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madbat
02-11-2006, 7:26 PM
i have recently found out that my great grandmother on her baptism record is described as a " foundling" and was adopted by a family in Lincolnshire in 1885. Her farther's surname is listed and his occupation as " sea captain". I was wondering if there is any way to trace her parents? was it usual for people unrelated to the foundlings to adopt them? Any information on this subject would be great. Thanks.

Rod Neep
03-11-2006, 6:14 AM
A "foundling", by definition, is a baby who is found abandoned. It is not at all unusual for someone to adopt them of course (although there was no real official adoption procedure in those days), and some were also put into orphanages. Those in orphanages were often given rather nice (new) surnames such as "Wellbeloved", etc.

Really, there is no practical way now of finding out who the parents were.

Rod