Home of Hope for Friendless and Fallen Women admissions registers

MLMSS 11964

fonds

16 March 1903-28 February 1905

9675145

0.16 metres of textual material (1 box) - manuscript

The Home of Hope for Friendless and Fallen Women was founded in Sydney in October 1883 by George Edward Ardill (1857-1945) as a refuge and rescue home for destitute, homeless women and discharged female prisoners run by the Blue-Ribbon Gospel Army. Under the guidance of his wife Louisa Ardill (1853-1920) the Home of Hope increasingly specialised in maternity cases. In 1890 George Ardill had created the Sydney Rescue Work Society and acquired a building in Stanley Street, Camperdown (now Gilpin Street). There the Home of Hope was established as a lying-in hospital for unmarried pregnant mothers who also received domestic training by working in the attached commercial laundry. After birthing the Sydney Rescue Work Society organised employment for the women, usually in domestic service roles, while private adoptions were arranged for unwanted children. As there was strong local demand from pregnant mothers for a safe birthing service, the Home of Hope began accepting private patients. By 1904 Louisa Ardill had set up a separate maternity hospital, South Sydney Women's Hospital. The Home of Hope then became the Bethesda Home for Waiting Mothers.

References:
"George Edward Ardill (1857-1945) evangelist and social worker." A tribute to influential Australian Christians. Accessed 11 August 2023
https://atributetoaustralianchristians.wordpress.com/2016/10/28/george-edward-ardill/

"Home of Hope for Friendless and Fallen Women (1883-1904)." Find & Connect. Accessed 11 August 2023.
https://www.findandconnect.gov.au/guide/nsw/NE00364

According to Professor Lynette Russell, archivist of the Nursing History Research Unit, these Admissions Registers were retrieved from a rubbish pile at Rozelle Hospital and donated to the Nursing History Research Unit. Professor Russell believes all other records of the Home of Hope for Friendless and Fallen Women have been destroyed. Reference: "Home of Hope for Friendless and Fallen Women (South Sydney Women's Hospital) Admissions Register (1903 - 1905)." Find & Connect. Accessed 11 August 2023. https://www.findandconnect.gov.au/guide/nsw/NE01517

This collection contains two admissions registers:
1. Year 1903, Numbers 63 to 265 (Admission dates: 16 March-28 December) and Year 1904, Numbers 1 to 53A (Admission dates: 2 January-9 March)
2. Year 1904, Numbers 55 to 307 (Admission dates: 11 March-5 November)

The bound volumes contain pre-printed forms requesting personal details and information relating to historic health conditions and current circumstances of the pregnant woman that were completed upon admission. Additional notes include details relating to outcomes after the mother and child were discharged.

Out of copyright:
Please acknowledge:: Mitchell Library, State Library of New South Wales