Keighley Cottage Hospital/unmarried mothers

[seeker]

Hello

I am trying to establish my mother's history. She was born in November 1917 in Keighley, and subsequently adopted. I have been told she came from Keighley Cottage Hospital, which became known as Hillworth Lodge, and was also known as the Workhouse.

I think the Workhouse on Fell Lane became a Military Hospital during WW1.

Can anyone clarify this and if it is possible to access the records of the time where would I find them?

Many thanks

[malcolm]

Keighley Cottage Hospital in Highfield Lane (became Keighley Victoria Hospital until it was closed in 1972 and later pulled down.

Keighley Auxiliary Hospital was just behind the old Swimming Baths in Albert Street and is now a Mosque.
Hillworth Lodge (Oakworth Road) was built as the Union Workhouse and later changed to Hillworth Lodge. Now converted to private and rented apartments.

The Workhouse Infirmary in Fell Lane had a number of titles including St John's Hospital and was also pulled down on the early 1970's.

See www.workhouses.org and search for Keighley. a lot more info.

[joycen]

If your mother was born at the hospital in Fell Lane the addres on the birth certificate will be 127, Fell Lane. This was done so as not to attach the "Workhouse" stigma to children.

[barcroftlad]

That's correct Joycen, and it still applied in 1936 when I was born there, according to my birth certificate. Cheers.