I think I may have found one of my ancestor's in the St Joseph's Industrial School records - an Ellen Elizabeth Walker (Ellen E Walker) admitted 1882 aged approx 3 years possibly with Mary Anne Walker aged approx 11 years. I have scans of Ellen's records until her discharge as a teenager.
I am trying to trace Ellen's parents but cannot find birth certificate for her.
Do you know if there is any way to find documents about admissions to the industrial schools with more detail than the basic record books with age and section of the Act committed under?
Many thanks
Raven
Thanks for your email. At present I'm working primarily on the children who went through Burnham.
Are you based in New Zealand?. It looks as if you have already contacted Archives New Zealand if you have scans. They are your best bet in terms of the question you ask. Some of the schools run by religious orders did keep extra information that was kept within the Diocese. I don't have anything either and a quick check of 'Paperspast' reveals nothing, although a Mary Ann Walker was living as a prostitute in Wellington in the early 1890's and her age fits as being born in 1871.
I'll check over the next few days from home but I doubt I have anything on file. Regards Gayle
Thanks also for your reference to the paperspast articles - I will definitely file those as potential links to Mary Anne.
I'm not currently based in NZ but am originally from there and luckily I can access most things online!
Best wishes
Raven