FENNELLY in Newcastle

[NJLois]

Hi! A search for North Shields library history led me to this site, and genewizard specifically. I wondered if anyone could check the newspaper index or any other history records for my family. My grandfather and grandmother lived in Newcastle-Upon-Tyne. Their names were Patrick and Ellen Fennelly. These are their children. I am specifically interested in any information regarding their daughter Agnes, who was my grandmother. I know she bore two children out of wedlock. Both were born in poorhouses. They were both eventually placed in care, Agnes in St. Josephs, Darlington and Eleanor in St. Mary's, Tudhoe. Eventually Eleanor was reunited with Agnes at St. Joseph's. I am most interested in Agnes (senior)'s history. Somehow she ended up in St. Nicholas Hospital (psychiatric) where she died. But I don't know the specifics of any of this, how she ended up giving birth where she did, who placed the girls and how she ended up in hospital. She died in St. Nicholas in 1948. My aunt and my Mom were "in care" from about 1928 on. I'd appreciate any help! Thank you, Lois
Alice Fennelly 1890 – 1956
Eleanor Fennelly 1894 –
Catherine Fennelly 1896 – 1919
James Patrick Fennelly 1900 – 1957
Mary Fennelly 1903 – 1969
Agnes Fennelly 1906 – 1948
Anastasia Fennelly 1910 – 1973
Charles Walter Fennelly 1912 – 1983

[Tinker]

Hi
It might be worth contacting St. Nicholas as it's still in use as a mental health hospital. If you Google it there are contact details on their site, and I believe (though I'm no expert on this) that patients or their direct family can sometimes request copies of medical records. If they do allow you access to the records, bear in mind that it can be quite traumatic reading. The same may apply to St. Joseph's and St. Mary's. I hope this helps.

[Tinker]

While looking for something completely different just after posting the above, I stumbled across a link to this site:
http://www.tyneandweararchives.org.u...e.htm#section1
Under G of Hospitals, sanatoria and specialised medical institutions, see the entry "Gosforth, St. Nicholas' Hospital" for details of what records are available. Good luck!

[NJLois]

Thanks for the suggestions. I made a request for records from St. Nicholas. I was hoping to receive something. I made the request some time in mid-March.

[Tinker]

Let's hope you eventually hear from them. Requests for info from institutions and organisations can be a bit hit-and-miss: sometimes archivists are amazingly helpful, sometimes not helpful at all!

[NJLois]

The agency in charge of St. Nicholas records indicated that because I am not in the "EU" (European Union), I was not able to obtain the requested records.

But, in the interim, I was able to contact a Fennelly family member living in South Shields.

The agency indicated that I could have the records sent to a family member in the UK.

My newly-found cousins agreed to obtain the records.

Finding an actual Fennelly relative was extremely satisfying, and I'm so glad he has agreed to cooperate with my on my quest for information!

[Tinker]

Oh, that's a great result, Lois: a new relly AND info on your family. It does seem a bit silly that just because you're in the US you can't access the records. After all you're more closely related than the Fenellys in South Shields! Still, at least you've got something to go on now. All the best in your future research.