School financial records

[suemillie]

Hi all

Can anyone tell me if it was a common practice for schools or the Education Department to hold on to records of school children - other than their academic side.  I wonder if any financial records were generally kept as to who paid or was responsible for their fees etc. – I assume they paid fees then?  I am looking for the period 1923 – 1930 - Palmerston North and Hawkes Bay. This child was an orphan so I am hoping it might give me a clue as to who was responsible for him other than the orphanage he was in.

Thanks

Sue

[Suzy W]

Firstly is the school still open?  If so try them direct.  If not you may have to try archives.
I am sure KHP will have answers for you, if I am on the wrong pony

[spades]

Hi Sue,

I've been thinking about how to answer your question.

I think the answer regarding financial records is probably 'no'. A parent or guardian would pay the fees and in the case of your individual it would be the latter, either a person or the orphanage.

I agree with Suzy W's suggestions.

Spades

[spades]

Another thought: can you tell us the name of the orphanage?

Their records might be held at Archives NZ.

[kiwihalfpint]

Firstly is the school still open?  If so try them direct.  If not you may have to try archives.
I am sure KHP will have answers for you, if I am on the wrong pony

You are on the right pony Suzy

Agree with Spades about the payment of fee .... sometimes there was a Benefactor, perhaps that might have been earlier years, but then I could be riding the wrong pony the wrong way

Cheers
KHP


Cheers
KHP

[suemillie]

Hello all

Thank you for your replies.  The schools are Russell Street and Terrace End, Palm Nth and Poukawa School Hawkes Bay.  I contacted Archives some time ago and they assured me there were no records held.  I would have also thought that an Orphan who was placed on a farm for work while attending school would have been in some records but alas - no.  The Orphanage is the Willard and no there are no records to be found.

I just wondered if anyone had come across this kind of information in their research over the years. unfortunately just another brick wall in my search.

Regards
Sue 

[Fresh Fields]

Hello.

Your period of interest is just within the memory of the living, so my advice would be to seek the local community historian. Each community has a person acknowledged as the local go to person. Look for community records re sports, farmers clubs etc., local reunion events and their photographs capturing those who attended. If a farmer hosted one orphan there is a good possibility that orphan was just one of several hosted over the years. Times were very tough and farmers were known to take on youth for a number of reasons. Some more charitable than others.

- Alan