Orphanage records now accessible

Some children, though not actually orphans, were admitted to an orphanage because parents or other relatives could not take care of them. This often happened if the child was illegitimate or when a parent was ill, imprisoned or in an asylum. Many orphanage records give the reason for admission, parents' names etc.

Some Queensland orphanage records have recently been opened to the public. The following records are now available in Qld State Archives ArchivesSearch (check periodically in case more are added):

• St. Vincent's Home (Nudgee): Index to admission registers 1866-1905, and admission register 1866-1908.
• Diamantina Orphanage and Receiving Depot: Index to admission registers 1865-1905, and admission registers 1865-1908.
• Meteor Park Orphanage (Neerkol), Rockhampton: Admission registers 1885-1909.
• Industrial and Reformatory School for Boys: Admission register 1871-1906.
• Industrial and Reformatory School for Girls, Toowoomba: Letterbooks of the Superintendent 1881-1895.

If you are looking for more recent records, see the Brief Guide to Orphanages and Children's Homes.

My book Tips for Queensland Research has advice about indexes and records for Townsville, Mackay and Rockhampton orphanages.

'Failing to contribute to support of children in an orphanage' is one of the offences mentioned in Police Station summons sheets. Children charged with 'being a neglected child' are mentioned in police watchhouse charge books.