“Adoption files” might not sound like the most exciting start but trust me St Catherine’s House has a story to tell. St Catherine’s House stands at Kingsway and Aldwych in London. It is more than just bricks and mortar. It is a place where countless lives intersect.
Let’s step back a few decades. Imagine someone seeking information about their adoption files. They might have found themselves at St Catherine’s House. Thirty years ago, this building was the place to go. It was a hub for accessing vital records.
St Catherine’s House was particularly known as the place to look up information on births, marriages, and deaths. People came seeking answers to questions about their families. It stood on the corner of Aldwych and Kingsway.
However, things change. About ten or eleven years later, the records were moved. The new location was in Myddelton Street near Sadlers Wells. It was also near Finsbury Town Hall. The national census records joined them. The building became The Family Records Centre.
The world has moved on. With increasing online access and budget cuts, The Family Records Centre faced closure. In 2008, the records moved again. This time they went to The National Archives at Kew.
St Catherine’s House itself closed its doors as a public archive in 1997. The records found a new home at the Public Records Office in Myddelton Street. No public counter service exists nationally anymore. You cannot just walk in to obtain copy certificates.
It is still possible to get a copy certificate. You have to contact the registry office responsible for the registration. This means going to where the birth, marriage, or death was originally recorded.
The building we see today has undergone changes. It was originally built in the 1980s. But it cleverly retains the 1920s facade. The refurbishment aimed to re-establish the prominence of its entrance. The reconfigured two-storey reception now highlights the original portico.
The design clarifies the relationship. It connects the retained facade with the modern offices behind. The new double-height reception changes the route from the main entrance. High-quality finishes create a rich, neutral palette that compliments the original facade.
So, as you stand before St Catherine’s House remember its past. Think of the countless stories hidden within its walls. The search for identity. The unearthing of family secrets. The quiet pursuit of knowledge. St Catherine’s House played a vital role in connecting people to their histories. While the records have moved on the building itself remains a silent witness to the passage of time.