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  • PRONI issues call for records

    Topics:
    • Public Record Office of Northern Ireland (PRONI)

    Date published: 11 February 2025

    The Public Record Office of Northern Ireland (PRONI) has issued a call for records as part of the Truth Recovery Programme.

    A team at PRONI has been identifying and preserving records relating to former Mother and Baby Institutions, Magdalene Laundries and Workhouses in Northern Ireland (1922-1995) and their associated pathways and practices.

    David Huddleston, Acting Director at PRONI, says securing all surviving records which hold significant and critical information about personal experiences and identity, along with information on maternity and child welfare systems is critical to the ongoing work of the Independent Panel and the future Public Inquiry.

    David says: 

    “As well as records of the institutions, the team at PRONI is interested in acquiring other related documents which may have survived from this period, for example, records of private maternity nursing homes, the papers of former midwives or social workers, or letters or diaries of individuals whose lives were touched by these issues.

    “If you discover any historical documents which you think may be of interest to the Truth Recovery Programme, please contact the PRONI Truth Recovery Records team.

    David adds: 

    “We understand this may be a very difficult and emotive subject, particularly for individuals and families personally affected. We would like to assure the public that any contact with the team will be treated sensitively and confidentially.”

    The Truth Recovery Programme website can be accessed at truth recovery strategy 

    The Truth Recovery Independent Panel website can be accessed at Independent Panel 

    If you have been affected by Mother and Baby Institutions, Magdalene Laundries or Workhouses and would like support, please contact the Victims and Survivors Service (VSS) on 028 9031 1678, 9am-5pm, Monday-Friday, or email vssni 

    Notes to editors:

    1. For media enquiries please contact the Department for Communities Press Office: 
    2. Follow the Department on X
    3. The Executive Information Service operates an out of hours service for media enquiries only between 1800hrs and 0800hrs Monday to Friday and at weekends and public holidays. The duty press officer can be contacted on 028 9037 8110.

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