Jerusalem Foundling Home Jerusalem, New Zealand

st joseph’s church @ jerusalem

from 1891 jerusalem settlement took in number of abandoned children around new zealand, majority of whom had unmarried or widowed parents , anonymously sent convent. in 1896 jerusalem foundling home formally established.

children of school age went settlement school run sisters of compassion, attended children local marae. unable attain classification industrial school (which allow home receive government funding orphaned children), 1891 1895 children placed on roll of industrial schools in nelson , upper hutt remained @ convent.

from 1885 jerusalem settlement began taking in newborn babies. came @ time when there widespread publicity , condemnation of baby farming, in particular case of minnie dean. against legislation , popular opinion @ time, suzanne aubert leader of jerusalem foundling home believed anonymity of parents essential ensuring safety of both them , children. register of children kept @ home did not publicly list names of parents, although aubert herself kept private register parental information in case parents wished reconnect children later in life. however, meant home ineligible state funding @ time, due ignoring legislation required registers list names of parents , submit these government inspection.

in 1898 inquest took place death of 7 babies @ home, doctors @ time concluding cause of death either measles or unsterilised cows milk. during inquest home criticised secrecy around government inspection.