One of my ancestors (b1875) claimed to have emigrated to the US in 1880. He was illegitimate and born in the St Geo Hanover Square Workhouse. I think it would have been in the infirmary because his mother gave her home address on his birth certificate. His mother subsequently married in 1877 and stayed in this country. Does anyone know what children's homes would have been in the vicinity of the Workhouse that he might have been placed in that could have sent him to Canada or the US? Dr Barnardo's is the obvious one but I think there may have been others. I've had a look on the British Home Children site. He's not listed but they do say the database is incomplete. -- Connie http://oursalmons.wordpress.com/

Connie, It’s less a question of which institutions were in the vicinity of the workhouse, but more of which institutions were actually used by the relevant poor law union. These may have been outside the area, or even outside London. For example, he could have been emigrated from the West London School District at Ashford, via an intermediary organisation (see http://www.workhouses.org.uk/WestLondonSD). Whether or not he was Catholic might also affect where he was cared for. In any event you will probably need to look at the records of the St George’s Union (at LMA). You may get somewhere with those that are online, if you have Ancestry access (browsable only, under 'London, England, Poor Law and Board of Guardian Records, 1430-1930, Westminster'), and they do include a register for the school at Ashford. But the best source would probably be the St George’s Board of Guardians’ minute books, since these often list (or discuss) those children in their care who were candidates for emigration. Unfortunately, the minute books are not online. HTH Judy London, UK ----- Original Message ----- From: Connie <connie.sparrer@gmail.com> One of my ancestors (b1875) claimed to have emigrated to the US in 1880.  He was illegitimate and born in the St Geo Hanover Square Workhouse.  I think it would have been in the infirmary because his mother gave her home address on his birth certificate.  His mother subsequently married in 1877 and stayed in this country. Does anyone know what children's homes would have been in the vicinity of the Workhouse that he might have been placed in that could have sent him to Canada or the US?  Dr Barnardo's is the obvious one but I think there may have been others. I've had a look on the British Home Children site.  He's not listed but they do say the database is incomplete.