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New South Wales - Organisation
Bethesda Home for Waiting Mothers (1904 - 1976)
- From
- c. 1904
- To
- 1976
- Categories
- Maternity Home, Non-denominational, Lying-in Home, Home
- Alternative Names
-
- Bethesda Home for Unmarried Mothers
- South Sydney Bethesda Waiting Patients Home
Bethesda Home for Waiting Mothers was established by the Sydney Rescue Work Society in Camperdown. It was a lying-in hospital that had been part of the Home of Hope for Friendless and Fallen Women but became Bethesda when South Sydney Women's Hospital opened. This home was not related to Bethesda Maternity Hospital at Marrickville. Bethesda Home for Waiting Mothers closed in 1976 when South Sydney Women's Hospital was demolished.
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Bethesda Home for Waiting Mothers was in Stanley Street in Newtown but the street was renamed and from the 1980s has been known as Gilpin Street, Camperdown.
In 1950 the Sydney Rescue Work Society reported that 57 pregnant women had stayed at the home that year. At that time the Matron was Olive Smith, a former Deaconess, and her assistant was Miss Jean Brown. The Christian mission of the home was clear - Miss A Simmonds attended weekly to play the organ at services and the Rescue Work Society reported on the success of ensuring one mother was married to the father of her child, and another intended to become a missionary. The Society remained silent about the futures of the other 55 women, or their babies.
Locations
- 1911 - 1976
- Location - Bethesda Home for Waiting Mothers was situated at Stanley Street, Newtown
- Collection Title
- Records relating to Adoption (1900? - )
- Date Range
- 1900 -
- Reference
-
-
- Contact
-
Please contact the Adoption Information Unit:
Postal address: Locked Bag 5000, Parramatta NSW 2124
Phone: 1300 799 023 or (02) 9716 3005 (from overseas)
Email: Adoption.Information@dcj.nsw.gov.au
Website: https://www.facs.nsw.gov.au/families/adoption/finding-info
DETAILS
Bethesda lounge room around 1960-1970
Sydney Rescue Work Society Annual Report, 1950
Bethesda Home for Waiting Mothers
