Re: Orphan trains to Wisconsin
Hi, there.
My Great-Grandmother Mary was adopted by the Patrick Dolan family of Highland, WI from NYFH via the "orphan train." I've considered an attempt at finding her biological parents, but after reading this I think I will finally go through with it after seeing that you have had some success in finding information.
Congratulations and thank you sharing. -Jason
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Re: Orphan trains to Wisconsin
Jason;
Hopefully, you will be able to find information regarding your G Grandmother in relatively short order. I would suggest you get in contact with both the NY Foundling Hospital and the NY Historical Society. I contacted the NYFH three times with negative results before I learned that the NYHS is able to work in concert with the Foundling Hospital. You will have to provide proof of lineage with the Foundling Hospital in order to get any information.
I understand that the Foundling Hospital information is only filed under the birth name of the child. Apparently, the Historical Society is able to search using the name of the foster parents.
I found articles in the Oct. 7, 1887 and Oct. 28, 1887 Highland columns of the Dodgeville, WI Cronicle regarding the arrival of orphan children in Highland. Unfortunately, none of the children were named in the articles. Numerous adopted children are listed in Highland on the 1900 federal census and about six of them were born in NY in 1883/84. If your G Grandmother was in that age group chances are she was one of those children. I'm told that the Foundling Hospital tended to send out children at a younger age than other places. My grandfather was admitted to the NYFH when he was just three weeks old and was placed with Highland foster parents when he was three years old.
I wish you the best of luck. Don't give up!
Ken
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Re: Orphan trains to Wisconsin
Perhaps you already have this information; 1900 federal census, Highland Village, WI, Dolan family page 110, #19 Mary is listed as "adopted sister" age 15, born in NY Nov. 1884
I assume that is your G Grandmother.
Please let me know if you are able to find her biological parents. I was able to find my grandfather's name. Wasn't able to get any information regarding his parents because his mother did not provide her name when she turned him over to the NYHS.
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Re: Orphan trains to Wisconsin
Just a side note. Willie Fitzpatrick became a part of my great-great grandmother's household. Her name was Bridget ( also spelled Brigid) Shea Fitzpatrick. She lived in Highland Wisconsin. She was a widow at the time. At one time she managed The Highland House, a boarding house in Highland. She was listed in the census records as "farmer" later on. I have a little photo of Willie and a card that was sent to him by one of Bridget's daughters...the daughter would have been an adult at the time Willie came. Another daughter, also named Bridget and nicknamed Biddie, along with the elder Bridget, and Willie made up the household. My mother, who was 6 when the elder Bridget died, had vague memories of Willie being mentioned by the family. I do not have any information about Willie's whereabouts after that. He was a handsome child.
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