HESTON MIDDLESEX

 

Cousin Gladys.  On our way back from visiting cousin Arthur in Essex, Robin decided we just couldn’t drive past London without seeing the sights.  We sped through London during rush hour and saw all the major tourist attractions.  On our way to Buckinghamshire, Robin suggested I just drop in on Cousin Gladys, as we were passing right by.  I kept looking for a pay phone to warn her, but before we knew it we were outside her house.  She knew I planned to visit her, but we had not arranged a time.  I really surprised her when she opened her door.  We had a short but wonderful visit.  Unfortunately my camera had fallen from my suitcase in Jim’s vehicle, so I could not take pictures.  We planned on meeting again the day before I left for Canada, but she was far too ill that day.  She died in 2005.

 

BUCKLEY FLINTSHIRE WALES

 

Cousin Margaret.  We had a wonderful day touring the Chester Cathedral built 900 AD.

 

The train from Buckinghamshire to Wales was to take 3 ½ hours, and apart from running through the station to catch the train, the trip went well. 

 

The train was on time and connections were made to the minute.  The return trip was another story as the train from Chester, Wales to Stafford was ‘diverted’ to Birmingham.  I had to take another train to Lemington Spa and then a bus to Reading. 

 

In all, the trip wound up taking 6 ½ hours. 

 

The visit in Wales was the most relaxing, as Margaret and I had met before in Calgary when she came for a visit. 

 

She was in Calgary on “9/11.” 

 

LIVERPOOL LANCASHIRE

 

We passed up a tour of the Beatles’ Museum in favour of the Merseyside Maritime Museum. 

 

It had only a small corner devoted to Child Emigration.

 

 A video played a two-minute segment of “The Leaving of Liverpool.” 

 

There were a few posters on the wall. 

 

I found it sad that there was so little acknowledgment of +100 years of Child Emigration and recognition of 100,000 British children sent overseas to Canada to uncertain futures.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

This poster reads:  ORPHANS:

 

“Some orphans were assisted to emigrate to Canada.  Parish authorities, philanthropists, and orphanages such as Barnardo’s helped orphans to emigrate. 

 

It was believed that the children would have a better chance in life when placed with a Canadian family. 

 

In 1869 a Miss Rye took 50 orphan girls from Liverpool to Canada.  Their average age was 8 years.   They were asked if they wanted to go and their relatives were consulted.”

 

Caption under picture:  “Orphans on their way to Canada 1881”

 

Well, this certainly explains what the British Child Emigration Scheme to Canada was all about! 

 

The myth lives on. 

 

I had trouble retaining my composure here, and had to step out of the area for a moment.