 Poor Relief Records for Ayrshire
Prior to 1845 Poor Relief was in the hands of the Church authorities. The Kirk Session minutes record the collection
of money for the 'poor fund' and also the names of those who received assistance from it.
After 1845 the Parochial Boards were established and they were responsible for
the administration of Poor Relief. The Parochial Boards were also empowered by the Poor Law
Amendment Act of 1845 to levy assessments for the maintenance of the poor, which were recorded
in assessment rolls. The Parochial Boards were replaced by
the Parish Councils in 1894.
The Ayr poorhouse,
was erected in 1756, and was located at the junction of Mill Street and Smith Street Ayr.
Following the 1845 Poor Law Act, the site passed to the Parochial Board. In 1857 joined other
parishes to form the Kyle combination.
The Kyle Combination
(sometimes referred to as Kyle Union) was erected in 1857-60 on Holmston Road in Ayr and
comprised the 13 parishes of Auchinleck, Ayr, Coylton, New Cumnock, Old Cumnock, Dalmellington,
Dalrymple, Mauchline, Muirkirk, Newton-upon-Ayr, Ochiltree, St Quivox and Sorn. Dalrymple,
Newton-upon-Ayr, and St Quivox.
The Cunninghame
poorhouse was erected in 1847, situated in Irvine and comprised the 17 parishes of Ardrossan,
Beith, Dalry, Dreghorn, Dundonald, Dunlop, Galston, Irvine, Kilbirnie, West Kilbride, Kilmarnock,
Kilmaurs, Kilwinning, Loudoun, Stevenston Stewarton, and Symington, joined in 1895 by Fenwick.
The Maybole poorhouse
was erected in 1863 on Ladyland Road in Maybole, and comprised the 6 parishes of Barr, Dailley,
Girvan, Kirkmichael, Kirkoswald and Maybole.
Below are some samples of what type of information can be found on records
No. 37 Agnes Allerdice born Barony single Maintenance in Poorhouse as per minutes of 1st Sept 1862
Son born Kilwinning now 6 ¾ Partially lame Parents Agnes Baird, Alexander Allerdice 11th Feb 1889 son now
married 1901 died Oct 24th.
No. 151. Grace Baird applied on 27 Jan 1876 at 10 am. Residence Capringstone
Cothouses; born in Ardrossan, Scotland; single aged 16; religion protestant; wholly disabled - insane.
Her settlement appears to be in the parish of Inch. Claim is made on that parish. First
application. 1 Feb sent to poorhouse. Admitted by Inch.
No. 154. Agnes Baird Letham applied on 17 Feb 1876 at 10 am. Residence No. 4 Six Rows;
born in Old Monkland; a widow aged 72; religion protestant; wholly disabled from old age.
This woman appears to have a residential settlement in Kilwinning Parish. Claim is made
accordingly. First application. 25 Mar relieved 2/-. Admitted by Old Monkland 27 June 1876.
No. 212. Agnes Baird or Letham applied on 18 Apr 1877 at 1 pm. Residence No. 4 Warwickhill
Rows; born in Old Monkland; a widow aged 73; religion protestant; wholly disabled - old age.
This woman's settlement is in Old Monkland Parish having admitted liability in June 1876.
Second application. Previously applied on 17 Feb 1876. Relieved - admitted by Old Monkland
31 May 1877.
No. 167. Isabella Mitchell or Baird applied on 26 Apr 1876 at 10 am.
Residence Capringstone Cothouses; born in Campbelltown; a widow aged 49; occupation domestic;
religion protestant; disability - burdened with young children. Dependants: Janet Baird 10,
Mary Baird 7, James Baird 4, Bella Baird 2. This woman is widow of James Baird, ploughman, who
died on 18 April 1876. Her settlement appears to be in the parish of Inch. Claim is made on
that parish. Other children - Grace Baird 16 years 6 m., at present in lunatic wards of C.C.
Poorhouse, Andrew 14 at service. First application. 28 Apr relieved 5/-. Admitted by Inch 6 July 1876.
For more information on the reference Numbers given below click here.
Also there are several ways to get copies of the actual documents.
Bairds listed in Poor Relief Records for Ayrshire
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