Looking for Girl's Orphanage

[sallya]

Hello,

I have two ancestors that died in 1903 leaving behind their 3 year son Thomas McPeak and 7 month daughter Rose McPeak (Other children were grown up) . Parent's were Patrick and Alice McPeak. The children were born in Felling, Gateshead, Durham and resided there in 1901.

I have found Thomas at St Peter's Orphanage for Boys Gainsford Durham in 1911 (aged 13) but I am struggling to find any record of Rose. I wondered if anyone knew which orphanage she would likely have been sent to if she lived in Felling? Although i'm unsure if it's relevant where she was from as Thomas was sent to far from his home.

Any help much appreciated. 

[stanmapstone]

Hello,

I have two ancestors that died in 1903 leaving behind their 3 year son Thomas McPeak and 7 month daughter Rose McPeak

In 1903 Thomas would be abt 5 and Rose abt 2½. Rose could have been adopted by another family, although there would be no record of an adoption at that time.

Stan

[JenB]

I have two ancestors that died in 1903 leaving behind their 3 year son Thomas McPeak and 7 month daughter Rose McPeak (Other children were grown up) .

I think perhaps that you mean these were the ages of the children at the time of the 1901 census, not in 1903?

[sallya]

I have two ancestors that died in 1903 leaving behind their 3 year son Thomas McPeak and 7 month daughter Rose McPeak (Other children were grown up) .

I think perhaps that you mean these were the ages of the children at the time of the 1901 census, not in 1903?

Yes that is what I mean sorry. I had considered that Rose could have been adopted. It seems odd that she would go to another family when some of the sibling were much older and married and could perhaps have taken her.

There are no adoption records at all?

Is it likely that she could also have gone to a workhouse?

Thanks again.

[JenB]

There are no adoption records at all?

Adoption at that time was very much more informal than now - children would just be taken in by another family and that was the end of it.

It is possible that this was what happened and that she is there somewhere in the 1911 under another surname.

[stanmapstone]

The 1926 Adoption Act which came into effect 1st January 1927 was the first Act legalising adoptions. Prior to that children were just handed over with mainly a verbal agreement and, at best, a declaration setting out the child's change of identity was drawn up by a solicitor, but it was by no means a legally binding document. Adoption was viewed as an essentially private arrangement between the parties concerned. The term "adopted" generally included fostering and guardianship.

Wherever she was she should be enumerated in the 1911 census.

Stan

[sallya]

That's very interesting about the adoption - I didn't realise that was the case until 1927.

I think given her young age this is probably most likely. I am going to try and see what her oldest sister's married name was just to check she didn't go with her.

Many thanks for the quick replies!

[stanmapstone]

There is no birth registration for a Rose McPeak in Durham 1900 +/- 1

Stan

[sallya]

There is no birth registration for a Rose McPeak in Durham 1900 +/- 1

Stan

I know, I have not been able to find the birth records for all of the siblings, just some of them. Why do you think this is? Did they just not bother registering them all? I only know she exists because she is on the 1901 census with the rest of family.