Good Morning, I'm working on a family history program for Australian television and trying to track down the Mother and Baby Home in Guildford Surrey in 1959. Would it have been attached to St Lukes' Hospital in Warren Road? The family is trying to find a lost sibling who was (most likely) born in this home but was never heard acknowledged or made part of the family. Any advice or help anyone can give will be greatly appreciated.
Hi, I know of one. It was there in 1964 and the address is, Avondale, 9 Sydney road, Guildford. It was more than likely there in 1959.
Oh thank you so much for replying. Would you happen to know its name or where its admission and discharge records went? I assume its not longer there?
Hi Rob, I expect the home, or homes in Guilford, like most of them everywhere, were run by the local diocese and any records regarding admission and discharge would be written on the adoptees adoption file, which I assume you do not have access to. I think the name Avondale was probably the actual name of the home, as some homes, but not all, had some sort of name attached to them, and they sometimes changed the name according to the times.
Locating records can be tricky, dioceses can be secretive but one way might be to ask in the local area, or on Facebook for example. Surprising what locals remember! The building itself might still be there and have a different usage. Might be worth asking family for more information if possible too.
Thank you for your advice.