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General => The Common Room => Topic started by: sammybill on Tuesday 10 February 09 19:21 GMT (UK)

Title: abandoned child
Post by: sammybill on Tuesday 10 February 09 19:21 GMT (UK)

Has anyone any idea what a child in the 1890's may have been registered as when it was left presumably at an orphanage.
The infant grew up to be known as Frank Blank but I can find no trace of any birth cert in the area (Bury St Edmunds) where I think he was born.

Margaret

Title: Re: abandoned child
Post by: Linda_J on Tuesday 10 February 09 21:52 GMT (UK)

Hi Margaret

I found a similar instance.

While browsing the parish registers at the archives I spotted one entry of a baptism at the Union Workshouse.

This child must have been handed into the workhouse and he was baptised there but no parents names entered and for abode it said "found in a barn in Nettlestead".
His name was entered as William Nettlestead.

Out of curiosity I had a look at the census and BMD but I couldn't find any further reference. What became of him I don't know but I often wonder about this child.

Linda

Title: Re: abandoned child
Post by: sammybill on Tuesday 10 February 09 22:38 GMT (UK)

Hello Linda

Thanks for your interest perhaps then it might be an idea to look at Union Workhouse records in Bury St Edmunds.
Do you know if all abandoned children were put into the Workhouse or were there other places as well?
I have found him in the 1901 Census living as an 11 year old lodger in Bury St Edmunds seems a little young to be living as a lodger perhaps he was working for the head of the household?
I would be grateful for any other suggestions you may have.

Margaret

Title: Re: abandoned child
Post by: Linda_J on Wednesday 11 February 09 22:17 GMT (UK)

Hi Margaret

I have found this one I mentioned obviously handed in to the workhouse but also I have found a person in one parish that appeared to have taken in orphan children.
If the workhouse records have survived then that is worth checking and possibly the nearby church records for baptism and also if any notes in the church vestry minutes.

Linda

Title: Re: abandoned child
Post by: Annie65115 on Thursday 12 February 09 08:31 GMT (UK)

My great-grandmother, a widow at the time,  had two 2-year-old "lodgers" with her in 1911; they don't seem to be related in any way to her and I can't trace their parents.

My father said that the family used to take in orphans and get money for looking after them (I don't know who from though).

So the 11 year old "lodger" may have actually been in the position of what today we would call a foster child.

Title: Re: abandoned child
Post by: Goofy on Thursday 12 February 09 09:33 GMT (UK)

Hi Margaret

Try having a look at the following link.  I found it in a previous thread somewhere on this site and it is a wealth of information.  It has information on workhouses all over the country and also census returns which you may find useful.

http://www.workhouses.org.uk/

Goofy