Other Children of the Homes explores the hidden history of a British child-migration scheme between 1869 and 1948. With monarchy and government support, over 100,000 children were sent from the United Kingdom to Canada as indentured workers. Others went to Australia, New Zealand, and South Africa. Only a small portion of these children were orphans; most came from families struggling economically. To alleviate rising poverty, emigration agencies relocated children overseas in the name of philanthropy. Despite good intentions, the scheme became increasingly enterprising, leaving many families separated for life. While some children benefited from the programs, the experience inflicted generational wounds for many.
Two main child migration programs that operated in Canada were The Fairbridge Society and the Barnado’s Foundation. In appealing for donations, both organizations used Home children for advertising that grossly misrepresented the youngsters’ well-being. Despite being silenced by authorities, the Fairbridgians, in particular, left clues alluding to their true sentiments. Leaning on oral stories, documentaries, books, and archives, this book compares the public perception of this child migration scheme manufactured through advertising and news media against a darker hidden reality.
Home children were shamed into believing they were “guttersnipes”, not wanted by their families; they therefore grew up hiding their past. While some descendants are unaffected by the secrecy, others are left with fragmented identities. To foster generational healing, descendants were asked to pose for a portrait while holding an image of their Home-child ancestor. This portrait was in turn captured by a later descendant. The history of the British Home Children remains relatively unknown today, yet approximately 10 percent of Canada’s population are descendants. To that end, this series examines the shrouded realities of the child-migration scheme, celebrates the families’ resilience, and explores the intergenerational outcome.