Lewes Workhouse

[diane francis]

I have been researching for some time and have found out that some of my ancestors were sent as children to the workhouse. I can find no trace of these children after 1901 I was wondering if anyone could shine any light on what may have happened to them. Their surname was Rickson and they came from Lewes. Their first names were Albert and Alfred both 8,Frederick aged 13 and Louisa aged 11. I wondered if they were possibly sent abroad as so many of these workhouse children were.
Regards Diane

[Peter Goodey]

Lewes Union records seem to be rather sparse but it might be worth your while examining the Minutes which survive from 1835 to 1930. There's a chance (pretty slight) that your people might have been mentioned by name. If nothing else you might get a feel for the Guardians' policy in this respect.

Perhaps you could tell us more about what leads you to suspect that they were sent abroad?

[diane francis]

Hi Peter
Thanks for your help, I can find no trace of these 4 children after 1901 and alot of home children were sent abroad as you know. I have contacted the local records office and am awaiting an answer when they return in the new year. I just cannot find these children.
Regards Diane

[Tuppence]

Hi Diane,
There is a site where they list most of the home children and it is called Tweetybirdgenealogy Hompage. Many of those children came to Canada and I think that the people that started this list were home children themselves. Hope that this is fruitfull for you.
Tuppence

[Peter Goodey]

"Thanks for your help, I can find no trace of these 4 children after 1901 and alot of home children were sent abroad as you know."

You may be right and they were sent abroad. It's an emotive subject and has received a lot of publicity but the actual numbers involved were only a very small proportion of the total of children in the care of the Guardians or other institutions during the periods involved.

If you draw a blank on the site that Diane mentioned, there are other possibilities you might want to consider such as a change (or changes) of surname.

[diane francis]

Thanks for your help. I will definitely give the site a try.
Regards Diane

[diane francis]

Thanks Peter
I never thought of that, but surely that is going to be difficult to find?
Would they have been legally adopted? Is this going to be a needle in a haystack?
Confused but all the same regards Diane

[Jane M]

Hi Diane,

Legal adoption did not come into being until 1927, so there would be no documentation if they were 'taken in' by someone.
Jane

[diane francis]

So until I hear from the records office hopefully some time next week we are definitely stuck as to where these children went.
Thanks for your help
Diane