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Ancestry UK

St Monica's Home, Bishop Auckland, County Durham

St Monica's Maternity Home and Home for Babies was founded in 1909 by Mary Moule, the wife of the Bishop of Durham, under the auspices of the 'Durham Diocesan Prevention and Rescue Association'. It originally occupied premises at High Bondgate, Bishop Auckland, later moving to 60 North Bondgate. It accommodated unmarried expectant mothers, who could stay for up to six moths after their confinement. 1920, the home could house up to eight mothers, who had to be aged under 25 at their date of admission, and up to 20 babies. Mothers were requested to pay six shillings per week and their babies two shillings and sixpence. In 1930, it could accommodate ten mothers.

The home later became part of Durham Diocesan Family Welfare, now part of Adoption Matters. St Monica's closed in 1946. A car park now occupies its site.

Records

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  • Adoption Matters are believed to have inherited the home's registers for 1924-46.

Bibliography

  • None identified at present.

Except where indicated, this page () © Peter Higginbotham. Contents may not be reproduced without permission.