Genealogy Chat

I wonder if anyone could tell me why my g.grandmother would adopt a child of 12 in 1901 when she was 64 years of age. The child was born in a workhouse. I can't find the surname of the child and mother (no father's name of birth cert.) that would tie in with any other relation. Has anybody any ideas?

Hi Barbara,
Do you have them on 1901 census or before?If you post more info im sure some of us can have a search for you.
Elaine.

There were schemes in many inner city areas in particular whereby children from workhouses were fostered out to be cared in healthier surroundings. Your g grandmother would have received a small payment towards the child's keep - don't know the particular circumstances but if she was widowed without pension then this could also have helped her to stay out of the workhouse herself.

Hi Elaine,

They were on the 1901 census but not the 1891. She could have been adopted between 1891 and 1901 because on the 1901 census she was 12 so she could have been adopted as a young child

Barbara

Hi Judith,

My g.grandmother was in Barrow-in-Furness which is not an inner city area and she lived with her husband and three of her children and three of her grandchildren.

Barbara

I would very much agree with what Judith has said. It was very common for older women of limited means to take in a "nurse child" as it was called for a little money.