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England (Counties as in 1851-1901) => England => London and Middlesex => Topic started by: TeddyP on Friday 11 December 09 17:32 GMT (UK)
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Under the St. Olave Union of Bermondsey a large childrens cottage home was erected in 1903.
My Great Nan, Lilian Rhoda BURNETT, born 1898 in Bermondsey, is shown on the 1911 census as an
inmate (together with her sisters Elsie & Jessie).
I'm trying to find out when she may have left the 'school' but just do not know where to start looking.
She had my Nan in 1917 when she was just 17 years old (and most probably illegitamtely).
Can anyone help?
Thanks
Steve
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Doh, she was aged 19 when she had my Nan.....
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Looks like the London Metropolitan Archives has some admission orders etc that would cover the period you are looking for - http://www.cityoflondon.gov.uk/londonGenerations/registerSearch.aspx?panel=results
BERMONDSEY BOARD OF GUARDIANS: Shirley schools
Admission orders
[All boroughs] 1909 Oct 13 - 1910 Dec 14 X021/025
BERMONDSEY BOARD OF GUARDIANS: Shirley schools
Admission orders
[All boroughs] 1911 - 1912 X021/025-026
BERMONDSEY BOARD OF GUARDIANS: Shirley schools
Creed register: arranged alphabetically
[All boroughs] 1909 - 1919 BBG/611/002
BERMONDSEY BOARD OF GUARDIANS: Shirley schools
Register of apprentices
[All boroughs] 1909 - 1911 BBG/618/008
BERMONDSEY BOARD OF GUARDIANS: Shirley schools
Register of children sent to service: indexed
[All boroughs] 1911 - 1914 BBG/618/009
BERMONDSEY BOARD OF GUARDIANS: Shirley schools
Register of children sent to service: indexed
[All boroughs] 1912 - 1915 BBG/618/012
There's a little about the cottage homes here too http://users.ox.ac.uk/~peter/workhouse/
Do you have your nan's birth certificate, if not would be worth getting it to see what info is given about her father (if any) and place of birth etc.
Ermy
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Hi Steve,
Not exactly what you are asking Steve, but isn't there a Shirley Rd in Croydon still?
charlotte
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There is a Shirley Road in Croydon and actually, some of the original cottage homes are still standing.
I'm trying to find out the date that my Great Nan would have left the institution and, a long shot, if there
is a record of an address that she was released to.
Thanks for your interest.
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Not sure if this is off any use......
There was Shirley Oaks Childrens in Shirley near Croydon up to the 1980s. It is now a housing estate.It was owned by Lambeth council. There is a book about the homes written by someone who grow up there.Cannot remember the name of the author
It was several houses on a large plot of land, each house run by a House Mother. My mother worked there in the 70's and 80s.
regards
Jan
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Forgot to say Croydon local studies library should have lots of info on Shirley Oaks.
Jan
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I was taken into this home way back in 1947 at the age 2. My house matron was a Mrs Walker, who turned out to be quiet wicked, and not someone you would trust with to-days kids. The school was within the grounds of the houses complex, and I remember seeing considerable bomb damage to the school at one end of the building. There was some sort of lodge house to the entrance of the grounds, and many houses formed the complex of residential care. The homes came under control of the London County Council, and they provided holiday trips and pantomimes for all the children.
I had a very bad habit of wetting the bed, and this carried on until 8-9 years into my life. Mrs walker punished me harshly for this problem, and apart from having freezing cold baths I was also forced to sit on the toilet for what seemed like eternity. I tried everything to avoid the cold baths, and even used my legs in an effort to dry my wet sheets by friction of movement. Not surprising, this killed my hair roots on my legs, and my hairs have never grown again since. By to-days standards she would have faced prosecution but, in those days you cried your way through all the pain and suffering, and hence my bed wetting became more prolonged than it should have done.
I left this home around the time when I was 10 or 11 to go to Wood Vale cottage homes in Norbury, Croydon, and then to Hornchuch cottage homes in Hornchurch, Essex. I finished up going to Stockgrove Park School in Leighton Buzzard, Bedfordshire, a residential home for backward children. I could not even spell my name, read or write, a total education wreck so to speak. I stayed there for one year and left in 1961 after passing my IQ test, a better person for the education I received.
As you can see my life went through many dark periods, no family life, no real friends only to be released into society that was totally alien to my way of thinking and the life I left behind. I spent many years inside prisons of every description until I was given a council flat, a home at last that transformed my life since. I have stayed clear of trouble since 1981, and although I skimp by on a pension I do have the benefit of turning my life around and being happy.
I think all problem children have a quest in life whatever their back ground, it just needs people in high places to recognise what help they require to invigorate their inspirations to have a decent life ahead of them, you cannot build a house without bricks.
I hope my letter has been helpful in acquiring information about this home.
Many regards Victor.
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Hello
I had just put Cottage Homes, Hornchurch into google to see what came up - (I do it on a regular basis) and your postings appeared.
I have read Victor's letter - hello Victor - and well done for overcoming your harsh early life.
My mum was in Hornchurch from 1926-1938 and here is a website I made earlier with a few pics and mum's memories: http://www.katyc112.pwp.blueyonder.co.uk/index.htm
(I have to sort out why my site is not on the front page of google LOL!)
best wishes to you all
Katy
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hello all my name is steve chapman my dad was david chapman he was in shirley oaks about 1951 im not to sure but if anyone remembers the my dad i was love to talk to you its taken along time to fine out about my dad he died when i was 8 but from what my mum tells me he was a good boxer and use to box at the henry cooper club he grew up in woolwich "walpole place" and then at sandy hill road i just hope some one can remember me dad as i have very little memories of my dad
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Hi, my name is Sandie and I am researching my grandmothers history, her name was Charlotte Elizabeth Stone.
My grandmother was placed in the Shirley Cottages along with her brothers and sister, could someone help me as to where I can apply for their records? Everything I have tried so far has failed and not sure where to go next for help.
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Jackvox, the National Archives holds information on attendees of the Shirley School, as confirmed earlier in this thread.
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Hi,
There is also a reference to 'Charlotte Stone' in the Shirley Homes in the LMA records on An****ry.
There are no dates, just the age she left the home (15) and that she went to be a servant in the employ of a Mrs S Marner of a 193 Bermondsey Street.
claire
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Thank you so much Claire, have found the record and I'm fairly sure this is her, now to find the others!! Sandie
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Hi,
There is also a reference to 'Charlotte Stone' in the Shirley Homes in the LMA records on An****ry.
Claire, what information is held on An****ry for the Shirley Homes? My grandfather, John Rivolta, was there 1911 to 1925.
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Hi,
Found something have PM'd you
claire
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Hi Everyone,
I know this thread is quite old, but I have just found out that my granddad, who was 'adopted' by LCC was at the Shirley schools from 1934 until 1939 when he was evacuated out to Maidenhead along with others from the school.
I was very interested to read Victors account of his time at the school as it seems to mirror a lot of what is in my granddads care records- he was also a persistent bed-wetter and was sent to the Maudsley hospital for that and his supposed 'behavioural issues'.
Victor, if you are reading this I would like to hear more from you about your time at Shirley, even though it was some time after my granddad being there as it will help me understand what it may have been like for him.
if anyone else is on here with memories from the 30's, or has a family member that remembers or wants to talk about it, please also contact me.
I'm hoping to gather some photographs of the time as well.
Thanks in advance
Jo