I need advice about finding records concerning my grandfather, his two
brothers and sister.

Their father died in 1875. The mother was still living.
The little sister was born after the father's death. The oldest boy was 13.
The other two boys were under twelve.
In 1880 they were living in the Presbyterian orphanage in Allegheny City. I
finally found the 13 yo boy working on a farm in Westmoreland Co.

I have been unable to locate the mother anywhere in the entire country in
that census. I do know that she was residing at 13 Charles St., Allegheny
City, when she died in 1893. She had relinquished her position as executor to
her brother shortly after her husband's death. He was also named guardian of
the children.

What could have been the circumstances for the mother not
having the children with her? Why would they have been in an orphanage when
their uncle was their guardian?

Many years ago when I was starting out my search I remember seeing microfilm
concerning the children's
situation. I think it had something to do with Orphan's Court. I was visiting
a FHC for the first time and was in a great hurry to get to an appointment.
The center was in a distant city and I was unable to return to record the
information. I have never found it again. I asked at the city/county building
when I found the father's probate proceedings. I was told that any action
would have been recorded under the names of the children. The clerk was unable
to find anything filed.
I just know that this information has to be somewhere but was told that there
was no other place to look.

Can anyone suggest how I might find this information?

Thanks, Carol