My British Home Child Heritage

Today, September 28 2018,marks the very first recognised “British Home Child Day”. My paternal Great Grandfather, Thomas Hollins, and his two brothers were British home children. They were just three of over 100,000 children sent to Canada between 1869-1948 to be used as indentured farm workers and domestics.

My Great Grandad was born in Staffordshire, England in 1876. He was the second youngest son of four boys born to Ann Hollins, who unfortunately died in 1885 at the young age of 29, leaving the boys with no where to go.

After Ann’s death, an uncle dropped the three youngest boys off at a workhouse.  The oldest boy William was old enough to work and care for himself.  The boys remained in the workhouse until they left their life in England to come to Canada.

Thomas and his two brothers, Samuel and Charles, sailed on the SS Sardinian from England to Halifax in April 1888.  This would have taken a week of travel on the ocean. Once they landed in Halifax they boarded a train to Belleville, Ontario to the Marchmont Home where they would await a family to work for.

Thomas is listed on a census for the area at age 11 working as a domestic for the Brown family. My research shows that the three boys were among the lucky ones that seemed to be treated well by the families that they worked for and lived with. Unfortunately, there are many terrible stories of mistreatment.

Although these days we cannot imagine such an act as sending young boys and girls to another country for cheap labour, I believe that my Great Grandad and Uncles received a much better life here than if they had remained in England.

  I am proud to say that I am a descendent of a British Home Child.  The strength and courage these children must of had is immeasurable.

Thomas Hollins – 1876 – 1961

Samuel Hollins – 1873 – 1895

John Charles Hollins – 1878 – 1947