Author Topic: Mary Rolt Hostel Mowbray  (Read 3563 times)

Offline braam63

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Mary Rolt Hostel Mowbray
« on: Saturday 18 March 17 19:42 GMT (UK) »
Beatrix Dorothea Bosman was living at the Mary Rolt Hostel in Mowbray, Cape Town, South Africa prior to giving birth to her son, Ian Neville Bosman.  She gave birth on 8 March 1934 at the Booth Memorial Hospital in Cape Town.  She herself was born on 18 June 1911 in Ceres, Cape Town.  She also worked at the Valkenberg Hospital, situated in Observatory, Cape Town.

I'm trying to find any information regarding her from any of these institutes, also with the aim of locating Ian Neville Bosman's biological father.

Offline Nookie

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Re: Mary Rolt Hostel Mowbray
« Reply #1 on: Tuesday 21 March 17 08:04 GMT (UK) »
The Mary Rolt Hostel was a home for unmarried mothers - possibly started by Mrs. Rolt the wife of the then Dean of Cape Town.

Booth Memorial Hospital was opened in 1917 by the Salvation Army and delivered over 27, 000 babies. It does not seem to have a maternity ward any more.

Not sure whether this helps.
Fulton-Ireland
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Offline braam63

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Re: Mary Rolt Hostel Mowbray
« Reply #2 on: Tuesday 21 March 17 15:26 GMT (UK) »
Hi Nookie. Thank you for the information. I do have this detail; was hoping to get hold of some type of record(s) that could possibly help me in my search. Appreciate your help.
Braam

Offline Nookie

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Re: Mary Rolt Hostel Mowbray
« Reply #3 on: Tuesday 21 March 17 17:26 GMT (UK) »
Sorry, I misunderstood your query.

Have you tried the Salvation Army?  I see that the Cape Town archives has Salvation Army Birth Certificates (up to?) 1922.  Maybe the archives has more that have not been put up on their site yet.

Ian Neville are English sounding names. Have you thought of looking for a doctor at the Valkenburg Hospital during that period?

Not much help I am afraid  :(

 
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Offline braam63

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Re: Mary Rolt Hostel Mowbray
« Reply #4 on: Tuesday 21 March 17 18:15 GMT (UK) »
Thanks again, Nookie. I've tried the Salvation Army, however they have no records and don't have a maternity ward anymore.

I will try the Valkenberg hospital again, though. No details to date.

Offline Scribble1952

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Re: Mary Rolt Hostel Mowbray
« Reply #5 on: Tuesday 21 March 17 18:39 GMT (UK) »
There is still a maternity hospital in Mowbray Cape Town
Have you tried to contact them as they might have some relevant information.





Offline braam63

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Re: Mary Rolt Hostel Mowbray
« Reply #6 on: Wednesday 22 March 17 03:21 GMT (UK) »
I've tried the one where he was born, however they have no records, unfortunately.

Offline Neezaam

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Re: Mary Rolt Hostel Mowbray
« Reply #7 on: Wednesday 23 August 17 19:26 BST (UK) »
Hi Braam
I'm new to the forum, was searching for Mary Rolt Hostel and came accross your post.
I'm also searching for information on Mary Jarvis who gave birth to a daughter (my mother) in 1936.
Were you able to find anything that helped you? Any advice for me please.
Regards
Neezaam

Offline Rosebud55

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Re: Mary Rolt Hostel Mowbray
« Reply #8 on: Saturday 30 May 20 19:08 BST (UK) »
Hi There all
I live in CT and have done a lot of research into this hostel as my aunt had a child that was born there in 1947.

There are some files at the archives in Roland Street, but sadly not much detail.

The name of the father is not recorded.

It was a place where the mother could go to 'hide' so that she would not be seen pregnant in public.

The form did ask who to notify as next of kin and what address you were going to afterwards.  This may provide a clue?

If you know the birth date, the Cape archives in Roland street can look up the birth register for you (or you can look it up if the record is 100 years or older).  You may have to ask for special permission from the chief archivist if it is a newer date. This is a very informative article which you can google:

Bearing a Bastard: The Social Consequences of Illegitimacy in Cape Town, 1896-1939

Many birth records do not have the father's name, but merely state 'illegitimate'.  If the child was adopted, the new name is recorded in red ink.

Hope this helps