Cork workhouse Board of Guardians (BG69)

Descriptive list of the archive of Cork City and district workhouse/poor law union Board of Guardians. Items are in hard copy and may be accessed by appointment.

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Cork City and County Archives

Cork Board of Guardians (Ref. IE CCCA/BG69)

Descriptive List

Table of Contents

Identity Statement ........................................................................................................................................ 3

Context.......................................................................................................................................................... 3

Creator ...................................................................................................................................................... 3

Administrative & Biographical History...................................................................................................... 3

Content & Structure...................................................................................................................................... 4

Scope & Content ....................................................................................................................................... 4

Arrangement ............................................................................................................................................. 5

Conditions of Access & Use........................................................................................................................... 6

Allied Materials: ............................................................................................................................................ 6

General Index Terms ..................................................................................................................................... 6

Archivists Note: ............................................................................................................................................. 7

List of Items and Descriptions ....................................................................................................................... 8

1. Minute Books .................................................................................................................................... 8

BG/69/A

Board of Guardians Minute Books ................................................................................... 8

BG/69/AJ/1 Cork Dispensary Committee Minute Book ................................................................. 15

BG/69/AL/1 Rural Sanitary Board Minute Book............................................................................. 16

2. Correspondence .............................................................................................................................. 17

BG/69/B/

Board of Guardian Outgoing Letter Books ................................................................. 17

BG/69/BC/

Incoming Letters from the Poor Law Commissioners and Local Government Board 19

BG/69/BE

Orders by Poor Law Commissioners, Cork Union ........................................................ 22

3. Accounts.......................................................................................................................................... 23

BG/69/CA/

General Ledgers .......................................................................................................... 23

BG/69/CB/

Personal Ledgers ......................................................................................................... 25

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BG/69/CD/1 Financial Statements Book, Receipts.......................................................................... 25

BG/69/CH

Day Books .................................................................................................................... 26

BG/69/CJ

Abstract of Accounts.................................................................................................... 27

BG/69/CL/1

Bank Pass Book ........................................................................................................... 28

BG/69/CQ/ Miscellaneous Account Books ..................................................................................... 28

4. Out Relief ........................................................................................................................................ 30

BG/69/EH

Relieving Officer’s Report on Children at Nurse/Boarded Out ................................... 30

BG/69/E

Relief Order Report Book ............................................................................................ 30

5. Boarding Out ................................................................................................................................... 31

BG/69/I/1

6. Workhouse Administration............................................................................................................. 32

BG/69/FA/1

Master’s Report Book ............................................................................................... 32

BG/69/FC/1 Requirement Book - Clothing ...................................................................................... 33

BG/69/FD/

Storekeeper’s Receipt Books ..................................................................................... 33

BG/69/FE/

Store Receipt and Delivery Books............................................................................... 34

BG/69/FF

Clothing Receipt Books................................................................................................. 35

BG/69/FG/1 Provision Check Book................................................................................................. 35

BG/69/FM/

Visiting Committees Report Books............................................................................. 36

BG/69/FN/1 Porter’s Admissions and Discharges Book ................................................................. 37

BG/69/FP/

Officers’ Time Books ................................................................................................... 38

BG/69/FR/1 Wages and Salaries Book ............................................................................................ 39

BG/69/FU/

Cork Union National School, Male Registers .............................................................. 40

BG/69/FY/

Bread and Milk Books (Healthy Inmates) ................................................................... 40

BG/69/FYC/1 Storekeeper’s Account Book ..................................................................................... 40

BG/69/FYH/ Bread and Milk Books (Inmates in Hospital)............................................................... 41

7. Workhouse: Inmates....................................................................................................................... 42

BG/69/G/

Indoor Relief Registers .............................................................................................. 42

BG/69/GX/

Index Books to Indoor Relief Registers ..................................................................... 43

BG69/GC/1

Indoor Relief List........................................................................................................ 45

8. Returns of Births / Deaths............................................................................................................... 45

BG/69/KA/

Record of Death Books................................................................................................ 45

BG/69/KB/1

Register of Deaths .................................................................................................... 46

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9. Miscellaneous ................................................................................................................................. 47

BG/69/O/

Inspector’s Report and Findings ................................................................................ 47

Identity Statement

IE CCCA/BG/69

Reference Code:

Cork Board of Guardians

Title:

1839-1925

Dates:

Fonds / Series / Item

Level of description:

308 items

Extent:

Context

Creator Cork Board of Guardians (governing board of Cork Poor Law Union and workhouse)

Archival History The vast majority of collection ref. BG/69 was transferred to the Archives in c.1982 by the Southern Health Board from St.Finbarr’s hospital, Cork. A n accrual, consisting 14 account/stores books plus 1 minute book (No. 146), was received in 2009 from the Health Service Executive. Additional records were also listed in 2019. Administrative & Biographical History Cork Poor Law Union was established under the Poor Law (Ireland) Act, 1838, by an official order dated 3 April 1839 to cater for Cork City and its immediate hinterland. It was one of c.14 Unions in the overall County Cork area. Each union was centered on a city or market town and its hinterland, and this union area sometimes ignored existing parish or county boundaries. In this central town was situated the union workhouse (usually built between 1838 and 1852) which provided relief for the unemployed and the destitute. In the case of the Cork Union, the Cork House of Industry, a charitable 'workhouse', adjacent to the South Infirmary Hospital, was designated as the temporary union workhouse catering for Cork City and its hinterland and it opened on 1 March 1840, with the withdrawal of the former House of Industry Governors. A new purpose built workhouse, located at Douglas Road, Cork, with an attached infirmary, opened in late 1841/early 1842. Each workhouse was managed by a staff and officers under the charge of a workhouse master.

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Overall responsibility within the union rested with the Board of Guardians, most of whom were elected, and some of whom were ex-officio members appointed usually from amongst local justices of the peace /magistrates. The electors were owners and occupiers of property liable to pay the poor rate. The boards of guardians were vested with wide statutory powers and were under the direction and control of the Poor Law Commissioners and from 1872 of the Local Government Board.

The boards of guardians were financially maintained by a poor rate levied on occupiers of property in the union district, and tenants could deduct half of the rates from their rents.

Various Guardian sub-committees were from time to time appointed to monitor different aspects of the organisation of the Cork Union Workhouse, for example, visiting/house, admissions, administration, education, and finance. In the first years of the poor law system, in general no relief was provided outside the workhouses, however from 1847, limited outdoor relief was provided in certain cases. Later, various other responsibilities were allocated to the Guardians in the areas of public health, sanitation, and housing. For example, under the Medical Charities Act 1851, Boards of Guardians took over responsibility for dispensaries from the Grand Juries, and the unions were divided into dispensary districts for which medical officers were appointed. In 1856 the Guardians became the burial ground board for the rural parts of the union. In 1863, the unions were used as registration areas for the registration of births and deaths. Under the Sanitary Act 1866, the Guardians became ‘sewer and nuisance ’ authorities, and under the 1874 and 1878 Public Health Acts, in general, as well as being the poor relief authorities, the Guardians were designated rural sanitary authorities, dealing with various matters such as water and sewerage schemes, scavenging, building control, lodging houses, markets, slaughter houses, infectious diseases and burial grounds. Under the Labourers Act 1883, the building of rural cottages was also allocated to the guardians. The poor law system was abolished in 1925 with the formation of the county boards of health and public assistance. During the War of Independence, the Cork Board of Guardians declared allegiance to Dáil Éireann. In November 1920 Vice Guardians (effectively paid commissioners) were appointed to manage the workhouse, on behalf of the Board of Guardians.

In common with many former workhouses, the Cork Union Workhouse buildings were taken over for use as a home and hospital (St.Finbarr's).

Content & Structure

Scope & Content The archives of the Cork Board of Guardians are extensive, and include a large numbers of minute books, that record the proceedings of the Board ’s meetings, 1841 - 1924. Many subjects are recorded in the minute books, such as the ongoing struggle to both fund and manage the workhouse and related

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services, attitudes to poverty , developments in public health provision, and the care of the infirm, the destitute, children, and the mentally ill. The minutes also help to document the rise of nationalism.

Minutes of the Cork Dispensary Board/Committee for the 1890’s, and the Cork Rural Sanitary Board for the 1870’s.

Extensive correspondence in the form of incoming and outgoing letter books, principally with the Poor Law Commission (PLC) , and later with the Local Government Board (LGB), 1839-1918. Also found is a set of original Orders and Circulars issued by the Poor Law Commission in the earliest years of the Cork Union, 1839-1850. Financial account books, 1839-1925, including an extensive run of general ledgers, and day to day records, for example recording payments to suppliers. Also found is a printed Abstract of Account, giving receipts and expenditure and number of paupers relieved, compiled by Clerk of the Union and the Auditor, for year ending 29 Sep 1887. Outdoor / out relief records, consist of a partial record of boarded out children, 1901-1903, and a report book by relieving and medical officers of various districts in the Union, 1912-1933, relating to the provision of out relief, extending into the period following the abolition of the Board of Guardians. Records of the internal administration, and day to day management of the workhouse, 1847-1924, including storekeeping books, master’s report books, visiting committees report books, staff time and wages books; and registers of the Cork Union Boys ’ National School, 1873-1904. Records of inmates of the workhouse, 1840-1923, consisting of an extensive series of indoor relief registers, plus a less extensive set of indices to the registers, and an indoor relief list from 1924-1925. These series contain mainly personal information, and are thus a notable source for genealogical and family history research. A related series are the records of deaths in the Workhouse, which are also quite extensive, covering the period 1853-1931.

I nspector’s report, 1923, relating to an enquiry into the administration of the workhouse during the term of office of the Vice Guardians, who were appointed in November 1920.

The collection is of particular interest to the study of the 19th century and early 20th c. period, the Irish poor law system, and the Great Famine. It helps to document the social, economic and political history of the Cork Union, and covers many subjects and issues both local and national in scope.

(See descriptive list of items below for detailed descriptions of series and items)

Arrangement 1.Minute Books

2.Correspondence

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3.Accounts

4.Out Relief

5.Workhouse: Administration

6.Workhouse: Inmates

7.Boarding Out

8.Returns of Births / Deaths

9. Miscellaneous

In total, the collection comprises 33 series; see table of contents.

( Arrangement is based on McMenamin’s classification, see ‘Irish Archives Bulletin’, 1971)

Conditions of Access & Use Access : Open by appointment to those holding a current readers ticket.

Language: English

Physical / Technical Requirements:

MS. bound volumes. Indoor relief registers (Ref. BG69/G) are consulted in microfilm format.

Finding Aids: Descriptive list.

Allied Materials: Related Material

CCCA:

Various Board of Guardian records for other poor law unions in County Cork.

Elsewhere:

National Archives of Ireland: Archives of the Poor Law Commission and the Relief Commission.

General Index Terms Irish History, 19 th century, 20 th century

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Local Government, County Cork, 1830-1930

Poor Law, Ireland 1838-1925

Workhouses in Cork

Great Famine, Ireland, 1845-1848

Cork Family History and Genealogy

Archivists Note: Brian McGee, Archivist, CCCA, 24 Jun 2019

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Cork Board of Guardians IE CCCA/BG/69

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List of Items and Descriptions

1. Minute Books

BG/69/A

Board of Guardians Minute Books

Scope and Content: A record of proceedings, decisions, orders, and reports made and received by the board of guardians in administering Cork Union and the workhouse in particular; such as, statistical tables of admissions, births, discharges and deaths, no. of sick inmates etc. in the workhouse on a weekly basis; reports of officers, securing and payment for supplies, staff appointments and pay. The first books are purely manuscript , with a semi-printed ‘ form type ’ minute book being introduced from c 1845. Later volumes have, in general, more pages, but often contain more blank entries and less detailed information.

Date : June 1841 – April 1924

Level : Series

Extent : 153 vols. (Each volume is c.300 – 600pp in size).

4 Jun 1839 – 12 Jul 1841

Includes: Guardians meeting at House of Industry, list of those present (p1)

Adoption of bye laws ‘to ensure the regularity and order in proceedings ‘of the Board, such as ‘That every Guardian when he desires to speak, shall stand up and address the chairman, and at all other times ob serve strict silence…’ (p 2) Order from Poor Law Commission that the House of Industry would be the

workhouse for Cork Union, until the new workhouse is built (p93) Official classifications/d escriptions of the ‘destitute poor’ (p94)

Managing Committee report that classification of inmates is complete (p159) Finance Committee recommend payments for supplies, such as for bread, potatoes, coals, milk, religious books, hardware etc. (p200) State of the House on 19 Oct 1840, numbers of births, admissions, discharges, and deaths etc. Total balance of 1505 inmates (p258) Ordered that inmates Sarah Hardiman and Catherine Donovan ‘…be confined in the Black Hole for 48 hours during the day for coming into the House after liberty in a state of in toxication…’ (p.312) Report of the chaplains of the Workhouse, noting that the classification of paupers

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Cork Board of Guardians IE CCCA/BG/69

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does nothing to separate the ‘notoriously immoral, such as Prostitutes from the female inmates who may fortunately have escaped degrada tion’, with attempts made to induce certain inmates to embrace a life of infamy, ‘…great evils must result fom the indiscriminate association of the depraved with the virtuous …’ (p.314). Emigration Committee report into the number and condition of paupers able and willing to emigrate, including 17 candidates for Australia, March 1841 (p334) With index.

19 Jul 1841 – 27 Feb 1843

Includes: Workhouse Committee, report of the Master concerning a riot at the House where hundreds of able bodied females refused to eat their dinner and broke open ward and store locks, entering into ‘severe conflict’ with staf f (20 Jan 1842) (p140) Report on Mr. Lloyd’s suggestion on f eeding paupers in the Cork Workhouse, including setting up a mill (p262) Notice of motion to appoint committee to communicate with the several Boards of Guardians in Ireland to solicit their opinion on the working of the Poor Law ‘…w ith a view to its amelioration, alteration or extinction…’ (p346) With index.

3. 4. 5. 6.

6 Mar 1843 – 30 Dec 1844 6 Jan 1845 – 3 Nov 1845 10 Nov 1845 – 24 Aug 1846 31 Aug 1846 – 7 Jul 1847

Includes: Totals of Poor Rate collected in each electoral division of the Union for 1 week (p2) Copy of resignation letters from poor law guardian Captain William Martin (p7) (2 Jan 1847) Return of paupers admitted, discharged, died, etc. in workhouse for the week; totalling 4442 inmates including 1187 sick and 59 deaths. (Number of inmates workhouse is ‘ calculated to contain ’ is 2800). (2 Jan 1847) Masters estimate of provisions for ensuing week including 33,000 pounds of bread, 2 tons indian meal, 3753 gallons of milk, 200 pounds of candles, etc. (9 Jan 1847) Report of Visiting/House Committee, recommending additional sleeping accommodation for 700 paupers (9 Jan 1847) Report of Medical Officers concerning the ‘… extremely crowded state of the workhouse which threatens the highest danger to the inmates unless a remedy be instantly provided …Fever has appeared in almost every part…and the numbers and severity of the cases are daily on the increase…’ (6 Feb 1847) Return of Paupers admitted, discharged, died, etc. in workhouse for the week; totalling 5338 inmates including 1595 sick and 128 deaths. (29 March 1847) Order that no further admissions into the House take place until the physicians report that the House is in a ‘wholesome and healthy state’. (29 March 1847) Order that the police barracks at Elizabeth Fort and the Orphan Asylum, Friars Walk, be declared fever hospitals of the Cork Union

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Cork Board of Guardians IE CCCA/BG/69

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(31 May 1847) Details of diet proposed for inmates at breakfast lunch and dinner, including the able bodied, children, infants, the infirm and the sick.

7. 8. 9.

Missing Missing

21 Mar 1849 – 16 Jan 1950 23 Jan 1850 – 9 Oct 1850 16 Oct 1850 – 23 Apr 1851 30 Apr 1851 – 19 Nov 1851 26 Nov 1851 – 9 Jun 1852 16 Jun 1852 – 29 Dec 1852 5 Jan 1853 – 15 Jun 1853 22 Jun 1853 – 30 Nov 1853 7 Dec 1853 – 17 May 1854 24 May 1854 – 1 Nov 1854 8 Nov 1854 – 11 Apr 1855 18 Apr 1855 – 3 Oct 1855 10 Oct 1855 – 2 Apr 1856 9 Apr 1856 – 1 Oct 1856 8 Oct 1856 – 1 Apr 1857 8 Apr 1857 – 30 Sept 1857 7 Oct 1857 – 31 Mar 1858 7 Apr 1858 – 29 Sept 1858 6 Oct 1858 – 30 Mar 1859 6 Apr 1859 – 28 Sept 1859 5 Oct 1859 – 28 Mar 1860 4 Apr 1860 – 26 Sept 1860 3 Oct 1860 – 27 Mar 1861 3 Apr 1861 – 25 Sept 1861 2 Oct 1861 – 26 Mar 1862 2 Apr 1862 – 24 Sept 1862 1 Oct 1862 – 25 Mar 1863 1 Apr 1863 – 30 Sept 1863

10. 11. 12. 13. 14. 15. 16. 17. 18. 19. 20. 21. 22. 23. 24. 25. 26. 27. 28. 29. 30. 31. 32. 33. 34. 35. 36.

Includes: State of the Workhouse week ending 28 March 1863 totalling 2785 inmates, with 913 in hospital and 76 lunatics or idiots (p1) Return of Destitute Persons relieved out of the Workhouse, as by relief lists; total of 42 persons (p1) Master ’ s Report, mentioning seven cases of fever and two of smallpox admitted to the children ’ s hospital, and the delivery of inferior milk and meat (p7) Committees for ensuing year including Visiting and Clothing, Finance and Rate, Sanitary and Agricultural, and committee to examine proposal for the industrial training of female inmates (p10) Report of J.Nugent, Inspector of Lunatic Asylums on his visit to the workhouse (p11) Cork Dispensary District, supplies orders, actions undertaken and letters received , such as, matters arising under Medical Charities Act or the Nuisances Removal and Diseases Prevention Acts including copy of resolution of Ballincollig Dispensary

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Committee re. staff appointments (p20) Orders of Poor Law Commissioners including a number concerning expenditure on the removal of paupers under warrant from other districts including parishes in England (p368) Report of Visiting Committee, including offer from trustees of North Infirmary to allocate 20 beds to ophthalmic cases from the workhouse; admission of dangerous lunatics to the lunatic asylum, case to be made to the Lord Lieutenant; report on workhouse school (p372) Appointment of committee to meet with the joint committee of Cork Corporation and the Fever Hospital Trustees concerning the future support of the Fever Hospital (p489)

37. 38. 39. 40. 41. 42. 43. 44. 45. 46. 47. 48. 49. 50. 51. 52. 53. 54. 55. 56. 57. 58. 59. 60. 61. 62. 63. 64. 65. 66. 67. 68. 69. 70. 71. 72.

7 Oct 1863 – 30 Mar 1864 6 Apr 1864 – 28 Sept 1864 5 Oct 1864 – 30 Mar 1865 6 Apr 1865 – 2 Oct 1865 12 Oct 1865 – 29 Mar 1866 5 Apr 1866 – 26 Sept 1866 3 Oct 1866 – 27 Mar 1867 3 Apr 1867 – 25 Sept 1867 2 Oct 1867 – 1 Apr 1868 8 Apr 1868 – 30 Sept 1868 7 Oct 1868 – 31 Mar 1869 7 Apr 1869 – 29 Sept 1869 6 Oct 1869 – 30 Mar 1870 6 Apr 1870 – 29 Sept 1870 6 Oct 1870 – 30 Mar 1871 6 Apr 1871 – 28 Sept 1871 5 Oct 1871 – 28 Mar 1872 4 Apr 1872 – 26 Sept 1872 3 Oct 1872 - 3 Apr 1873 10 Apr 1873 – 2 Oct 1873 9 Oct 1873 – 9 Apr 1874 16 Apr 1874 – 8 Oct 1874 15 Oct 1874 – 8 Apr 1875 8 Apr 1875 – 30 Sept 1875 7 Oct 1875 – 30 Mar 1876 6 Apr 1876 – 28 Sept 1876 5 Oct 1876 – 29 Mar 1877 5 Apr 1877 – 27 Sept 1877 4 Oct 1877 – 4 Apr 1878 11 Apr 1878 – 26 Sept 1878 3 Oct 1878 – 27 Mar 1879 3 Apr 1879 – 25 Sept 1879 2 Oct 1879 – 1 Apr 1880 8 Apr 1880 – 30 Sept 1880 7 Oct 1880 – 31 Mar 1881 7 Apr 1881 – 29 Sept 1881

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Cork Board of Guardians IE CCCA/BG/69

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73. 74.

6 Oct 1881 – 30 Mar 1882 6 Apr 1882 – 28 Sept 1882

Includes: Statist ical table, ‘Return of Destitute Persons relieved out of the Workhouse as by Relief Lists’, week ending 1 April 1882; total of 3192 persons (p1) Letters from Local Government Board and others and answers/orders on foot of; including names of 8 boarded out (fostered) children (p8) Sums granted to aid emigration to America such as 6 Guineas for Margaret Murray and son, to go to Boston (p129) Report from architect concerning provision of a water pump in village of Ovens (p159) Record of numbers of vaccinations carried out in each electoral division in the Union (p315) Proceedings of the Burial Board, including proposed erection of walls at Curraghkippane graveyard (p380)

75. 76. 77. 78. 79. 80. 81. 82. 83. 84. 85. 86. 87. 88. 89. 90. 91. 92. 93. 94. 95. 96. 97. 98. 99.

5 Oct 1882 – 29 Mar 1883 5 Apr 1883 – 27 Sept 1883 4 Oct 1883 – 27 Mar 1884 3 Apr 1884 – 25 Sept 1884 2 Oct 1884 – 26 Mar 1885 2 Apr 1885 – 24Sept 1885 1 Oct 1886 – 25 Mar 1886 1 Apr 1886 – 23 Sept 1886 30 Sept 1886 – 24 Mar 1887 31 Mar 1887 – 22 Sept 1887 29 Sept 1887 – 22 Mar 1888 29 Mar 1888 – 20 Sept 1888 27 Sept 1888 – 21 Mar 1889 28 Mar 1889 – 12 Sept 1889 19 Sept 1889 – 13 Mar 1890 20 Mar 1890 – 11 Sept 1890 18 Sept 1890 – 19 Mar 1891 26 Mar 1891 – 17 Sept 1891 24 Sept 1891 – 17 Mar 1892 24 Mar 1892 – 15 Sept 1892 22 Sept 1892 – 16 Mar 1893 23 Mar 1893 – 14 Sept 1893 21 Sept 1893 – 15 Mar 1894 22 Mar 1894 – 13 Sept 1894 20 Sept 1894 – 14 Mar 1895 21 Mar 1895 – 12 Sept 1895 19 Sept 1895 – 19 Mar 1896 26 Mar 1896 – 10 Sept 1896 17 Sept 1896 – 11 Mar 1897 18 Mar 1897 – 2 Sept 1897 9 Sept 1897 – 24 Mar 1898

100. 101. 102. 103. 104. 105.

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106. 107. 108. 109. 110. 111. 112. 113. 114. 115. 116. 117. 118. 119. 120. 121. 122. 123. 124. 125. 126. 127. 128. 129. 130. 131. 132. 133. 134. 135. 136. 137. 138. 139. 140. 141. 142.

31 Mar 1898 – 22 Sept 1898 29 Sept 1898 – 16 Mar 1899 23 Mar 1899 – 19 Oct 1899 26 Oct 1899 – 19 Apr 1900 26 Apr 1900 – 18 Oct 1900 25 Oct 1900 – 18 Apr 1901 25 Apr 1901 – 17 Oct 1901 24 Oct 1901 – 24 Apr 1902 30 Apr 1902 – 23 Oct 1902 30 Oct 1902 – 30 Apr 1903 7 May 1903 – 22 Oct 1903 29 Oct 1903 – 21 Apr 1904 28 Apr 1904 – 20 Oct 1904 27 Oct 1904 – 27 Apr 1905 4 May 1905 -19 Oct 1905 2 Nov 1905 – 26 Apr 1906 3 May 1906 – 25 Oct 1906 1 Nov 1906 – 4 Apr 1907 11 Apr 1907 – 3 Oct 1907 10 Oct 1907 – 2 Apr 1908 9 Apr 1908 – 8 Oct 1908 15 Oct 1908 – 15 Apr 1909 22 Apr 1909 – 14 Oct 1909 21 Oct 1909 – 14 Apr 1910 21 Apr 1910 – 30 Mar 1911 6 Oct 1910 – 30 Mar 1911 6 Apr 1911 – 3 Oct 1911 5 Oct 1911 – 28 Mar 1912 4 Apr 1912 – 27 June 1912 4 Jul 1912 – 26 Sep 1912 3 Oct 1912 – 2 Jan 1913 9 Jan 1913 – 3 Apr 1913 10 Apr 1913 – 3 Jul 1913 10 Jul 1913 – 2 Oct 1913 9 Oct 1913 – 26 Mar 1914

Missing

1 Oct 1914 – 25 Mar 1915

Includes: Report of Master and Other Officers, mainly re. staff issues and tenders for supplies (p28) Proceedings under Pauper Children’s Acts etc. with details of boarded out children (p35) Resolved that a request is made to the government to take immediate steps to regulate the prices of food stuffs in the City of Cork, ‘…same as the y had done in the case of Sugar, as we could take Tea without Sugar, though not our Breakfast without Bread…’ (p246) Resolved that the Lunatic Asylum Committee transfer all lunatics in the workhouse

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to the auxiliary asylum in Youghal, to be partly paid for by the government rather than ratepayers. (p437) Auditors report notes increased consumption of whiskey at the workhouse, despite the fact that ’…neither in health nor disease is alcohol necessary or even desirable .’ (p438) Motion by CP O’Sullivan concerning ‘by what means 36 boys were sent out of this house to join the Army without consulting this Board who are the boys’ Guardians’. (p438) and concerning increase in Outdoor Relief to women and children ‘as [the price of] provisions are gone so high that it is utterly impossible to give children half the amount for same money as eight months ago ’ (p486 )

143. 144. 145. 146. 147 148 149 150 151. 152. 153. 154. 155.

1 Apr 1915 – 9 Sept 1915 23 Sept 1915 – 9 Mar 1916 23 Mar 1916 – 7 Sept 1916 8 Sep 1916 – 21 Mar 1917 22 Mar 1917 – 20 Sept 1917 27 Sept 1917 – 28 Mar 1918 4 Apr 1918 – 26 Sept 1918 3 Oct 1918 – 3 Apr 1919 10 Apr 1919 – 25 Sept 1919 2 Oct 1919 – 1 Apr 1920 8 Apr 1920 – 13 Oct 1920 17 Nov 1920 – 29 Jul 1922 16 Aug 1922 – 22 Aug 1923

Includes: Resolution of sympathy on death of President Arthur Griffith, the founder of Sinn Fein (p5) Resolution from special meeting of the guardians, vote of condolence with ‘sincere and heartfelt sorrow’, on death of General Michael Collins (p7) Report of Auditor [A. MacFionnlaoich], concerning complaints re. irregular traffic in bread and flour, excessive prices paid for thread, etc. (p65) Letter from Cork and District Trades Council and resolution supporting suspension of Vice Guardians Lankford and Higgins (p67) Letters from Ministry of Local Government and from Cork Corporation concerning outbreak of small pox in England and preparations for spread to Cork, including vaccination (p79) Letter from S.Langford concerning his employment with the Cork board of guardians (p88) Letter from Ministry of Local Government concerning inquiry into the administration of the Cork Union during the period of offices of the Special Commissioners Messrs. Lankford and Higgins (p103) Resolution of support for appointment of paid commissioners, ‘…who always had the implicit confidence of the great majority of this Board…while many vile charges have been levelled at the Vice-Guardians not even one solitary attempt has ever been made to supply proof of such…’ (p2 18) Letter from the Minister for Local Government notifying that the Board of Guardians

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are to be superseded by vice guardians/commissioners. Protest vote is carried against this ‘undemocratic’ decision. (p327) Minutes of proceedings of newly appointed Commissioners acting as the Board of Guardians of Cork Union on foot of order dated 18 July 1923(p341) At request of Cork Corporation, appointment of some members of the late board of guardians , and others in the City as wardens to give out tickets for admission to the workhouse (p442) Financial Minutes, 11 August 1923 with receipts and expenditure totals (p469)

156. 157.

29 Aug 1923 – 20 Feb 1924 27 Feb 1924 – 30 Apr 1924

BG/69/AJ/1

Cork Dispensary Committee Minute Book

Scope and Content:

Records the various decisions and resolutions of the Cork Dispensary Committee, meeting at Liberty Street, Cork; mainly concerning staffing, financial and administrative issues relating to the operation of the various public dispensaries in the Cork poor law union area; such as concerning a complaint about ‘persons in good circumstances who take advantage of the Nurses services’ (30 Sep 1890, p3) and such as outbreak of fever at Ballincollig Barracks (28 Oct 1890, p4); report sent to the Guardians of the Cork Poor Law Union concerning accommodation for relieving officers and medical staff (1 Mar 1892, p34); and such as, request by Board of Guardians for attention to report by Dr. Brown to Local Government Board concerning the North Dispensary building at Shandon Street (24 March 1895, p93); and such as Dr. Hayes appearing before committee to explain why he refused to give a corporation employee a certificate (9 March 1897, p153) and such as, re-division of Cork into Urban and Rural dispensary districts (21 Feb 1899); Members of the committee included corporation members such as the High Sherriff Alderman Sir John Scott, also aldermen Madden, Buckley and Ryan. Also news cutting at rear concerning special meeting of Committee, 12 Jan 1892 to fill vacancy due to death of Dr. C.Harvey.

Date : 16 Sept 1890 – 2 Apr 1899

Level : Item

Extent : c.200pp

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BG/69/AL/1

Rural Sanitary Board Minute Book

Scope and Content: Proceedings of the Rural Sanitary Board/Committee (under 37 and 38 Vic., c.93). Most entries are signed by Michael Carr, Executive Sanitary Officer Cork Union. Notes receipt of reports of Sanitary Officers for various districts, such as Ballincollig, Carrignavar, Carrigaline, Blackrock, Queenstown, Blarney, Cork No.4, Ballygarvan, Douglas; gives name of Sanitary Officer, general subject (such as ‘nuisances’ and brief particulars (such as ‘1 case bad drainage’). Notes that the reports were read and any directions given recorded in the executive sanitary officers report book. Summary of letters received and decisions made, such as, Dr. [Rountree] Ballincollig reporting that there has been illness and fever in the house of Mary Nash, recommending a thorough cleansing of the house and fumigating by sulphur fumes, whitewashing, burning of straw bed and bedding (23 Jan 1875, p35); as such as, seven sanitary reports were read from the sanitary officer of Whitechurch Dispensary District, Dr. Jefferies, concerning nuisances, and ‘The usual notices were ordered i n eac h case’ (30 January 1875, p.37); and such as, Dr. Donovan of the Cork Dispensary District complained of the dilapidated state of the houses situated at the Kerry Pike…’The Board directed that the Landlord and tenant be noticed in every case.’ (29 Apr 1875, p83); and such as, Deputation of the rate payers of Passage and Monkstown protesting ‘in the strongest manner against the project for supplementing the Passage West water supply (2 Sep 1875, p158).

Date : 28 Nov 1874 – 3 Feb Jan 1876

Level : Item

Extent : 241pp

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2. Correspondence

BG/69/B/

Board of Guardian Outgoing Letter Books

Scope and Content: Letter books containing copies of letters sent by the Clerk and Secretary of the Union, to various parties including the Poor Law Commissioners and later the Local Government Board, rate collectors, the Guardians’ solicitors, members of staff, the master of the Workhouse, various persons subject to resolutions and actions of the Guardians and the Cork Sanitary Authority.

Date : Jun 1829 – Jul 1918

Level : Series

Extent : 6 vols.

19 Jun 1829 – 6 Apr 1854

Includes: (17 Jul 1839) to William Stanley Esquire, Asst. Secretary, Poor Law Commissioners Office, Dublin, transmitting report of last days meeting of the Board of Guardians (20 Mar 1841) to Richard Neane Esq, Secretary and Registrar, Royal Hospital, Chelsea, concerning payment of pension of Patrick Maguire late of the 6 th [Veterans] Battalion. (12 Jan 1849) to WH Hopper, Secretary, Central Board of Health, Dublin, concerning powers to be given to the Board of Guardians for the speedy issue of coffins for burial of destitute persons (18 Feb 1853) to Secretary of Education, Dublin concerning employment of a ‘first class female teacher capable of instructing the adult as well as the younger inmates in the higher branches of needle work and embroidery ..’ (21 Apr 1853) to A.C. Buchanan, Emigration Office, Quebec, concerning 99 young women inmates selected for emigration on the ‘Urania’. Appeals to his usual kindness and humanity to take an interest in their success. Gives names of seven girls who in particular were ‘very well conducted an d of excellent character’. With partial index. (c.500pp)

2. 3. 4. 5.

Missing Missing

6 Jun 1879 – 22 Feb 1886 1 Mar 1886 – 20 Feb 1894

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12 Jul 1894 – 16 May 1899

Includes: (19 May 1896, p25) to Blake Solicitors, Marlboro Street concerning list of labourers cottage contractors who have not completed contracts within the time specified. (10 Mar 1897 p212) to Secretary, Local Government Board, concerning nomination of George O’Donnell for the office of Guardian for the West Ward of the Cork Electoral Division. (1 Nov 1897 p406) to Secretary, LGB, concerning proposed bye laws by Cork Rural Sanitary Authority (20 April 1898 p520) to Messrs. JC & A Blake Solicitors, concerning prosecution of named persons for failing to comply with notices from the Sanitary Authority to repair houses, erect privies, etc. (29 Dec 1898 p733) to Secretary, Public Works Loan Commissioners concerning urgently required loan of £1400 to construct Parkgariffe reservoir. (14 Mar 1899 p882) to JL Lyons Esq., Rate Collector, Rate Office, Georges Street noting closure of collections before 25 March and quoting circular of LGB concerning recovery of bonds should progress not be satisfactory. (950pp)

7. 8. 9.

Missing

27 Jun 1904 – 29 Jul 1911 14 Aug 1911 – 1 Jul 1918

Includes: (19 Feb 1912 p70) to Mrs. Regis, concerning Visiting Committee recommendation to dispose of worn out bedding and men’s and boys clothing, some of which was in a ‘wretched condition’. (9 March 1912 p82) to Master of the Workhouse, enclosing half yearly reports of Local Government Inspector and reciting related orders of the Guardians concerning beds, stocks, etc (6 Jul 1912 p155) to Messrs. JC & A Blake, Solicitors enclosing tender of the City of Cork Steampacket Company for supply of coal. Necessary bond to be issued. The Guardians ‘desire to encourage the development of the coal industry in Ireland’, and the act ion has been endorsed by the Cork Industrial Development Association. (13 Feb 1914 p384) to Secretary, LGB, concerning dietary scales in operation at the Workhouse and detailing special scale for Fever Hospital Assistants (16 May 1916 p733) to Mrs. O’Conn or concerning Nora Jones of 28 Corporation Buildings who has a child named Bridget Hock aged 4 days received from Aunt Mary Houlihan of ‘ Castletown Island ’ . Usual enquiries and report on the case to be made at next meeting of the Guardians. (29 May 1918 p977) to Rev. AJ Canon Nicholson, enclosing copy of resolution by Guardians expressing surprise at his public support for Conscription, which ‘appears in ill accord with his duties as a Minister of the Gospel of Peace and Brotherly Love’, and assuring him that he may receive his full salary should he

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‘join the colours’, and noting that his four sons, all of military age, should follow hi s ‘noble example’. (c.1000pp)

BG/69/BC/

Incoming Letters from the Poor Law Commissioners and

Local Government Board

Scope and Content: Mainly letters and circular letters relating to the administration of the work house, also legal issues, classification and treatment of inmates, provision of facilities such as fever hospitals, provision of new posts and appointments. See includes notes below for more information.

Date : Jan 1841 – Dec 1873

Level : Series

Extent : 24 vols.

Related Material: National Archives of Ireland: archives of the Poor Law Commissioners.

Missing

2 Jan 1841 – 21 Dec 1844

Includes: (13 Feb 1841 p9) from Poor Law Commission Office, Dublin to objecting to extra allowance for paupers employed in making shoes, and classification of female paupers etc. (1 Oct 1842) circular from Poor Law Commission Office, concerning liability of constabulary barracks to the Poor Rate (1 June 1844) as above, concerning the giving of 20lbs of bread to John Barry and family on leaving the workhouse to go to England, one of ‘very numerous’ such instances, which is contrary to the Poor Law which allows relief to be given to those admitted to the Workhouse only. (Damaged, Fragile)

2 Jan 1845 – 26 Dec 1846

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2 Jan 1847 – 31 Dec 1847

Includes: (2 Jan 1847) concerning vaccination scheme and contracts for Cork Union ( 4 Mar 1847) from Board of Health Office, Dublin, enclosing copies of letters and resolutions such as, from Henry O’Brien, MD, Physician of the Carrigaline Dispensary concerning spread of fever amongst the ‘ very distressed inhabitants ’ , the need for a fever hospital and noting, ‘Fro m the extreme poverty and destitution of the People, there can be no doubt that unless some place of Refuge be immediately procured for them, the great Majority of the sick in this neighbourhood must die for want of the common necessaries of life’. Board of Health recommend that temporary provision should be made as the fever Hospital being erected will not meet the ’immediate exigencies of the case’. (1 Jul 1847) Circular from PLC, concerning ending of Temporary Relief Act advances and the Irish Relief Extension Act, which includes certain additional relief powers for Guardians for the destitute poor.

5. 6. 7. 8. 9.

Missing

1 Jan 1849 – 31 Dec 1849 27 Jan 1849 – 31 Dec 1850 3 Jan 1851 – 19 Dec 1851 10 Feb 1852 – 22 Dec 1852 3 Jan 1853 – 30 Dec 1853 7 Jan 1854 – 30 Dec 1854 2 Jan 1855 – 31 Dec 1855 1 Jan 1856 – 30 Dec 1856

10. 11. 12. 13.

Includes: (8 Jan 1856) Appointment of an Agriculturalist, and reduction in number of teachers. (5 Jul 1856) Order of House of Commons for returns of the number of sick in Belfast, Cork and Galway workhouses.

14. 15. 16. 17. 18. 19. 20. 21. 22. 23. 24. 25. 26.

2 Jan 1857 – 30 Dec 1858 3 Jan 1859 – 31 Dec 1860

Missing

2 Jan 1862 – 30 Dec 1862 2 Jan 1863 – 30 Dec 1864 2 Jan 1865 – 29 Dec 1865 2 Jan 1866 – 7 May 1867 19 Dec 1866 – 31 Dec 1867 2 Jan 1868 – 22 Dec 1868 2 Jan 1869 – 22 Dec 1869 6 Jan 1870 – 30 Dec 1870 3 Jan 1871 – 30 Nov 1871 3 Jan 1872 – 10 Dec 1872

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27.

3 Jan 1873 – 11 Dec 1873

Includes: (3 Jan 1873) Local Government Board, return of cases of opthalmia and other inflammatory diseases of the eye. (22 Jan 1873) LGB enclosing extract from Medical Officers return relating to the Cork No. 7 Dispensary District premises in Post Office Lane. (21 Apr 1873) LGB, letter enclosing form for particulars of Margaret Brennan, re. proposed emigration (13 Sep 1873) LGB Circular re. Nuisance authorities around the coast of Ireland to prevent against Cholera, and treatment of Cholera patients arriving in vessels. Lists places around Europe where Cholera was reported. (22 Oct 1873) from Robert Achesen, concerning emigration of females to New Zealand via London. Also list of names , ages , health, and register numbers of those eligible, and certified as having good character by Denis McCarthy R.C. Chaplain.

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BG/69/BE

Orders by Poor Law Commissioners, Cork Union

Scope and Content: Orders and Circulars issued by Poor Law Commission relating to Cork Union.

Includes: (3 Apr 1839) Order of PLC declaring Cork Union, and setting out parishes in each of 13 electoral divisions, division of Cork City Electoral Division into wards, with ward boundaries. Also, ordering the election of Guardians and appointment of returning officer, general powers of Guardians, Meetings, Appointment of Justices of the Peace as ex-officio guardians (19 Feb 1840) Ordered Guardians to have built a workhouse for 2,000 persons, with the House of Industry as a temporary workhouse. (17 Feb 1840) Appointment of Poor Rate collectors (9 Dec 1841) Order declaring workhouse fit for reception of the destitute poor (5 Sep 1842) Foundling Hospital – reduction in Coal Tax payable (15 Jun 1844) Workhouse Rules containing 71 articles concerning admission of paupers, classification, discipline and diet, punishments, visiting committee, repair and maintenance, and duties of officers such as Master, Matron, Chaplain, Porter, Medical Officer, Schoolmasters (13pp)

Date : 1839-1850

Level : Item

Extent : c.400pp

DAMAGED ( Note : Formerly referenced as: BG/69/P)

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3. Accounts

BG/69/CA/

General Ledgers

Scope and Content: Contains all money transactions noted in the Minute Books under the following heads of account; a separate account with each Electoral Division of the Union; Maintenance Account; Establishment Account; Treasurer’s Account; Provision Account; Clothing Account; Invoice Account, Exchequer Loan Commissioners, Emigration Account, Building Account, Treasurer, Balance.

Date : Aug 1839 – Mar 1915

Level : Series

Extent : 41 vols.

26 Aug 1839 – 29 Sept 1841

Includes: Accounts such as; National Bank of Ireland ; Treasurer; Election Expenses; Valuation Expenses, Incidental Expenses; Offal; Manure; Rates Collectors; Rent; Clothing and Bedding; Maintenance including food supplies; Establishment including coal, emigration expenses, salaries; Pensions; Law Expenses; each Electoral Division; various supplies such as bread, milk, potatoes, medicines, wine, spirits and porter; Recapitulation of Receipts and Expenditure. With index. (c.200ff)

2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. 9.

30 Sept 1841 – 25 Mar 1842 25 Mar 1843 – 31 Mar 1845

Missing

30 Sept 1846 – 25 Mar 1848 30 Mar 1848 – 3 Oct 1849 10 Oct 1849 – 25 Mar 1851 26 Mar 1851 – 25 Mar 1853 25 Mar 1853 – 25 Mar 1855 25 Mar 1855 – 25 Mar 1857 25 Mar 1857 – 25 Mar 1859 25 Mar 1859 – 29 Sept 1860 29 Sept 1860 – 25 Mar 1862 25 Mar 1862 – 30 Sept 1863 20 Mar 1863 – 30 Mar 1865 25 Mar 1865 – 29 Mar 1866 25 Mar 1866 – 2 Oct 1867 29 Sept 1867 – 25 Mar 1869

10. 11. 12. 13. 14. 15. 16. 17. 18.

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19.

Oct 1868 - 25 Mar 1870

Includes: Enclosure (f. 48): (22 Oct 1869) letter from Thomas [Glick], secretary, National Association for promoting the education of The Deaf and Dumb Poor of Ireland, Claremont, Near Glasnevin, Dublin, enclosing receipt for payment of £2.10 from Guardians for Simon Connor.

20. 21. 22. 23. 24. 25. 26. 27. 28. 29. 30. 31. 32. 33. 34. 35.

25 Mar 1870 – 29 Sept 1871 Mar 1871 - Sept 1872 4 Oct 1873 – 25 Mar 1875

Missing

25 Mar 1876 – 29 Sept 1877

Missing Missing

29 Sept 1880 – 29 Sept 1881 6 Oct 1881 – 29 Sept 1882 5 Oct 1882 – 29 Sept 1883 4 Oct 1883 – 29 Sept 1884 2 Oct 1884 – 29 Sept 1885 1 Oct 1885 – 29 Sept 1886 30 Sept 1886 – 29 Sept 1887 6 Oct 1887 – 29 Oct 1888 4 Oct 1888 – 29 Sept 1889

35A.

4 Oct 1888 – 22 Nov 1888 (All entries duplicated in BG/69/CA/35)

36. 37.

29 Sept 1889 – 29 Sept 1890 29 Sept 1890 – 29 Sept 1891

Includes: Accounts such as ‘The Treasurer’ containing incoming rates; unpaid bills; invoice; provisions; maintenance; clothing; each Relieving Officer; establishment; Workhouse burial; each Dispensary District; registration; sanitary; intercepting hospital; burial grounds; labourers cottages; cattle disease; seed supply; parliamentary grant; loan receipts; balance sheet for ½ year ending 25 Mar 1891; overall balances for each electoral division. (c.240ff)

38. 39. 40. 41. 42. 43. 44. 45. 46.

29 Sept 1891 – 29 Sept 1892 6 Oct 1892 – 25 Mar 1893 30 Mar 1893 – 29 Sept 1893 5 Oct 1893 – 29 Sept 1895 6 Oct 1894 – 25 Mar 1895 29 Sept 1895 – 29 Sept 1896 29 Sept 1896 – 25 Mar 1897 30 Sept 1897 – 25 Mar 1898 6 Oct 1898 – 25 Mar 1899

47. – 52.

Missing

30 Sep 1913 – 31 Mar 1915

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