Frimurarbarnhus in Stockholm, Sweden

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The Freemasons orphanage in Stockholm was established in 1753 in commemoration of the princess Sofia Albertan’s birth. The orphanage received almost immediate sanction by the government as a public service. The first location of the orphanage was a rented hall on Storgatan 16 (Östermalm.) It began with the custody and care for 20 children who were all about 1 year old. Over the next hundred years, the orphanage grew with the support and encouragement of government funding (including profits from work correctional facilities and government stamps.)

The number of children in the orphanage continued to increase, as did the support from the orphanage to assist with parent (-s) or foster care outside of the orphanage (over 500 total.) In 1785 the government granted permission for the orphanage to place children into foster care all over Sweden. At this time the orphanage became more of a place where older children were raised. In the early 1800’s the orphanage founded a school.

In 1857 the orphanage discontinued to provide assistance to parent (-s) or foster care outside of the orphanage. At this time the orphanage officially changed to became a barnhem with care of about 100 children. The change in purpose also meant the physical building was impractical. So in 1864 the barnhem purchased a building called Kristineberg from the Duke of Dalarna, just outside of Kungsholms tull.

Records
The records for the Freemasons Orphanage and Barnhem are at the Stockholm City Archives at: http://www.ssa.stockholm.se/