Orphanages: Canada

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Transcriptions of orphan listings in the US and Canadian census records are online. This new site also needs the help of volunteer transcribers. A valuable resource and timesaver!

Bairncroft Orphanage on Kings Road, Sydney River, Nova Scotia. Opened at least 1921-1985 and was a protestant orphanage. As a child, Heather lived beside this orphanage in Nova Scotia. On occasion when the orphanage became overcrowded, Heather's family took in a child for a time. [CAN]

Thank you Heather for sharing this information with us!

Belvedere Orphanage for Girls in St. John's, Newfoundland operated from 1950-1969 by the Sisters of Mercy Catholic nuns. Allegations of physical abuse in February, 1997 launched criminal investigations. [CAN]

B.C. Protestant Orphans' Home was located at the peak of King's Road in Victoria, British Columbia. It is still around today but it is called the Cridge Centre for the Family. It was founded in 1873 by Rev. Edward Cridge and closed in 1969 due to changing attitudes of child care. It raised more than 1,600 orphans by the time it closed. There are about 800 of these orphans still living who say it was a great opportunity to be raised here. Most of the records are still held at the Cridge Centre. [CAN]

Carmelite Orphanage for Girls, Toronto Ontario, run by the Carmelite nuns. [CAN]

Children's Home of Winnipeg from 1883, possibly the oldest childrenÍs institution in Canada. It was run by the Christian Women's Union of Winnipeg and closed in 1946. [CAN]

Cote de Neiges Road, Montreal - looking for the name of the orphanage and the disposition of records. Please email Val with any information. [CAN]

Edmonton Orphanage, the ex-service men's home. Any info on this organization would be appreciated. Please email us. [CAN]

Father Lacombe's Home for Children, a Catholic orphanage located in Alberta. [CAN]

Fort Alexander Residential School, one of ten residential schools in Manitoba. [CAN]

Forester's Island, Bay of Quinte, south of Tyendinaga Territory begun by Dr. Oronhyatekha. Few details are known, but visit this web site for more information. [CAN]

Fresh Air Work at Sturgeon Creek Camp, Winnipeg. Motto: "Stronger in body and mind, purer in thought, with aspirations to good" - by J.S. Woodsworth. The camp housed children whose parents were dead, in hospital or jail, had no home to go to, aboandoned or who were otherwise ill-treated or could not be cared for. The camp serviced 174 children during the season, with 127 from the mission district. The camp is as little like an institution and as much like a home as it is possible to have it. Good foo, free play, and regular hours of sleep were balanced with a certain amount of housework. The children learned about kitchen and garden methods, housekeeping, hunting and gathering and well as baseball, music, and general play. The influence of trees, flowers, birds, nature and the personal touch of Christian workers provided an uplifting effect on children who had only known life in crowded, dirty tenements where poverty and general wickedness held the norm. [CAN]

Good Shepherd Convent operated orphanages in Manitoba, White Rock BC and Waverly NS. [CAN]

Guardian Angel Home on Quinnpool Road, Halifax NS was founded in 1888. The Sisters of Charity which ran St. Joseph's in Halifax also ran this orphanage. They took care of Catholic infants until the age of 5, at which point they were transferred to St. Joseph's. In 1952, Guardian Shepherd changed to become a home for unwed mothers and their children. If you have any further information or know the whereabouts of records, please visit Shirley's Web site. [CAN]

Guy Hill Residential School in The Pas, Manitoba. [CAN]

Halifax Presbyterian Orphanage in Halifax, Nova Scotia. NOTE: Searching for Heather Lynn Fleet, born in Nova Scotia in 1948, daughter of John Roy Fleet and Loretta Jean MacDonald, and resided in Halifax Presbyterian Orphanage. Also searching for Heather's brother, Glenn David Fleet. These individuals need to contact: Benson Hsieh 604-775-2447. Thank you.

Home of the Friendless, 1890s All People's Mission. 1907- One of Canada's most noteworthy social welfare agencies. It was a pioneer in attempting to reach and serve a section of the population which was largely isolated from the denominational churches. The mission was not proscribed for sectarian religious activity, but focused on the provision of adequate facilities for the assimilation of foreigners and a decent social life for young and old of WinnipegÍs North End. The mission was multilingual. It housed abandoned children. The missions aim was not only to keep young boys off the street but to build strong character within each child. The missions madate stressed prevetnion over treatment in that even in 1909 it was cheaper and better to house, clothe and feed a child for ten dollars a year then it was to keep a man in jail for $150 per year. [CAN]

Home of the Guardian Angel located at 6345 Coburg Road, Halifax NS B3H 2A4, also believed to be run by the Sisters of Charity and possibly the same orphanage as listed above. [CAN]

Hopital de la Misericorde, in Montreal Quebec. This was home to the Duplessis orphans, so named for the Quebec premier who was in power for most of the 1930s, 40s and 50s when these orphans were sent to this hospital. Many of the Duplessis orphans were born to single mothers and then hosptialized as either mentally ill or retarded. Some were left in other orphanages in the city. There was an estimated 3,000 orphanages and almost all of the boys were christened Joseph by the nuns and monks that ran the hospital and the girls were christened Marie. As adults, these orphans have pursued an apology and compensation from the province. Courst rejected a class-action lawsuit because as a class they were not harmed by the same abusers and were not pressing for the same charges. Another problem was that many of the alleged abusers are now dead, incapacitated or cannot be found. The National Post (12/29/98 page A6) notes that, "The case of the Duplessis Orphans is unusual because it appears a policy decision was made to classify them as mental patients to obtain federal funding." [CAN]

Knowles School for Boys in East St. Paul, Manitoba. By 1916 it was a large scale orphanage. In 1959 it was destroyed by fire and replaced with a cottage system. [CAN]

Little Flower Orphanage in Little Bras D'or in Cape Breton, NS. This was a Catholic orphanage. [CAN]

Loyal Protestant Association Orphanage, Vancouver BC. This was an orphanage from 1928-1970 and closed its doors as a home for children in 1983. [CAN]

McNeil Orphanage located in Toronto Ontario. It was a Catholic orphanage that closed in the 1960s, but the location of records or any history is unknown. Email with any info. [CAN]

Moncton Municipal Orphanage was located near the Canadian Forces bases. There are a few photos of the large old house at the Moncton Museum, Mountain Road, Moncton, NB. [CAN]

Montefiore Hebrew Orphans' Home, also referred to as MHOH, has been researched and written about in a wonderful book, 400 Brothers and Sisters, by Judy Gordon. For more info on this orphanage or Montreal Hebrew Orphans' Home visit Judy and Myer Gordon's web site at http://www.montrealorphanages.com.

Montreal Hebrew Orphans' Home, also referred to as MHOH, has been researched and written about in a wonderful book, 400 Brothers and Sisters, by Judy Gordon. For more info on this orphanage or Montefiore Hebrew Orphans' Home visit Judy and Myer Gordon's web site at http://www.montrealorphanages.com.

Mount Cashel Orphanage located in St. John's, Newfoundland. This Roman Catholic orphanage had been one of Newfoundland's most respected institutions housing orphaned or abandoned boys for 90 years. In December, 1989, allegations of sexual and physical abuse were publicized in St. John's Sunday Express. Within six months, the last remaining resident was placed in alternative accomodation and Mount Cashel closed down permanently. Ongoing legal battles continue. [CAN]

Mount Providence Orphanage, Quebec, run by Roman Catholic priests. [CAN]

Mount St. Joseph's Orphanage (circa 1915) was located in southwestern Ontario, likely in London or Tilsonburg. [CAN]

Nova Scotia Home for Coloured Children, Halifax, Nova Scotia. [CAN]

Orphelinat de Lisbourg (QC) operated from 1943-1960. Their records are held by Évêché de St-Jerome, 355, rue St-Georges, St-Jerome, QC. J7Z 5A9 (514) 432-9742. [CAN]

Orphelinat Sorel operated by the Grey Nuns of Montreal. The records can be reviewed iva the Grey Nuns of Montreal, Sr. Marie-Paule Messier, S.c.s.h. or Sr. Aurore Larkin SGM, Superior General, Montreal QC H2Y 2L7. [CAN]

Orange Home, was located in Indian Head, Saskatchewan. No known information at this time. [CAN]

Pine Creek Residential School near Camperville Manitoba. Like most residential schools this was operated by the Catholic church and housed aboriginal children as orphans, teaching them white anglo culture and studies. They were removed from their parental homes on reserves and denied access to family or their culture and heritage. [CAN]

Protestant Orphanage, Pounderville Lot 90, St. Charles. The farm and house are now called Pounderville. Originally it wa sthe Protestant Orphanage maintained by the Orange Order of Manitoba, 1963. The property called 'Elm Tree Farm,' is presently owned by Robert M. Chipman (1980). The suites are occupied by those who have duties relating to the operation of the many enterprises centered at the farm. The children from Camp Manitou still visit there and the tree still provides the focus for the campfire legend. Building completed in 1924. [CAN]

Protestant Orphanage Home located in Saint John, New Brunswick. Limited archival information is held at the Provincial Archives of New Brunswick, University of New Brunswick, Fredericton, NB. [CAN]

Quarriers Homes originated in the United Kingdom but there was also a Canadian affiliate. Visit http://cc.recorder.ca/~melking for more information or email quarriers@quarriers.org.uk. [CAN]

Sir Hugh John MacDonald Memorial Hostel operated from 1929 as a Home for wayward and underprivileged boys. [CAN]

St. Agnes School for Girls was runy by the Sisters of the Good Shepherd. In 1925 it was a medium size orphanage and operated as such for 23 years. In 1948 it became St. Agnes School for Girls. [CAN]

St. Ann's Academy. There are two on Vancouver Island; one in Victoria, BC and the other in Cowichan, BC. They were both run by the Sisters of St. Ann's, a teaching order of Catholic nuns. Originally the one in Victoria held both boys and girls. In 1864 the nuns opened the large boarding school in Cowichan with the goal of educating the native girls of that area. It was then enlarged to include the overflow of orphaned girls from the academy in Victoria. In 1904 the nuns moved the girls from Cowichan to an orphanage/school in Nanaimo and the Cowichan school became exclusively all boys. The school renamed itself to St. Ann's Boys' School, Duncan, and gave boys the advantage of being on the large Cowichan farm with other young boys in the district. The boys learned everything including physical education, sports, gardening, scouting, choral and music in addition to all the housekeeping tasks. From 1904-1921 there were between 30-50 students that boarded there. In 1921 new construction increased the size of the school and they also accepted 'externs,' or day-students. By 1950, girls were enrolled as externs and the population grew to over 100 students. In 1956 it became only a day school for girls and boys. In 1961 whites and Indians alike were accepted in accordance with Canadian federal government policy. The school closed on June 22, 1964 when a new one was built and the students were moved into Duncan. Health and safety regulations have prevented the three-story plus basement building from housing any students. After it closed sections were rented to large local families including the Stinnissens. Without sprinkler systems or fire alarms or the money to bring the building up to safety codes, the second and third floors were closed off. The beautiful building still stands today on its original 162 hectares of land (400 acres). It is now leased to a non-profit agency and calls itself Providence Farm. They offer an alternative school, horticulture training centre for the disabled, therapeutic riding, a volunteer program, community gardens and fresh produce. The building is open to the public and some history records are preserved here. The balance of St. Ann's records are located 1550 Bagbie Street in Victoria and are available for research purposes. [CAN]

St. Joseph's Orphanage was located on Quinpool Road, Halifax Nova Scotia. It was established in May 1849 under the care of the Sisters odf Charity and orphans were placed in St. Mary's. In June 1868, they were transferred to a small cottage in St. Joseph's parish. In 1872, orphans were transferred again to the St. John's Convent on Dutch Village Road. When this was no longer able to hold all the orphans, the archbishop built a suitable house at the corner of Gottigen and Kaye streets. It opened in Sept 1873. On July 16, 1881 the orphanage was partially destroyed by fire and the children were removed to Brunswick Street. They remained here from 1882-1893. On October 12, 1893 they came to their present home as built by Archbishop O'Brien. It shut down in 1967, then re-opened in January 1968 as St. Joe's daycare centre. It was later shut down and eventually the buildings were demolished and it is now commercial property. Most of this data was obtained through records at the Provincial Archives of Nova Scotia. For more info or to contact a former resident, visit Pat. Information concerning relatives or residents at the orphanage can be send obtained from Sisters of Charity of Ottawa, 9 Bruyere Street, Ottawa ON K1N 5C9 Canada. [CAN]

St. Joseph's Orphanage at 353 St. Mary Avenue, Winnipeg from 1899. The original building was used as a residence for the Oblate Fathers who served the Cathedral. This original building, with its steep pitched roof and row of pointed dormers, was moved round to the Carlton side of the property to serve as the St. JosephÍs Orphanage, Providence Shelter, and finally Franciscan Monastery. It was pulled down in 1962 to make way for a Friary. Its last act was to feed transients passing through. The orphanage and shelter were unfortunate victims of debt overload and the Depression. [CAN]

St. Joseph's Orphanage/Orphelinat Saint Joseph, in Rockliff Village, Ottawa. [CAN]

St. Joseph's Training School in Alfred, Ontario. [CAN]

St. Joseph's Vocational School was operated by Roman Catholic Grey Nuns. From 1906-1938 it was known as St. JosephÍs Orphanage, but later became 'school.' [CAN]

St. Julien Hospital, Quebec, one of the many homes for the Duplessis orphans 1930-1960. Teenage girls were often punished with trips to 'cells,' or to the 'dungeon.' [CAN]

St. Patrick's Orphanage was a Catholic orphanage located at 5808 Deom Street (rue Deom) in Outremont, Montreal, Quebec for both boys and girls and operated first by the Grey Nuns, then in the early 1940s it was turned over to the Sisters of St. Joseph. It is was very near Cote St, Catherine and Bellingham Streets and is now the site of Tour Royal and luxury condominiums. St. Patrick's taught the residents/students in English and was at the heart of the Irish community. The girls and boys lived in separate wings from one another but attended classes together until grade six. After Grade six, the residents were sent across the street to St. Raphael's School. I was advised that when the orphanage was closed in 1970, all records were turned over to the province. Increasingly my research shows this may not have been the case. A complete and updated history of St. Patrick's orphanage is forthcoming. If you have any information, photos or memories, please feel free to email me. Read more about St. Patrick's Orphanage of Montreal. [CAN]

St. Patrick's Orphanage located in Prince Albert, Saskatchewan. Seeking any information on this orphanage or contact with any previous residents. Email us with any suggestions. Please specify that it is about the Prince Albert St. Patrick's Orphanage. There was a fire at the orphanage in 1948. [CAN]

St. Patrick's Orphanage and Asylum a.k.a. St. Patrick's Home in Ottawa, Ontario. This orphanage housed both boys and girls answering a need for caring for the Irish poor. There were also homeless adults that resided here. It closed permanently in 1961. For more information, see their site. [CAN]

Truro School for Girls in NS. There was also the home for boys in Shelburne. [CAN]

Veith Street Protestant Orphans' Home located on Veith Street in Halifax Nova Scotia. The orphanage is now closed but the building was last known to be a daycare. Looking for the records or any information of this facility? Try the Chronicle-Herald archives as numerous news articles have been written on this orphanage. [CAN]

Winnipeg Jewish Orphanage, Winnipeg Manitoba. [CAN]