In memory of Rita Attard, its administrative assistant and regional director, the British Home Children Advocacy and Research Association (BHCARA) recently presented the Aboyne library with eight books.
Attard was a well known resident of the Elora area who passed away suddenly in June of this year, shortly after she found out a close relative was a home child. Attard had diligently detailed the link in her ancestry for the benefit of her children Sara and Nick.
The presentation was made by Alan Wright, on behalf of the association, to Joyce Tenhage the Aboyne branch supervisor, in the presence of Attard’s husband Silvio.
The books are by Canadian authors who are members of the BHCARA and detail the plight of the immigrants, aged two to 13, who were transported to Canada. The authors of the books came to know that one or more of their family members were Home Children.
Many of the children were subjected to harsh treatment and forced to work long hours boarding on farms or as domestic servants. Many were so badly treated they refused to acknowledge their origins in later life to their family members. Often they passed away with their secret untold.
It is estimated that 10 per cent of Canadians have British Home Children in their ancestry, though most do not realize they exist.
Attard was working with other members of the BHCARA on a World War One 100th anniversary ceremony to honour the British Home Children that enlisted to fight with the Canadian forces. This took place on July 28 at Black Creek Pioneer Village and was attended by Don Cherry, whose grandfather was a Home Child.
The exhibit at the village is open to the public through December. In March of this year Rita helped organize a British Home Child genealogy workshop at Aboyne museum.
Attard was not only known for her work in genealogy but also for the years she spent with her husband supporting foster children and as a support worker for the Anishnabeg Outreach in Guelph.
All this she performed with a rare passion for the people she helped in life, friends say.
It is very fitting that others can read these books and research their own ancestry.
