*2010* ~ Year of the British Home Child in Canada

The current objective of the British Home Children and Descendants  Association of Nova Scotia is to have 2009 declared "Year of the British Home Child."

We have a commitment from our Nova Scotia Government ministers that they will introduce a Resolution in the House as soon as it opens the next session; to declare 2009 as "Year of the British Home Child ".   We urge all British Home Children and their descendants, across Canada and the UK, to send a letter / e-mail to their Provincial and Federal Government representatives requesting that they support and introduce a resolution in their respective Government Houses to declare 2009 "Year of the British Home Child."  This can become a National / International event.

United States BHC descendants could send support letter, at the below site, to our Canadian Heritage Minister, Josee Verner:

http://www.canadianheritage.gc.ca/pc-ch/min/verner/contact/index_e.cfm

[Webmasters note:  If you reside in the USA (as I do), Australia or New Zealand, consider this an invitation to you as well.  Millions of us are or were in some way affected by the British Home Child schemes of the 19th and 20th centuries.  Not only can we write to the Canadian government, but we should also present our governments with petitions or letters to include not only the lives of the British Home Children, but also those children who became part of the "Orphan Train" schemes of the early 20th century.]

Draft Letter

(Your full address)

To ( MLA, MP, Mayor, etc )

As a “British Home Child” descendant and a member of the British Home Children and Descendants Association of Nova Scotia, I want to bring awareness to a group of 100,000 children who helped to shape this country. The majority of these children did not make their own decision to come to Canada. They were poor, often orphaned, illegitimate, in a workhouse (think Oliver Twist) or another institution. But without their presence in this country there would not be approximately 12% of the Canadian  population living here today. We are proud to be British Home Children descendants.

From 1869 to 1948, institutions in England and Scotland such as Middlemore Home, Barnardo’s, Maria Rye’s, Quarrier’s and others sent children as young as a few months to eighteen (18) years of age to Canada. Industrial cities were overcrowded and Canada needed workers so an agreement was struck between these organizations and the British and Canadian governments to settle these children in Canada (and later Australia). The children were to work as farmhands or domestics. Some were lucky enough to be adopted.

A prospective “employer” made an application for a child. They usually specified the sex and age required. The child was to work for their room, board and clothing until the age of sixteen when they would be given a wage. There were to be yearly inspections by a representative of the sending agency and reports filed.

Sometimes this worked, more often it didn't. Many children were not fed or clothed properly, they were beaten, forced to live in a barn, cellar or even with the family's dog. Some died from the abuse. The ones who survived were often emotionally scarred. In later years, not many would talk about their experiences, not even telling the truth about where they were from or how they came to Canada. Some didn't even know who they were because their names were changed and they were so young when it happened they didn't remember their birth name or who their natural parents were. Yet most overcame these adversities to marry, raise children and become productive citizens who contributed much to Canada.

Many young men enlisted in the armed forces and fought in WW1, some repeated this unselfish act by signing up during WW2.  The immigration scheme was well intentioned and credit must be given to those who tried to save these children for surely a large number of them might have died living in squalor as they did. But now the British and Canadian governments seem to want to sweep it all under the rug. Records are not always readily available and when they are, they can cost 60 to 75 pounds sterling.

We, the second, third and forth generations are discovering our ancestors’ stories and we want to have them acknowledged. These children were real heroes even though they were not aware of it and they deserve to be recognized and rewarded for that heroism.

Is it too much to ask of their government to remember them by striking a coin, imprinting a stamp and/or declaring a “Year of The British Home Child”? I think not !! Now is the time to speak out and make it happen. In 2009 it will be 140 years since the start of the immigration scheme.

Let them finally rest in peace.

( include a couple of paragraphs giving particulars of your BHC )

We ask for your positive action with your fellow colleagues in putting forth a resolution, supporting and declaring 2009 as “ The Year of the British Home Child “. Further information on British Home Children can be found at:   http://www.bifhsgo.ca; www.collectionscanada.ca/archivianet/02011003_e.html;  bhc.kindredbond.com, and many other sites which can be found by typing “British Home Children” into any search engine.

Sincerely,


( your name, address, phone, e-mail)

We would like to make contact with representatives of British Home Children Associations, Societies, groups, etc. across Canada.

Please contact:  Cecil and Marilyn Verge, Chairs , British Home Children and Descendants Association Nova Scotia, 1037 Aalders Ave. , New Minas, NS B4N 3H4, 902-681-6697.

Reprinted with permission