Key Takeaways:
- The legend of Macdonaldtown, an inner-city suburb in Sydney, has been shrouded in mystery and scandal for decades
- The suburb was allegedly wiped from the map due to the infamy of a serial killer couple, Sarah and John Makin, known as the "baby farmers"
- The Makins were found to have fostered unwanted children for money and then killed them to make room for more
- The suburb’s name change to Erskineville has been attributed to the scandal, but historical records suggest it may have been a result of bureaucratic changes
- The case of the "baby farmers" led to a change in societal attitudes towards child care and protection, resulting in the introduction of the Child Protection Act
Introduction to the Legend
The story of Macdonaldtown, a former inner-city suburb in Sydney, has been the subject of urban legend for decades. The suburb’s disappearance from the modern-day map has been attributed to the scandal surrounding a serial killer couple, Sarah and John Makin, who were known as the "baby farmers". The couple’s gruesome crimes, which involved fostering unwanted children for money and then killing them to make room for more, shocked the nation in the early 1890s. Today, the only remnants of Macdonaldtown’s existence are a small train station and a few scattered plaques in Erskineville.
The Grim Discovery
The story of the "baby farmers" began to unfold in October 1892, when workers digging to connect a pipe in the Makins’ yard in Burren Street, Macdonaldtown, uncovered human remains. The discovery led to a thorough investigation, which revealed the remains of seven infants in the yard, with a total of 15 infants’ remains eventually found. The case sparked a media frenzy, with the Makins’ trial and subsequent conviction captivating the nation. John Makin was hanged on August 16, 1893, while Sarah Makin was spared a death sentence and eventually released from prison in 1911.
The Name Change: Scandal or Bureaucracy?
The suburb’s name change from Macdonaldtown to Erskineville has been attributed to the scandal surrounding the "baby farmers". However, historical records suggest that the name change may have been a result of bureaucratic changes rather than a deliberate attempt to erase the suburb’s reputation. A notice in the Evening News from the time suggests that the Macdonaldtown Council proposed a name change months before the infants’ bodies were discovered, citing that the change would increase property values by at least 5%. While the timing of the name change may raise eyebrows, it is likely that the decision was made for practical rather than reputational reasons.
A Changing Moral Compass
The case of the "baby farmers" highlights the changing moral compass of society at the time. The practice of "baby farming" was not uncommon in the late 19th century, with pregnant, unmarried women often paying to give up their children. However, the Makin case sparked widespread outrage and led to a shift in societal attitudes towards child care and protection. The introduction of the Child Protection Act was a direct result of the case, and it marked a significant turning point in the way society viewed the care and protection of children. According to city historian Laila Ellmoos, the case was a catalyst for change, and it marked a shift in the way society viewed the care and protection of children.
Myth Busted?
So, can the urban legend surrounding Macdonaldtown finally be put to rest? According to Laila Ellmoos, the answer is yes. The theory that the suburb’s name change was a result of the "baby farmers" scandal is likely a myth that has been perpetuated over the years. While the case was certainly a significant event in the suburb’s history, it is unlikely that it was the sole reason for the name change. Instead, it is likely that the decision was made for practical reasons, such as the proposed increase in property values. Today, the only reminders of the "baby farmer" suburb are a quaint train station and a few scattered plaques in Erskineville, serving as a reminder of a dark chapter in Sydney’s history.