This is a Message Board Post that is gatewayed to this mailing list. Author: Forfarian Surnames: Classification: queries Message Board URL: http://boards.rootsweb.com/localities.britisles.scotland.mor.general/2313.1.1.1.2.1/mb.ashx Message Board Post: I was in Elgin today and had a few minutes to spare so I looked up Jane Douglas or Brander in the Register of Poor for the Parish of Elgin. Jane Douglas or Brander, residing 166d High Street, Elgin, aged 33 years. Admitted 1908, March 3 at 3/- per week. Born Elgin, Protestant, married - separated. Occupation general servant. Wholly disabled by wound in right hand, wholly destitute. Settlement: birth and residence. No children living with her. Children not living with her: Elizabeth Jane Brander, born Elgin, 14½ years; Thomas James Brander, born Elgin, 13 years. Other Information see Record No 10/117. 1908, May 5 Ceased - struck off. A few explanatory notes in case you haven't seen a Parochial Board Register of Poor before. "Admitted" means that the Board had considered her application and accepted that it was their responsibility to deal with her. "Disabled" simply means "unable to earn a living". It does not imply a permanent physical or mental disability. "Settlement" is the criterion by which the Board decided whether an applicant was their responsibility or not. A person could acquire settlement in a parish either by being born there, or being the wife of a man born there, or by living there continuously for the prescribed number of years (five, I think it was). If an applicant had not acquired settlement, the Board would seek from the applicant's parish of settlement reimbursement for any emergency measures to relieve the immediate problem, and instructions as to how to deal with the applicant in future. Important Note: The author of this message may not be subscribed to this list. If you would like to reply to them, please click on the Message Board URL link above and respond on the board.