You need to forgive yourself because it wasn't your fault - hamsters did live in cages that were too small due to this not being known about for a long time. And even if it was known about when you had your hamsters, no-one told you. It sounds like they were much loved hamsters and you probably let them out a lot so that helps. My first hamster was 30 years ago (not actually mine - he came along with a boyfriend
. He lived in a 3 tier rototstak thing - all three tiers were just small round things (like the round ones they sell today). He was fine because he free roamed. We just left the cage open all the time and he came and went to his cage when he wanted. And his wheel was far too small - but he seemed to live a happy healthy life to the age of 2 when he got a tumour and died under anasthetic when operated on. Out of cage time and love is important too
You did your best under the circumstances at the time and hamsters are very forgiving. I should let that go now xxx