Library and Archives Canada (LAC) holds many sources for researching home children as described in a revised 54-page research guide. It includes resources at other institutions in Canada and the U.K., as well as at LAC. There is also background information and sources relating to specific organizations and homes.
A section on the children’s lives in Canada should be required reading for those who propagate the idea that Canadian farmers only exploited these young people.
It is commonly known that some of the children were abused, and many were poorly treated by today’s
standards. Many of those stories have been told and are heartbreaking to read.
What is less known is that most experienced a better life in Canada than if they had remained in the
urban slums of Britain, trapped in poverty and held back by a rigid class system.
In Canada, many home children went on to own farms themselves. Others became teachers, carpenters,
doctors, nurses, merchants, secretaries, clergy, tradespeople, politicians and a wide variety of other
occupations. Many enlisted with the Canadian and British armed forces during the South African War
and the two world wars.
You can request a copy of the Home children research guide in PDF format by using via LAC’s Ask genealogy a question form.
The question I have for LAC is: Why do we have to ask via a comment form to get a copy of the guide? Wouldn’t it make sense for the document to be available at all times via a link instead of waiting for someone at LAC to read the message and then send the PDF?
If someone asks for this guide when they stumble upon a Home Child in their research on a Friday night they probably will have to wait until sometime Monday or Tuesday to get a copy of the PDF. This is a step backwards in terms of using technology to provide quick access to information.
John, would you please print the following in your
blog as I agree with you that it should be required reading!
I sent in my request today for the PDF, so will see how long the response time is.
Thanks John.
A section on the children’s lives in Canada should be required reading for those who propagate the idea that Canadian farmers only exploited these young people.