Genealogy Chat

Hi, I'm trying to find the address's of mother and baby homes in the Wallasey / West Kirby areas, The years I'm interested in are 1949 - 1953. Thanks in advance for any help, Lou

Hi Lynne, Yes with no luck, any other ideas of what I should put? I've tried 'unmarried mother's home north west' & 'mother & baby homes Wallasey' & 1950's homes for unmarried mothers, all with no luck, any other ideas, Lou

I was in one in Liverpool in 1951 and unless I'd known the name of it I wouldn't have been able to find it online as it's now been pulled down and replaced by a supermarket.. I got the name of mine from social services when I went to see my file.

Hi Shannett, Thanks for your comments, I'm not sure if I'm going to get anywhere with this as I don't know the name either and I didn't even know there was one in the Wallasey / West Kirby areas. I was just hoping that someone who knew the area might be able to shed some light. If you don't ask you'll never know. I'm glad you found the info you were looking for. Thanks again, Lou

Hi Looby I remember one in aigburth called Kelton Convent I worked there in the 60s as a decorator. Paul

Hi Paul, thanks, I owe you a pint. At least I have a name now so will check it out and see if they have any info for me. Thanks again, Lou

Hi there is a really good website called www.adoptionsearchreunion.org.uk If you click into 'locating records' then into the locating records data base. You can type in your area of interest and it will show you where records are held. Also, if gives a list of mothers and baby homes in those areas and staff members who worked there at the time. I found nothing for West Kirby (not the North West, West Kirby) but a few for Wallasey. Liverpool CC have access to adoption files for Cheshire and Lancashire. They have outsourced all their post adoption work to 'After Adoption' in Liverpool. They may help you if you ask. However, they can't/won't tell you anything in an adoption file unless you are the adopted person. Hope this has helped. Cheers Gerry Andrews, Sister, Steel House Moral Welfare Worker, Wallasey, 1949 Morris, Miss, Steel House Assistant Superintendent, 1955 Tipping, Sister, Steel House Church Army Superintendent, 1955 Whishaw, Constance, Mary, St Barnabas Home for Orphans Lady Superintendent and Owner, Wallasey, 1906 St Barnabas Home for Orphans 19 Montpelier Crescent, New Brighton, Wallasey, Cheshire Steel House 4 Wilton Street, Wallasey, Cheshire

Hi Gerry, Wow! that's great, I'll certainly start on the trail right away as you've give me quite a few starting points, one of which I think is a definate possability. I can't thank you enough. Thanks again, Lou

Hi Loo, My BM and sisters stayed for a few years in Kelton, and the children were placed via the Catholic Adoption Society now known as Nugents. Their head office used to be in Liverpool but now I think it is up in St Helens. Sheila

Hi Sheila, Thanks for the info I've added to my list and will check it out, thanks again for the tip. It's appreciated, thanks Lou

A friend of mine has information about mother and baby homes in the UK. Contact me for her email addy as I cannot post it on here.

Hi Joan, I have PM'd you, thanks, Lou

Just a thought: what about trying The Childrens Society - used to be known as the Church Of England's Children Society, or maybe the Salvation Army, or Catholic Church? Maybe they migh have some information. Liz

thanks Liz will add them to the list, at this rate with all the help I've been getting I should be able to find it. Thanks again to all who have replied, its much appreciated. Lou