St Albans Maternity Home 1928

[pierlady]

Hi there, I'm new to this forum but have been researching my family tree for a few years now 

I've been researching my grandfather Joseph Henry Gardner and have found out that he and my grandmother were never actually married (which I know was fairly common?).  My grandmother gave birth to my father in a private maternity home called 'Glenside' in St Albans in 1928.  This I find strange as back then I understand that most women had home births, so I was wondering what would have made my grandmother have him there?  Could it have been something to do with the fact that she wasn't married, and perhaps the midwife would not go out to unmarried women?  I would be interested in hearing anyone else's opinion on this.
Thanks 

[Maddie]

Hi

A warm welcome to RootsChat.

I've been trying to find some record of a Glenside Maternity Home in St Albans to establish if it was perhaps a particular type of nursing home but unfortunately there doesn't appear to be any records at all, which seems strange as from what I can see from the National Archives all Herts hospital records are held there.

I'm no expert but I can't imagine that any midwives would differentiate between married or unmarried mums to be. I wonder if there was a complication with the birth & that is why it took place in a hospital.

Sorry I haven't been much help so far.

Maddie

[[Ray]]

Hi and Welcome to RootsChat!

I cannot do the search for you (copyright issue).

On ancstery (  ) select 1911 census search
Location "Hertfordshire" & keyword "Glenside" just happens to get an occupant of a house named such in the area you are looking, near to "the hospital" but obviously before it became . . . . . ( if it's the correct one )

This may help to narrow timescales when the  maternity facility was functioning.

Quite common for "girls" to be sent to "mother & baby" homes.

Ray

[[Ray]]

Hi

There is also a tree on the same site where a relative was born same year, same place.
The tree owner may have more detail about Glenside

As it is possible that the gentleman is still alive then I wont post details.
If you pm (personal message) me I'll send you the detail.

You need to make 3 posts before the pm system opens up for you.
[ Just post "Thanks" for one and "pm on its' way" for the second  ]

Ray

[pierlady]

thanks for the help both of you!  It is a strange one, I have looked in the local archives myself and seen no details of the maternity home at all!

[pierlady]

Ray, my pm is on its way! 

[[Ray]]

. . . . . as is the reply.   

Remember, it is only a start.

Ray