maireadenright
New Member
Hello,
I hope it’s ok to ask a question on a first time post. I am interested in finding out more about the Sisters of Charity convent in Northfield.
A “refuge” for women and girls was established there in 1905. I believe it was a children’s home in the 1930s. I understand that some women were sent to the convent on probation in the 1950s (and perhaps earlier/later). I am not sure when it stopped providing services of this kind. I think it was also called St Mary’s Refuge or the Maria Training Home, at different times.
In the 1939 Register, most of the residents are described as inmates, engaged in laundry work. Most of the nuns have Irish surnames but the women’s surnames vary. The Sisters of Charity had a range of similar institutions in Ireland - we would refer to them as Magdalene laundries.
My grandmother’s younger sister was a Sister of Charity and I have found her living at the convent in the 1939 Register.
I would be especially interested in knowing where the associated burial ground is but I am really interested in anything at all that is known about the institution.
I am wondering whether any local historians have written about it, or whether any of you have connections to it. (Full disclosure: I am an academic - but not a historian - and know a fair amount about similar institutions in Ireland but this is my first foray into English equivalents).
Grateful for any pointers. Obviously archival access is limited at the moment - and access to religious archives can be difficult.
I hope it’s ok to ask a question on a first time post. I am interested in finding out more about the Sisters of Charity convent in Northfield.
A “refuge” for women and girls was established there in 1905. I believe it was a children’s home in the 1930s. I understand that some women were sent to the convent on probation in the 1950s (and perhaps earlier/later). I am not sure when it stopped providing services of this kind. I think it was also called St Mary’s Refuge or the Maria Training Home, at different times.
In the 1939 Register, most of the residents are described as inmates, engaged in laundry work. Most of the nuns have Irish surnames but the women’s surnames vary. The Sisters of Charity had a range of similar institutions in Ireland - we would refer to them as Magdalene laundries.
My grandmother’s younger sister was a Sister of Charity and I have found her living at the convent in the 1939 Register.
I would be especially interested in knowing where the associated burial ground is but I am really interested in anything at all that is known about the institution.
I am wondering whether any local historians have written about it, or whether any of you have connections to it. (Full disclosure: I am an academic - but not a historian - and know a fair amount about similar institutions in Ireland but this is my first foray into English equivalents).
Grateful for any pointers. Obviously archival access is limited at the moment - and access to religious archives can be difficult.
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