This is a ten minute interview about the Middlemore homes on the balh.org.uk website.
You can view the accompanying pdf notes by clicking HERE.
Click below for the full interview
The Commonwealth Games Of 2022
2022 marks the 150th anniversary of the opening of the Children’s Emigration Homes in Highgate, founded by John Middlemore. Between the years 1873 and 1954 they emigrated over 5000 children chiefly to Canada but also to Australia. The Commonwealth Games & The Lost Children Project Over 100,000 children were emigrated …
The Story of John Henry Painter of Balsall Heath
John’s family lived at 10 York Place, Longmore St, Balsall Heath. There were 7 children in the family,, the youngest being only 4 months old. John was 14 years old at the time he was taken into the Homes in 1895, described as “”very dejected appearance, very ragged, clothes pinned …
Middlemore Article by Christine Jackson and Patricia Roberts -Pichette, from the BIFHSGO publication, “Anglo-Celtic Roots”
Celebrating an “Invaluable Resource”— the Middlemore Project Both Patricia and Christine are long-term active members o fBIFHSGO, who have previously contributed articles to Anglo-Celtic Roots on a variety o f subjects Preface (by Christine Jackson)Many readers are aware of the sterling work done by volunteers in transcribing and indexing informa …
Middlemore Index
The British Isles Family History Society of Greater Ottawa have a wealth of information on their website including a WONDERFUL Index of Middlemore child migrants. From their home page the index is in the section on Research and Projects. www.bifhsgo.ca
The story of Mary Louise Hawkes 1902-1989
Emigrated 1914 aged 12 Why did Mary go into the Middllemore Emigration Homes? At the time Mary was born her parents’ marriage was due to take place but unfortunately it didn’t happen because her father was sent at short notice to the South African war. He was away for 7 …
Stories of the Lost Children
Herbert Morand The Middlemore Annual Reports include photographs of some children from 1896 onwards. One of the earliest children to feature in this way was Herbert Morand. His father, Eugene, was French and his step-mother English. They lived at 134A Belgrave Road and there were six children in the family. …
The Lost Children Book
The Lost Children: a book by Val Hart & Rowena Lyon Is now available! All the stories and information from the popular Lost Children Exhibition in 2019 have been included, and more… Please click the button below to secure your copy now.(sent out by Post to UK, Canada, or USA)
Finding Middlemore Children: useful links
Local Genealogical Society: British Home Children – a register of all children sent to Canada https://www.britishhomechildrenregistry.com Midland Ancestors (BMSGH) https://midland-ancestors.uk/ Free Resources: Family Search https://www.familysearch.org Free BMD https://www.freebmd.org.uk Subscription Genealogy Sites: Ancestry – free to use in Birmingham and Solihull libraries https://www.ancestry.co.uk Find My Past – free to use in …
Other Information Sources
Passenger lists, & Immigration Tips www.olivetree genealogy.com WW1 Military records www.greatwar.co.uk/research/military-records/british-soldiers-ww1-service-records.htm WW2 Military records www.forces-war-records.co.uk/Records Middlemore Atlantic Society www.middlemoreatlanticsociety.com British Home Children Advocacy www.britishhomechildren.com
Visitors to the Exhibition
The exhibition has been visited by over 500 people, including many relatives and descendants of Middlemore children. There are many of these in the Birmingham area, for various reasons: Some families in desperate circumstances had to choose just some of their children to be sent to Canada while others stayed …
The Lost Children Dramatic Lecture
September 14th 2019 The Exhibition also served as a platform for a performance of The Lost Children Dramatic lecture which was performed by Balsall Heath Youth Theatre and the Birmingham History Theatre Company. A particular delight were the original songs written specially by community musician Pater Churchill. Many people commented …
Talks at the exhibition
The Exhibition was given a huge boost by two visiting authors form Canada who gave talks , both of which were very well attended. Patricia Roberts-Pichette is the leading authority on the Homes and presented a viewpoint very sympathetic to the work of the Homes. Pat Skidmore is the daughter …
Exhibition Launch
The Lost Children Exhibition was Launched on Friday 13th September We were delighted to welcome The Vice Lord Lieutenant of the West Midlands , Dr. Beverly Lindsay; the Lord Mayor of Birmingham, Councillor Mohammed Azim; and authors, Patricia Roberts- Pichette and Pat Skidmore who flew in specially for the event.. …
How to access the Middlemore Archives
1. How to use the Wolfson Centre for archival research. The Wolfson Centre in Birmingham Central Library is on the 4th floor and is the search room for archival collections, photographs & early printed material. It is open to the public free of charge. Appointments are essential and material should be …
Time Line
The Historical Timeline Of The Middlemore Homes Progress of the Homes Reports & Legislation 1834 Poor Law Amendment Act setting up workhouses 1850 Emigration of Children Act permitted assisted emigration of workhouse children 1869 Maria Rye’s first party to Canada including some workhouse children 1869 Canada Immigration Act required medical …
LC Exhibition Leaflets
Here’s the new Leaflet / Flyer for the ongoing Lost Children Project Exhibition.Please download, print and distribute it freely. The older, original leaflets for the exhibition are below:
Radio Interview About The Home Children
Here you can listen to an informative and interesting interview about the lost children project that was featured on Radio WM ( West Midlands UK)
Links of Interest
Here are some Middlemore related,interesting, informative and educational links… Fairbridge Farm School Canada A story of British Home Children on Vancouver Island British Home Children in CanadaPlenty of good information on this website Middlemore Atlantic SocietyPhoto Galleries and much more… Books About MiddlemoreA fine selection of reading material
School Packs
These educational resources are freely available for all teachers and provide a great starting point for lesson plans, workshops or group discussions. Click Here For The Lost Children School Packs Key Stage Two This pack is aimed at children in Key Stage 2. It is about the Middlemore Children’s Emigration …
Other Sources of information
1. Great Canadian Expectations by Patricia Roberts-Pichette An Excellent Book about the Middlemoe Homes specifically 2. ancestry.co.uk Access to a host of records. 3. www.olivetreegenealogy.com Olive Tree Genealogy has Passenger Lists, Immigration Tips, Canada, Military, Genealogy Guide. Canadian Genealogy: I have a lot of interest in Canadian Genealogy (especially Ontario) …