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England (Counties as in 1851-1901) => England => Lancashire => Topic started by: ktw23 on Saturday 29 August 09 21:01 BST (UK)
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i would appreciate any help what so ever there was a single mothers home in salford on i think broome lane in the 60s which was run by nuns it is a now a nursing home any help would be great , does anyone know any thing about this
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Hi Tessie & welcome to Rootschat. :)
Around 1946/7 my mother left Hollymount convent home and was set to a place on Broom Lane Salford. As far same my mother could remember, this place was for young girls from the convent and girls from other homes who were about to leave. It was a sort of half way house, there first steps to been independent. My mothere was sent there with about half a dozen other girls from her orphanage at the same time. They may well have taken young single mother or single girls who were pregnant at the time? Hopefully a lady on here called "Emms " who has a 1954 directory for Manchester and Salford, will look up what was on Broom lane back then. She maybe able to give us a name of the place and even the head of the place.
Good luck.
Migky ;)
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I did find this reference back in 1929 for Broom lane, Broughton.Salford. North side of the road.
Broughton High School, Kinder-garten ( girls ) Broom Lane house
Migky ;)
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Hi,
:)
In the 1960's there was a home at 61 Broome Lane, Salford called St Teresa's Convent Home for Unmarried Mothers. Unfortunately, I don't know anything else about it that might help you.
Luzzu
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thank you very much for your info hopefully i'll get some more info now that theres a name to go with it :)
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Hi Tessie
I've just seen this part of your post. I gather the other one was put up later! I will look in both directories and get back - I might have to set tea off first!
I'll get back.
Emms
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thank you very much :)
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Hi
Sorry
The phone rang as I finished the last line, and I've been on it ever since.
I've got in 1965, Catholic Directory, Salford Diocese, Sisters of Charity of SVP, St Teresa's Home for Mothers and Babies, Broom Lane, Broughton 1199.
Now, records, I'm not sure. I get confused with all the different names these orders gave themselves.
I don't know if it's still there, nor that it's under SVP today? (St Vincent de Paul). I'll try and find out, but I should think you'll get someone on who knows more.
Best wishes
Emms
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Hi again:
From 1953/4 Kelly's, Broom Lane, Higher Broughton, (S7)
Leicester Road, Higher Broughton to Bury New Road, H1.
Has on the South Side:
55
Legh St
61 St Teresa'a Catholic Maternity Home, Sisters of Charity of St Vincent de Paul.
63 Broughton High School for Girls (Miss M C W Wicks Ph D head mistress).
End of list for Broom Lane.
Care: there is another Broom Lane in Levenshulme listed!
So the trade directory in 1953 calls it a maternity home.
Hope this helps. Looks like it is SVP then.
I'll have a look on their site, but it might be Salford Diocesan Archives you need.
Good luck!
Emms
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Hi
It looks as if they've dropped the SVP from their name. I got to this from the SVP site .
This is the list of houses outside London, so it's not there, so you could try ringing one of the Lancashire ones in case they've amalgamated and then write when you know, or link the London link at the bottom and ask them.
Hopefully, they will know where to go if nowhere on here does. Either that or Salford Diocesan Archives, or maybe it's been taken over by the state like my Alexian Brothers hospital at Moston.
I hope you find something.
Best wishes
Emms
http://www.daughtersofcharity.org.uk/directory/directory_ew.htm
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thank you so much for all your help emms its really appreciated :)
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Hi Tessie
You're welcome!
I just hope you get somewhere with it.
Let us know how you get on, or you can pm me via the button to the left on my posts.
Let me know if there's anything else I can do.
Best wishes
Emms
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Tessie,
Did u ever find out who holds the record's for Saint Theresa's. I am interested as my Grandmother was adopted from here i believe.
Kind Regards
Crystal
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Broome Lane is on street view if you wanted to see the street.
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Hi, my birth mother was sent to the mother and baby home in Broom Lane (think it was 67) in 1966. I was born in sept 66 and adopted in early 1967. I traced her when I turned 18 and we attended a support group for a short time, for mothers who'd had thier children adopted. One of the other mothers had attended the same home 10 years later and I think it had closed soon after this. It was run by Catholic nuns and I'm sure my mum would have more memories if you're interested, get in touch and I'll get her to post on here. All the best. :)
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All I can say is thank God that home and all the other homes for unmarried pregnant girls have disappeared. Although, fortunately, I didn't have to go into such a home I was despatched in disgrace from my home to stay in a different town with a divorced lady and her 2 young children, until such time as I had my illegitimate baby and left her behind for adoption.
We are now back in touch, but I lost 45 years of her life which I can never get back.
Lizzie
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The main thing Lizzie, is you are now in contact and god willing, you will have many more years together.
In this case, looking to the future is more important than looking at the past.
Migky ;)
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Migky
You are right of course, but my daughter from my marriage doesn't want to know her half-sister, which makes things very difficult. Before she traced me, I had never told anyone because of the disgrace etc. etc. even my husband and children. My husband was totally unphased and took me to Ireland to meet her as soon as I told him.
Fortunately, my sons are more like their dad about the whole thing and one of them came over to meet her, when she visited me before Christmas, so that was nice.
Lizzie
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I am with your husband & sons on this.
A little song for your daughter to listen to before going to sleep ;D
http://www.tagtele.com/videos/voir/21907
I am still searching for my own 1/2 bro & sister.
Migky ;)
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I also had an adopted brother, although he too was born in Manchester, I don't think his mother stayed at St Teresas. He was born jan 1965 And called John at birth (I think) and his mother called margaret (not sure). She was from the Manchester area I believe. He's never traced her, although we did start once, some time ago, which is why I can't be too sure of names! I often wonder if she's out there somewhere, wondering about him! I know it brought my adoptive parents great joy, having a son and daughter when they couldn't conceive themselves, but as a mother now myself, I do wonder about the pain often inflicted by so called do gooders in the name of religion.
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Does anyone have any information on this place? I am looking for information on Fr. Hennessy and his sister Ann Hennessy. he ran the home for a while in 1957.. I am trying to find out more info on him and his siter.. as well how would a girl find out about this place who was living in Ireland. My mother went here to have my sister. She was from Dublin. Thank you. Catherine
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Hi, you could try contacting the Catholic diocese for that area. They should have some info on any priest at the time your after?
Click here for contact details (http://www.salforddiocese.org.uk/contact-us)
Good luck
Migky ;)
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I did try that and was given St Roberts, I believe it was. I sent an e-mail inquiry as I live in the states and I have not heard back. I will have to call when time is good. The time difference can wreck havoic on the schedule.
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I did try that and was given St Roberts, I believe it was.
What is "ST.Robert's" ?
I have tried my self emailing the Salford diocese some time ago, but never got a reply?
A law unto it's self the catholic church.
Migky ;)
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Could this be the ST.Robert's you mentioned? Click here for St. Robert's Parish, Longsight, Manchester.
(http://paulmalpas.com/history/st-roberts-parish-longsight-manchester/)
It is over the other side of the city but seems to fit with the new Irish in the city at the time?
http://genuki.org.uk/cgi-bin/churches?CCC=LAN,GR=2630,FT=Longsight%20St%20Robert%20Hamilton%20Road%20Roman%20Catholic
Migky ;)
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That would be it, that is where she was baptized. Any thoughts?
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Does anyone have any information on this place? I am looking for information on Fr. Hennessy and his sister Ann Hennessy. he ran the home for a while in 1957.. I am trying to find out more info on him and his siter.. as well how would a girl find out about this place who was living in Ireland. My mother went here to have my sister. She was from Dublin. Thank you. Catherine
This is the address for the Catholic Children's Society in Manchester:
Post Adoption Manager
390 Parrs Wood Road
Didsbury
Manchester
Lancashire
M20 5NA
Telephone
44 (0)161 445 7741 or44 (0)161 432 7746 Fax
0161 445 7769
Email: (*)
http://www.caritassalford.org.uk/adoption-services/post-residential-enquires
I think any approach would have to be by your mother and I think it is better to write to them rather than e-mail - then it's official.
I know someone who was born at St. Teresa's and she was baptised at St. Thomas of Canterbury church in Broughton, Salford: 327 Great Cheetham Street East,
SALFORD,
M7 4UE
In the case of the church and finding out about the baptism, I find it helps if you write to them and give a small donation.
Good luck. If I can be of any further help, let me know.
Ann
(*) Moderator Comment: e-mail removed in accordance with RootsChat policy,
to avoid spamming and other abuses.
Please use the Personal Message (PM) system for exchanging personal data.
I've added the web address which seems to have the contact details - can you post if it isn't the right one?
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Dear Lisa,
I did speak to this person and she was great but had little info. It appears much of the records were destroyed or not handeled appropriatley and are now gone. She was baptised at St. Robert's in Longsight. The name Hennessy keeps coming up. There has to be some connection! Fr. Hennessy had to be practicing in the area.. I just cannot locate where!
Thank you.
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Hello all... My birth mother stayed at Broom Lane before giving me up for adoption. I have a meeting with Caritas in the next couple of weeks to view my adoption papers, but I am keen to hear any first hand stories of what this home was like.
If I get any pertinant info from my meeting, I'll gladly share it on here but obviously that will be from the viewpoint of Caritas and not nessarily the same view as the girls that stayed their:-)
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I am so happy for you. Please share what you find. I really what to know what you uncover..
Here is my story..
http://www.boston.com/community/stories_to_inspire/articles/2010/12/19/an_old_secret_blooms_into_joy/
Best of luck.
Cathy
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Hi Cathy, that's some story! I've not even started to contemplate the possibility of brothers or sisters yet. It's hard enough dealing with the prospect of hearing about the circumstances around my birth and adoption...
Thanks for sharing :)
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Hi Cathy
What a great result for you well done
Carolyn
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Hi Carolyn,
It was and still is amazing! It has really worked out for the both of us in the end. We are very fortunate. I think if people could share anything about the home and their outcomes, it would be so helpful to others. I am amazed that my mother had this "other life". Watching the Magdalen Sisters made me realize the climate of accepance around this topic. I am so glad my mother had England to go to, being from Dublin.
Cathy
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Cathy - That's such a lovely story. I, too, had a daughter who was adopted but, unfortunately, when she found me, my daughter from my marriage didn't want to know her at all, although my sons are absolutely fine about her.
Unlike you, my daughter from my marriage feels she has lost her position in the family as the eldest girl and won't even talk about the situation.
Lizzie
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I had my meeting today, I don't really want to share too much detail at the moment. I have lots of information and I need to let it all sink in. But below is a transcript of a leaflet I was given about the history of St Teresa's Home, 61 Broom Lane, Salford. I hope is useful to somebody...
St Teresa's Home was founded on 2 July 1932. The property which consisted of two large houses and extensive grounds, was purchased by the community from the Brown family.
The primary work was as a Maternity Home for married ladies. After some time, as the need arose, some unmarried expectant mothers were admitted at the request of His Lordship, Bishop Marshall, the then Bishop of Salford. The Maternity Home was a useful means of sheltering the unmarried mothers and also procuring financial aid necessary to maintain this work.
This joint work continued for a few years until the Maternity Home closed and the care of the unmarried mothers and their babies became the principal work, which flourished over the years.
Most of the babies were adopted and placed in good homes. They became a great source of happiness to their adoptive parents. Some girls decided to keep their babies.
The Sisters, by their devotion, dedication, understanding and sympathy, helped to uplift, encourage and support these girls during a very painful period of their lives and many of them have kept in contact with the Sisters over the years. It is a great consolation to know that many of them benefited spiritually from their stay at St Teresa's.
A Training School for Nursery Nurses began soon after 1941. We know that in 1944 there were six nurses in training. Sr. Catherine Hickey supervised their practical training and the nurses attended one of the hospitals for lectures. Some Sisters were also trained. This branch of the work ceased in 1945.
From about 1948 to 1969, each Parish Priest of the Salford Diocese contributed annually towards the upkeep of the home to suppliment the low income. This was at the request of His Lordship, Bishop Marshall, who held the work of the Sisters in great esteem! It also helped the priests, who were then in a position to refer to Teresa's, girls who came to them seeking help.
In 1964 the Nursery was built to accommodate the increasing number of unmarried expectant mothers. As a result of the Abortion Act, the numbers dropped considerably, so much so that the new building was sufficient to house the existing numbers. From 1970 onwards, the numbers fluctuated.
In 1974 the Sisters moved from the original house and bought 62 Wterpark Road. The two original houses were then demolished and the land sold. St Vincent's Housing Association built nine flats for the elderly on the site previously occupied by the Maternity Home. The site where the Sisters house was situated is still vacant and is owned by the Corporation
In 1979 the Sister's present house, 58 Broom Lane, became vacant and as it was much more convenient to the Nursery, the community purchased it and sold 63 Waterpark Road.
Parish visiting was also one of the works of 61 Broom Lane. The parishes of St Thomas of Canterbury and Corpus Christi, Miles Platting, have been visited by the Sisters for a great number of years. This work continues today.
In August 1984, St Theresa's officially closed.
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Thank you for the excerpt. I know the feeling of absorbing and it does take some time.. I hope you do well with things.
Cathy
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I to was born at the maternity home on Broome Lane April 1945 It was bought from John Brown he was a mill owner and it had been his family home for himself his wife Mary and about 8 /9 children all the children died from 2/3 months old up to round about 15 .The only child that survived was a girl called Anne Estella who declared her love for a priest and spent the rest of her life in a convent she died Jan 1959 in a convent in Royton Oldham.When i was 38 i traced my birth mother who had the surname Brown (CHRISTIAN NAME WITH HELD) She was a relation of John Brown so you could say i was born in the family home !
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wow. that's amazing. how long have you been searching? you have uncovered a lot. the brown story is sad. the stories surrounding this home are amazing and so wide spread. How are things today for you?
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You are right the Brown story is sad ... his mill was called Bradley Fold Mill and was in Bolton i believe now it is a modern housing estate .He manufactured equipment to go into the mills rather than it being a working mill. All the family are buried in Moston Cemertry . My adoptive parents were very active in helping the sisters at Broome Lane in raising funds so that they could continue with their work.My adoptive father would go and collect the young girls from their homes when they were going to stay at St Teresa's prior to giving birth and then return them afterwards. Ican remember the 2 houses very clearly with all the little canvas cots laid out in rows in the summer months Although i was adopted at 6 weeks we would return on a regular basis because my adoptive father had a bussiness in Smithfied Market m/c and usrd to supply the convent with all fish fruit etc so as you can guess we were always welcome . John Browns wife Mary came to live in Blackpool after he died and i have been to see the house she bought it is now turned into flats but on her death was brought back to be buried in the family grave in Moston
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hi i was just Reading on your post and my sister was born there to and we are tr yin are best to find out so much because are mother or Nana is int alive now and we have only just found each other properly. we have been to broom lane but it is now a nursing home and when Reading on your post i seen you mention about 2 houses? as we have only been told about 1 house were the mothers stayed as we have got pictures as well any help you could give would be much appreciated. thank you
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Hi all.
I was in St Theresa's from November 59 through to Oct 60 under the name of Leslie Reid after being put up for adoption.
I would be interested in any records or to hear from anyone who had links to that period. Also 13 Lime Grove, Longsight, Manchester (now demolished).
Or anyone who may have known or come into contact with a Joyce Reid or Mary Joyce Reid - possibly from Ireland.
Thanks
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Hello I was at St theresa's in 1968. Pls mail me if you still want info.
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Hi
I have some information in the form of a leaflet explaining a little about the history of the place, but nothing more.
Any information (pics, contacts) that you may have would be useful, you never know one small snippet may lead to another.
Thanks for the reply
Cheers
John
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Hi John
Are you searching for something specific? I just came across the forum this morning and am still reading up. Have you a connection with St Theresa's?
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Hi Colner
We are on an adoption trace and have quite a lot of detail, but now seeking any links that may be associated to the home.
Any records that may be accessed publicly or facts that may lead to help tracing a person.
We suspect my mother was Irish and shipped over to have me in England, but then she vanishes again!
No records at all of the name given in the English or Scottish records hence Irish thoughts - also ties in with other facts we have.
Also because I spent the first many months of my life there, it would be interesting to see what it was like past that of a black and white photo on a history leaflet.....
Cheers
John
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Hi John. I was there April to June 1968. The Sisters Of Charity were decent people but very Catholic. We girls were offered different names on arrival to enable our situation to be kept secret. Adoption was facilitated and encouraged. It was assumed that you would hand over your baby, firstly to a foster carer and then sign your child over for adoption.
The girls who were there in my time were vulnerable and extremely dependent on St Theresa's. Some had come over from Ireland to have their babies.
I wish you well with your search John. Mail me if you think I can help.
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Hi ,just read the posts re Broom lane ,I was an unmarried mum in St Teresa's in 1969 ,not the best of memories ,
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Hello, i am new to this site. i was in this mother and baby home in 1971 and would like to find my daughter who was adopted. Just that i am not sure she may want that. its very difficult. It was a sad, sad time for me. I have and always will think about her on a daily basis.
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I can totally understand all the people looking for their birth children. I had a daughter adopted in 1960 and never forgot her, but was worried about looking for her, mainly because I'd not told anyone (even my husband) about her. However, when she was in her mid 40s she found me. My husband was totally OK with the situation and his first response was "When do we go and see her?"
As she doesn't live in UK, we don't meet very often and keep in touch mainly by e-mail.
Good luck to all of you.
Lizzie
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I have a pamphlet of the home.. I think it was from 1957 or later.. I will try to post it soon.
My mother left England after having my sister and went to Australia, I think to start a new.. the 10 pom cruise was a sponsored trip to Australia to bring qualified people to bulk up the work force.
Caratis Salford Adoption Agency held my sister's records. They were very kind. I figured a catholic agency would fit my mother, since she was Irish Catholic.
PM me, if you have any questions. I have done research... if I can help in any way... Best of Luck
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I was in the Mother & Baby home at Broome Lane in 1973/74 for approx nine months with my son. I remember my time there and the place very well. The 'girls' - some pregnant and others with their babies, were housed in an extension and although the 'regime' was quite strict, generally the nuns were very caring.
We had a curfew of 6pm!! after which time all the doors and gates to the grounds were locked and the only way out (with permission) was through a tunnel in the cellar which led to the convent. I used to avoid this if I could because it was very long and all the lights were on timer so if one light went out before you got to the next switch you were in pitch black darkness and often unable to find the next light switch! We had to be in bed early (9pm I think). Although the concept of mother & baby homes gets criticised nowadays, I dont tend to look back on my time there as totally negative
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Came across Winnie's posts while researching Brown family. Winnie seems to know quite a lot about the family. Would like to know more if possible.
Believe Mary Brown may have had as many as 15 children!!, (6 died young).
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I was at St Teresa's from 1st May 1968 till mid July. I kept my son, born 15th June, but have never forgotten seeing those poor girls weeping when they gave their babies up for adoption. Many of them were Irish, often returning afterwards to marry the father of their child, their families wanting to preserve the outward show of Catholic respectability.
The nuns were kind and caring, but trapped in the system.
I remember a young nun, Sister Mark, I think she wasl called.
I get tearful remembering that time. It would be great to hear from anyone
who was at St Teresa's then.
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i would appreciate any help what so ever there was a single mothers home in salford on i think broom lane in the 60s which was run by nuns it is a now a nursing home any help would be great , does anyone know any thing about this
My Birth mother was sent to St Teresa's mother and baby home in 1966,I was born in March 1967. My BM was ill after she had me so went into Ladywell hospital I was sent back to the home without her. When she left Ladywell she was able to go home but 3 months after I was born (birth name Joanne Catherine Roden) My BM was taking by her parents back to Broom Lane where she changed me into going away clothes and then driven by her parent with me on her lap at aged 3 months to St Catherines in Manchester. To hand me over to Sister Philomena who came in the room and took me of my 16 year old Mum. My mum was told to go home and get on with her life. I traced my BM in 1999 we had a fantastic reunion. Felt it very necessary to go back to Broom Lane and St Thomas of Canterbury where I was Christened without my Mother prescent as she was in hospital. ( the Christening took place with 12 other baby's all at the same time. My godparents where other women from the home I know one of them is called Ronda. We did get to see the priest of the church at the time and see the entry of my Christening. Our reunion wasgreat for a long time but my Mum's family doesn't want to know me so does put a strain on our relationship. I havealso meet my Birth Father who I see from time to time his family have been more understanding. But it has never been as full on as with my Mum. I felt an instant need for her and still feel like that 13 years on.
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I'm not ashamed to say that I cried when I read your message Joanne, thinking of the young girls I met in my time at Broome Lane who were not able or allowed to keep their babies, it was so immensely difficult for every one of them.
Over the years, I have often thought about a young lass who was in the next bed to me at the Maternity Home where I gave birth to my son. She was only 14 years old and I was 16 and just didnt know how to console her when they took her baby away and social workers just left her to sob after telling her she would 'now be able to get on with her life'. We were alone and 'segregated' in a separate ward from the married mums. The nurses were very caring but most of the social workers weren't and I must admit that I suffered for a long time because of the extremely harsh and lengthy rebuke I received from one of them for deciding to keep my baby.
I am glad you and your BM now have a good relationship and sincerely hope that one day her family have a change of heart.
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I was reunited with my daughter who I gave up for adoption in 1960 (for her good and so that I could then forget and get on with my life :o ), but by the time she found me again she was over 45 and although we are in touch, I wouldn't say we have a good relationship. We get on OK, but not only does she live in a different country, but her beliefs and outlook on life are so different to mine and the rest of my family. You might think nuture took over from nature, but she is not like her adoptive parents either.
If it's possible, it seems she is like her birth father, who she has never met. I understand as he got older, his beliefs became like hers are today. Spooky.
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Hi ,just read the posts re Broom lane ,I was an unmarried mum in St Teresa's in 1969 ,not the best of memories ,
Hello again.. This thread has moved on quite a bit since I was last here. Thankyou to all who have contributed their memories. I'm specifically interested in Barwal's post above since my Birth Mother was in St Theresa's from the middle of February to the end of March 1969. I'd be really interested to hear your experiences either on here or by private message if you don't want to post in public.
Thanks all:-)
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Its a long time since i was on here my mother had me in march 1965 and 6 weeks later i went to stay with my grandparents but i would like to see photos of it as its not something that was spoke about
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Hi, I have just recently found out my mother and aunty both lived here in the 1950's. Both my mum and aunty have since died, but we have found out my aunty had a secret daughter. I am left with questions as to why and if my mother lived here too (Broom Lane). My mother and aunt were Irish Catholics, but I really don't know where I would start looking to see if my mum did live here or just stayed with her sister (if that was even possible although she would never have left her sister's side).
Can anybody suggest where I would go to find out this ifnormation please?
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Hi, I have just recently found out my mother and aunty both lived here in the 1950's. Both my mum and aunty have since died, but we have found out my aunty had a secret daughter. I am left with questions as to why and if my mother lived here too (Broom Lane). My mother and aunt were Irish Catholics, but I really don't know where I would start looking to see if my mum did live here or just stayed with her sister (if that was even possible although she would never have left her sister's side).
Can anybody suggest where I would go to find out this ifnormation please?
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Hi, I have just recently found out my mother and aunty both lived here in the 1950's. Both my mum and aunty have since died, but we have found out my aunty had a secret daughter. I am left with questions as to why and if my mother lived here too (Broom Lane). My mother and aunt were Irish Catholics, but I really don't know where I would start looking to see if my mum did live here or just stayed with her sister (if that was even possible although she would never have left her sister's side).
Can anybody suggest where I would go to find out this ifnormation please?
Does anyone remember a Mary Kelleher around the 1956/1957 period of time in Broom Lane. Also, did people just work here or did they have to be pregnant? Thanks
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Can anybody suggest where I would go to find out this ifnormation please?
Does anyone remember a Mary Kelleher around the 1956/1957 period of time in Broom Lane. Also, did people just work here or did they have to be pregnant? Thanks
Hi aj1308,
Caritas in Salford is the organisation that should hold any records for Broom Lane. They have a website.. http://www.caritassalford.org.uk/ . I don't know if the home employed people other than the Nuns I'm afraid
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Can anybody suggest where I would go to find out this ifnormation please?
Does anyone remember a Mary Kelleher around the 1956/1957 period of time in Broom Lane. Also, did people just work here or did they have to be pregnant? Thanks
Hello.. the caritas salford does hold records for Broom Lane. I have been instructed they are minimal in their contents. They will trace and mediate for a fee, it 100 pounds 2 years ago. What I have learned from my trace is in the 50-60's residents had to pay to have their phone number listed in the directory. So I would assume many unwed mothers who were residing with people did not list their info. The area did have a large Irish population and so many women came from Ireland to have their children safely. Unless they decided to stay, they probably did not go on the electoral registers that are held at the archives. You could potentially trace on findmypast.co.uk for a name. But in my mother's case, she moved from Dublin to have her birth in Manchester, to then take advantage of the Australian immigration movement and the 10 pom cruise... I was able to trace info my mother had written down on an old visa application. I was very lucky. But I can see she stayed with an Irish couple all the way through her pregnancy and after the birth. There are so many stories.. don't limit your search just to England, from my own personal experience.
Hi aj1308,
Caritas in Salford is the organisation that should hold any records for Broom Lane. They have a website.. http://www.caritassalford.org.uk/ . I don't know if the home employed people other than the Nuns I'm afraid
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My birth mother had me whilst she was at st. Teresa's in 1957. I have tried to trace her but the information they have is very small. If anyone has any information about this place, or photographs around that time, I would very much appreciate it. My mother's name was Mary Boyle and she was born on 2nd September 1927.
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My mother was here in 1963, had a little boy. I know she called him Paul. And I think his adopted parents were doctors. Mother only told me about 10yrs back, as I think she felt I met him. Which was a strange experience and longish story. My father knows, it was before they married and I am the only one of three children that knows the story. I have never talked to mum about it since, but I know it must hurt her daily. One day I would love to be able to trace this half brother. But I would never know how she would feel about that. From what I do know her memories of the nuns are not good ones.
I want to ask more, but I do not know if I should. Must be a terrible thing to hand a child over.
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Sarah :)
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<This posting was promted by a post from ShirleyJones who wanted to hear from people who were in St. Teresa's at the same time she was in 1968 but might be of interest to other readers, which is one reason why i posted instead of sending a PM>
My name is Mary. I was at St Teresa's at the same time you were there Shirley. I was there for about seven months in all coming from a school for the blind run by nuns of the same order where i looked after 16 teenage blind or partially sighted girls. Some of these handicapped girls were older than i was at the time (i was 17 but started to work as a housemother when i was 16 i think) so i had to keep my age secret so as to get some respect and maintain authority). I had my baby in mid-August 1968 so I probably arrived at St. Teresas some time in April 1968 and left beginning of October, when I was forced to give her up, and sent out of the country. However, I was able to save enough money to get back to the UK and finally got her back. Best thing i ever did in my life.
My memories of St Teresa's are not particularly good, and certainly not as forgiving as yours. I wonder if we knew each other?I was in a bedroom with two Irish girls (just three of us). I was tall and the beds were for children so it was most uncomfortable. As i was in St. Teresa's for a long time and the food was not that nutritious and often inedible and I became very anaemic. So much so, I was interrogated at the hospital to see what we were eating and after that there were some changes made so i think the nuns must have got into trouble.
I had been told by Canon McKew who sent me there that i could work with the children who were in the nursery, and continue the studies i was doing in residential child care while in St Teresa's but was forced to work in the dining room when i got there. I worked for Sister Kieren.
My parents said that it was my choice and they would stand by me whatever I wanted to do, but when i told them i wanted to keep my daughter (there had never been any doubt in my mind about that) my mum said she hoped God would guide me to do the right thing and I realized that they were not going to keep their word. My Dad refused to look at my daughter when they visited me at the hospital, even though I begged him to see how sweet she was. Canon McHugh banged on the table and told me she would be better in an orphanage all her life than with me.
Unlike you i didn't find the nuns that kind or caring, though there was one young nun who was nice. I remember being made to stay in the home when my Mum came to visit me instead of going out with her in order to look after someone else's kid. I thought it very unfair as my Mum was coming on her own and had no car and wanted me to meet her by the station. I didn't see my parents all that often because of the distance and the fact they had two young children at the time. I made a scene and eventually was allowed to go out and meet her. Worse that that, I had to work nights after i came out of the hospital and they would forbid me to look after my daughter in the daytime, even going as far as locking me in a room, so i wouldnt be so tired at night. When i reported a girl who, unlike me didn't want to keep her child, who was abusing her at feeding times, they refused to come and look and said it was not their policy to interfere and the child would soon be adopted (i remember saying yes, if she survives) The abuse was as bad as that.
I didn't think some of the nuns had a vocation as most of them were Irish and would have entered the convent in a time when one girl from each family was sent to a convent and one boy to the priesthood. I didn't find some of them very knowledgeable as i didn't find some of the nuns who taught me at school or worked at the school for the blind. Iwas appalled at their attitude to things like the food we ate. One incident that sticks in my mind is that the bread we were served up was going moldy but they wouldn't throw it out( and the uneaten loves were stockpiled in the kitchen and getting stale and moldy too) and they didn't want to alter the order so there were large numbers of loaves going moldy and no chance of us getting edible bread. One of the girls who worked in the dining room with me threw the moldy bread away and Sister Kieren took it out of the bin and put it back on the table saying that the nuns had taken a vow of poverty.
I was at St Teresa's from 1st May 1968 till mid July. I kept my son, born 15th June, but have never forgotten seeing those poor girls weeping when they gave their babies up for adoption. Many of them were Irish, often returning afterwards to marry the father of their child, their families wanting to preserve the outward show of Catholic respectability.
The nuns were kind and caring, but trapped in the system.
I remember a young nun, Sister Mark, I think she wasl called.
I get tearful remembering that time. It would be great to hear from anyone
who was at St Teresa's then.
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Part two of Mary's Story
The home was shut down shortly after that (at least for the girls coming out of hospital) because there was an outbreak of dysentery. Do you remember that? Until the home got the all clear, the girls coming out of hospitals with their babies went into a different home and when they came to visit us they said it was completely different, so it was an improvement for them. The nursery stayed open as there were a lot of older babies who were there and had to be cared for by the girls allocated to nursery duty.
The incident with my Dad refusing to look at my daughter, the time when Canon McHugh banged on the table and visions of the food in the dining room compared to the food enjoyed by the nuns and pregnant women having to drag large heavy tables across the room every day to clean and scrub, could have been lifted from a film i saw a few years ago called "The Magdelen Sisters" though obviously we were not treated anywhere near as bad as the girls in those Irish homes.
My Dad came and took me back to the Wirral where my parents then lived, when my daughter was about seven weeks old. She was absolutely beautiful and smiled already, cooing and interacting with me. She was transported in a drawer (which bothered me a lot for its symbolic connotations) and we drove into our carriage before getting out of the car as they were so ashamed anyone would see us. After seeing my mother briefly, feeding and changing the child and having some tea, my Dad drove me to another convent in Birkenhead where one of the nuns came and wrenched her from me almost as soon as i walked in the door and another nun made me go into the chapel to show my gratitude to God. I can't describe the heartbreak of that moment. I didn't use to be able to tell anybody about this and always broke down in tears when i tried to so my daughter does not really know the full story and this is of course just part of it, but something i might share with her. Afterwards i had to go to a toy factory or shop with my Mother who was buying present for poor children. I remember bursting into tears each time i saw the toys. It was my birthday and for years afterwards i got very depressed in the days leading up to my birthday till i understood why.
Thinking about it later i wonder why my mother was so unfeeling as to take me into that environment at such a time. I also wonder why she encouraged me to breast feed my daughter even though she had no intention of letting me keep her. In the event I couldn't breastfeed anyway as i was very nervous and couldn't manage to do so. I had a problem with my nipples being inverted and no.one to help me persevere with it. She told me it was better for the baby which is true of course, but then it does increase the bonding between mother and child, so I don't know what she was thinking. Finally I wonder why she arranged a a job for me looking after other people's children, especially a baby. It seems unnecessarily cruel or just plain stupid. I don't think she saw me as an adult with feelings but more of a child who would just get over it and the baby as a toy that could be replaced by having a new one to look after. I never would have. got over it had I had my daughter adopted. I felt strongly that she was my responsibility and that I needed to know she was ok and the only way i could do that was being with her. I had no intention of leaving things as they were but thought if i did what they said and went abroad they would relent when they realized that i hadn't changed my resolve to keep her and let me come home. Unfortunately, they were not interested in how unhappy i was. They just thought the problem had been solved and didn't want to know.
I was at St Teresa's from 1st May 1968 till mid July. I kept my son, born 15th June, but have never forgotten seeing those poor girls weeping when they gave their babies up for adoption. Many of them were Irish, often returning afterwards to marry the father of their child, their families wanting to preserve the outward show of Catholic respectability.
The nuns were kind and caring, but trapped in the system.
I remember a young nun, Sister Mark, I think she wasl called.
I get tearful remembering that time. It would be great to hear from anyone
who was at St Teresa's then.
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Part three of Mary's story
Four days later i was on a plane for Switzerland where my elder sister had been instructed to find me a job without much pay (to prevent my return). My parents refused to send me photos or news of my daughter and a friend whom i asked to go to the home when I finally found out she had been placed wrote and told me she'd been told that my baby had been adopted. I had contacted the Association for the unmarried mother and her child for help but they must have been mislead by Canon McHugh because they seemed to want to help me but after I gave them his contact information, I eventually got a letter from them saying it was a bad idea for me to take my daughter away from my parents and put her in a home. She was not with my parents and never had been and had been in a home run by nuns.
I was in such a state of depression at that time i was behaving quite recklessly, going out to see my elder sister who had left the UK six months earlier and worked in the largest big town, drinking cheap beer in order to forget my problems and hitchhiking to get home - I didn't care about anything. After this latest bit of news regarding my daughter I got very sick. I had to look after other people's kids instead of my own and felt like throttling the baby so i used to handle him as little as possible. I used to get into a hot bath once i was alone in the house and the baby was sleeping and the other child at school and just cry my eyes out, day after day. I eventually had to see a doctor and i broke down and told him my predicament and he was very kind and told me it was normal i was ill when i was missing my daughter.
My employers didn't object to me leaving when they realized the circumstances and I came back as soon as i raised enough money for the train fare and arrived in London with only sixpence a friend had sent me in my pocket and ended up in a home in Soho for destitute women, some of whom were ex-convicts or prostitutes.
It took me some time before i managed to get back to the North of England and then get my daughter back. Everyone who was a Catholic and lived in that diocese had to have Canon McHugh as their social worker and this meant that, unless your parents were behind you, it was difficult to keep your child. We were young, vulnerable and in my case i had not finished my education and was not even able to take care of myself properly. No family allowance for the first child, no income support and no housing allowance were available, unlike today. I was on a waiting list for housing in London but was told it was a 20 year wait. I had to grow up quickly. I left the UK for good taking my daughter when she was three. Second best thing i did in my life.
I was determined to give her a good life and prove Canon McHugh wrong. Seems I was successful.
I was tallish with blondish hair cut in a bob (badly cut i may add) and blue eyes. I think i went by my own name.
I wonder if you remember me?
I was at St Teresa's from 1st May 1968 till mid July. I kept my son, born 15th June, but have never forgotten seeing those poor girls weeping when they gave their babies up for adoption. Many of them were Irish, often returning afterwards to marry the father of their child, their families wanting to preserve the outward show of Catholic respectability.
The nuns were kind and caring, but trapped in the system.
I remember a young nun, Sister Mark, I think she wasl called.
I get tearful remembering that time. It would be great to hear from anyone
who was at St Teresa's then.
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Can anybody suggest where I would go to find out this ifnormation please? Also, did people just work here or did they have to be pregnant? Thanks
Well I was there from April till Beginning October of 1968 (see my story which i posted to give you and others some idea of what it was like). At that time there were no other people that i can remember other than the nuns and the girls who all had to work. In fact I was assigned to dining room duties and we had to move all these big heavy tables every day in order to scrub and polish the floor. And then do the same in the sitting room. Girls were also used to look after the orphaned or abandonned babies in the nursery. These were all babies, not toddlers, but older than ours as most people did not stay at St. Teresa's once the baby was six or max eight weeks. I think the six weeks was mandatory by law. It was supposed (by law) to give the mothers a period in which to make up their minds. However, since any Catholic girl who got pregnant in that diocese at the time had Canon McHugh as social worker and no other choice and he would only help her if she had the baby adopted, there was really no other option for girls who did not have their parents or other relatives behind them. You could not just walk out of there with a small baby and nowhere to go. We were very vulnerable and at their mercy in a way. I think we were seen as a vehicle to provide good Catholic families who couldn't conceive with the babies they desired so much. There was an element of having sinned involved and, if we suffered in giving up our children then it was part of the redemption process. Not good memories at all!
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Hi mary, sorry to have taken so long to reply to your message. I am really interested in your
Research as over the years i have often thought about the people i met at st teresas'. I have some photos from my time there. My phone number is (*) if you would like to get in touch.
Yours sincerely, shirley rea ( nee jones )
.
(*) Moderator Comment:telephone number removed in accordance with RootsChat policy.
Please use the Personal Message (PM) system for exchanging personal data.
New members must make at least three postings before being allowed to use the PM facility.
See Help-Page: http://www.rootschat.com/help/pms.php
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I'm not sure if my previous message has been posted. I have been trying for some time to reply to a private message from mary. I am really interested in your research and have photos
and memories of my time at st teresas'. I do hope to be able to get through to you.
Best wishes shirley jones
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Hi Shirley,
You have now made enough posts to send and receive Private Messages to other users, Mary will receive notification of last nights posts so hopefully will be back intouch.
All the Best
Sarah :)
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Does anyone know if there were any other mother-and-baby/unmarried homes for mothers operating in Salford in the 1940s, 50s, 60s etc? Were there religious qualifications only in terms of St Theresa's or were the local authority referring people?
Thanks in advance.
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I was at St Teresa's from 1st May 1968 till mid July. I kept my son, born 15th June, but have never forgotten seeing those poor girls weeping when they gave their babies up for adoption. Many of them were Irish, often returning afterwards to marry the father of their child, their families wanting to preserve the outward show of Catholic respectability.
The nuns were kind and caring, but trapped in the system.
I remember a young nun, Sister Mark, I think she wasl called.
I get tearful remembering that time. It would be great to hear from anyone
who was at St Teresa's then.
Remember me Shirley? We shared a room ....
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I'm not sure if my previous message has been posted. I have been trying for some time to reply to a private message from mary. I am really interested in your research and have photos
and memories of my time at st teresas'. I do hope to be able to get through to you.
Best wishes shirley jones
Shirley, do you remember me .... Blanche
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Hello all. This thread has truly been the most information I have found in all my searching to date. My name is Anne Marie Cunnane. My mother M M Cunnane resided at St. Teresa's on Broom Lane. I was born in July of 1951 and given up for adoption. I have been searching for any information regarding my birth mother and family history. I will post again shortly with additional information so that then ppl may private msg me or reply to my post. I would truly be so grateful for any and all information. I have no desires to disrupt my birth mothers life etc. Just looking to have the history of it all. Thank you all for the posts on here. They have been riveting.
Name of living person edited by moderator
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Ok, some additional information I have is mostly from a birth certificate, a baptism certificate, and a note from a Dr. who certified I was in good health.
Baptised at St. Thomas of Canterbury higher Broughton, Salford 7
Baptised July of 1951 by Rev. Francis Mark Occlesion and sponser Bridget Condron.
The doctor was located at 361 GT Cheetham Street E HR Broughton. Date of the exam was January 1952.
My birth certificate lists my mother as a 'hotel kitchen maid of 61 Broom Lane Broughton'
Lists my mother as M M Cunnane. Lists nothing for father or father occupation.
States I was born at Hope Hosptial.
Finally lists 'Adopted J H Temple Superintendent Registrar'
I have been researching quite a bit and have went through the entire process for adoption records via the GRO but seem to have come to a dead end as far as how to go about getting the records. I was instructed to apply to the Birkenhead Court for the name of the Agency to contact for the actual records etc. I did and Judge De Haas instructed me to contact :
Adoption Agency: Shrewsbury Diocesan, Children's Rescue Society, 7 Park Road East, Birkenhead
I have been unable to find any information regarding this agency other than a reference in an old pamphlet from 1967 http://lxoa.files.wordpress.com/2010/09/unmarriedmothers.pdf
I do not have my mothers date of birth so even basic searchers on various genealogical sites do not yield much. I appreciate any info anyone may have :)
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Have sent you a pm
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Hi
All I can add to this thread is that my mother lived at 61 Broome Lane during 1956, as indeed did I until I was adopted in September 1956.
I would be interested to know more about this place.
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Hi
All I can add to this thread is that my mother lived at 61 Broome Lane during 1956, as indeed did I until I was adopted in September 1956.
I would be interested to know more about this place.
just sent you a pm
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Hi David
Welcome to Rootschat ;D
just sent you a pm
which David won't be able to respond to as he doesn't have a post count of 3 or above.
Dawn
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But he is on facebook if you look at his profile
K :)
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Just read the info re St Teresas Broome Lane Salford-My husband was born there in 1941and we often wondered why he was still with his mum when he was christened at 6 weeks-thinking that babies were taken at birth. At least he was with his mum until she decided to have him adopted to a very happy home when he was approx. 2yrs. However we are puzzled about what happened between 6 wks and 2yrs. He was in a childrens home in Kirkham Lancashire when he was 'chosen' by his adoptive parents. Does anyone have any ideas what this home was and what it might be now or how we could find out.
As a new comer to Roots Chat I hope my format for the query is sufficient and not too brusque
Thank you
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All the info regarding St Teresa is so interesting -As I said earlier I have been searching for years on and off through Ann Marie Biderdyke at Catholic Rescue Society and she has been unable to provide any details. A strange thing is that in one of the articles(by Roden)a Sister Philomena is mentioned and it is a Sister of the same name who helps in the traces with Ann Marie. Coincidence or could it be the same one?
Any ideas about possible old photos would be useful. Also my husband was Christened at St Benedict Kenal-anyone know anything?-We cant find it.
Can we find out how old the children were when they left St Teresas? All this is back in 1941.
I appreciate the web site provided by Mary 8 and am about to check it out
Thanks to all for help and advice
Tinker11
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Hi there, bit of a long shot but would anyone know or remember a Mary Josephine Hanrahan who was at St Teresa's Broom Lane with her baby girl in July 1957
Another question does anyone know of the story of a roof falling in at the home in 1957/1958.
Would be great to hear from you. Many thanks.
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Not sure how to reply to Mary8's message but just wanted to say thank you for the website recommendation.
Really keen to know if anyone remembers the " roof incident " at the home. I am trying to search the local news but at the moment it's like the needle in the haystack😄
Thanks again
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Not sure where to place this in the thread. My Mum was shipped from Ireland to St Theresa's when she became pregnant in 1969 (I was born in 1970). When leaving the home during the day she was made to wear a wedding band. I was born at Hope Hospital. Despite being in another country with nowhere to go I was lucky enough that she refused point blank to give me up and there was enormous pressure to do so, perhaps being that she was 26 gave her the confidence to say no. She remembers how distraught the other girls were when giving up there babies during her time there. She is in contact with one of the other girls that was there and she has successfully traced her son and they have a good relationship. Mr Mums name at the time was Mary Ennis. I've been trying to trace my birth father on and off but as it turned out he had 'another life' whilst being with my Mum any details I had were generally false. In fairness to him he did try and track my Mum down in Ireland but the family sent him on his way. Regardless of circumstance there is that missing piece of the puzzle that makes me 'me'. I would encourage anyone thinking about searching for an adopted child (or birth parent) to take a chance.
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My mother Ellen Delaney from Kilkenny gave up a child for adoption in 1948. I don't know if it was a boy or a girl. She has now died and she never wanted to discuss. If anyone has been interested in this information let me know. Kath
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I was a young single mum 17 years old in 1978 and stayed at st theresa mother and baby home . For me my short time there was scary and harsh . As I was frowned upon for refusing to give my baby up for adoption which was expected of me .if it hadn't been for a caring midwife at st Mary's hospital who when i told her I didn't want to give my baby away gave me lots of advice and reassurance that despite what the nuns and adoption society said I didn't have to. Despite us all trying to behave normally it was a sad place . I still think of the mum's who felt they had no choice and often wonder how both their babies and themselves got on .
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Hi yes, this home was run by nuns.
It was running in the 70s still.
Now information can be found from Caritas, a catholic organisation dealing with these historic records !
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Hi,,,,,
Get in touch with Caritas. They are based at Salford Council and have historic records from St Theresa's Home on Broome Lane.
good luck to you
Did u ever find out who holds the record's for Saint Theresa's. I am interested as my Grandmother was adopted from here i believe.
Kind Regards
Crystal
[/quote]
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Hi
I too was there in 1971, maybe we know each other !! I have had some success...
I only just joined this site and cannot have personal messagesyet, but maybe you can reply.
Hello, i am new to this site. i was in this mother and baby home in 1971 and would like to find my daughter who was adopted. Just that i am not sure she may want that. its very difficult. It was a sad, sad time for me. I have and always will think about her on a daily basis.
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Hi chrissy
Welcome to Rootschat ;D
Your post count stands at 3 so you can both send and receive personal messages now.
Dawn
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I only saw the posts regarding St Teresa's in Broome Lane yesterday, so I suppose my post is now of no interest but, for the record, I was sent to St Teresa's in 1968 as an 'unmarried mother to be'. I stayed there, had my baby, and, against all the personal onslaughts towards and against me from the nuns, I managed to keep my baby. At that time there were no other girls/women doing that, daring to defy them, nor able to do so, because we were all seen as degenerates, despite many of us coming from 'good homes', and it was incredibly difficult at that time to live in any community as a single mother. I met some wonderful young women, some of whom had been raped, others abandoned by their boyfriends, and many sent there in secrecy, after which they could return to their communities. The nuns were bullies, they were unhappy women who, as far as we were concerned regarded us as having sinned against God, and were 'sullied'. I shall never forget it as long as I live.
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Suzy - I'm so sorry to read your story. At least you were fortunate in that you kept your baby, although I wasn't in a home I was sent away to have my baby in 1960 (at a nursing home which is the subject of another thread) and I didn't keep my baby. The good thing is nearly 50 years later she traced me and we are now in touch, albeit not regularly, and I'm in touch with her adoptive parents.
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Hi suzy
I was also a mother who kept her baby despite the protests from the nuns and other agencies. I will never forget my time at st theresa' s. The nuns could be viscious and cruel at times and caring at others . But i always felt that I was a bad person in their eyes . But hey tomorrow 20th June my son will celebrate his 40th birthday and life turned out so different than I thought as an unmarried mum all those years ago .
Ann
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To Ann and LizzieW, I am so pleased that the years seem to have brought some comfort and happiness, despite those difficult and oppressive experiences.
Thank goodness times have changed, and are still changing, surely for the better. I am convinced that at the root of the greater problems we faced lay the inequalities between the sexes. However there is a long way to go yet. I don't think I'll see in my lifetime a stage in which women will be equal in number to men in government, commerce, industry and in all social strata. Where all women don't have to rely on men for income or anything else, and where women will be given the same due respect as men. Nevertheless, the good news is that our society has advanced in these respects, but one only has to look at the rest of the world to know that mass destruction, hate and oppression is being caused by men, and until women all over the world are able to benefit from education there will always be similar sorts of difficulties for other women - stigma, control, abuse, fear and untold sadness.
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i will have to look into caritas.
i don't know really what i am doing on this site but I'm hoping this sends a reply
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tinker11
Re: single mothers home run by nuns
« Reply #83 on: Thursday 12 February 15 16:13 GMT (UK) »
Quote
Just read the info re St Teresas Broome Lane Salford-My husband was born there in 1941and we often wondered why he was still with his mum when he was christened at 6 weeks-thinking that babies were taken at birth.
I was interested in what you posted as my mother was born at st Teresa's in 1941 and she was also moved to another convent home and her mother was supposed to have continued paying for her to be kept. Like your husband I think my mum was moved 3 times in Catholic childten homes to london till she was about 6 weeks with her mother in tow until all payments stopped her mother was no longer in the picture at this time.
I would be interested in finding out more as my grandmother was listed as a cook in St Teresa's in 1941.
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Still coming back to this chat now and again to read your stories, I wish my birth mother could find the confidence to have some contact with me :-/
I notice a couple of people referring to a website link posted by Mary8, but I can't seem to find it in this thread. Can anyone point me to it please?
M
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Hi ,just read the posts re Broom lane ,I was an unmarried mum in St Teresa's in 1969 ,not the best of memories ,
hi I was born at Hope Hospital in Jan 1969 then taken to St Teresa's
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Hi my birth mum was in this home run by nuns I was born 1960's in hope hospital then taken with my birth mum to St Teresa's till I was adopted in march 60's and brought up in Bolton my birth mothers name is J T and she was from Ireland im not sure if shes still in Manchester she was 18 when she had me im now 40's yrs old. I would love to hear from her.
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Hi, I don't know if I can be of help but I was in this particular mother & baby home in the early 80s whilst pregnant with my daughter. It was one of the Magdelene houses so not a nice place to be even then.
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When I was resident at St. Teresa's in the early 80s there were lots of Irish girls there. I was only there for 6 months but it was too long. Some girls gave birth in the home, you could hear them but what happened to the babies I don't know. All I know is that some had a short time with their babies in the nursery, but some never got to be with theirs. Whether you had time with your babies or not, you were made to take care of other people's children in the nursery. Even in the 80s the nuns were barbaric.
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Hi if you're still looking for records from this home in the 1940s you might want to try here.
http://www.adoptionsearchreunion.org.uk/search/adoptionrecords/organisationDetail.aspx?id=473
I believe they have records from this home.
Julie
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Hi - I've been trying to help my mum find her birth mother and came across this post. She was in St Theresa's mother and baby home in from August 1966. I don't want to put any extra strain on your relationship, but was wondering if your BM might remember her and be able to shed any light on what she was planning to do next. She was called Barbara C. I've been looking for a while now but can't find any trace of her after the home. Please do et in touch if you think she might be able to help in any way at all. Thanks!
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Hi, my birth mother was sent to the mother and baby home in Broom Lane (think it was 67) in 1966. I was born in sept 66 and adopted in early 1967. I traced her when I turned 18 and we attended a support group for a short time, for mothers who'd had thier children adopted. One of the other mothers had attended the same home 10 years later and I think it had closed soon after this. It was run by Catholic nuns and I'm sure my mum would have more memories if you're interested, get in touch and I'll get her to post on here. All the best. :)
pendlelass, my mum was born and adopted 1960's too. I've been trying to help her find her birth mum. If your mum could remember anything about her I know my mum would be over the moon!
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HI ALL, I am trying to find my Nannas birth mother, she was in st teresa's or another unwed mother and baby place in manchester, she was born cathleen callagan on the 04/03/1943 her mother was named margaret callagan on the birth certificate, but having read these posts im now aware this could of been an alias ... does anyone know where I could find out more info ... she was legally adopted at strangeways magestrates court, I have done a DNA test for her that links her relatives to Co.Cavan in Ireland, thanks
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JoBird, most of the surviving records for the Catholic homes for unmarried mothers that operated in the Diocese of Salford have been collected by Caritas Diocese of Salford. This organisation has a web site and one of the services provided is post-adoption help. Have a look at https://www.caritassalford.org.uk/service-view/services-3/
It provides - Services for adoptees; Services for adoptive families; and Services for birth relatives.
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Hello.
I have just found out today that my BM, Moira Armstrong was at St Theresa’s in January 1963. I was born on January 7th and my name was Paul. My BM was only there a few weeks before going back to her family home in Chorlton where she was one of five children.
This thread has been very interesting to read and has given me much to think about.
I’d be grateful if anyone has any information to please get in contact with me.
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Hi,
I've just stumbled across this site while trying to find information about my Dad. My Dad was born on 26th February 1943 in I believe the Manchester area as this is where he was brought up until the age of 5. We think he was adopted in 1948 and may have been with his adoptive parents before this. Sadly my Dad passed away in November 2016 and had no idea he was adopted. It was a family secret, his cousins knew he was adopted but none of them seem to know any information about it other than his Birth Father was apparently French Canadian. We have a couple of pictures of him as a baby but can't work out where these would have been taken. I have been in contact with different agencies and one came back with the suggestion of the St Theresa's mother and baby home. I'm unsure of how much information/photo's etc I can post on here?
Beccy
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Hi Beccy,
Welcome to RootsChat :)
RootsChat is a family history website, you can post as much as you like with images, text etc the only thing you need to be aware of is that we do not research details of living folk specifically.
Good Luck !
Regards
Sarah
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Hello, My name is Julie
I Was in St. Theresa's Home for Unmarried mothers in 1984 the year it closed. At the time I was pregnant with my daughter. The home was awful even then, and the nuns would say and do such cruel things. I met women there who had come from Ireland pregnant to have their babies. It was a different time then and they'd apparently brought shame on their families. Nearly all of these women from what I remember, gave birth in the home, very few went to the hospital. Not many seemed to keep their babies though and nobody seemed to know where the babies went either. I eventually left and returned to a violent partner which at that time seemed a better option. It seems unimaginable to think the last of these homes only closed in the 80s.
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Looking for a girl born 22nd September 1957. My grandma was sent to 61 broom lane mother and vaby home to have you from Ireland. My dad was adopted two years after you. We have only jist found out about you and would love to find you x
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Hi everyone,
My name is Brian. My mother was listed by CARITAS as being at St Teresa's Mother and Baby Home in 1952. I was born in Hope hospital the same year, and adopted six months later.
My mothers name was / is M H I think had a friend there Elizabeth K who was a witness at my christening at St. Thomas of Canterbury, upper Broughton.
Her last address is listed at St. Teresa's and also 803 Chorley Old Road, Bolton.
Also which is a bit confusing, her occupation is listed as 'Domestic' at Singleton Nursing Home, Salford.
Iv'e been searching for over 30 years without success, so any memories, snippets of info. would be gratefully received.
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Hi there, I only knew my dad's name and had 2 photos of him, remember seeing him twice when I was little.
As my mum has passed decided to do a DNA test and my closest match was in Australia. The lady messaged me to say her dad was adopted from a Manchester Nuns Society in 1959. The fathers name after research is my dad's brother and mother surname beginning H.
She had spoken to salvation army 20+ years ago who said the Manchester Nuns Society is now a servo (gas station) if anyone can help me discover the exact name of the place would be fabulous
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Hi, I’m on this behalf of my dad, he’s just got his birth certificate today. He was born 1965 and born in hope hospital, his mother Margaret mary Browne that’s all we know, does anyone know where to go from here