Louisa Birt - The Liverpool Sheltering Home
& Knowlton, Quebec
A photo of children who were part of the sixty fifty party from Louisa Birt, July 1903
Name of the children on this voyage, landed July 14 1903 on the Lake Manitoba
Percy Baker, Harry Burgham, Elizabeth Davies, Ethel Davies, May Davies, Letitia Fodere, Edward Johnson, A Lock, Dorothy Lock, Harriet Lock, Reginald Neagle, Arthur Plunkett, Sidney Plunkett, Harry Roberts, Richard Vaughan, Alfred Wood, Henry Wood, John Wood, Thomas Wood
Name of the children on this voyage, landed July 14 1903 on the Lake Manitoba
Percy Baker, Harry Burgham, Elizabeth Davies, Ethel Davies, May Davies, Letitia Fodere, Edward Johnson, A Lock, Dorothy Lock, Harriet Lock, Reginald Neagle, Arthur Plunkett, Sidney Plunkett, Harry Roberts, Richard Vaughan, Alfred Wood, Henry Wood, John Wood, Thomas Wood
Ellen & Annie Whatling
by LeeAnn Beer, Granddaughter of Annie
Annie was a Canadian British Home Child who was emigrated from England by Louisa Birt (The Liverpool Sheltering Home) in April 1911 to Knowlton, Quebec, Canada. She was first indentured in Templeton, Quebec for 17 months, and then in St. Rose De lima (both in the Gatineau region). Her sister Ellen Mary Whatling was emigrated at the same time.
Annie was a domestic servant until the age of 22 (1923) when the elderly woman she worked for in St. Rose De Lima passed away.
Annie worked as a domestic while putting herself through preparatory school at Boston Bible College and missionary training at Nyack, New York; becoming a Canadian Presbyterian missionary at the age of 25 (1926).
Annie served as a Canadian Presbyterian missionary in Jhansi, India for 19 years (1926-1945) and held a lifetime membership with the Women's Missionary Society (Western Division) of the Presbyterian Church in Canada.
Annie was a domestic servant until the age of 22 (1923) when the elderly woman she worked for in St. Rose De Lima passed away.
Annie worked as a domestic while putting herself through preparatory school at Boston Bible College and missionary training at Nyack, New York; becoming a Canadian Presbyterian missionary at the age of 25 (1926).
Annie served as a Canadian Presbyterian missionary in Jhansi, India for 19 years (1926-1945) and held a lifetime membership with the Women's Missionary Society (Western Division) of the Presbyterian Church in Canada.

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slide show of photos of Louisa Birt from
The children's home-finder : the story of Annie MacPherson and Louisa Birt
courtesy of McMaster University Digitalcommons@McMaster
Birt, Lilian M., "The children's home-finder : the story of Annie MacPherson and Louisa Birt" (1913). The McMaster Collection. Paper 128. http://digitalcommons.mcmaster.ca/mcmastercollection/128
magazine published January 1883
Source: National Archives of Canada c-4690 Vol. 32 File 724 Part 1
From the book: Mary Janeway: The Legacy of a Home Child By Mary Petti
From the book: Mary Janeway: The Legacy of a Home Child By Mary Petti
Knowlton House today
Pictures taken July 2013 by Lori Oschefski
Louisa Birt with some of the Knowlton children
year and children unknown
Mrs. Elizabeth Meiklejohn
Superintendent of the Knowlton Home
The case of Margaret Rickerby who was placed farmer Jesse W McConnell of Hatley Township - The Knowlton Home was asking for the return of the child from Mr. McConnell who was to leave to the United States. Knowlton was denied the return of the child.
Government Reports from the
Sessional papers of the Dominion of Canada
Knowlton Home; The Ottawa Journal, May 06, 1911.
Some surnames identified (arrived together on the Corsican April 30, 1911):
Lena TASKER; Ann J.; Agnes HARVEY; Edith HARVEY; Hannah HARVEY; Winifred ---; Ada L.; Florence TINSLEY; May TINSLEY; Agnes HOUSSEY; Maggie HARTLEY; Emily W.; Elizabeth DAVENPORT; Rhoda GOODCHILD; Annie WHATLING; Nellie WHATLING [aka Ellen Mary]; Edith HICKMAN; Hannah DEAN; Gladys FULLER; Annie ADDISON; Florence TAYLOR; Annie ORDOYNO; Maud KEEPING; May N.; Arthur M. ; Vincent H.; Albert G.; Willie T.; Donald T.; Tom T.; William ---; John T.
Some surnames identified (arrived together on the Corsican April 30, 1911):
Lena TASKER; Ann J.; Agnes HARVEY; Edith HARVEY; Hannah HARVEY; Winifred ---; Ada L.; Florence TINSLEY; May TINSLEY; Agnes HOUSSEY; Maggie HARTLEY; Emily W.; Elizabeth DAVENPORT; Rhoda GOODCHILD; Annie WHATLING; Nellie WHATLING [aka Ellen Mary]; Edith HICKMAN; Hannah DEAN; Gladys FULLER; Annie ADDISON; Florence TAYLOR; Annie ORDOYNO; Maud KEEPING; May N.; Arthur M. ; Vincent H.; Albert G.; Willie T.; Donald T.; Tom T.; William ---; John T.
Various information
Held by the Liverpool Records office, some photos, letter and such regarding children in Canada.
http://discovery.nationalarchives.gov.uk/details/rd/2d383978-f241-46f8-b7fc-f2c43df512b2
920 BIR 1 Papers relating to Edith Barker
920 BIR 2 Papers relating to George Fisher
920 BIR 3 Papers relating to George Eaton
920 BIR 4 Papers relating to Mildred Cade
920 BIR 5 Papers relating to Jessie Roberts
920 BIR 6 Papers relating to Sarah Jones and her children
http://discovery.nationalarchives.gov.uk/details/rd/2d383978-f241-46f8-b7fc-f2c43df512b2
920 BIR 1 Papers relating to Edith Barker
920 BIR 2 Papers relating to George Fisher
920 BIR 3 Papers relating to George Eaton
920 BIR 4 Papers relating to Mildred Cade
920 BIR 5 Papers relating to Jessie Roberts
920 BIR 6 Papers relating to Sarah Jones and her children
Mary Jane McLaughlin died July 1901. Her funeral was July 13, 1901. Source is the
Diary Of Rosabelle White Adams 1867 and 1898-1917 published by Brome County Historical Society.
1901 Canadian census
37 98 Mclaughlin Mary J F Head W Mar 23 1837 64
38 98 Walters Sarah F Lodger S Nov 29 1873 27
39 98 Fournier Maude F Domestic S Apr 23 1884 16
40 98 Dixon Joseph M Domestic S May 12 1885 15
District: QU BROME (#144)
Subdistrict: Bolton (West/Ouest) b-1 Page 9
DIXON, Joseph - 15, domestic for McLaughlin family in Bolton,Brome,Quebec
arr 1901 on SS Dominion with Mrs Birts party,
DIXON , Joseph
Age: 15
Sex: M
Year of arrival: 1901
Ship: SS Dominion
Port of departure: Liverpool
Departure Date: 7 Mar 1901
Port of arrival: Portland
Arrival Date: Mar 1901
Party: See comments
Destination: Knowlton, Que.
Comments: A group of 60 children probably from Mrs. Birt's home in Liverpool to Knowlton, Quebec. This record is available through the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, Family History Centers, on film #1449400.
Reference: RG76 C 1 a
1881 Canadian census:
James MCLAUGHLIN M Male Scottish 60 Scotland Farmer Methodist
Mary MCLAUGHLIN M Female Scottish 44 Q <Quebec> Methodist
William MCLAUGHLIN Male Scottish 23 Q <Quebec> Farmer Church of England
Frank MCLAUGHLIN Male Scottish 12 Q <Quebec> Church of England
Henry MILLER Male French 25 Q <Quebec> Servant Catholic
Delia COOPER Female English 20 Q <Quebec> Servant Methodist
Eliza FREELAND Female English 15 England Servant Church of England
Source Information:
Census Place Bolton West, Brome, Quebec
Family History Library Film 1375838
NA Film Number C-13202
District 60
Sub-district E
Page Number 37
Household Number 183
FREELAND , Eliza
Age: 14
Sex: F
Year of arrival: 1879
Microfilm reel: C-4530
Ship: SS Sardinian
Port of departure: Liverpool
Departure Date: 24 Apr 1879
Port of arrival: Quebec
Arrival Date: 4 May 1879
Party: Mrs. Birt's and Miss Macpherson's
Comments: See also RG17, Vol.252, File 25976.
Reference: RG76 C 1 a
An update to Georgina Sales information:
FREELAND, Eliza - 15, servant for McLaughlin family in Bolton West,
Brome, Que arr 1879 on SS Sardinian Mrs. Birt's & Miss Macpherson
It could be possible Joseph Dixon a homechild was sent back to the Knowlton home because of these facts.
Mary Jane McLaughlin died July 1901. Her funeral was July 13, 1901. Source is the Diary Of Rosabelle White Adams 1867 and 1898-1917 published by Brome County Historical Society.
It appears that there was another homechild in this home in 1881. I did not find Eliza Freeland on the database list. If anyone has any interest in these 2 children please email me at [email protected] for the entry.
1901 Canadian census
37 98 Mclaughlin Mary J F Head W Mar 23 1837 64
38 98 Walters Sarah F Lodger S Nov 29 1873 27
39 98 Fournier Maude F Domestic S Apr 23 1884 16
40 98 Dixon Joseph M Domestic S May 12 1885 15
District: QU BROME (#144)
Subdistrict: Bolton (West/Ouest) b-1 Page 9
DIXON , Joseph
Age: 15
Sex: M
Year of arrival: 1901
Ship: SS Dominion
Port of departure: Liverpool
Departure Date: 7 Mar 1901
Port of arrival: Portland
Arrival Date: Mar 1901
Party: See comments
Destination: Knowlton, Que.
Comments: A group of 60 children probably from Mrs. Birt's home in Liverpool to Knowlton, Quebec. This record is available through the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, Family History Centers, on film #1449400.
Reference: RG76 C 1 a
1881 Canadian census:
James MCLAUGHLIN M Male Scottish 60 Scotland Farmer Methodist
Mary MCLAUGHLIN M Female Scottish 44 Q <Quebec> Methodist
William MCLAUGHLIN Male Scottish 23 Q <Quebec> Farmer Church of England
Frank MCLAUGHLIN Male Scottish 12 Q <Quebec> Church of England
Henry MILLER Male French 25 Q <Quebec> Servant Catholic
Delia COOPER Female English 20 Q <Quebec> Servant Methodist
Eliza FREELAND Female English 15 England Servant Church of England
Source Information:
Census Place Bolton West, Brome, Quebec
Family History Library Film 1375838
NA Film Number C-13202
District 60
Sub-district E
Page Number 37
Household Number 183
FREELAND , Eliza
Age: 14
Sex: F
Year of arrival: 1879
Microfilm reel: C-4530
Ship: SS Sardinian
Port of departure: Liverpool
Departure Date: 24 Apr 1879
Port of arrival: Quebec
Arrival Date: 4 May 1879
Party: Mrs. Birt's and Miss Macpherson's
Comments: See also RG17, Vol.252, File 25976.
Reference: RG76 C 1 a
Judy Youngs Kennedy
grandaughter to Luke Youngs b. 1877 in Dover Kent England d. July 13, 1933 Springfield Ma. I have not proven that Luke is a homechild. I do know his father Mark Youngs was a constable living in Toxteth Park until after 1915. I have found distant relatives in Austrialia.
Walters Sarah F Lodger S Nov 29 1873 27
39 98 Fournier Maude F Domestic S Apr 23 1884 16
40 98 Dixon Joseph M Domestic S May 12 1885 15
Diary Of Rosabelle White Adams 1867 and 1898-1917 published by Brome County Historical Society.
1901 Canadian census
37 98 Mclaughlin Mary J F Head W Mar 23 1837 64
38 98 Walters Sarah F Lodger S Nov 29 1873 27
39 98 Fournier Maude F Domestic S Apr 23 1884 16
40 98 Dixon Joseph M Domestic S May 12 1885 15
District: QU BROME (#144)
Subdistrict: Bolton (West/Ouest) b-1 Page 9
DIXON, Joseph - 15, domestic for McLaughlin family in Bolton,Brome,Quebec
arr 1901 on SS Dominion with Mrs Birts party,
DIXON , Joseph
Age: 15
Sex: M
Year of arrival: 1901
Ship: SS Dominion
Port of departure: Liverpool
Departure Date: 7 Mar 1901
Port of arrival: Portland
Arrival Date: Mar 1901
Party: See comments
Destination: Knowlton, Que.
Comments: A group of 60 children probably from Mrs. Birt's home in Liverpool to Knowlton, Quebec. This record is available through the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, Family History Centers, on film #1449400.
Reference: RG76 C 1 a
1881 Canadian census:
James MCLAUGHLIN M Male Scottish 60 Scotland Farmer Methodist
Mary MCLAUGHLIN M Female Scottish 44 Q <Quebec> Methodist
William MCLAUGHLIN Male Scottish 23 Q <Quebec> Farmer Church of England
Frank MCLAUGHLIN Male Scottish 12 Q <Quebec> Church of England
Henry MILLER Male French 25 Q <Quebec> Servant Catholic
Delia COOPER Female English 20 Q <Quebec> Servant Methodist
Eliza FREELAND Female English 15 England Servant Church of England
Source Information:
Census Place Bolton West, Brome, Quebec
Family History Library Film 1375838
NA Film Number C-13202
District 60
Sub-district E
Page Number 37
Household Number 183
FREELAND , Eliza
Age: 14
Sex: F
Year of arrival: 1879
Microfilm reel: C-4530
Ship: SS Sardinian
Port of departure: Liverpool
Departure Date: 24 Apr 1879
Port of arrival: Quebec
Arrival Date: 4 May 1879
Party: Mrs. Birt's and Miss Macpherson's
Comments: See also RG17, Vol.252, File 25976.
Reference: RG76 C 1 a
An update to Georgina Sales information:
FREELAND, Eliza - 15, servant for McLaughlin family in Bolton West,
Brome, Que arr 1879 on SS Sardinian Mrs. Birt's & Miss Macpherson
It could be possible Joseph Dixon a homechild was sent back to the Knowlton home because of these facts.
Mary Jane McLaughlin died July 1901. Her funeral was July 13, 1901. Source is the Diary Of Rosabelle White Adams 1867 and 1898-1917 published by Brome County Historical Society.
It appears that there was another homechild in this home in 1881. I did not find Eliza Freeland on the database list. If anyone has any interest in these 2 children please email me at [email protected] for the entry.
1901 Canadian census
37 98 Mclaughlin Mary J F Head W Mar 23 1837 64
38 98 Walters Sarah F Lodger S Nov 29 1873 27
39 98 Fournier Maude F Domestic S Apr 23 1884 16
40 98 Dixon Joseph M Domestic S May 12 1885 15
District: QU BROME (#144)
Subdistrict: Bolton (West/Ouest) b-1 Page 9
DIXON , Joseph
Age: 15
Sex: M
Year of arrival: 1901
Ship: SS Dominion
Port of departure: Liverpool
Departure Date: 7 Mar 1901
Port of arrival: Portland
Arrival Date: Mar 1901
Party: See comments
Destination: Knowlton, Que.
Comments: A group of 60 children probably from Mrs. Birt's home in Liverpool to Knowlton, Quebec. This record is available through the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, Family History Centers, on film #1449400.
Reference: RG76 C 1 a
1881 Canadian census:
James MCLAUGHLIN M Male Scottish 60 Scotland Farmer Methodist
Mary MCLAUGHLIN M Female Scottish 44 Q <Quebec> Methodist
William MCLAUGHLIN Male Scottish 23 Q <Quebec> Farmer Church of England
Frank MCLAUGHLIN Male Scottish 12 Q <Quebec> Church of England
Henry MILLER Male French 25 Q <Quebec> Servant Catholic
Delia COOPER Female English 20 Q <Quebec> Servant Methodist
Eliza FREELAND Female English 15 England Servant Church of England
Source Information:
Census Place Bolton West, Brome, Quebec
Family History Library Film 1375838
NA Film Number C-13202
District 60
Sub-district E
Page Number 37
Household Number 183
FREELAND , Eliza
Age: 14
Sex: F
Year of arrival: 1879
Microfilm reel: C-4530
Ship: SS Sardinian
Port of departure: Liverpool
Departure Date: 24 Apr 1879
Port of arrival: Quebec
Arrival Date: 4 May 1879
Party: Mrs. Birt's and Miss Macpherson's
Comments: See also RG17, Vol.252, File 25976.
Reference: RG76 C 1 a
Judy Youngs Kennedy
grandaughter to Luke Youngs b. 1877 in Dover Kent England d. July 13, 1933 Springfield Ma. I have not proven that Luke is a homechild. I do know his father Mark Youngs was a constable living in Toxteth Park until after 1915. I have found distant relatives in Austrialia.
Walters Sarah F Lodger S Nov 29 1873 27
39 98 Fournier Maude F Domestic S Apr 23 1884 16
40 98 Dixon Joseph M Domestic S May 12 1885 15