A `haste' child?

[fordofcrows]

Hello all,

Could someone please tell me what this says?  I think it says `A haste child' but if so, what does it mean?

Many thanks,

David

[danuslave]

Hi David

More likely 'Nurse child' - a child being looked after by the family (probably for payment)

Linda

Added - this might help

www.rootschat.com/forum/index.php/topic,55106.0.html

[JenB]

I agree it says Nurse Child.

You will find plenty of information about what this means in the Rootschat Lexicon
http://surname.rootschat.com/lexicon/reflib-lexicon.php?letter=N&lang=&input_form=

Jennifer

[fordofcrows]

Linda and Jennifer - thank you so much for your help.  Once you told me what it said it became obvious what it says!  Yes, I am aware of the `nursing' which went on in these troubled times but I look forward to learning more in the links you both gave me.

Incidentally, it looks like my ancestors may not have been able to have children of their own because they have been married for about 15 years in 1861 (the screenshot I provided is from 1861 census) and have had no children.  Happily though, they do finally have a daughter of their own in 1865 - unless she was adopted! 

Do you know if adoption records can be found for this period?

David

[fordofcrows]

That was poignant reading!    And what a problem for genealogists to discover that their ancestor was a nurse child.  Now there's a good recipe for a brick wall!

Anyway, I have found the answer to the adoption question here (for the benefit of others):-

http://www.rootschat.com/forum/index.php/topic,465878.0.html

And here..

http://www.rootschat.com/forum/index.php/topic,253490.0.html

May thanks for your prompt replies and expert help.  I will now mark this topic as solved.

Best wishes,

David