Bella Anderson

 

Bella Anderson, Handywoman

Liam Doherty c.1960

 

Bella with family and friend Kitty Harper

Liam Doherty, c.1960

 

Census Records 1911

https://www.census.nationalarchives.ie/

Meenlougher, Castlefin, Co. Donegal

Bella Anderson was our maternal grandmother. She was married to Eddie Anderson and they lived in Meenlougher, close to The Cross, Killygordan, County Donegal. She had eight children; John Joe, Isa, Kathleen, May, Pearl, Phylis, Eamon and baby Jim who died in childbirth.  Eddie her husband worked in England and Scotland throughout their marriage, leaving her to rear the family on her own. Her grandson Ian (son of John Joe and Nina) was also brought up in Meenlougher with Bella.

Difficult childbirth

Our mother May (Mary Bridget) was told that when Bella was in labour with her last child the doctor had the choice of saving her or the baby. The mother of seven young children survived the childbirth.

Bella’s maiden name was Boyle. Her parents died young and her Uncle Frank and Aunt Maggie raised them. The 1911 census shows her father James Boyle, Ballynaman, was a widower at the age of 48. He was a farm labourer. Isabella Boyle was four years old in 1911.

White Shirts

Bella was a caring and loving mother and friend to many. We were told how a knock would come to the door, morning, noon or night and she would head off to assist mothers in the area during childbirth. Memories include the large white men’s shirts being boiled over the fire to sterilise them. Bella would wear the large shirt back to front during a birth like an apron.

Presents and Gratitude

Pearl told her daughters how people would arrive at the door with presents for their Mommy. Eggs, potatoes or a chicken could be delivered in thanks for her help and assistance.

One of many handywomen

Kitty remembers Bella as being one of many ‘handywomen’ in the area. ‘She was the loveliest woman, making them all the nicest chips. She was a very clever woman and knew all the things that needed to be done during childbirth, like cutting the cord. She was a bit of fun and laughed and joked with the young ones. This would make her an approachable and trusted friend to all in the community. She was known to advise young women with any health issues, and many called to the house for ‘discreet cups of tea’.

Chicken Broth

Kitty recalls it was a nurse based in Castlefin who delivered her sister. The first thing she did when she arrived to the house was kill the hen. The broth was fed to the new mother as a nutritious and wholesome meal after (and possibly during) childbirth. The nurse had her own portion as well. She would probably have fed the whole family while tending to the mother. Her mother was up and about the following day attending to all the family again.

Empathy and Understanding

There is no doubt that losing her own mother and having lost a baby herself during a difficult childbirth influenced Bella’s instinct and nurturing in caring for women in her community. She had no formal training in midwifery, but an understanding and empathy that could not be certified.

Little Angels

The little angels were buried under the tree at ‘The Cross’. Bella told her chldren to stop and pray for the little babies that never made it into this life. Undoubtedly, she had a hand in the preparation for burials of babies that died in childbirth or shortly after.

Children’s Burial Grounds

Babies that died in childbirth or shortly after were not traditionally buried within consecrated grounds. The dilemma for the handywoman or midwife and family must have been difficult to navigate. Some were buried close to or adjacent to graveyards, within boundaries, close to boundaries or separate locations altogether. Old church sites, forts, disused quarries and megalithic tomb sites have all been documented as being used as children’s burial grounds. Local knowledge of these sites is important in  recording their locations so they can be preserved into the future.  At the cross there was a tree in the graveyard where babies were buried.

Acknowledgement

Thanks to our Aunts Phylis and Kay for sharing their stories of our Grandmother, Bella over the years. It was only during a recent visit to Donegal with Aunty Kay that I learned that Bella was a handywoman.  Special thanks to Kitty Harper for filling in a few gaps where needed. Thanks to Deboragh & Liza Gormley for adding to and corroborating stories from their mother Pearl. Thanks to Emma Laffey for encouraging us to write Bella’s story and The National Museum of Ireland for highlighting this wonderful project.