Comments on: Foundling Swatches

By: Darlene

Darlene — Tue, 17 Jul 2012 11:58:01 +0000

Just found your blog. What a beautiful and heartfelt story. I had never heard of the foundling children before your post.

Thank you so much for sharing this story.

By: Tugs at the Heartstrings | Empty Nest Genealogy

Tugs at the Heartstrings | Empty Nest Genealogy — Wed, 08 Feb 2012 03:26:25 +0000

[…] »Tugs at the HeartstringsPublished August 19, 2011 | By admin photo credit: limaoscarjulietFoundling swatches are ‘bits and pieces’ such as cloth scraps, mementos, jewelry or any other identifying […]

By: Carrie

Carrie — Tue, 07 Feb 2012 10:42:42 +0000

These are so moving, such a powerful piece of history and so very sad though there are some scraps of hope in there. Its not just the poverty and the tiny lives cut adrift you think of, but also the mothers and what hard lives they must have lived to have to give these children up… heartbreaking…

I have only just found you here so I will have to have a little wander back in time through your lovely fascinating blog! :)

By: wildmuse

wildmuse — Wed, 04 Jan 2012 23:30:57 +0000

So true. The quality of materials has deteriorated considerably. This is why I collect antique books and fabrics to work with.

By: wildmuse

wildmuse — Wed, 04 Jan 2012 23:28:31 +0000

Thank you for the corrections and the link. Feel free to correct any other errors on the blog. I’m sure I’ll eventually take you up on that offer since embroidery is a strong interest of mine. .

I know what you mean about the British Library database. It’s a wonderful resource but I have to work with the images extensively PhotoShop before I can use them. I think they just upload raw scans.

By: wildmuse

wildmuse — Wed, 04 Jan 2012 23:22:20 +0000

This was an emotional post for me to write. I appreciate all of the comments here.

By: wildmuse

wildmuse — Wed, 04 Jan 2012 23:20:57 +0000

In modern times, it seems that many practices which are perfectly effective and logical meet with strong resistance. There does seem to be a stigma attached to putting up children for adoption even though it usually a beneficial arrangement for everyone involved.

By: wildmuse

wildmuse — Wed, 04 Jan 2012 23:14:56 +0000

Thank you for your comment. So glad these photos are appreciated.

By: Elmsley Rose

Elmsley Rose — Mon, 02 Jan 2012 20:10:48 +0000

Dear Aria,
I’ve just come from your Embroidered Book Covers gallery on Flickr.
I actually embroider book covers just like this! I do 16th/17thC embroidery. I’m going to tell my friends in my historical embroidery group about your gallery – they’ll just love it! One of my friends is reproducing a book cover from the Brit Library right now – http://pics.livejournal.com/kimikosews/gallery/0001678g?page=1 if you’d like to look at her pics.
Thankyou for such *beautiful* optimisations. I’m familiar with the images from the British Library and yours are *much* clearer! I really appreciate your effort!

If you ever want any help in identifying the materials, I’m happy to help. For example, one book cover was identified as being embroidered with “silver threads” when in fact it was silver pearl purl. Or you may not care! The images are the important thing. But since I can identify them, I thought I’d offer. Those old sequins are called “oes” btw.

I also enjoyed your other galleries …. the ones with wyverns and beasts. You certainly have some great interests!

Thankyou again,
Megan/Elmsley Rose in Australia

By: suesue

suesue — Tue, 23 Aug 2011 17:50:54 +0000

A very interesting and moving story. How wonderful that these people had the common sense to try to help those women in need so long ago. This is the second story I read this week that touched my heart so much. Thank you for sharing it.

By: Connie

Connie — Mon, 22 Aug 2011 23:12:08 +0000

I’ve been working on my genealogy and find this fascinating…the scraps of fabric, the ledgers with the pre-printed lists and clear handwriting. What a wonderful find.

It also has me thinking about how today, it seems so difficult for many to accept the concept of the “Baby Drop Box” that several countries have tried to revive. Or the stigma society attaches to mothers who need to utilize them. It seems to me that a mother who recognizes her limited ability to provide for her child and gives up that child in order for person to have a better life is doing the most unselfish thing a parent can do.

Again, a lovely find.

By: Dianne Nunn

Dianne Nunn — Sun, 21 Aug 2011 19:38:18 +0000

What an amazing record of these little ones. thank you for sharing this.