Thanks for that Marg.....very interesting and poses more thoughts Online BDM's - births 1788-1860....only three found ; V1821126 127/1821 FOUNDLING ORPHAN 10834/1859 FOUNDLING PARRAMATTA 11376/1859 FOUNDLING PENRITH deaths 1788-1850 NIL Makes you wonder what "surname" they used to record/register ( or didn't they ?) "abandoned" babies/children prior to registration becoming compulsory in 1856. 1861-1905... births 38 and deaths 25 1906-1974....deaths 257....there being a big gap from 1943 until one was reg. in 1967. In this period did abandonment not happen as frequently ?.....did the police have better means of tracking down the mother and hence finding the child's right surname?.....or did they "Americanise" them and use "John Doe" or "Jane Doe" ??....Nah...surely not. Were the first names (and a couple of cases Surnames), given to them by those that found them ?? I could definitely waste a whole day looking further into this one.....but housework waits Cheers Lynne Visit our Website www.genealogy.boneworld.net ----- Original Message ----- From: "MargM" <genknut@optusnet.com.au> To: <AUS-NSW-CENTRAL-COAST-L@rootsweb.com> Sent: Friday, November 25, 2005 8:01 PM Subject: Re: Foundlings found ?? Where ? Take 2 > ----- ?? > > >> Dear Listers >> >> I didnt find this but was in Gosford Library today when >> it was found ..... Got a call . "Do come and have a >> look at this " So I did . Amazing ! >> >> Type in foundling as a surname and see what happens >> > > Argggghhhhhh !!!!!!!! I forgot to dot my t' and cross my > i's > > > Either use the NSW on line BDM indexes or CD versions or > look up under F for foundling in the fiche version > > In the Federation 1889 -1918 series there are 75 births > and 132 deaths and 138 deaths 1919 - 1945 > > > > bye > > > MargM > List Admin > Sydney, New England, Hunter Valley, > Central Coast , Australia > lists > > ______________________________