M's mother was put into Cane Hill asylum in Coulsdon, near Croydon in South London in September 1889. Her father was a seaman with the Shaw Saville Company. He was away from home for long periods of time and was not able to care for her. M. initially went to live at the Hayes House Home in Hillingdon, London, but she and another girl ran away, claiming they had been ill treated. M. had head lice and was worried that her hair would be cut off. She was at the Marylebone Home for about a month and in March 1891 went to the St Cyprian's Orphanage near Windsor. The case file includes a Christmas card sent to M. by her brother.
