No, a Reformatory was for juvenile offenders. To read more about Remand Schools, go to: http://www.corpun.com/ukre6705.htm When I was growing up 100 years ago, it was not unusual to hear of boys in reformatories or adults in prison getting the birch. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Birching Here's a snip from Google about the formation of Ragged Schools: "Ragged Schools were charitable schools dedicated to the free education of destitute children in 19th century England. The schools were developed in working class districts of the rapidly expanding industrial towns. In 1844, the Ragged Schools Union was established to combine resources throughout the country, providing free education, food, clothing, lodging and other home missionary services for these children. The Ragged School movement grew out of recognition that charitable and denominational schools were not beneficial for children in inner-city areas. Working in the poorest districts, teachers (who were often local working people) initially utilised stables, lofts, and railway arches for their classes. There was an emphasis on reading, writing, arithmetic, and study of the Bible. The curriculum expanded into industrial and commercial subjects in many schools. It is estimated that around 300,000 children went through the London Ragged Schools alone between 1844 and 1881." From: "ailsa158" <[email protected]> Subject: Re: [WIG LIST] Stranraer (Dalrymple Street) Reformatory,Wigtownshire Is the Reformatory School the same as a Ragged School? My great grandfather, born in Stranraer, kept a journal while on board ship to Australia in 1853. Someone (perhaps his brother still in Stranraer?) had extracts of the journal bound and the proceeds of its sale were to go to the Ragged School. I presume the Ragged School was in Stranraer. Regards, Ailsa > > > ------------------------------- > To unsubscribe from the list, please send an email to > [email protected] with the word 'unsubscribe' without > the quotes in the subject and the body of the message