Pauper definitions ca 1841

[nickgc]

Hi...working on the 1841 Orkney census.  In Harray I came across a "Parish Pauper"; thought "Hmmm!"  When I came across a few more I searched the web and found what I reckon is a reasonable definition:  a poor person supported by the parish.

Then I came across an "Outdoor Pauper" who was obviously living with a family.  Searching the web gave me no good definition, but did bring up the opposite(?) concept of "Indoor Pauper".

Will one or more of you knowledgeable RootsChatters give me an overview of these different pauper concepts please?

Nick

[toni*]

just thinking out loud here no definate descriptions but would an outdoor pauper be someone who lives on the streets and an indoor pauper someone who lives in a house but has no means of support?

[Douglas P]

I think that an indoor pauper was housed in a workhouse or poor house. An outdoor pauper would have remained at home but received some financial or other assistance.

You can find more info from these links,
http://www.workhouses.org.uk  (see the glossary)
http://www.rootschat.com/forum/index.php/topic,204350.0.html

[nickgc]

Thank you Douglas.  The workhouses site gave me enough to make an educated guess.

So Parish Paupers supported by parish; Outdoor Paupers supported (probably) by state aid but lived outside workhouse; Indoor Paupers were in workhouse.

Nick

[Little Nell]

supported (probably) by state aid

No, I think both types were supported by the parish.  In 1841 there was only parish aid, no state support.

Nell