Hello Sandra, and thanks for your welcome, & offer of help.
The name in the database is Jane Godan, aka Godsan, Godson, and she arrived in Canada on 2 August 1901 on the 'Parisian'. She was sent by the Barnardos agency.
What I know:
I had previously found a Jane Godsan (sic) in the Dr Barnardos Home at Barkinside & Ilford,
Essex, England - 1901 census, RG13 piece 1652, folio 91, page 22. I believe that she is part of my extended family (sister of my direct line), as I have been unable to find anything about her anywhere else - birth & baptism, but no residence, death or burial, marriage, or anything in England.
I also found a reference to Jennie Godson on an Ancestry tree, and contacted the tree owner, who is related to Jane/Jennie. Jennie (as she was known in Canada) ended up in Ontario, where she married and lived for the rest of her life. The tree owner and I had some contact a few years back, but neither of us could fill in the missing bits about when she left England/ arrived in Canada, and where she lived before marriage. Nevertheless, I'm convinced this is 'my' Jennie.
Jane was born March quarter 1890 in Aston, Warwickshire (one of the registration districts of Birmingham) to parents William and Matilda Godson. Her mother died in 1898, leaving William with 5 young children - 4 boys & Jennie. I can only assume that her father felt unable to cope with an 8-year old girl and decided to send her to the orphanage. There were other wider family members with whom she might have lodged, but no info on why she didn't go to one of them. Whatever the reason, Jennie ended up in the orphanage. I have only assumed that she went there after her mother died - have not found any date of admission or other info.
Jennie married Alexander Thomson in Toronto in 1909 and raised her family there. I believe she died around 1954, also in Toronto.
If you can help me to fill in the missing bits, mainly between 1901-1909, I would be most grateful,
Mogwood
P.S. any leads on how I might find out when & why she entered the orphanage would also be much appreciated.