St Mary's Industrial School

[cathyo]

Hi,

This is my first post so I hope I am doing things right. I am very excited because I have just found confirmation from Papers Past NZ Herald 8 Aug 1900 that my grandfather and his sister (Adelaide) and brother (Henry) were committed to St Mary's Industrial School. Charles Stone (my grandfather) was very secretive and although we had heard that he was in an orphanage, this is the first confirmation.

Here are some questions:

We believe Adelaide, Charles and Henry Stone lived in Hawera as my grandfather said he was born there. The Herald just says Mr H W Brabant was the presiding magistrate at the police court yesterday. Would that have been in Ak? Would it be normal for children from Hawera to be sent to Auckland?

Can I view the records of the Industrial school anywhere - Sisters of Mercy, Auckland? I will ring on Monday.

If they were sentenced in August, why is there a record of Adelaide Stone passing the Std 1 exam at Hawera school in Oct 1900?

There is no record of Adelaide or Charles birth, but Henry was born in 1899 if I have the right Henry. Would a child of only 1 be sent to an industrial school?

There is a record of my presumed great grandfather Charles Henry Stone being taken to court for non-payment of support for his children so I think I have the right parents.

Any suggestions greatly appreciated.

[spades]

Hi Cathyo, and welcome to RootsChat and the New Zealand Board.

Yes, there are records of children committed to the Industrial Schools, although earlier than 1900. I don't know if there are records for that period, but we can find out. I suspect that the records may be held at the Wellington office of Archives New Zealand.

The children were often boarded out to a guardian and attended schools even though still committed to an Industrial School.

By the way, you posted this topic on the Resources & Offers Board, an easy mistake to make.

I'll now move it to the main New Zealand Board while other members will see it and might be able to provide other information for you.

Spades

[spades]

Hi again,

This file might be what you're looking for:

Industrial Schools - Nominal Rolls 1900-1900
http://archway.archives.govt.nz/ViewFullItem.do?code=12026615

It is held at Wellington.

I'll add it to my lookup list.

I should add that these are rolls for all the Industrial Schools for that year so should include St Mary's.

Spades

[cathyo]

Great. Thanks for your speedy help. Are you saying that you will look up the file or that I can go to Wgtn to see it?

[spades]

Hi 

I'll go in and take photos for you.

Can you tell us the name of the mother of these children?

NZ BDM lists the births of two Charles STONE's, searched 1890-1910:

Reg. No:  Surname:      Given Name:      Mother's Name:   Father's Name:
1900/17390 Stone            Charles Bernard  Eleanor Blanche   Charles
1898/17139 Stone            Frank Charles      Ella Mildred         Charles Edward

[cathyo]

I can find no record of Charles and Adelaide's birth but a Clara (not known about) and Henry were born to Charles Henry Stone and Clara Wilson in 1897 and 1899 respectively. My grandfather Charles has a different birth date on his marriage and death certificates.

[spades]

For the information of others here is the link to the article in the New Zealand Herald referred to in the first post:

Neglected Children:
http://www.rootschat.com/links/0z6u/ 

Cathyo, The Herald was an Auckland-based newspaper. At this point in the investigation I think they appeared before an Auckland magistrate.

And, yes, children as young as one could be sent to an Industrial School. Some children spent all their formative years committed to such a School.

Spades

[spades]

Hi Cathyo,

Would you mind providing a complete transcription of both those certificates, please?

And how do you know about Clara STONE?

[spades]

I think I've found a record for Clara on the New Zealand Society of Genealogist's Kiwi Index.

South Taranaki Birth Index.
Name: STONE Clara
Date: 4 Feb 1897
Place: Hawera
Reference: 1897H3/33
Status:
Parent: C H & C STONE

This supports your information that the parent's names might be Charles Henry and Clara STONE.

Spades