explanation help please

[nenny4]

grt grt grandfather was classed as a pauper when he died...have since come across a census  which stated him as head of household but still states a pauper and also that he was blind(would this have been the reason he was classed as a pauper) it appears that his wife was employed they lived  No.3 Main Street Kirknewton 1871 would they not have been able to receive a pension at that time ..also is there anyway of discovering how he was blinded..thanks for any assistance

[Douglas P]

Hi,
If he was a pauper then he may have been entitled to poor relief . I don't know much about this, but I found the following links which give an idea of what info may be available:

http://www.rootschat.com/forum/index.php/topic,78202.msg326397.html#msg326397
http://www.rootschat.com/forum/index.php/topic,17304.msg221360.html#msg221360

Unfortunately, one of them says that there are no longer any poor relief records for Edinburgh. I don't know if this would include your area. The Lothians Family History Society may be able to help   http://www.lothiansfhs.org.uk/
Alternatively,   http://www.genuki.org.uk/big/sct/MLN/index.html

Douglas