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Middlemore Children’s Emigration Homes
- Thread starter Dennis Williams
- Start date
Pedrocut
Master Barmmie
Did Middlemore take the idea of child emigration from Miss Rye? She had visited Birmingham in 1871 and offered to take 40 children from the Workhouse. She had for 10 years been choosing young middle class women for emigration to Canada and around 1869 seems to have turned her attention to children, maybe under the persuasion of Lord Shaftesbury.
She explained that children are bound to persons until the age 18. Up to 15 they were fed and clothed, from 15-17 not clothed but given 12s per month, and from 17-18 were given 14s per mth. Roman Catholic children not taken.
She explained that children are bound to persons until the age 18. Up to 15 they were fed and clothed, from 15-17 not clothed but given 12s per month, and from 17-18 were given 14s per mth. Roman Catholic children not taken.
Janis McCahill
proper brummie kid
His ideas may have come from several examples that settled children in Canada before or about the time he did: Miss Rye 1869, Miss MacPherson 1870, Reverend Stephenson 1873. It is said that he did differ from the other organizations because he was not "driven by religious fervour" but altruism. He also took in small groups of children whose parents or guardians were involved. It is said in "Great Expectations" he took in all religions except Catholic but that is not so as the Moore/Moraghan boy was Catholic and remained Catholic for his whole life. (perhaps the parents did not mention his religion). Before the children went to Canada, they lived in the home and received "training" and were sent to school and church outside the home. Pages 41- 44 in the book go into detail on his philosophy and the similarities and differences. This article might be of interest Birmingham Daily Post 09 November 1872 
Pedrocut
Master Barmmie
Now this is interesting as we have the appearance of Middlemore and the Wycliffe British Schools in St. Lukes Road. Unfortunately there is no mention of cascading windows.
However it is an example of how one lad appears to have been recruited for emigration and raises several questions.
However it is an example of how one lad appears to have been recruited for emigration and raises several questions.
Janis McCahill
proper brummie kid
Birmingham Daily Post 26 April 1873 First group of children leaving
Janis McCahill
proper brummie kid
Middlemore reports in this article some of the problems he has encountered
Birmingham Daily Post 11 February 1875
Pedrocut
Master Barmmie
Looking at the first 10 years (c1872-82) of the Middlemore Homes it is difficult to pin down any exact details as to how the children were selected, and indeed Middlemore says that two boys were sent away as the were not of the right class, but what was the right class? Would disabled and weak children be excluded as they would be of less use in Canada?
Middlemore also says Children are only received with their own consent and that of their parents. If they do not like the Home they can return to their parents or friends. However Middlemore also explained the material advantage to the community from the removal of all those children from the circumstances in which they were born. He even calculated the cost of a thief to Birmingham and quantified benefit of the saving.
In post 32 we see that in 1871 Miss Rye had offered to take 40 children from the Birmingham Workhouse, and she also appears in Walsall as reported on 3 AUG 1878. Walsall Guardians consider an offer from Miss Rye to take orphan children above the age of 5 to Canada at the rate of £12 each. She says out of 1000 people sent to Canada 95% are doing well. The Canadian Government had undertaken supervision.
A proposition was made at the Walsall Guardians for a committee of 3 to be set up to select children, and was seconded. An Amendment was put that NO children be sent. The Rev CB Walton, Messrs Halford, Winn and Stanley supported the original motion, maintaining that the children would have a much better chance of success in life in Canada than England. Messrs Green and Griffiths on the other hand supported the amendment, arguing the children ought to be kept in England and sent to District schools, where they would be much better cared for than they would in Canada. The motion was carried by 8 votes, against 4 for the amendment. The Rev CB Walton and Mr Jupp were appointed to select the children.
It shows there was opposition in some quarters but it does seem that orphans are targeted probably as they were not under parental control but under control of the so called Guardians. With hindsight one of the great evils of the child migration period was the number of children who were deliberately told they were orphans when it was known to be incorrect.
Middlemore also says Children are only received with their own consent and that of their parents. If they do not like the Home they can return to their parents or friends. However Middlemore also explained the material advantage to the community from the removal of all those children from the circumstances in which they were born. He even calculated the cost of a thief to Birmingham and quantified benefit of the saving.
In post 32 we see that in 1871 Miss Rye had offered to take 40 children from the Birmingham Workhouse, and she also appears in Walsall as reported on 3 AUG 1878. Walsall Guardians consider an offer from Miss Rye to take orphan children above the age of 5 to Canada at the rate of £12 each. She says out of 1000 people sent to Canada 95% are doing well. The Canadian Government had undertaken supervision.
A proposition was made at the Walsall Guardians for a committee of 3 to be set up to select children, and was seconded. An Amendment was put that NO children be sent. The Rev CB Walton, Messrs Halford, Winn and Stanley supported the original motion, maintaining that the children would have a much better chance of success in life in Canada than England. Messrs Green and Griffiths on the other hand supported the amendment, arguing the children ought to be kept in England and sent to District schools, where they would be much better cared for than they would in Canada. The motion was carried by 8 votes, against 4 for the amendment. The Rev CB Walton and Mr Jupp were appointed to select the children.
It shows there was opposition in some quarters but it does seem that orphans are targeted probably as they were not under parental control but under control of the so called Guardians. With hindsight one of the great evils of the child migration period was the number of children who were deliberately told they were orphans when it was known to be incorrect.
Janis McCahill
proper brummie kid
Looking at the first 10 years (c1872-82) of the Middlemore Homes it is difficult to pin down any exact details as to how the children were selected, and indeed Middlemore says that two boys were sent away as the were not of the right class, but what was the right class? Would disabled and weak children be excluded as they would be of less use in Canada?
I agree, the organization / administrators judged the suitability of the child to be sent. If the child did not the standards they set, then the child would not be sent. Middlemore did offer some "training" and some children stayed in the "home" longer than others. A disabled or weak child would probably not be eligible to be sent as most children were sent as agricultural labourers or servants.
Our definition of orphan differs from the Victorian definition of orphan. This is a subject that gets discussed a lot in BHC groups. This seems to sum up what I see in many discussions in BHC groups: https://www.123helpme.com/orphans-in-th-century-victorian-england-view.asp?id=154403
""Victorian Definition of “Orphan” When we hear the word “orphan” we imagine a child whose parents have both died tragic deaths. Indeed, there were plenty of these pitiable creatures in Victorian society – the living and working conditions of the poor were so unsanitary and crowded that diseases such as typhus and tuberculosis often spread unchecked, sending many of their victims to the grave (Czarnik, “Living Conditions”). However, children were often considered “orphans” if they had one surviving parent, had been abandoned by their family, or were forced out into the world because of overcrowding at home (Cunningham, “Orphan Texts”). In 1861, it is estimated that 11% of children had lost a father by the age of 10, 11% a mother, and 1% had lost both parents (Czarnik). "
I agree, the organization / administrators judged the suitability of the child to be sent. If the child did not the standards they set, then the child would not be sent. Middlemore did offer some "training" and some children stayed in the "home" longer than others. A disabled or weak child would probably not be eligible to be sent as most children were sent as agricultural labourers or servants.
Our definition of orphan differs from the Victorian definition of orphan. This is a subject that gets discussed a lot in BHC groups. This seems to sum up what I see in many discussions in BHC groups: https://www.123helpme.com/orphans-in-th-century-victorian-england-view.asp?id=154403
""Victorian Definition of “Orphan” When we hear the word “orphan” we imagine a child whose parents have both died tragic deaths. Indeed, there were plenty of these pitiable creatures in Victorian society – the living and working conditions of the poor were so unsanitary and crowded that diseases such as typhus and tuberculosis often spread unchecked, sending many of their victims to the grave (Czarnik, “Living Conditions”). However, children were often considered “orphans” if they had one surviving parent, had been abandoned by their family, or were forced out into the world because of overcrowding at home (Cunningham, “Orphan Texts”). In 1861, it is estimated that 11% of children had lost a father by the age of 10, 11% a mother, and 1% had lost both parents (Czarnik). "
Pedrocut
Master Barmmie
There is much written concerning child emigration in general from about the period 1920-1960, and the question of orphans, such as Empty Cradles/Oranges and Sunshine, Lost Children of the Empire, Leaving of Liverpool. But as Middlemore’s main involvement was before this period is probably only covered in great detail by Patricia Roberts-Pichette in her book Great Canadian Expectations: The Middlemore Experiance.
At the outset Patricia says...“Neither financial gain nor evangelical fervour motivated Mr. Middlemore, a believing Christian without strong denominational ties. He was driven by altruism to protect children from the criminalizing influences and unhealthy environment of Birmingham’s worst slums and saw his activities as part of Birmingham’s philanthropic support system for the poor. He believed that children would grow up as worthy Canadian citizens, if, with their parents’ permission, they were removed from these unhealthy environments, educated and trained with love and understanding and settled mostly in rural Canada with loving and welcoming Christian families. The Children’s Emigration Homes were not established to relieve poverty: there were other Birmingham organizations to do that. Mr. Middlemore’s intent was to help children who were failed by Birmingham’s existing social support systems, not to compete with or duplicate those that already existed.”
After the obligatory warning not to look at the events from a 21st century standpoint, the clips that have appeared in this thread so far are useful as they give the contemporaneous views.
At the outset Patricia says...“Neither financial gain nor evangelical fervour motivated Mr. Middlemore, a believing Christian without strong denominational ties. He was driven by altruism to protect children from the criminalizing influences and unhealthy environment of Birmingham’s worst slums and saw his activities as part of Birmingham’s philanthropic support system for the poor. He believed that children would grow up as worthy Canadian citizens, if, with their parents’ permission, they were removed from these unhealthy environments, educated and trained with love and understanding and settled mostly in rural Canada with loving and welcoming Christian families. The Children’s Emigration Homes were not established to relieve poverty: there were other Birmingham organizations to do that. Mr. Middlemore’s intent was to help children who were failed by Birmingham’s existing social support systems, not to compete with or duplicate those that already existed.”
After the obligatory warning not to look at the events from a 21st century standpoint, the clips that have appeared in this thread so far are useful as they give the contemporaneous views.
Pedrocut
Master Barmmie
Anyone interested in Middlemore Homes please note the post on “Child Emigration from Birmingham” by mikejee. “This exhibition might be of interest..”
Saturday 14 – Sunday 22 September: The Lost Children Exhibition
birminghamhistory.co.uk
Saturday 14 – Sunday 22 September: The Lost Children Exhibition
Child Emigration from Birmingham
There is a thread for Middlemore Homes, but not for Child Emigration in general. https://birminghamhistory.co.uk/forum/index.php?threads/middlemore-homes.50003/ Here is a picture from the book Empty Cradles by Margaret Humphreys showing children from 1929.
birminghamhistory.co.uk
As part of Birmingham Heritage week, Balsall Heath History Society will be holding an exhibition at the BMI about the Middlemore homes with some of the case studies taken from their recent lost children project https://www.facebook.com/lostchildrenproject/
The exhibition will run from the 14th to the 22nd and there will be talks from the (canadian) expert on the subject and the daughter of one of the children. I've attached a leaflet for those interested.
The exhibition will run from the 14th to the 22nd and there will be talks from the (canadian) expert on the subject and the daughter of one of the children. I've attached a leaflet for those interested.
Pedrocut
Master Barmmie
The flyer that Mike and wam indicate above confirms that “on Saturday 14th at 2.30 pm Dr. Patricia Roberts-Pichette Ph.D will be giving a talk on the Middlemore Homes. The leading expert on the Homes’ history, she will be flying in from Canada specifically for this event.”
Her book is called Great Canadian Expectations: The Middlemore Experiance, and written in 2016. The book gives a very detailed and comprehensive history of the Middlemore Homes from a Canadian as well as a English point of view. I believe that the author does a very good job of trying to lift Middlemore Homes away from what she sees as the dark or negative side of the juvenile emigration movement.......“Amid all the negative criticism of the juvenile immigration movement and despite the positive experiences that may be found in letters written by children from other agencies, the positive experience of Middlemore children stands out.”
However she later adds that JT Middlemore died in 1924 and Paul Cadbury took over the reigns, and soon after...“Thus started an association between The Homes and the Fairbridge Society that lasted into the 1950s. It is interesting to speculate as to whether Sir John Middlemore would have approved of this scheme, as he was very much against the institutionalization of children, that is, children living for a long time in an institution and rarely mixing with children and adults outside the institution.”
In light of her comment above the “dark” side cannot go without mention.
Since the publication of the book the “Child Migation Programmes Investigation,” an independent inquiry into child sex abuse, has been published in March 2018.
Middlemore Homes gets three mentions.
One mention is that documentation was obtained from the Birmingham Library Archives. Another is that in June 1950, Miss Randall (Deputy Secretary of Middlemore Homes) noted “recent unsatisfactory opinions and reports made by English visitors” to the Fairbridge schools in Australia and suggested that such visits should be discouraged. The third informs that a former Middlemore migrant, who was migrated by a Fairbridge Institution, gave evidence to the inquiry.
The reference to the Fairbridge Society raises several questions as it is extensively investigated in the report. The very dark side of the Society is brought out.
From 1926-36, the Homes sent 140 children to Australia and 41 to British Columbia (Fairbridge). Paul Cadbury donated cottages to their Prince of Wales and the Pinjarra farm schools.
The new Prince of Wales Fairbridge Farm School (British Columbia)... The first party of thirty-five children, including eighteen Middlemore children, arrived in September 1935....The proportion of Middlemore children in the Fairbridge parties dropped dramatically from about 50 percent of the parties before the Second World War to about 20 percent afterwards.....last child went in 1948.....Although juvenile immigration to Canada ended in 1948, it continued to Australia under Fairbridge management, and the Middlemore Emigration Homes’ training program continued for those children.....until 1954
Her book is called Great Canadian Expectations: The Middlemore Experiance, and written in 2016. The book gives a very detailed and comprehensive history of the Middlemore Homes from a Canadian as well as a English point of view. I believe that the author does a very good job of trying to lift Middlemore Homes away from what she sees as the dark or negative side of the juvenile emigration movement.......“Amid all the negative criticism of the juvenile immigration movement and despite the positive experiences that may be found in letters written by children from other agencies, the positive experience of Middlemore children stands out.”
However she later adds that JT Middlemore died in 1924 and Paul Cadbury took over the reigns, and soon after...“Thus started an association between The Homes and the Fairbridge Society that lasted into the 1950s. It is interesting to speculate as to whether Sir John Middlemore would have approved of this scheme, as he was very much against the institutionalization of children, that is, children living for a long time in an institution and rarely mixing with children and adults outside the institution.”
In light of her comment above the “dark” side cannot go without mention.
Since the publication of the book the “Child Migation Programmes Investigation,” an independent inquiry into child sex abuse, has been published in March 2018.
Middlemore Homes gets three mentions.
One mention is that documentation was obtained from the Birmingham Library Archives. Another is that in June 1950, Miss Randall (Deputy Secretary of Middlemore Homes) noted “recent unsatisfactory opinions and reports made by English visitors” to the Fairbridge schools in Australia and suggested that such visits should be discouraged. The third informs that a former Middlemore migrant, who was migrated by a Fairbridge Institution, gave evidence to the inquiry.
The reference to the Fairbridge Society raises several questions as it is extensively investigated in the report. The very dark side of the Society is brought out.
From 1926-36, the Homes sent 140 children to Australia and 41 to British Columbia (Fairbridge). Paul Cadbury donated cottages to their Prince of Wales and the Pinjarra farm schools.
The new Prince of Wales Fairbridge Farm School (British Columbia)... The first party of thirty-five children, including eighteen Middlemore children, arrived in September 1935....The proportion of Middlemore children in the Fairbridge parties dropped dramatically from about 50 percent of the parties before the Second World War to about 20 percent afterwards.....last child went in 1948.....Although juvenile immigration to Canada ended in 1948, it continued to Australia under Fairbridge management, and the Middlemore Emigration Homes’ training program continued for those children.....until 1954
Pedrocut
Master Barmmie
Pedrocut
Master Barmmie
In her book (2016) Great Canadian Expectations: The Middlemore Experience, Patricia Roberts-Pichette puts much emphasis on the fact that JT Middlemore was driven neither by financial gain or evangelical fervour but by altruism, as he was a believing Christian without strong denominational ties. He was driven by altruism, not evangelical religious fervour.
However in her Thesis, Rescue or Bondage, Child Emigration to Canada 1870-1925, G. Searle takes a different view. She describes him as a staunch Baptist.
His father was prosperous Baptist, and his mother Mary brought up as a Baptist. His father gave the land for Wycliffe Chapel, Bristol Street, and the Sunday Schools, opened in 1861. He also contributed to their construction.
On his death in 1924 JT Middlemore left a fortune of over £200,000.
However in her Thesis, Rescue or Bondage, Child Emigration to Canada 1870-1925, G. Searle takes a different view. She describes him as a staunch Baptist.
His father was prosperous Baptist, and his mother Mary brought up as a Baptist. His father gave the land for Wycliffe Chapel, Bristol Street, and the Sunday Schools, opened in 1861. He also contributed to their construction.
On his death in 1924 JT Middlemore left a fortune of over £200,000.
If there was any thought of evangelism, I would suppose there would have been something to say that the children had to attend Church/Sunday School belonging to that particular denomination. Was there?
Janis McCahill
proper brummie kid
In her book Great Canadian Expectations: The Middlemore Experience (pg 54) , Patricia Roberts-Pichette states that "Saturday was a holiday and on Sundays they attended Sunday School at either the Wycliffe Chapel or St Luke's Church." This is an article from the Birmingham Daily Post 09 November 1872 that describes the children's routine.
Attachments
Janis McCahill
proper brummie kid
I thought further about your query and thought about the children's placements. I have researched several dozen Middlemore children so I am only going by what I have found. The children that were placed came from all different Christian backgrounds. Although Patricia says in her book that Roman Catholic children were not taken, my SIL's grgr grandfather came to Canada with Middlemores. He was from an Irish Catholic family. He remained Catholic and raised his family Catholic. The homes where the children were placed in Canada were from several different Christian religions. Most were Church of England, Methodist and Presbyterian. This is an advertisement in Canada seeking homes for the children. Apr 24 1877 Middlemore_children coming to Canada Ottawa Daily
Citizen
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Master Barmmie
In 1862 there was a permissive Act that empowered the Board of Guardians to send children to schools of their own religion, and by the Poor Law Act of 1866 Guardians were compelled to give up Roman Catholic children from workhouse or District schools to a Catholic school if requested.
This could go some way to explaining why Middlemore did not, as a rule, take Catholic children.There was also a Catholic movement at the time that would cater for Catholic children, in order that they could be brought up in the "faith."
This could go some way to explaining why Middlemore did not, as a rule, take Catholic children.There was also a Catholic movement at the time that would cater for Catholic children, in order that they could be brought up in the "faith."
Pedrocut
Master Barmmie
The article is written in 1872 when the Home had been open for three months and the first batch will travel in April 1873. The schools listed by the author appear in the Appendix are...
Wycliffe schools which closed 1878/9.
St. Luke's Primary school opened in 1843. (was bombed in 1941.)
Hope St. schools opened 1880.
After 1929 the Homes moved to Selly Oak, and the schools were...
Raddlebarn Lane County Primary School.
St Mary Church of England.
It looks as if in the early days the children would go a short journey to the Wycliffe school of Baptist persuasion, but also some to the Church of England school of St Luke, also close by.
Wycliffe schools which closed 1878/9.
St. Luke's Primary school opened in 1843. (was bombed in 1941.)
Hope St. schools opened 1880.
After 1929 the Homes moved to Selly Oak, and the schools were...
Raddlebarn Lane County Primary School.
St Mary Church of England.
It looks as if in the early days the children would go a short journey to the Wycliffe school of Baptist persuasion, but also some to the Church of England school of St Luke, also close by.
Pedrocut
Master Barmmie
The date of 1877 is interesting. The Doyle Report had been released in 1874 after his visit to Canada. He had several reservations about the voyage and placement of children.
Searle in her Rescue or Bondage. A case study of four voluntary Agencies involved in Child Emigration to Canada, 1870-1925, says...
“Middlemore admitting that his work was similar (to Stephenson), denied that it was the same as Rye's to forestall any possible criticism regarding the supervision offered by his Homes.”
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Master Barmmie
JT Middlemore stood for election in 1906 for the Unionists in North Birmingham, and having little
else to recommend him, displayed posters showing Chamberlain and other Unionists riding horses, dressed in khaki, swords drawn and captioned...
I rely confidently on Birmingham men to be true to their own friends, and once more strike a blow for Union, Empire and Reform.
Joseph Chamberlain .....men of North Birmingham, follow the advice of your trusted leader by voting for Middlemore.
From 1890-1914 Nation, Empire and the Birmingham working class. (Michael Blanch)
else to recommend him, displayed posters showing Chamberlain and other Unionists riding horses, dressed in khaki, swords drawn and captioned...
I rely confidently on Birmingham men to be true to their own friends, and once more strike a blow for Union, Empire and Reform.
Joseph Chamberlain .....men of North Birmingham, follow the advice of your trusted leader by voting for Middlemore.
From 1890-1914 Nation, Empire and the Birmingham working class. (Michael Blanch)
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Master Barmmie
Although I couldn’t make it to the Lost Children Exhibition, I have had conversations with the Balsall Heath History Society. Patricia Roberts-Pichette gave a talk on her book “Great Canadian Expectations: The Middlemore Experience,” which has been discussed in previous posts.
But there was also a talk from Patricia Skidmore, also from Canada, about her book; Marjorie, To afraid to Cry: A Home Child Experience. I have read the book and had several exchanges with the author via email.
This book is a contrast, and worth reading if you wish to get an idea of how child emigration affected individuals. Patricia’s mother, Marjorie, was taken at the age of 10, along with two sisters and a brother from Whitley Bay in 1937. She was taken by the Fairbridge Society, processed by Middlemore Homes, and then sent to their Prince of Wales Farm in Vancouver.
But there was also a talk from Patricia Skidmore, also from Canada, about her book; Marjorie, To afraid to Cry: A Home Child Experience. I have read the book and had several exchanges with the author via email.
This book is a contrast, and worth reading if you wish to get an idea of how child emigration affected individuals. Patricia’s mother, Marjorie, was taken at the age of 10, along with two sisters and a brother from Whitley Bay in 1937. She was taken by the Fairbridge Society, processed by Middlemore Homes, and then sent to their Prince of Wales Farm in Vancouver.
Janis McCahill
proper brummie kid
I have read Patricia Skidmore's books as well as several other books. The British Home Children group I belong to has put together this list of books http://britishhomechild.com/british-home-child-books/