Convent Refuge reformatory Schools for girls
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Convent Refuge reformatory Schools for girls
Does anybody know anthing about the Convent Refuge Reformatory School, Toll Cross, Shettleston, Lanark and Dean Bank Institution Edinburgh for girls.
Are they any records that I could look up?
Regards Margaret
Are they any records that I could look up?
Regards Margaret
Last edited by Dachaidh on Tue May 01, 2007 5:00 pm, edited 1 time in total.
Family re-search: McLellans-North Morar, Ross-Hilton Fearn, Johnston/ Oliphant and Anderson - Cuper and Newburgh, Fife. Jack and Carruthers-Dumbarton, Grant - Glasgow/Bishopbriggs.
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Hi Margaret,
Welcome to TalkingScot!
Here's a link which may help? You could also visit our FAQ forum.
http://talkingscot.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=6922
Regards
Marilyn
Welcome to TalkingScot!
Here's a link which may help? You could also visit our FAQ forum.
http://talkingscot.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=6922
Regards
Marilyn
Hi Marilyn
Thank you for your reply. I have had a quick look, some good information, thanks.
The reason I am trying to find out about these Reformatory Schools is on my family tree I have a young girl age 10 who was on the 1871 census at the Dean Bank Institution for girls and 10 years later on the 1881 census was at the Convent Refuge Reformatory School, Toll Cross, Shettleston, Lanark. She had a large family and none of her brothers and sisters were sent away. I have found out that these schools were for children and young girls who had a criminal conviction of one kind or another.
I just wonder what a young girl of 10 or younger cound have done that was so bad she was keep in for all these years. On the 1871 census we have family who were visiting her so we know that they did not disown her.
She left at about 20 years old and got married and had a family of her own.
I was woundering if they would be any records that I could look up that would tell why she was sent there in the first place?
Regards Margaret
Thank you for your reply. I have had a quick look, some good information, thanks.
The reason I am trying to find out about these Reformatory Schools is on my family tree I have a young girl age 10 who was on the 1871 census at the Dean Bank Institution for girls and 10 years later on the 1881 census was at the Convent Refuge Reformatory School, Toll Cross, Shettleston, Lanark. She had a large family and none of her brothers and sisters were sent away. I have found out that these schools were for children and young girls who had a criminal conviction of one kind or another.
I just wonder what a young girl of 10 or younger cound have done that was so bad she was keep in for all these years. On the 1871 census we have family who were visiting her so we know that they did not disown her.
She left at about 20 years old and got married and had a family of her own.
I was woundering if they would be any records that I could look up that would tell why she was sent there in the first place?
Regards Margaret
Family re-search: McLellans-North Morar, Ross-Hilton Fearn, Johnston/ Oliphant and Anderson - Cuper and Newburgh, Fife. Jack and Carruthers-Dumbarton, Grant - Glasgow/Bishopbriggs.
Hi Margaret
Children were often sent to Reformatories for what would be considered minor crimes now. Since their conviction for a crime was part of the Criminal Justice system it is unlikely that records for that aspect survive.
Whether there are any records archived for the individual instititution is a different matter. Its time to cross your fingers and go searching
If you do find a source of additional information I would appreciate it if you would let me know so I can add it to the Orphanages & Institutions section.
Its a fascinating, and sometimes horrifying, area. Children were subjected to conditions and regimes which would cause an outcry nowadays.
Russell
Children were often sent to Reformatories for what would be considered minor crimes now. Since their conviction for a crime was part of the Criminal Justice system it is unlikely that records for that aspect survive.
Whether there are any records archived for the individual instititution is a different matter. Its time to cross your fingers and go searching
If you do find a source of additional information I would appreciate it if you would let me know so I can add it to the Orphanages & Institutions section.
Its a fascinating, and sometimes horrifying, area. Children were subjected to conditions and regimes which would cause an outcry nowadays.
Russell
Working on: Oman, Brock, Miller/Millar, in Caithness.
Roan/Rowan, Hastings, Sharp, Lapraik in Ayr & Kirkcudbrightshire.
Johnston, Reside, Lyle all over the place !
McGilvray(spelt 26 different ways)
Watson, Morton, Anderson, Tawse, in Kilrenny
Roan/Rowan, Hastings, Sharp, Lapraik in Ayr & Kirkcudbrightshire.
Johnston, Reside, Lyle all over the place !
McGilvray(spelt 26 different ways)
Watson, Morton, Anderson, Tawse, in Kilrenny
Hello Margaret.
There is reference to The Dean Reformatory School for girls in Cassell's Old & New Edinburgh, Vol V Page 85.
www.oldandnewedinburgh.co.uk.
Regards
Frances
There is reference to The Dean Reformatory School for girls in Cassell's Old & New Edinburgh, Vol V Page 85.
www.oldandnewedinburgh.co.uk.
Regards
Frances
searching for macrae family Black Isle/ Invernessshire
Kelly/Kelley/Burns family -Ireland /Lanarkshire/Edinburgh
Kelly/Kelley/Burns family -Ireland /Lanarkshire/Edinburgh
Thanks Frances
I've just added that link to the Institutions thread.
I hadn't reached that far in the volumes. Too many other interesting side issues to pursue.
Hi Margaret
I'm now intrigued as to why she ended up in a Glasgow Institution having started out in Edinburgh. City Councils didn't usually take on the problems from another city
Russell
I've just added that link to the Institutions thread.
I hadn't reached that far in the volumes. Too many other interesting side issues to pursue.
Hi Margaret
I'm now intrigued as to why she ended up in a Glasgow Institution having started out in Edinburgh. City Councils didn't usually take on the problems from another city
Russell
Working on: Oman, Brock, Miller/Millar, in Caithness.
Roan/Rowan, Hastings, Sharp, Lapraik in Ayr & Kirkcudbrightshire.
Johnston, Reside, Lyle all over the place !
McGilvray(spelt 26 different ways)
Watson, Morton, Anderson, Tawse, in Kilrenny
Roan/Rowan, Hastings, Sharp, Lapraik in Ayr & Kirkcudbrightshire.
Johnston, Reside, Lyle all over the place !
McGilvray(spelt 26 different ways)
Watson, Morton, Anderson, Tawse, in Kilrenny
Hi Russel
Thanks for you reply. I will need to get back to Scotland and see what I can find.
If I find any new info I will let you know.
Margaret
Thanks for you reply. I will need to get back to Scotland and see what I can find.
If I find any new info I will let you know.
Margaret
Family re-search: McLellans-North Morar, Ross-Hilton Fearn, Johnston/ Oliphant and Anderson - Cuper and Newburgh, Fife. Jack and Carruthers-Dumbarton, Grant - Glasgow/Bishopbriggs.
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- Posts: 2
- Joined: Tue Mar 05, 2013 12:18 am
Re: Convent Refuge reformatory Schools for girls
Dear Margaret,
I am carrying out research into the Dean Bank Institution and I am keen to find out about the lives of the girls who attended the Institution particularly what impact attending the Institution had on their lives. I would be very interested to get in to contact with you about your ancestor.
Detailed below is a summary of some information I have put together on the Institution.
The Dean Bank Institution was established in 1832 by a small band of women and worked from buildings in the Silvermills/Stockbridge area of Edinburgh from 1832 - 1912.
Prior to the establishment of the Institution a number of women inspired by the work in England of Elizabeth Fry “began systematically to visit the female wards of the Edinburgh Prison”. They recognized however that many of the female prisoners quickly returned to prison as they found it difficult to find employment. Their solution was to establish the Dean Bank Institution, a place where girls could be taken out of close association with hardened criminals and trained for domestic service. The Institution’s fiftieth anniversary report noted:
“The difficulty of finding employment suggested the idea of a “Home”, where those really anxious to do well might be taught and fitted for the service of employers, willing to give them an opportunity of recovering their position in life. A house at Dean Bank was taken, and in 1832, the Institution was opened. Entrance was entirely voluntary, and the expenses were met by the contributions of those interested, and the proceeds of washing and sewing done by the inmates”
It is important to recognise that the establishment of this Institution marked a significant step forward in social reform as it was the first such refuge in Scotland where its primary objective was the reformation of female prisoners (Ralston, 1984).
The Institution was run by a Ladies’ Committee who were also actively involved in the daily work of the home. Members of the Committee were well known and some not so well known social reformers and nineteenth century liberal political activists including Eliza Wigham, Louisa Stevenson, two sisters, Kate and Barbara Bell McLaren (members of the McLaren Family) and Elizabeth (Betsy) Fraser. Many of these are documented as key active reformers in the 1800’s not only for prison reform but also for the anti-corn laws, right to vote, the education of women (including law and medicine) women’s suffrage movement, anti-slavery movement, the right for education for all, the establishment of secular education. From its early days its Directors were the Lord Provost of the City, the Sheriff of the County, the Dean of Guild and other influential men of the City including the Governors of Edinburgh Jail.
Elizabeth Fry herself visited the Institution in 1834 and it was one of the first members of the Britain wide Reformatory and Refuge Union set up by the social reformer Mary Carpenter in 1852. The 1875 annual report of the Institution noted Dr. Barnardo’s comment that the Dean Bank children were “a set of girls …. that it does one’s heart good to look at”.
Due to receiving numerous applications for admission a second Branch Institution was opened at Boroughmuirhead in 1848. Dean Bank’s focus was by then developing towards being a Preventive Institution, taking girls off the streets and trying to train them for domestic service in an environment that gave them a sense of family life. Boroughmuir, on the other hand, was a Reform Institution, taking girls who had already been brought before the courts.
To more accurately reflect its work in 1870 at the suggestion of Mr. Smith, the Governor of Calton Jail, its name changed from the “Dean Bank Institution for Juvenile Delinquents” to the “Dean Bank Institution for the Religious, Moral, and Industrial Training of Girls”.
Kind regards,
Niamh
I am carrying out research into the Dean Bank Institution and I am keen to find out about the lives of the girls who attended the Institution particularly what impact attending the Institution had on their lives. I would be very interested to get in to contact with you about your ancestor.
Detailed below is a summary of some information I have put together on the Institution.
The Dean Bank Institution was established in 1832 by a small band of women and worked from buildings in the Silvermills/Stockbridge area of Edinburgh from 1832 - 1912.
Prior to the establishment of the Institution a number of women inspired by the work in England of Elizabeth Fry “began systematically to visit the female wards of the Edinburgh Prison”. They recognized however that many of the female prisoners quickly returned to prison as they found it difficult to find employment. Their solution was to establish the Dean Bank Institution, a place where girls could be taken out of close association with hardened criminals and trained for domestic service. The Institution’s fiftieth anniversary report noted:
“The difficulty of finding employment suggested the idea of a “Home”, where those really anxious to do well might be taught and fitted for the service of employers, willing to give them an opportunity of recovering their position in life. A house at Dean Bank was taken, and in 1832, the Institution was opened. Entrance was entirely voluntary, and the expenses were met by the contributions of those interested, and the proceeds of washing and sewing done by the inmates”
It is important to recognise that the establishment of this Institution marked a significant step forward in social reform as it was the first such refuge in Scotland where its primary objective was the reformation of female prisoners (Ralston, 1984).
The Institution was run by a Ladies’ Committee who were also actively involved in the daily work of the home. Members of the Committee were well known and some not so well known social reformers and nineteenth century liberal political activists including Eliza Wigham, Louisa Stevenson, two sisters, Kate and Barbara Bell McLaren (members of the McLaren Family) and Elizabeth (Betsy) Fraser. Many of these are documented as key active reformers in the 1800’s not only for prison reform but also for the anti-corn laws, right to vote, the education of women (including law and medicine) women’s suffrage movement, anti-slavery movement, the right for education for all, the establishment of secular education. From its early days its Directors were the Lord Provost of the City, the Sheriff of the County, the Dean of Guild and other influential men of the City including the Governors of Edinburgh Jail.
Elizabeth Fry herself visited the Institution in 1834 and it was one of the first members of the Britain wide Reformatory and Refuge Union set up by the social reformer Mary Carpenter in 1852. The 1875 annual report of the Institution noted Dr. Barnardo’s comment that the Dean Bank children were “a set of girls …. that it does one’s heart good to look at”.
Due to receiving numerous applications for admission a second Branch Institution was opened at Boroughmuirhead in 1848. Dean Bank’s focus was by then developing towards being a Preventive Institution, taking girls off the streets and trying to train them for domestic service in an environment that gave them a sense of family life. Boroughmuir, on the other hand, was a Reform Institution, taking girls who had already been brought before the courts.
To more accurately reflect its work in 1870 at the suggestion of Mr. Smith, the Governor of Calton Jail, its name changed from the “Dean Bank Institution for Juvenile Delinquents” to the “Dean Bank Institution for the Religious, Moral, and Industrial Training of Girls”.
Kind regards,
Niamh