Papers of Alice Baldwin

The archive consists of the testimonial book and photographs of professional children's nanny and nursery nurse Alice Margaret Baldwin. The testimonial book includes details of Baldwin's training and employer references from throughout Baldwin's career, including letters from the Hoare banking family.

Alice Margaret Baldwin (1890-1971), known as 'Dolly', was a professional nursery nurse and private nanny. She was born and brought up in Gravesend - where her father was a Thames pilot - and was an only child until the age of 12. At this age she acquired three brothers in quick succession, and was largely left to care for her younger siblings. In turn, she was provided with ample training for her future profession. She formally trained and qualified as a nursery nurse at the Princess Christian College, Manchester in 1916. She had a particularly successful career in childcare, and travelled around the country to work for some well-known families, including the notable Hoare banking family. Often the children she cared for saw more of her than their own mothers, and in some cases kept in touch with her as adults. During the Second World War Alice worked in Whitehall, at the Ministry of Defence, and kept this position for many years. She retired to Pipes Place care home in Shorne, Kent, where she devoted most of her skills and energy to caring for the home's resident cats. She died in 1971.

This collection is available for research. Readers are advised to contact The Women's Library in advance of their first visit.

Donated by Nicholas Baldwin, Alice's nephew, 2008.

The Women's Library catalogue

The records of The Princess Christian College Ltd, Manchester (1900-1981) are held at Manchester Archives and Local Studies library.