Baird Poor Relief Records Angus and Dundee

Poor Relief Records : Angus and Dundee

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.

Angus (Forfarshire) had several poorhouses being: Arbroath and St Vigean's Combination, Brechin Almshouse, Dundee Combination, Forfar and Kirriemuir Almshouse. The parishes of Dundee, Liff & Benvie originally operated their own poorhouses but by 1880 Liff & Benvie was incorporated into the Dundee Combination. The Dundee poorhouse on Molison Street at Stobswell Park became the Combination's East Poorhouse, while the Liff & Benvie establishment on Blackness Road became the West Poorhouse

East Dundee Poorhouse [pictured left] The first inmate was admitted on 19 November 1856. And the Dundee Perth & Cupar Advertiser published the following comments: "The Poorhouse is situated in an open and healthy part of the town at the back of Stobswell Feus. It is 210 feet long and 55 feet in width and is three stories high. Airing yards are used to separate male and female inmates. Two acres of ground is available for inmates to supply vegetables for the Poorhouse."After the inception of the National Health Service the Poorhouse was renamed and became "The Rowans". For more on the background of those people who had no other choice than to enter into the Poorhouse click here.

Dundee East Poorhouse Register
Ref	Name	Age	Admitted	Birthplace	Details and comments
268	Baird Alexander	13	15 May 1857	Forfar	Religion: Church of Scotland, has no trade, dismissed on the 20 Feb 1858.
269	Baird Ann	10	15 May 1857	Forfar	Church of Scotland, dismissed on the 20 Feb 1858.
270	Baird Robert	8	15 May 1857	Forfar	Church of Scotland, dismissed on the 20 Feb 1858.
1172	Baird James	9	11 Jun 1859	Dundee	Dismissed on the 9 Dec 1859, Deserted by Mother and Stepfather see 1173
1173	Baird John		11 Jun 1859	Dundee	Dismissed on the 9 Dec 1859, Deserted by Mother and Stepfather see 1172
1716	Baird David	54	10 Jan 1861	Lochee	Religion: Est.Church, Trade: Heckler, Dismissed on the 26 Jan 1861, Parish: Liff & Benvie Illness: Asthma
7030	Baird Elizabeth	6d	23 Mar 1869	Dundee Poorhouse	Dismissed on the 9 Jun 1869, Reason: Death/Phthisis, Daughter of Alexander Baird.
8191	Baird Elizabeth	34	6 Jul 1870	Glasgow	Rel: Protestant, Trade: Mill worker, Dismissed on the 25 Jul 1870, Mother of Mary, George, Jessie and Helen [see below]. Illness: Ulcer on leg.
8192	Baird Mary	13	6 Jul 1870	New Monkland	Rel: Protestant, Dismissed on the 25 Jul 1870, daughter of Elizabeth Baird.
8193	Baird George	11	6 Jul 1870	New Monkland	Rel: Protestant, Dismissed on the 25 Jul 1870, son of Elizabeth Baird.
8194	Baird Jessie	8	6 Jul 1870	Dunkeld	Rel: Protestant, Dismissed on the 25 Jul 1870, daughter of Elizabeth Baird.
8194	Baird Helen	5	6 Jul 1870	Blairgowrie	Rel: Protestant, Dismissed on the 25 Jul 1870, daughter of Elizabeth Baird.

Liff and Benvie Poorhouse
This establishment which was latterly known as the Western Poorhouse was erected on a site known to modern day people as that occupied by Logie Secondary School. The cost of the maintenance of a pauper in the Poor House was 7 shillings weekly and it cost eight shillings for each lunatic. This money came from the Poor Law Assessment Rates that were collected from owners, tenants and occupiers of property in the area. The men's apartments were situated to the west end and the women's to the east end of the building. At the extreme end of each section, apartments were reserved for male and female lunatics. for further information.

Liff & Benvie Poorhouse Register
Ref	Name	Age	Admitted	Birthplace	Details and comments
824	Baird Ann	40	24 Jan 1855	Co Armagh	Address: Cowdenknowe, Occ: Winder, unmarried with a dependent William Sleath 8yrs, Admit Reason: ill health discharged 8 Feb.1855, died. Notes: 10 Oct. Wm Sleath withdrawn
1403	Baird David	53	22 Jan 1861	Lochee	Flaxdresser of Seagate, Dundee, partly disabled and unmarried, Admitt Reason: Asthmatic, discharged 25 May 1861, Gone to work.
1518	Baird Janet	6	12 Nov 1861	Blackscroft Dundee	Address: St Roques Court, Cowgate, Admitt Reason: Orphan, discharged 4 June 1862, Taken into the Orphan Insitute.
1587	Baird George	13	18 Feb 1862	Hunter St Dundee	Address: Dundee Prison, discharge date not given, Sent to Reformatory school. Claims on Liff & Benvie parish for expenses of his removal to Rossie Reformatory
	Baird Robert	48	1881	Errol	unmarried and a Weaver [from 1881 census]
Note: On repeat entries the occupation could differ. Applicants may have felt that it helped their case to claim a 'lowly' initial application. Also on repeat entries sometimes the birth place could be different, as could the age.