Board of Guardians / Poor Law Unions

• Board of Guardians / Poor Law Unions; 1837-1948

Basis of the "New Poor Law". Previously, poor relief had been organised at the parish level. The New Poor Law grouped parishes into Poor Law Unions to better distribute the balance of poor rate payers and receivers within an area. In York, the system was not implemented until 1837. Board of Guardians were elected annually by property owners and rate-payers. The York Poor Law Union was founded with 32 urban and 48 rural parishes.
Not part of corporation but supported by a council officer: Clerk to the Guardians. Poor relief function transferred from Overseers of the Poor in 1837. Administration of institutions transferred to council Welfare Committee in 1948.

Established by Poor Law Amendment Act 1834. Dismantled by the National Assistance Act 1948.

The Board of Guardians administered the Poor Law Unions. Each Poor Law Union must provide a workhouse. Outdoor relief was discouraged and provision made in a workhouse for those unable to support themselves through work. The guardians inherited the Marygate workhouse, and did not build a new one until 1849 due to opposition from the rural parishes. The guardians operated via a series of committees.

Basis of the "New Poor Law". Previously, poor relief had been organised at the parish level. The New Poor Law grouped parishes into Poor Law Unions to better distribute the balance of poor rate payers and receivers within an area. In York, the system was not implemented until 1837. Board of Guardians were elected annually by property owners and rate-payers. The York Poor Law Union was founded with 32 urban and 48 rural parishes.

International Standard Archival Authority Record for Corporate Bodies, Persons and Families - ISAAR(CPF) - Ottawa

VCH York, JBM How York Governs Itself.