THE LASTING VALUE OF VOUCHERS
Those of us who have traced our ancestors to the workhouse probably associate it with the fate of the paupers, who were so destitute that they were forced to rely on the parish authorities for charity. But thanks to the work of volunteers, a major research project is now shedding light on a lesser-known aspect of workhouse history – the local tradespeople who provided the houses with goods and services.
The Poor Law: Small Bills and Petty Finance 1700 to 1834 project () is uncovering the overlooked stories found in overseers’ vouchers. Under the Old Poor Law, which was
