Thistle Dew Family Research

04/20/2026

Take a moment to think about this...

Everyone should know where they come from.

02/24/2026

💯

02/24/2026

Very interesting!

London, this week in 1719.

Not war or famine. Just the ordinary business of dying.
Smallpox took 55. Fever 51. Consumption 50. Convulsions 139.
Forty-three children “of their teeth.” Fifteen stillborn.
Four executed. Four “suddenly.”

And then the ones that sound almost casual. Griping in the guts. Rising in the lights. Mortification. The King’s Evil. The French Pox.
These were printed publicly in the Bills of Mortality, parish by parish, number by number. Death reduced to a tally sheet, pinned up like market prices.

In an era with no antibiotics and no germ theory.

02/07/2026

Now, that's a family tree!!! :D

10/25/2025

Sometimes having 'fresh eyes' look at your brick wall can be a big help. Just the simple act of explaining what is (or isn't) happening within your tree can help YOU to see what you're missing! This is currently what's happening with my tree, and one specific problematic branch. 2x great grandparents with VERY common names, and their offspring naming their kids after siblings...it's messy!!!

08/17/2025

Earlier this week, I had an interesting conversation with the daughter of one of the many "Home Children". I'm now on a mission to learn more about their stories.

Do you have ancestors that were involved?

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City Kids to Farm Hands: The Home Children – Heritage Toronto

Dr. Barnardo's organization was instrumental in sending tens of thousands of British children to Canada as "Home Children" between the late 1800s and early 1900s. These children, often homeless or orphaned, were placed in Canadian homes, primarily on farms, to work as laborers or domestic help. While the program aimed to provide a better life, it also involved challenges and hardships for the children involved.

Here's a more detailed look:

Emigration:

From the late 1860s to the 1930s, organizations like Barnardo's, along with other groups, sent over 100,000 children to Canada.

Purpose:

The goal was to relocate children from overcrowded British cities to what was seen as the opportunity of a new life in Canada, particularly in rural areas.

"Home Children":

These children were known as "Home Children" because they were sent from British homes (like Barnardo's) to Canadian receiving homes before being placed with families.

Challenges:

The children faced difficult living and working conditions, sometimes experiencing abuse and exploitation.

Legacy:

The "Home Children" experience is a significant part of Canadian history, with descendants of these children still living in Canada today.

Organizations:

Besides Barnardo's, other organizations like the Roman Catholic Church and the Middlemore Emigration Home also participated in sending children to Canada.

Importance of Remembrance:

Organizations like Home Children Canada work to preserve the history of these children and ensure their stories are remembered.

08/03/2025

Think about it.

07/02/2025

Now, wouldn't that be a bit of fun 🤣

But an absolute nightmare for those researching you in the future 😶

06/29/2025

😁

06/11/2025

As long as it's well documented! 😂