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England (Counties as in 1851-1901) => Northumberland => England => Northumberland Lookup Requests => Topic started by: wilsonhepple on Tuesday 01 April 14 22:08 BST (UK)
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I am hoping someone can offer some advice & guidance with my search for my Birth Father.
All I know is that I was born at Elswick Lodge, Newcastle-Upon-Tyne, in 1945.
At the time, the Lodge was a home for unwed mothers.
My Mother refuses to talk about my birth, and I have not been able to get any help from the few relatives that are still living.
Any help as to how I go about finding information about this home, birth records, etc., would be much appreciated.
Thank you.
p.s. I am currently living in the USA.
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If you google Elswick Lodge Maternity Home you will see a link to a catalogue at the National Archives which then suggests that the relevant baptism records are held at the Northumberland Record Office. I would assume that there will be microfilm of the register either at the Northumberland Archives at Woodhorn or at the Tyne & Wear Archives. Suggest you ask if anyone is going to Woodhorn in the near future and can do a look up for you.
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Hi
If no father is shown on your birth certificate - given your mothers refusal to disclose info, it is most unlikely his name will be shown on any possible baptismal record - assuming one exists.
Unfortunately - unless your mother or another family member gives you those details - there is no other way of finding them
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Have you tried looking yourself up on http://freebmd.rootsweb.com/
I presume you don't have a copy of your birth cert?
If you find it on Free BMD and wish to apply for the actual cert use the official GRO website.
It will cost no more than £9-25 and they post anywhere in the world for that.
http://www.gro.gov.uk/gro/content/certificates/
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Thank you for the information, it is much appreciated.
Sadly, my Father's name is not on my Birth Certificate, just an empty space. (sigh).
My Mam will be 92 this year, and as she refuses to talk about him, I guess my chances of ever finding him, or any of his family will be lost forever when my Mam passes away.
Thanks again,
Christine.
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i have went to correct that and pressed something and its disappeared i just checked and it wasnt hopedene ,,hopedene was the gables ..i think ::)
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Hi Christine
I know this is a wild "stab in the dark" but you may possibly find something about your father in your mums effects when she passes away.
Or you may find that remaining family members may be more prepared to "open up" after her passing
I hope you eventually do find the answers you are looking for
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Do you know the address of Elswick Lodge? There was a mother and baby home in Elswick Road for many years, could they be the same place?
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A DNA test may help find your father.
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I realise this post is now 10yrs old & as your mother was then 92 I am assuming she has since died.
The records at Elswick Lodge - if they exist - will be unlikely to provide info about your biological father given your birth cert does not name him & your mother also refused to name him.
But times have changed & this type of situation is one where we would now advise you to take a DNA test? Have you already done so?
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The original poster has not been on here since 2016.