foster care paperwork in 1865

[kingsgate]

Hi Lucy

I would love to, but this website doesn't let you send a PM to anyone until they have had 3 posts (as far as I am aware) and so please could you post a 3rd one - ie a reply to this - , then I will be able to send a PM to you. Looking forward to chatting more.

[lucy336]

Ok, this is my short reply, looking forward to hearing from you.

[debraware]

Hi Lucy,
Hope you're still interested in Agnes...she is my great grandma and I have been researching her family situation for many years.
I only just found out about Amy Laura Keene. Sad that the 2 sisters didn't know each other as adults.

Please let me know if you are still doing your searching.
Debz

Hi there,

I have been researching the Agnes Keene and Christopher Booker situation too and have some new information for anyone interested.

Agnes was born as Agnes Rebecca Sophia Keene. She married twice, had 1 child from each marriage. However, Agnes did not just have two children, she in fact had three.

As you say, Charles Oliver Booker b.1888 and Winnifred Agnes b.1908, but she had another in 1897. This child was called Amy Laura Keene, born 9 Oct 1897 and she was illegitimate. Her birth certificate says her mother was a domestic servant and her name was Agnes (no middle names). I had to do further research to confirm that Agnes R S Keene was in fact her mother. In the 1901 Census, Amy is a visitor to a family in the Chorlton area. I then searched for any other Keene's in Chorlton in 1901 and Agnes R S Keene was the only other person. I did some further research on roads and dates etc which simply confirmed that they were mother and daughter.

But what I found most interesting was how Amy ended up in a similar situation as her half siblings. In the 1911 Census, Amy is an inmate in one of Dr J M Rhodes Memorial Homes on Canvendish Road.
Apparently, Amy was put into the home because of her father/step-father.

In the 1911 Census, Agnes is living in 4 Thomson Grove, Chorlton, and she is an office cleaner. Her marital status is 'married' and her daughter is living with her. They are also 'boarders' so were not intending to live there for much longer. However, although this may fit into what others have found, the original image says there have been two children born to the marriage and two are still living. This is a complete mystery to me...

I have complete access to the 1911 Census, so if anyone wants details of Christopher's family, then just ask.
I am mostly interested in Agnes and what happened to her and would like to hear from anyone tracing the same line.

Lucy

[debraware]

Hi there,
Do you or anyone reading this know how I can find archived records of ancestors in the Dr. J.M Rhodes memorial home and if this place still exists. Even if it doesn't there should be some records, somewhere???
I'm trying to locate any documentation regarding Amy Keene's removal from her parents...dates and reasons.
I know we can guess but I like to see proof.
Thanks
Debra

[kingsgate]

Hi Debra

Was the home in Manchester?

If so then a quick search gives this information (found at http://www.manchester-family-history-research.co.uk/new_page_5.htm)

"PLEASE NOTE that besides the material available in Manchester Archives, there are also some very useful gems of information in the Local Studies stacks. Abstracts of Accounts (Ref 339M7) are helpful for finding details of staff. From the 1890's they give details of people working at Crumpsall Workhouse, New Bridge Street Workhouse and the Swinton  Industrial Schools. The 20th Century accounts are more detailed, all employees are named and details of pay, addresses, length of service etc are given. There are even details of some former employees. The last volume (1915-1930) gives these details for all the Manchester Union and includes such places as Withington Hospital, Delaunay's Hospital, the Langho Colony, Styal Cottage Homes, Rose Hill School and the Dr Rhodes Memorial Home."

May be worth a look, and worth contacting both the Local Studies library in Manchester, and the Manchester website at http://www.manchester.gov.uk.

 This is certainly an interesting branch to research - all best in your search. Do keep us posted how it goes.

 Regards, Kingsgate.