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Hope Lodge, Edgbaston

modgee

knowlegable brummie
I'm looking for information or photos of Hope Lodge. It was a home for unmarried mothers in Edgbaston. Would appreciate any information on how it would have been during the 1930's, when an ancestor gave birth there.
 
Hi there.

Can't help you with photographs, but my mother was adopted from there in 1945. I have her original adoptioncertificate, with matron's departure report!. My mother passed away in 1985, and I have for many years been thinking about trying to find some information on her maternal mother, as I do have her name. Do you know where any records are kept?:)
 
Hello,

Just wondering if you have had any luck with your request??

My mothers first child was born in hope lodge in the 1950's. I was made aware of the place from the birth certificate but only recently got to know what and where it was.

Like yoursel I would like to know more about finding records and photos, someone, somewhere must know
 
No, I'm sorry Shady, unfortunately I havn't been able to find out anything else and am still hoping someone will be able to help.
 
Why not try Warwickshire Health Authority or Warwick Records Office..........just ideas.
 
From:https://www.british-history.ac.uk/report.aspx?compid=22986

The Magdalen Asylum And Mrs. Lloyd's Charity.

An association for the establishment of a Magdalen Asylum was formed in 1828 and premises in Islington were acquired in 1829. It was 'to be a temporary asylum for women, fallen into habits of vice, who profess themselves penitent'. A new site was bought at Rotton Park in 1861 and the new buildings opened in the following year.
By a deed of 1869 Mrs. Elmira Lloyd gave £2,000, the income to be used for the benefit of the inmates of the refuge and probationary ward of the home. In 1920 the Magdalen Home Trust amalgamated with the Association for the Rescue and Training of Young Women to form the Birmingham Association for Unmarried Mothers and their Babies, and the home (formerly known as Kirkholme) became, as Hope Lodge, the principal home of the new association. Hope Lodge was closed in 1954 but the work of the association continued, and by a Scheme of 1954 Mrs. Lloyd's charity was to be used for the benefit of poor, unmarried women of Birmingham before, during and immediately after childbirth.



I believe the property was in Vernon Road at its junction with, and opposite, Clarendon Road Edgbaston and as it backed onto the ground of the Midland Red bus company's works, when it closed the company bought it to use as their head office, replacing cramped accommodation over the Bearwood garage premises. Certainly when I worked for Midland Red and visited it, it had a very "Institutional" feel to it. I asked its history once and was told "It used to be a home for 'Fallen Ladies'".
It appears on an eary map I have as 'Magdalen House', which all fits.

When the Midland Red company was split up it was sold to the health authority, and as far as I know still stands.
 
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Nice information Lloyd :) Certainly gives you an insight to the history of Hope Lodge :)
 
Hello Lloyd.

Thank you so much for a quick responce. I had seen something once which a relative found relating to the magdalen home in edgbston but could not remember where or when the article was found. My father did tell me that the place was somewhere in edgbaston near to the reservoir and some other landmark which I cannot remember. I think because the place has the Magdalen Asylum and Refuge name and the label of home for "fallen ladies" that some people may be reluctant to speak of it. Mom was not a fallen lady she was a wonderful person (just unfortunate times), Again thanks for your help maybe other poeple will have more info.

Really pleased,
 
I think it soon moved from the 'Fallen Ladies' aspect to being a maternity home specialising with unmarried ladies.
I'm glad the information is of use!
 
Hello,


Just wanted to say thanks to everyone. A good result for my first venture with yourselves. I have just been on the web looking for more info and it looks as if Hope Lodge is now known as Magdelen Court and is sought after apartments, How things change but a least I will get to see the premises. Strange to think that when I was a teenager I lived in Portland Road not a million miles away. But then I had no knowledge of Hope lodge!!
 
:shock: Hi, My name is Heather, I have recently found out that I was born in "Hope Lodge " any further information on records you might 'dig' up' I would be grateful to have, if I find out anything I will let you know



Hi there.

Can't help you with photographs, but my mother was adopted from there in 1945. I have her original adoptioncertificate, with matron's departure report!. My mother passed away in 1985, and I have for many years been thinking about trying to find some information on her maternal mother, as I do have her name. Do you know where any records are kept?:)
 
Thanks For The Message .

If Its Not A Rude Question .....what Year Were You Born???

I Intend To Visit The Area Soon And Hope To Take Recent Photographs And Will Then Try To Carry On With Enqs To Find Any Records That There May Be.
 
Hi, I was born 1942 which makes me 66 years old, still working as a fashion manager ....would really like to tie-up the loose ends with regard to my parentage......fathers name is not on the birth certificate, however, I am hoping there maybe something in the original records......thanks for your interest,

Heather
 
https://www.dango.bham.ac.uk/NGOlocalbranches.WestMidlands.htm
Archives of local branches of National NGOs (Non-Governmental Organisations) held in the West Midlands region

states that archives from the
Birmingham Association for the Unmarried Mother and Her Child are in Birmingham City Archives.

Whether that is just operational stuff, or personal information about patients and their children I don't know.

Try the Central Library!
 
Hi there.

Can't help you with photographs, but my mother was adopted from there in 1945. I have her original adoptioncertificate, with matron's departure report!. My mother passed away in 1985, and I have for many years been thinking about trying to find some information on her maternal mother, as I do have her name. Do you know where any records are kept?:)
Hello
we have been to birmingham city library today and found out a little information about Hope Lodge, most of the records are closed but you can apply to :Karen Cartwright, 2nd floor, tamebridge house, tamebridge industrial estate, aldridge road, perry barr, Birmingham, B42 2TX phone 0121 464 1080
this is the support after adoption team and the contact we was given from the library for hope lodge.
Hope this helps good luck
 
Hello Lisa,

Thanks for the update with the contact details....If it is not a silly question what type of information is there available at the library about Hope Lodge. I will eventually get there as there are quite a few things I would like to check out there.


Thanks, Shady
 
Hi

There is not a great deal of detail available at the library on hope lodge, it tells you what documentation is available, some you can view like reports etc but anything with names involved is closed, data protection, so it would be easier to go straight to the name i gave you i think.

sorry cant help any more. the library is good but incredibly frustrating if you have not alot of detail, dates etc.

good luck

lisa
 
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