HOLLYMOUNT CONVENT/ children's home,BURY

[CeeJay2]

Hello, Migky

Are you one of the people who are running Roots Chat?  If so, permit me to offer my compliments on the creation and/or operation of a well-designed site that functions smoothly and is pleasing to the eye.

Unfortunately, I am not able to assist you directly, as my own roots lie well outside the United Kingdom.  However, I do have a friend who once resided at Holly Mount, and I shall mention this thread to him.  I am certain you will understand, though, that any decision to share any of his recollections via this site can only be taken by him, not by me.

I wish you good luck with your endeavour, particularly with your search for photographs.

                                                                                             CeeJay2

[CeeJay2]

Hello, jomar

Thank you for your response.  As I have indicated in my reply to Migky, I am not in a position to furnish any particulars regarding life at Holly Mount.

Knowing someone with first-hand experience to me confirms the fact that children who are in need of care are vulnerable in more ways than one, and that, at times, it may be difficult to find a hearing for those whose feed-back on their experience may not consist entirely of praise.

I wish you every success with your venture.

                                                               CeeJay2

[Mr. MIGKY]

Hi CeeJay2, in answer to your question of me been one of the constructors of this site. I can lay no claim to that, i am just a member of the site like 1000's of other people from around the world.  My input is but a small one and not always the right one, but i do try to help others where ever possible.


Images removed as it may infringe copy rights

[Dibley]

I have traced my aunt, Sarah Brennan, to Hollymount in the mid-30's: the Catholic Society were very helpful.  However, I don't know what happened to her: she was still in there at the age of 14, when most young people were starting work.  The family story is that she was 'adopted' and went to Ireland - got married and went to the USA.  My father lost all contact with her after the '40's, so she is one of our 'blank walls'.
          Does anyone remember a Sarah Brennan?

[Mr. MIGKY]

Hi Dibley, some of the girls when they were ready for leaving Hollymount  started work in the laundry house and stayed there till they were 17 years old. this is what my mother tells me. His your relation still alive? I will ask my mother if she remembers the name or if she was there at the same time as my mother. I am not sure of how much info you got from the catholic society ? as all we got was the date my mother started school and the date she finished, This did not mean that my mother left that date , just she finished school then.
Migky

[emma2475]

Hello everyone
My mother was at Hollymount in the 1950s and I have recently started to try and find info/old friends for her and came across this site!  I have not read through all of the posts yet but will be really interested in finding any photos or contacts to anyone who was at the home around the same time as her.  Her name then was Gwyneth Lewis,  her sisters Megan and Beryl Lewis and her brother Howards Lewis were also at the home.  My mother is now 63 and her brother Howard 60, I don't have exact dates but she tells me that they were there in the 50's.  Their sister Megan unfortunantly died last year and Beryl some 20 or so years ago.  My Mum has some fairly bad memories of the home and of the mental and physical abuse that they all suffered.  I have just ordered the labour of love book for her.  If anyone remembers her or can point me in the direction of any photos etc please let me know.  I am fairly sure that she once told me that she was head girl at the convent! Thanks Emma

[debiasio]

My mother was at Hollymount Convent from about 1902  till 1915 or later. (In tottington, Lancashire ) I have some picture of parts of the convent at that time. If  anyone would like a copy email me at my   email debiasio@shaw.ca

[Mr. MIGKY]

Hi Debi and welcome to Rootschat. That is a very kind offer you have made.People always seem to amaze me. There very first post and it is an offer of help.  I would love to take you up on it. I have emailed you this morning. Just so i do not upset anyone, are these pictures copy right free? As i know of other people on differant web site that may want them posting and wouldn't want to breach copy rights?
Thanks once again for your offer. and if there is any thing i can help with, please ask or if you need any of the pictures if have (from books ) please ask.
Migky

[debiasio]

 HI My mother was probably there at the  same time I thnk she was there from about 1902 to 1915 ish... I have some pictures.  Do you?

Hi micky,

My gran was in Holymount when she was 4yrs old that was in 1911. I noticed someone mentioned the book Labour of love to you. I bought it at bury libruary for £3.50 and its very interesting. As for getting the list of people who were in the convant I,m also at a loss as from what my gran said when she was a live her sister was in there too. My grans name was Edith Alice Cocker and her sister was called Janet.
I hope this helps
Donna