Orphan Trains - Family History & Genealogy Message Board

Re: Missing Owen

teutsch2001 — 2013-04-05 04:00:21Z

my email address is sandy2ch@hotmail.com

Re: Missing Owen

teutsch2001 — 2013-04-05 03:56:44Z

I just saw this message and it is about 3 years but if you send me your email address and give me a address that I can mail this information

Re: Orphan Train Routes

11944 — 2013-03-27 01:18:58Z

CHECK OUT ANCESTRY MESSAGE BOARD
ORPHAN TRAINS

OR GOOGLE orphan trains
there is a website or use to be
good luck in your search

Orphan Train Routes

PattyPowell1968 — 2013-03-27 00:44:33Z

I have been looking for the Orphan Train Routes and cannot find them. I am looking to see if any came via Chicago Illinois to South Dakota or if there is a list of Sir names of riders?

Re: Margaret Folsom born abt. 1907 in NY

miclew — 2013-03-19 21:17:39Z

That is also very helpful. I will try and find the marriage records for both to see which one is correct.

Michele

Re: Margaret Folsom born abt. 1907 in NY

DianeCulhane46 — 2013-03-19 21:05:43Z

There are two possibilities in the 1930 census, both women born in NY in 1907 with 6-year-old children, so married about 1923--Margaret Lebleu in Lake Charles and Margaret Bourder in New Orleans.

Re: Margaret Folsom born abt. 1907 in NY

miclew — 2013-03-19 21:01:48Z

Thank you so much for this. No, I didn't see her with the Ortega family. It makes sense though. Both of her adoptive parents died before the 1920 census.

Re: Margaret Folsom born abt. 1907 in NY

DianeCulhane46 — 2013-03-19 21:00:14Z

You may already have this, but familysearch has Margaret Folsom with the Jeansonne family in 1910 and Margerite Folsan with the Ortego family in 1920. She presumably married before the 1930 census.

Diane

Margaret Folsom born abt. 1907 in NY

miclew — 2013-03-19 20:23:34Z

I am looking for any family of Margaret Folsom born 1907 in NY and adopted by the Jeansonne family in Avoyelles Parish in Louisiana. She most certainly would have been on the orphan train.

Orphan Train in Ohio

montanadam1 — 2013-03-05 17:04:25Z

Has everyone ever heard of an orphan train or orphans put on a train in Columbus, OH and transported to northwestern Ohio to help on farms? This would have been back around 1910-1915.

I was just told last night that my father, James Franklin Litzenberg, was never really adopted but that he arrived in Henry County, Ohio on the train along with other children from an orphanage in Columbus, Ohio who were dropped off to work on farms in the area. Abraham and Dora Litzenberg took him in when no one ever came to get him but never officially adopted him. He didn't know where he was from, what his name was or have any personal information. The Litzenberg's just came up with a date upon which they would celebrate his birthday - July 13, 1906. I'm wondering if July 13th may have been the day the trained dropped off the kids.

I received this information from the daughter-in-law of my dad's "step-sister" who was officially adopted by the Litzenberg's.

I will begin trying to find information about orphan trains but thought I would seek suggestions or information from others who may have been down this path.

Thanks.

Dora

Re: Children of Orphan trains from Ny to Illinois will do lookups

sallyyarbrough56 — 2013-03-01 04:34:35Z

Good afternoon,

This may be a long shot but I found a Edward McGowan born ca.1846--date of trip 1859 family taking child; Russel W. West
address MaHomet
informant; Indenture ---B.Roberts
further info-- no
McLean county Illinois
I hope this gives you some clue to your family member
Sally in southern oregon

Re: Children of Orphan trains from Ny to Illinois will do lookups

nikktin — 2013-02-28 00:48:02Z

Not sure if you are still willing to or are still doing lookups but I am wondering if there was an Edward West in the book somewhere between 1855 and 1860.

Orphan Train Rider from New York to the West

fillback_linda — 2013-02-10 17:01:06Z

Hi Sally Saw your post about helping people. That is wonderful. My grandfather was an orphan train rider---was told he was born in New York @1897-8--was adopted by the Fillbach/k family @1905 in South Dakota...have most of the family history on the adopted family(back to 1600's) looking for any information on him--name is Joseph Herman biological name was told "Ptomey" not sure of spelling or "Thome". Any information would be helpful. THANKS!

Re: Children of Orphan trains from Ny to Illinois will do lookups

chelbyn — 2013-02-07 22:54:48Z

Sally-I can't thank you enough for taking the time out to look in your book for my family. It's kind people like you that make the world a better place.

Sincerely,
Chelby

Re: Children of Orphan trains from Ny to Illinois will do lookups

sallyyarbrough56 — 2013-02-07 03:46:43Z

Sorry the book I have does not have any of those names. Keep digging you will find them.
Sally

Re: Children of Orphan trains from Ny to Illinois will do lookups

chelbyn — 2013-02-06 18:47:29Z

Hello Sally- I'm so thankful that you're offering your time to do lookups, and if your offer still stands, then I really need your help. My family story is that the JOHNSON children were on orphan trains out of NY and possibly scattered (even out West). They left N.Y. sometime on or after 1900, I'm looking for:

Joseph Johnson B. abt 1886
Thomas Johnson B. abt 1888
Annetta Johnson B. abt 1896
William Johnson B. maybe after 1900?

Thank you so kindly,
Chelby

Orphan Train riders to Clayton Co., Iowa

lugoeke — 2013-01-28 00:52:36Z

I found this post on the Adoption.com message board. Since it included information on several Iowa Orphan Train Riders, I thought it should also be posted here.

---------------------------------------
Posted: 10-21-2001, 03:44 PM
Came on the Orphan Train NY to IA bef June 1, 1890

Originally Posted By Bessie (Vernon/Buerman?)

My grandmother Elizabeth Agenes ( ) Link came on Orphan Train after the June 1, 1885 census and before Sept. 4, 1890 the first wife died, is used as her birthday, but 1925 census has her as April or May born, and Theodore (Timothy) BELL as other child in Edward and 2nd wife Bridget Shea. They were not married until Jan. or Feb. 1891 according to Dubuque Courthouse and the Cathedral of Dubuque, Dubuque, IA. They came with Mike Rhodes (possibly born WI) and Pierre Furnace on the Orphan Train and the other two raised by Edwards parents as Slaves on farms in Volga, IA. Ed. has lots of land, Highland, IA, Volga, IA.

Please feel free to reply to this Archived post.

Please note that there may not be a way to contact the author of this post unless they left contact information.

Original link: http://forums.adoption.com/immigration-naturalization/44871-...

-------------------------------------------
When researching this post, I found it a little confusing. So I have added more information below to help the next person. If it is inaccurate in some way, I sincerely apologize.

Elizabeth Agenes ( ) LINK seems to be an orphan train rider to Clayton Co., Iowa between 1885 and 1900. Per this post, she appears to have ridden with at least three other children who also got off in Clayton Co.: Theodore (or Timothy) BELL, Mike RHODES and Pierre FURNACE.

In the 1900 Clayton Co. census, she is listed as “Bessie BELL,” a servant in the household of Edward & Bridget SHEA in Highland Twp. Theodore BELL is a servant in the same household. In Sperry Twp., the household of Edward’s father, William SHEA, includes two adopted sons, Michael and Piere[sic] SHEA, both born in New York State. I am guessing that these boys are actually Mike RHODES and Pierre FURNACE.

The 1925 census for Dubuque, Dubuque Co., Iowa, shows the household of Jacob LINK and his wife, Elizabeth, who was born in New York State. Elizabeth’s father is given as Michel[sic] VERNON, born in New York State, which would make her maiden name VERNON, not BELL. She apparently did not know her mother’s name or birthplace, or where her parents were married.

I hope this helps! Best of luck in your research!

Re: Children of Orphan trains from Ny to Illinois will do lookups

croninmegan84 — 2013-01-05 06:24:28Z

Catherine Mary ____ born 1897. Adopted off orphan train in Wisc by the mcdevitts, train from New York . She married a Cronin then they too adopted 2 sons off the ny orphan train..Jim and ... ? can u help

Thomas rueff

jlmxdn — 2013-01-03 00:31:22Z

The orphans adopted name was thomas Rueff, he was adopted in pana area. Any info appreciated

orphan trains from ny

218camden — 2012-12-16 22:23:26Z

my great Aunts Martha b.1848,Mary b 1853 Hellen b 1851 their last name was Elmer. They may have been riders on the Orphan Trains between 1863 and 1865.Two brothers show up years later George and Charles. parents names are Andrew w. Elmer and Mary elizabth freshwater Elmer. all were born in New Bern N. C. except Andrew he was born in N. Y. in 1827.The reason I think they were on a train is Charles wound up out west when he was 15.

Re: Orphans Willie Lee & Mamie

DianeCulhane46 — 2012-11-17 14:52:15Z

Another thought--you've probably already checked this, but see if William's parents are listed on his marriage record.

Re: Orphans Willie Lee & Mamie

DianeCulhane46 — 2012-11-17 14:51:11Z

I'm new to this board so can't help much with the orphan trains, but do have some other suggestions for you. See if you can find William's birth, baptism, or christening in Lancashire. Also look for him and his mother and sister Mary/Mamie (and maybe father) in the 1891 English census. Also look for his immigration record. Shouldn't have been too many William Lees traveling with sister Mary/Mamie but not father. Finally, ask on Ellis Island site or list if names of those who died aboard ships are recorded somewhere. Would they show up on ship's manifest with line through them?

Diane

Orphans Willie Lee & Mamie

jsnavely — 2012-11-17 05:10:37Z

I just found this message board this morning. I'm Looking for information on the parents and early life of my great grandfather Willie/William Lee "Bill" Robinson. Robinson is his adopted surname.

The family lore as I heard it goes something like this: All he knew was that his name was "Willie Lee" (Lee, any spelling, might be a middle name or his original surname?). His sister was named Mamie. His father came over from England to presumably to New York or thereabouts find a job and home for the family, later sent for wife, son and daughter to come join him. At the time the wife and kids came over he was about age 3-5. His mother supposedly died on the ship on the way over and his father could not take care of the children on his own, so they were put on an orphan train. Willie Lee ended up getting adopted by an unknown Robinson family in Alabama while his sister Mamie got adopted by an unknown family in Kansas. All I know about the Robinson family that adopted him was that they had only daughters and treated him as a servant rather than as a family member. Whenver the family went to parties, he was made to drive the buggy and then sit outside waiting to take them home again. Willie Lee and Mamie supposedly found each other at some point, but no other details about her made it down to me.

Now for the facts that do I know about Willie Lee:

WWI Draft Registration Card - Martha, Jackson, OK as Willie Lee Robinson, b. Mar. 5, 1890, Lancashire, England; occ. farming for self in Martha, OK; married; short; med. build; blue eyes; dark hair

1920 Census - Martha Twp., Jackson, OK as W. L. Roberson, age 28, b. England, England, England; [cotton] gin engineer; rents; immigration year unknown; can R/W

1930 Census - Martha Town, Jackson, OK as Willie L. Robinson, age 39, b. England, parents b. England; cotton gin engineer; owns [should be rents?] home ($15/mo.); has radio set; can R/W; immigrated 1893; m. age 24

1940 Census - Martha Town, Jackson, OK as Will L. Robinson, age 50, b. England; cotton gin engineer; residence same in 1935; 4th grade education; owns home ($1200 value); married

Death Certificate #38869 as William Lee Robinson, b. Mar. 5, 1890, England; d. May 27, 1968, M & S Hospital Annex, Vernon, Wilbarger, Texas; usual residence: 2019 Indian St., Vernon, Wilbarger Co., TX (6 years, inside city limits, not a farm); parents names unknown; farmer; cause of death: cardiac arrest due to G-I hermorrhage shock & arteriosclerotic heart disease; removal May 29, 1968 to Martha, Jackson, OK; informant was his widow Leta Robinson [maiden name Leta Vonceil Rorex]

He was buried at Martha Cemetery in Martha, Jackson, OK.

Attached is a photo of him Sept. 2, 1951, holding my aunt Jonnie.

Re: Orphan Train Riders to Louisiana

MoniqueRiik — 2012-11-02 19:00:27Z

Hello. My name is Monique Riik. My grandmother, Mary McCoullough or McCullen came to Opelousas, LA aboard an orphan train in 1907. Any information you are able to retrieve would be greatly appreciated.
Thank you

Re: Rose Kern/Alice Kerns/Kearns

loladoucetned — 2012-10-23 20:57:04Z

Regarding question about Rose Kern being a relative of Alice Kerns/Kearns: Alice is my mother and is 96 yrs. old. Birth certificate spelled last name Kerns. Baptismal certificate spelled it Kearns. Her mother was listed as Alice Kerns/Kearns. Was unable to trace her mother as she seemed to have disappeared after having the baby Alice at the hospital,(I believe it was St.Anns)and nursing for a few months. She was 21 and single and supposedly lived in Rockville, Connecticut. Have done lots of research and not able to find any further trace of Alice Kerns/Kearns. Therefore, we do not know if she was jewish or irish. Baby Alice, now 96 years old looks very jewish. Black hair, very white skin, prominent nose, dark brown eyes. If anyone has any information or needs further information please contact me at loladoucet@gmail.com. I do not know if she was related to Rose Kern.

Re: Orphan trains sent to MN

RobertTheisen25 — 2012-09-21 20:12:09Z

My dad rode the orphan train from New York Foundling to Little Falls, MN in1913. The Franciscan Sisters in Little Falls were involved with the orphan trains and do hold reunions every year or two. I am not sure how much information they have on hansd. When I received my dad's file from NYFH, the cover page had "Indenture" stamped on it.

bob theisen

National Orphan Train Complex, Concordia, Kansas

RobertTheisen25 — 2012-09-21 19:51:19Z

After 20+ years of searching, I contacted the Orphan Train Complex. They sent a copy of 1910 US Census showing my dad at the New York Foundling Hospital. The NYFH could only tell me that my father was left, at 4 weeks,and the mother's name was Mary O'Neil, with a Clinton St. address in Brooklyn. He was left there in April, 1909. I was sent a copy of his file and it gave me a little insight into the family that took him in, but did not adopt him. They used the alternative Indenture Agreement, to raise him in the Catholic faith and see that he would receive at least a high school education.

bob theisen

New York Foundling to Louisiana - guessing orphan train

semisweet4111 — 2012-08-28 06:26:58Z

My grandmother was born in Manhattan in 1905. She wound up in Louisiana and was raised by a family in New Orleans, one of whom worked for Catholic Charties. The odd thing is that she was originally with (& assumed adopted by) a family named Morvant in Louisiana, but was "returned" (death of adopted parents??) by a man with same last name of her adopted father. My grandmother (Mary Louise Gonyea or Gaunya, plus variations) was born in St Ann's Maternity Hospital, and christened in St Vincent Ferrer Catholic Church...classic for orphan train riders. I managed to get a copy of her original NYC birth certificate and her parents were listed as Louise Gaunya, 21yrs & Gus Conlin, 23yrs. There was a Louise Gonyea or similar listed in the 1905 NYC Census taken 5 days before my grandmother was born. She was listed as a seamstress in the NY Foundling. My grandmother died searching for more info, but never found any. Does anyone know how I can find out if she was indeed on a orphan train? I can't think of any other way she'd have wound up in Louisiana, but I can't really assume this without proof. The Gaunya/Gonyea name has many variations, unfortunately.

Re: Orphan Train Riders to Louisiana

gdearie38 — 2012-08-28 04:26:42Z

Melissa, This Israel Falk is my great grandfather. Born in Libau Russia 1845, died New Orleans 1907. I would like to connect with you since I have more information on him. I have been working on our family tree for the last few years. Hope I hear from you.

Re: Children of Orphan trains from Ny to Illinois will do lookups

BarbaraBrussell — 2012-08-05 18:16:28Z

I am looking for information on orphan train rider William Brussel. I believe he rode the train in the 1855-1860 timeframe. Based on a census record he was living with a family named Osborn and was approximately age 10 in 1860. The family lived near Danville, IL just across the Indiana border.
Thank you!!

Re: Looking for Bufe Orphan Train Riders

DavidL67 — 2012-07-27 02:06:30Z

still trying to fill in info

Re: Looking for Bufe Orphan Train Riders

DavidL67 — 2012-07-27 02:06:29Z

still trying to fill in info

Orphan Trains

tracidawnpaynewoods — 2012-07-19 13:03:44Z

anybody know how i go about finding info on riders of orphan trains ?

Orphan Train Nebraska

ppezzini — 2012-07-09 22:39:49Z

I am looking for information about an orphan that was taken in by my great-grandparents in 1910. I dont' know much, however I do know that it was either Lincoln or Omaha. Is there a database of children that were on the train at that time?

Re: Orphan Train Riders to Louisiana

redwoman45 — 2012-06-29 03:23:37Z

I'm hoping you will be of some assistance in finding my Great Great Grandmother, Uranie Labbey (not sure of the surname spelling). She supposedly was on the orpahn train to Louisiana and ended up in Acadia Parish adopted by a Miller family. She was born around 1860 (calculated by age in 1920 census age 60)she married Jean Baptiste Deshotel here.

Re: Orphan Train Riders to Louisiana

rwhat1 — 2012-06-23 05:52:47Z

Hi my name is Ronda Whatley. I'm looking for info on my grandmother her name would have been Lina Enghine born 1905 and was adopted by The Supper family of Avoyelles Parish in Louisiana. She was born in New York. Her married name is Gaspard.It would be so appreciated.

Orphan Train in Levasy, Missouri

martiadkins — 2012-06-04 02:15:56Z

My gg Grandfather, John Arthur Baker may have ridden one of the Orphan Trains to Levsay, Missouri 1860's??? He was taken in by a family there--possibly Charles Brockman. I am having trouble even verifying an Orphan Train came through Levasy by 1860! He had a sister "Mattie" and she lived in Tennesse, near Memphis but have not been able to find her either--my oral family history says John Arthur came from Tennesse on the train??? Any info or resources would be appreciated!!!!

Re: Children's Aid Society census index

tammypatricia — 2012-06-04 01:00:11Z

I know these messages are old but thought I would try... I am looking for William C Cook b.1891 he was sentenced to time in the Juvenile Asylum in 1904 for stealing money for a work place.

Tammy

Re: Christine Held

Champlain9 — 2012-05-11 12:37:33Z

I need a name please?

Janice

Re: Christine Held

eckhardt10 — 2012-05-11 11:04:04Z

My grandmother was orphaned at an early age in New York City. It is believed that she was born December 29,1875. We have found no records to support this.

Re: Christine Held

Champlain9 — 2012-05-10 14:16:31Z

Christine Held is this the name of your grandmother? have you got dates of birth, and where she was born?

Janice

Orphan trains to Wisconsin

decker01 — 2012-04-30 16:14:16Z

At least six children appear on the 1900 Federal census in Highland, Wisconsin as adopted. They were all born in New York in 1883/84 and are with families with no apparent NY connections. Their names are, John Birchmann (incorrectly spelled as Buchman), Marie Dolan, Willie Fitzpatrick, Celia Martin, John Brown and Theodore Reed. My grandfather, Luke Sullivan, was born in NY in 1884, taken to WI on an orphan train and placed with the family of John and Ann Sullivan. He is on the 1895 state census in Lawler, Iowa with Edward and Patrick Sullivan, sons of John and Ann. I am told that it was common for the NY Foundling Hospital to place children at the age of 4 or 5.

John Birchman was placed with the family of John and Mary Manning. Mary was the daughter of John and Ann Sullivan. According to John Birchman's WWI draft registration, he would have been sent to WI about 1887/1888.

The Illinois Central Railroad completed an extension of their line from Freeport Illinois to Dodgeville, WI in 1888. Dodgeville is the county seat of Iowa County and is not far from Highland. No supporting documents but seems to be a convenient dropoff point for the children.

Hope to hear from anyone else who may have more or better information regarding orphan train riders to Highland, WI.

Re: Orphan Train Riders to Louisiana

jfoster0051 — 2012-02-22 23:23:56Z

Please see my posting to the Orphan Train board. Either Philip Foster or possibly Murphy Foster, was supposed to have arrived in Louisiana from New York on an orphan train in the Mid 1800's.

Re: Orphan Train Riders to Louisiana

jfoster0051 — 2012-02-22 23:02:05Z

My grandfather, Philip Foster, is shown as being born in Louisiana in 1859 in the 1900 Federal Census. The only lead I have on his father is that his father's place of birth was listed as Ireland on that same Census. I was told either Philip Foster, or his father had come to Louisiana on one of the Orphan Trains from New York. Any help locating either a Philip Foster or possibly a Murphy Foster in the Childrens Aid Society Census would be absolutely wonderful.

Christine Held

eckhardt10 — 2012-02-09 20:05:21Z

My grandmother rode the orphan train when she was about 5 years old from New York to Cleveland,Ohio in the 1880's. She had a younger brother. We have no info for him. If you can help us fill in the blanks we would appreciate it.

Lookup Request for Elsie Arbour

bbkoala — 2012-01-27 12:35:35Z

HI, Sally, Would appreciate if you could look up Elsie Arbour, born 15 Aug 1901 in your book. In the 1910 census, she was listed as an inmate of the Orphan Asylum Society of the City of Brooklyn. Thanks so much. Barbara

Re: Children of Orphan trains from Ny to Illinois will do lookups

sallyyarbrough56 — 2012-01-26 18:52:52Z

The only Allen in my book is John J. Allen born 1889 he was taken to Iowa County Iowa in 1899 and left with M.A. Bird--sorry I could not help

Re: Children of Orphan trains from Ny to Illinois will do lookups

bongothemonkeyboy — 2012-01-26 02:16:44Z

I'm looking for information on my great-great-grandfather, John L. Allen. Family lore states that his parents died and he was adopted by a family named Allen (his original name was not passed down). He was supposed to have been born August 1846 according to the earliest information I have been able to find, his enlistment papers for the Union Army in August of 1862. He enlisted in Macon County, Illinois, (with a residence of Friendship Creek, DeWitt County) but does not appear in any census in Illinois before 1862. The 1900 federal census for Iowa shows a birth year of 1845 and both parents from Pennsylvania, but I have no idea if this is the birth parents or adoptive parents.

Thanks in advance for your time and effort. I see from earlier posts that you have been helpful to more than a few people.

Bortle

mcbsaldanha — 2012-01-25 16:42:32Z

Looking for info on Wade Bortle, born in District of Columbia (1896) and Harry Bortle, born in Pa (1902)...adopted by Ruth and Frank Bortle of NYC?

Orphan Train - Elsie Arbour, NYC to ??

bbkoala — 2012-01-10 01:15:36Z

My ggrandfather’s sister was named Hermine Margaretha aka Minnie Edling. She married an Erwin Arbour in Brooklyn, NY in 1900. They had a daughter, Elsie Arbour, born in 1901, according to the 1905 NY State census. They were living at 102 McDougall St in Brooklyn, NY with my gg grandparents, Henry & Elisabeth Edling. In 1910, Minnie is shown living with her parents,states that she has 1 child born & living, but that child is not shown as living with the family, nor is her husband, Erwin Arbour. I recently found a birth record online for an Elsie Arbour, no parents listed, just a DOB of Aug 15, 1901. When I plug that in, I get a census record for 1910 for the Orphans Asylum Society of the City of Brooklyn, where an Elsie Arbour, age 8, born about 1902, is listed as an inmate. After that, I find NOTHING on Elsie, nothing on Minnie or Erwin. I suspect she was an orphan train rider and have done some research, but am totally stumped as to how to go about finding if she was sent on one of the trains and where. Any help would be appreciated.