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Bethany Home for Friendless Children in Virginia

Bethany Home for Friendless Children in Virginia

Posted: 29 Oct 2009 6:18PM GMT
Classification: Query
Edited: 30 Oct 2009 6:55PM GMT
My grandfather was raised at this home just outside of Richmond, VA from the mid 1890s until 1917. Does anyone have information on the home?

Re: Bethany Home for Friendless Children in Virginia

Posted: 13 Jul 2010 10:42PM GMT
Classification: Query
My father and his 2 older brothers were raised at the Bethany Home for Friendless Children from 1922 on.... There is some information on-line at http://richmondthenandnow.com/Newspaper-Articles/Bethany-Hom.... However, the stories I heard from my dad and his brothers were ones of neglect, cruelty, and physical and sexual abuse. The oldest of the boys ran away from the home shortly after his 13th birthday in 1930. I went to the library in Richmond, Virginia and discovered the 1930 census that listed my father and brothers at the home....as well as the other children and workers of that time.

Re: Bethany Home for Friendless Children in Virginia

Posted: 14 Jul 2010 5:01PM GMT
Classification: Query
Thank you so much for the reply. My grandfather was probably there from 1900 until 1917 (his whole growing up years basically). I have to believe that it was not a pleasant place for him because he never talked of it to his family. It was only after finding his WWI draft registration on Ancestry that I learned that Bethany Home was the place where he had been raised. We knew it was an orphanage but he would never talk about it. Do you know if any records were kept on the children and where they might be today? I know it was incorporated and so I think there should have been some kind of reports required, but then it was a long time ago too. Again, thanks. Gwen Hobby

Re: Bethany Home for Friendless Children in Virginia

Posted: 5 Feb 2013 2:19AM GMT
Classification: Query
My grandmom and 3 of her brothers were raised in this home as well. I have looked everywhere for info, and only have the census showing them all there as "inmates" and that one news article. My group was there from mid 1890's until Grandmom married in 1911. My family name was Colquitt. Grandmom didn't talk about those days. My direct email is phyllisbeck@tampabay.rr.com

Re: Bethany Home for Friendless Children in Virginia

Posted: 9 Feb 2015 5:09AM GMT
Classification: Query
Surnames: Acree
My grandfather and his sister were placed there when he was five which would have been in 1920. They ran away several times only to be returned as "inmates". His report was also not what was written. They were treated cruelly, suffered from starvation and were fed onion broth for each and every meal. He did not like to speak of it and so we didn't bring it up often. I believe it was in 1930 or 1931 when they both ran away and never returned. It was a very sad life for them. The building still stands and is now been made into apartments. I continue to look for more records and have just recently started researching it again. I'll post more if I find anymore info. I live in Richmond and have several good resources, just need more time.
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