Hello,

I'm currently researching my family history at the moment, and have found out my Grandmother was sent to St Joseph's Industrial School, Howard Hill in Walkley when she was a young girl between about 1925-1930.

I've googled the school, and have been into the records office to look for information regarding pupils of the school but haven't found much, just wondered if anyone knew anything about it? I'd be grateful for any information.

Thanks,

Lucy

There is a little information about St Joseph's in this thread (http://www.sheffieldforum.co.uk/showthread.php?t=139438&highlight=joseph%27s).

Hugh

Thanks Hugh, thats great!

It's the first time I've heard it called the "Industrial School" which might explain why you can't find much. The new Catholic Church in Crookes that replaced St Josephs, St Vincents, and Our Lady's churches would be a good first stop, and there may be some helpful ladies that go to the 'Mothers' on Wednesdays :)

Lucy

You are on the same hunt as me. I believe that my grandmother was also there c1919-1930 (I believe it closed in 1931). Do you know why your was there?

Unfortunately the Sheffield Archives only hold records to 1907 and thats no good to either of us :mad:

A very nice lady at the Sheffield Cathedral has giving me forwarding info for the Parish Priest at St Vincent's to see if he can help locate the records as St Jospeh's at the time fell under this jurisdiction.

I haven't yet had the chance to contact him but hope to get around to it next week. If you would like to send me a private mail I can keep you informed on any update - two heads may just be better than one ;)

Regards
Jo
tigtag02@hotmail.com

Hi,
I too am trying to trace a family member who was a matron at a 'naughty girls' school in Sheffield. I assume it to be St. Josephs school Howard Hill, Sheffield. Her name was Henrietta Sunderland she was born 25th May 1881 she worked there as a matron, she gave up teaching there to look after her sick mother. She married in 1904, so i don't know if she was called Sunderland or Laybourn at the time that she worked there? If anyone comes across her during their research i would appreciate any help i can get! and likewise, should i find out anything of interest i will post the details.

Best wishes
Dianne

Hello Dianne,

Is this the family in the 1901 census index?:

1901 census index
census place: Aston With Aughton

Mathew SUNDERLAND 55 Farmer & Butcher Yorks Woolley Moor
Mary Henrietta SUNDERLAND 51 Yorks Woolley Moor
Henrietta SUNDERLAND 20 Yorks Aston
George SUNDERLAND 17 Farmers Son Yorks Aston

If so, then her mother Mary Henrietta died in the 4th quarter of 1902 (according to the GRO index). If she is at home in 1901 it seems unlikely she could become matron of a school in Sheffield and then leave in time to nurse her mother all in less than two years and at the age of 21.

The Howard Hill Reformatory/Industrial School was always staffed by the Sisters of Charity. There were other refuges and schools for girls 'in moral danger' in Sheffield. Was this a Catholic family?

Hugh at the foot of Howard Hill

Hi,
Thank you HughW for your reply, that is of great help and interest! I am wondering if she could possibly have given up teaching at the age of 20yrs to look after her mother? which is why she's at home in 1901? and was never actually a matron? If this is the right person, after she married she moved to Plant farm in Holcombe village, Nr. Ramsbottom M: 29.6.1904 ; and had her daughter Florence Mary there on 30.3.1905.
I have had a look at some of the other schools in the area? perhaps i need to dig much deeper!
I live in Cornwall, and tomorrow (tue 23rd) i am coming up, and iintend to visit several areas over the next week. starting with Manchester, Rochdale, Clitheroe, and ending up in Swanlands, Hull and a few places inbetween. (Nice long trip!)
So i am trying to do as much as i can before hand.
Many thanks for your help, every bit desperately needed!
Dianne

Hi I went to ST Joseph School went I came to live in Springvale road in 1969 we had just came over from Canada my older sister Therese went as well.

Hi I went to ST Joseph School went I came to live in Springvale road in 1969 we had just came over from Canada my older sister Therese went as well.

You will know Miss Brown, Miss Peurus and Sister Margeret then? Got the cane off Miss Brown and sister Margeret and lost a nail to Miss Peurus. Glad to leave the place.

I was only 5 at the time but my sister Therese might remember them. We both moved to St Thomas More in Jan 1970 only spent 4 months at St Joseph.