British Home Children

Between 1869 and the 1940's nearly 150,000 children were shipped to Canada, South Africa and Australia (mostly to those last two countries between 1920s and 1970s). Many were not orphans but were deserted or sent without parental consent.

Listed below are the best sites to use if you have a child in your tree who you cannot find a death for, or have lost complete track of. These sites can also point you in the direction of other useful sites.

There are many children in the database who were born and sent in between censuses so do not appear on any UK Census so it is worth searching the database even if you do not have a missing ancestor as you may find a relative that you did not know existed.

If you have questions please Private Message George. This is a genealogy subject which is close to George's heart. Earlier this year she met the grandson of her home child which was a wonderful moment after searching for so long.

There are still many youngsters not being investigated or researched, is your child one of them?

Links

• Young Immigrants to Canada

• British Home Children Links

• Information on British Home Children

• Are You a Descendent of a British Home Child?

• The British Child Emigration Scheme to Canada (1850-1957)

• Home Children (1869-1930)

• British Home Children Descendants

Further reading

Empty Cradles by Margaret Humphreys IBSN 0-552-14164-X

The secrets of the lost children of Britain may never have been revealled if it had not been for the actions of Margaret Humphreys - The Sunday Times

It is a Story That Defies Belief - The Independent

A Modern Florence Nightingale - Sydney Morning Herald