Saint Joseph Reform School - Alfred Ontario
Apparently my father spent some time in this school (in the mid 30's), and after graduation joined the RCAF and became a successful shoemaker.
Would information about reform schools be public somewhere? Is there a source somewhere that talks aboutthis school, etc.
I think his family was very dysfunctional and he was a delinquent. He lived in Sturgeon Falls. There is not much family left to talk to about the circumstances of his being sent to Alfred. Would there be any public documents in Sturgeon Falls that would give an account of the decision to send him to Alfred?
So many questions..so few answers.
Any assistance would be appreciated.
Roger Robineau
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Re: Saint Joseph Reform School - Alfred Ontario
There is some stuff on Google about the school.
THere should be government records re your dad being sent there but I don't know where you would look for those. The local courthouse? The Catholic Church ran this school so maybe the church has some records.
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Re: Saint Joseph Reform School - Alfred Ontario
The school archive may have something. The reform school was ran by the church however, some of the children residing in the school were placed in foster care. My parents took in many boys from the reform school, this in the late 60's.
The school is now a provincially ran college, so I doubt any records are still there. You should contact the Alfred Church - St-Victor to see where those records would be today... or call the Prescott-Russell Services to Children and Adults... maybe they have records of their own.
Good luck. I hope your research founds the information you seek.
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Re: Saint Joseph Reform School - Alfred Ontario
Thanks
He was there in the late 30's, probably soon after it opened. I will give the school a try. Hopefully, they have archived material.
Thanks
Roger
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Re: Saint Joseph Reform School - Alfred Ontario
I was a member of the school from the age of 12 till I was 18 and I am certain that there is a dosier on me. I would be very interested in finding out who has stored the records of St Josephs. Any help is appreciated. GKM
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Re: Saint Joseph Reform School - Alfred Ontario
Were you there in the 1930's and early 40's? I have gone to Archives Ontario and i suspect that because of the abuses at that school and the lawsuits all records are sealed. My father was there before the abuse started, at least that is what i believe. He never told us he went there, but my mother said he took us there when we were very young to show them "how well he had turned out'. There are government status reports (Sessional Papers) on the school that do not disclose any names. They are available through Archives.org. If you were there in the period when my father was there, then i would like to exchange further info, not that i have much.
Roger
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Re: Saint Joseph Reform School - Alfred Ontario
Good Morning Roger, unfortunately I was not in Alfred on the dates you are looking. I was at St joseph`s 1956 till 1963. Thanks for the info. I will do a bit more digging. Regard GKM
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Re: Saint Joseph Reform School - Alfred Ontario
If i come across something, in that time frame i will let you know.
Have a good day.
Roger
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Re: Saint Joseph Reform School - Alfred Ontario
Hello
My father as well went to this reform school in the early 60's. There were many trails that went on back in the early 90's, were people like our fathers took the catholic brothers to court. There are as well a couple of books on the subject written by men would went there. My mom has a copy of one I will find out the name and post it to you later. But in the meantime, if you look for newspaper articles from the early 90's in the Smith Falls (were my dad lived) Ottawa, Alfred paper you will find out some more information. Contact me if you need anything else.
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Re: Saint Joseph Reform School - Alfred Ontario
I am not sure if my mom kept the court records she has from my fathers lawsuit with many of the other men. I will find out from her what she did with it. My father has since died. He actually died while the whole trail was going on from medical issues he received from the lack of medical care he receive.
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