From 1870 to the 1920's, many British children, that had families, that had fallen on hard times, were put temporarily into poor houses, industrial schools, and work houses till their parents could afford to fetch them back to their families. Some of the children were only there for a matter of days or weeks and were of course loved by their mums and dads. When mum or dad went to collect them, they were told they had been adopted. The parents were of course heart broken and had no idea where their kids had be taken. It soon came to light that 1000's of these kids were being taken by boat, by the Catholic church or Dr.Barnardo's to Australia and Canada.

 

The folk who received them in Australia were paying as little as 3 pounds for these kids to be brought to them. When they arrived in their new homes they were told their parents had died and many were put to sleep in barns and sheds and used as slaves where they had to work long hours in fields or factories for no money, just their little bit of food. This, they had to do for about 6 years before being freed and then just turned out at a young age to fend for themselves.

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This did not happen to Gypsy children as their parents were more canny and kept their children safe and hidden. Gypsy folk with their knowledge of the land could always scrape together a meal or two and were used to living outside in Benders (tents). There is only one record of a Gypsy being stolen to Canada at this time.

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Now came the 1940's to the late 1960's and there comes a different story. With many Gypsy children not going to school the truant officers were on the prowl and approximately 1,000 Gypsy kids were snatched from their families and sent to Canada. A lot were taken from Scotland and I my self have been involved in some family reunions of these children, now of course adults.

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The parents were bereft, heart broken and suicidal. Many mothers died young of heartbreak. These gypsy kids are the forgotten victims. Although when they reached Canada they were adopted into good families they were raised as non-Gypsy. Many have still not been told of their roots. Some of the adopters were kind and told them where they came from and if the children were old enough they might even remember their family name in England.

 

That is where I have been able to help because we know our groups in the Gypsy folk here and so the search could began. No living parents have been found, but brothers and sisters have and it has given so much joy to these adopted kids to learn of their roots and meet their family for the first time since they were snatched.

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We hear now of the many children that the UK sent to Australia and apologies are being made and compensation talked of. No apology or compensation can replace a lost childhood with your own family!

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With the Canadian adoptees, there is silence. They are the forgotten kidnapped children. Up rooted from loving homes purely because the Gypsies don't live as Non Gypsies. They had no right to take these children and hide the facts of where they had been taken. They should not have been told their parents were dead. Nothing, no money, no apology can ever give them back those lost years or heal the heartache the parents suffered.

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Now in the years 2000+ it is happening again. Once again there is enforced adoption of Gypsy children.

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Tell me why if the Gypsies are so disliked by most folk and the most persecuted ethnic minority, do they want our children??

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And folk wonder why Gypsies are so secret and keep to themselves! Wouldn't you if you thought your child could be ripped from your arms never to be seen again??

 

Please note, The United Gypsy Traveller Roma Alliance (a fully constituted group) is working with Mp's and members of the House of Lords to get this stopped now. Our President, Tieka Phoenix Lee, has had talks in Scotland with her MP and attended a meeting in chambers in London's parliament where she has raised these matters.

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With regards Cathay Birch, Secretary of the above Alliance.

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