Barnardo's Children's Home: Barkingside, Ilford, Essex

[Pipemakers]

This is probably the wrong place to lodge this request - so apologies.  Is anyone aware of the "rules" governing which children's home a child was placed in?

In my tree I have a girl, born in 1900 in South Shields, Durham - but in the 1911 Census she is in the Barnardo's Home in Essex.  Her father had died in 1903 in Durham, and I can't find her mother in the 1911 census, although she died in South Shields in 1918.  How was it possible for a child from Durham to end up in a home in Essex?  The following year the child was sent to Canada, where her brother had been sent in 1909.

Thanks

[alanmack]

Hi pipemakers,
                     Can't give much of an answer but the children seem to have been moved around to the most suitable Barnardo's establishments which had space for them.

Do we have names? are they listed in the RootsChat British Home Child database?

alanmack
Data co-ordinator, BHC database

[Mblackmore71]

I have the same dilemma. Born 1898 in South Shields. At the Barnado's home in 1911. My Great Nan did not move to Canada though. No birth records for her either.

[Girl Guide]

Welcome to Rootschat M 

You have posted on a topic that is now just over four years old.  Did you do so because your Great Nan was in the same place?

If she was born in 1898 then her birth should have been registered.  Is it possible that she was adopted?

Are you willing to share her name?  If so perhaps the Rootschatters may be able to find her birth record.

[Mblackmore71]

Hi
Yes, I'm clutching at straws ! She was known as Florence May Morant. She never talked about her past but I was told that she had polio as a child and was in a Barnados home. My mother never got on with her side of the family so it's a brick wall to me.

[Girl Guide]

Hmm, as you say no obvious birth record for her.  Do you know where she was born or said to be born?  She is on the 1911 at Barkingside as an inmate, occupation school.  The 1911 gives a birthplace of Durham, South Shields.

Do you have her exact date of birth?

[Mblackmore71]

Thanks for your help. I only have the 1911 census details to go by, no mention in the 1901. The age she claimed to be was always changing ! I guess some women are sensitive about their age. If in doubt guess low and never ask  I wish I'd asked my mum these questions when she was alive. I've emailed Barnados for info on tracing relatives. Hoping for a reply. I moved to Canada 12 years ago.

[Girl Guide]

Did she marry and if so to whom?

[Mblackmore71]

John Thomas Squire in 1927.South Shields. The only dead end appears to be her birth and parents.