Hi Jean, I found this good explanation of a nurse child given on RootsWeb by someone: Often, when transcribing 19th-century censuses, I would come across the phrase "Nurse Child" but would not know what was meant. I have discovered that this phrase hides a very tragic story relating to illegitimate or unwanted children. Before the Elizabethan poor law was changed in the 19th-century care of illegitimate children and their mothers was haphazard. The 19th-century poor law changed this and placed the responsibility on the mother. Most times, she was unable to hold a job and to feed the infant. One solution to her problem was the baby farmer. This person would for a small fee, offer to take care of the infant. As soon as the money stopped coming (or before), the infant would be starved to death or just dumped in a convenient place. This procedure continued until the end of the century when horror stories in the newspapers, compelled the government to act. Poor little children! Debbie