The analysis of 19th and 20th century public school archives has much to teach us about the place that family – especially the poor family – has had within society. These records reveal much about the administration of public hygiene and education. They uncover specific methods in the health inspection and the management of students. They illuminate the healthcare problems of the day and the administration’s attempts to mitigate or counter risks to health and scholarly success. « Hygiene propaganda » is exposed. Families – rich or poor, and certainly those burdened by social inequality – are viewed with circumspection while the role of the liberal state is questioned, if not criticised. If one wishes to study social inequalities in health and education, one would do well to study these historical records and understand their continuing impact in today’s society.