Stories To Be Told

James Byers

Edith Jeffreys

Christopher (Christie) Dallison

Reginald Wilson and Nora Archibald Wilson

George (Geordie) Slade

John Robert Tuggey

William Wilson

Albert Simpson

100 000 British children were sent from Britain to Canada between 1869 and 1932. These children who became known as 'Home Children' ranged in age from as young as three to as old as 17 years. Conditions in Britain made it especially challenging for families to care for their children. Many were sent to orphanages or shelters as a way to survive. When these places became overcrowded, a plan was formed to send children from there to Canada to work on farms. The families who agreed to take the children were required to register them in school and ensure they attended Church. In return for food and lodging, the children would work on the farms. Some were adopted into families and lived many years as part of the family. Others were not well treated and faced many difficult hardships. The Middleville and District Museum is researching local Home Children and seeking information from the community to fill in many blanks in the lives of these children.  The children pictured above were raised in the local area and have been a recent focus of the Museum's research. Other names are being discovered. On Saturday, September 24th, 2022, the Middleville and District Museum will be recognizing National Home Child Day by sharing historical information about British Home Children and details that have been gathered on the children pictured above. David Murdoch will be at the Museum (noon - 4 pm) to answer questions from the public and listen to stories about Home Children. Visitors interested in this subject should plan to attend to learn more and discover the resiliency of these children as they lived their lives. Refreshments will be served. We hope to see you!

'I want to be like a sunflower
so that even on my darkest days,
I will stand tall and find the sunlight'
author unknown