1861 Glasgow census "Pauper" classification

[maggbill]

Have a 61 year old female living in Glasgow with son and family, who is widow, and is classified as "Pauper" in the 1861 census. (Think the family may have come over from Ireland between 1851 - 1853).   Does anyone know how one was classified as a "Pauper" in that census?  Does it mean that possibly she has applied at some stage for "Poor Law Relief", or is it just a fact that she had no independent financial situation?  If it means she applied for Poor Law Relief - and I can obtain records (when available they truly are helpful) - it could mean getting past a big brick wall!! 
Cheers
Maggs

[Lodger]

I would say that she was on the "roll" as a pauper of whatever parish she was living in at the time. In 1861 there were three, Govan Combination, Barony and City Parish. All the records are, as you probably know, with the City Archives in the Mitchell Library.

[maggbill]

Oh thanks for this Lodger.  Raises hopes - and I have a relative who may be visiting Glasgow soon - so will certainly chase this possibility!  I have found Poor Law records for a couple of ancestors - but later dates - i.e. 1880's and 1910.  So will be interesting to see if records of 1850-60 are available.

Thanks again

[rosie17]

Mitchell Library a great place to go for the poor relief records 

[Lodger]

There should be records from 1845 onwards but I've always found that the earlier ones don't have as much information as the end of the century applications. Still well worth a look though.
Good luck!

[Skoosh]

Magbil, anybody who applied for relief was referred to as a pauper.

Skoosh.

[maggbill]

Thanks for your input everyone.   Feeling positive about the possibilities!!
Cheers

Maggs