ST FRANCIS OF ASSISI SOCIETY

[gemma hayden]

Hi all my name is Gemma and i'm trying to find info about a home for unmarried mothers possibly run by the ST FRANCIS OF ASSISI SOCEITY in HAMMER LANE HEADLY near GRAYSHOT HINDHEAD near ALTON HAMPSHIRE in 1965.I understand that my Mum gave birth to me there before possibley returning to Ireland,& I was put up for adoption. Thanks for any help given.

[NicoUK]

Hi Gemma, have you contacted the Catholic Children's Society?

[gemma hayden]

thanks for the tip Nicouk did'nt know it even exsisted

[gemma hayden]

BIG BIG Thankyou Nico have just visited afteradoption.org.uk then linked to The Catholic Children's Soceity the info received was a goldmine pieces of the puzzle now fall into place after many years me very happy

[NicoUK]

That's good news, glad to have found the link and good luck in your search

[lancaster.jim]

Hi, Gemma,

In 1965, there was Assisi Maternity Home in Hammer Lane, Grayshott that was run by sisters of the Franciscan Missionaries of the Divine Motherhood. This house has since closed.

I see you have mentioned a Children's Society, but you do not link it to Portsmouth. Each Catholic Diocese has its own Children's Society.

I would suggest that the most likely place for records would be with the Portsmouth Diocesan organisation for child care -
Catholic Children's Society,
49 Russell Hill Road
PURLEY CR8 2XB

If this cannot help, the order of nuns still has houses in England, and you could write to the Archivist at the main house of the order -

The Archivist
Franciscan Missionaries of the Divine Motherhood
Ladywell Convent
Ashstead Lane
GODALMING GU7 1ST

However, I would think that the Portsmouth Children's Society is the more likely deposit for any records.

Hope this helps

Jim Lancaster (Bury, Lancs.)

[maxjaffa]

Hi Gemma,my wife Julie was born at Assisi,Hammer Lane,Hindhead in 1956,she has just started the process of looking for her mother with the help of NORCAP,we have the actual birth certificate showing Assisi Hammer Lane as the birth place,which we found, their are two Hammer Lanes!The Sat Nav only knew one,yep the wrong one!!!but we found it.
I see your message was posted in 2008 how has it been for you? I am learning to read Julie's up/down hidden joy/sadness better now,we are waiting for the adoption records so its either going to be none/littlle or a lot of information,fingers crossed.
If you are willing to share any information you may have or want regarding how your birth mothers found their way to Surrey i think my wife would like to know,we have a little but not much at present.
I really hope that your search has been good and that you have found peace by doing it,its something very special,hope to hear from you soon Steve & Julie

[jpd03267]

Gemma. Hi. My name is John. I live in the US. In 1967 my mum, who was a 17 year old Irish girl, stayed at Assisi in Grayshot. I was born there. She gave me up for adoption and I was adopted by an American couple and have lived in the US almost my whole life. After a lot of research by me in the US and help from a geneologist in the UK I was able to locate her. Several years after my birth my mum married my dad, they had 3 daughters. Their daughters all grew up and got married and had babies. No one ever knew about me until I contacted my mum in 2008. Since then I have made several trips to the UK and Ireland meeting my family. They are wonderful and it has been a life changing experience. The one thing I have never done is travel to Assisi, the place I was born. Is there anything you can tell me about it. I plan to go there sometime this year. Anything you could tell me would be a great help. I hope you have found everything you have been looking for.

[maxjaffa]

Hi John,checking recent e'mails,yours popped up,its a while since i last visited site.Assisi home in Grayshot,i have been there,a little difficult to find first time,it is now split up into a number of domestic dwellings,its situated down a very quite country lane,the original Assisi house name is still there (a stone set into a bank at one enterance ) the converted dwellings are called Assisi 1/2 etc maybe up to 4/5.I noticed you had e'mailed Gemma,looks like she's up to speed infomation wise,if i can help let me know,so pleased for you that you have found family,i too have been over to Ireland last year (Thank goodness for Sat Nav ) have you tried Google maps to locate?i'll have a look later, again if can help just ask,all the best Steve ps Colin Firth actor "The Kings Speech" born in village Grayshot (not Assisi )

[maxjaffa]

Hi John,YES! Google maps,takes you right there,both street/vidio and aerial,Hammer Lane off B3002 (road number ) you can see stone at enterance,but vision of property limited,aerial ok Steve