The Poor Law required the authorities of a parish to be responsible for the maintenance of poor people settled there. Settlement certificates were issued to those who moved to another parish. If the need for maintenance arose, the authorities could make a removal order to send them and their dependents back to their parish of origin, after carrying out an examination (or interrogation) as to their settlement. Settlement certificates, removal orders and settlement examinations may be found in the archives of Quarter Sessions courts and of parishes.