Poor Law and Workhouse Records
Introduction
Our workhous records and industrial school records are now available on findmypast.
This is a guide to the poor law, workhouse and industrial school records held at the Greater Manchester County Record Office (with Manchester Archives) & The Manchester Room@City Library.
Poor Law Records can provide invaluable information about your ancestors and are important for the study of changes through time in the poor relief system and socio-economic history. The administration of the poor law can be divided into three periods:
- The Old Poor Law: pre-1834 the poor were the responsibility of the parish or township.
- The New Poor Law: between 1834-1930 the poor were the responsibility of the Poor Law Unions.
- Public Assistance Committee: between 1930-1948 poor relief was administered by the Public Assistance Committee of Manchester City Council.
Please note that some records which contain personal information of individuals that is less than 100 years old are on restricted access.
New - Google map showing the location of workhouses and other poor law institutions in Manchester.
Contents of Poor Law and Workhouse Records
- Introduction (this page)
- The Old Poor Law Pre 1834
- The Poor Law Unions 1834-1929
- New Bridge Street Workhouse and Crumpsall Workhouse
- Prestwich Union Workhouse
- Booth Hall Infirmary
- Withington Workhouse and Hospital
- Bury Union Workhouse (Jericho Institution)
- Tame Street Institution
- Langho Colony / Centre
- Swinton Industrial Schools
- Manchester Certified Industrial Schools
- St. Joseph's Industrial Schools
- Styal Cottage Homes
- Rose Hill and other homes
- Public Assistance Committee
