Ancestry UK

Magdalen Homes — London N/NW Postal Districts

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.

Name and LocationFounded/OpenedClosed/MovedClasses Received, Weekly fees, etc.PlacesAdmission Age
West London Mission Home, Winchester House, 23 Ampthill Square, Camden NW119131918   
London Female Preventive and Reformatory Institution, 5 Camden Street, Camden Town NW1c.1867 Penitent young women from any part of the United Kingdom; free. 15-25
Salvation Army Home for Inebriates / Knitting Home, Grove House, Oldhill Street, Clapton N161880s    
St Helena's Convalescent Home, Thorverton Road, Cricklewood Lane, Cricklewood NW21895by 1953Girls who, though once fallen, are now in service and require a holiday, and others, 5s.; mothers and infants, 1s. 6d., first fall only. No infectious cases.13m/6bunder 26
Hornsey Deanery Refuge, Newbeacon, 79 Crouch End Hill, Crouch End N8by 1930 Fallen and friendless girls temporarily, 5s.; Hornsey cases free.12under 30
Hornsey Deanery Refuge, Beacon Lodge, 25 Eastern Road, East Finchley N2by 1935 Fallen and friendless girls; 10s. Before and 12s.6d. After confinement; Hornsey Deanery cases free.20m/12bunder 30
Church Army Home, 'Crathorne', Oak Lane, East Finchley N21914 Certified feeble-minded mothers from local authorities and others, with infants.20over 16
Refuge of the Good Shepherd, East Finchley N21850 RC penitent women and discharged prisoners; free.200no limit
Home for Girls, Alpha House, 43 Hanley Road, Finsbury Park N41887 A shelter, open night and day, for girls wishing to leave a life of sin  
Mrs Hampson's Home, Winifred House, 2 Wray Crescent, Tollington Park, Finsbury Park N418761888   
Hampstead Shelter, 25 Agincourt Road, Hampstead NW31901 Fallen girls and others temporarily, from Hampstead, Highgate, Child's Hill, etc.615-30
25 Agincourt Road, Hampstead NW3by 1949    
Hampstead Hostel for Mothers and Babies, 43 Rosslyn Hill, Hampstead NW31927 Unmarried mothers with their babies, for three months; 10s.10under 30
Hampstead Hostel for Mothers and Babies, 7 Fitzjohn's Avenue, Hampstead NW3by 1935 Unmarried mothers with their babies, 10s. Stay till babies are 1 year old.15under 30
Hampstead Ruri-Decanal Rescue Association, St Audrey's Home, 10 Lancaster Place, Hampstead NW31904 Fallen girls. Local cases free, others from 10s.1113-27
Hampstead Ruri-Decanal Rescue Association, St Audrey's Home, 2 St George's Terrace, Regent's Park Road, Hampstead NW31904 Fallen girls. Local cases free, others from 5s.1013-27
Hampstead Ruri-Decanal Rescue Association, St Audrey's Home, 40 King Henry's Road, Hampstead NW31904 Fallen girls. Local cases free, others from 5s.1113-27
Quadrant Hostel, 20-22 Highbury Quadrant, Highbury N51918 Before and After Care Home (V.D. cases).24m/10b16-25
St Nicholas' Home for Mothers and Babies, 31 Highbury Hill, Highbury N51928 Unmarried R.C. mothers with a first child; also expectant mothers.12m/12b17-26
C.E.T.S. Shelter Home, 59 Leigh Road, Highbury N51881 All class; from 10s. 6d.1418-45
YWCA Before and After-care Hostel, 9 Aberdeen Park, Highbury N51919 Unmarried mothers before and after confinement; from 12s. 6d.15under 35
Highbury Salvation Army Home, Field View, 17 Highbury Terrace, Highbury N51894 Girls and women in distress.30no limit
St Pelagia's Home, 25-27 Bickerton Road, Highgate N19c.1892 Mothers, with their first illegitimate children, after confinement. Remain twelve months, free. Others lately fallen.50no limit
London Diocesan Penitentiary, House of Mercy, Park House, North Hill, Highgate N61853 Penitents of all classes received from temporary Refuges, and on personal application, free; must be willing to remain in the Home two years.60no limit
St Pelagia's Home, Sacred Heart Convent, 34 West Hill, Highgate N6c.1918 Mothers, with their first illegitimate children, after confinement. Remain twelve months, free. Others lately fallen.97m/56bno limit
Dressmakers' Home, 1 Freegrove Road, Holloway N7by 1890    
London Female Preventive and Reformatory Institution, 18 Cornwall Place (later 35 Eden Grove), Holloway N71859  3515-25
St George's Rescue Home, 26 Union Road, Holloway N7by 1890 Girls who wish to leave an evil life. Better class of fallen women penitents. 5s. Or 7s. 6d. a week. under 35
West London Mission Maternity Hostel, 35 Parkhurst Road, Holloway N71923 Expectant mothers, suffering from V.D.; payment according to circumstances.11no limit
Rescue Society Home, Cuba House, 76 Junction Road, Holloway N19by 1890    
Holloway Refuge, 79 Parkhurst Road, Islington N71902 Friendless and fallen, temporarily. Local cases free,5under 25
St Giles's Christian Mission, 32 Leighton Road, Kentish Town NW5by 1890 Free.  
The Home, 1-2 Snowden Villas, Carlton Road, Kilburn NW6by 1890 First time mothers of illegitimate children. Must have a Queen Charlotte's letter. Remain until ready for service; 5s.  
Queen Charlotte's Convalescent Home, 20 Victoria Road, Kilburn NW61882 Girls having a Queen Charlotte's letter received before and after confinement; 5s. where possible.13no limit
Cambridge Road Home, 41 Cambridge Road, Kilburn NW6by 1890 Women about to become mothers for the first time. Dressmakers and shop girls who have fallen are received.  
Kilburn Maternity Home, 88 Carlton Vale, Kilburn NW61882 Girls having a Queen Charlotte's letter received before and after confinement; 5s. where possible.10under 30
Workhouse Home, 90 Carlton Vale, Kilburn NW6by 1897 Destitute fallen women, previously of good character, who would otherwise be forced to enter the workhouse for their confinement.42 
Paddington andSt Marylebone Ladies' Association Home / Main Memorial Home, 141 West End Lane, Maida Vale NW6by 1935 Maternity cases and others, 10s.14m/ 7bunder 30
St Marylebone Female Protection Society, 157-159 Marylebone Road, Marylebone NW11838 Only those of previous good character, before or after confinement; payment of 10l. where possible.2814-27
Queen Charlotte's Lying-in / Maternity Hospital, 191 Marylebone Road, Marylebone NW11752 Women for their confinement with subscriber's letter.70no limit
St Margaret's Home, 193 Albany Street, Marylebone NW11888 Fallen women before and after confinement; 5s. Friends must arrange to take charge of child when a fortnight old.11under 30
Female Temporary Home, 218 Marylebone Road, Marylebone NW1by 1890 The better class of fallen women. Separate apartments for governesses and companions.30 
Paddington andSt Marylebone Ladies' Association House of Rest, 39 Earl Street, Lisson Grove, Marylebone NW11884 Fallen girls from Paddington andSt Marylebone free; others 5s.12under 30
St Cyprian's Bethesda, 7 Allsop Mews (now Street), Marylebone NW118701896   
National Association for Feeble-minded Home, 'Wolseley', Woodside Avenue, North Finchley N121902 Feeble-minded mothers from Workhouses, 10s.; with infants, 15s.15no limit
St Catherine's Home, 177 Drummond Street, Regent's Park NW11897 Fallen women, all classes. Open all night; free.1413-25
St Catherine's Home, 36 Osnaburgh Street, Regent's Park NW1by 1912. Fallen women, all classes. Remain 2 years. Free.2213-25
Regent's Park Hostel, 62 Regent's Park Road, Regent's Park NW11919 Non-pregnant girls or women suffering from V. D. Payment according to circumstances.14over 14
St Margaret's Home, 71 William Street, Albany Street, Regent's Park NW11888 Fallen women wishing to return to a respectable life. 5s. per week. If admitted before confinement, must bring in-patient's letter for Queen Charlotte's Hospital. Friends must arrange to take charge of the child when a fortnight old.21 
Home of the Guardian Angels, 15 Marlborough Place, St John's Wood NW8c.1911 First fall cases only, before confinement.38over 14
St Cyprian's Bethesda, 38 Charlbert Street, St John's Wood NW8by 1912 Young servants, etc. Maternity cases, 5s.; Penitentiary cases, 2s. 6d. Remain 2 years.1614-18
Crossroads Club, 88-90 Alexandra Road, St John's Wood NW81919 Girls of previous good character; 15s. Also mothers and babies.40under 52
Female Mission to the Fallen Refuge, Anchorage Mission House, 10 Loudoun Road, St John's Wood NW8by 1890 Fallen girls free from London Refuges. Payment according to circumstances from other sources.  
Mayfair Union Maternity Home, St Agatha's Home, 48 St John's Wood Road, St John's Wood NW81903 Superior servants and others, 7s. Remain 6 months.12m/6b14-25
Mayfair Union Maternity Home, St Agatha's House, 39 Lancaster Road, St John's Wood NW3by 1935 Superior servants and others; 10s. After birth of child. Remain 3 months.10no limit
London Female Preventive and Reformatory Institution, 200 Euston Road, St Pancras NW11858 Penitent young women from any part of the United Kingdom; free.2415-25
London Female Preventive and Reformatory Institution, 26 Fitzroy Place, St Pancras NW11868   15-25
London Female Preventive and Reformatory Institution, 26 Grafton Place, Euston Square, St Pancras NW11857dem 1903Free.  
Home of the Guardian Angels, 90 Charlotte Street, St Pancras NW81902 First fall cases only, before confinement.25over 14
Salvation Army Laundry Home, 14-16 Maury Road, Stoke Newington N161891 Girls and women in distress.21no limit
St Mary's, 153 Stamford Hill, Stoke Newington N161918 Unmarried mothers; 7s. 6d. before and 12s. 6d. after confinement. Remain at least one year.22m/12b16-20
London Female Guardian Society's Home, 191 High Street, Stoke Newington N161888 Rescue and preventive cases; from any part of U.K.; free.86under 30
Rescue Society Home, 48 Church Street, Stoke Newington N161853  20 
Salvation Army Maternity Home, Cotland, 9 Amhurst Park, Stamford Hill, Stoke Newington N161912 Girls and women awaiting admission to Mothers' Hospital. Later Before and After Care Home.38m/19bno limit
Salvation Army Maternity Home, Lorne House No.1, 16 Rectory Road, Stoke Newington N161909 Girls awaiting admission to Maternity Hospital.12no limit
London Female Penitentiary / Girls' Training Home, Stamford House, 191 High Street, Stoke Newington N16by 1884 Free, on personal application to ladies' committee, Wednesdays, at twelve o'clock, or to matron any day between 9 and 4.8016-30
Hornsey Deanery Refuge, Beacon Lodge, 109 Upper Tollington Park, Stroud Green N41909 Fallen and friendless girls temporarily, 5s.; Hornsey cases free.5under 30
Holloway Refuge, 24 Pemberton Gardens, Upper Holloway N19by 1920 Friendless and fallen, temporarily; Deanery cases free, others 10s.3no limit
St James' Home, Whetstone N2018571871For females with superior eductaion and social standng.20 
St Mary's Shelter, 34 Craven Park, Willesden NW101908 Fallen and friendless girls; maternity cases temporarily. Payment according to circumstances.1014-30
London Female Penitentiary, 166 Pentonville Road, London N11807