BOARDS OF GUARDIANS AND PUBLIC ASSISTANCE INSTITUTIONS

G

BOARDS OF GUARDIANS AND PUBLIC ASSISTANCE INSTITUTIONS

1835-1954

List of unions

Battle Union 1835- 1970(Includes volumes which continued to be used after the institution was taken over by the National Health Service in 1948)

Brighton Parish Guardians 1864 - 1953(Includes volumes which continued to be used after the institution was taken over by the National Health Service in 1948) No records exist in this catalogue. See cross references

Cuckfield Union Transferred to West Sussex Record Office.

Chailey Union 1835 - 98

Eastbourne Union 1835 - 1949(Includes volumes which continued to be used after the institution was taken over by the National Health Service in 1948)

West Firle Union 1862 - 98

East Grinstead Union Transferred to West Sussex Record Office.

Hailsham Union 1835 - 1932

Hastings Union 1866 - 1949(Includes volumes which continued to be used after the institution was taken over by the National Health Service in 1948)

Lewes Union 1835 - 1960(Includes volumes which continued to be used after the institution was taken over by the National Health Service in 1948)

Newhaven Union 1835 - 1957(Includes volumes which continued to be used after the institution was taken over by the National Health Service in 1948)

Rye Union 1835 - 1944

Steyning Union 1835 - 1951(Includes volumes which continued to be used after the institution was taken over by the National Health Service in 1948)

Ticehurst Union 1839 - 1954(Includes volumes which continued to be used after the institution was taken over by the National Health Service in 1948)

Uckfield Union 1835 - 1976(Includes volumes which continued to be used after the institution was taken over by the National Health Service in 1948)

SUMMARY OF CONTENTS

G/1 Battle: (Ashburnham, Battle, Bexhill, Brightling, Catsfield, Crowhurst, Dallington, Ewhurst, Hollington, Mountfield, Penhurst, Sedlescombe, Westfield, Whatlington): minutes, 1835-1930; Treasurer's accounts, 1920-1930; register of Battle Union lunatics in the County Asylum, 1866-1930; contracts with Medical Officers and for vaccination, 1888-1917; boarding-out agreements for children and sick poor, 1915-1928; Poor Law commissioners' order for keeping, examining and auditing the union accounts, 1835; admission and discharge registers, 1911-1949; register of births, 1866-1946; register of deaths, 1835-1950; indoor relief lists, 1919-1931; registers of inmates, 1930-1931; creed registers, 1893-1950; Master's day book, 1928-1936; Master's receipt and payment books, 1902-1925

Brighton: see R/C9/1-9, 26; R/S10-43, 48, 65; HB 68-71, 74-75, 77, 103, 117; EMA 25/1

G/2 Chailey: (Barcombe, Chailey, East Chiltington, Ditchling, Hamsey, Nweick, Plumpton, Ringmer, Streat, Westmeston, Wivelsfield - dissolved in 1898 and added to Lewes): minutes, 1835-1898; general ledgers, 1879-1898; officers' securities, 1881-1895; Master's quarters, 1935

G/3 Cuckfield: (Albourne, Ardingly, Balcombe, Bolney, Clayton, Cowfold, Cuckfield, Horsted Keynes, Hurstpierpoint, Keymer, Lindfield, Newtimber, Pyecombe, Slaugham, Twineham): documents at the West Sussex Record Office

G/4 East Grinstead: (Crawley, East Grinstead, Hartfield, Lingfield, West Hoathly, Withyham, Worth): documents at the West Sussex Record Office

G/5 Hailsham: (Arlington, Chiddingly, Hailsham, Heathfield, Hellingly, Herstmonceux, Hooe, Laughton, Ninfield, Warbleton, Wartling and from 1898 also Chalvington, Ripe): minutes, 1836-1930; general ledgers, 1835-1927; parochial ledgers, 1847-1868; Clerk to the Guardians' letter book, 1859-1863; admission and discharge registers, 1835-1932; registers of births, 1836-1931; registers of deaths, 1836-1932; Visiting committee report book, 1876-1921; casuals admission and discharge book, 1915-1922; medical out-relief lists, 1858-1864; School Attendance committee minutes, 1877-1899

Hastings: see R/C18-19; HH 20-30, 77

G/6 Lewes: (Lewes and from 1898 also Barcombe, Chailey, East Chiltington, Ditchling, Hamsey, Nweick, Plumpton, Ringmer, Streat, Westmeston, Wivelsfield): minutes, 1835-1930; general ledgers, 1835-1921; officers' securities, 1891-1923; contracts with Medical Officers and for vaccination, 1892-1918; boarding-out agreements for children, sick poor, defectives and vagrants, 1890-1926; insurance policies, 1868-1902; contracts for valuation, 1877-1899; valuation under the Duties on Land Values, 1915; lease and agreement for tenancy of Pouchlands, 1902-1920; lease of Cliffe workhouse, 1869; mortgages with private persons and bodies, 1867-1902; mortgages with the Public Loans Board, 1901-1914; rating papers, 1928-1929; correspondence with the Local Government Board and Ministry of Health, 1897-1923; inventory of the buildings at Chailey, 1937; admission and discharge registers, 1917-1944; register of births, 1914-1930; register of deaths, 1914-1944; indoor relief list, 1942-1946; registers of inmates, 1930-1942; creed registers, 1922-1942; Master's day book, 1936-1938; Master's receipt and payment book, 1924-1930; wages account book, 1930-1931; wood account books, 1923-1936; clothing materials receipt and conversion account book, 1930-1937; summary of clothing account, 1905-1935; domestic renewals account books, 1933-1937; tobacco and snuff account book, 1927-1944; Medical Officer's record of monthly visits, 1931-1933; Avenue house Children's Home statistical admission and discharge registers, 1921-1943; Children's Home Superintendent's report book, 1932-1934

G/7 Newhaven: (Bishopstone, East Blatchington, Denton, Falmer, South Heighton, Iford, Kingston, Newhaven, Ovingdean, Piddinghoe, Rodmell, Rottingdean, Southease, Stanmer, Tarring Neville, Telscombe): minutes, 1835-1930; Finance and General Purposes Committee minutes, 1907-1928; House Committee minutes, 1928-1930; general ledgers, 1835-1928; parochial ledgers, 1854-1927; Clerk's letter book, 1835-1841; admission and discharge registers, 1836-1947; registers of births, 1866-1946; registers of deaths, 1836-1944; indoor relief lists, 1937-1942; Medical Officer's reports, 1907; registers of inmates, 1930-1944; creed registers, 1895-1944; offenses and punishment books, 1864-1947; registers of addresses of paupers' friends, 1899-1930; bathing register (blank), 1942; medical examination book (infants and children), 1930-1935; certificates for detention of lunatics in the workhouse, 1887-1930; Medical Officer's report for the detention of a poor person suffering from mental or bodily disease, 1907; Chaplain's report book, 1933-1941; Medical Officer's report books, 1901-1945; Master's report books and journals, 1921-1944; Matron's report book, 1914-1919; Master's day books, 1931-1938; Master's receipt and payment books, 1927-1947; pig and farm accounts, 1915-1947; stone accounts, 1898-1916; inventory book, 1915; bedding, crockery and linen accounts, 1936-1938; clothing materials receipt and conversion book, 1938-1941; daily number of meals provided, 1936-1938; alcohol book, 1919; extra tea, sugar and milk account, 1917; weekly net account of provisions received and issued from stores, 1936-1938; provisions receipt and consumption book, 1931-1932; summary and balance of provisions receipt and consumption account, 1929-1932; necessaries and miscellaneous account, 1915-1938; casual paupers admission and discharge registers, 1940-1949; Medical Officer's record of monthly visits to casual wards, 1935-1939; casuals daily provisions account, 1937-1939; Assessment Committee minutes, 1862-1927; School Attendance Committee minutes, 1894-1903

G/8 Rye: (Beckley, Brede, Broomhill, East Guldeford, Icklesham, Iden, Northiam, Peasmarsh, Playden, Rye, Udimore, Winchelsea): minutes, 1835-1930; general ledgers, 1835-1923; Treasurer's account, 1924-1928; parochial ledgers, 1848-1928; correspondence registers, 1889-1902; insurance policies, 1854-1920; plans of the workhouse, 1853; testimonials, appointment of assistant overseer, apprentice indenture, list of bonds and contract, 1881-1912; building bills and accounts, 1914-1915; letter from the clerk of the Peace concerning the cost of the new prison at Lewes, 1849; vouchers to account, 1848-1853; tenders for the supply of goods, 1860; notebook recording the delivery and collection of ?voting papers, 1852; officers' securities, 1882-1917; contracts with Medical Officers and for vaccination, 1890-1925; admission and discharge registers, 1928-1941; register of births, 1915-1932; registers of deaths, 1844-1941; indoor relief lists, 1836-1848; register of inmates, 1915-1943; creed registers, 1916-1944; register of addresses of inmates' friends, 1931-1934; Assessment Committee minutes, 1862-1909; Rye Rural Sanitary Authority minutes, 1881-1891; Rye Rural Sanitary Authority ledger, 1893-1896

G/9 Steyning: (Aldrington, Ashurst, West Blatchington, Upper Beeding, Botolphs, Bramber, Coombes, Edburton, Fulking, Hangleton, Henfield, Hove, Kingston, Patcham, Portslade, Poynings, Preston, Shermanbury, New Shoreham, Old Shoreham, Sompting, Southwick, Steyning, Woodmancote and from 1869 also Lancing): minutes, 1835-1930; general ledgers, 1835-1929; general and personal accounts, 1910-1930; contracts with Medical Officers and for vaccinations, 1907-1930; agreements for boarding out patients (defectives, children and sick poor), 1926-1929; Collector's ledgers, 1906-1926; Collector's statement of contributions in arrear, 1907-1911; Collector's receipt and payment books, 1909-1926; Preston district vaccination registers, 1905-1922; Assessment Committee minutes, 1902-1927; School Attendance Committee minutes, 1877-1903

G/10 Ticehurst: (Bodiam, Burwash, Etchingham, Frant, Lamberhurst, Salehurst, Ticehurst, Wadhurst): minutes, 1839-1930; Treasurer's accounts, 1923-1930; out-relief order books, 1848-1936; out-relief application and report books, 1878-1936; out-relief lists, 1871-1934; out-relief receipt and expenditure books, 1875-1933; Collector's ledger, 1902-1905; Collector's accounts, 1919-1932; Collector's receipt and payment books, 1926-1935; admission and discharge registers, 1886-1946; registers of births, 1852-1932; register of baptisms, 1909-1942; registers of deaths, 1852-1941; inmates' medical examination book, 1933-1949; register of inmates, 1930-1944; creed registers, 1885-1954; workhouse vaccination register, 1901-1932; Porter's report books, 1873-1942; Medical Officer's report book, 1928-1947; Master's report books, 1928-1941; Visiting Committee report books, 1930-1948; Master's cash account books, 1933-1943; Farm accounts, 1934-1945; movement of animals records, 1926-1942; inventories of nurses' and porters' rooms and infirmary, 1934; Matron's rough store book, 1930-1933; alcohol book, 1933-1953; tobacco and snuff account, 1928-1940; provisions and necessaries stock book, 1941; returns of births and infant deaths, 1873-1906; marriage notice book, 1839-1887; valuation lists, 1868-1897

G/11 Uckfield: (Buxted, Fletching, Framfield, East Hoathly, Little Horsted, Isfield, Maresfield, Mayfield, Rotherfield, Uckfield, Waldron): minutes, 1836-1930; House Committee minutes, 1922-1930; general ledgers, 1835-1927; Treasurer's day book, 1842-1844; letter book, 1907-1909; register of children boarded out and of foster parents, 1904-1915; Officers' securities, 1898-1929; contracts with Medical Officers and for vaccination, 1871-1927; agreements and papers on boarding out patients, children and defectives, 1903-1928; insurance policies, 1899-1927; papers concerning vaccination, 1871-1922; mortgage, 1899; lease of premises in Rotherfield, 1904-1920; correspondence concerning identity of a man, 1912; admission and discharge registers, 1934-1945; register of births, 1905-1931; register of deaths, 1905-1939; indoor relief lists, 1851-1944; inmates' medical examination books, 1939-1948; register of inmates, 1930-1940; creed registers, 1917-1948; register of mechanical restraint, 1898-1921; offenses and punishment book, 1906-1947; Master's report books, 1924-1941; Chaplain's report book, 1931-1946; Assessment Committee minutes, 1896-1910

G/12 West Firle: (Alciston, Beddingham, Berwick, Chalvington, West Firle, Glynde, Ripe, Selmeston - dissolved in 1898 and added to Eastbourne and Hailsham): minutes, 1862-1898; general ledgers, 1836-1894; officers' securities, 1892-1895; Assessment Committee minutes, 1862-1898

G/13 Eastbourne: (Alfriston, Eastbourne, Eastdean, Folkington, Friston, Jevington, Litlington, Lullington, Pevensey, Seaford, Westdean, Westham, Willingdon, Wilmington and from 1898 also Alciston, Berwick, Selmeston): minutes, 1835-1930; general ledgers, 1836-1930; parochial ledgers, 1853-1904; Clerk to the Guardians' letter books, 1835-1870; settlement report book, 1901-1906; registers of removals to Eastbourne, 1918-1936; registers of removals from Eastbourne, 1922-1936; register of emigrations, 1899-1930; register of non-resident poor, 1923-1933; Collector's receipt and payment book, 1924-1930; register of chargeable children, 1911-1930; registers of children sent to training homes, as servants and apprenticed, 1893-1929; register of children boarded-out, 1889-1925; childrens' case books, 1906-1914; copies of half-yearly maintenance and out-relief returns sent to the local Government Board, 1908-1910; register of births, 1908-1919; registers of deaths, 1908-1940; register of inmates' property, 1906-1934; Master's day book, 1928-1931; clothing materials receipt and conversion accounts, 1924-1931; clothing receipt and expenditure books, 1921-1931; papers concerning buildings, consisting of proposed erection of cottage homes, purchase of land at Polegate as a site of a new workhouse, plans of the Birling Street Home, alterations to the workhouse, 1894-1929; weekly summaries of children relieved, 1926-1933; Superintendent's report books, 1926-1940; Visiting Committee's visitors books, 1913-1940; Assessment Committee minutes, 1862-1912

<span class="wrapper"><p>Records of the Guardians are spread over several catalogues. Cross references are supplied where necessary. There are no references at all in this catalogue for Brighton or Hastings Unions. For Brighton see catalogues R/S, HB and R/C. For Hastings see R/C, HH and AMS.</p> <p>Notices of appointment of Poor Law Commissioners, circulars and orders re the formation of unions, duties of guardians, keeping of accounts etc are to be found amongst the Quarter Sessions records (QDO/1/1-8).</p> <p>Searchers interested in names of inmates of the workhouse, are reminded that they are listed in the census enumerators' returns for 1841, 1851, 1861, 1871, and 1881 available on microfilm (lists for 1851 are transcribed in M J Burchall, Eastern Sussex Workhouse Census 1851, Sussex Family History Group 1978 and Sussex Genealogist and Local Historian, vol 4, no 2 (Ditchling)).</p></span>

English

c. 900 items

NOTE: RECORDS WITH REFERENCES CONTAINING PREFIXES BRY, C/E, DL, DR, DW, HB, HE, HMC, HW, RBA, REA, RPI, RHA, RLE, RRY, RTI, and RUC and the following numbers HH1-8, R/S1/1, R/S2/7, 9-10 and R/S5/1-2 are kept in another building and at least 24 hours notice is required for their production.

Since the publication of Sussex Poor Law Records: a Catalogue in 1960, many additional records have been received from hospitals and local authorities. These have been catalogued and numbered with the records of those organisations. The searchers must still, however, use the catalogues of National Health records for the period after 1947 when many of the Public Assistance Institutions became hospitals.

The opportunity was taken to simplify and improve on the original catalogue, e.g. 'PA' prefixes in the references given to Public Assistance Institution records have been eliminated. Cross-references to post-1834 records surviving amongst parish records have been dropped since (because of the increase in deposits) these would bulk the catalogue out too much. Searchers should not, however, overlook these records which are listed under section 38 in the appropriate PAR catalogue.

The East Sussex parishes of Withyham, Hartfield, and Forest Row were in East Grinstead Union and Danehill in Cuckfield Union. The records of these two unions were transferred to the West Sussex Record Office after Local Government Re-organisation in 1974 except for the Cuckfield items listed overleaf.