Ancestry UK

Manresa Hostel for Working Girls, Selly Oak, Birmingham, Warwickshire

The Manresa Hostel for Working Girls was opened on January 21st 1948 at 40 Vernon Road, Edgbaston. It was run by the Birmingham Diocesan Rescue Society, a Roman Catholic child care agency, who had acquired the property a few weeks earlier for the sum of £5,000 and spent a further £1,050 on furnishing it. The hostel, which had a lay warden, accommodated up to ten girls who had previously been in the Society's care at one of the Father Hudson's Homes at Coleshill, and were now entering the employment market in Birmingham.

The Society also ran the St Vincent's Hostel for Working Boys. In both hostels, the residents were expected to contribute to the household chores of the establishment.

The property is now in private residential use.

Records

Note: many repositories impose a closure period of up to 100 years for records identifying individuals. Before travelling a long distance, always check that the records you want to consult will be available.

  • The Father Hudson's 'Origins' service can provide access to records relating to children whom the Society placed for adoption or who were in its care, including those who were migrated to Canada or Australia. The establishments for which the Society may hold records are:

    • Francis Way Mother and Baby Home, 124 Four Ashes Road, Bentley Heath, Knowle, Warwickshire.
    • Woodville Mother and Baby Home, 176 Raddlebarn Road, Selly Oak, Birmingham.
    • St Edward's Boys Home, Coventry Road, Coleshill.
    • St George's and St James' Cottage Homes, Coventry Road, Coleshill.
    • St Joan's and the Nursery, Coventry Road, Coleshill.
    • St Paul's, High Street, Coleshill.
    • St Andrew's, Blythe Road, Coleshill.
    • St Vincent's Working Boys Hostel, 102 Moseley Road, Birmingham.
    • Manresa Working Girls Hostel, Vernon Road, Edgbaston.

    They may also have records if the Birmingham Diocesan Rescue Society placed you with:

    • Maryvale Nursery, Old Oscott Hill, Kingstanding, Birmingham.
    • Nazareth House, Rednal, Birmingham
    • Pallotti Hall, Siddington, Nr Macclesfield
    • St Joseph's, Jesson Road, Walsall.

    To make an enquiry/application regarding records, download and complete the relevant application form from the Father Hudson's website. A charge is made for dealing with some types of enquiry.

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