London Orphanages 1850s - 1860s

[Nicknoodle]

Longshot Request.

I am trying to find (in a London orhanage) my 3x great grand father Francis William GREAD.
He was born 1853, his mother Catherine died 1856 and his father John remarried (Elizabeth) later that same year and had another son, Charles in 1857 but then John died in 1859.

So in 1859 Francis was an orphan and was not on the 1861 census with his stepmother Elizabeth or half brother Charles.

Family stories say that he went to an orphanage and his surname was changed.
What are the chances of finding out what happened to him in his early years prior to his arrival in NZ under his real name in 1874??

Can anyone help with records for orphanages?
Other surnames he could have used are CROCKER or MECKIFF or BUT(T)LER?

Any information would be greatly appreciated.

[Sharon01]

Hi,

There is a Francis Gread (aged 5 place of birth unknown)  in 1861 at the South Metropolitan District School in Sutton, Surrey.
RG9/418/164/7

This link will tell you more about the school.
http://www.sutton.gov.uk/index.aspx?articleid=1286

Sharon

[Nicknoodle]

Hi Sharon,

Thank you so much for the information.
I am most impressed that you were able to find his name.
Is there any other information about Francis?
Were there any other GREADs at the school?
I wonder where Francis was from 1859-61 and who was caring for him?

Regards,
Nick Gread

[Sharon01]

Hi Nick,

There were no other Greads listed at the school, the link I gave you states that the orignal school records are held at the London Metropolitan Archives. Maybe they can help but they do charge.

Sharon

[RayWitt]

Hi Nick.

I have recorded that Francis Gread (my 2x great grandfather) was admitted to “Poor Law School” on 15 Sep 1857. I have saved the source on Ancestry but can’t access it as I am not currently paying for the membership. I have noted that he was discharged 1 Sept 1865.
It is quite a sad story for Francis and his father but at least he made something of himself after ending up an orphan.

[whiteout7]

I notice on the GRO

GREAD, FRANCIS  WILLIAM     (mothers maidename was) CROCKER 
GRO Reference: 1853  S Quarter in ROTHERHITHE  Volume 01D  Page 438

However on free bdm was her previous married name Catherine MASSENGALE?
And the fathers names John Scott Gread?

Marriages Dec 1851   
GREAD    John Scott        W London    2   379

I see you added a postem .....

[jennifer c]

On line tree shows newspaper obituary for him that's says he went to sea aged 12 until about 1870.

Jennifer