Awful, or Awful Kind? The Story of the Middlemore Children
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Awful, or Awful Kind? The Story of the Middlemore Children
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About this listen
In this episode, Brian sits down with Historian and Author Sara Underwood to discuss a side of Prince Edward Island history that stands in stark contrast to its famous fictional orphan, Anne of Green Gables. Sara's book, "Awful Kind: The Story of the Middlemore Children and Prince Edward Island," shines a light on the real, and often tragic, stories of British Home Children. You’ll hear how a conversation with a descendant sparked a deep dive into the archives, leading to the remarkable discovery of thousands of individual case files for children sent from the Middlemore Homes to the Maritimes.
Sara reveals the shocking truths she uncovered from the records. These children weren't brought over for adoption; they were primarily a source of cheap labor to fill a shortage of domestic servants and farmhands. Hear the heart-wrenching stories of their lives: children as young as seven expected to do the work of a man , the profound sadness and stigma that followed many for life , and the desperate ways they tried to reconnect with family back in England. For anyone who believes they may have a Home Child ancestor, Sara shares the crucial first steps to begin your own search.