hi Bob, Can't say about adoption papers, However, a lot of unofficial adopting went on, both girls needing their illegitimate kids cared for, often working to try and cover the cost of having the child looked after, or amongst families themselves, like granny or auntie bringing up an illegitimate grandchild, niece, nephew &c as their own, even categorising them as son, dau, gr'son &c in censuses. however, that said, as far as no response to an individual posted here, could it not be that no-one recognises him? I've lots of family that i've posted enquiries about and no-one responded simply because i've the misfortune to be following roots that no-one else is working on or shares. :-( What makes you suspect he may be French? le durachd fionnghal > Unsurprisingly, I did not get any > responses to my enquiry about Joseph Strang in my posting of > 19 Nov. > I am now wondering whether he was actually a French boy > adopted by a British couple. > Do there exist any records (official or otherwise) of > adoptions in southern English counties around 1830-1840? > Bob K.