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. It became 1 of 4 Freemason Orphanages in Sweden with the others in Göteborg, Karlskrona, and Kristianstad. 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.)

With the increase of illegitimate children who were brought to the orphanage beginning in the 1780’s, the number of children at the orphanage increased. The number of parent (-s) or foster parents who received assistance from the orphanage, but were living outside of the orphanage also increased. The combined number of orphans living at the orphanage and those receiving assistance totaled over 500. The ages of the children ranged from infancy up to 14 years old. During the 1700’s the mortality rate within the orphanage was high.

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 1867 the barnhem moved from Kvarteret Brunkhalsen (which was converted to Malmtorgsbadet) to Kristineberg manor, just outside of Kungsholms tull.

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