The Child Migration Scheme, a little known dark spot in Canadian history
Commencing in the 1860’s and continuing into the 1920’s, Canada took in some of England’s most impoverished and despondent children by way of the child migration scheme. During those sixty or so years, it is estimated that upwards of 100,000 children landed in Canada via a number of different organizations including church groups, private agencies and individual philanthropists. Although the scheme was promoted as an act of charity, many if not most of these children were neglected and abused in one way or another at the hands of the very people that were charged with caring for them. Some died from mistreatment and many committed suicide. One 'Home Child' was quoted in a book on the subject, equating the scheme to child slavery.
These waifs and strays were sent over on passenger ships in large groups, usually separated from fare paying customers and many times under deplorable conditions at sea. Once in Canada, these young immigrants known as ‘Home Children’ were housed in orphanages until they were eagerly claimed (indentured) by farmers to work in fields, tend livestock and toil as domestic servants. Although there were stipulations placed on the prospective care givers intended to protect the child’s welfare, there was no reliable process in place to follow-up after the child left the orphanage. Often times the organization that brought the child over had little or no contact with him or her again after they were placed. If they did, it was usually to remove a child deemed unacceptable and no longer wanted by the sponsor.
Scores of children were removed from England without their family’s permission or knowledge. As adults, many home children attempted to trace their roots back to England only to be told that their records were not available to them. They weren’t considered Canadian or British citizens and couldn’t even apply for a passport.
Today, many descendants of these home children are still trying to trace their ancestry. Although information is now more readily available, it is still a struggle. It is estimated that 1 out of every 8 Canadians are descended from the child migration scheme.
Commencing in the 1860’s and continuing into the 1920’s, Canada took in some of England’s most impoverished and despondent children by way of the child migration scheme. During those sixty or so years, it is estimated that upwards of 100,000 children landed in Canada via a number of different organizations including church groups, private agencies and individual philanthropists. Although the scheme was promoted as an act of charity, many if not most of these children were neglected and abused in one way or another at the hands of the very people that were charged with caring for them. Some died from mistreatment and many committed suicide. One 'Home Child' was quoted in a book on the subject, equating the scheme to child slavery.
These waifs and strays were sent over on passenger ships in large groups, usually separated from fare paying customers and many times under deplorable conditions at sea. Once in Canada, these young immigrants known as ‘Home Children’ were housed in orphanages until they were eagerly claimed (indentured) by farmers to work in fields, tend livestock and toil as domestic servants. Although there were stipulations placed on the prospective care givers intended to protect the child’s welfare, there was no reliable process in place to follow-up after the child left the orphanage. Often times the organization that brought the child over had little or no contact with him or her again after they were placed. If they did, it was usually to remove a child deemed unacceptable and no longer wanted by the sponsor.
Scores of children were removed from England without their family’s permission or knowledge. As adults, many home children attempted to trace their roots back to England only to be told that their records were not available to them. They weren’t considered Canadian or British citizens and couldn’t even apply for a passport.
Today, many descendants of these home children are still trying to trace their ancestry. Although information is now more readily available, it is still a struggle. It is estimated that 1 out of every 8 Canadians are descended from the child migration scheme.