Settlement records and Removal Orders

The following source list was originally available only on paper in one of the West Yorkshire Archive Service offices. It may have been compiled many years ago and could be out of date. It was designed to act as a signpost to records of interest on a particular historical subject, but may relate only to one West Yorkshire district, or be an incomplete list of sources available.

Parishes were concerned to ensure that they maintained only those paupers who were truly their responsibility. When someone needed relief but was suspected of being the responsibility of another parish, the vestry books may record that they were subject to examination by two Justices of the Peace to discover their last place of settlement. Removal was under escort by the parish constable. Settlement certificates, removal orders and settlement examinations survive from the late 17th century and are of great help when tracing movements of individuals before the census returns, as well as including details of human interest.

The three kinds of documents available are:

settlement certificates
settlement examinations
removal orders

Description	Dates	Reference	Repository
Sandal St Helen's: settlement certificates	1700-1793	WDP20/9/8/1-7	WYAS: Wakefield
Sandal St Helen's: settlement examinations	1766-1820	WDP20/9/8/8-17	WYAS: Wakefield
Sandal St Helen's: removal orders	1780-1844	WDP20/9/9	WYAS: Wakefield

For more information on Parish Chest records and the other documents that are avialable see Parish Chest Records.