Foundlings in Nineteenth-century Northwestern Portugal: Public Welfare and Family Strategies

Abstract

This paper presents some preliminary data on abandoned children in nineteenth century Portugal. After reviewing the history of foundling institutions in Portugal, the paper focuses on some major regional differences in the practices of child abandonment. Based on an analysis of the records of a Casa da Roda in the northwestern Portuguese district of Viana do Castelo, the paper then explores some of the major characteristics of both abandoned children and foster mothers. It attempts to trace the fate of those foundlings who survived infancy. A key question is how foundling institutions and fosterage were part of a welfare program for which significant public expenditures were made. These expendi(p.t.o.) tures, as well as the impact of foundling homes on public morality, were the subject of heated debate in the local press. In general, however, Portugal was characterized by a liberal attitude toward child abandonment.