Ancestry UK

Foley House, Braintree, Essex

Foley (originally Folly) House, a Barnardo's Home, at 115 High Garrett, Braintree, was opened as a Barnardo's home in 1946. Originally accommodating thirty boys, it switched to being a mixed home from 1954 to 1960 and then again from 1972 onwards until its final closure in March 1981.

The location of the home is shown on the 1954 map below.

Foley House site, Braintree, c.1954.

In recent times, the premises have housed a residential home for the deaf.

Records

Note: many repositories impose a closure period of up to 100 years for records identifying individuals. Before travelling a long distance, always check that the records you want to consult will be available.

Bibliography

  • Barnardo, Syrie Louise, and Marchant, James Memoirs of the Late Dr Barnardo (Hodder & Stoughton, 1907)
  • Batt, J.H. Dr. Barnardo: The Foster-Father of "Nobody's Children" (S.W. Partridge, 1904)
  • Bready, J. Wesley Doctor Barnardo (Allen & Unwin, 1930)
  • Higginbotham, Peter Children's Homes: A History of Institutional Care for Britain's Young (2017, Pen & Sword)
  • Rose, June For the Sake of the Children: Inside Dr. Barnardo's: 120 years of caring for children (Hodder & Stoughton, 1987)
  • Wagner, Gillian Barnardo (Weidenfeld & Nicholson, 1979)