Research


Scope and Content Note

This series consists of standard reporting forms submitted to the Board of Charities by keepers or officers in charge of poorhouses and almshouses. The forms provide personal data regarding tramps who applied to local overseers of the poor, police, or keepers of poorhouses and almshouses for food and/or lodging. The term tramp referred to an individual with no established residence or means of financial support.

An entry for each person contains the following information: name; color; sex; age; physical characteristics; birthplace; the port of arrival, length of residence in the state and country, whether head money paid, and whether naturalized (for those foreign born); marital status; education; physical condition; occupation; place from which person began tramping; length of time spent tramping; where last aided; why relief required; type and amount of relief given; cost of relief furnished; and general remarks on health, appearance, and habits.