Poorhouse Records.....

[Jack]

Hi folks,

Just to say there is also an 1873 Barony Parish Poor Relief application for Richard NICHOLSON (D-HEW. 13/28. page 13910)
I only had time to check it was the right man. A quick look gives the probable reason why he separated from wife Martha CROSSAN....

Jack

[DavidWW]

Annette

Many thanks for that.

Unfortunately, from a look at the site that you recommended, it appears to be the case that these records are simple listings of the names of those who have received some form of relief, but are not the "mini biographies" that are provided by the Glasgow and many other West of Scotland surviving, very detailed poor inspectors' reports.........

David

Hello David,

I have received a transcription of one and, although it was not as detailed as some of the Glasgow applications I've viewed, it did give me previously unknown information about the person.
It's definitely worth a shot if you find an ancestor in the index.

Regards,
Annette M

Most interesting to know, thanks, Annette. I was afraid that it might be a list of names and nothing more.

Any chance of posting an image, or letting us see a transcription?

David

[nelmit]

David,

Here is the reply I received from Dundee Archives re poorhouse reference No 1865.

Thank you for your enquiry. I have checked the full entry for Eliza McHood or
Moonie , admitted 29 September 1863, age 30. Her address is given as Patons
Land, west end of Lochee; occupation: millworker; place of birth: County Cavan,
Ireland; partially disabled; married; children: Elizabeth (4 years and 4 months
old) and Hannah (1 year and 11 months old); Husband:James Moonie; cause of
application: pregnancy and inability to support herself; removed from roll 3
Nov 1863 because "destitution ceased".

I was curious to know if her husband was still on the scene at this point.

Annette M

[Caroline]

Hi Annette,

Had a look at the image you posted and there seems an awful lot of info to transcribe so I think I'll just wait till the copy arrives. I'm intrigued by this other application that Jack has discovered though!

Caroline

[nelmit]

Hi Annette,

Had a look at the image you posted and there seems an awful lot of info to transcribe so I think I'll just wait till the copy arrives. I'm intrigued by this other application that Jack has discovered though!

Caroline

I'll have a look tomorrow.

Annette M

[ninatoo]

Hello nelmit,

Can I be a wee bit cheeky as well and ask that you look for a name for me? I just discovered that my ancestor Mary O'Brien, m.s. Glancy (widow of Thomas O'Brien) died in the Glasgow City Poorhouse, St Rollox on May 22 1889 aged 63. She died of burn debility according to her death registration.

I would love to know what it says about her, as amongst other things, she was born in Ireland, but I have no location yet.

I live in Australia and not likely to visit Scotland for years, so I would so appreciate it if you or even someone else could please have a look for me.

Thanks for reading,

Nina

[nelmit]

Hello nelmit,

Can I be a wee bit cheeky as well and ask that you look for a name for me? I just discovered that my ancestor Mary O'Brien, m.s. Glancy (widow of Thomas O'Brien) died in the Glasgow City Poorhouse, St Rollox on May 22 1889 aged 63. She died of burn debility according to her death registration.

I would love to know what it says about her, as amongst other things, she was born in Ireland, but I have no location yet.

I live in Australia and not likely to visit Scotland for years, so I would so appreciate it if you or even someone else could please have a look for me.

Thanks for reading,

Nina

Hello Nina,

I'm afraid this one is very sad, I found it quite upsetting and unfortunately does not reveal where Mary comes from.

Date of application -20th July 1886
Mary Glancy O’Brien, 4 Graeme St.3 up right with son Michael Place of Birth -Ireland
Widow age 70
R.C.
Disability – Injury
Husband - Thomas O’Brien born Ireland Foreman Scavenger. Died in Bell St.
6 years ago
Daughter of Thomas Glancy labourer and Bridget Glancy (both dead)
Son of James O’Brien and Mary McGowan both dead
Children:
James 43 born Ireland married + 6(children) Quay labourer. Resides Pettigrew St.
Mary 30 born New Vennell Glasgow, Single, ill behaved 13 Little Dovehill
Michael 25 born High St. Glasgow Married + none, 4 Graeme St. hammerman

Married in Ireland 45 years ago by Father Rogan?
Came from Ireland 41 years ago

Michael idle – cannot keep mother
She was abused by daughter Mary.

21st July 1886 admitted to P.H. Removed by daughter in 23.8.86

4th July 1887
admitted from 5 Pettigrew St. 2 up with Mrs McMahon injury to back and thigh.
Her Daughter mary is reported to have given her a beating.
6.7.87 circular to son 12.7.87 removed by son

25.5.88 reapplies per daughter from 3 Armour St.
2.6.88 No medical certificate received.

4.5.89 readmitted from 1 Meuse Lane
Burns and blind
James md.+6 Labourer 2 Meuse Lane
Mary 33 single
22.5.89 died in poorhouse.

I notice there was no mention of Michael in 1889.

I'd be interested to know who your ancestor is - I'm assuming and hoping it's not Mary. I know they can't all be perfect but she sounds a thoroughly bad piece of work!

Regards,
Annette

[JimM]

Makes very sad reading Annette
Looks like Mary was a right bad 'un with a lot to answer for

Jim

[ninatoo]

Nelmit,

Firstly thank you so very much for finding the record so promptly. I am very grateful to you for your kindness.

In a way I am ashamed to admit that they are ALL my ancestors, although my direct line is from Mary's (senior) son James.

What a very sad life Mary O'Brien had. And I wonder what possessed her own daughter to be so cruel.

Some of the addresses you found are new to me, so I do appreciate it very much. A pity there is no location for Ireland, but with so much other information, I don't really mind. I have to digest this information and the acts of cruelty...unbelievable!

Mary actually had six children, so now I am presuming that three died before all of this began...as well as Michael somewhere in the 1880's.

I am surprised son James didn't seem to do anything for his mother, but I do know he already had his mother in law to look after.

Before Mary's record of death, her husband's ocupation was known as a Police Board Labourer, Statute Labourer and Sanitary Labourer - all effectively the same thing. He must have lost that job as he got older, becoming a scavenger.

What an amazing lot of information those records hold!

Thank you again for uncovering this skeleton(!) in my closet...so sad, but all the same interesting and informative.

Nina

[Cathy]

Hi Nina,
I actually received this P/H record last week. I will send you a copy when I get organised. The family belong to my niece and nephew. I will send PM