Family History Federation

Devon and Exeter Boys’ Industrial School – 1873-1888

This booklet was compiled by members of the Devon Family History Society in co-operation with the Devon Records Office. The booklet provides an extract of some information and further details may be obtained from the Devon Records Office. The Industrial School in Devon was known as the Devon Exeter Boys’ Industrial School, and in 1866 its manager was Reverend F. A. Savile, of Barley House, Exeter. The court decided to which Industrial School a child was sent, and in many cases the school chosen was far away from the child’s home town or county. Many of the boys sent to Devon and Exeter Boys’ Industrial School were from outside the county, including some from Southampton and Winchester in Hampshire, and a reasonable proportion from Maidstone and Gravesend in Kent. A number of the boys also came from Plymouth. Once sentenced, a boy usually had to stay until he had reached 16 years of age. However, the Government did allow suitable boys to join the army or work in the mines at the age of 14. Devon Record Office holds the surviving records of Devon and Exeter Boys’ Industrial School – admission and discharge registers, minute books and superintendents’ books – in collection 4517. However, like hospital, prison and mental asylum records, the records of industrial schools are regarded as containing sensitive personal information, and are therefore subject to a 100 year closure period.

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SKU : D008

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