Home Children boxes

[Barbie55]

I have read some references to home children's boxes. Does anyone know what they are and what they would have been used for or contained?

[KarenM]

They used to get trunks if that's what you mean? 

Karen

[Barbie55]

I'm not sure what I mean. I found a comment on the British Home Children's website (or something similar) about  someone who had found a home child's box that had been left in a farm building or shed. I thought it might have personal possessions or letters or something. Were they given anything to go with - like a standard issue of provisions?

[KarenM]

Aha, found what I was looking for..

Barnardo Girl's Canadian Outfit in 1898

new box
label
key
stationary
brush and comb
haberdashery
handerchief
Bible
Sankey Hymnbook
2 stuffed dresses (blk/gold)
2 print dresses
2 flannelette 'n dresses
2 cotton 'n dresses
garters
shoe and boot laces
toothbrush
8 small towels in bag
2 pair of hoses (thick)
2 pair of hoses (thin)
2 flannelette petticoats
1 winter petticoat
1 summer petticoat
2 coarse flannel aprons
2 holland aprons
2 muslin aprons
ulster
tam o'shanter
hat
1 pair of boots
1 pair of oxfords
1 pair of sliippers
1 pair plimsoles
1 pair of gloves


Karen

[Barbie55]

Thank you Karen. My uncles were Middlemore children - so would presumably have a similar 'box'

[KarenM]

Yes, I would think so.

Just found this site, looks great.  There is an exhibition for Quarrier's home and it has "the trunk"

http://www.iriss.ac.uk/goldenbridge/migration/trunk.html

K

[Barbie55]

I've just had a quick look. Looks fantastic - images and stories. Thank you so much

[J.J.]

That is so cool... he really seemed to care a lot about the children...Being that he was himself a poor orphan, he'd have seen both sides of the fence...Nice to know that some had, at least good intentions.
   J.J.

[Barbie55]

Yes I know what you mean - and I'm sure they all thought they were doing the best for these poor souls. But the more I read the sadder the whole process becomes. The say ' The road to hell is paved with good intentions' springs to mind.