James's Story....so far


After the death of his mother Annie (nee DENIORD), James father, Samuel WIDDICKS for reason's I don't know allowed James and his two siblings, Rose and Maud, to be taken into care.

James was taken into care by the Board of Guardians Whitechapel and in 1901 is shown in the British census as an inmate, aged five, living at Mile End Old Town, London, England. Then on 13 Dec 1902 James was moved to Kent to live at the Farningham home for little boys, where he stayed until 7 April 1902.

The next record of James is from the passenger list's when on 20 May 1909 James was amongst a group of Barnardo's children sailing on the ship "Corsican" from Liverpool to Quebec, Canada. James arrived in Quebec on 28 May 1909 and was transferred to Toronto, Ontario. In 1910 there are records showing James in Hastings East, Ontario.

In 1911 James is a servant on a farm working 60 hours a week 52 weeks a year!!! There's another british home child at the farm called Alice POINTING, a servant of the house who worked the same hours as James. This is the last known whereabouts of James apart from his final resting place at Whites Bayside Cemetery, Hastings, Ontario. Grave ref 1185. Two other people share the grave, they are Carol Maud WIDDICKS and Annie E C WIDDICKS. (no dates known)

James' sisters, Maud and Rose, where also British Home Children. All three children travelled at different times.

If anyone can fill in the missing parts of James's life or point me in the right direction it would be greatly appreciated.