Barnhill Poorhouse 1872.....

[alimail]

This is my first post, so here goes!!
I was most upset to discover one of my ancestors, Ann Lavery, nee Warnock, died in Barnhill Poorhouse on17/6/1872. She is listed as a married pauper, but no cause of death is recorded. In the 1871 Census she listed herself as a widow, occupation stickbreaker, with 4 young children, 66 Main Street, Glasgow. Her husband, John Lavery, reappears as non-deceased several years later on his daughter's wedding certificate.
My question are - could Ann have pretended to be a widow to get access to the Poorhouse? Was being a Stickbreaker an occupation of Poorhouse dependants? How might I discover if her children entered the Poorhouse with her?
Do any records for 1872 still exist relating to Barnhill Poorhouse? I'm visiting Glasgow next week and would love to access any info which is available.
Sorry about the length of this question - hope someone out there might be able to help.
Many thanks,
Ali

[Jack]

Hi Ali,
A very warm welcome to TalkingScot.
There's always the chance that there might be a record for Ann, or even John.

Your first stop would need to be The Mitchell Library, North Street.
The Poor Relief name index is on computer in the Archives on the 2nd floor.

Just explain to the staff (always very helpful) what you wish to search for.
They'll ask you to fill in a Registration Form - but everyone has to do this.
Take a note of any possibles from the computer, fill in the wee request form, and the books will be brought up for you.
(depending how busy - usually within 30 minutes)

http://www.glasgow.gov.uk/en/Residents/ ... lyHistory/

Hope you find some good records.
Jack

TD

[alimail]

Didn't expect such a quick response!!!!!
Many thanks - I'll get myself down to the Mitchell next week.

[DavidWW]

Ali

No reason at all to be upset about your ancestor having applied for Poor Relief, - there were no Social Security benefits at that time, so that Poor Relief was simply the then equivalent of present day Social Security benefits.

If there is an extant record of the application in question, in terms of the Inspector's interview report, then you could end up being quite amazed at the amount of detailed information.........

David

[alimail]

Thanks again for replies.
I think my Ann must have been a frequent visitor to Barnhill - her 2 year old son died there in 1868, and her 10 year old ended up dying in East Park Cottage home in 1880, after Ann herself had died.
I was brought up very near to these places, in Maryhill, oblivious to my ancestors' hard existence. Tracing my roots has made me count my blessings, I can tell you!!
This is a great site, wish I'd found it sooner!

[Cathy]

Hi Ali,
I think you will find most of us on this board are rather pleased when we find a Poorhouse Record. Some can be very detailed, and a few extra names as well.