In a message dated 13/01/2005 11:30:41 GMT Standard Time, richard.shaw@aqualisa.co.uk writes: I feel that it is unlikely that all the orphans in Sunderland fell into such a tight group, >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> Although it was called an Orphanage, and originally founded for the sons of seafarers, it appears to have open to children whose father had died but whose mother was still alive. In the article in the book a Mr. Kelly and his brother were placed in the Orphanage by their mother after their father, a painter died, because she could not manage on her weekly income of ten shillings. There were only places for fifty boys, who were allowed to visit their families once a month between 9 am. and 8 pm. Regards Stan Mapstone www.mapstone.org