Genealogy Chat

Thank you both - I thought they may be something to do with rent paid but was interested to know why they were called Poor Rate Books and what all the columns meant! It seems it may be worth me going back to the records to see if I can find the family in other years. You were quite right MAry - I couldn't find them on the census - the house had been knocked down after 1859- but the family turned up in these books just after the census! Useful information because although not at either address in the census - I know to keep looking, they were probably close by Thankyou Sylvie

Hi Sylvie, These rate books do not tell you much but they are of interest. They were written out every year and just told you who was renting the house from the landlord and how much rent they were paying. In the 19th century, people used to move very often, even across the road if the rent was a penny a week cheaper, so the usefulness is that you can search them every year and find exactly where your ancesters went because they didn't move far. So if you know the area where they lived and you cannot find them on a census, then have a look at the rate books, that it if you can find them for the area you want. Mary

This is interesting Sylvie - what dates do you have from the books? Do you think it could have anything to do with the contributions that were expected from landowners/householders towards the parish rates to help out with the expenses of the workhouse? Jacqui

nudging In hopes that someone on line now may have some ideas? Sylvie

I have found some records which are useful in that they give addresses but I would like to know a bit more about what they actually mean. There are four colums with headings 1 ESTIMATED ?EXTRACT 2 GROSS ESTIMATED RENTAL 3 RATEABLE VALUE (think i know that!) 4.RATE AT 2/5 IN THE POUND Each column has a monetary figure underneath Does anyone know whtat these all mean? Thanks in anticipation Sylvie