Hi Tina
This description appears to be pretty good
www.gmcro.co.uk/cs/poor_law_records.htm
This shows how settlement was determined
What a settlement examination was
What a removal order was
You sometimes see a removal order on the
www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/a2a The examinations etc are often with Poor Law records. Like most things it 's a searching job. They may be on the a2a site at least a reference number as to where to obtain them from.
I've a seen a wonderful bastardy examination were the lady had a baby she swore that one man was the father, then she changed her mind and named another and then she changed it again and named at least 3 possible fathers! The examination was all to do with who would pay for the child. I saw a settlement order were they were tracking the generations to see were the legitimate palce of settlement was. Some families were moved back across many miles so that their upkeep would not fall on the parish they were being removed from.
Ed Officer
PS you couldn't look them up on the premise of possibly of such a such at such and such time - well you could but it'd take a long time. They need searching out first.
PPS I've taken this example of the a2a site
Cuerden and Wigan - settlement of Ambrose Laytham, Mary his wife and Peter their son. QSP/1370/7 c1733
These documents are held at Lancashire Record Office
It would then be possible to request the document mentioned at the Lancashire Record Office or have a copy made and sent to you.