"Good evening, dear readers! Harry Facks here, your trusted guide through Halifax's hidden histories. Tonight, I've stumbled upon a most fascinating document from 1865 that I simply must share with you.

On a rather momentous day - the 20th of June, 1864, to be precise - our fair town saw the first wee souls enter the orphanage. Now, being the stickler for details that I am, let me tell you about the rules they had back then, and my word, they were particular!

Picture this, if you will: The institution took in children between five and ten years old, poor little mites who'd lost their parents. They could stay until they were fifteen, or in some cases, seventeen years old. But here's the interesting bit - they weren't just taking in any child who needed help. Oh no, they had what they called 'qualifications.'

First off, these little ones had to have lost both their parents, or at least their fathers, with mothers who couldn't manage. Quite strict, they were! They wouldn't take in any child who was, as they put it, 'blind, deaf, dumb, or suffering from any infectious or contagious disease.' Rather practical, though perhaps a bit harsh to our modern sensibilities.

And here's something that might raise your eyebrows - they gave preference to children from non-conformist churches or those from the Church of England. Quite particular about their religious affiliations, weren't they?

Checks pocket watch

Oh! And would you believe they even recorded the moon's phases for 1865? Quite the detailed lot! Full moon on January 11th at 11:40 p.m. - imagine all those orphan children perhaps gazing up at that same moon, wondering about their futures.

Rather sobering stuff, wouldn't you say? But it's these pieces of our past that help us understand how far we've come in caring for those in need.

Until next time, my curious friends!

• Harry Facks, Your Victorian Guide to Halifax's Hidden Histories"