Thanks for the Welcome- I'm from Adelaide South Australia

[Kay Walker]

Hi Everyone

I joined after finding information about a DNA Match's father who was a Barnardos boy at the Russell-Cotes Naval Academy in Dorset during the 1930s and 40s.

No one seemed to know where this guy (the father) had come from but I did a bit of detective work and discovered he came from a Polish or Russian Jewish (maybe) family who had established themselves in Leeds, Yorkshire in the 1800s, probably as refugees.

Their surname was Michalowski (and variations, some quite bizarre), but this man somehow changed his surname to Barrett and changed his first name from Israel (I think) to Sydney/Sidney. He had a child with a single woman named Florence M Hill, whom I think is a DNA-connection of mine, but was registered as a Barrett, with mother Hill. Florence could not support her child and handed him over for fostering to the Barnardos Homes, specifically to the Russell-Cotes Academy in Dorset.

I am trying to trace the personal details of these people in connection with three DNA-cousins (young men in their early 20s) from Poland whose surname is also Michalowski.

@Admin: could you please place this message in a more apprpriate Forum as I am new here. Thank you.

[Doc Vernon]

Hello Kay
Thank you for the Post.
However it is not really related to the Merchant Navy, so i doubt that anyone here would be able to assist, unless by some freak thing it relates to someone on site!??

Sounds more like the RN anyway! And even so ????? Difficult one !

I think you would need to contact a researcher for your query, that was feel you would have much more chance of success.
Sorry to blow you down, but as said its not in our league.
All the best in your searching.

You could give this site a try!?

Former Barnardo's children | Barnardo's

This too may assist you ?
Children's homes - The National Archives

Poole: Parkstone Sea Training School Dr Barnardo's Homes (formerly Russell Cotes... | The National Archives