https://www.bbc.com/news/world-us-canada-67809153
'Five years after it was discovered in a Scottish auction house in Glasgow, a
long wooden box of about 80 glass negatives is now in Canada, where it is
putting a spotlight on the heart-breaking history of the British Home Children.
The child migration scheme sent a group of 100,000 impoverished children from
Britain to overseas colonies between 1869 and the 1940s. The images discovered
inside this humble wooden box in 2018 - now seen for the first time - reveal
much about a difficult history shared by the United Kingdom and the
Commonwealth.
"This box is a critical part of our history," Lori Oschefski, president of the
charity Home Children Canada who has just purchased the box for the
foundation's archives, said. "I've never seen anything like it. By far, it's
the most complete box that I have ever seen."
Thousands of orphaned and poor children were sent to fill the labour shortages
overseas during the late Victorian era. Although the incentives were to give
these young children a better life, the reality was very different. Children
were unpaid and had no choice in their move. They were separated from family,
and many were abused or neglected by those that took them in as cheap labour.
It is now a major aspect of many Canadians' shared history. An estimated 10% of
Canada's population - around 4 million people - are descendants of the British
Home Children. The vast majority are not aware of their stories, however, as
most children did not tell their descendants about the past.
While Australia and the UK apologised for the forced migration of child
labourers more than a decade ago, Ms Oschefski said there is some resentment
over a fast-tracked motion in Canada's House of Commons that included an
unofficial apology.
There was also no warning of its passage, meaning descendants and surviving
British Home Children were not given an opportunity to speak, Ms Oschefski
said. George Beardshaw, a 100-year-old man who is one of two surviving British
Home Children, said he wants to ensure this part of Canadian history is not
lost.
Canada "was built on the backs of these children and that needs to be
recognised and needs never to be forgotten", Ms Oschefski said.
These photos may help ensure that these boys' stories remain in the public eye.
'
Via Bryan Meloy and Kenny Chaffin.
Cheers,
*** Xanni ***
--
mailto:xanni@xanadu.net Andrew Pam
http://xanadu.com.au/ Chief Scientist, Xanadu
https://glasswings.com.au/ Partner, Glass Wings
https://sericyb.com.au/ Manager, Serious Cybernetics
