Genealogy Chat

Hi everyone!

I am looking for information on Hill Nursing Home which was a mother and baby home in Reading from 1941-1960. The address was 49 Cressingham Road, Reading.

I have found a little on the adoptions website but only what I have written here. I have tried searching various combinations on google and on the message boards but with little joy! If anyone has any good ideas or is a whizz with getting what you want from an internet search I would be extremely grateful! I am interested because my father was born here and I would like to know all I can.

Many thanks :)

I doubt that there is much to learn

A pregnant unmarried girl/woman would go into the home a short time before the baby was due, would give birth, spend about 6 weeks there, then leave - with or without the child.

Well in the past I have been on websites where people share memories that sort of thing

I know what you mean Ruth, though I sort of agree with Reggie - the women would have been there quite briefly, and often it would have been a sad time. It's a bit like trying to find people who share memories of being a hospital patient! People are more likely to keep in touch when they have lived somewhere like a children's home I think.

Have you tried contacting the local history society? Go to this page, there are details a little way down the page for Reading:

http://www.local-history.co.uk/Groups/berks.html

Jan

Hi Ruth. You might this site interesting.

http://www.blha.org.uk/forum/viewtopic.php?t=107&p=403

Children's homes and mother and baby homes in Berkshire
27 Apr 2010 – I am working to compile an archive of information about all the old children's homes and mother and baby homes in Berkshire

Try reading here:
http://www.adoptionsearchreunion.org.uk/search/questions/#mandb

Can the database help me to search for mother and baby homes?

The database does include information about mother and baby and similar homes, and you can look for a home using a name or any part of the address.