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Blandford orphanage destroyed?

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Stuart

Stuart Report 6 Jun 2006 14:47

Has anyone come across any firm info regarding the orphanage records being destroyed in a fire in Blandford in the 1700's (?) resulting in all the orphans being named 'Blandford' from that point on?

Snowdrops in Bloom

Snowdrops in Bloom Report 6 Jun 2006 14:51

Sorry Stuart Can't answer your specific question but I can give you a good website for Blandford and if you scroll half way down the page there is a contact for the on-line parish clerk who may be able to help you. http://www.dorset-opc*com/Blandford/BlandfordForum.htm Good luck Snowdrops

An Olde Crone

An Olde Crone Report 6 Jun 2006 14:59

Cant answer your specific question but it was common practice to give foundling/orphaned children the place name as a surname in those days - a sort of shorthand way of declaring that the Parish accepted responsibility for them. Er, what do you mean by an orphanage in 1700s? Do you perhaps mean the Workhouse? Olde Crone

Snowdrops in Bloom

Snowdrops in Bloom Report 6 Jun 2006 15:07

Stuart, Here's another website for you with specific reference to the Blandford Workhouse. Very comprehensive, but not seen anything (after a quick look only) referring to a fire. http://users.ox*ac*uk/~peter/workhouse/Blandford/Blandford.shtml There is an 'l' at the end of shtm - it now appears on the next line, obviously the line's not long enough to take it. Remember to replace the * with . (dots). Snowdrops