Cambridgeshire

CAMBRIDGESHIRE:
Cambridgeshire Poor Law Unions

The following is a list of the several poor law unions, with the parishes contained within them. Except where shown all records are at the Cambridgeshire Record office.

CAMBRIDGE UNION consisting of Cambridge Parish; Poor Law Institution in the parish of Cambridge Poor Law Institution in the parish of Cambridge.

Available records: (including pre-1834 Incorporation)

Inmate Records

• Poll books on elections of Guardians 1861-78
• Collector's ledgers 1914-27
• District Medical Officer's relief books 1888-1930
• Medical Officer's reports on permanent paupers 1906-09
• Medical Officer's record of exam's 1921-32
• Relief order books 1873-1930
• Register of lunatics chargeable to parish 1858-1917
• Lunatic reception order 1890-1929
• Register of children boarded-out 1883-1930
• Registers of children adopted by Guardians 1890-1929
• Maintenance orders etc 1875-1928
• Bastards' maintenance orders 1815-40
• Register of apprentices bound by Guardians 1845-1907
• Apprentice indentures 1845-1907
• Settlement and removal papers (indexed)1809-90
• Register of removals to and from parishes in Cambridge Union 1809-50
• Register of removals to and from Cambridge Union 1864-81
• Register of non-resident poor chargeable to Union 1804-1930
• Register of persons recommended for admittance to Addenbrooke's Hospital 1915-30
• Register of persons recommended for transfer to Hunstanton Home 1899-1920
• Papers about lunatics, their settlement etc. 1840-1921
• Register of persons transferred to mental home 1897-1949
• Creed Register's 1880-1938
• Register of inmates 1930-34
• Births register 1866-1935
• Deaths register 1877-1938
• Punishment book 1842-98
• Register of OAP's in workhouse 1923-30
• Valuation books and supplementary lists 1856-1900
• Births/vaccination returns Districts 2-3 (St. Andrew Great, St Mary Great, St Giles) 1885. Cambridge 1905-1931
• Vaccination officer's report books; Union area 1899-1908, 1921-31
• Vaccination officer's report books; St Andrew Less and Great 1908-21
• Vaccination register's 1st District 1923-38, 3rd District 1915-28

Administration Records

• Minutes 1836-1930
• Committee minutes 1848-1929
• Letter books 1854-1930
• Staff register 1922-29
• Medical Officers' contract 1866-1929
• Declarations of Guardians acceptance of office 1898-1928
• Guardians' attendance register 1901-30
• Treasurer's receipts and expenses 1895-1930, Accounts 1928-30, Ledgers 1856-1930
• Collectors receipts and expenses 1917-30
• Master's report books 1905-48
• Boarding-out Committee reports 1899-1926
• Foster parents' undertakings 1891-1928
• Prosecutor papers by Guardians 1857-1914

Public Record Office,

Kew:

• Correspondence, etc 1834-92,1897-1900 [MH 12/559-97]
• staff register 1837-1921 [MH 9/4]

CAXTON UNION consisting of Arrington, Bourn, Caldecote, Caxton, Croxton, Croydon-cum-Clapton. Elsworth, Eltisley, Eversden (Great), Eversden (Little), Gamblingay, Gransden (Great) (Hunts), Gransden (Little), Hardwick, Hatley (East), Hatley St. George, Kingston ,Knapwell, Longstowe, Orwell, Papworth Everard, Papworth St. Agnes, Tadlow, Toft, Wimpole, and Yelling (Hunts); Poor Law Institution in the parish of Caxton.

Available records:

Inmate Records

• Collector's ledgers etc 1910-30
• Application and report books 1910-15
• Outdoor relief lists 1909-30
• Births register 1838-47,1866-1928
• Deaths register 1914-30
• Medical Officer's examinations and reports 1914-32
• Births/vaccinations returns 1872-1933
• Relief order books 1925-30

Administration

• Minutes 1847-49, 1889-91, 1894-1930
• Treasurer's receipts and expenses 1926-30, Accounts 1925-30, Ledgers 1873-1926
• Boarded-out maintenance pay list 1928-30
• Receipt and expenses books 1908-30

Public Record Office, Kew:

• Correspondence etc. 1834-92,1897-1900 [MH 12/598-614]
• Staff registers 1837-1921 [MH 9/?]

CHESTERTON UNION consisting of Barton, Cherry Hinton, Childerley, Comberton, Coton, Cottenham, Dry Drayton, Fen Ditton, Fulbourn, Girton, Grantchester, Harlton, Harston, Haslingfield, Hauxton, Histon, Horningsea, Impington, Landbeach, Long Stanton All Saints, Long Stanton St. Mich, Madingley, Milton, Newton, Oakington, Rampton, Shelford (Great), Shelford (Little), Stapleford, Stow-cum-Quy, Teversham, Trumpington, Waterbeach, Westwick, Wilbraham (Great), Wilbraham (Little), and Willingham; Poor Law Institution in the parish of Chesterton.

Available records:

Inmate Records

• Collectors ledgers etc. 1893-1930
• Application report and relief order book 1929-30
• Outdoor relief lists 1887-1930
• Creed registers 1901-50
• Births register 1865-1930
• Deaths register (no dates)
• Lunatics certificates book 1880-84
• Births/vaccinations returns:
  • Shelford district 1900-09
  • Cherryhinton 1909-13, 1924-33
  • Chesterton district 1922-31
• Vaccination registers:
  • Cherryhinton, Fulboum, Wilbraham 1916-36
  • Cottenham 1906-35
  • Shelford 1921-48
  • Waterbeach 1909-35
  • Willingham 1909-44
  • 5th district (Comberton, Barton) 1927-34
  • Workhouse 1913-28
• Vaccinating officer's reports book 1899-1948
• Boarding out Committee secretary's register 1909-30

Administration

• Minutes 1836-1930
• Committee minutes 1912-30
• Letter books 1869-1973
• Treasurer's receipts and expenses 1879-1930
• Ledgers 1867-1923
• Parochial ledgers 1867-1923
• District Medical Officer's relief book 1919-25
• District Medical Officer's receipt and expenses books 1917-30
• Staff register 1913-17

Public Record Office,

Kew

• Correspondence etc. 1834-1900 [MH 12/61545]
• Staff register 1837-1921 [MH 9/4]

ELY UNION consisting of Coveney, Downham, Ely College, Ely St. Mary, Ely Trinity, Grunty Fen, Haddenham, Littleport, Mepal, Redmere, Stretham, Sutton, Thetford, Wentworh, Wiburton, Witcham, Witcham Gravel, and Witchford; Poor Law Institution in the parish of Ely St. Mary.

Available records:

Inmate Records

• Creed register 1876-85
• Register of mental defectives 1924-49
• Valuation lists:
  • Holy Trinity 1926-7
  • St. Mary 1926-7
  • Ely R.D.C. 1927-8

Administration

• Minutes 1878-86,1891-95,1920-22, 1928-30
• Committee minutes:
  • Boarding out 1924-30
  • Assessment 1863-1927
  • Rural Sanitary Authority 1882-1900
• Letter books 1855-59, 1873-77
• Ledger 1927-30
• Superannuation register A 1898-1930
• Wages accounts 1927-32
• Staff superannuation register 1893-1930
• Summary school attendance registers 1877-1902
• School Attendance Committee prosecution papers 1881-90
• Workhouse building contracts 1837-39
• Chapel services register 1912-58
• Dietary 1836

Public Record Office,

Kew:

• Correspondence etc. 1834-1900 [MH 12/646-66]
• Staff register 1837-1921 [MH 9/6]

LINTON UNION consisting of Abington (Great), Hinxton, Abington (Little), Horseheath, Babraham, Ickleton, Bartlow, Pampisford, Bartlow Hamlet (Essex), Swaston, Carlton-cum-Willingham, Shudy Camps, Castle Camps, Weston Colville, Duxford, Whittlesford, Hadstock (Essex), Wickham (West), Hildersham, and Wratting (West); Poor Law Institution in the parish of Linton.

Available records:

Inmate Records

• Collectors ledgers etc. 1922-30
• Relief order books, outdoor lists 1929-30
• Registers of admissions, removals and deaths of mentally defective patients 1922-28
• Creed register 1923-61
• Births/vaccinations returns (Duxford and Linton) 1913-32
• Vaccinating officers report books (Duxford and Linton) 1907-47
• Vaccinations registers:
  • Duxford 1911-31
  • Linton 1915-45
  • Workhouse 1926-47

Administration

• Minutes 1835-1930
• Treasurers accounts 1923-30
• Boarding-out Committee maintenance pay lists 1920-30
• Treasurer's ledgers 1894-1930
• Officers' bonds, contracts and declarations of office 1879-1928

Public Record Office,

Kew

• Correspondence etc. 1834-1900 [MH 12/667-83]
• Staff register 1837-1921 [MH 9/10]

NEWMARKET UNION (Suffolk) consisting of the Cambridgeshire Parishes of Ashley-cum-Silverley, Bottisham, Brinkley, Burrough Green, Burwell, Cheveley, Chippenham, Dullingham, Fordham, Isleham, Kennett, Kirtling, Landwade, Lode, Snailwell, Soham, Stetchworth, Swaffham Bulbeck, Swaffham Prior, Westley Waterworth, Wicken and Wood Ditton with West Suffolk Parishes consisting of Dalham, Exning, Gazeley, Higham, Lidgate, Moulton, Newmarket All Saints, Newmarket St. Mary and Ousden; Poor Law Institution in the parish of Exning.

Available records:

Inmate Records

• Collectors accounts 1905-30
• Outdoor relief list 1925-28
• Vaccination registers:
  • Fulbourn 1928-48
  • 6th district (Soham)1924-45
  • 7th district (Fordham, Wicken) 1907-30
  • 8th district (Chippenham, Isleham) 1907-44

Administration

• Collectors receipts and expenses 1924-28
• Relief and expenses book 1922-28

Public Record Office,

Kew:

• Correspondence etc. 1834-1900 [MH 12/684-709]
• Staff register 1837-1921 [MH 9/12]

ROYSTON UNION (Hertfordshire) consisting of the Cambridgeshire Parishes of Abington Pigotts, Barrington, Bassingbourn, Chishall (Great), Chishall (Little), Fowlmere, Foxton, Heydon, Kneesworth, Litlington, Melbourn, Meldreth, Morden (Guilden), Morden (Steeple), Shepreth, Shingay, Thriplow, Wendy and Whaddon.

Available records:

Inmate Records

• Vaccination registers:
  • 2nd district (Litlington, Bassingbourn, Abington Pigotts) 1924-48
  • 4th district (Thriplow, Melbourn, Fowlmere) 1921-37
  • 5th district (Reed, Barkway, Great Chishill) 1915-45

ST. IVES UNION (Huntingdonshire) consisting of the Cambridgeshire Parishes of Boxworth, Conington, Fen Drayton, Lolworth, Over and Swavesey.

Available records:

Inmate Records

• Birth/vaccination returns/register (Swavesey district only) 1921-31

NORTH WITCHFORD UNION (Isle of Ely) consisting of Benwick, Chatteris, Doddington, Manea, March, Welches Dam and Wimblington; Poor Law Institution in the parish of Doddington.

Available records:

Inmate Records

• Collector's ledgers 1910-25
• Vaccination papers 1871-94
• Valuation lists:
  • Benwick 1921-28
  • Chatteris 1921-28
  • March 1924-28

Administration

• Minutes 1921-30
• Ledger 1836-38
• Ledgers (including parochial) 1908-30
• Accounts 1923-30
• Receipts and expenses accounts 1918-21
• Collectors receipts and expenses 1924-28
• Staff register 1865-1917
• Salaries book 1926-30
• Staff superannuation register 1894-1930
• Workhouse site deeds 1840-74
• March Workhouse masters agreement 1826
• Mortgages etc. 1838-94
• Miscellaneous reports 1836-74
• Report on sickness and mortality in Chatteris 1853
• Workhouse plans etc. 1849-1900
• Accounts abstract 1890-1,1900
• Dietary 1836

Public Record Office,

Kew:

• Correspondence etc. 1834-1900 [MH 12/714-29]
• Staff register 1837-1921 [MH 9/12]

WHITTLESEY UNION (Isle of Ely) consisting of Whittelsey Parish; Poor Law Institution in the parish of Whittlesey.

Available records:

Inmate Records

• Admission and discharge books 1913-33

Administration

Minutes 1911-30 Committee minutes:

• House 1914-24
• Assessment 1881-1920
• Boarding-out 1915-28

Letter book 1897-1910 Ledgers 1902-30 Accounts 1919-30 Master's receipts and payments 1927-32 Officers' superannuation registers 1854-1929, 1904-30 Salaries book 1912-27 Financial statements 1914-26 Petty cash book 1913-30 Clothing, materials receipt and conversion accounts 1923-33 School fees order book 1880-89

Public Record Office,

Kew:

• Correspondence etc. 1834-1900 [MH 12/731-40]
• Staff register 1837-1921 [MH 9/18]

WISBECH UNION (Isle of Ely) consisting of the Cambridgeshire Parishes of Elm, Leverington, Newton, Outwell, Parson Drove, Tydd St. Giles, Upwell, Wisbech St. Mary, Wisbech St. Peter and the Norfolk Parishes of Clenchwarton, Emneth, Outwell, Terrington St. Clement, Terrington St. John, Tilney All Saints, Tilney-cum-Islington, Tilney St. Lawrence, Upwell, Walpole St. Andrew, Walpole St. Peter, Walsoken, Walton (West); Poor Law Institution in the parish of Wisbech St. Peter.

Available records:

Inmate Records

• Creed register 1914-24
• Births register 1914-42
• Deaths register 1914-54
• Relief order book 1929-30

Administration

• Minutes 1859-71,1874-88, 1890-1914,1917-30
• Assessment Committee Minutes 1862-1990
• Rural Sanitary Authority:
  • Minutes 1872-91
  • Ledger 1886-94
• Ledgers 1880-1913 (gaps)
• Parochial ledgers 1884-1930 (gaps)
• Treasurer's ledger 1927-30
• Weekly returns 1923-25
• Letter books 1892-1913
• Inmates' general information books 1912-33
• Staff service registers 1894-1930

Public Record Office,

Kew:

• Correspondence etc. 1834-1900 [MH 12/741-67]
• Staff register 1837-1921 [MH 9/19]