Limerick Board of Guardians Minute Books

If you have ancestors in the south-east corner of County Clare or Limerick, you may be interested to know that the Board of Guardians Minute Books for Limerick Union (which includes parts of Clare) are available online through the Limerick Archives at http://www.limerick.ie/DigitalArchives/LimerickCityCouncilandLocalGovernmentCollections/LimerickUnionBoardofGuardiansMinuteBooks1842-1922

While these are not searchable they provide a fascinating insight into the workings of those who “governed” the fate of the poor in the workhouses in particular. References are made to workhouse residents who are given funds to assist them to emigrate.

Some examples include:
Meeting 14 October 1848: Page 8: The subject of emigration for females was brought before the Board and the clerk was directed to furnish the Earl of Clare Chairman with a statement of facts as regards the steps already taken by this Board in reference to that subject.

Meeting 1 November 1848: Page 51: Chair Earl of Clare; Other Guardians incl W Bently: Page 55
The master reported that 5 male adult inmates and I female were sentenced at this session to transportation for 7 years for absconding from the workhouse with the clothing

Meeting 22 Nov 1848: Page 116: Letter read from M Reddington under Secretary Dublin Castle stating that the letter of Lord Clare Chairman of the Board applying for emigration of orphans from this workshouse was referred to the Poor Law Commissioners. Proposed by W Monsell MP  Seconded by D Cullen and resolved  unanimously that the Poor Law Comrs be urgently requested to accede to the request of the guardians in the emigration of the orphans from this workhouse and we beg to refer the Poor Law Comrs to our former minutes in this respect which we trust entitle us to a fair share of the emigration of orphans.

Meeting 29 Nov 1848: Page 138: In reference to the resolution of last Sat Patt and Mary Hassett attended the Board and Mr Mahony produced parcel left in his charge for them as executors of Bridget Hassett an inmate of the the workhouse which was opened by the Board and found to contain 2 bank pass books L51/13/1 with will 8c. It was resolved with the concurrence of the executors that arrangements be made by C Delmega and JW Mahony to bind the girl to a trade out of the workhouse out of the said sum of money.

Dec 1st, 1852: Page 156: From Catherine McNamara to state that having recd fm the Colonial Lands and Emigration Commissioners (CLEC) a certificate for a free passage  for herself and her son to proceed to her husband in NSW and being an inmate of the Limerick workhouse at the same time she retired from the union and proceeded to Cork for embarkation-that on arriving their both (?) She and her son were objected to as they had not the necessary clothing and outfit for the voyage and hoping that the Guardians will now provide the outfit for herself & son and thus rid the union of two inmates.
Commissioners consent to the request to give L3/4/0 to enable these parties to emigrate.

Although it can be slow reading each page, and making notes, it provides an interesting insight to the times especially around the Famine years.