Hello,
I'd just like to mention that I did a search at the web site for the
National Archives of Canada, and found that almost 100 of the "British Home
Children" had the surname, MATTHEWS (several different spellings). Most
of them shipped out of either Liverpool or London, England.
My great-grandparents were both "British Home Children." John LEWIS and
Mary Elizabeth CORKILL were born and raised in Liverpool, England (I think),
and were shipped out of there in 1874. They were sent to Halifax, NS,
they and their siblings all going to different homes. When John and Mary
married in NS in 1879, he listed his parents as John and Isabel LEWIS.
Very helpful people on the Liverpool List have told me that this couple is
probably the John LEWIS and Isabella HUGHES who were married in Liverpool,
England, in 1841 (St. Peter's Church on Church St.). Other than that, I
know nothing else about them. Although I am guessing that they were
both born around 1820. Does anyone recognize these names?
I am curious whether the children from WALES who were "British Home
Children" .. made their way to Liverpool or London .. and then were shipped
to Canada from there ... or whether they were shipped directly of Wales
(or shipped to Australia)
In case any Wales Lister does not yet know about the efforts in Canada
..please do a search for either "British Home Children" or "Home Children,
Canada." Or, you may read this web site and find links to other
information there:
http://freepages.genealogy.rootsweb.com/~britishhomechildren/
Or, you may do a search for the surname you are researching at the
ArchiviaNet section of the N.A.C. web site:
http://www.archives.ca/02/020110_e.html
Enjoy the rest of your Holiday week!
Betty (near Lowell, MA, USA)
"There are two lasting bequests we can give our children;
one is roots, the other is wings."
Hodding Carter, Jr.