There is no magic in any of these words, Joanne, and all have had differing meanings depending on the place and time in which such were used.  The words apprenticed and adopted are and were VERY different. 

When one is "apprenticed out" by a parent, relative, the church, a court or whoever else the purpose and intent was to provide a means by which a child could be fed, taught in basics of education, and become a worthwhile citizen when he/she is finally emancipated, rather than be an ongoing burden on the taxpayers.

When one is/was adopted, the purpose was very different; the goal was to place a child into a family as a full member entitled to any and all rights and privileges and subject to the same duties and obligations that a natural born child would have experienced.
  ----- Original Message ----- 
  From: Joanne Harley 
  To: [log in to unmask] 
  Sent: Thursday, October 20, 2005 9:18 AM
  Subject: Re: [NCBERTIE] Re: Adoptions


  I would love to know how closely the word 'apprenticed out'... was to the 
  early usage of the word 'adoption'.  Does anyone know if those young people 
  that were 'apprenticed out' by the 'Anglican church', which served most 
  communities in all matters, might have apprenticed out relative to close 
  relative or to strangers?  I have seen where young girls were apprenticed to 
  other women, but there is no way of telling if they were related or not.

  Joanne Harley
  NC
  [log in to unmask]

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