|
Hi,
As there is news on the tv about Child Migrants today it has given me a thought.
How old would a child have been to be a child migrant when the scheme stopped.And what year did it stop.
Could some of these children be from unmarried mothers with babies born in 1951?
SueB x
|
|
Hi Susan if you google it will give you lots more info
I found this
Under the scheme, which ran from the 1920s to the 1960s, an estimated 150,000 poor youngsters aged between three and 14 were sent to Commonwealth countries such as Australia and Canada, but many ended up being abused in foster homes, state-run orphanages and religious institutions
As more and more records become available, there are an increasing number of ways to trace child ancestors resettled around the world. Peter Towey offers his guide to getting started
British child migration schemes operated from 1618 to 1967. During this period it was estimated that some 150,000 children were sent to the British colonies and dominions, most notably America, Australia, and Canada, but also Rhodesia, New Zealand, South Africa and the Caribbean. Many of the children were in the care of the voluntary organisations that arranged migration. The aim was often to increase the population within the colonies, and to improve labour and productivity there.
It was estimated that in the mid-18th century, one-in-three of all paupers was under 16 years old. This put an enormous strain on poor law authorities, which could not find apprenticeships for all pauper children. The Poor Law Amendment Act of 1850 allowed Boards of Guardians to send children under 16 overseas for the first time.
Between 1869 and the early 1930s, over 100,000 children were sent to Canada from Great Britain. One of the first parties of young paupers to be taken to Canada was led by social reformer Maria Rye. Most of her migrants came from the schools for destitute children opened by Annie Macpherson in London and Liverpool in 1870, rather than workhouse schools. Such schemes (like those carried out by other voluntary groups such as Dr Barnardo’s, and the Canadian Catholic Emigration Committee) had to arrange for the reception of the children in Canada and for their settlement.
It is not always easy to find records of child migrants though much is being done to improve this, particularly online.
|
|
Thank you Polly Pocket. I have looked it up.
I am clutching at straws for finding a half brother (that seems to have disappeard off the face of the earth).
Born in 1951 so i suppose he might have been old enough for the 1960's
SueBx
|
|
Hi Susan have you had a look at this site may be able to help you as to where to go to try and find out
Child Migrants Trust
Abstract:
The Child Migrants Trust was established in 1987 by Margaret Humphreys, a Nottinghamshire Social Worker. It addresses the issues surrounding the compulsory deportation of children from Britain. It is a registered charity, which provides a service to help re-unite families of former child migrants.Site includes a brief history of child migration from Britain, information on the Trust's services and information on publications and links to media releases on child migration. In addition provides information on the International Association of Former Child Migrants and their Families; the Australian Senate's Inquiry into Child Migration as well as brief details of the First International Congresson Child Migration to be held in Autumn 2001in the United States.
Website Link:
http://www.childmigrantstrust.com/
|
|
I remember years ago reading a book... Empty Cradles about child migrants.
Some of their stories are so sad.
Fancy being told your parents are dead, when in some cases they were very much alive back home, but had fallen on hard times and so their children had gone into care, only to be shipped to the other side of the world.
Today's apology is long overdue.
Gwyn
|
|
Thank you PollyPoppet and Gwyn in Kent.
I am sorry that I have not answeresd sooner.
I have been looking at Cyndies Lisas well
. That has a lot of info.
SueB x
|
|
i see it on gmtv today
its so sad what happend
and the man in charge of it now, said nows not time for worry of compensation, while theres time we should reunited those familys we can while and if they are still with us
thats so sad those children and mothers, parted,
|
|
***Julie*Ann***sprinkling fairydust***
It is sad about about these "children". What a lot of them suffered and are still suffering as adults.
I have a half brother somewhere and I am now wondering if he was shipped out.
SueBx
|
|
I was shocked to discover this was still going on as late as 1970 - when I was approaching my teens myself and with loving parents.
And we call ourselves civilised nations. It's shameful.
|
|
Hi
On This Morning today at 10.50 there is an article on child migrants may give you some information as how to trace people
|
