My great grandfather, William Kent, was born around 1889 in Hertfordshire area. Supposedly something happened with his family (William and Mary Kent) and he either went straight into an orphanage or first lived with an aunt and then went to the orphanage. In 1905 he came to Canada. We do not know anything else and got this information from his marriage certificate. The immigration records are not accurate (we cannot find someone his age coming to Canada in 1905) and we don't know where else to go for assistance. We cannot find records of him with his parents (that match our information). HELP?

Hi My late mum and her siblngs were in a Cottage home at Dewsbury ( Crows Nest Park ), This was around 1943/44. Could anyone advise how to start to gather information.

I was at Heathercoombe brake in 1972 for three weeks with my sister, I was 9 at that time and my sister 11. We stayed for about three weeks although it seemed much longer. Our parents had divorced and clearly it affected us both greatly. We were told that we could go on holiday to Devon? This was our first ever holiday, with the exception of some day trips to Walton on the Naze ,which the local church organised. We got to the station and were picked up in a Morris Minor traveller I believe. It struggled up the steep hill and around the hairpin bend at the top was Heathercoombe. I remember plenty of outdoor playing and bible readings, not forgetting the trips to the coast at Torbay and Paignton. It took us out of the miserable time at home and some of the other kids were a little boisterous to say the least, although now I know just why we were sent there, it makes much more sense. I`ll not forget the great time I had away from home, and when I got back I wished I had stayed there.. I was lucky enough to get a place at a fantastic boarding school in 1975 and spent 5 happy years there. Another memory of the trips to the coast was packed lunch usually consisting of peanut butter sandwiches and Bowyers sausage roll washed down with a tub of squash and an apple for afters.. Halcyon days when I think back. The sense of freedom was immense and the kindness of the staff refreshing. Along with the mists, bracken and rain (often) was a calm and happiness that I have sort at every opportunity ever since. The trips to the school at the foot of the hill on a Sunday was a little scary, it was a school for what was then termed a handicapped school. But on reflection through the years I suspect they were just as frightened of being invaded by strangers too.
My memories are strong and positive of my time there and I wonder if anyone remembers me? I remember a strapping and very vocal guy called Malcolm, I was only about 4ft then and he towered above all of us.. I`ve caught up now!

Hi I'm looking for Amanda or Wendy ward Mary moses Theresa Malone Peter Beales all good friends I grew up with in aldermen house walker 79 to 1980 love to hear from you derek.ifieldderek@gmail.com

i was at eastry childrens home '77 to 78. known as griff or ginger.
also at southborough assessment centre a couple of times in 76. the only people i remember there were 2 girls one called gina and the other julie small.
i was also at spurgeons in birchington in the early 60's for about 2 or 3 years but i was very young so don't remember any specific person
i would like to hear from anyone who knew me (even if you didn't like me :-) )

iggsy1@hotmail.com

Lesley mccooey and Dave. I spent some years in the children's home in Horncastle.
The name of the place you talk about was Holmeleigh. The superintendent was Mr NR Vardy who was a very genuine, kind and friendly person. Sadly he passed some years ago but I am happy I have these memories.

Trying to find Ron Shaw who was at Holt Children’s Home Birstal Leicester around 1954/1955

I lived in three ways about 1975 , remember it not being nice can remember a girl called liz had fits and they would push ice cubes in her mouth and down her top ,, anyone else there at this time ?

has anyone from Holmleigh childrens home in Horncastle appeared on here

I was in a home when I was about 4/5. I’ve a feeling it was called Hearts Sleep. From memory it was run by Nuns (who I liked)

I am looking for information regarding my father John (aka Jack) Barton and his three sisters Alice, Lilian and Edith who were all placed in the Padgate Cottage Homes (previously called the Padgate Industrial School) 1924 to 28 after their father was badly injured in a railway accident, any information would be most welcome. Thank you, Alan.

Hi Tracey, which sunnyside was u at . Apparently there was one in Bath. I was at long ashton.. Mr Mrs ryder was who run the home my time there from 1974 to 1978 . Paul

Hi Im trying to find out about my late father Francis Antony gear also know as frank. If anyone knew him please get in contact . many thanks karl my email is kellyt198411@gmail.com

I lived in a children's home just off garret lane in earlsfield tooting .1978 if anyone was there at that time .then I moved to 4 North drive tooting bec 79 to 81 .be great to hear from anyone

Attention of Mike Moffat:

Hi Mike,
I am sorry that I have not replied to your message earlier like I said, I am struggling to find it tbh. I checked my email and it’s nowhere to be found, I am sincerely sorry as unsure to what has happened to it. Could you possibly resend to my email address please? Kind regards Rosemary 🤣

This message is for Mike Moffat was Michael Webb:

Hi Mike,
I am sorry that I have not replied to your message earlier like I said, I am struggling to find it tbh. I checked my email and it’s nowhere to be found, I am sincerely sorry as unsure to what has happened to it. Could you possibly resend to my email address please? Kind regards Rosemary 🤣

hi to everyone,
i am researching my family tree, i have found that my grandfather (albert david little 1925-1996) and possibly his brother (Ernest fredrick little 1927-1995) were at shenley fields cottage homes in 1939 (census record).
if anyone remembers them or has photos or just memories i would love to hear them.
or if anyone needs help with research im happy to help if i can.
missyjae5@gmail.com
thank you

I was in Writtlewick Nursery childrens home in Chelmsford in 1975.

I was in Alva Children's Home, Larchgrove and then then finished off in Lochgarry Children's Home in the 1980's ...... I am a survivor of child abuse in these Children's Homes ..... and it led to my life being ruined for over 20+ years.

I turned to alcohol to block out the issues from a young teenager in care until I was given 6 months life expectancy in March 2005.

Prior to being an adult, I had many suicide attempts .... which I am so happy I was never successful ..... as my life has now completely changed.

I left Glasgow as a teenager to escape the memories of abuse .....

I now am 16 years alcohol free, in recovery from alcohol addiction.

In process of setting up a charity in Glasgow, Scotland for Male Adult Survivors of Child Abuse ...... where we will be looking to support other males who were abused in children's homes..

I am making a massive decision and returning to GLASGOW after 30+ years, since fleeing the memories of abuse.

I also am the Founder of a small non profit organisation supporting individuals in recovery from alcohol addiction.

If I can be off any help OR maybe you know me from these Children's homes back in the 1980's .... please feel free to contact me in private.

Any chats will be confidential

Email : FingerprintsRecovery@gmail.com

Regards

Brian Morrison

I was in a home in Eastbourne from 1975 till 1977..with my brother and sister........was you there to.....I can not remember the name of it at this time thow .....

I lived in sunny side children’s home from 1969 till 1985 any one on this site would love to hear from u

Looking for any information regarding a little girl from 1957/9 Carol June Mitchell. was in The Threeways childrens home, Bath. Parent/Gardian John L V Mitchell /Mitchley. Attended St Marks School.

I was placed at Sunnyside, Box, Near Bath until adopted in 1955 as a baby. A Miss Phillips was matron at the time.
I have various letters with headed note paper.

I was at the Mount Hermon children's home in Hastings at 34 Ashburnham Road for a while in and about 1957. Do any photographs etc. exist for that place or surrounding area from that time ? I have just photograph with me and a couple of the other children taken in the garden so there may be others. Contactable at dave.tribe@ ntlworld.com

This message is for Michael Webb who attended Tennyson Lodge 1970 onwards:

Hi Michael,
Talk about a blast from the past lol, do you remember my sister Christine and me I wonder! We was at Tennyson Lodge from 69/70 for a while during school holidays as we was at boarding school after our mum passed away so Dad could continue to work.
I have wondered what happened to you after Cheviots in Hornchurch and moving on into adulthood.

I hope life is treating you well. Well not too sure about your age now but Chrissy and I are both in our early 60’s so many years have passed and so much happened too.
Thank you for mentioning Aunt Laura and Uncle Ted as sadly I had forgotten their names, never their kindness though and the love and care given to us all. Do you remember the day trips they took us all on to Clacton, their beach hut too and the awesome holiday to Combe Martin. Are you married with children and grandchildren now!
Tennyson Lodge and our youth seem so far away now don’t they… I hope this finds you well and happy. If you would like to make contact my email is: Rosemary.singleton10@yahoo.com take care kind regards Rosemary and Christine

Hi, this is in response to Larry Flewers message dated 16th Feb 2021:

My younger sister Christine and I went to Tennyson Lodge in Harold Hill I believe from 1969 during school holidays. I remember spending at least one Christmas there and every one of us getting a sack full of presents which was amazing in those days. I still recall some of my gifts to this day. I knew Michael Webb lol. I am not wholly sure how long we was at the home because my sister stayed longer than me as I was returned home. I recall we went on trips to clacton but sadly I can’t recall the names of those in charge at that time anymore. I remember us all going on holiday to Combe Martin and sleeping in iron bunk beds in an old church hall, such a great time was had by us all. I didn’t know this site existed until a few minutes ago, thank you for placing a message, as I was searching for the name of the home. I hope life is treating you well, are you still in Essex? Kind regards, Rosemary 😊

Looking for the book. The Story of Davison Family Home by Heather Mather. It's about Danby Home
I was also in Broomlands in Middlesbrough and Park End.

Hi I'm looking for info about Barnardo's on Hayling Island in the 1920s. I have a few photos and need to identify them. Many thanks, HP
hapbaye@gmail.com

I am trying to trace my family on my dads side and have found a little bit of information and was looking for more information, his name was George William Roddis he was born in penge bromley in 1952 but moved to Ramsgate area with his half brother Peter roddis and their father William Albert Roddis and understand that he might have attended newington infants school and then gone on to hereson boys school in ramsgate. if any one has any information no matter how big or small i would be extremely grateful f you could contact me you can contact me on facebook at Laura louise roddis reffold or my email is laurareffold@gmail.com
thank you

Re Chris Harland - Park Lee, Blackburn - did you get any answers? I'm looking for a relative put into an orphanage in Blackburn in 1921 and it doesn't seem to be the big well known one that is now CANW.
cjh1953@gmail.com

I’m looking to find anyone who remembers me who lived at Sunnyside Children’s home, Fenswood Road Long Ashton, Bristol. Between 1982-1983. I have some good memories whilst living there, ok and some bad !!! Please contact me if you remember me at janeeyoung@hotmail.co.uk

I was in elmswood children home in tge 1970s, looking fo anyone who was in the home the same time as me. They can contact me via my email address which is vlongstaff67@gmail.com thank you

.

My uncles were evacuated from Dover to Blaenavon in 1940 and after ww2 went back to Dover. Unfortunately my grandparents split up and so my uncles were in a foster/hostel/children’s accommodation. I wonder if there are any records of these homes in Dover?

Anyone know a Vincent Hunt or Hunte late 1960 early 1970s in children's home near Leicester? He is my half brother So thankful for any info lorrettahunte@ yahoo.com

Hi everyone,
I was in Redding House, Children's Home, Scotland. 1971-75. I was 10yrs old in 1975( I was also known as McCarroll)
Has anyone heard of "Downs Syndrome / Children's Homes Swaps"?
Where "No Paper Work" was required to take any Kid they wanted out of Homes and placed their own Kids in Institutions such as Lanark and Bellsdyke(RSNH).
Medical Records lost and no Records (shredded) to prove abuse suffered, before and during 'incarceration'.
Thanks for taking the time to read this.

Hello
I am looking for anyone who may have lived at Eastry children’s home when my mum stayed there. Unfortunately my mum is no long with us but I am doing research on her life for our family tree.
Her name was Margaret Ann Holliday but preferred to be called Maggie. Her brother Pat stayed there also. I’m guessing it was around 1967-1974. Any details of her life there, her friends and relationships would be gratefully received. Thank you
carolinebrenchley46@gmail.com

I am trying to find anyone who knew Caroline Cecelia Colbourne and a relative of hers that may have spent time in a children’s home durin 1910. Onwards

I'm doing some research for a fictional story I'm writing and I would like to find out more about life in children's homes especially in the 1970s (one of the characters in my story lived in a children's home before she was adopted). If you are happy to share anything about everyday life, routines, education, facilities, friendships, adoptions, anything really, then please send me an email even anonymously. This is not an academic research, so no names or locations will be mentioned in my story. Email: thisispetrap@gmail.com

I am researching my grandmother's childhood, Sheila Clarke, born 1923. Placed in a home in South England, perhaps near Hayling Island or Broadstairs while her mother Hermina went to work on a cruiseliner. She would have been with her younger sister, Moira. I have possible photos of the home, but no name or address. Typical orphanage photos. Residential area, other buildings around. Brick walled garden. Multi facaded back of building.
Many thanks if anyone can point me in the right direction. HP
hapbaye@gmail.com

I just want to say how lovely it was at Shenley Fields Drive. I went when I was 4 years old ( in 1963) and I left at 16. It was the law then that you had to leave. They found me a flat.
We had wonderful bonfires and Christmases and Easters. All the people were lovely and we made loads of good friends.
The trouble was that when you had to leave you all mostly likely lost touch and they had not really prepared us to live independent lives.
The change was quite a shock.
All in all though I have only good memories. My dad came to see me nearly every Sunday but my mom rejected me as a baby really, maybe because she had already got too many children.
I would just like to say thank you so much to all the different House Mothers and their husbands and the Aunties who made my childhood as happy as they did.

Hi
I’m trying to find out which care home my mum would of been in with her brother, after her mum remarried, she is Linda May Henderson and her brother her was Terence Arthur Henderson, although we do believe that it says her father was Henderson but we are not sure if he was the father as he denied her all her life, she was born in Gosforth, Northumberland her mum was Stella Shaw, Henderson, Greeves, Thompson, any help at all would be greatly appreciated thank you Karen

I'm trying to find out if my nan Cecilia Hughes was ever at The Leys cottage homes in Manston Kent as a child? I vaguely remember her telling me she was at a childrens home in Manston, I wonder if anyone can tell me how I could find out?

Hi, My sister Jaqueline and I (Janet) nee Clifton were placed in St Christopher's Railway Orphanage in Derby in 1961, we were there til 1964 when we were adopted and lived in Derby for 2 years before emigrating to Australia. I was wondering if there is any way of obtaining photos other than the one of the building and how to access records if available. We met our birth father and half brothers and sisters 13 years ago, so we know about the circumstances of going to the orphanage but would like to see other photos and info if at all possible. My email is janetgordan50@hotmail.com. Thank you

I was in the Farningham and Swanley Boys Home from 1954 to 1958. I was in House #4 and later we were all moved to House #9. I remember taking tailoring classes and made my first pair of long pants and wore them at age 14. In 1959 I moved to Toronto Canada. I moved to Vancouver in 1966. I met my wife and we married in 1867. We have 2 daughters who are married and I now have 3 grandaughters and one grandson

My late father worked at Newsham Park Hospital, former Liverpool Seamans Orphanage from late 70s to early 90s when he retired, I now that when he did a young girl who lived in the Orphanage came home with him and know lives with me and I have seen her many times

Hi I was sent to a school during the 60's I was born in !954 and it would have been approx 1962/3 when I was sent there. I had chest problems so maybe bronchitis , funnily I suffered pneumonia in my 50s. I remember it was a big old building , possibly Victorian, in the afternoon's we all had to take an hour's nap. First thing in the morning we had to poo. How to teach a child how to lie!! You quickly learnt how to tell a lie as you were in the toilet for ages until you "had a poo" . God I look back at all my school's none of them good. First one as I was left handed I was kept in to copy calligraphic cards with my right hand (I almost became ambidextrous ) then to Cliftonville (as above I can't remember the name) I was introduced to valentines cards by a lovely girl there, name I can't remember. Then to another, I was back in London I was always the person to blame when there was any trouble even though 90% of the time it wasn't me. I wasn't an angel , but far from being a trouble maker, but always first port of call when there was any issue.

Does anyone remember a Mrs Mary R Thomas, she was in charge, I believe of Kelvedon house, Birchington (Spurgeon's orphanage) in Kent. Does anyone have photo's of Birchington from the early '60's.
My memories of the orphanage were of it being hard, but fair and we were treated kindly. Going to bed with with a slice of bread, a glass of water, when naughty. Lining up for the loo, and we 'had' to go, while the kids queued up in sight and yelled for us to hurry, when we couldn't go. Yet we were not allowed up till we'd gone. Standing in row to wash the sinks with ajax. Then all given a spoonful of olive oil or something like that.
The tiny pet lizard in the terrarium.

Looking for anyone that was in a children’s home in London called lapworth court in the 1970s , I’m pretty sure that was the name of the home I spent a few years in as a child , there was also a girl named Beverly in there who had a missing arm I would love to find her a d see how her life turned out

Hi. Does anyone remember lower wick children's home Worcester. I was there 1976ish..I remember Godfrey the goat..a lad of mixed race who I would love to hear from..We were both at Don road too.. please contact me 07984734176...I have fond memories of the care system in Worcester. If you remember the places or me I would love to speak to you.

Hi everyone , l was wondering if anyone was in a care home in chelsea ,London on the worlds end estate around 1984 l think it was called whistler walk care home ..lm trying to trace someone who l knew was there and would love to make contact with them..l actually wasn't in the home but my friend was..