University of Edinburgh Archive and Manuscript Collections

Scope and Contents

"This man is ploughman. He drinks, abuses his wife, has been to prison for poaching. Dr confirms - a persistent poacher."

Relatives in survey: wife 11.33 children 11.34, 11.35, 11.36, 11.78

Scope and Contents

'This boy is very dull and backward; the last teacher said he was MD. Very nice family, harmonious, clean. Two rooms. Generally considered to be a good family. [Female informant] says this boy is very badly brought up, has criminal tendencies. She thinks his IQ will be under 70.'

Relatives in survey: 19.19, 19.17

Scope and Contents

'This man is a thief, is unhealthy physcially and mentally, has had several fines but not I think any imprisonment. He works as a labourer but is often out of work. Was dismissed from a factory for theft. Wife, big healthy woman, has two illegitimate children and a delicate one to her husband. Several other died of asthma. Housing: Condemned house, one room, very small for 5. Filthy. Inharmonious.'

Scope and Contents 'This man is a famous poacher and ne'er-do-well, has had convictions for poaching and assault. Considered a waster. Used to live on his wits and PA, has worked for ICI and the Air Ministry as a labourer. Denounced by the rest of his family. Father, dead, old soldier and innkeeper. Twice married, second wife an intelligent woman. Housing: 2 rooms for 5 adults and child. Clean. Dr confirms - a pleasant rogue, used to poach for excitement, used to pay the doctor in salmon. Had been very...

Scope and Contents

'Served a prison sentence for housebreaking. PC says he is very peculiar, disappeared for 10 days recently. Seems vacant when you speak to him, takes a very long time to reply. Ex-army.'

Relatives in survey: wife 19.54

Scope and Contents

'This man served a prison sentence for rape. Sacked from where he had been a farm worker - tried to tell his boss his business. He is now working for a coal merchant. Very bad temper, knocks his wife about, not alcoholic. Wife, a poor sort of woman in bad health, fainted recently in a shop, had a black eye. Has a nasty nagging tongue but is a good mother, methodical. They are very short of money. This man is various described as lazy, hard-working, not a good card.'

Scope and Contents

"This man is a bad lot - wily, has a police record for theft. Poaches. Drinks. Home moderately clean. Relationships probably inharmonious."

Scope and Contents

"This lad was discharged from the army. He has been in trouble with the police for breaking into houses. Undesirable character. Now working on a farm. Parents separated."

Relatives in survey: Mother 25.23, siblings 25.39, 25.40, 25.41

Scope and Contents

"This man has just finished a sentence for theft. Used to drink a lot but has not been drunk since released. He is not doing anything at present. Mother alive, very old, dear old woman, clean. Housing: dirty, one room and attic (mother has the other half which is clean). Inharmonious."