Ancestry UK

Magdalen Homes — Lancashire-Lincolnshire

Although the term 'Magdalen' home or institution has become particularly associated with Ireland's Magdalen laundries, it covers to a much wider range of establishments. Rather than indicating the nature of these institutions' facilities or regime, it reflects the circumstances of their inmates — girls and young women who had 'fallen' (or who were considered in danger of doing so), primarily those who had become pregnant or involved in prostitution. More...

Where applicable, the 'Places' column shows the accommodation provided for mothers and babies (exact figures could change over time).
Note that over the years, many institutions changed location and/or name, sometimes more than once. The accommodation provided, age of those admitted etc. at a home could also vary.

Lancashire

Name and LocationFounded/OpenedClosed/MovedClasses Received, Weekly fees, etc.PlacesAdmission Age
Barrow-in-Furness Refuge, 16 Storey Square, Barrow-in-Furness1917 Fallen and friendless; temporarily.6no limit
Birkdale Ladies' Association, 10 Crosby Road West, Birkdale1896 Fallen girls and women; temporarily; 3s. 6d. to 6s.816-35
Birkdale Ladies' Association, 80 Belmont Street, Birkdaleby 1912 Fallen girls and women; temporarily; 3s. 6d. to 6s.15under 25
Blackburn Shelter, 133 Preston New Road, Blackburnby 19351959Rescue and preventive cases.6no limit
Hostel for Mothers and Babies, Viewfield, 73 Oozehead Lane, Blackburn1921c.1946Unmarried mothers with their babies; payment according to earnings.15under 22
Industrial Home for Girls, Viewfield, 73 Oozehead Lane, Blackburnby 1897 Friendless and fallen; 2s. 6d., where possible.15under 25
Industrial Home for Girls, Wensley Fold, Blackburn1882By 1921For training girls who have fallen and are in difficulty and danger. Local cases free, others 2s. 6d. a week.15under 22
Blackpool Rescue Home, 146 Whitegate Drive, Blackpool1899 Friendless and fallen women, temporarily.8no limit
Fylde House of Help, 85 Reads Avenue, Blackpool1929 Rescue and preventive cases.9under 25
Bolton Ladies' Association Home, 10 Fairfield Street, Bolton1907 Friendless and fallen; temporarily; 5s. when possible.318-30
Bolton Shelter, 129 Westbrook Street, Bolton1924 Girls and women needing help: free; temporarily.314-30
Bolton Home, 42 Davenport Street, Bolton1891 Girls and women fallen or in danger; from Bolton district free; from other places by arrangement.18over 14
House of Shelter, 90 Manchester Road, Bolton1886 Girls, fallen or not, in distress and in need of temporary shelter.  
Queen Street Mission Home, Vernon House, Kensington Place, Boltonby 1900 Girls and women fallen or in danger; from Bolton district free; from other places by arrangement.5014-40
House of Help, 16 Colne Road, Burnleyby 1930  10under 18
House of Help, Bank Parade, Burnley1887 Fallen women and occasionally unmarried mothers with their infants.6 
St Mary's Home, 108 Manchester Road, Buryby 1935by 1953All classes; some payment when possible.17over 12
Bury Shelter Home, 19 Horn Street, Bury1910 All classes, 3s. 6d.; local cases free.512-25
St Mary's Home, 3 Duke Street, Bury1903 All classes; some payment when possible.1612-25
St Anne's Diocesan Maternity Home, Simpson Hill, Ryecroft Avenue, Green Lane, Heywood1917 Unmarried mothers for confinement; from 7s. 6d. and £1 10s. fee; remain six months.15m/10bunder 20
Lancaster House of Help, 7 Queen Street, Lancaster1932 Rescue and preventive cases; those from the diocese, free.8no limit
LiverpoolSt Mary's Shelter, 10 Gordon Road, Seaforth, Liverpool1915 Fallen girls; temporarily; free from diocese; others, 7s. 6d.5no limit
St Faith's Home, 12 Gambier Terrace, Hope Street, Liverpool1920 Pre-maternity cases, 10s. Mothers with their babies; local cases 8s.; others 12s. 6d.20no limit
St Monica's Refuge, 13 Croxteth Road, Liverpoolby 1930 Fallen women; remain various periods according to circumstances.12under 24
Liverpool Hostel of Hope, 140 Bedford Street, Liverpool1909 Preventive cases and girls on probation from Liverpool.1216-25
Liverpool Rescue Society and House of Help, 162 Grove Street, Liverpoolby 1900 Destitute women and girls; free; temporarily.16no limit
Edge Lane Hospital, 17 Laurel Road, Fairfield, Liverpool1917 Girls from Liverpool suffering from V.D.25no limit
St Monica's Refuge, 24 Princes Road, Liverpoolby 1920 Fallen women; remain various periods according to circumstances.17under 30
LiverpoolSt Mary's Shelter, 25 Crosby Road South, Liverpoolby 1930 Rescue and preventive cases; payment if possible.8under 25
Diocesan Maternity Home, 283 Edge Lane, Liverpool1911 First maternity cases only; before confinement, remain six months; 7s.; diocesan cases, 5s.12under 23
St Monica's Home, 30 Grove Street, Liverpool1910 Fallen women; remain various periods according to circumstances.6under 30
Refuge for Penitents, 311 Edge Lane, Liverpool     
The Home / Refuge, 4 Everton Terrace, Liverpool1860 Fallen women; free.7514-35
Liverpool Refuge and Night Shelter, 41 Bevington Bush, Liverpoolby 1912 Fallen women; free; at all hours.50no limit
Liverpool Benevolent Home, 56 South Hill Road, Toxteth Park, Liverpool1839 Fallen girls; free. Length of time in Home according to conduct.3214-18
Liverpool Female Penitentiary, 67 Falkner Street, Liverpool1810 Free from any locality; remain two years. Fallen, free.5218-25
Liverpool Rescue Society and House of Help, 68 Falkner Street, Liverpool1890 Fallen women; temporarily.18no limit
Liverpool Ladies' Association Cottage Home, 70 Sheil Road, Liverpool1889 Unmarried mothers and their babies, mostly from the Workhouse; first cases only; 5s. to 6s. for those outside Liverpool.8m/8bunder 25
Liverpool Magdalen Home, 8 Mount Vernon Green, Liverpool1855 Fallen women; entrance fee, £5; diocesan cases free; remain two years.3518-28
Liverpool Salvation Army Home, Cradlehurst, Edge Lane, Liverpool19071939Women in distress with children.30m/20bno limit
Midnight Mission, Ellen Cliff Home, 6 Belmont Grove, West Derby Road, Liverpoolby 1890 Fallen women; free; remain two yeas at the discretion of the Committee.55under 25
Liverpool Salvation Army Home, Elmswood, North Mossley Hill Road, Liverpool1939 Maternity Home26m/18b 
Liverpool House of Providence, Kelton, Woodlands Road, Aigburth, Liverpoolc.1908 Young unmarried mothers and their babies. Must remain a year.73m/56b 
Crosby Girls' Continuation Home, Mill View, Chesterfield Road, Great Crosby, Liverpool1894 Women who have been trained in other Homes and are wishful of further help. Entrance fee £1 1s. Small wages given after three months. First fall only.2516-22
Liverpool Refuge and Night Shelter, Rosement, 309 Edge Lane, Liverpoolby 1935 Penitent and destitute girls; free; at all hours.50over 14
Liverpool Diocesan Maternity Home and Crèche, St Hilda, 14 Ullet Lane, Liverpoolby 1930 First maternity cases only; before confinement, remain six months; 10s.; diocesan cases, 8s.18m/30bunder 23
Diocesan Maternity Home, St Hilda, Penny Lane, Wavertree, Liverpoolby 1920 First maternity cases only; before confinement, remain six months; 13s.; diocesan cases, 8s.14under 23
Liverpool Refuge and Night Shelter, St Saviour's, Holmstead, Mossley Hill, Liverpoolby 1930 Penitent and destitute girls; free; at all hours.50over 14
Convent of the Good Shepherd, Sterrix Lane, Ford, Seaforth, Liverpool1858 Fallen women; free.220over 18
Liverpool Salvation Army Home, The Hollies, 313 Edge Lane, Liverpool1896c.1936Girls and women in distress.38no limit
Crosby Cottage Home Laundry, Tithebarn Cottages, Moor Lane, Crosby, Liverpool1894 Women of weak will power who have been in other Homes and desire to do well.10no limit
Eton Lodge Home, Woolton Road, Wavertree, Liverpool1901 Girls and women needing help.8under 28
Salvation Army Crossley Hospital, 13-15 Mitchell Street, Manchester1919 Maternity cases; special wards for married women.30no limit
Manchester and Salford Church Rescue and Preventive Society, 15 Rumford Street, Chorlton upon Medlock, Manchester1893 Rescue and preventive cases; temporarily.6no limit
Manchester and Salford Methodist Mission Women's Rescue, Relief and Preventive Home, 175 Oldham Road, Manchesterby 1939 Homeless and friendless women and girls.50 
Manchester and Salford Methodist Mission and Shelter, 2 George Leigh Street, Ancoats, Manchesterby 1935 Destitute women and girls. no limit
Mrs Gremke's Home, 200 Great Cheetham Street, Higher Broughton, Manchester1876 Fallen and destitute women.5314-24
Mrs Macalpine's Rescue Home, 25 (later 45) Webster Street, Greenheys, Manchester1880 Fallen women, Police Court cases and discharged prisoners; remain at least one year; payment when possible.16no limit
Byrom Street Mission Refuge, 27 Byrom Street, Manchester1877 Fallen women and other destitute cases free; a. temporary refuge until a suitable home can be found.9under 25
Ennismore Hostel, 36 Half Edge Lane, Eccles, Manchester1919 Unmarried mothers with their first babies; remain until baby is eighteen months old.12under 25
Manchester and Salford Methodist Mission Home for Mothers and Babies, 40 High Street, Chorlton upon Medlock, Manchester1926 Mothers and babies.14under 25
Manchester and Salford Methodist Mission Maternity Home and Hospital, 42 High Street, Chorlton upon Medlock, Manchester1903 Young unmarried mothers; first cases only; £3 3s. hospital fee.15under 25
Manchester and Salford Church Rescue and Preventive Society, 54 Upper Brook Street, Manchesterby 1912 Rescue and preventive cases; temporarily.8no limit
St John's Parade Mission Refuge, 5 St John's Parade, Manchester1877 Fallen women and other destitute cases; free; temporarily.12under 25
St Mary's Home and Penitentiary, 77 Dickenson Road, Rusholme, ManchesterMarch 6 1944March 26 1945Young girls for two years training; £5 entrance fee if possible.2716-25
Manchester and Salford Asylum for Female Pentitents, 99 Embden Street, Greenheys, Manchester1822 Fallen women, Police Court cases and discharged prisoners; remain at least one year; payment when possible.9015-25
The Macalpine Maternity Home, Belfield Lodge, 2 Willow Bank, Fallowfield, Manchester1890 First cases only (references required); from 10s. and confinement fee, or by arrangement. Minimum stay three months.16no limit
House of the Good Shepherd, Chain Road, Blackley, Manchester1867 Fallen women; free.240no limit
Mrs Macalpine's Maternity Home, Hope House, 23 (later 43) Webster Street, Greenheys, Manchester1890 First maternity cases only; of previous good character; payment when possible.10no limit
Salvation Army Homes, Oak Hill Hiouse, Mandley Park Avenue, Higher Broughton, Manchesterby 1935by 1956Before and After Care Home. Some mothers may go out to work.50m/20bno limit
Salvation Army Home, Oak Hill, Halliwell Lane, Cheetham Hill, Manchester1898 Girls and women in distress.60no limit
Manchester City Mission, Oak Hill, Halliwell Lane, Cheetham Hill, Manchesterby 1890 Local cases free; others £2. 2s.25 
Manchester and Salford Diocesan Home for Children, St Agnes House, 54 Upper Brook Street, Chorlton upon Medlock, Manchesterby 1930 Rescue and preventive cases; temporarily.145-16
Oldham Salvation Army Home, 108 Belgrave Road, Oldham1910 Girls and women in distress.18no limit
Oldham Salvation Army Home, Blenheim House, 101 Waterloo Street, Oldhamby 1930 Girls and women in distress.25no limit
Preston Ladies' Association / Blackburn Diocesan Refuge, 122 Deepdale Road, Preston1894 Fallen girls; prison and Police Court cases; temporarily; free, payment if possible.3no limit
Blackburn Diocesan Refuge, 2 Golden Square, Prestonby 1935 Girls and women needing help.714-16
Parkinson House, 68 West Cliff, Prestonby 1950 Before and After Care Home.9m/3b 
Preston Refuge, 70 Knowsley Street, Prestonby 1900 Friendless and fallen girls and prison cases; temporarily.  
Ashton Industrial Home for Young Women, Tulketh Cottage, Waterloo Road / Poulton Street, Ashton on Ribble, Preston1879 Fallen girls (not street cases); entrance fee £1 1s., or exchange free.1415-21
Rochdale Rescue (later Welfare) Mission, 34 Taylor Street, Rochdale1906 All classes; temporarily; 5s.7no limit
Rochdale Police Court and Rescue Mission, 34 Taylor Street, Rochdaleby 1920 Women and girls in any kind of moral need or difficulty. Payment when possible.6no limit
Manchester and Salford Methodist Mission Refuge, Moor Bank, Vine Street, Kersal, Salfordby 1930 Girls in any kind of moral need or difficulty.1814-25
St Teresa's Home, 61 Broom lane, Salfordby 1948 Home for unmarried mothers and babies. First cases only.30m/40bover 16
St Katharine's Home, 5 Latham Road, Southport1912 Expectant unmarried mothers.15no limit
St Agnes' Home for Girls, Nutgrove, Thatto Heath, St Helens1914 1920: Fallen girls; temporarily; also creche for babies. 1930: Difficult girls, and those from bad surroundings; 15s. for those outside diocese.5no limit
Stalybridge Rescue Home, 8 Cocker Hill, Stalybridge1882 Fallen young women; remain until fit for service.1515-25
Stalybridge Rescue Home, Ashbank, Huddersfield Road, Stalybridgeby 1912 Fallen and friendless young women; remain two years.1515-25
Langho Asylum Board Home, Brockhall, Langho, Whalley  Feeble-minded, moral imbecile, and imbecile women from Lancashire.283no limit
Wigan Home, 17 New Market Street, Wiganby 1912 Friendless and fallen; temporarily; free. 10s.8no limit
St Margaret's Home, Goose Green, Wigan1883 Friendless and fallen; temporarily; free also a few with babies; 5s.18m/10bunder 21
Ladies' Association, Mariebonne Home, 97 Dicconson Street, Wigan1894 Friendless and fallen; temporary refuge.7 
The Refuge, Wiganby 1890 To shelter girls before being sent to training homes or penitentiaries away from Weymouth.  

Leicestershire

Name and LocationFounded/OpenedClosed/MovedClasses Received, Weekly fees, etc.PlacesAdmission Age
St Mary's Home, 1 Ashleigh Road, Leicesterby 1939 Medical Home for fallen girls; Preventive Training Home; Night shelter.  
Leicester Home for Penitent Females, 16 Blue Boar Lane, Leicester1862    
Leicester Home for Penitent Females, 58 Stoneygate Road, Leicester1881 Fallen women; free; payment if possible. Remain two years.42under 25
Leicester Home for Penitent Females, High Cross Street, Leicester1852    
St Mary's Laundry Home, Narborough, Leicester1890 Fallen women; remain at least, two years; entrance fee required.1625-40
Leicester Home for Penitent Females, The Newarke, Leicester1847    
St Mary Magdalene's Refuge and Night Shelter, The Newarke, Leicester1885 Fallen women from the county, free; others 5s. a week and travelling expenses to the Home. Must be willing to be transferred to a two years' Home.29no limit

Lincolnshire

Name and LocationFounded/OpenedClosed/MovedClasses Received, Weekly fees, etc.PlacesAdmission Age
Lincoln Diocesan Home for Fallen Women, 114-116 High Street, Boston1886By 1909 30under 25
Lincoln Diocesan Home for Fallen Women, London Road, Skirbeck Quarter, Bostonby 1909    
Lincolnshire Diocesan Home, Bostonby 1897 Fallen women; on payment of £5. Free from the diocese. Remain two years.20under 25
Lincolnshire Diocesan Home, Frieston, Caythorpe1886 Fallen women; on payment of £5. Free from the diocese. Remain two years.20under 25
Grimsby Home for Friendless Women, 15-17 Yarborough Street, West Marsh, Grimsby1877 Fallen and friendless girls; temporarily, and sent on to Homes or situations.19under 30
Home of Help, Hope House, 44 Heneage Road, Grimsby1913  10under 20
Lincoln and Lincolnshire Penitent Females' Home, Belle Vue House, Carline Road, Lincoln1850 Destitute cases free; others on payment of £3. Remain two years in the Home. Medical certificate required.24under 25
Church Army Refuge, St Swithin's House, Free School Lane, Lincoln1896 Fallen women and those in perilous surroundings; temporarily; 7s., if possible.9no limit
Lincoln City and County Refuge, Steep Hill House, Lincolnby 1935 Preventive and Rescue cases and those in perilous surroundings; temporarily; payment according to circumstances.8under 25
The Refuge, 88 James Street, Louth1883 Friendless or fallen girls; temporarily.  
Mission House, Maiden Row, Louthby 1897 Fallen women; temporarily.216-22
The Refuge, Trinity Lane, Louth1883 Friendless or fallen girls; temporarily.  
St Mary's Diocesan Home, Ketton, Stamford1893 Fallen girls of respectable lower class.2816-26