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England (Counties as in 1851-1901) => England => Sussex => Topic started by: funkymum on Wednesday 12 August 09 20:23 BST (UK)
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I believe my father was in a childrens home and the address was Upper Shoreham Road, Southwick, Shoreham, Portslade. I have taken this info from the 1911 census. The home was "run" by a Louie Pennington-Bickford I gather from the historica directories.
However, I can find no further information about this home and assume it was a private home. I have contacted both East and West Records Office for assistance to no avail. Can anyone here help me out and point me in another direction?
Thank you
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Hi Funkymum and welcome to Rootschat
It says on the National Archives site that there was a childrens home attached to the Steyning Union Workhouse (http://www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/hospitalrecords/details.asp?id=529&page=55), so this is probably the home you are looking for.
It says on this website (http://www.workhouses.org.uk/index.html?Steyning/Steyning.shtml) that there was a childrens home named St Wilfrid's, but I don't think this is the right one. The one you want was possibly a building in the main Workhouse site
Hope this might help
Glen
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Thanks for your response. However, do you think that what I believe is a privately run home by the Pennington-Bickford family would be a b uilding in the workhouse? A document that I have states "they established a respite home for local central london children at Portslade, Essex. Do you think they are connected?
Gill
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Pressed the button too soon! I also have found out that the building went onto become an old people's home but was closed in probably the 1970s.
Regards
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Hi Funkymum,
My Mom was born at the Steyning Union Workhouse and the address on her birth certificate is 2 Upper Shoreham Road, Kingston-by-Sea. Perhaps this is helpful to you.
Cein
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Hi Cein
The address of the home on the 1911 census is a bit long winded but is shown as:
Upper Shoreham Road, Southwick Shoreham, Portslade by Sea
With my limited geographical knowledge it sounds like they have picked several names from the area and put them into one address.
I have also found out that the home was run by a Mrs Louie Pennington-Bickford as a respite home for children from London. I assume, therefore that it must be a private home.
Thanks for your info, it might be connected in someway who knows, thats all part of the fun of the searching, however I am getting a bit worn down with this one I have been looking so long and keep coming back to it.
Regards
Gill
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Hi there funkymum,
I am from Portslade- although I now live 150 miles from there! I am trying to visualise where this home could be. Does the 1911 census give a number of the premises and could you approximate it to a landmark or intersecting street on this long road from the enumeraters schedule? You need to locate where the dwelling was of course though a lot of the buildings on this road are much later than 1911. Portslade is in East Sussex but Southwick is in West Sussex and merges into Shoreham. Steyning is on the other side of the Adur River west of Shoreham. I wonder if a Kelly's directory might help you or any other docus. e.g. an electoral roll- bearing in mind it would be the lady's husband or other male occupant who would be the reg'd. voter since women could not vote at this time. The onset of WW1 will of course complicate your search but keep trying You will crack it eventually!! M.Ann
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Hi, I run a history website for Shoreham in Sussex. You may want to post there as they are quite knowledgeable.
http://www.shorehambysea.com/shoreham-by-sea-history-portal.html
http://www.shorehambysea.com/forums/index.php?showforum=14
Upper Shoreham Road is quite a problematic address. From other web sources this seems like Portslade is the probable location, not Shoreham. Geographically there are separate towns - West to east, Shoreham, then Southwick and finally Portslade. The Workhouse (now Southlands Hospital) had (and still does) an Upper Shoreham Road address for all births there.. but is firmly in Shoreham (although was called Steyning Union!).
There was an orphange at St. Wilfreds/ Ham Road Shoreham.
Yours sounds like it was firmly in Portslade. BUT Upper Shoreham Road does not exist in Portslade - it may have been renamed decades ago, but it is very likely to be Old Shoreham Road now
http://maps.google.co.uk/maps?client=safari&q=portslade&oe=UTF-8&ie=UTF8&hl=en&hq=&hnear=Portslade,+Brighton,+East+Sussex,+United+Kingdom&ll=50.838779,-0.221829&spn=0.00437,0.013443&t=h&z=17
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Hi Funkymum
There was a Reverend William Pennington-Bickford whose death was registered in Worthing Sussex, aged 66, and there was also a Louisa Pennington-Bickford whose death was registered in Worthing Sussex aged 76.
Both of their deaths were registered in 1941. The London Gazette online search showed The Reverend had a connection to London.
There was an obituary for Louisa - if you can find out how to obtain it, it might provide more information.
Leavenworth County, Kansas: Leavenworth Times Obituary Index, 1936-1941
about Louisa (Mrs.) Pennington-Bickford
Given Name: Louisa (Mrs.)
Surname: Pennington-Bickford
Publication Date: 7 Dec 1941
Event: Death
Page Number: 1
Notes: London, funeral today
Source Information:
Leavenworth County Genealogical Society, comp. Leavenworth County, Kansas: Leavenworth Times Obituary Index, 1936-1941 [database on-line]. Provo, UT, USA: The Generations Network, Inc., 2003.
Original data: Leavenworth, Kansas. Obituaries from the Leavenworth Times, 1936-1941. Leavenworth, KS, USA: Leavenworth Times, 1936-1941.
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Another place where you may be able to find more precise information is found after searching the National Archives online:
Go to:
http://www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/a2a/records.aspx?cat=094-1576&cid=0#0
and there is information recorded under the categories
Louie and Cecilia Holiday Fund
Louie and Cecilia Holiday Home
There seems to be quite a bit of information on the internet about this family and from what I read it would seem the above two categories would seem appropriate records to have a look through.
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Wow two messages in one day, thank you very much.
I did in fact move forward with my research. The Pennington-Bickford family were connected with the St Clements Dane Charity in Holborn, London (you know the nursery rhyme, oranges and lemons - there is a connection but right now can't remember what in my excitement!). After a long and drawn out process including the National Archives I contacted the Trustees of the charity who in turn advised that the records of the charity were archived in the City of Westminster Archives in London and I made contact with them. However, the records that were available did not include any reference to a children's home in Sussex and that where is I paused thinking what to do next.
The address that I have for the home is taken from the 1911 census and as you say road names change and shift their location. I did contact both of the famility history societies in sussex again unsuccessfully. I assume that the home was a private home but still feel that I can't give up my search, it needs to be parked whilst further thought happens. I will certainly trying posting as you suggest spinalman and see if I can get any response.
Thanks once again for your replies, much appreciated.
Regards
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I have gone back to some of my research information and have found reference to the childrens home that I am looking for in Kellys Directory of Sussex 1911 and under the "Homes" section it lists the Cecilia and Louie Home for Children. Mrs Pennington-Bickford is shown as the principle. The address shown in the directory is Upper Shoreham Road, Southwick, Brighton. How does that address fit into the locality please?
Thank you
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You can look at the road in street view and map view on Google Maps
Go to: http://maps.google.co.uk/maps?hl=en&tab=wl
Then enter
Upper Shoreham Road, Southwick into the search field and click Search Maps
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That drew a blank, but worth a try, because you never know till you try! Thank you
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I'm not sure what you mean by it drew a blank.
Google maps shows maps. If you type in a valid road name you are looking for, in the UK it will you show the map. That would show you how the road you are looking for fits in with the locality.
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I found a document on the internet that more fully describes the function of the place, described as the "Louie Home". It was very difficult to download *, so if you would like a copy in its entirety, to understand the full context, just send me a personal message with your email address and I'll send it to you.
An excerpt explains...
"The Pennington-Bickfords were particularly concerned for the health of the children and at their own expense established a holiday home at Southwick near Portslade in Sussex where the children of the area could go for fresh air and recuperation. For over forty years, the "Louie Home" provided a respite for children brought up in the smoke of central London. A bible class for over 70 of the girls was run by Mrs Pennington-Bickford and these would spend a week at the home each summer; after them, children from the Sunday School and the Primary School would spend a fortnight there. During the rest of the year, the home was used for delicate or convalescing children or for whole families if there was trouble at home. "
* (www.st-clementdanes.westminster.sch.uk/)
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www.st-clementdanes.westminster.sch.uk/.../School%20History.DOC
This is the link to the document - there seems to be a placeholder in it (on page 52) for a picture of the Louie Home but sadly there is no picture there. I have contacted the website to ask if they have a picture of the Louie Home. Cross fingers ! :o
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Hi
I entered the road name but it did not show that the road existed. From an earlier post it suggests that the road may not now be in existence. Hence I drew a blank.
Thank you
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Hi
I entered the road name but it did not show that the road existed. From an earlier post it suggests that the road may not now be in existence. Hence I drew a blank.
Thank you
The road definitely exists - you should even be able see moving photos of it in Google Maps link I sent. I looked up the road name before sending you the information, and saw it with my own eyes. I cannot see from your profile if you are living in the UK, but I can't understand why you should not be able to see the place on the map if you follow the instruction on reply # 13.
(Once the map comes up, you can then drag the yellow man onto the road and then you would be able to see the moving pictures).
Good luck.
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Hi
Well I have just retried it as you suggested and it worked tonight. I am in the UK by the way.
Thank you very much for the time that you have spent helping me, I have downloaded the document and will shortly be having a read through. It will be interesting to see if there is a picture available.
Thanks again
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Hi Funkymum
I never heard back from the school after sending them an email...
Have you thought about contacting them youself directly to ask about the picture?
...
http://www.st-clementdanes.westminster.sch.uk/contact-us.asp
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I dont' know if you still need info on this building ?
Its actually the building called Norman Latham house, on Old Shoreham Road, Southwick, west sussex.
It is, or was a nursing home but i can remember researching it as a childrens home many years ago. I haven't been by that way recently, so cannot tell you if its still a used building.
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Hi - Yes I am still gathering info on this building, thank you for your info. I have sort of lost the momentum on the search because I keep hitting brick walls but something always comes along to get you going again.
Thanks again
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I know what you mean about hitting brick walls ::)
The building is on the actual boarder of Southwick and Portslade. Basically the whole 'top road' as we call it, goes from " Upper Shoreham Road" in Shoreham through to Old Shoreham Road in Southwick and then Portslade.
I will come back in a moment and get you the google street view of the building as it is today.
Regards
Lorraine
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Here is the building:
http://maps.google.com/maps?f=q&hl=en&q=&layer=c&cbll=40.758437,-73.985164&cbp=11,42.04,,0,-6.66&ie=UTF8&om=1&panoid=s_TY766yv4kWDddHKN8OVQ&t=h&ll=40.75844,-73.985195&spn=0.042649,0.174923&z=13&utm_campaign=en&utm_medium=ha&utm_source=en-ha-na-us-bk-svn&utm_term=%7Bkeyword%7D
It is actually situated on the corner of " St Louis Close " ;)
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That link didn't work ::)
Trying again:
<iframe width="425" height="350" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" marginheight="0" marginwidth="0" src="http://maps.google.com/maps?f=q&source=embed&hl=en&geocode=&q=bn42&sll=40.75844,-73.985195&sspn=0.021585,0.025749&ie=UTF8&hq=&hnear=Brighton+BN42,+United+Kingdom&ll=50.838239,-0.226643&spn=0,0.001279&t=h&z=14&layer=c&cbll=50.839134,-0.223895&panoid=xbLMMCPCizOreR5pWrijjg&cbp=12,19.13,,0,5&output=svembed"></iframe><br /><small><a href="http://maps.google.com/maps?f=q&source=embed&hl=en&geocode=&q=bn42&sll=40.75844,-73.985195&sspn=0.021585,0.025749&ie=UTF8&hq=&hnear=Brighton+BN42,+United+Kingdom&ll=50.838239,-0.226643&spn=0,0.001279&t=h&z=14&layer=c&cbll=50.839134,-0.223895&panoid=xbLMMCPCizOreR5pWrijjg&cbp=12,19.13,,0,5" style="color:#0000FF;text-align:left">View Larger Map</a></small>
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Gurr >:(
Ok. Go to Google Street View. Tap in BN42 and then look for St Louis Close along the Old Shoreham Road.
You should see on the junction of the two roads a large white building which has a sign saying Care Home. That is it.
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Hi Loraine - not wishing to be dim but I keyed in BN42 but could not find St Louise Close. Thanks anway perhaps I will try when my internet is a bit faster (lots of use on a sunday afternoon and our system is very slow at that time)!!
I am tryin gto get hold of records from when it was a childrens house unsuccessful at the moment!
Thanks again
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The link that OneBigFamily posted earlier on this thread seems to be the key that you may be looking for. If you read the whole of the history of the St Clements site, it does say that the entire log books for all three schools still exist. Maybe you could ask them for a look up of the child you are looking for ?
My computer didn't show the photos on that history page but there is clearly something there about the Louis home in pictures ?
Another thought: If St Louis Close is any reflection of the building having been named after the childrens home, then Adur District Council might be able to help you with the history ?
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Hello Funkymum.
I have just found this site whilst searching on William Pennington Bickford.
My mother lived and worked at the Louie Home from 1928 until she married my father in 1936. She is still alive and living in Portslade, and may well remember your father.
The building is still there although now has a different use.
William Pennington Bickford was the rector of St. Clement Danes and his wife Louie ran the home, but I think you may already know this.
Hope this helps, if you want to know I can ask my mother.
Regards
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Hi Thanks for your email. My father I believe was at the home at the time of the census in 1911 so your Mother probably wouldn't have known him but that being said I don't know how long he was at the home. Do you have any details about why a child from London, who had recently lost their father, would have been sent to the home. On the census it shows that he is there with several other children, all from a similar area in London. Any information on the reasons for the home would definitely be of interest. I did e mail the charity twice but they did not reply. I had almost given up hope of finding anything else out.
I look forward to hearing from you.
Thanks
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Hello funkymum,
My mother tells me that all the children that went to the home had a connection with St Clement Danes. William Pennington Bickford (the rector) and his wife Louie bought the house in Portslade I think as a private residence. During the summer the chilren from the sunday school came down to stay for a week or maybe two in batches of about eight. Then children from local schools who I guess had a connection with the church came down. For the rest of the year children from the community who were in need of care were looked after. My mum often talks of two brothers who stayed at the home for some time after their parents split up and their grandmother could not manage them. As you may know the church was bombed during the war and William P-B committed suicide at the loss. Louie later did the same by jumping from the attic window of the home in Portslade.
During the year my Mum would clean the house (unpaid) and in the summer months she looked after the children. She was only 12 when she went there from Suffolk but she was preceded by her older sister who was the house keeper. That part of it is a very long story, but if you want to know any more about the home I can sent you something.
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Hi Funkymum, I have just been to visit my Aunt who lives in holland on sea and she was telling me all about our family history. my Auntie Phylis (b1930) and my dad Douglas(b1938) were both born at The louis home in portslade, My Grandma and granddad (Elsie and Cyril) were the housekeeper and groundsman there, my aunt has fond memories of her time as a child there it would seem that some of my grandmas sisters and brothers also worked there (there were 15 siblings!). She said that the children who were there were always well looked after. She went back to see the place a couple of years ago and they had builders there doing some renovation, so i know the building still stands. my auntie has a photograph of the home in a frame at her house.
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Hello ldp64.
Your dad Douglas must be my cousin. Tell him his Auntie Ellen (My Mother) is still OK. She is the last survivor of the 15 sibligs.
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Hi 350velo
Yes my Dad is your cousin!. I have passed on your message regarding your Mother and he was pleased to hear she is ok. I have a family tree which was given to me by my auntie Doreen which was put together by another of your many cousins (i wonder if you know how many there are?) Malcolm, son of James and Audrey Licence. The family tree shows the direct line through the Licences back to William Licence (Lycense) born in 1540. After visiting my auntie Phyllis and hearing all of her stories regarding growing up and of the Lious home, it prompted me to try to find any more pictures on the web, which is how come i stumbled upon this site. You are exactly right with your account from your mother on the Lious Home and the children there. My auntie Phyllis is desperate for her stories to be passed on, as I expect your mother is too. (ps. in my last post i got my dad's DoB wrong it should have been b1935!).
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Hello ldp64,
Thought I would let you know that my mum, Ellen, had a fall at home back in July and is now confined to a nursing home called Harmony House. Ironically this used to be the Louie home where she arrived at the age of 12!!
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The children's home is now Harmony House Nursing Home, 283 Old Shoreham Rd, Southwick, Brighton BN42 4LP
The road next to it is St Louie Close, Southwick, West Sussex.
https://goo.gl/maps/yfiyc2vLEq36svDn8
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A bit late, but:
The Pennington-Bickford home was one of the last houses in Southwick, Sussex going east before Portslade; on the north side of the Old Shoreham Road.. It is now called Harmony House.
Believe that the Reverand's wife, lous, committed suicide, in Portslade, on hearing of her husband's death due to a broken heart at seeing his church - Clement Danes - burnt down in the blitz on London in 1941.
https://goo.gl/maps/DxwjQzd4RXGbVNN87
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Hi
Sorry, just browsing and saw this ... the old home is shown on the 1912 OS map quite clearly.
https://www.old-maps.co.uk/#/Map/528500/105500/10/101335
Regards