Adoptions in Ireland [general] - Family History & Genealogy Message Board

Re: Adoptees from childrens home in Stamullen, Co. Meath

samanthaclarke2 — 2009-11-05 21:33:15Z

Martina hi again

I live in Hertfordshire for the past 17 years ,and London all over the place before that , depending on where I was working. I have contacted the order by email asking if they would help with old photos . I saw today a victorian photo of the house when it was first a convent, its hardly changed at all. My mam had photo of the house which is how I knew about the statue in front, it was surrounded by kids full of smiles , makes you wonder where they all are now. Do you think it possible Sr.Aloysious might still be alive ? I was in the process of being adopted by a couple when my mother came back for me .She was then engaged to be married and that was the only reason she was in a position to get me back. Funny how its all changed , the social acceptance etc it must have been so very hard for so many women back then, my life could have been so very different had she not returned. I had a normal childhood and wanted for very little both me and my siblings. Havent had any responses from the parish itself so Im keeping my fingers crossed the order will repsond .

Regards
Sam

Re: Adoptees from childrens home in Stamullen, Co. Meath

martinataaffe — 2009-11-05 21:13:46Z

Hi Samantha,
Well i really dont know if any files were kept but i would imagine they were.
I only remember American couples coming to see the children. Then Mother Aloysious would come in with new clothes for whatever child and say they were going out.
Yes Stamullen was quite small then compared with today.
Where are you living now Samantha.
I live in Warrenpoint Co Down and have done for 40yrs.
Regards.
Martina

Re: Adoptees from childrens home in Stamullen, Co. Meath

samanthaclarke2 — 2009-11-05 13:06:42Z

Hi Martina

Every time I read you mails more questions come into my mind. I do now about the place in Co.Louth, I am in the process of applying for my birth cert from them . Do you know if the home kept progress files on the children a record of a childs development ? Did children from the home have international adoptions or domestic ones ? I read on some web site over 2000 children were adopted out internationaly over a period of 7 years , which would indicate a high number of children passing through the home.
Mind you having said that it wasnt clear if it was soley St Clares. I m sure Stamullen was a much smaller village back in the 60's , I saw the womens guild is still in full swing aand notices back then they used to help out in the home . There's a lot of development in Stamullen now all the new houses going up etc, but it seems to have a sence of community about it still. I might in time to come take a breif trip home and perhaps swing by Stamullen .

Sam

Re: Adoptees from childrens home in Stamullen, Co. Meath

martinataaffe — 2009-11-04 21:05:26Z

Hi Samantha,
That was really nice to hear, it really is lovely when somebody contacts you trying to help.
I remember so much about the home as it was a very happy 17mths of my life. Although i did'nt take much notice of the high celings etc then, i do remember them and the wide heavy doors.
When you enrered the main door..to the left was Saint Agnes ward that was where the new born babies were. The next ward was Sacret Heart..ages about 6 mths to 9 mths. Then there was the toddler ward which also had some handicap children.
So many memories coming back to me now. I was a night nurse for two christmas'es then and it was lovely. I can't remember how many children there were per ward.
After you left the toddler ward you were into the nurses quarters.
I found out online that it closed as a childrens home in 1995.
There is an address in Drogheda Co Louth that hold the records for the home, if you need any more info let me know
Regards
Martina

Re: Adoptees from childrens home in Stamullen, Co. Meath

samanthaclarke2 — 2009-11-04 18:17:16Z

Hi Martina

I have had great luck today , a gentleman from the local Meath council offices for buildings etc sent me a web link to the company that now runs St Clares and other nursing homes . I was able to see the home for the first time in many a year , I only rember it from a single childhood photo which no one would ever talk about. It hasnt change due to it being a listed building. Do you remember where the nursery / infant dorm would have been in the house and what kind of a routine there was , or was there a limit to the number of new borns kept at St Clares at any one time?
Its a beautiful house I am so glad its protected. I had a look at a couple of the rooms on its current day web site and all the original fittings appear still in place , fire places, hudge doors , high ceiling etc. Wouldnt mind living in a house like that now adays, perhaps though to many rooms to clean (I love cleaning!)

Sam

Re: Adoptees from childrens home in Stamullen, Co. Meath

martinataaffe — 2009-11-04 16:44:50Z

Hi Samantha,
I have been looking for the twins for a couple of years now, ever since i got to use a computer, i am always hopeful.
Your right about the large statue in front of the home. Many a time i sat in front of it with my little charges and i still remember all their names.
I dont know when it changed over to a home for the elderly, sorry.
Regards for now.
Martina

Re: Adoptees from childrens home in Stamullen, Co. Meath

samanthaclarke2 — 2009-11-04 09:39:23Z

Martina
Thank you for your reply , I dont live in Ireland anymore left in 1988 . I hadnt realised the Nursing home of today was the same place , I had thought the home was an old victorian house ?
Its lovely to hear you had such a bond with the children you cared for and I wish you success with making contact with the twins.
Thank you for the information about the order that was there at the time all the little bits of information realy do help the bigger picture. Do you remember if the home had a hudge statue in the grounds ? Do you know when the home changed from being a childrens home to nursing home ?
I wish you luck in your search ,I m going to have a look at the nursing home web site now.

Many thanks

Sam

Re: Adoptees from childrens home in Stamullen, Co. Meath

martinataaffe — 2009-11-03 21:35:55Z

Hi Samantha,
Well to start with i dont think i can help a lot as i left the home in January 1969.
I can tell you the home was run by the Poor Clare nuns. The head nun at that time was Mother Marie Louise and before her Mother Aloysious. The nurses cared very well for the children there. It is now a nursing home for the elderly. I never heard of Father Regan. Where do you live Samantha. Last time i was in that area i took a drive around the home and it has'nt changed any.
If i can be of any more help please ask.
Regards
Martina.

Re: Adoptees from childrens home in Stamullen, Co. Meath

samanthaclarke2 — 2009-11-03 17:57:33Z

Hi My name is Samantha
I was brought into St Clares July 1969 as a new born (24th) I would have held my mothers maiden name Lowry . From what I can gather so far I was there for about 7mth to a year. I have never seen the home or knew anything about it at all . What order of nuns ran it ? I know a Father Regan was involved in the process of entry to the home but after that its not easy to gain any information. Iam now 40 year old and would like to see a bit of my past if at all possible.I would be so very grateful if you could help .

Many thanks

Sam.

Re: Adoptees from childrens home in Stamullen, Co. Meath

samanthaclarke2 — 2009-11-03 15:45:42Z

hi martina my name is samantha i was in stamullen from 1969 to april 1970 would love to hear from u

Looking for Birth Mother

tabratcher — 2009-11-02 03:21:20Z

Hello my name is Kristina I was Born july of 1968. I was adopted by a lovely british couple when I was 3 weeks old All I know is I was adopted from Belfast. I have been searching off and on since I was 18 yrs old and have had no luck. So if you know of some one looking for thier daughter who was born july of 1968 please contact me.
Thank you

Re: Daly/ Feery

sgtroy1 — 2009-10-25 07:45:38Z

Hi!
Sorry. I really do not understand your message.

To put a time frame on things, my Father, Peter Oliver Daly, was the son of James Daly & Emily Daly (nee Feeny/Feery).
James and Emily were Married in Tullamore Parish in about 1926, then lived in Kilbeggan, Co. Westmeath. James and Emily are MY Paternal Grandparents.

On the Marriage Cert are James' Father, James Daly and Emilys' Father, William Feeny/Feery. These are my Great Grandfathers.
All the Men were Labourers.

So, is my Grandmother a Sister of your Father, William?
I really do not know....we can share more information if you need.

Adoptee looking for family in / from Count Cavan

lostcelt_1 — 2009-10-12 00:33:20Z

I was born sometime in 1960 most likely in New York. My adopted first/middle name is Nancy Ellen.I believe this was given to me by my birth Mother. . I was told recently that my mother / family was from County Cavan and that I have a brother named kevin that married and has children. I just want to know my family history and get medical information. If contact leads to a relationship that would be an added bonus. I have limited information due to my private adoption. My web-site is Irishadoptee-search.cityslide.com

Re: Adoptees from childrens home in Stamullen, Co. Meath

martinataaffe — 2009-10-11 15:18:35Z

Hi Grainne,
Well all the best in your search for your mum.
I am looking for twins i looked after in the home in 1968, i wonder where they are even to this day, esp on their birthday..i have a few messages posted on lostschoolfriends.ie.
Good luck
Martina

Re: Adoptees from childrens home in Stamullen, Co. Meath

grainnereilly — 2009-10-11 15:05:25Z

hi martina

She was a nurse in tullamore her hometown. Then she moved to the uk before she had me. She returned to ireland for a little while and then returned back to uk. No she wasnt a nurse in stamullen.

Im from meath myself and no i havent gone to the home im sure why but i guess i thought i would be long gone at this stage. Yet something to think about.

Thanks again
grainne

Re: Adoptees from childrens home in Stamullen, Co. Meath

martinataaffe — 2009-10-11 14:20:32Z

Hi Grainne,
Was your mum a nurse in Stamullen?
I have'nt been in that area for years, even though its only down the road from me, do you ever visit the home yourself?
Speak soon
Martina

Re: Adoptees from childrens home in Stamullen, Co. Meath

grainnereilly — 2009-10-05 20:17:57Z

hi Martina,

Im not doing great to be honest. Its rather difficult as she is now based in uk. She was a nurse in ireland and left after my adoption about 38 years ago. I flew to london to get my details which has helped somewhat. Thank you for your help.

grainne

Re: Adoptees from childrens home in Stamullen, Co. Meath

martinataaffe — 2009-10-05 18:37:37Z

Hi Grainne,
How are you progressing with your search for your mum.
Martina

Re: Looking for Birth Mother

ahern — 2009-02-25 19:15:27Z

Magheramorne, Larne, Co. Antrim.

The following site might be a help:

www.larne.gov.uk/welcome.asp

Good Luck!

Re: Fleming adoption 1929

AnnetteCode — 2009-02-07 18:07:33Z

I checked the US National Archives www.archives.gov and they do have a genealogy division. Their records are available on microfilm at different regional facilities the digitization was done by Ancestry.com which is a membership based company. This digitized version is also available for free from the National Archives but you must visit. Ancestry have digitized the passenger information from ships registries 1820-1982 and this is also available in micro film from the National Archives, the digitzed version with Ancestry only through membership. Many times they offer 14 da. free trials or a 30 days membership if you don't want to pay for a yearly subscription, they have more and more records on-line all the time, well worth it if you do a lot of genealogical research. If you have the time there are ship records available on line but required much time to find what you are looking for. Ellis Island is free, you only need to register and have a password.
www.ellisisland.org
Annette

Re: Fleming adoption 1929

AnnetteCode — 2009-02-07 17:25:40Z

I have yearly memberships in a number of genealogy services
on-line and that is where the information I gave you was from. These companies seem to have a lot of information sewn up.
You might be able to access the Census through an Government Archival on-line service and then it would be free. The US is the only country that I know that is releasing Census after 1901. I would try googling the National Archives - USA to see if these records are available. The Canadian ones I can access two ways through the Government National Archives or in a membership. Your local library maybe able to point you to a library that specializes in genealogy.
Annette

Re: Fleming adoption 1929

AnnetteCode — 2009-02-06 19:10:15Z

In the 1930 US Census is a Nora Fleming who lived with her parents? I previously had assumed she emigrated alone? A Nora age 21 in 1930 was a shipping clerk (typing) for either Cool Co. or a Coal Co. her parents were Peter 40, Catherine 44 married 21 yrs. He worked for a cement co. and she was homemaker Son Peter Jr. 20, Tester, Western Electric. Annette

Tracking adopted Parents/Brother

conorryan2009 — 2009-06-09 10:29:12Z

Hi, I was born in December 1978 in Bessboro in Cork. My mothers name is Jacqueline (From Connaught) and she named me Conor (not my name now). My fathers name is Gerard (From Midlands). She was about 23 when I was born. They were not together by time of my birth.
Also found out she had another son put up for adoption about 2 years later to St. Patricks adoption agency in Dublin.

If anybody has any info that could help me I would appreciate it. I have already got my non-identifying info from my adoption agency.

Re: Adoption in Ireland

tmagwiz — 2009-03-17 13:53:15Z

I know that I came from Bessboro, County Cork and that my name was always Theresa..I think the last name was changed so I could not trace my mother.I was adopted from the Angel of guardian home and was born MARCH 23, 1956. If anyone knows any more details that then, let me know. I grew up in Hicksville, Long Island, New York and my adopted family was also IRISH

adopted brother

surfergirlkate — 2009-06-24 15:03:50Z

hi,i am 20 years old and i am looking for my soon to be 19 yr old brother,he is born on the longest day of the year 21 of july.his name is adam,and lives in dublin somewhere.i have a photo of him in his school uniform and dont know if i try source the uniform and find out exactly the area he goes to school then try find people who might know him,but im not sure if what im doing is wrong or not.my name is kate cooley,but my brother might know me as catherine,if there is any one out there who might have advice,knowledge in this area please help,this is my first post to any site and i just want to figure out what i can do.good luck to the rest of you

Re: Sacred Heart Convent, Bessbor, Blackrock, Cork

lallybun — 2009-09-02 15:57:46Z

Patrick
I just sent a reply but noted you were born there in 1953.
I was adopted from there in 1951. Reverend Mother Theresa must have handled you adoption as well?

Re: Sacred Heart Convent, Bessbor, Blackrock, Cork

lallybun — 2009-09-02 15:53:50Z

I am sorry the first note I send just went away.

Write directly to
Sacre Heart Convent
Bessboro, Cork, Ireland
address the letter to Sister Sarto and include $40 (it helps!) Give her as much info as you possibly can.
I did this a few years ago and found my birth mother.
I was born at Sacred Heart Convent.
let me know if questions. Julie. lallybun@yahoo.com

Re: Sacred Heart Convent, Bessbor, Blackrock, Cork

lallybun — 2009-09-02 18:17:33Z

Dear Paddy:
if you would care to I would love to know your story.
I was adopted in 1951 by a wonderful American couple. My adopted dad had a contract in Saudi with the oil company so I grew up there. My sister Michelle was adopted 6 months later from the same convent. My parents took us back to the convent over the years to visit so we got to know the nuns fairly well, including Reverend Mother Theresa.

Best regards, Julie

Re: Sacred Heart Convent, Bessbor, Blackrock, Cork

lallybun — 2009-09-02 18:13:07Z

Dear Paddy
YES! that is the very book that got me searching. I was at the convent from 1949 until 1951 during the time she was there and wrote the story. It broke my heart and I knew I had to find my birth mother and let her know I was well and all about my life. I am so glad I did. I wish you all the luck and pray Sister Sarto will have some information for you. Keep in touch for sure
Julie

Doyle of Wicklow

kmaitre77 — 2009-04-07 03:36:10Z

I am looking for birth relatives of my mom's. She was born in Dublin Ireland on November 26, 1948 and placed for adoption at St. Brigid's Orphanage. Her mother's name on the birth certificate is Christina Doyle. We believe Christina Doyle was born in 1915, her father's name was Peter Doyle and she may have had 4 sisters, Dora, Annie, Sarah, Elizabeth and two brothers Larry and Seamus. If this family sounds familiar to anyone I would love to hear from you. Thanks! Kelley

Re: Heffernan

paulettebull — 2009-05-24 20:04:53Z

Hi Jo, the name Heffernan comes from Ireland, Limerick.
Usually when you have a surname as a second name. The parents usually name this way when a person in the family
has some kind of wealth, or the name has past down because
it was someone important in the family.

Have you looked at the census for your family in England,
then you may get and idea if there were any Heffernan's in
your line or if they married into one.

The Heffernan name is vast.

Paulette

Re: Daly/ Feery

PETERFEERY — 2009-09-18 12:37:50Z

I WONDER IS YOUR MOTHER,A SISTER OF MY FATHER. WILLIAM FEERY. HE LIVED IN THE KILBEGGAN AREA. HIS FATHERS NAME WAS PETER WHO WAS MARRIED TO KATHLEEN FARREL. PETER FEERY

adopted brother, born on 20th january 1986.

suzannecarthy13 — 2009-05-18 22:31:19Z

i am looking for my brother that was adopted when he was a few months old, i believe he is in nort county dublin, he was named wayne patrck but proberly has a different name now. tryin very hard to find him, so if u have any information on him id be glad to hear from you.

Re: Adoptees from childrens home in Stamullen, Co. Meath

grainnereilly — 2009-09-25 22:35:50Z

hi

Im grainne i spent quite some time in that home from feb 1970 till june 1971. Before that i was in london. My mother was an irish nurse who went to london to have me. She placed me for adoption in the uk, changed her mind and brought me back to ireland. I spent some time in blackrock in dublin first. Then i moved to stamullen. I would love to hear from you about any stories from the home. Im in the process of trying to find my mother. She retured to the UK and stayed there. I only very recently got my file from london. Grainne

Grainne_oreilly_34@hotmail.com

looking for Christine

gymkitn — 2009-10-02 20:46:26Z

Hi my name is lisa and i was born in castlebar in mayo on the 16 sept 1978 my natural mothers is christine she was 16yrs when i was born and she would be 47 yrs old now from a large family her mother died when she was young i know nothing about my natural father. I was adopted to the southern health board and would love some contact with any family member please.
Kind regards
Lisa

Re: Sacred Heart Convent, Bessbor, Blackrock, Cork

huddisdon — 2009-09-02 18:02:11Z

Dear Julie

Thank you for your response will write and let you know how I get on.

Have you read the book 'The Light at the Window' by June Goulding. She is the midwife who worked at Bessboro in 1951 to 1952. Got it from e-bay very heartrendering to read.

Many thanks
Paddy

Re: Sacred Heart Convent, Bessbor, Blackrock, Cork

huddisdon — 2009-09-02 18:02:06Z

Re: Sacred Heart Convent, Bessbor, Blackrock, Cork

huddisdon — 2009-09-02 17:58:41Z

Sacred Heart Convent, Bessbor, Blackrock, Cork

huddisdon — 2009-08-03 18:30:16Z

I was born on 7th March, 1953 with the name of Patrick Joseph Farrell in my mother's name on my birth certificate was Matilda Farrell. This is the only information I have of her is there anyone who could advise how best to trace her.

Re: Heffernan Adoptions

JoSanderson71 — 2009-05-24 16:21:09Z

Just searched on the name Heffernan, which was my Grandmothers middle name ' Bernadine Heffernan Kelly' born 30.01.1925 Gateshead, England. I have been trying for some time now to identify where the name came from. Family folklore advised that the name was from an aunt who moved to America. All ancestors were originally from Ireland but in the 1700 - 1800's. (Kelly & Monaghans).
Would be grateful if you can supply any information, as by gran has just died and it would mean a lot to our family members.
Jo

Re: Adoptees from childrens home in Stamullen, Co. Meath

martinataaffe — 2009-08-17 11:08:04Z

Hi,
I was a nurse in the home from 1967 until 1969.
I have'nt heard from any of the nurses from that time, so in sending this e-mail i just hope to hear from somebody, maybe even one of the children, that would be great.I have some photos of the children and nurses.
Thanks.
Martina

Re: Adoptees from childrens home in Stamullen, Co. Meath

martinataaffe — 2009-09-26 09:17:40Z

Hi Grainne,
I got the years wrong in that last message..it should have been 1967 until 1969.
Martina

Re: Adoptees from childrens home in Stamullen, Co. Meath

martinataaffe — 2009-09-26 08:18:49Z

Hi grainne,
I worked in Stamullen for less than two years, that was from September 1968 to January 1970. I do remember a Grainne there but her surname was Casey. Anything you want to know about the home feel free to ask. What i remember is enjoying my time there, i have some photos of the children and i often wonder where they are today, all the nurses loved the children they were wonderful.
Hope to hear from you soon.
Martina

Searching for Birth Mother/Father

kjoskowicz — 2009-03-19 17:39:49Z

I was born at St. Vincent’s in Philadelphia, PA in June of 1963. St. Vincent’s was a place where unwed Mothers could have their babies and give them up for adoption. On my original Birth Certificate I noticed that my Birth Mother named me Sharon Marie Ellis after a Nun that was working at St. Vincent’s and that my Birth Parents names were on the Birth Certificate. (Mary Devaney and James Ellis, they were both 25 years old) At the time my Adopted Mother had changed my name to Kathleen Hahn and then later it was changed to Kathleen LaFaso.

I am glad that my Birth Mother/Father gave me a wonderful opportunity to unite me with a beautiful/caring Adopted Mother/Father named Mary Ann and Ronald. The reasons that I have decided to search for my Birth Parents are:
• I often wondered if I have any brothers or sisters and who do I look like in the family.
• I am also curious as to why I was given up for adoption. Please know that I am not upset because I had a wonderful life with my Adopted Parents.
• I lost a part of myself when my Adopted Mother passed in 2001 and since then I have this emptiness in my heart.

If anyone knows anything about my Birth Parents, please email me at kjoskowicz@yahoo.com.

Thank you very much for all of your assistance.

Re: doris english st patricks guild blackrock dublin

sinead21 — 2009-07-21 13:13:11Z

Let's not be too pessimistic. I was adopted from St Patrick's Guild and have found both of my biological parents. My biological mother told me she was treated very well there. I have received lots of support and counselling from St Patricks Guild while tracing.

I'm sure there are plenty of horror stories, and for that I am sorry. But there is reason at least hold some hope.

Sinead

Re: Looking for Birth Mother

heyday1 — 2009-02-25 23:12:53Z

Thank you for your help. Will have a look at the site and see what I can find.

Looking for Birth Mother

heyday1 — 2009-02-25 08:00:32Z

I was adopted in Mar 1969, as an 18 month old.
My birth mother is Eileen Hunter ANDREWS nee GRACEY. Her last known address Quinton Ave, Magheramorne, Lorne RD.
My name is Deborah and I was born Jubilee Materity Hospital, in the Dist of St George's.
I would really love to get in touch with my Mum. I have wondered about her for nearly 30 years, but I was too young at that time. I have been constantly trying to find out about her but only recently have gotten further information that may help me find her. I would love to meet her and introduce her to her three beautiful granddaughters.
Please someone out there know her and pass this on, so we can be in contact!!!!!!

Re: Fleming adoption 1929

cosib — 2009-02-06 20:08:27Z

can you direct me to this information I cannot seem to find it. Thank you for all your help.
P

Re: doris english st patricks guild blackrock dublin

newsteadlizzie — 2009-05-10 20:34:23Z

i dont know if you have read the book banished babies but st patricks guildswas the most corrupt place for a woman to have been placed youll be very lucky to find anything out about your mother as my half sister was born there and it was only that she went through solicitors she knew what her child was called and what sex she was woman till this days are still there as was they when my mother was in 1970 and birth certs were forged woman told there babes were dead you will be so lucky cause familys to this day will not admit to a fallen womans child my nan is 91 i dare not to ask....

Mary Paget's possible adopted baby

mccreadie5961 — 2009-04-19 20:51:43Z

My mother, Mary Paget, born 21st May 1924 in Dublin, may have given birth to a baby in 1938/9.

My mother is now deceased, but although she did not admit this, I feel this is why she came to England on her own in 1939 when she was only 15, under a false name.

She was an Irish Catholic, living in Dublin.

She did tell me she was engaged to a "Brendan" who visited her in England to try to bring her back, but she refused.

She spent the rest of her life in England.

I would like to meet her son/daughter before time runs out!