The St James’ Visiting Society was founded by a group of Anglican men in April 1845. In June that year, some Anglican women established the St James’ Dorcas Society. From 1849 onwards, the Dorcas Society involved itself in the provision of residential care for children in need. In 1851, the Dorcas Society’s name changed to the St James’ Orphan Asylum and Visiting Society. When the decision was made in 1853 to separate the provision of residential care from emergency support for families, the name Melbourne Orphan Asylum was adopted. The name changed to the Melbourne Orphanage in 1926, to the Melbourne Family Care Organisation in 1965, and to Family Action in 1987. Family Action later became part of Oz Child. The Asylum provided residential care for Protestant children at its premises in South Melbourne from 1856 to 1878 and in Brighton from 1878 to 1963. Many of the children had one living parent who was unable to work and look after his or her family as well. From 1876, the Asylum also gave financial assistance to families so that they could ‘board out’ children i.e. keep their own children at home or provide foster care. Many of the twentieth century case files in this collection contain detailed reports prepared by the Charity Organisation Society. The COS changed its name to the Citizens Welfare Service of Victoria about 1948. The archives of the Citizens Welfare Service of Victoria are held by The University of Melbourne Archives. Access is partly restricted.