Clifden Poor Law Union archive collection, Descriptive List, GPL3.pdf

Clifden Poor Law Union
Arrangement
The minutes are arranged chronologically, and the remaining material is also arranged
thereafter in chronological order.
The extracts from the various Minute books included hereunder are intended as a
representation of the proceedings. The purpose of their inclusion is to give the reader an
indication of the diversity of the Board of Guardians areas of concern and responsibility. Given
the quantity and multiplicity of the Board‟s work it is not practical in this instance to include an
extract highlighting every single district, item and aspect mentioned in the minutes. However,
it is hoped that the extracts will clearly and fairly reflect the institution‟s work, activities,
development, and influence in the district of Clifden during its existence throughout a long and
important period in Irish history.
Overall this collection illustrates various aspects of Union administration, and reveals to some
extent how the authority cared for and provided assistance to the destitute poor in the district
and in particular how it responded in times of crisis. It also shows the evolution of the Board‟s
provision of health and related social services. The collection commences with records
created when the authority and country were under British rule and concludes with records
recording the authority‟s recognition of Dáil Éireann.
The collection should be of interest to administrative, economic, political, and social historians.
In particular, it should be a major source of information for local historians.
The item reference number (GPL3/?) should be used in full when citing from the records in this
collection. The most appropriate form of reference is Galway County Council Archives,
Reference number (GPL3/?), and page number or date
Place names are generally given as they appear in the records.
Readers are also requested not to view as definitive the appended list of Board of Guardians
or staff members. Lists of Guardians may be further researched in various contemporary
directories, such as Thom‟s, Slater‟s or Pigot‟s, and in contemporary local newspapers.
Cartlann Chomhairle Contae na Gaillimhe „…cuimhne dhoiciméadach Chontae na Gaillimhe a shealbhú, a chaomhnú agus a dhéanamh inrochtana’
Galway County Council - Archives „…to acquire, preserve and make accessible the documentary memory of county Galway’
xxix.