Salvation Army homes for women: Sapsworth House Home for Mothers and Infants

These are the records of Sapsworth House Home for Mothers and Infants, 1938-1947.

The records in this collection relate only to maternity work at Sapsworth House, although the house served other functions during its history.

The records are arranged as follows:

SPH/1: Admission Book, 1938-1947

Entries in the admission book contain details of each resident's name; age; status; identification number; (medical) condition on admission; brief history from a sociological aspect; date of admission.

Some entries also contain details on resident's date of discharge; whether they 'returned home', 'attend clinics' or 'obtained situation'.

The property at 122-124 Lower Clapton Road was acquired by The Salvation Army for use as its Training Institute for Women's Social Work officers. The Institute opened in June 1902.

The last session of Women's Social Work cadets was commissioned in May 1922 and later the same year 122-124 Lower Clapton Road was renamed Sapsworth House after the recently deceased Colonel Elizabeth Sapsworth who had run the first Salvation Army refuge for women in Hanbury Street. Sapsworth House became a home for mothers and infants until July 1923 when its residents were transferred to 183 Amhurst Road, Hackney, and Cotland, Stamford Hill.

Sapsworth House became an Industrial Home from 1923-1926, during which time it briefly incorporated the work and took on the name of its neighbouring property, Lanark House, from February to October 1926. In October 1926, 122-124 Lower Clapton Road became Sapsworth House once more and returned to being a home for mothers and infants (or maternity home). It remained so until 1957 when it became a young women's residence. It closed in 1960.

This collection is closed to the general public. Records of a personal nature relating to identified individuals are closed for the lifespan of the individual. When it is not possible to establish whether an individual has died, a closure period of 84 years (if the individual was an adult when the record was created) or 100 years (if the individual was a child when the record was created) is imposed under the Data Protection Act. Former residents can apply for access to their own records. Please enquire for details. Open files can be viewed in the reading room of The Salvation Army International Heritage Centre, open Tue-Fri 9.30-4.00. To make an appointment or to enquire about your own records, phone: 0207 326 7800; or email: heritage@salvationarmy.org.uk .

A paper catalogue is available in the reading room of the International Heritage Centre.