Foster familys in the 1800's

[Pippa]

Can anybody help? I am trying to find out if there was any register of the children who were fostered out to family's living in Edinburgh around 1868 and if so, where I might find it. I have managed to trace my grandfather to a family called Peterson, living at 9, Orwell Place, Edinburgh St Cuthberts, in the 1881 census. Margaret & William Peterson came originally from Shetland, William was a shoemaker, they had 6 children while in Edinburgh, but fostered James Angus 14 years (my grandfather) James Shiels 13 years, John Milne 9 years and Ann Cameron 8 years. Although the family beleived grandfather came from Mussleburgh, we do not know his parents names and I can find no record of his birth in the years 1867 to 1873 under the name of James Angus, so if there is some sort of record I might be able to find out more about him. At the moment I have come to a full stop at 1881!

[DameWallace]

Thats a tough one Pippa. As wonderful as census records are,they still fall short. Is it possible that these children were relatives of the Peterson's? Maybe you should try doing a search of Williams family and see if he maybe had a sister who died around that time frame.Good luck.

[DameWallace]

Oh..forgot to add...Try finding out about Margaret's family also. Most times its family who take in orphans. A shoemaker wouldn't be wealthy, so taking on other children with 6 of his own seems to point to relatives.

[Polwarth]

I thought you might like to know that Orwell Place is still there!

http://www.streetmap.co.uk/newsearch.srf?

St Cuthbert's is still a vibrant church, too.... I know they have facilities for doing family history searches - perhaps they could help you? Lots of families fostered children as a means of making money... children of families whose mother had died and fathers might be at sea or working away in England, for instance. Fostering kept the children from the poorhouse. The parish might be a good place to start your searches.

http://www.st-cuthberts.net/

[Pippa]

Thank you DameWallace & Polwarth for your help. I have looked at a possible family connection with the Peterson's, but think it unlikely. I found them again in 1891, in Buccleuch St., Edinburgh and 3 other children were with them, all with different surnames, age range 4 to 9 years, so I think it more likely they took in children for payment.
I know after grandfather joined the Royal Scots he maintained contact, as I have a couple of letters from the 2 eldest girls to him, given the way they are written, it seems to have been a close family unit. He also kept contact with John Milne, who in 1899 was married and living at the Pleasance.
I spoke to my cousin, she is 30 years older than me and I hope not to bore you, but, from what she says, it is more likely that he was perhaps illegitimate than an orphan. He certainly spent his his life under the name of James Angus, but, I'm not sure it is correct. He asked John Milne to get his birth cert. from the registrar in 1899, his wife managed to get some form of papers, but, the name his mother gave according to the registrar seems to have been false, hence no birth cert.
In the 50's 2 or 3 men arrived at the family home, having been employed to trace grandfather by the "family", he refused to help them, something to do with a will and other brother's and sent them away. He told them his "family" didn't want him as a child and he no interest now, so, somebody out there must know who he is!
All I know about him is from the age of 14, apart from the fact he was brought up in Edinburgh and possibly born at the Simpson Maternity hospital in Edinburgh.
Any thoughts would be very weclome! I will certainly try St. Cuthberts and see if they can help.