Barnardoes

[Norfolk Nan]

Is there any way to trace a child born/handed to Barnardoes between 1900-1915? 

Thanks.

[rosie99]

Surely they should be on a census 1911/1921 unless they left the UK 

[Norfolk Nan]

That's part of my question - I know it was a boy and mum's name but if the child was illegitimate would mum have registered the birth in her own name?  I have a long list of possibles that I'm working through but not every child appears on the next census. Would that name still apply while with the Home?  And would he appear in the 1911 census under Barnardoes? 

[rosie99]

The mum should have registered the birth in her own name unless the father was present at registration.   I would doubt that Barnardo's would change a child's name unless of course they did not know who he was

[Norfolk Nan]

He never went back to the mum so either he stayed in the home or was adopted - still held on to his original name?

Sorry, I don't know the full story so I'm throwing around options to see the limits of my research. 

[CaroleW]

Think you are going to need a lot more info to progress but I agree with Rosie's advice re 1911/1921 as a starting point.

Do you know for certain he was "handed to Barnardo's"

If he died using his original name - when & where?  If he died after 1969 his full birthdate should be on the entry

[Norfolk Nan]

I had a feeling it wouldn't be simple, hence the question.  I don't have a right to the info, not being a relative, but I've always been curious.  I think it will have to stay one of life's mysteries - I hope the poor lad had a good life.

Thanks both

Update - took one last try at the census suggestions and found a likely candidate, a young boy who was an inmate in a home for epileptics and the feeble minded.  I'll do some more digging but I think that probably explains the situation.  Thanks again.

[Darnity]

Don't forget that there were other organizations like Barnardo's - there was one in my part of what was North Bucks called Mr Fegan's Home and they had a training farm in Kent where young boys in their care were trained and then shipped over to Canada.

So if you have a name have a look at emigration records as he might have been shipped to Canada or Australia or other parts of what was the Empire at that time. Also look at Home Children records in Canada etc and see if he appears.

[Norfolk Nan]

Hi Darnity - was that in Stony Stratford?  I remember the building and heard stories of it's original use.  Hadn't thought of that in years, thanks for the reminder.

I know this lad went to Barnardoes because he was always the 'brother who went to Barnardoes' in conversations I wasn't supposed to be listening to.  As he was talked about so openly amongst the adults I can't think he would have been sent abroad and there must have been a good reason for him to be put into care.  But there are children in my tree who were sent to Canada, I hope it was a good move for them, you hear some sad tales.