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Norfolk Poor Law after 1834

In 1834 a countrywide Poor Law Act was passed setting up Unions and Incorporations (not all containing the same number of parishes). Some parishes which were already in previous Unions did not transfer to the new ones until a later date.

Places names are the modern ones with aliases in ( ) following.
Further information can be found:

Books

Poor Law Union Records in 4 volumes by Gibson

These pages are for personal use only. They may not be copied, and the links within them may not be harvested for use on your own web pages. Please see the Copyright Notice.
Copyright © Mike Bristow.
May 2010

Post 1834 UNIONS and INCORPORATIONS(I)

Aylsham, Blofield, Brinton(I)(to 1869), Depwade, Docking, Downham, Erpingham, East & West Flegg(I), Forehoe(I), Freebridge-Lynn, Great Yarmouth, Guiltcross (dissolved in 1902), Henstead, Kings Lynn, Loddon & Clavering, Mitford & Launditch, Norwich(I), Smallburgh (from 1869), St. Faiths, Swaffham, Thetford, Tunstead and Happing (I)(to 1869), Walsingham, Wayland.

Wisbech in Cambridgeshire(CAMBS) included some Norfolk parishes to the South and West of Kings Lynn.

The approximate distribution in the county is as follows: 

*=Location of Workhouse (approx.)    NORTH SEA

                       County of NORFOLK
HOLBEACH               __         _____
                ______/  \_______/     \______    C=Cromer
L              /                BRINTON       \_C__
I             /                     *     *        \__
N            /     *     WALSINGHAM    ERPINGHAM      \
C           /  DOCKING                                 \__
S KL=King's |               *                  *          \_
      Lynn  ) FREEBRIDGE                 AYLSHAM   TUNSTEAD \_
SPALD____  /    LYNN                               * + HAPPING\_
-ING/    \ |      *      MITFORD and     ST FAITHS  (SMALLBURGH)\
   /      KL*             LAUNDITCH            *              *  \_
 _/    KINGS                *           NORWICH              EAST+ \
|       LYNN                                 *-N-   BLOFIELD  WEST  \
WISBECH               *                                   *   FLEGG |
*\_               SWAFFHAM                 HENSTEAD             ___ |
C  \   DOWNHAM                      FOREHOE    *               /   \*
A  |      *                             *                 *    |   GY
M  |   (MARKET)              WAYLAND                LODDON +    \
B  |                             *                   CLAVERING_  ) GY=Great
S  \_____                                             /\____/  \_) Yarmouth
         \           THETFORD                         |
 *ELY     \        _______      GUILTCROSS     *     / N=City of Norwich
           \______/      /           *      DEPWADE /
                        T_*_________            ___/       MUTFORD and
             T=Thetford             \___D______/           LOTHINGLAND 
 MILDENHALL                     D=Diss              HOXNE
                  THINGOE      STOW      HARTISMERE      WANGFORD

                                County of SUFFOLK

Places have been given their names according to the Genealogical Atlas with aliases following in brackets. The location, description, history of each Norfolk Workhouse is to be found by following the link to their individual pages.

Unions (some of which contained Norfolk Parishes) in the adjoining counties of Cambridgeshire, Lincolnshire and Suffolk are also given.

Aylsham Union

Alby, Aylsham, Banningham, Belaugh, Blicking, Brampton, Burgh next Aylsham, Buxton, Calthorpe, Cawston, Colby, Coltishall, Corpusty, Erpingham, Foulsham, Guestwick, Hackford-by-Reepham, Hautbois-Great, Hevingham, Heydon, Hindolveston, Ingworth, Irmingland, Itteringham, Kerdiston, Lammas with Little Hautbois, Little Barningham, Mannington, Marsham, Oulton, Oxnead, Reepham, Salle, Saxthorpe, Scottow, Skeyton, Stratton Strawless, Swanton Abbott, Themelthorpe, Thurning, Thwaite All Saints, Tuttington, Whitwell, Wickmere, Wolterton, Wood Dalling, Wood Norton.

See the Aylsham Union page for more information.

Blofield Union

Acle, Beighton, Blofield, Braydeston, Brundall, Buckenham Ferry, Burlingham St Andrew, Burlingham St Edmund, Burlingham St Peter, Cantley, Fishley, Freethorpe, Great Plumstead, Halvergate, Hassingham, Hemblington, Limpenhoe, Lingwood, Little Plumstead, Moulton St Mary, Postwick, Ranworth-with-Panxworth, Reedham, South Walsham St. Mary, South Walsham St. Lawrence, Southwood, Strumpshaw, Thorpe St. Andrew (or Thorpe-next-Norwich), Tunstall, Upton, Wickhampton, Witton (near Blofield), Woodbastwick.

See the Blofield Union page for more information.

Brinton Gilbert Union

Brinton, Melton Constable with Burgh Parva.

These parishes were all in the Brinton Gilbert Union from 1834 until it was dissolved in 1869 when they joined the Walsingham Union. See the Brinton Gilbert Union page for more information.

Depwade Union

Alburgh, Ashwellthorpe, Aslacton, Billingford (near Diss), Brockdish, Bunwell, Burston, Carleton-Rode, Denton, Dickleburgh, Diss, Earsham, Forncett St. Mary, Forncett St. Peter, Frenze, Fritton, Fundenhall, Gissing, Great Moulton, Hapton, Hardwick, Hempnall, Morningthorpe, Needham, Pulham St. Mary Magdalen (or Pulham Market),
Pulham St. Mary-the-Virgin, Redenhall with Harleston, Rushall, Scole, Shelton, Shimpling, Starston, Stratton St.Mary, Stratton St.Michael, Tacolneston, Tasburgh, Tharston, Thelveton (or Thelton), Thorpe Abbotts, Thorpe Parva, Tibenham, Tivetshall St. Margaret, Tivetshall St. Mary, Wacton, Wortwell.

See the Depwade Union page for more information.

Docking Union

Anmer, Bagthorpe, Barmer, Barwick, Bircham Newton, Bircham Tofts, Brancaster, Broomsthorpe, Burnham-Deepdale, Burnham-Norton, Burnham-Overy, Burnham Sutton-cum-Burnham Ulph, Burnham-Thorpe, Burnham-Westgate, Choseley, Dersingham, Docking, East Rudham, Fring, Great Bircham, Great Ringstead, Heacham, Holme-next-the-Sea, Hunstanton with Barrett-Ringstead, Ingoldisthorpe, New Houghton, North Creake, Sedgeford, Shernborne, Snettisham, South Creake, Stanhoe, Syderstone, Thornham, Titchwell, Waterden, West Rudham.

See the Docking Union page for more information.

Downham Union

Barton Bendish, Bexwell, Boughton, Crimplesham, Denver, Downham Market, Fincham, Fordham, Hilgay, Holme next Runcton, Marham, Roxham, Ryston, Shouldham, Shouldham-Thorpe, South Runcton, Southery, Stoke Ferry, Stow-Bardolph, Stradsett, Tottenhill, Wallington cum Thorpland, Watlington, Welney, Wereham, West Dereham, West Welney (1895), Wiggenhall St. German, Wiggenhall St. Mary Magdalen, Wiggenhall St. Mary the Virgin, Wiggenhall St. Peter, Wimbotsham, Wormegay, Wretton.

See the Downham Union page for more information.

Erpingham Union

Aldborough, Antingham, Aylmerton, Baconsthorpe, Barningham-Norwood, Barningham-Winter, Bayfield, Beeston Regis, Bessingham, Bodham, Briston, Cley-next-the-Sea, Cromer, East Beckham, Edgefield, Felbrigg, Gimingham, Glandford, Gresham, Gunton, Hanworth, Hempstead (by Holt), Holt, Hunworth, Kelling, Knapton, Letheringsett, Matlaske, Metton, Mundesley, North Repps, North Walsham (to March 1884), Overstrand, Plumstead, Roughton, Runton, Salthouse, Sheringham, Sidestrand, South Repps, Stody, Suffield, Sustead, Thornage, Thorpe Market, Thurgarton, Trimingham, Trunch, West Beckham, Weybourne.

See the Erpingham Union page for more information.

Faith's (Saint) see St. Faith's Union

Flegg (East and West) Incorporation

Ashby St Mary, Billockby, Burgh St. Margaret & St. Mary, Caister next Yarmouth, Clippesby, East Somerton, Filby, Hemsby, Martham, Mautby, Oby, Ormesby St. Margaret, Ormesby St. Michael, Repps with Bastwick, Rollesby, Runham, Scratby, Stokesby with Herringby, Thurne, Thrigby, West Somerton, Winterton.

See the Flegg (East and West) Incorporation page for more information.

Forehoe Incorporation

Barford, Barnham-Broom, Bawburgh, Bowthorpe, Brandon Parva, Carleton-Forehoe, Colton, Costessey (or Cossey), Coston, Crownthorpe, Deopham, Easton, Hackford (near Wymondham), Hingham, Kimberley, Marlingford, Morley St. Botolph, Morley St. Peter, Runhall, Welborne, Wicklewood, Wramplingham, Wymondham.

See the Forehoe Incorporation page for more information.

Freebridge-Lynn Union

Ashwicken, Babingley, Bawsey, Castle Acre, Castle Rising, Congham, East Walton, East Winch, Flitcham cum Appleton, Gayton, Gayton Thorpe, Gaywood, Great Massingham, Grimston, Harpley, Hillington, Leziate, Little Massingham, Middleton, Mintlyn, North Runcton, North Wootton, Pentney, Roydon (near King's Lynn), Sandringham, Setchey, South Wootton, West Bilney, West Newton, West Winch, West Acre, Wolferton (or Wolverton).

See the Freebridge-Lynn Union page for more information.

Guiltcross Union

Dissolved in 1902 when its parishes were divided between Depwade(D), Thetford(T) and Wayland(W).
Banham(W), Blo' Norton(T), Bressingham(D), Bridgham(T), East Harling(T), Eccles(W), Fersfield(D), Garboldisham(T), Gasthorpe(T), Kenninghall(W), New Buckenham(W), North Lopham(T), Old Buckenham(W), Quidenham(W), Riddlesworth(T), Roydon(D) (near Diss), Shelfanger(D), South Lopham(T), West Harling(T), Wilby(W), Winfarthing(D).

See the Guiltcross Union page for more information.

Henstead Union

Arminghall, Bixley, Bracon Ash, Bramerton, Caistor St. Edmund, Colney, Cringleford, Dunston, East Carleton, Flordon, Framingham Earl, Framingham Pigot, Hethel, Hethersett, Holverston, Intwood, Keswick, Ketteringham, Kirby Bedon, Markshall, Great Melton (Melton Magna), Little Melton (Melton Parva), Mulbarton, Newton-Flotman, Poringland Great (or East), Poringland Little (or West), Rockland St. Mary, Saxlingham-Nethergate, Saxlingham-Thorpe, Shotesham All Saints, Shotesham St. Mary & St. Martin, Stoke Holy Cross, Surlingham, Swainsthorpe, Swardeston, Trowse (or Trowse Newton), Whitlingham, Wreningham.

See the Henstead Union page for more information.

Kings Lynn Union

See the Kings Lynn Incorporation (and later Union) page for more information.

Loddon and Clavering Union

Aldeby, Alpington, Ashby, Bedingham, Brooke, Broome, Bergh Apton, Burgh St. Peter, Carleton St. Peter, Chedgrave, Claxton, Ditchingham, Ellingham, Geldeston, Gillingham All Saints, Gillingham St. Mary, Haddiscoe, Hales, Hardley, Heckingham, Hedenham, Hellington, Howe, Kirby Cane, Kirstead, Langley, Loddon, Mundham, Norton Subcourse, Raveningham, Seething, Sisland, Stockton, Thorpe next Haddiscoe, Thurlton, Thurton, Thwaite St. Mary, Toft Monks, Topcroft, Wheatacre All Saints, Woodton, Yelverton.

See the Loddon and Clavering Incorporation (which includes the "Loddon and Clavering Union") page for more information.

Mitford and Launditch Union

Bawdeswell, Beeston All Saints (cum Bittering), Beetley, Billingford (near East Dereham), Bintry (Bintree), Brisley, Bylaugh, Colkirk, Cranworth, East Bilney, East Dereham, East Lexham, East Tuddenham, Elsing, Foxley, Garveston, Gateley, Great Dunham, Great Fransham, Gressenhall, Guist, Hardingham, Hockering, Hoe, Horningtoft, Kempston, Letton, Litcham, Little Bittering, Little Dunham, Little Fransham, Longham, Lyng, Mattishall, Mattishall Burgh, Mileham, North Elmham, North Tuddenham, Oxwick, Pattesley, Reymerston, Rougham, Scarning, Shipdham, Southburgh (Southbergh), Sparham, Stanfield, Swanton Morley, Thuxton, Tittleshall, Twyford, Weasenham All Saints, Weasenham St. Peter, Wellingham, Wendling, West Lexham, Westfield, Whinburgh, Whissonsett, Wood Rising, Worthing, Yaxham.

See the Mitford and Launditch Incorporation (which includes the "Mitford and Launditch Union") page for more information.

Norwich Incorporation

All Saints, Earlham St. Mary, Eaton St. Andrew, Heigham, Hellesdon (part of-see also St.Faiths), Lakenham, Pockthorpe, St. Andrew, St. Augustus, St. Benedict, St. Clement, St. Edmund, St. Etheldred, St. George Colegate, St. George Tombland, St. Giles, St. Gregory, St. Helen, St. James, St. John Maddermarket, St. John Sepulchre, St. John Timberhill, St. Julian, St. Lawrence, St. Margaret, St. Martin-at-Oak, St. Martin-at-Palace, St. Mary-at-Coslany, St. Mary-in-the-Marsh, St. Michael-at-Coslany, St. Michael-at-Plea, St. Michael-at-Thorne, St. Paul, St. Peter Hungate, St. Peter Mancroft, St. Peter-per-Mountergate, St. Peter Southgate, St. Saviour, St. Simon & St. Jude, St. Stephen, St. Swithin, Thorpe, Town Close, Trowse Millgate, Carrow & Bracondale.

See the Norwich Incorporation page for more information.

St. Faith's Union

Alderford, Attlebridge, Beeston St. Andrew, Booton, Brandiston, Catton, Crostwick, Drayton, Felthorpe, Frettenham, Great Witchingham, Hainford (Haynford), Haveringland, Hellesdon (part of-see also Norwich), Honingham, Horsford, Horsham St. Faith's, Horstead with Stanninghall, Little Witchingham, Morton-on-the-Hill, Newton St. Faith's, Rackheath, Ringland, Salhouse, Spixworth, Sprowston, Swannington, Taverham, Weston Longville, Wroxham.

See the St. Faith's Union page for more information.

Smallburgh Union (from Sept 1869)

(Tunstead and Happing Incorporation to Sept 1869)

Ashmanhaugh, Bacton, Barton Turf, Beeston St. Lawrence, Bradfield, Brumstead, Catfield, Crostwight, Dilham, East Ruston, Eccles, Edingthorpe, Felmingham, Happisburgh, Hempstead (near Stalham), Hickling, Honing, Horning, Horsey-next-the-Sea, Hoveton St. John, Hoveton St. Peter, Ingham, Irstead, Lessingham, Ludham, Neatishead, North Walsham (from March 1884), Palling-near-the-Sea (Sea Palling), Paston, Potter Heigham, Ridlington, Sco-Ruston (or South Ruston), Sloley, Smallburgh, Stalham, Sutton, Swafield, Tunstead, Walcott, Waxham, Westwick, Witton (near North Walsham), Worstead.

See the Tunstead and Happing Incorporation page, which includes "Smallburgh Union", for more information.

Swaffham Union

Ashill, Beechamwell, Bodney, Buckenham near Tofts (Buckenham Parva), Caldecote, Cockley-Clay, Colveston, Didlington, East Bradenham, Foulden, Gooderstone, Great Cressingham, Hilborough, Holme Hale, Houghton-on-the-Hill, Ickburgh (Igborough), Langford, Little Cressingham, Narborough (Narburgh), Narford, Necton, Newton by Castleacre, North Pickenham, Oxborough, Saham Toney, Shingham, South Pickenham, Southacre, Sporle with Palgrave, Stanford, Swaffham, Threxton, West Bradenham.

See the Swaffham Union page for more information.

Thetford Union (part of)

This consisted of 20 Norfolk and 14 Suffolk parishes.
The Norfolk ones are:-
Brettenham, Cranwich, Croxton (near Thetford), East Wretham, Feltwell-Anchor, Feltwell Fen Farms, Feltwell St. Mary & St. Nicholas, Great & Little Snarehill, Hockwold cum Wilton, Kilverstone, Lynford, Methwold, Mundford, Northwold, Rushford, Santon (or Santon House), Sturston, Thetford St. Cuthbert, Thetford St. Mary, Thetford St. Peter, Weeting All Saints, West Tofts, West Wretham, Whittington (from 1874).
The Suffolk ones are:-
Barnham, Barningham, Brandon, Coney Weston, Euston, Fakenham Magna, Hepworth, Honington, Hopton, Knettishall, Market Weston, Santon Downham, Sapiston, Thelnetham.

See the Thetford Union page for more information.

Tunstead and Happing Incorporation

See Smallburgh Union section.

Walsingham Union

Alethorpe, Bale (or Bathley), Barney, Binham, Blakeney, Briningham, Brinton (from 1869), Cockthorpe, Dunton cum Doughton, East Barsham, East Raynham (or Rainham St. Mary), Egmere, Fakenham (or Fakenham Lancaster), Field Dalling, Fulmodeston cum Croxton, Great Ryburgh, Great Snoring, Great Walsingham, Gunthorpe, Helhoughton, Hempton, Hindringham, Holkham, Houghton-in-the-Hole, Kettlestone, Langham, Little Ryburgh, Little Snoring, Little Walsingham, Melton Constable with Burgh Parva (from 1869), Morston, North Barsham, Pensthorpe, Pudding Norton, Quarles, Saxlingham, Sculthorpe, Sharrington, Shereford, South Raynham (or Rainham St. Martin), Stibbard, Stiffkey, Swanton-Novers, Tatterford, Tattersett, Testerton, Thursford, Toftrees, Warham All Saints, Warham St. Mary, Wells-next-the-Sea, West Barsham, West Raynham (or Rainham St. Margaret), Wighton, Wiveton.

See the Walsingham Union page for more information.

Wayland Union

Attleborough, Besthorpe, Breckles, Carbrooke, Caston, Great Ellingham, Griston, Hargham, Hockham, Illington, Larling, Little Ellingham, Merton, Ovington, Rockland All Saints, Rockland St. Andrew, Rockland St. Peter, Roudham, Scoulton, Shropham, Snetterton, Stow-Bedon, Thompson, Tottington, Watton.

See the Wayland Union page for more information.

Yarmouth (Great) Borough

See the Yarmouth Union page for more information.

-- End of Norfolk Unions --

Cambridgeshire Poor Law Unions

The Poor Law Unions which covered areas that are partly in or which bordered Norfolk are given followed by the location of their workhouses (with map references in []):-
-- End of Cambridgeshire Unions --

Lincolnshire Poor Law Unions

The Poor Law Unions which covered areas that are partly in or which bordered Norfolk are given followed by the location of their workhouses (with map references in []):-
-- End of Lincolnshire Unions --

Suffolk Poor Law Unions

The Poor Law Unions which covered areas that are partly in or which bordered Norfolk are given followed by the location of their workhouses (with map references in []):-
-- End of Suffolk Unions --