Message Board 2025

Just seen post by a lianne looking for foundling grandmother possibly lived at miss steer cottage home Chingford. My grandmother was also foundling and I believe I have found her in the same home on 1921 census. Would you like to contact me.
Lianebanyard@btinternet.com

Hello, I am trying to find out some information, I spent some time in a children's home during the early 1970s along with my brother, I have always been told this was in Cove , Scotland.. but can find nothing to verify this this online? any information would be helpful...many thanks
Signed on 19th June, 2025 by A

Yes there was a children's home in Cove, just north of Kilcreggan on the Rosneath peninsula.
My brother in law parents ran the home, it became a care home for the elderly some time later.

I was known by my fosterparents name, Webb, when I was in care to start with. I spent time in all the children's homes listed below. I would love to hear from anyone who was at these establishments around the time I was.

exnihilo.semper2@gmail.com if you want to get in touch wth me

Unknown dates
St Dominics (Catholic residential school) - Godalming, Surrey

1970/71
Fountains reception centre - Rainham, Essex
Superintendent - Clive Best

Unknown dates
Redhill Assessment Centre - Redhill Surrey

1971/72
Tennyson Lodge - Tennyson Avenue, Harold Hill, Essex
Superintendents - Aunty Laura & Uncle Ted
Staff - Jack Warden
Residents - James Tomes

1972 - 1977 1st residency
Walden Way (Cheviots) 3 Walden Way, Hornchurch, Essex
Superintendent - Ian Lawson

1972 - 1977 2nd residency
Walden Way (Cheviots) 3 Walden Way, Hornchurch, Essex
Superintendents - Leo Issac DeBoer & Polly
Second in charge Bill & Pam
Staff - Phillip Young
Residents - Gary, Norman

1972/3
Hargrave House - Cambridge Road, Stansted Mountfitchet, Essex
Superintendent - Mr & Mrs Ringer
Staff - Mr Cannon
Residents - Gary Layte, Peter Ennis, Mark Haddaway, Peter Bishop, Donald

1973/4 - 1975
Chafford School - Ramsay Nr Harwich, Essex
Staff - Mr Gill, Mr Passmore, Mr Binns
Residents - Murphy, Paul Robinson, Thorogood, Maltese, Colin, Partridge

Hello,
I was at Walton Lodge Childrens Home. 215 Hanworth Road, Hampton, Middlesex from 1953 to 1960.
Would like to hear from anyone or if you know of a family member who was there at that time.
Also, any information or pictures of the home. The house is no longer there (block of flats been built on the land).
Contact veegee33@hotmail.com

Hi, my grandmother had a baby girl called Christina Cropper in Ruthin, Wales in 1950. My grandmothers maiden name was Gratrix. Christina was then put up for adoption. Any information would be very much appreciated, thank you,
Christine.

Hello, i was at Eastry Childrens Home from may 77 to aug 78. i was known as ginger but i hated that and preferred Griff. i would like to know if anyone remembers me and how people from that time are doing. feel free to email iggsy1@hotmail.com
Griff.

Hello, I am trying to find out some information, I spent some time in a children's home during the early 1970s  along with my brother, I have always been told this was in Cove , Scotland.. but can find nothing to verify this this online? any information would be helpful...many thanks 

Good afternoon. I am in dire assistance as to finding any record history of an orphanage in Moodus / East Haddam during the late 1800’s to early 1900’s. The building now is a nursing home called Chestelm, though it used to belong to Clara Jay Keech during the 1800-1900 in which I believe it used to be an orphanage. If there is any way in which I can find more information on Clara, The Orphanage, or anything related PLEASE let me know who to reach out to or what reassures may be available to find out more on the buildings / families history. There is a specific child I am trying to find information on, a young girl who presumably had passed away there.

This is just to let you know that there seems to have been a National School at Lerryn near Lostwithiel in Cornwall. I've been researching Thomas Ludgate who died in 1850. His death notice in the Penzance Gazette 22 May 1850 says:
In Lerryn near Lostwithiel Mr Thomas Ludgate, master of the National School, aged 37 years.

 Searching for grandmother who was a foundling. Have found possible match in 1921 census at Miss Steers cottage homes for little girls Chingford road Chingford . Are any records available for this home. Many thanks

 Hi i am looking for information on a convalescent home or hospital i was in at Henley on Thames in the 1950s

Please send any reply c/o hello@formerchildrenshomes.org.uk

 Hello, my grandfather was in a children's home 'Chaigley Manor' in the 1940's. I would just like more information about this home but can't find anything. Kind regards

Please reply to hello@formerchildrenshomes.org.uk

Hello , I wondered if you could point me in the right direction to get any info . My mum was in an orphanage in the 1940s from a baby until she was fostered aged 5 . It was in Stafford , she has the road Green Gate Street in her mind but that may not be accurate . She wants to find out what the home was called and possibly any info about the home .

Any advise would be gratefully received.

Please reply via hello@formerchildrenshomes.org.uk

I am trying to find a book published in 1988. The book is "For the Love of Children" author is Marjorie Dunn. I have scoured the internet using multiple search configurations and I can not locate it anywhere for sale. I have located a few libraries that have a copy to lend, but I am trying to buy it as a gift. Any help locating this book would be appreciated.

My father was born in Glasgow 4th December 1931. His mother passed away in 1934. I believe he was placed in an orphanage in Girvan. I am trying to find out what happened to him. He would never talk to us about his childhood and my mother told us some information about him but it wasn't consistent as the years went by.
Could you please let me know how I can find out this information.

Any suggestions, please contact J c/o hello@formerchilrenshomes.org.uk

Idleigh Cottages, Meopham, Gravesend, Kent in 1955

I was born in 1949 some time in my early years I spent a night or two in Bermeside home,I was then transferred to a convalescent hospital in the moors above Mythamroyd for which I cannot find any reference.I was wondering if you knew anyone or organisation who did.Apart from being able to see Stoodley Pike,that’s all I can remember about those days,if you can help I would be very grateful as it part of my life I remember very little about.

Please reply to Lawrence via hello@formerchildrenshomes.org.uk

I have been looking for my sister who was born at Elmswood North Mossley Hill Road on the 28th September 1956, I haven't been able to trace her and would like to ask is there anything available like a notice board or somewhere where I can leave a message that I'm looking for her, I have her birth certificate but cannot find any other information I look forward to hearing from you.

Please reply to Carrie c/o hello@formerchildrenshomes.org.uk

Can you help me in anyway or point me in the right direction . My nan was born in 1912 in Llandovery Wales she told us she was in a home with nuns a child that's all we know. Her parents were very poor and seemed to travel around Wales.  How do I find any information on homes etc in that time ?

Thank you
Please reply via hello@formerchildrenshomes.org.uk

I was a at Bermsside Open Air School from 1953 to 1957 and would like any information about the school and pupils during this time. Thank you

When my grandfather was around 5, he and his 4 siblings were sent to Southern Railway Orphanage in the 1940s. I'm not sure how to find documents (if they're available), and I'm wondering if you could direct me and help me find them please? 

I am trying to find information relating to my grandmother and her relatives. My grandmother was born in 1910 and along with her siblings, was temporarily looked after by ‘the nuns’ when her mother died. Her father was in India, so for a period of time they were looked after in some sort of home/orphanage.

Would you be able to point me in the right direction of where I should look for records?

Both parents I believe were originally from Ireland, County Caven.

I was a resident at merryfield Children’s home in Watford Herts England in 1951 do you have any information on that particular Children’s home many thanks

Please send any reply via hello@formerchildrenshomes.org.uk

Hello
I'm currently working on the family tree and there has been mentioned with the family about four siblings that were in a home. I only have their names and dates of birth, nothing else. Am i still able to research and hopefully locate them within the records?

Please send any reply to me via hello@formerchildrenshomes.org.uk. Thank you

hi i’m looking for names of children’s homes in glasgow and dundee in early 80s
i was in a couple of these establishments and looking for some information
thanks

Please reply via hello@formerchildrenshomes.org.uk. Thank you.

My 5x Great Grandfather, Benjamin Ward, was "school master" at the Harnett Street Charity School in Sandwich, Kent from approximately 1815/16 until about 1830/35.

Benjamin Ward had 5 of his 7 children born and baptized in Sandwich. His last 5 children's births show up in the nearby St Peter's Church records. For each birth, Benjamin's profession was listed as "school master".

I have searched for more records of the Harnett Street Charity School, but not been very successful.

Please reply via hello@formerchildrenshomes.org.uk

I have been trying to find out info on the National School in Grantham as I acquired a mason's mallet presented the the Mayor of Grantham on the laying of the corner stone in 1858.

The small paragraph you have says that a girls school was added in 1857 which doesn't seem to tie in with this presentation mallet.

Please reply to me via hello@formerchildrenshomes.org.uk

 I went to a convalescence home in the 1950s. Who can help me to find out where I went. I lived in West Ham London

Please reply to me c/o hello@formerchildrenshomes.org.uk

I would like to enquiry some information about the myton hamlet children's home.
My grandfather was this children home in the 1930s along with his sister.
I'm doing a family tree and I would like to know of that children home is still there and would I be able to visit it and get information about my grandad and his sister there. Or if they still have records on them.

Please reply to me c/o hello@formerchildrenshomes.org.uk

I am looking for any photos of Marston Green Cottage Homes. Thank you

Hello, A member of my family(my Grandmother's Brother) was sent to Cannington.  I have been told he actually did well there and excelled in Cricket.  We came from the East End of London which at that time was very poor and nothing like it is now.  I would like to know if it is possible to find records of him being there? If you could point me in the direction of where to go I would be very grateful. 

I'm looking for a baby born in 1958-1959 to shirley Erdwin a young girl of 14-15 years old.
The baby may have been named Rita williams. Surname being my grandmothers maiden name. There was a lady that used to come and get her and take her away then bring her back evry few days or so. Then one day the baby never came home. The ladys name may have been Vera or Ruby. She was purportedly a friend of my grandmothers. She would likely be 64-66 year sof age by now.
I am her half sister, half niece if that makes sense. She was removed because of family life.