Child Migration

From the 1860s up until the 1960s, children, some as young as three years old, were shipped thousands of miles from home to Commonwealth countries such as Canada and Australia. Many were taken from the UK without their family’s consent or knowledge. While the children were called orphans, a huge percentage had a parent who was just too poor to keep them. The children were used as cheap labour and abuse was rife with a series of scandals emerging in recent years. Between 1869 and 1948, more than 100,000 children were sent to Canada alone and more than 10% of the Canadian population are descendants of the Home Children. British Prime Minister Gordon Brown issued an apology to child migrants on February 24, 2010.

1930s explains why the family took Jessie to Glasgow to have the baby. Baby Scott then lived with Granny Smith.”

“I tried to find reasons for Scott being put into care. I think it was hard for Granny Smith to be left with a small child,” said Judith. “Her family was very dependent on her and she had to step in as a helper a great deal.”

“I also found out that the adoption agencies at that time were dishonest with the families. Granny Smith and Aileen – Scott’s half-sister – tried repeatedly to make contact with Scott, but their letters were not passed on,” she said.

The child abuse inquiry heard that Scott’s granny wrote asking how he was doing in Canada, but Scott was not told about this and he never received her letters.

Taking part in the public inquiry into the abuse of children in care gave Brian and Scott the opportunity to return to Scotland in February 2020.

“I heard from Brian that he and Scott were coming to Scotland to give evidence,” said Judith. “We immediately made plans for a family reunion.”

The moving event took place in Dumbarton and included many cousins from Scott’s mother’s family and descendants of his father. Unfortunately, Scott’s siblings live in Australia and America so could not attend. With a kilted piper to greet them, Brian and Scott made their entrance in style. As the cousins hugged, drank tea and whisky, and got to know one another, the sadness of a lifetime feeling alone began to lift from Scott. “I thought I was alone,” he said. “I was just me. Now, I have family and it’s wonderful.”

In a room of smiling faces, ready to greet and get to know him, Scott was rather quiet and let Brian do most of the talking, he said, “It’ll take a while to settle. I’m beginning to come down from it all.” But, when asked if he was looking forward to going home the next day, he said, “No, I want to stay here.”

Brian said, “I’ve never felt more connected to a place than I do in Scotland. My soul feels at home in Scotland. I cannot wait to come back and bring my family.”

Judith simply beamed throughout the reunion, she said, “I never dreamed I would meet the little boy from my father’s story and I am only sorry that he was not there to meet Scott once more.”

“I thought I was alone. I was just me. wonderful.” Now I have family and it’s