes general workhouse conditions, names etc.

PUBH 5: Workhouse Medical Relief Books etc. (1869-1914 with gaps) including names of patients

PUBH 6: Records under Infant Life Protection Act 1897 & Children Act 1908 (1898, 1909, 1913-1914)

PUBH 7: Register of Patients Recommended to the Governors of Bedford Infirmary by Board of Guardians (1854-1890)

PUBH 8: Inspector of Nuisances Report Book: Town of Bedford (1853-1854) insanitary conditions etc.

PUBH 9: Broadsheet: Instructions for Bathing of Inmates (1916)

PUBH 10: Maternity Registers (1925-1947) with details of mothers name, circumstances etc.

MINUTES (PUBM) 1835-1930

COMMITTEE RECORDS (PUBMC) 1835-1928: including the following:

PUBMC 1: All Committees (1835-1846)

PUBMC 2: Boarding Out Committee (1899-1904): including lists of children boarded out

PUBMC 3-7: House Committee (1914-1928) day to day running of the workhouse

PUBMC 8: School Attendance Committee (1877-1903) for all schools not controlled by School Boards

PUBMC 11: Rota or Visiting Committee (1914-1928) reports on general conditions in the workhouse

PUBMC 12-16: Assessment Committee (Rating & Valuation) (1862-1927)

RELIEF (PUBR) 1836-1929: including the following series:

PUBR 1: Weekly Indoor Relief Lists (1836-1929) workhouse inmates and Kempston Lodge Children's Home 1915-1925

PUBR 2: Outdoor Relief Lists (1875-1920) relief in the pauper's home parish

PUBR 3: Relief Order Books (1874-1920) with lists of names etc.

PUBR 4: Application and Report Books (1875-1920) details of applicants names, circumstances etc.

PUBR 4/86-87: School Fees Application & Report Books (1883-1889) with details of names, circumstances etc.

VARIA (PUBV) 1835-1950: including the following record series:

PUBV 1: Admission & Discharge Registers (1835-1950) workhouse admissions including names etc., North Wing Hospital admissions from 1947

PUBV 2: Admission & Discharge Registers (Casuals) (1881-1927): names etc. of those admitted on a temporary basis

PUBV 4: Weekly Returns - Form A (1892-1910): statistical returns of indoor and outdoor relief cases

PUBV 6: Master's Report & Journal (1842-1928): weekly statistics and record of events at workhouse

PUBV 15: Registration of Births: Vaccination Records (1880-1883): copy birth certificates with vaccination details

PUBV 16: Register of Deaths of Children Under 12 Years of Age (1883-1885) returns made to Vaccination Officers

PUBV 18: Visitors' Books (1836-1914): reports of Guardians' visits to workhouse

PUBV 19: Alcohol & Tobacco Account Books (1890-1900, 1904-1907): includes age and circumstances of recipients

PUBV 20: Chaplain's Journal (1887-1897)

PUBV 22: Porter's Books (1887-1898, 1904-1905, 1912-1913, 1930)

PUBV 24: Pauper Lunatics (1888-1913) including: claims for maintenance (1888-1897); Register of Defectives in the Institution (1920-1923); Examination Book (1870-1898); list of lunatics chargeable to the Union (1891-1897); Visiting Committee (1862-1892); Workhouse Lunatics Register (1913)

PUBV 25: School Attendance Register (1892-1896): mostly girls

PUBV 26: Parish Apprentices (1838-1913 with gaps): registers including names and circumstances

PUBV 27: Register of Visits to Young Persons (1879-1905): names, circumstances and copious notes as to progress

PUBV 28: Workhouse Punishment Book (1896-1912): with names, offences and punishments

PUBV 29: Inventory Books (1871-1877, 1912-1924)

PUBV 30: Inmates' Own Property Book (1911-1913)

PUBV 31: Index to Registrar's Register of Births (1871-1872): names included

PUBV 32: Life Policy Register (1857-1868): kept by Mr.Turnley, Solicitor of Bedford and unrelated to the Poor Law Union

PUBV 33: Poor Law Board Orders (1851-1879): sale of parish property, emigration, appointment of officers etc.

PUBV 34: Removal Orders (1835-1863): abstract of removals to and from Union parishes

PUBV 35: Relief of Hunger Marchers (1924): Notice by the marchers notifying arrival of 180 marchers needing food and accommodation

PUBV 36/1: Register of Births in Workhouse (1836-1857): names of child and parents and circumstances noted

PUBV 36/2: Register of Births & Deaths in Workhouse (1915-1931): gives names and circumstances

PUBV 37: Registers of Deaths in Workhouse (1835-1857, 1926-1945): gives names etc.

PUBV 38: Admission & Discharge Registers (1939-1948): names, circumstances etc. described

DIRECTORS OF THE POOR OF THE TOWN OF BEDFORD (PUBZ) 1792-1834: including the following series:

PUBZ 1: Minutes (1817-1827)

PUBZ 2: Financial Records (1811-1818, 1828-1834)

PUBZ 3: Settlement Records (1792-1834): including examinations and removals

PUBZ 4: Bedford Poor Act 1794

BIGGLESWADE POOR LAW UNION

This Union comprised the following parishes: Arlesey; Astwick; Biggleswade; Blunham; Campton; Chicksands; Clifton; Dunton; Edworth; Everton; Eyeworth; Cockayne Hatley; Henlow; Langford; Meppershall; Mogerhanger; Northill; Potton; Sandy; Shefford; Shefford Hardwick; Southill; Upper Stondon; Stotfold; Sutton; Tempsford; Old Warden; Wrestlingworth

AGREEMENTS (PUBWA) 1910-1928: tenancy agreement in Gallows Ditch Field 1910 and electricity wayleave through workhouse 1928

CORRESPONDENCE (PUBWC) 1842-1930: out letters only

ESTATES (PUBWE) 1835-1993: deeds to 1.5 acres of land in Holm (part of Gallows Field)

FINANCIAL RECORDS (PUBWF) 1881-1930: including the following series:

PUBWF 1: Treasurer's Book (1904-1909): names of payers and payees

PUBWF 2: Treasurer's Account (1914-1917): receipts and payments

PUBWF 4: Financial Statement (Statutory) (1895-1900): receipts and payments

PUBWF 5: Financial Statement (Guardians) (1881-1930 with gaps)

PUBWF 6: Register of Securities (1893-1928): loans for workhouse alterations etc.

PUBWF 7: Relieving officers' Receipts and Expenditure (1899-1918 with gaps): distributions in money and kind

PUBWF 8: Officers' Superannuation (1898-1930): with names of receiving officers

LEDGERS (PUBWL) 1837-1930: including general ledgers, Non-Settled Poor Ledger (1873-1887) and Parochial Ledgers (1853-1857 and 1911-1923)

MINUTES (PUBWM) 1837-1930 (with gaps)

COMMITTEE RECORDS (PUBWMC) 1862-1930: including the following series:

PUBWMC 1: Boarding Out Committee (1911-1930): children boarded out

PUBWMC 2-7: Finance Committee (1888-1930)

PUBWMC 8: House Committee (1914-1915): report book on workhouse

PUBWMC 9: School Attendance Committee (1877-1903): for all non Board controlled schools

PUBWMC 10: Ladies Visiting Committee (1893-1920): report book on workhouse visits

PUBWMC 11-13: Assessment Committee (Rating & Valuation) (1862-1927): minute books

RELIEF (PUBWR) 1894-1930: including the following series:

PUBWR 2: Outdoor Relief Lists (1902-1917): with names of those receiving relief in their home parishes

PUBWR 3: Relief Order Books (1894-1930): including names of applicants

PUBWR 4: Application & Report Books (1898-1917): names and circumstances of all applicants

VARIA (PUBWV) 1867-1930: including the following series:

PUBWV 1: Admission and Discharge Registers (1912-1930): names etc. of workhouse inmates and Hillcote Children's Home (1922-1930) and Homeside Boy's Home (1929-1930)

PUBWV 4: Weekly and Other Returns - Form A etc. (1867-1930 with gaps): statistical returns of recipients of indoor and outdoor relief

PUBWV 5: Form B Weekly Returns (1910-1912, 1918-1921)

PUBWV 8: Register of Persons Chargeable (1916-1930): non-resident poor, inmates of institutions, lunatics in asylums and children under Guardian's control

PUBWV 9: Register on Non-Settled and Non-Resident Poor (1909-1915): including names

PUBWV 10: Pauper Classification Book (1900-1901): statistical tables of types of pauper

PUBWV 11: Register of Boarded-Out Children (1928-1930): names and circumstances noted

PUBWV 12: Payments to Foster Parents (1928-1930): weekly payments book

PUBWV 13: Staff Appointments Register (c.1887-1915) including names etc.

LEIGHTON BUZZARD POOR LAW UNION

This Union comprised the following parishes: Billington; Eggington; Heath & Reach; Leighton Buzzard; Stanbridge. The Union also included the following Buckinghamshire parishes: Cheddington; Edlesborough; Grove; Ivinghoe; Linslade [now Bedfordshire]; Mentmore; Slapton; Soulbury; Stoke Hammond; Wing.

In 1846 Eaton Bray was transferred from Luton Poor Law Union to Leighton Buzzard Poor Law Union. Woburn Poor Law Union was dissolved in 1899 and the following parishes were added to Leighton Buzzard Poor Law Union: Chalgrave; Hockliffe; Tilsworth

AGREEMENTS (PULBA) 1915-1926: includes apprenticeship indenture for John Dix, care of mental defective, contracts for District Medical Officers and settlement of claim

CORRESPONDENCE (PULBC) 1837-1928: including out letters (1837-1908) and in letters (1920-1928)

ESTATES (PULBE) 1793-1950: title deeds of the workhouse and isolation hospital

FINANCIAL RECORDS (PULBF) 1873-1930: including the following record series:

PULBF 1: Treasurer's Books (1887-1921): names of payers and payees

PULBF 2: Treasurer's Accounts (1914-1930): receipts and payments

PULBF 3: Treasurer's Receipts & Payments Books (1902-1908, 1921-1926)

PULBF 4: Financial Statements (Statutory) (1879-1904): receipts and payments

PULBF 5: Financial Statements (Guardians) (1873-1925)

PULBF 7: Relieving Officers' Receipts & Expenditures (1901-1928) including names of payers and payees

PULBF 8: Provisions Accounts (1917-1930 with gaps)

PULBF 9: Officers' Superannuation Registers (1897-1923): including names and details

PULBF 18: Annual Poor Rate Returns (1891-1896)

HEALTH RECORDS (PULBH) 1868-1930: including the following record series:

PULBH 1: District Medical Officers' Relief Books (1877-1878, 1889-1890, 1901-1902) including names and circumstances

PULBH 2: Workhouse Medical Relief Book (1894-1896): including names and circumstances of patients

PULBH 3: Vaccination Registers (1875-1928 with gaps): copy birth certificates with Vaccination Officers' notes

PULBH 4: Medical Officer's Report Book as to the Workhouse (1868-1902)

PULBH 5: Vaccination Officer's Report Books (1907-1930): checking on unvaccinated children

LEDGERS (PULBL) 1837-1923 with gaps

MINUTES (PULBM) 1835-1930

COMMITTEE MINUTES (PULBMC) 1863-1930: including the following:

PULBMC 1-2: Assessment Committee (Rating & Valuation) (1863-1925)

PULBMC 3: Boarding-Out Committee (1910-1929)

PULBMC 4: House Committee (1914-1930): House and Finance Committee from 1921, regarding workhouse

PULBMC 5: Relief Committee (1921-1929)

PULBMC 6: School Attendance Committee (1877-1903): deals with schools not controlled by School Boards only

RELIEF (PULBR) 1852-1929: including the following:

PULBR 1: Indoor Relief Lists (1852-1929): lists of workhouse relief cases

PULBR 2: Outdoor Relief Lists (1883-1929 with gaps): names and circumstances of those receiving relief in their home parish

PULBR 3: Relief Order Books (1887-1928): includes names and circumstances of applicants

PULBR 4: Application & Report Books (1895-1929 with gaps): includes names and circumstances of applicants

VARIA (PULBV) 1843-1940: including the following:

PULBV 1: Admission & Discharge Register (1891-1898): names and circumstances of workhouse inmates included

PULBV 2: Admission & Discharge Registers (Casuals) (1914-1921, 1926-1930): names and circumstances of paupers admitted on a temporary basis

PULBV 3: Statistical Statement of Indoor & Outdoor Relief (1873-1887)

PULBV 4: Form A - Weekly Returns (1897-1899, 1913-1924): statistics for indoor and outdoor relief

PULBV 6: Master's Report & Journal (1912-1919): workhouse statistics and journal of events

PULBV 10: Pauper Classification Book (1887-1894): statistics on types of pauper

PULBV 11: Register of Boarded-Out Children (1895-1909): includes names and circumstances

PULBV 18: Visitors' Books (1882-1899): visitors to the workhouse

PULBV 20: Chaplain's Report Book (1865-1921)

PULBV 21: Register of Undertakings of Foster Parents (1903-1910): names and addresses included

PULBV 22: Porter's Book (1904-1905): names of visitors and reasons for visit included

PULBV 23: List of Aged & Infirm (1894-1921): lists of names and addresses in each parish

PULBV 24: Pauper Lunatics - Claim for Maintenance (1887-1897): names included

PULBV 25: Register of Officers' Appointments (1843-1877): salaries included

PULBV 26: Register of Births in the Workhouse (1858-1936: names given

PULBV 27: Register of Deaths in the Workhouse (1858-1940): names given

PULBV 28: Register of Non-Settled and Non-Resident Poor: undated and with marginal information

PULBV 29: Oakum Account (1905-1925): sales and expenditure on oakum picking in the workhouse

PULBV 30: Declarations of Guardians on Acceptance of Office (1894-1928)

PULBV 31: Schedule of Deeds & Documents etc. (1930?) a rough schedule

PULBV 32: Annual Reports (1900-1911 with gaps): includes lists of officers, Union members, lunatics and workhouse inmates

PULBV 33: List of Guardians & Paid Officers (1889-1908): names included

PULBV 34: Apprenticeship Indentures (1852-1900): names include: Adams; Bates; Bodsford; Brandom; Chamberlain; Cooper; Corner; Davis; Dyer; Elkerton; Faunch; Green; Guess; Hales; Harrison; Heckford; Higgs; Horn; Humbles; King; Leach; Lee; Newberry; Pratt; Reeve; Saunders; Smith; Stanbridge; Summerfield; Tompkins; White

PULBV 35-40: Rating & Valuation Papers (1867-1888): correspondence and new rating of Union parishes

LUTON POOR LAW UNION

This Union comprised the following parishes: Barton-le-Clay; Caddington; Dunstable; Eaton Bray; Houghton Regis; Hyde; Kensworth; Leagrave; Limbury; Luton; Stopsley; Streatley; Studham; Sundon; Totternhoe; Whipsnade.

In 1846 Eaton Bray was transferred from Luton Poor Law Union to Leighton Buzzard Poor Law Union

AGREEMENTS (PULA) 1835-1929: including: maintenance of children; Medical Officer's contract; leases; building contracts; loans and mortgages; boundary changes and other agreements

CORRESPONDENCE (PULC) 1835-1896: including out letters (1835-1855 and 1871-1886) and incoming letters (1888-1896)

ESTATES (PULE) 1835-1999: title deeds for: Beech Hill Children's Home; new Poor Law Union Institution; Hadrian Lower School, Dunstable; Aley Green Cemetery, Caddington; Dunstable Road allotments, Kensworth; and land in Poynters Road, Dunstable and Goldstone Crescent, Dunstable

FINANCIAL RECORDS (PULF) 1876-1931: including the following:

PULF 2: Treasurer's Accounts (1914-1926): receipts and payments accounts

PULF 4: Financial Statements (Statutory) (1885-1900): receipts and payments

PULF 5: Financial Statements (Guardians) (1894-1899, 1913-1918)

PULF 8: Clothing Materials Receipts & Conversions (1924-1931): types of material received and garments made

PULF 9: Clothing Receipts & Expenditures (1924-1931) clothing received and given out

PULF 10: Provisions Receipts & Consumption (1921-1931 with gaps): food received and eaten

PULF 11: Casuals Provision Account (1929-1931): numbers at various daily meals and food eaten

PULF 12: Rough Quarterly Balance Book (Provisions) (1915-1931)

PULF 13: Farm Account (1927-1931)

PULF 14: Master's Day Books (1922-1931): provisions etc. received at workhouse with tradesmen's names

PULF 15: Register of Securities (1876-1929): loans for workhouse alterations and extensions and other areas of land noted under PULE above

HEALTH RECORDS (PULH) 1891-1929: including the following:

PULH 3: Register of Vaccinations (1891): Registrar's return of births

PULH 4: Medical Officer's Reports (1921-1929): includes some detailed notes and criticisms

LEDGERS (PULL) 1837-1922

MINUTES (PULM) 1835-1930

COMMITTEE MINUTES (PULMC) 1877-1927: including the following:

PULMC 1: Boarding-Out Committee (1911-1927): also including long lists of maintenance and clothing allowances

PULMC 2-3: House Committee (1914-1927): day to day running of the workhouse

PULMC 4: School Attendance Committee (1877-1900): dealing with schools not controlled by School Boards

RELIEF (PULR) c.1835-1933: including the following:

PULR 1: Weekly Indoor Relief Lists (1916-1933): relief within the workhouse

PULR 2: Outdoor Relief Lists (c.1835, 1912-1930): relief for paupers in their home parishes, includes names

PULR 3: Relief Order Books (1910-1924): includes names of applicants

PULR 4: Application & Report Books (1912-1929): includes applicants' names and circumstances

VARIA (PULV) 1835-1952: including the following:

PULV 1: Admission & Discharge Registers (1916-1934): includes names and circumstances of workhouse inmates

PULV 2: Admission & Discharge Registers (Casuals) (1925-1931): includes names and circumstances of those admitted on a temporary basis

PULV 6: Master's Report & Journal (1895-1929): weekly statistics and events at workhouse

PULV 11: Register of Boarded-Out Children (1910-1913, 1920): includes names and circumstances of children

PULV 15: Registers of Births in the Workhouse (1866-1949): St.Mary's Hospital from 1947, includes names

PULV 16: Registers of Deaths in the Workhouse (1866-1951): St.Mary's Hospital from 1947, includes names

PULV 17: Registers of Religious Creeds (1876-1949): includes names of workhouse inmates

PULV 18: Visitors' Book (1929-1930): little information

PULV 19: Matron's Report (1914-1928): fairly full reports on inmates

PULV 20: Register of All Persons Entering & Leaving the Institution (1916-1918): names and circumstances of workhouse inmates are given

PULV 21: Plans & Specifications of the Institution (c.1835): workhouse plans etc.

PULV 22: Necessaries & Miscellaneous Account (1930-1931)

PULV 23: Officers' Ration Account (1930-1931)

PULV 24: Punishment Book (1909-1952): includes names, offences and punishments of workhouse inmates

PULV 25: Patients' Admission & Discharge Register (1924-1950): includes names of workhouse hospital inmates, St.Mary's Hospital from 1947

PULV 26: Maternity Register (1931-1949): includes names, St.Mary's Hospital from 1947

PULV 27: Ground Plan of Hospital (c.1948): St.Mary's Hospital

PULV 28: Patients' Discharge Register (1941-1948): includes names, St.Mary's Hospital from 1947

PULV 29: Blank Contract Forms (c.1930)

PULV 30: Rules for Nurses (1929): Luton Union Infirmary (workhouse hospital)

PULV 31: Workhouse Additions & Alterations (1903-1904): correspondence, estimates etc. for new casual wards etc.

PULV 32: Apprenticeship Indentures (1924): for Albert Brooks and Charles William Phillpott

PULV 33: Poor Law Commissioners Orders & Memoranda (1835-1890): a very varied series

ST.NEOTS POOR LAW UNION

This Union comprised the following parishes: Little Barford; Dean; Eaton Socon; Pertenhall; Shelton; Staploe; Little Staughton; Swineshead; Tilbrook [now Cambridgeshire]. The majority of the Union's records are with Huntingdonshire branch of Cambridgeshire Record Office.

ESTATE (PUSE) 1840-1930: conveyance of workhouse site (1840); loan for additional heating at workhouse laundry and cooking plant (1900); certificate of redemption of land tax (1928); schedule of documents handed over to Bedfordshire County Council (1929); copy Workhouse Medical Officer's Contract (1903); contracts for food, drapery, boots etc. (1929-1930)

WELLINGBOROUGH POOR LAW UNION

The following parishes were in Wellingborough Poor Law Union (records at Northamptonshire Record Office): Farndish; Podington; Wymington

WOBURN POOR LAW UNION

This Union comprised the following parishes: Aspley Guise; Aspley Heath; Battlesden; Chalgrave; Eversholt; Harlington; Hockliffe; Hulcote; Husborne Crawley; Milton Bryan; Potsgrove; Ridgmont; Salford; Tilsworth; Tingrith; Toddington; Woburn

Woburn Poor Law Union was dissolved in 1899 and the majority of parishes transferred to Ampthill Poor Law Union - with Chalgrave, Hockliffe and Tilsworth being transferred instead to Leighton Buzzard Poor Law Union

LEDGERS (PUWL): 1835-1891 with gaps

MINUTES (PUWM): 1835-1840, 1843-1902

COMMITTEE MINUTES (PUWMC): School Attendance Committee (1877-1899) for non School Board controlled schools