Marianville Mother and Baby Home opened in 1950. In 1963, it relocated to purpose-built accommodation with capacity for eighteen women and girls. It was located at 511 Ormeau Road, Belfast, the site of the Good Shepherd Sisters Convent, but had a separate entrance on Carolan Road. The same site also housed a church, St Mary’s Laundry, Sacred Heart Children’s Home (1922 - 1962), Roseville Hostel (1967 - 1975), and an adolescent centre (1970 - 1982). Marianville Mother and Baby Home closed in 1990.

Over the period of operation there were 2,278 admissions. The highest numbers were in the 1960s, with 726 admissions across the decade. Thereafter, numbers fell to 583 in the 1970's and then 391 in the 1980's. In the institution’s final year of operation, 1990, there were 22 admissions.

What Records Exist and What Do They Contain?

The records include entrance registers for 1950 - 1963 and 1963 - 1970. These registers contain the name, address and date of admission of each woman and girl placed in the institution. In addition, the registers include references to medical care, brief social history of the mother, details of the baby’s birth, where the baby was placed and with whom.

The entrance records for 1970 - 1990 consist of individual record cards for women and girls placed in Marianville. The cards include personal information such as name, address, date of birth, date of admission and date of discharge. Records may also contain next of kin details, name or names of individuals who recommended or arranged the placements, the social and familial history of mothers, and medical notes. The baby’s name, date and place of birth, details of delivery, date and place of baptism were often added to the records along with notes or observations about the baby.

To What Period Do the Records Relate?

The records relate to the period 1950 - 1990. 

Who Is the Controller of the Records?

The records are controlled by the Good Shepherd Sisters but under a data processing agreement, applications for access to records are processed by Family Care Adoption Services.

How Best Can the Records Be Accessed?

Records Relating to Adoption

Records relating to adoptions originating from Marianville can be accessed by making an application under the Adoption Agencies Regulations (Northern Ireland) 1989. 

If an individual is seeking a copy of the personal data held about them in adoption related records, they can also make a Subject Access Request under the UK GDPR. 

Application should be made to Family Care Adoption Services.

Personal Records

Other personal records relating to Marianville can be accessed by submitting a Subject Access Request for information under the UK GDPR to Family Care Adoption Services. For details of how to make such an application please refer to the guidance on our Accessing Records and Your Rights page.

Contacting Family Care Adoption Services

It is recommended that all communication with Family Care Adoption Services should be in writing and copies of correspondence should be kept. The responsible person is Ms Maggie McSorley, CEO.

The contact details for Family Care Adoption Services are as follows:

Ms Maggie McSorley,

Family Care Adoption Services
50 Knockbreda Road
Belfast
BT6 0JB

Email: email@familycareadoption.org