What does "Nurse Child" mean?

[Laverdiere]

I have a 2 year old listed on the census as a "Nurse child" what does this mean?  Thanks, Laverdiere

[kenjo]

Hi Laverdiere,
This is only what I think it means, someone will probably correct me.
 

"Nurse child" what does this mean?

A foster child,
kenjo

[Melaniejoy]

Yes usually a child who was put out to "wet nurse" or foster

[Berlin-Bob]

Hi Laverdiere,

if you put nurse child in the search box you will find several other topics on this theme.

Amongst others:
http://www.rootschat.com/forum/index.php/topic,55106.0.html
http://www.rootschat.com/forum/index.php/topic,45473.0.html
http://www.rootschat.com/forum/index.php/topic,48520.0.html
http://www.rootschat.com/forum/index.php/topic,34844.0.html

Bob

[cyokeeffe]

I have a Florence Halliday who was listed as "child at nurse" (age 1) in the 1861. Her parents were at sea at the time - I expect they considered her too young to take the trip, so they left her to be cared for by another family (maybe close friends?) until their return. She was back with her mother in 1871.

[astley]

I have found an ancestor of mine in the 1851 Montgomeryshire census aged ten years old.  She is named Elizabeth Tilsley yet she is living with a family called Evans.  He's a farmer and they have children.  Elizabeth is down as ld [which I've found out means lodger] and it just says "at nurse" aged 10.

Does anyone know what this means?

Thanks

[linnet]

Hi I don't know whether this helps!!

I have been transcribing some census returns for 1861 and have come across "nurse girl" or "nurse child". As I understand it a nurse child was a child being looked after by another family for payment. A bit like being adopted but there was not formal legal adoption until 1926 apparently.

Regards

Linnet

[AmyUK]

Hi,

A family member and his wife and children in the 1861 census for Hertfordshire have living with them a Jemima Reynolds aged 7 born in Islington who is stated as being a Nurse Child.

My question is does anyone know what a Nurse Child is?

Amy

Moderator Comment: Topics merged

[PaulineJ]

The child is being cared for by them in return for payment (usually)

Pauline