Statistics on Abandoned Children in the Foundling Homes of Split, Šibenik and Zadar according to Baptismal Records 1886–1892

Abstract

A comparative analysis of the statistics on children admitted into orphanages in Split, Šibenik and Zadar was carried out on the basis of Baptismal Registers. The relevant period covered by the analysis was from 1886 to 1892, the period for which data is available for all three of the above–mentioned institutions. A total of one thousand and sixty–seven children passed through three institutions. The Zadar Foundling Home took in 50.61%, Split 32.24% and Šibenik 17.15% of the total number of children. The annual total of children admitted to all three locations ranged from a minimum of one hundred and twenty–three (1890) to one hundred and seventy–one (1889). The fewest children were admitted in December, and the largest number in March. Children who were personally handed over to the shelter by their mothers made up 57.82% of the total number of residents. Children of unknown origin accounted for 38.64%. The gender distribution in the three subject deposits from 1886 to 1892 was uniform. Five hundred and forty–three boys (50.89%) and five hundred and twenty– four girls (49.10%) were admitted. There were more boys in Zadar and Šibenik and more girls in Split. The tested hypothesis on the compatibility of double entry into the Foundling Register in Split turned out to be incorrect. Only 53.55% of the children registered in the Foundling Register were registered in the Baptismal Register. The numerical difference between the two archival sources shows that the analysis entries of newly admitted children in the Foundling Registers can only be qualitative and not quantitative.