Event reunites once-split family
The Blances were Shetland Islands people, likely descended from Scandinavian stock, but James, a Royal Artillery soldier, settled in Edinburgh, Scotland. He married and, in 1883, James died, leaving a pregnant wife, Helen, and five small children.
The kin thought Helen would die. The youngsters went to the workhouse, becoming “home children,” wards of the United Kingdom. In 1884, all of the Blances, were shipped to Canada to live and work for farm families in Ontario. for more click here
