Records of the Children’s Aid Society
1888 - 1981
MS 14
Municipal Archives
Windsor Public Library
Acc. No. 1985/9 Linda Chakmak
21.8 feet/6.4 m Assistant Municipal Archivist
14 May 1986
Revised March 1991
Records of the Children’s Aid Society
MS 14
Historical Note
The Children’s Aid Society of the County of Essex has had a long history of helping this area’s underprivileged youth. Two 1895 documents in the collection indicate an early movement on the part of local citizens to have a relief agency established. The earliest Board of Directors Minutes date back to 1905 although the first minute book states that the Society was incorporated in 1899. Unfortunately, there are no early records in existence as these documents have been lost or mislaid. After some years of inactivity, the Society was urged to reorganize or disband. On 5 November 1905, a meeting was held and the aims and objectives of the Society were reformulated.
Since that time, the Children’s Aid Society has grown considerably as is demonstrated by the number of name changes. Originally known as the children’s Aid Society of Windsor, it became the children’s aid society of Windsor and East Windsor on 19 March 1934. Between 1899 and 1934, the agency operated under a variety of names including the areas of Walkerville, Sandwich and greater Essex County. Partially as a result of amalgamation, on 1 November 1935, the Children’s Aid society of the city of Windsor, the County of Essex and Pelee Island evolved. The need for a more decentralized operation to handle county cases led to the opening of the Leamington office in February of 1950. The Society’s current name officially came into use on 1 July 1956. Although some consideration was given to uniting with the Roman Catholic Children’s Aid Society in 1973, it was decided to keep the agencies separate. However, mutual co-operation is evident by the numerous joint committees which were formed to handle common problems. The records of the children’s Aid Society document this ever increasing growth and dedication. From meager beginnings in 1899, the Society now handles hundreds of cases each year.
Records of the Children’s Aid Society
MS 14
Collection Description
The Records of the Children’s Aid Society span the years 1888 to 1981 and consist of a variety of materials including correspondence, reports, memoranda, minutes, photographs, scrapbooks and blueprints. Series I, board of Directors Records 1905-1980 consist of Board of Directors Minutes and Committee Minutes. The Series II, Director’s Office Records 1888-1977 (not inclusive) consist of a number of subseries such as General Files, Inspector’s Reports and Provincial Memoranda. Series III, Operating Files 1894 to 1981 contains most of the financial data in this collection in the form of journals, budget files and auditor’s reports. Two other areas of concentration are general files and memoranda. Court agendas dating from 1960 to 1972 are the only items in Series IV. In March of 1991, it was the decision of the Children’s Aid Society to destroy these records. The final series, Related Ephemera contains a number of photographs, scrapbooks and blueprints which complement the written documentation as well as statistics from the Roman Catholic Children’s Aid Society and newsletters. In general, the collection is in fair to good condition.
DUE TO THE SENSITIVE AND CONFIDENTIAL NATURE OF THESE RECORDS, THE PERMISSION OF THE DIRECTOR OF THE CHILDREN’S AID SOCIETY MUST BE OBTAINED BEFORE THEY CAN BE VIEWED.
Records of the Children’s Aid Society
MS 14
Table of Contents
Box and Volume/Folder Listing
Historical Note
Collection Description
Series Summary of the Records
Series I: Board of Directors Records
- Series Description
- Detailed Listing
Series II: Director’s Office Records
- Series Description
- Detailed Listing
Series III: Operating Files
- Series Description
- Detailed Listing
Series IV: Court Agendas – DESTROYED
- Series Description
- Detailed Listing
Series V: Related Material
- Series Description
- Detailed Listing
Appendix I - Provincial Memoranda
Appendix II - Numbered Office Memoranda
Appendix III - Numbered Office Memoranda
Appendix IV - Acts and Regulations
Records of the Children’s Aid Society
MS 14
Box and Volume/Folder Listing
Box 1 I-1/1 - /22 Box 9 II-1.9/1 - /6
II-2/1 - /7
Box 2 I-1/23 - /40
Box 10 II-2/8 - /18
Box 3 I-1/41 - /53
Box 11 II-2/19 - /23
Box 4 I-1/54 - /57 II-3.1/1
I-2.1/1 II-3.2/2 - /6
I-2.2/1 - /4
Box 12 II-3.2/1
Box 5 I-2.2/5 - /15
Box 13 II-3.2/7
Box 6 I-2.2/16 - /20
I-2.3/1 Box 14 III-1.1/1 - /31
I-2.4/1 III-1.2/1 - /21
I-2.5/1
I-2.6/1 Box 15 III-1.2/22 - /36
I-2.7/1
I-2.8/1 Box 16 III-1.2/37 - /44
I-2.9/1 III-1.3/1
I-2.10/1 - /18
Box 17 III-1.3/2 - /3
Box 7 I-2.10/19 - /24 III-1.4/1 - /5
I-2.11/1
I-2.12/1 Box 18 III-1.4/6
I-2.13/1
I-2.14/1 Box 19 III-1.4/7
I-2.15/1 - /17
I-2.16/1 Box 20 III-1.6/1
I-2.17/1
II-1.1/1 - /6 Box 21 III-1.6/2
II-1.2/1 - /8
Box 22 III-1.6/3
Box 8 II-1.2/9 - /21
II-1.3/1 - /17 Box 23 III-1.6/4
II-1.4/1 - /11
II-1.5/1 - /6 Box 24 III/1.6/5
II-1.6/1 - /3
Box 25 III-1.6/6
Box 9 II-1.7/1 - /4
II-1.8/1 - /16 Box 26 III-1.6/7
MS 14 Box and Volume/Folder Listing – continued
Box 27 III-2/1 - /22 Box 44 V-5/1 - /4
Box 28 III-2/23 - /34 Box 45 V-5/5 - /8
Box 29 III-2/35 - /51 Box 46 V-5/9 - /12
Box 30 III-2/52 - /74
Box 31 III-2/75 - /92
Box 32 III-2/93 - /106
Box 33 III-2/107 - /121
Box 34 III-2/122 - /150
Box 35 III-2/151 - /165
Box 36 III-2/166 - /177
Box 37 III-2/178 - /180
III-3.1/1 - /17
Box 38 III-3.2/1 - /5
III-3.3/1 - /5
III-4.1/1 - /3
Box 39 III-4.1/4
III-4.2/1 - /8
III-4.3/1 - /5
III-5/1 - /3
Box 40 IV/1 - /18 – DESTROYED
Box 41 IV/19 - /33 – DESTROYED
Box 42 IV/34 - /39 – DESTROYED
V-1.1/1 - /11
V-1.2/1 - /5
V-2/1 - /3
Box 43 V-2/4 - /5
V-3/1 - /5 – Photographs removed, PC/1331; PC/1334 - /1344
V-4/3 - /4
Records of the Children’s Aid Society
MS 14
Series Summary of the Records
SERIES I: BOARD OF DIRECTORS RECORDS 1905-1980
SERIES II: DIRECTOR’S OFFICE RECORDS 1888-1977 (NOT INCLUSIVE)
AND UNDATED
SERIES III: OPERATING FILES 1894-1981 (NOT INCLUSIVE) AND UNDATED
SERIES IV: COURT AGENDA 1960-1972 – DESTROYED
SERIES V: RELATED MATERIAL 1914-1980 (NOT INCLUSIVE) AND
UNDATED
Records of the Children’s Aid Society
MS 14
Series and Subseries
Summary of the Records
SERIES I: BOARD OF DIRECTORS RECORDS 1905-1980
Subseries 1: Board of Directors Minutes 1905-1977
Subseries 2: Committee Minutes 1952-1980
Sub-Subseries 1: Budget Committee Minutes 1957-1977 (not inclusive)
Sub-Subseries 2: Finance Committee Minutes 1960-1980 (not inclusive)
Sub-Subseries 3: Group Care Committee Minutes 1972-1973
Sub-Subseries 4: Group Services Committee Minutes 1961-1970
(not inclusive)
Sub-Subseries 5: Joint Personnel Committee Minutes 1970-1974
(not inclusive)
Sub-Subseries 6: Joint Planning Committee Minutes 1970-1972
Sub-Subseries 7: Joint Public Relations Committee Minutes 1972, 1977
Sub-Subseries 8: Membership Committee Minutes 1960
Sub-Subseries 9: Nominating Committee Minutes 1978
Sub-Subseries 10: Personnel Committee Minutes 1952-1975
Sub-Subseries 11: Planning Committee Minutes 1970-1978
(not inclusive)
Sub-Subseries 12: Property Committee Minutes 1956-1962
(not inclusive)
Sub-Subseries 13: Public Relations Committee Minutes 1957-1961
Sub-Subseries 14: Reception Home Committee Minutes 1948-1961
(not inclusive)
Sub-Subseries 15: Services Committee Minutes 1957-1978 (not inclusive)
and undated
Sub-Subseries 16: Services Subcommittee on Residential Treatment 1976
Sub-Subseries 17: Services Subcommittee on Treatment Services 1977
SERIES II: DIRECTOR’S OFFICE RECORDS 1888-1977 (Not Inclusive)
AND UNDATED
Subseries 1: General Files 1888-1968 (not inclusive) and undated
Sub-Subseries 1: Agreements, Constitution and Related Papers
1916-1967 (not inclusive) and undated
Sub-Subseries 2: Financial Statements and Reports 1935-1959
(not inclusive)
Sub-Subseries 3: Correspondence and Related Reports 1920-1967
(not inclusive)
Sub-Subseries 4: Superintendent’s Reports 1934-1953 (not inclusive)
Sub-Subseries 5: Miscellaneous Reports 1921-1958 (not inclusive)
and undated
MS 14 SERIES II: DIRECTOR’S OFFICE RECORDS 1888-1977 (Not Inclusive)
AND UNDATED – continued
Subseries 1: General Files 1888-1968 (not inclusive) and undated - continued
Sub-Subseries 6: Estate Papers and Correspondence 1935-1948
(not inclusive) and undated
Sub-Subseries 7: Land Instruments and Correspondence 1888-1963
(not inclusive)
Sub-Subseries 8: Leamington Branch – Constitution, Minutes, Financial
Statements, correspondence 1950-1957
Sub-Subseries 9: Bulletin – “Your Challenge” 1945-1950
Subseries 2: Provincial Memoranda 1955-1977
Subseries 3: Inspector’s Reports 1923-1954 (not inclusive)
Sub-Subseries 1: Annual Reports 1923-1954 (not inclusive)
Sub-Subseries 2: Monthly Reports 1925-1935
SERIES III: OPERATING FILES 1895-1981 (NOT INCLUSIVE) AND UNDATED
Subseries 1: Financial Statements and Reports 1929-1980 (not inclusive)
Sub-Subseries 1: Auditor’s Reports 1934-1968 (not inclusive)
Sub-Subseries 2: Budget Files 1929-1980 (not inclusive)
Sub-Subseries 3: Capital Account Journals 1935-1968 (not inclusive)
Sub-Subseries 4: General Ledgers 1932-1974 (not inclusive)
Sub-Subseries 5: Cash Book Sheets 1974-1976
Sub-Subseries 6: Trust Account Journals 1962-1968
Subseries 2: General Files 1894-1981 (not inclusive) and undated
Subseries 3: Local Memoranda 1952-1979 (not inclusive)
Sub-Subseries 1: Unnumbered Staff Memoranda 1962-1972
(not inclusive)
Sub-Subseries 2: Numbered Office Memoranda 1952-1970
(not inclusive)
Sub-Subseries 3: Numbered Office memoranda 1962-1972
(not inclusive)
Subseries 4: Memoranda and Reports c.1950-1977 (not inclusive)
Sub-Subseries 1: Task Force on Community and Social Services
1973-1974
Sub-Subseries 2: Child Welfare Case Management Information System
- Steering Council 1975-1977
Sub-Subseries 3: Miscellaneous Reports c.1950-1976 (not inclusive)
MS 14 SERIES II: DIRECTOR’S OFFICE RECORDS 1888-1977 (Not Inclusive)
AND UNDATED – continued
Subseries 5: General Statistics 1947-1963 (not inclusive)
SERIES IV: COURT AGENDAS 1960-1972 – DESTROYED
SERIES V: RELATED MATERIAL 1914-1980 (Not Inclusive AND UNDATED
Subseries 1: Newsletters 1960-1975 (not inclusive)
Sub-Subseries 1: Foster Parent Association Newsletter 1960-1975
(not inclusive)
Sub-Subseries 2: Ontario Association of children’s Aid Societies –
President’s Letters 1967-1969
Subseries 2: Roman Catholic Children’s Aid Society – Monthly Statistical
Report 1976-1980
Subseries 3: Photographs c.1914-1971
Subseries 4: Ephemera 1930-1977 (not inclusive)
Records of the Children’s Aid Society
MS 14
Series Description – SERIES I
Series I, Board of Directors Records are contained in approximately 6 document boxes which span the years 1905 to 1980 and are divided into two subseries. Board of Directors Minutes are excellent for tracing the Society’s development, aims and goals and are contained in Subseries 1. Committee Minutes make up Subseries 2 and illustrate the variety of functions and concerns of the Society. Wherever Committee Minutes are included with Board of Directors Minutes, the duplicates in the Committee Minutes have not been saved. A note will direct the researcher to the appropriate date within Board of Directors Minutes.
Records of the Children’s Aid Society
MS 14
MS 14 – SERIES I: BOARD OF DIRECTORS RECORDS 1905-1980
SUBSERIES 1: BOARD OF DIRECTORS MINUTES 1905-1977
Folder Dates Folder Dates
1 - 1905-1921 30 - 1950
2 - 1922 31 - 1951
3 - 1923 32 - 1952
4 - 1924 33 - 1953
5 - 1925-1926 34 - 1954
6 - 1926 35 - 1955
7 - 1927 36 - 1956
8 - 1928 37 - 1957
9 - 1929 38 - 1958
10 - 1930 39 - 1959
11 - 1931 40 - 1960
12 - 1932 41 - 1961
13 - 1933 42 - 1962
14 - 1934 43 - 1963
15 - 1935 44 - 1964
16 - 1936 45 - 1965
17 - 1937 46 - 1966
18 - 1938 47 - 1967
19 - 1939 48 - 1968
20 - 1940 49 - 1969
21 - 1941 50 - 1970
22 - 1942 51 - 1971
23 - 1943 52 - 1972
24 - 1944 53 - 1973
25 - 1945 54 - 1974
26 - 1946 55 - 1975
27 - 1947 56 - 1976
28 - 1948 57 - 1977
29 - 1949
Records of the Children’s Aid Society
MS 14 – SERIES I: BOARD OF DIRECTORS RECORDS 1905-1980
SUBSERIES 2: COMMITTEE MINUTES 1952-1980*
NOTE: There are a number of Committee Minutes and/or reports (R) that exist
only in and as part of the board of Directors Minutes; they appear on the
following dates:
Amalgamation Committee - 1935: 7 June
Care and Placing Committee - 1935: 8 February
- 1936: 6 January
18 March
13 May
10 September
15 October
31 October (R)
- 1937: 2 March
House and Property Committee - 1935: 11 February
Special Committee on the Investigation of Temporary Home
- 1936: 1 June
* Dates only refer to minutes contained in this Subseries. For listings of additional
minutes contained in Board of Directors Minutes, see notes for individual Committees.
Records of the Children’s Aid Society
MS 14 – SERIES I: BOARD OF DIRECTORS RECORDS 1905-1980
SUBSERIES 2: COMMITTEE MINUTES 1952-1980
SUB-SUBSERIES 1: BUDGET COMMITTEE MINUTES
Folder Dates
1 - 1957-1977 (not inclusive)
NOTE: For a time, this Committee was known as the Budget and Nominating
Committee. Additional minutes appear in Board of Directors Minutes
on the following date:
1976: 24 March
Records of the Children’s Aid Society
MS 14 – SERIES I: BOARD OF DIRECTORS RECORDS 1905-1980
SUBSERIES 2: COMMITTEE MINUTES 1952-1980
SUB-SUBSERIES 2: FINANCE COMMITTEE MINUTES 1960-1980
(NOT INCLUSIVE)
Folder Dates Folder Dates
1 - 1960 11 - 1971
2 - 1961 12 - 1972
3 - 1962 13 - 1973
4 - 1963 14 - 1974
5 - 1965 15 - 1975
6 - 1966 16 - 1976
7 - 1967 17 - 1977
8 - 1968 18 - 1978
9 - 1969 19 - 1979
10 - 1970 20 - 1980
NOTE: This Committee was originally called the finance Committee. Known for
a time as the Finance and Property Committee, it subsequently changed
back and remained as Finance.
Finance and Budget Committee Minutes for 9 December 1958 are filed
Under Budget Committee.
Minutes of a special meeting of the Property and Finance Committee on
8 March 1962 are filed under Property Committee.
Minutes of a meeting of the Personnel and Property and Finance
Committees on 16 January 1964 are filed under Personnel Committee.
Finance Committee Minutes appear in Board of Directors Minutes on
The following dates:
1934: 6 Sep 1936: 15 Sep
12 Sep 2 Oct
10 Oct 14 Oct