Abandoned childhood in Pontevedra, 1872-1931

Abstract

This article analyses the causes of children abandonment at the Pontevedra Foundling Hospital as well as the mothers (or other relatives) strategies to recover their children. In order to do this, we study the mothers’ conditions of life and the aid and support available to them. Moreover, we describe the Foundling Hospital attitude towards the different sorts of claims made by the foundlings or their relatives.