Dear Listers I wondered if its possible to find out any more info on an orphanage located at 8 Middle St , Deal ?? Its superintendent was a Catherine J BOYS in the 1861 census . In the 1851 this spinster lady is recorded with her sister Mary as daughters of a retired physician , living in Walmer In the 1871 its says Catherine J BOYS is a fund holder by occupation and the orphanage at 8 Middle St is a Roman Catholic one ??. Were under a dozen girls so wasn't a large place . I am particularly interested in the sisters Julia & Margaret HUDSON who were there for at least 10 years 1861-1871 Was there an Army establishment in this area 1850 + ???? Many thanks Bye MargM Beautiful Central Coast of NSW Australia

Deal was a garrison town from at least the 18th century until the 1990s - with cavalry and infantry barracks as well as a Royal Navy shipyard, so there was no shortage of military establishments! You may have more luck if you search for Walmer (now a suburb to the south) than Deal, as the barracks were there. >From what I recall of researching a relation who had lived there, Middle Street was a rough as a badgers backside - a street where a performing dog once sued a pub landlord and won - though I have no idea now where I found that story. Unfortunately Deal was heavily shelled during WW2 and that, coupled with 1960s town planners, destroyed much of Middle Street, and the two ends where most of the older buildings still are have been very much gentrified. This has probably ensured their survival, but here's no real trace of the areas previous character. This may be a good thing! Adrian On Fri, Apr 2, 2010 at 5:11 AM, Marg M <genknut@exemail.com.au> wrote: > Dear Listers > > I wondered if its possible to find out any more info on an orphanage > located at 8 Middle St , Deal ?? > Its superintendent was a Catherine J BOYS in the 1861 census . In the 1851 > this spinster lady is recorded with her sister Mary as daughters of a > retired physician , living in Walmer > > In the 1871 its says Catherine J BOYS is a fund holder by occupation and > the > orphanage at 8 Middle St is a Roman Catholic one ??. Were under a dozen > girls so wasn't a large place . I am particularly interested in the sisters > Julia & Margaret HUDSON who were there for at least 10 years 1861-1871 > > > Was there an Army establishment in this area 1850 + ???? > > Many thanks > >