In an international perspective the historiography of poverty and poor relief is vast. There are numerous studies discussing the legal framework and poor relief policy on both a national and a local level. The number of studies that focuses on the poor and vulnerable themselves and their life course is considerably smaller. This session directs the focus away from poor laws and policy-makers to the poor themselves. What do we know about the experiences of being poor and vulnerable in past and present societies? Who received relief and who did not? How did people make ends meet over the life-course? What sources and methods can be used? And finally - how can poverty be defined from an individual perspective? Contributions from different contexts in time and space are very welcome. Deadline for submission 1 April, 2007.