My Mother was at St Mary's during the 1930's and i would love to hear from anyone who know's of this orphanage

regards
Elizabeth Ackerman

Hello

I was at St Mary's for two periods during the sixties. I hadn't realised that it had previously been girls only. When I was there it was mixed and took in myself and two brothers. I can remember early evening benediction and having to kneel for the angelus bell in the playground. The nuns could be quite strict but there was some nice ones too.

Hope this helps a bit

Hello Elizabeth, I have also been searching for anyone that lived in the St. Mary's Orphanage in Spennymoor. You will be pleased to know that I am working on a project right at this time to come together with one resident and have spoken with another daughter of another resident. I have been diligently working on this since February 2006. I will be in Spennymoor in November, 2006. Where do you live? I am from the United States. My mother's name was Teresa Fucile. She was there from 1927 to 1937, the same time as your mother. I will soon have a photo of the girls of the orphanage of which my mom will be in the photo. I wonder if your mom is in it as well. I would love to follow up with you on this. Please e mail me as soon as you get this. Thank you. Terri

Hi Terri
I have just spoken to Mum and she is pretty sure she remembers your Mother. Was she one of two sisters at the home?, if so, she remembers playing with her. What is the project you are doing? My Mum would be happy to talk to you about her day's at St Mary's, if you would like her too?. She live's in London, and came here in 1939 after the orphanage found her work in a hospital.
i am looking forwared to hearing from you and would love to see the photograph when it arrives
kind regards
Elizabeth

Elizabeth,
No, my mom was the only one of her family there. She was not an orphan. She went to St. Mary's because she was sickly. She went there at 7 years old. Her family came to visit her while she was there from 1927 to 1937. Did your mom ever obtain records of her time there? I cannot locate anything. I have tried quite a bit. I am in contact with Mary McCabe who was a resident there during that time. I expect to get the photo from her this week. My e mail address is jmartort@msn.com if you would like to speak with me further. I am excited that there is another person out there looking. Does your mom have any group photos from her time at the Orphanage?

Hi Terri
Mum has just rang me to say that she got a little confused with the names and got your Mum mixed up with a couple of sisters, but she does rememember your Mother very well now.
I have asked her about Mary McCabe but she does not recall her. The girls were mainly called by numbers, Mum was Number 98! I have managed to get a little information from the Catholic society and i will send you the address when i have raked it out, but it is mainly dates of admission, baptism, communion etc and records of discharge. We went up there a couple of years ago and the Orphanage was pulled down in 1967 and a new houseing estate was built, but the Church St Charles and the grave yard are still there and the road where the orphanage was is now called St Mary's Grove. Mum remembers a lot about her days at St Mary's, so if there is anything you want to know email me and i will ask her for you, but sadly she has no photographs.
Kind regards
Elizabeth

Hello,

Thanks for your reply. I would like to request that you e mail me directly instead of through this message board as I will be able to speak more freely with you. I did post my e mail address so you should be able to bypass this site.

I will be in Spennymoor on the 22nd of November to meet Mary. She has a photo of all the girls. I think Mary would love to meet with your Mom as well. Any chance?

I look forward to your direct e mail. I am pretty excited to know someone knew my mom from that time. I am sure your mom has lots of stories. My mom did as well. What years was your mom there?

Terri

Elizabeth,

What is your mom's name (first and maiden)? I forgot to ask.
Sorry.

Terri

A bit late on this thread but wondered if either of you ever found out any more about this home. The 1901 census shows three of my wife's ancestors, all sisteers, residing here and it would be useful to find out more about it.

I am almost certain that this is the childrens home my mother was at during late 1920's and during the 1930's. She spoke of a childrens home in spennymore run by nuns. The children attended a local school during the day. My mother was at the home from birth to 14yrs when she went into service. Her experiences were not happy and she spoke only a little of her time there.