Jones Memorial Home, Southport, Lancashire
The Jones Memorial Home for "crippled and incurable children" was opened in September 1894 at 16-18 Trafalgar Road, Birkdale, near Southport. The property had been donated to Barnardo's in memory of E.H. Jones (a leading figure in the Liverpool branch of the Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children) by F.H. and J.W. Jones. The home originally provided accommodation for 24 children aged 6 to 13. By the 1930s, up to 60 children could be housed.
The location of the home is shown on the 1928 map below.
Thomas Barnardo paid great attention to the fitting-out of the home, specifying that the cots had springs and moveable sides. His elder brother, Dr A.E. (Fred) Barnardo was appointed as the home's honorary physician. In contrast to the usual practice in Barnardo's homes, boys and girls were allowed to be nursed together.
In 1956, half of the children were moved to Roden Villa, Llandudno. The others remained in the home until around 1958, when they were transferred to the Tudor Bank home in Southport.
The Trafalgar Road buildings no longer survive and modern housing now occupies the site.
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.
- Barnardo's 'Making Connections' and Family History Services — for enquiries relating the records of children formerly in the care of Barnardo's and those of other organisations absorbed by them.
Bibliography
- Barnardo, Syrie Louise, and Marchant, James Memoirs of the Late Dr Barnardo (Hodder & Stoughton, 1907)
- Batt, J.H. Dr. Barnardo: The Foster-Father of "Nobody's Children" (S.W. Partridge, 1904)
- Bready, J. Wesley Doctor Barnardo (Allen & Unwin, 1930)
- Higginbotham, Peter Children's Homes: A History of Institutional Care for Britain's Young (2017, Pen & Sword)
- Rose, June For the Sake of the Children: Inside Dr. Barnardo's: 120 years of caring for children (Hodder & Stoughton, 1987)
- Wagner, Gillian Barnardo (Weidenfeld & Nicholson, 1979)
Links
- The Barnardo's website.
- The Goldonian Website — memories and information from former Barnardo's children.
Except where indicated, this page () © Peter Higginbotham. Contents may not be reproduced without permission.