Events

September 16, 2026, 12:00 PM to 1:00 PM

From the 1860s to the 1940s, a vast child migration program brought more than 100,000 impoverished children from Britain to Canada. Among them, approximately 5,000 arrived in Nova Scotia.

Sending agencies believed that rural Canadian communities offered a "healthy, moral environment" and better opportunities for these British Isles children. Many of these children were transported without their parents’ knowledge or consent, often due to their families' financial struggles or poor living conditions. While some children were fortunate to live with families who treated them well, many were treated very poorly. Today, it is estimated that over four million Canadians are descendants of these British Home Children.

In his Lunch & Learn presentation, Don Ambler, a BHC descendant, will explore how these children and their descendants made significant contributions to Canada. However, their stories and placements remain largely overlooked in Canadian history. He will also share specific insights about Colchester County, along with details about his father, Irvine, an orphan sent from the UK to Canada at the age of 13 in 1927.

Bring your lunch, refreshments provided.
Admission by donation or free to CHS members.