Between 1869 and 1948, more than 100,000 children were sent from Britain to Canada through child migration programs. Many were placed with Canadian families to work on farms or in households. Their experiences varied greatly: some found care and belonging, while others endured isolation, neglect, exploitation or abuse.
Each year, September 28 is observed as British Home Child Day in Canada—a day to remember these children, acknowledge their experiences and recognize the lasting place they and their descendants hold in Canadian history.
We are beginning to identify British Home Children who lived, worked, married or established family connections in communities now within Kawartha Lakes. Our preliminary research includes:
- Florence Davey — Fenelon Falls
- Lilian Bidmead — Omemee
- Bessie Davis — Bethany
- Mabel Emma Jenn — Eldon Station
- Amy Lillian Hitch — Little Britain and Mariposa Township
- Charlotte Marshall — Little Britain and Mariposa Township
- George Herbert Beardshaw — Little Britain and the Lindsay/Ops area
- Elsie Booth — Cannington
- Annie Baker — Manilla
- Margaret Scrase Combe — also recorded as Coombes, Coombs or Combs — Fenelon Falls
This is only a beginning. Names may appear differently in census records, passenger lists, placement records, marriage registrations and family documents. Some people never spoke about having been Home Children, and many descendants may not yet know this history is part of their family.
Do you recognize one of these names? Was a British Home Child part of your Kawartha Lakes family?
Family photographs, letters, certificates, Bibles, placement documents, newspaper clippings and remembered stories may help us restore names and experiences to the local record. Corrections and additional information are also welcome.
We understand that these histories can be deeply personal and sometimes painful. You do not need to tell the entire story at once. Please share only what feels right.
