British Home Children on Prince Edward Island
Between 1869 and 1948 about 118,000 children were brought to Canada from workhouses, rescue homes, and orphanages in England and placed with families across the country.
We do not know exactly how many of the children were sent to Prince Edward Island. They are rarely mentioned in Prince Edward Island history books, and many Islanders are not aware that they were sent to the Island at all.
Middlemore Homes, located in Birmingham, sent 5,000 children to New Brunswick, Nova Scotia and Prince Edward Island. Research shows that about 190 children were sent to the Island by Middlemore between 1893 and 1930; but there were more children sent from other organizations, such as Dr. Barnardo and Quarriers.
So far, it has been difficult to identify the children sent from other organizations. If you have information about someone who you believe may have been a home child who was sent to Prince Edward Island, please email me the details or fill out the Contact Us form.
Arthur Taylor was sent to P.E.I. in 1896 at the age of 11. He was originally placed with Augustus Feener, in Italy Cross (near Bridgewater) Nova Scotia; but he has been resettled on the Island by July of 1899 with John Morris of Mill Cove. A Middlemore report in December of 1899 following a visit to the home notes, “Boy looked very happy. A cosy home. Folk seem fond of him.” Photo courtesy of his granddaughter, Moira Taylor.