Clifden Poor Law Union, Board of Guardian Minutes

Bound volumes of manuscript minutes recording details of attendance and proceedings of weekly or twice monthly meetings relating to the maintenance, administration and financing of the workhouse, distribution of out-door relief, and the care of workhouse inmates relating to their accommodation and employment, and to medical, pastoral, educational, and dietary needs.  Minutes include statistics on the number of persons accommodated in the workhouse, together with the number of births and deaths, and the number receiving outdoor relief ; confirmation that various reports, financial and other records, such as the Workhouse Register, Provision Check Accounts, Out-door Relief Lists, Medical Officers’ books, and reports of the Visiting Committee, the workhouse Master and other Officers were produced, examined and approved together with details of required action relating to the information provided therein, and details of all monies received or paid, and all orders and cheques given, such as those required for the supply of food and clothing; details of rates collected, arrears, and declared irrecoverable in each electoral division; also includes details of orders and letters received from or written to the Poor Law Commissioners and their successor the Local Government Board and others, and details of subsequent resolutions passed and instructions issued authorising required action; details of the Master’s report and resolutions adopted to address any issues raised therein; and from 1854 provision is included for minutes of the proceedings of the Board under the Medical Charities Acts and Nuisances Removal and Disease Prevention Acts, and subsequently under Public Health Acts.

Only occasionally are inmates referred to by name, usually in the context of specific situations such as an application to be discharged or a disciplinary matter.  

From 1899 the pre-printed format alters slightly, reflecting the transfer of some functions to the Rural District Councils, in particular rate collection.

The minutes are generally dated, and signed by the Clerk of the Union, and the Chairman. Many of the earlier volumes include an index to main resolutions passed and discussion topics.