INDUSTRIAL SCHOOLS

The Industrial School Act 1857 was to make better provision for the care and education of vagrant, destitute and disorderly children who, it was thought, were in danger of becoming criminals. It was the courts who decided what Industrial School the child was sent to, in many cases it was far away from the child's hometown - the Act also made provision for the children's religious persuasion. Usually once sentenced the child had to stay until they reached 16 years of age, however, the Government did allow suitable children, mainly boys, at the age of 14 to join the army or work in the mines.

I have started research on these schools in England and Wales and have gathered quite a lot of information so far, which I would be happy to look-up, for anyone looking for lost children, or indeed anyone in the teaching profession as most Industrial Schools had qualified teachers. A lot of my information comes from the 1871; 1881; 1891 census returns, admission/discharge registers and court records. The court records, at the time of writing are for London (East). As my research is ongoing, anyone I am unable to assist I would be happy to keep the name and details on file for future finds.

I have no information on Workhouses, Orphanage's or general day schools. I have a small amount of information on 1 Reformatory School.

UPDATE APRIL 2003
I have recently uploaded my website - www.missing-ancestors.com.  The site is entirely free to use. It contains information about children that were sent to Industrial Schools all over the country, my information comes from the 1871;1891 and 1901 census, Old Street Juvenile Court records and admission and discharge registers. 

In addition to the Industrial School section I have included a section on the Irish in London; my ancestors and the Role of Honour for servicemen from St Georges in the East and Wapping who fought in the Great War - 1914-1919 - the role of honour book was found in my late uncle house - my grandfather Owen Dennis of Cornwall Street, is mentioned in the book.  If you haven't already seen the book it includes Name; Street and Regiment.  I have finished transcribing so far Streets A-M.  I have quite a lot more information still to transcribe and eventually upload.
 

Contact Mary Wall