Making ends meet on Nunnery Lane: revealing local poverty in the Victorian period
Our research project is investigating poverty and hardship in the mid-19th century, in a part of our area of York to the south of the City Walls, Nunnery Lane.
'A group of orphans sing ballads in the street. Engraving by J. Romney after W. Gill.' . Credit: Wellcome Collection. CC BY
We're using a new resource at Explore York Archives, where the cataloguing of post-1834 Poor Law records has revealed one of the best collections of out-relief records in Britain. These offer names, addresses, occupations, ages, and type and details of relief, both cash and in kind (for example flour and clothing).
Despite research on the workhouse little attention has been given to the many who received support at home.
Records are organised by parish and we're looking at St Mary’s Bishophill Junior. Our project aims to research social change in the period from 1837 to around 1882. Our team of volunteer researchers are tracking individuals of interest, such as orphans, or families.
We've now produced the following blog posts about our researches. You can also read further information using the links on the left.
Update detailed report May 2021 From stray cows to iron horses: how Francis Bean escaped poverty
Update blog post Feb 2021 Stray cows and iron horses: How Francis Bean escaped the Poor Law Union
Update blog post Feb 2021 Orphans and nurse-children: growing up poor in mid-19th century York
Update blog post Nov 2020 Railway employment in Dale St, Dove St and Swann St 1841-81
Update report Oct 2020 Researching poverty in 1841 in York
Update blog post June 2020 Poverty Research Project: sources for 18th century family history
Update report April 2020 Paupers and the York Poor Law Union
Update report Oct 2019 A hand to mouth existence: the story of Eliza Seymour
Update report Aug 2019 Making ends meet: exploring mid 19th century poverty in our area
Update report Feb 2019 A Poor Law Relief Case Study: George Haw (1822-1891)
Update report Oct 2018 What was is like to be poor in 19th century York
If you would like to know more please contact Dick Hunter on enquiries@clementshall.org.uk
