Children out of place?

[Orlaith17]

I have uncovered some children in my family tree who show up on the 1901 census in Buckie, Banffshire. There were 4 of them, siblings, born in Glasgow. They were aged 6, 9, 5 and 3 at the time. Their mother was still alive at the time; she died in Dundee in 1906. Not sure about their father yet, but parents were married. Anyone any clues as to why the kids might have been in Buckie? The family they were staying with do not appear to be relatives.

[Russell]

Hi Orlaith

Sounds to me as though the mother may have been in hospital leaving the father to care for young children. If he had no family round about to help the kids would have to be taken into care. The 1900's version of 'fostering' was rather more haphazard than nowadays. It was cheaper to farm the children out to whoever would take them for the florin a week each might be eligible for as maintenance. Most families would not be in a position to take all four children together so a willing, altruistic family might be found at some distance away. Sometimes church folk might recommend suitable placements. Quarriers Orphan Homes had a hospital where TB sufferers could be admitted for long term care while their children would be admitted into the Homes even though they were not orphans. In rural areas potential fosterers like farmers were happy to accept older children since they could be put to work on the farm or as unpaid house servants Unfortunately in many parishes the children would not be kept together as a family. Support for the poor varied enormously across Scotland. In cities children would be admitted into the poorhouse with the sick parent being admitted to the 'hospital' which was often part of the Poorhouse.
Don't know whether any of this could be a possible answer for you though. You would need to enquire whether there are any parish records for the parish they were living in at the time to see if the family were mentioned.

Russell

[Orlaith17]

Hmmmm ...... interesting, thank you for that. I do know the mother was buried in the cemetery poor ground when she died, so maybe she had been unable to support her children. I have the name of the street from the census so hopefully will manage to find out a bit about the area and as you suggested, maybe parish records too.

[WilmaM]

What did the mother die from?
If it was something like TB then perhaps it was thought that the children would be healthier at the coast?

[Orlaith17]

The mother died from Mitral Disease. She was a widow on her death certificate and her death was notified by her sister in law. I know she was buried in the poor ground area of the cemetery, so she may have simply been unable to support her children