Out Door Pauper.....

[Caroline]

I've just discovered my relative Elizabeth Campbell in the 1881 census living in Dale Street in Govan and her occupation is listed as Out Door Pauper.

Does anyone know exactly what this means?

Caroline

[DavidWW]

I've just discovered my relative Elizabeth Campbell in the 1881 census living in Dale Street in Govan and her occupation is listed as Out Door Pauper.

Does anyone know exactly what this means?

Caroline

"Out" as opposed to "In", - this derives from poor relief where, unlike in England, the majority of Scottish poor relief was via food and/money to the pauper staying in their own home, hence "out-relief", as opposed to the smaller number admitted to the poor house, who then received "in-relief".

David

[Caroline]

Thanks for clarifying that David - I'd visions of her living on the streets, but that didn't fit with her having an actual address in the census.

Caroline

[DavidWW]

Thanks for clarifying that David - I'd visions of her living on the streets, but that didn't fit with her having an actual address in the census.

Caroline

Nae prob, my pleasure !!

David