I have a Foundling baptised at the London Foundling Hospital in 1757.
I ordered his papers from the LMA -- and I am so pleased that I did -- from memory they cost £50 - but to me it was worth it.
They told me who had given him his name -- this was a Mr Hatsell I was most grateful to Mr Hatsell as he was given the first name of Gustavus, easy to trace. The papers revealed where he was sent to be nursed (by a Trissenah Friday!) -- and the fact that he was then sent to Ackworth in Yorkshire (an outstation then of the Foundling hospital). He was aged only 6 at the time --- and sent out of Ackworth as an apprentice to a Farmer (I was given the name).
In addition the clothes he was wearing when he was admitted were described and the mother had left no token (meaning that she did not intend to return for him).
He remained in Yorkshire, married and had his own family. I was really pleased that he was brought up in a rural community after what I suppose would have been a harder life in London.
In addition - had he not been sent to Yorkshire -- I wouldn't be here!
