Thank you for your reply. It doesn't sound as if I can be of much help to your research as my line of Rands were located in West Ham, London area in 1860's onward. I don't know much before this time I'm afraid. I expect that some of the children you mention that were sent over could have been from this area. Poor families often ended up spending time in the "workhouse" so it's possible that benefactors of the day saw fit to send the "superflous" offspring abroad. If you do find any links to this area of London I'd be grateful of a message. Sorry I can't be any more help and best wishes with your research.

Paula