Hull children’s homes and maternity homes

A number of children’s homes and maternity homes existed in Hull throughout the last two centuries. The records relating to the various homes have, in some instances, been lost or scattered across several different agencies, including our archives. 

Records we hold

The Sailors’ Families Society (DSSF)
The Port of Hull Society for the Religious Instruction of Sailors, as it was originally known, was founded in 1821. They established their first residential home on Castle Row in 1863. A new home was opened on Park Street in 1867. Eventually the Society purchased some land on Cottingham Road to create a ‘Cottage Home Colony’ known as Newland Homes which opened in 1895. The Society has undergone several name changes over the last two centuries which reflect their varied work with both children and adults who have connections to the sea. It is worth noting that children admitted to the homes came from ports all over the north east coast, not just from Hull.

The records of the Society, including entry and exit documentation relating to the many thousands of children who passed through the homes, are held at Hull City Archives (DSSF).

The Sailors’ Families’ Society (link opens in a new window) still exists. Their work is now confined to supporting families of seafarers within their own homes throughout the United Kingdom.

Seamen’s and General Orphanage (DSHO)
The Hull Seamen’s and General Orphanage opened on Spring Bank in 1866. The orphanage moved to Hesslewood Hall in 1921, on land granted by the Wilson family (of the Ellerman-Wilson Line), and finally closed in 1985. The Sailor’s Orphan Society that ran the homes was founded in 1853. Their records, including entry and exit documentation relating to the children who passed through the homes, are held at Hull City Archives (DSHO).

Please note that records relating to individuals are subject to closure under the Data Protection Act 1998, although access may be granted in certain circumstances. Please see our closure guidelines page for more information.

Records held elsewhere

St Vincent’s Orphan Home for Boys
This home was founded in July 1890, for boys belonging to the Roman Catholic Diocese of Middlesbrough. It began in Wright Street and moved to Queens Road around 1910. Although financially and formally administered by the Diocese of Middlesbrough, it was run by the Daughters of Charity of St. Vincent de Paul, and closed around 1995. A similar home for female ‘waifs and strays’ existed at Middlesbrough. Records for St. Vincent’s Orphan Boys Home are located at the Middlesbrough Diocesan Archives (link opens in a new window) and those relating to individuals will be subject to closure under the Data Protection Act 1998, although access may be granted in certain circumstances.

The Hull and District Branch of Dr Barnardo’s Home
This was also known as the Hull Every Open Door Home. It opened in 1902, eventually moving to Beverley Road. The home closed in 1951. Some of the records from Dr. Barnardo’s are at the University of Liverpool (link opens in a new window), and Dr. Barnardo’s (link opens in a new window) themselves do operate a research service.

Cottage Homes, Hessle
These were run as the children’s home of the Sculcoates Poor Law Union, and opened in 1897. They received ‘all children between the ages of three and 16 to whom the guardians grant Institutional Relief.’ Unfortunately records of residents have not survived.

Pickering Home for Girls
Originally known as the Clarendon House Home for Girls, it was taken over by The Church of England Society in 1892. The Home was situated on Spring Bank until 1915 and was officially known as The Church of England Home for Waifs and Strays. It moved to Hessle Road in 1915 and became known as The Pickering Home for Girls. Boys were admitted after 1950. The home closed in the 1980s. The Society, now known as The Children’s Society (link opens in a new window), operates a research service.

Linnaeus Street Children’s Home 
This was the children’s’ home for the Hull Poor Law Union from about 1910. In 1935 it became known as the Hull Corporation’s Scattered Homes. There were six houses which provided accommodation for up to 10 children each. The Hull Welfare Services Committee oversaw the running of this home after the Second World War. Records covering the early years of this home do not seem to have survived, while later ones may be available through our adoption service –

Adoption
Third Floor
Kingston House
Hull
HU1 3ER 

Tel: (01482) 300 300

The National Children’s Homes
This organisation never ran a home in Hull. Children from the city may have been placed with the National Children’s Home in Barton on Humber, Bramhope or Whitby. The National Children’s Home (now known as NCH Action for Children) have an adoption service (link opens in a new window).

York Diocesan Maternity Home
The York Diocesan Maternity Home opened on Linnaeous Street, Hull in 1915. It was associated with the York Association for Preventative and Rescue Work. Merging with the Hull Family Welfare Council in 1971, it was later run as the York Diocesan Family Welfare Centre. Admission and discharge books, (1940-5, 1961-70) and some baptism papers (1920s to 1970s) are at the Borthwick Institute of Historical Research at the University of York (link opens in a new window).

Hull Sheltering Home for Girls was a branch of this home in the 1920s.

Hull Sheltering Home for Girls 
Founded in 1888 this home closed in 1959. It was a rescue home for fallen girls. In the 1920s it was part of the York Association for Preventative and Rescue Work. Unfortunately no records exist for this home. However, in 1961 a local social worker and Justice of the Peace, Dora Jessop, launched an appeal to found a new shelter for women. Opening in 1965, The Dora Jessop House, now situated at 6, Beech Grove, Beverley Road, still exists to provide shelter for homeless women. Administrative records for this home exist at the Borthwick Institute (Ref. DJH) (link opens in a new window).

Hope House
Based on Anlaby Road in Hull, this was a rescue home for fallen girls. It opened in 1811 and had closed by 1825. However, the home was revived in 1837 and between then and 1878 was home to 860 women. It eventually closed in 1937 due to lack of funds. Unfortunately no records of this home are known to exist.

Newington Home for Girls
Opened on Nile Street in 1861 as Hull Temporary Home for Fallen Women, it moved to Evan’s Square in 1900. It eventually closed in 1939 due to lack of funds but between 1861 and 1878 it had been home to about 500 women. Unfortunately no records of this home are known to exist.