Author Topic: 1851 census - what makes a pauper?  (Read 17179 times)

Offline lostnconfused

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1851 census - what makes a pauper?
« on: Thursday 18 January 07 23:31 GMT (UK) »

This may seem like a silly question, but we have a record of a relative, widowed (mother of main breadwinner ) who is living with her family, therefore we would not consider her a pauper.

The census record of 1851 has her son as a stonemason, presumably a good job?? And the family unit is togther under one roof, so why is she recorded as a pauper.

Strictly speaking arent you a pauper if you rely on public money for survival, or indeed if you are a criminal not required to pay your legal costs??

Am i being too much of a pedant here?

Andy
Morris - Lydbrook and Manchester
Kell - North East
Davis - Manchester
Fleming - North East and Scotland
Beech - North East England
Burrell - North East and new south wales Australia
Bevan - North East England and Wales
Barnes -North West England
Monaghan-north east England and Ireland
Waugh-North East England
Hayes-Manchester
Garvey-Manchester
Lythgoe-Manchester
Need help in finding a Annie Barnes don't know her exact date of birth as it is incorrect on death cert. NEED HELP PLEASE!!!!!!!

Offline stanmapstone

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Re: 1851 census - what makes a pauper?
« Reply #1 on: Friday 19 January 07 09:38 GMT (UK) »
A pauper is a recipient of relief under the provisions of the Poor Law or of public charity, or a person having no property or means of livelihood; a person dependent on the charity of others.

Stan
Census Information is Crown Copyright, from www.nationalarchives.gov.uk

Offline lostnconfused

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Re: 1851 census - what makes a pauper?
« Reply #2 on: Friday 19 January 07 10:14 GMT (UK) »


Thats clear.

As long as she had no means of support andrelied on others (whether the public purse or family) she is registered as a pauper.

Damn, im a pauper!

Lol

Andy
Morris - Lydbrook and Manchester
Kell - North East
Davis - Manchester
Fleming - North East and Scotland
Beech - North East England
Burrell - North East and new south wales Australia
Bevan - North East England and Wales
Barnes -North West England
Monaghan-north east England and Ireland
Waugh-North East England
Hayes-Manchester
Garvey-Manchester
Lythgoe-Manchester
Need help in finding a Annie Barnes don't know her exact date of birth as it is incorrect on death cert. NEED HELP PLEASE!!!!!!!

Offline sallysmum

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Re: 1851 census - what makes a pauper?
« Reply #3 on: Monday 22 January 07 16:43 GMT (UK) »
I posted a similar question not so long ago - got some really interesting information

http://www.rootschat.com/forum/index.php/topic,204350.msg1038900.html#msg1038900

Kind regards

Sallysmum
Pearson Newcastle/Allendale<br />Sparke Allendale<br />Rees, Davies Pembrokeshire<br />Spence Leyburn<br />Foster Armley to battle creek USA<br />Leeming N Yorkshire<br />Stewart or Stuart Gateshead
Scott Leyburn
Roantree Leyburn


Offline lostnconfused

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Re: 1851 census - what makes a pauper?
« Reply #4 on: Monday 22 January 07 19:56 GMT (UK) »

Thanks for the reply.

It's amazing how many of these common words dont have a clear meaning in the modern mind.

My preconceptions gave the word pauper a dark and desperate hue.

In fact it is simply being in receipt of 'Income Support/Housing Benefit'

I wonder how many people would baulk at such a name in todays PC society. Maybe it would shame a few into work!

Andy
Morris - Lydbrook and Manchester
Kell - North East
Davis - Manchester
Fleming - North East and Scotland
Beech - North East England
Burrell - North East and new south wales Australia
Bevan - North East England and Wales
Barnes -North West England
Monaghan-north east England and Ireland
Waugh-North East England
Hayes-Manchester
Garvey-Manchester
Lythgoe-Manchester
Need help in finding a Annie Barnes don't know her exact date of birth as it is incorrect on death cert. NEED HELP PLEASE!!!!!!!

Offline yn9man

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Re: 1851 census - what makes a pauper?
« Reply #5 on: Tuesday 23 January 07 14:12 GMT (UK) »

In fact it is simply being in receipt of 'Income Support/Housing Benefit'

I wonder how many people would baulk at such a name in todays PC society.

Andy

Andy -

Excellent point and question ......

yn9man
Scotland - Adam, Galt/Gault, Mellis, Jardine, Turnbull, Robertson, Auchincloss, Murray, Allison/Allason, Mitchell, Cross, Rae, Brown, McHutcheon, Montgomerie, McKenzie, Mackay, McPherson, McInish

England - Saunders/Sanders, Jory/Jorie/Jura, McKey, Williams/ Wyllams,  Lance, Ellis, Trounson, Dingle, Charlton, Hambridge, Sweetman/Sweatman, Ricks/Rix/Reeks, Cole, Shearwood/Sherwood, Toy, Brooks, Moore, Donn, Nicolas, Habberfield,

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Offline lostnconfused

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Re: 1851 census - what makes a pauper?
« Reply #6 on: Tuesday 23 January 07 17:47 GMT (UK) »


Thanks for your feedback.

It struck me that our welfare state is perhaps a bit too PC?

I dont expect any politician to say the same.

Andy
Morris - Lydbrook and Manchester
Kell - North East
Davis - Manchester
Fleming - North East and Scotland
Beech - North East England
Burrell - North East and new south wales Australia
Bevan - North East England and Wales
Barnes -North West England
Monaghan-north east England and Ireland
Waugh-North East England
Hayes-Manchester
Garvey-Manchester
Lythgoe-Manchester
Need help in finding a Annie Barnes don't know her exact date of birth as it is incorrect on death cert. NEED HELP PLEASE!!!!!!!

Offline yn9man

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Re: 1851 census - what makes a pauper?
« Reply #7 on: Tuesday 23 January 07 19:11 GMT (UK) »
Andy -

Well said.  :)

yn9man
Scotland - Adam, Galt/Gault, Mellis, Jardine, Turnbull, Robertson, Auchincloss, Murray, Allison/Allason, Mitchell, Cross, Rae, Brown, McHutcheon, Montgomerie, McKenzie, Mackay, McPherson, McInish

England - Saunders/Sanders, Jory/Jorie/Jura, McKey, Williams/ Wyllams,  Lance, Ellis, Trounson, Dingle, Charlton, Hambridge, Sweetman/Sweatman, Ricks/Rix/Reeks, Cole, Shearwood/Sherwood, Toy, Brooks, Moore, Donn, Nicolas, Habberfield,

Denmark - Alling/Aalling, Lastein, Lund, Rasmussen