Unmarried mother home or Convent in Bishopton

And It Makes Me Shine · Post by **And It Makes Me Shine** » Mon Nov 27, 2006 3:25 pm

Recently discovered that my mother was taken away whilst preganant to stay in a "home" in Bishopton. This was in the mid-late 60's and was run by nuns. She was there for many months until after the birth along with many other unmarried mums to be. Does anyone know anything about this place? Don't even have a name of the place nevermind an idea of what it was like. Any help would be appreciated.

Russell · Post by **Russell** » Mon Nov 27, 2006 3:54 pm

Hi

I wonder if it was the Good Shepherd Centre in Bishopton. It is now a residential school for girls with behavioural problems run by the Roman Catholic church.
I'm not 100% sure but think it was run as a home for wayward girls run by a caring order back in the 1960's.

Try Goggling in 'Good Shepherd Centre Bishopton' There may be a history among the many links that come up.

Russell

Russell · Post by **Russell** » Mon Nov 27, 2006 3:55 pm

Post edited

And It Makes Me Shine · Post by **And It Makes Me Shine** » Mon Nov 27, 2006 4:55 pm

Thanks Russell, it does seem to be the place although from some of the accounts I have read on the internet, I kind of hope it is not as it seems very "Magdalen Sister" ish.

Russell · Post by **Russell** » Mon Nov 27, 2006 4:59 pm

Hi

I think, by todays standards, a lot of them were quite rigid and disapproving of the girls in their care.

My aunt worked in a similar 'home for unmarried mothers' in Edinburgh. It was tucked away where it would not be too obvious and the girls certainly did not get the kind of caring support they needed at a difficult time. My aunt couldn't stand the negative attitudes and left after a short time.

Russell

nancy · Post by **nancy** » Mon Nov 27, 2006 5:16 pm

Hi Russell, I was in St James's School late 50's,and remember a few girls starting in our class,and they were from Bishopton convent.We only had three nuns in our school,one the headmistress,and I believe they also came from the same convent.

I remember hearing later though,that it also took in unmarried mums.

Cheers Nancy

Russell · Post by **Russell** » Mon Nov 27, 2006 5:41 pm

Thanks Nancy

I can see this wee thread developing into another 'Institutions' entry.

Has anyone else got recollections of the place to add before I start wearing out my Google button.

Russell

LesleyB · Post by **LesleyB** » Mon Nov 27, 2006 7:52 pm

Hi all
OK, its not Bishopton, but might be of general interest if you suspect an ancestor had been in a Salvation Army home - there appear to be records held:
here
The Salvation Army - Girls' Statement Books
Amongst the archives of the Salvation Army are a number of documents known as the Girls' Statement Books. These unwieldy volumes were compiled from the returns of certain homes as part of the Army's Women's Social Work and have by coincidence become a central register of those particular branches of Salvation Army endeavour.

The descriptions of the homes that were involved were:
Children's Homes These records contain only one slip giving minimal details when the girl (or boy under five) left the home.
Girls Training Homes These were changed in later years to Probation Hostels or Approved Schools under license from the Home Office.
The Mother and Baby Homes (for unmarried mothers) These form the bulk of the entries, and can contain much information that is sought after by the personal enquirer.

The Salvation Army homes were eventually situated around the country: Plymouth, Bradninch (Devon), Bristol, Cardiff, Lichfield, Birmingham, Manchester (two), Liverpool, Leeds, Newcastle-upon- Tyne, Glasgow (two), Edinburgh, Dundee, Belfast and up to five at anyone time in the Capital. These homes were sometimes housed in various buildings during their lifetimes.

Details of the type of info to be found in the records are given on the web site.

Best wishes
Lesley

Davie · Post by **Davie** » Tue Nov 28, 2006 3:23 pm

Hellawrerr
Ah wiz in at the Archdiocese yesterday and asked aboot the Good Shepherd Home.
Was informed that in the 60s it was indeed a convent and took in lassies "in trouble".
Today it is called Cora House.

I'll be back in Clyde Street on Friday if oanywan wid like me tae make oany enquiries, jis let me know.
Davie

Russell · Post by **Russell** » Tue Nov 28, 2006 5:40 pm

Thanks Davie

Its the wee snippets like that can build into a factual post.

And thanks Lesley for that website for the Sally Ann. I'll re-visit that one as well.

Russell