Monyhull Hall Hospital Resident

[smithy7728]

Hello All

My biological grandmother was resident in the Monyhull Hall Hospital during the 1950s, and gave birth to my father while she was there. She then gave my father away for adoption to my adopted Grandparents.

That is pretty much all I know about her, apart from her name.

Would anybody know if any records exist about the patients at the hospital during that time?

Thanks
Alex

 

[Radiorails]

There are these two threads about the place, not much info, there is a link but it is old,so may not work.

Monyhull Hall

i used to work with an electrician who was an ardent potholer, i remember him telling me he had permission to go through a tunnel that lead from under the 17th century grammer school in kings norton church grounds, to the white house at sturges chemical works by lifford resevoir, oliver...

birminghamhistory.co.uk

Middlemore and Monyhull

I need some advice on how to go forward. A couple years ago I found out my mother was a British Home Child - she was sent by Middlemore to Nova Scotia. I have since discovered that she had three siblings also sent to Canada by Middlemore (2 to New Brunswick and 1 to Nova Scotia). I have...

birminghamhistory.co.uk

 

[Pedrocut]

There may be at least four more threads that touch on Monyhull. As mentioned in one of the threads there is a book by Deborah Hutchings, Monyhull 1908-98, A History of Caring.

Carl Chinn writes in the Foreword "Too many people have been hidden from history for too long. The lives, actions and thoughts of most women, the poor, the working class and ethnic minorities have been shrouded from our view by want of evidence and, too often, by lack of interest on the part of academic historians.”

Carl goes on to say this has now being countered by some, and puts Deborah as an example.

 

[pjmburns]

Any records which do exist will be subject to 100 year rule ie. not published while anyone referred to might be alive. You might get access if patient has died and you can prove you are next of kin.

 

[smithy7728]

Thanks to all of you - I'll keep looking!

 

[lmr3103]

Thanks to all of you - I'll keep looking!

Hi Smithy,

If you know her name, could you find out more on the Ancestry site?
Lynn.

 

[smithy7728]

Hi Lynn

Thanks, I do know her name, Lilian Betty Ward, but looking on Ancestry there are a couple of potential candidates called 'Lilian B Ward' but I would be guessing as to which one is the right one.

I was hoping that if there are records of patients, they might have her birth date or even just her age?

Thanks for the help though
Alex

 

[Astoness]

hi smithy always difficult when we do not know when someone was born...obviously if lilian gave birth in the 50s she would not be on the 1911 census so that just leaves trying to find out when and where she was born and that could be guess work...i take it she was single when she had your dad? any idea how old she was when she gave birth.....actually are you just interested in the monyhull records or are you hoping to trace that side of the family further back?

lyn

 

[Astoness]

found a marriage for a lilian b ward 1960 to a john h dyke in birmingham...no proof its your lilian though

i think the only other chance of finding out about lilian is for your dad to apply for his adoption records which should tell him all he needs to know...

lyn

 

[smithy7728]

Hi Lyn

Thanks for looking for me - I do know she was single as Ward was her maiden name but no idea how old she was. I was hoping the Monyhull records would give me a clue, in order to trace the family back a bit via Ancestry.

No record of the father on my fathers true birth certificate either.

I'm in contact with Birmingham Library about the Monyhull records, but as they are all working from home that might take a while.

I might get my Dad to apply for the records and see how that goes.

Thanks again
Alex

 

[lmr3103]

Hi Alex,

On the Midlands Electoral Register there are two Lilian B Wards. One is listed at the same address from 1945 to 1965. The other has only one entry in 1957 at the City Sanitorium, Rednal Road. I wonder if this one is your lady?
Lynn.

 

[MWS]

You don't give the birth year of your father.

The Lilian B Ward b1915 Stamford was Lilian Blanche and the Lilian B Ward b1926 Leicester appears to be a Lilian Barbara who married a Norman C Field. Which leaves 2 b1938 in London which could be too late.

Another problem is that Lilian could be Lily and Betty could be Elizabeth.

Lyn mentions Lilian B marrying a John H Dyke and on the electoral roll of 1962 they are in Avenue Road and Lilian is listed as Lilian E.

Interestingly it is possible that they had daughter in 1958, before they were married.

 

[MWS]

More idle speculation.

There is a death for a John Henry Dyke in Bham 1974 dob 14 Sep 1913, who was probably born in Walsall and possibly married an Annie Walters in 1941. Annie possibly re-marries in 1960, the same year as John & Lilian which could explain the child before marriage if he was waiting for a divorce.

None of which means it's the right Lilian.

 

[JeannetteM]

Hi smithy, I was interested in reading your post on Monyhull Hospital because my Grandfather was a resident there some years ago and it jogged a few memories for me. I googled Monyhull and found an interesting piece but what I found also was a couple of questions that people had asked regarding the previous residents. The Heritage Project Coordinator replied saying that the Archive Records from Monyhull Hospital should be stored at Moseley Hall Hospital. This answer was given during December,2019 so I would imagine that the info still stands. Hope it gives you a lead. Jenny

 

[smithy7728]

Hi Alex,

On the Midlands Electoral Register there are two Lilian B Wards. One is listed at the same address from 1945 to 1965. The other has only one entry in 1957 at the City Sanitorium, Rednal Road. I wonder if this one is your lady?
Lynn.

Hi Lynn

Yes I think you are right, this is certainly the lady. However without knowing her age or DOB it's hard to pin down which Lilian B Ward it is.

Thanks
Alex

 

[smithy7728]

More idle speculation.

There is a death for a John Henry Dyke in Bham 1974 dob 14 Sep 1913, who was probably born in Walsall and possibly married an Annie Walters in 1941. Annie possibly re-marries in 1960, the same year as John & Lilian which could explain the child before marriage if he was waiting for a divorce.

None of which means it's the right Lilian.

Hi there

My Dad was born in 1952, and yes you're right she could be Lily Elizabeth Ward! I might try looking at those variations on Ancestry as well.

Thanks for the help so far though.
Alex

 

[smithy7728]

Hi smithy, I was interested in reading your post on Monyhull Hospital because my Grandfather was a resident there some years ago and it jogged a few memories for me. I googled Monyhull and found an interesting piece but what I found also was a couple of questions that people had asked regarding the previous residents. The Heritage Project Coordinator replied saying that the Archive Records from Monyhull Hospital should be stored at Moseley Hall Hospital. This answer was given during December,2019 so I would imagine that the info still stands. Hope it gives you a lead. Jenny

Hi Jenny

Thanks for the help, I've just left a message with the records section at Moseley Hall Hospital, let's see how that goes!

Thanks
Alex

 

[steveo3]

My paternal Grandmother, (who my brothers & I were told was our aunt until the 60s) was in Monyhall Hospital from 1925 to 1979 when she was discharged to Southfields Old Peoples Home Bristol Road where she died in 1987.
I am researching family history and wondered if Monyhall Hospital had a visitors book which recorded visitors she had as I have been told my paternal Grandfather may have visited to see if she was alright as he wasn't allowed to marry her.

 

[steveo3]

Hi Lyn

Thanks for looking for me - I do know she was single as Ward was her maiden name but no idea how old she was. I was hoping the Monyhull records would give me a clue, in order to trace the family back a bit via Ancestry.

No record of the father on my fathers true birth certificate either.

I'm in contact with Birmingham Library about the Monyhull records, but as they are all working from home that might take a while.

I might get my Dad to apply for the records and see how that goes.

Thanks again
Alex

Hi Alex
My paternal grandmother was in Monyhull hospital from 1925 to 1979 and I can't find anyone who has records.
In particular, visitors books, but I contacted Moseley Hall Hospital, for any information on her, who supposedly had Monyhull records when it closed in 1999, but was told this is outside of their retention schedules
Steveo

 

[janegee]

I too am trying to track down the patient records of my husbands great Aunt who was at Monyhull hospital. I cant understand why these records cant be found. I know some records are transferred to the Archives locally. Sometimes there is a 100 year rule and other than next of kin requesting to see the documents. There was a research group at the Open University that was looking at the history of these colonies. If we dont get anywhere with the NHS then perhaps its them we should approach.

 

[steveo3]

I too am trying to track down the patient records of my husbands great Aunt who was at Monyhull hospital. I cant understand why these records cant be found. I know some records are transferred to the Archives locally. Sometimes there is a 100 year rule and other than next of kin requesting to see the documents. There was a research group at the Open University that was looking at the history of these colonies. If we dont get anywhere with the NHS then perhaps its them we should approach.

Thanks, janegee.
I didn't know of the Open Uni. research group, who do you get in touch with, do you know?
Steveo

 

[CBirch]

There are these two threads about the place, not much info, there is a link but it is old,so may not work.

Monyhull Hall

i used to work with an electrician who was an ardent potholer, i remember him telling me he had permission to go through a tunnel that lead from under the 17th century grammer school in kings norton church grounds, to the white house at sturges chemical works by lifford resevoir, oliver...

birminghamhistory.co.uk

Middlemore and Monyhull

I need some advice on how to go forward. A couple years ago I found out my mother was a British Home Child - she was sent by Middlemore to Nova Scotia. I have since discovered that she had three siblings also sent to Canada by Middlemore (2 to New Brunswick and 1 to Nova Scotia). I have...

birminghamhistory.co.uk

Hi Radiorails, i was born in Brum but have been in Canada for 50 years. My aunt was a home child who was sent from Brum to Canada in1920 by Barnados homes. there is a site in Canada called British Home children which has great details of the kids who were sent here, including ship passenger lists etc. you might find clues there. http://www.britishhomechildrenregistry.com/defaults/bhcContact
good luck

 

[janegee]

Thanks, janegee.
I didn't know of the Open Uni. research group, who do you get in touch with, do you know?
Steveo

It was some 8 years ago the group was operating I have emailed the chair person I just googled it and they came up. I may try another person of the group there are about 6 people with email addresses. They were doing a general study of these places.

 

[janegee]

Just a bit more information the group at the Open University were found under Social Distance Learning group for people with disabilities. I have another email address to contact to see if this leads us anywhere. I think my email may not be any use for technical reasons. I will try this research group to see what they suggest.

It was some 8 years ago the group was operating I have emailed the chair person I just googled it and they came up. I may try another person of the group there are about 6 people with email addresses. They were doing a general study of these places.

Email now sent to [email protected] if nothing comes of this I will try members of the study group.
If we keep "plugging" away we may find an answer. I would have thought these records would be with Birmingham Archives but am sure they said they didnt have anything. Not sure if you are any the wiser

 

[pjmburns]

This is all I can find on The Birmingham Library Website

Ref No	HC MY
Title	Records of Monyhull Hospital
Level	Collection
Description	The collection contains only one volume of patient records. This is an admission register, 15 January 1929 - 27 October 1938, recording: Date of admission/date of reception order/reference number/christian and surname/sex/age/condition of life/previous place of abode/local authority or union responsible for patient maintenance (if any)/by whose authority sent/bodily condition and name of disease (if any)/[if was categorised at the time as] idiot, imbecile, feeble-minded, moral imbecile, epileptic/date of removal, discharge, or death/observations. For patient records please refer to the relevant NHS Trust - detail available on request. This collection currently has no paper list in the searchroom. Please ask staff for further details.
Extent	1.44
Format	Cubic metres
AccessStatus	Partially closed (Content)
AccessConditions	Acc. 2010/191: Closed for 100 years until 2071, no public copying allowed. Acc. 2011/053: TBC
Language	English

 

[janegee]

Unfortunately my email has been returned so I will try someone else. However as at the moment I cant be sure when my husbands great aunt was there. However in 1939 she is living with her brother and his wife I have sent for her death certificate by pdf file to see where she was when she died in 1950 . May have been after her brother died oh how I wish I could have asked my husbands uncles about her as they were all living with her and my mother in law all sadly passed away!