Between 1869 and the early 1930s, over 100,000 children were sent to Canada from Great Britain during the child emigration movement. Members of the British Isles Family History Society of Greater Ottawa are locating and indexing the names of these Home Children found in passenger lists in the custody of the National Archives of Canada.
Immigrant children from Dr. Barnardo's Homes at Landing Stage, Saint John, N.B. From National Archives of Canada/PA-041785 (PA-041785)

Dr. Barnardo's UK link - click here


The following is text of information gathered when Maurice Ford was taken in by Barnardo's Home . . .


MAURICE FORD

Admitted - 7th September 1899
Age - 12 years, 6 months.
Date and Place of Birth - 6th March, 1886, at Plympton Devon
Religious Denomination of Father - Church of England
Religious Denomination of Mother - Church of England
If Baptized - Yes
New Agreement with Canada Clauses, signed by half-sister, Mrs. Yabsley, as guardian.

PHYSICAL DESCRIPTION

Colour of Hair - Brown   Complexion - Fair
Colour of Eyes - Brown   Vacc'n Marks - 2 l.a.
Height - 4ft. 103/4 in.   Wieght- 86/12 lbs.
Chest Measurement - 261/2in.   Condition of Body -
Remarks by Medical Officer - Nil

The Report went on . . .
Maurice is an orphan. Application was made at our Plymouth Branch on his behalf by his half sister, Mrs. Yabsley, and the case was recommended in a letter from Rev. Henry Hole - The Rectory, Plympton. Our Plymouth inspector investigated the facts and reported as follows:

The father, John William Ford, was a naval pensioner and labourer, and died in July 1885, at Plymton, from rupture. The mother, Ann Elizabeth Ford, afterwards supported herself by charing, and received parish relief. She died on 18th January, 1893; at Plympton, from influenza. Upon the mother's death, Maurice was taken by his half-sister above named, and remained with his relative and her husband up to the date of application.

The ground of appeal made to us was that the step-sister and her husband were unable to continue keeping the boy unless he were earning something, and even if this had been the case the husband refused to keep him, on account of his untrustworthy character. Since the removal of the family to Plymouth, the lad has been very troublesome. He became a member of a Ritualistic church choir and there fell into the company of a lad more thievish than himself. For a time he was in the employ of Mr. Medlar, working as silversmith, Frankfort Lane. During the time he stayed there he was guilty of all kinds of petty dishonesty such as stealing some vases, a Jubilee shilling, etc. He was afterwards employed at Smith's bookstall, North Road, Plymouth, and while there stole 2s 6d. In view of Yabsley's refusal to keep him, there was no alternative for him but the workhouse.

The lad has a somewhat furtive look and is evidently cunning. He is not stubborn, however, and in the opinion of our inspector is not unlikely to turn out well under course or firm and wholesome discipline. He is in good health.

Relatives:-

Half-brother - William Ford (18), groom at Thomas Hotel, 25 Fore Street, Devonport.

Half-sister - Ann Yabsley (30), wife of naval stoker, H.M.S. Seal (1child), 4 Archer Place, Plymouth.

[De. M. 2.156. Admission, 20,787]


Below is information found in the National Archives of Canada . . .

ArchiviaNet - Home Children
National Archives of Canada Canada


FORD , Maurice
Age: 11
Sex: M
Year of arrival: 1899
Microfilm reel: C-4542
Ship: Arawa
Port of departure: Avonmouth, Bristol
Departure Date: 11 Sep 1899
Port of arrival: Quebec
Arrival Date: 22 Sep 1899
Party: Dr. Barnardo's

Note: Due to the poor legibility of the original records, some information in this database may be incorrect and/or incomplete.