As Action for Children turns 150 this year, we’ve launched a nationwide search for the descendants of the first children in care. The historic images below, released from our archive, show vulnerable children from Victorian Britain in 1869 through to 1919.
It was a time of widespread poverty - with many of the children sleeping rough, from workhouse families, or disabled. The creation of children’s homes meant that they were fed, cared for, and had somewhere safe to sleep every night. Our search for the families of these children aims to remember their lives, and explore the issues that affect vulnerable children both then and now.
Do you recognise one of the children in the photos below? Email us at [email protected]. Some of our records are incomplete, but we'll share any information we can find in our archives.
Watch what happened when we found the descendants of Sophia Fauguel, Ellen Binks, and Alice, who were admitted to Bonner Road Children’s Home in London in 1872.
The descriptions and images in our gallery are taken directly from our archives - no changes have been made to wording beyond those necessary for clarity.
Born 23 October 1861. Father is a tobacco pipe maker, mother is a needlewoman. Was for six years in the Wesleyan Sunday School, grammar place considered. For five years in the day school at the same place. Was for a few weeks employed as an errand boy. His habits are good and regular.
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Born about 1857. Father’s name Charles Taylor, who was by occupation a fish porter but died on Sunday morning 24 October 1870. The mother by occupation was home maker but died seven years ago. The boy is legitimate, has helped his father at Billingsgate. Was seven years in a day school but cannot read. Went to Canada 15 May 1873. Farmer, 120 acres to be treated as family, five dollars per month and two months' schooling.
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Born 2 December 1863 an illegitimate child. Father's name William Sale, by occupation silk dyer, has gone to America. Mother died 28 March 1867. Went to America with father, 1875.
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Admitted 8 June 1871, aged 12 months. Mother pay 11/monthly. Leicester for adoption 15 June 1881, returned not suitable 22 August 1881.
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Thirteen years old when admitted, father and mother dead. Left in the charge of a stepmother who constantly ill-treated. He had slept on the streets for several nights. Went to Canada 15 May 1873, engaged by the Rev S Rose, to be employed in the Printing Office and board with Bob Self in the family, Mt Wilson fireman.
Download imageBritain's come a long way since Victorian times, but even today we're seeing families living in poverty and struggling to feed their children. Support for families is disappearing up and down the country.