RootsChat.Com
General => The Common Room => Topic started by: Eileen Cloonan on Friday 17 July 15 03:16 BST (UK)
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Dear Rootschat Members:
Allow me to introduce myself. My name is Eileen Cloonan and I am a first generation Irish lady born in Chicago, Illinois, USA.
Per my lovely Irish-born mother (Ireland), who decided to become a Catholic Nun at the age of 14 years, has recently found the courage to ask me to research and locate the name of the Catholic Convent/Nursing Home in which she was transferred to and placed in and around North London.
Per her traumatic memories, she can only recall the name of the North London street as... Hornsey Lane. As I understand, her unpleasant stay at this convent (5 plus years), was quite traumatic/disappointing and, only recently, she has come to terms with her stay there and now wishes to learn what she can regarding this particular convent/nursing home.
Before my Mom entered the convent, she was told that she would be able to travel to the African Continent to care for the young, starving babies/children. Unfortunately she learned, much later on in her stay that... travel privileges were only allotted to those Nuns who were well educated and, of course, had a Large Dowry. Of note, my Mom came from a family of 17 and could NOT afford to provide a dowry to the convent.
With this in mind, if anyone can shed some light on the name of this Convent/Nursing home located in North London, on Hornsey Street, I would be absolutely grateful to YOU!
Cheers and Thank YOU!
Eileen Cloonan.
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Welcome to rootschat Eileen.
I'm probably unable to help you, but could you please tell us the approximate years that your mother was in the convent?
This information might help others who can help. :)
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Some information here:
http://www.british-history.ac.uk/vch/middx/vol8/pp99-101
Which includes reference to this at the end of the article:
Augustinian Sisters of Meaux formed convent and nursing home at Bethanie, no. 12 Hornsey Lane, 1922, for chronic invalids and convalescents. (fn. 98)
(Might this be the place?)
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Hi Ruskie:
Forgive my delay... Still learning how to use this website and just wanted to be sure to respond to you regarding your request for a DATE as to my Mom's convent stay, which is in/about 1951-52.
THANK YOU!!!!
Eileen Cloonan
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Dear Ruskie:
Would you believe... I actually remember my Mom telling me that she could only speak French (order) at the Convent and many of the servants (cooks), who were always exceptionally KIND to her, were from Belgium and French speaking only.
God, I have to say... over the years, my Mom has always mentioned the fond/lovely memories of those beautiful and angelic Belgium women who were so kind to her. She always vowed to meet them again and thank them for being so... human and kind.
Ruskie, please know. your recommendation re: the Augustinian Sisters of "MEAUX" ... may very well be the answer she's been suppressing all these years.
Please know, I will be visiting my Mom tomorrow evening and will let you know if the name rings a bell.
Ruskie... I wish to THANK You from the bottom of my heart .
Cheer!
Eileen Cloonan
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You're welcome Eileen. I hope that is the right place. :)
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12 Hornsey Lane seems to be a Nursing Home now
http://www.rootschat.com/links/01foy/
http://www.bupa.co.uk/care-services/care-homes/the-highgate-nursing-home-london
though presumably still with nun connections
http://www.rootschat.com/links/01foz/
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And a previous RootsChat topic on a similar subject!
http://www.rootschat.com/forum/index.php?topic=28487.0
And possibly a new address? (Not sure how recent this is?)
Augustinian Sisters of Meaux
Bethanie Convent
54 Highgate Hill
London N19 5NQ
United Kingdom
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I think the building was originally called Thornbury House:-
http://maps.nls.uk/view/102345952#zoom=6&lat=3490&lon=2755&layers=BT
Blue
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Hello Eileen
My great-grandmother was a Cloonan from Macroom in Cork. Would you by any chance know of any connection to that family?
Thanks