Liverpool Seamen's Orphanage

Post by **sarahpeat** » 02 Nov 2010 21:14

Hello,

I am searching for information about my grandmother's siblings (McCrossan family of Walton) who were sent to the Seamen's orphanage when their mother died in 1925.

Can anyone guide me to information about the Liverpool Seamen's Orphanage between 1925-1935, specifically the name of the matron, photos, terms of admission to the orphanage and any resources (books, articles, etc).

Also, the records show that after the death of their mother, their father was in ill-health and so the children were admitted to the orphanage. But the youngest child was admitted there two years later, when the father was still listed as being in ill health, but by that time had moved from being a cook to a steward on the SS Gloucestershire - so he was obviously well enough to work. Did a parent have to declare themselves 'ill' to have their children admitted to the orphanage?

Thank-you,
Sarah

Post by **CaroleW** » 03 Nov 2010 01:27

One of my aunts was admitted to the seamans orphanage when my grandfather died in 1919 as my grandmother was neglecting the children and spending the money on drink.

I don't think the criteria for admission was illness - just need

Post by **Tina** » 03 Nov 2010 07:04

Good reply Carole.

When I did my friends tree, 2 of the older boys were put in the orphanage but the 2 youngest stayed with their mother.
Just as your reply did Carole, another genie pointed out to me that the elder ones took more feeding. It was another case of need.

Do you need permission from the orphanage to look at the records at the Maritime Museum?
Tks
Warmies
Tina

Post by **Katie** » 03 Nov 2010 09:05

There will be a fee to extract the information that is under the 100 year closure I think it may be about £25.00.

Post by **CaroleW** » 03 Nov 2010 12:16

My cousin received permission from the orphanage back in 2002 and was sent a letter to present at the Maritime Museum. She did not have to pay for anything at that time.

The main documents were two very well written anonymous letters to the orphanage about my grandmothers drinking and her neglect of the children and the effect it was having on them.

Taken from the 2002 letter - the address to write to is as follows:

The Royal Liverpool Seamen's Orphan Institution
Unit 3A Ground Floor
Tower Buildings
22 Water St
Liverpool
L3 1AB
Tel: 0151 227 3417

Post by **sarahpeat** » 03 Nov 2010 18:12

Thanks for all the info. It's a great help.

i have one more question. My grandmother often spoke about how bad the orphanage was - mostly that there wasn't much food and she spoke about the matron or mistress being quite horrible. I think she also told me about how the matron was embezzling money and sent her son to an expensive school but I've not sure I've remembered this correctly. Does this ring any bells with anyone/

thanks,

sarah

Post by **jan44** » 03 Nov 2010 19:00

Here is a photo of the orphanage, I know I have seen more of them somewhere, I think it was on the mersey-gateway site, but that doesn't seem to working at the moment.

http://www.geograph.org.uk/photo/72903

Have a look at this lady's story

http://www.bbc.co.uk/liverpool/content/ ... ture.shtml

Jan

Post by **jan44** » 03 Nov 2010 19:19

I can't help with 1925-35 but this is from the 1938 Liverpool Directory.

Royal Liverpool Seaman's Orphan Insitution (Orphan Drive)

Rev. J Morris Jones - Chaplain
Lister Mrs Mary - Matron
Barker Reginald - Headmaster
Rooks Miss Marguerite - Headmistress.

Jan

Post by **Tina** » 04 Nov 2010 08:11

Thank you Jan for the link which I haven't seen before.
I must sit my eldest grandee down to watch it.
What a hard early life but her spirit won through.

Tina

Post by **MaryA** » 30 Jul 2011 19:59

StevieC posted links that might be useful to your research. I've copied it below as I will place his original post on our Websites Board to make it easier for others to come across.

Came across A century of progress whilst taking part in the big history show,
it then took about 80hours to digitise, a really good read giving a great deal of information regarding the buildings development as an institution.

Weve got a facebook site some of the stuff ive found out so far about this building is amazing, its got more history than the titanic and if the ship was to be raised you would find a collection box for this historic complex on board

http://www.facebook.com/groups/18214871 ... p_activity

Weve a website called http://projectnewshampark.org/joomla/

A nice story in their weve uncovered written by frank watmough from his time at the institution from 1904 - 1910

Post by **Clatterbridgegirl1967** » 31 Jul 2011 01:21

I cant help with the research but I worked there between 1989-1992, that picture brought back very fond memories. The aerial photograph of it shows the shape of a ship bar the CSSD building

Ali