Orphanages in Maine - Family History & Genealogy Message Board

St. Louis home for Boys.

Jazana46 — 2013-05-10 13:00:13Z

My father and his older brother were placed there for a period of time not because of being in trouble but because they were the oldest and my grandparents couldn't afford to feed them all. I don't know how long they were there. Assuming it was around 1927 as I think my Dad was around 11. Looking to find records of this.

Re: Murphy Children

mkireland193 — 2013-05-07 04:49:20Z

Sorry...the oldest was born in 1880, Ireland...all others were born in Maine between 1889-1898.

Re: Maine orphanages for boys 1937

ru4flowerpower1 — 2013-04-28 17:12:10Z

There was the Healy Asylum for Boy's on Ash Street in Lewiston that was operated by the Grey Nuns of Lewiston and probably the most well known. Approximately one mile from this institution was their sister institution for girl's known as St.Joseph's Orphanage for girls on Campus Ave. This institution was also known as the Marcotte Nursing Home and St. Joseph's Orphanage. The home is still in operation today while the orphanage closed in the 1970's. Healy closed in 1973 and today is a senior citizen apartment complex. If you need anything else I will be more the happy to help in any way I can. Sylvia
e-mail ru4flowerpower@aol.com

Re: Murphy Children

larsend6 — 2013-04-27 17:51:38Z

Hi there, I have a great grandfather from Maine we know little about. Were any of these five children born in around 1878? He went by the name of James Joseph McMow, however we're not sure if that was his real last name. He would not speak to my grandmother of his childhood except to say that he worked on a farm and was on his own at a very young age.

hope you've had luck with your own search! Donna

Maine orphanages for boys 1937

Missyhaselton66 — 2013-03-03 21:16:46Z

Does anyone have any info on a boys orphanage that would have been close to a girls. My father was raised in one run by nuns in 1937 after his father died. He would walk to see his sisters every Sunday. His name was Robert Charles Levesque. 1932 was his birth year so he was 5

Re: Healey Asylum for Boys - Lewiston, ME

Mpapia — 2012-10-01 16:13:13Z

The Farm was a different institution. My grandfather lived at the City Farm in Lewiston many years prior to his death in 1950. I found a 1930 photo of it from a book - Poorhouses: American Institution or something like that.

Re: Lewiston-Auburn Childrens Home

jtooth0316 — 2012-09-20 17:10:41Z

I came across your emil about the Lewiston-Auburn Children's home. I was there from late 1944 to late 1948. My name was John Marcoux.

As I remember the place, the boys and girls were in seperate quaters, and did not share the play ground. It seems to me that the play ground was just an asphault covered area outside with a chain link fence around it.

Do you know if the home is still there? I live in Virginia, but I get back to Maine every so often as time allows.

Re: Lewiston-Auburn Childrens Home

ru4flowerpower1 — 2012-09-14 23:33:58Z

The only information I have on the home is on my web site
www.maineorphans.com
If there is anything specific let me know and hopefully I can help you. Thanks for the contact and have a good weekend
Sylvia

Re: Lewiston-Auburn Childrens Home

tabithaolsen1 — 2012-09-11 05:27:57Z

I've been looking for history on the old Lewiston Auburn Children's Home located at 24 Madison St in Auburn Maine from 1926 and on. Can you give me any information?

searching for info on Healy Asylum for boys

dennissandifamily — 2012-08-21 20:52:34Z

My family and I are hoping to find information on this orphanage. Any first hand accounts of this orphanage, pictures (interior) of classmates etc would be appreciated.

Re: Lewiston-Auburn Childrens Home

orangeslice2 — 2012-08-20 20:06:12Z

Stumbled upon these posts while doing research for a friend. She just bought a house in auburn and was told it was the lewiston auburn childrens home. I am looking for verification on the address of the childrens home and looking to learn about the history...people who lived and worked there and any pictures of the place. To the person who wondered if the place still existed...it may be the same place im looking for and yes i just spent the weekend there. It is being renovated and is currently lived it. Would love to hear from anyone who has any info on this. Thanks!

Re: REPLY Re: Healey Asylum for Boys - Lewiston, ME

dianedillon2004 — 2012-08-14 19:51:20Z

My aunt was one of the sisters here, Lucille LEvesque. She has since retired and is now living in St. Hyacinthe. Her 3 younger brothers were sent here to live with here from the St. John Valley after their mother died when they were very young. My mother, Simone Levesque, worked with her at the orphanage for a summer when she was 15 or 16, that would have been 1957 or 1958. Any information/photos etc would be cherished. My uncles were named Joel ("Ti Pit), Bertrand, and Real (Gross Pit). My mom read an article in the Lewiston Sun Journal a few months ago about a photo exhibit at the Franco-American Heritage Center in Lewiston where someone quoted in the article saw a picture of my aunt Sr. Lucille. I haven't been able to go as I work during the hours the museum is open. Has anyone been?
Thanks,
D

Re: REPLY Re: Healey Asylum for Boys - Lewiston, ME

hdh155 — 2012-08-02 00:19:58Z

I am told that Mark Mccomas, The Economic Developer at the City of Lewiston is an expert on what is now called the Intown Manor. I do not expect much luck as I contacted him in August 2010 and he was supposed to get back to me. He did not, but try and tell him I sent you.

Dale Hayward
Rockland, Maine

REPLY Re: Healey Asylum for Boys - Lewiston, ME

ClaudiaGuay — 2012-07-11 12:56:46Z

Sorry, but I have not been able to find out anything from the Nuns myself ... however, you may try contacting the following:

Sr. Marie-Paule Messier, Archivist
Soeurs de la Charite de Saint-Hyacinthe
16470 avenue Bourdages Sud
Saint-Hyacinthe (Quebec)
J2T4J8

Good luck with your search!

Re: Healey Asylum for Boys - Lewiston, ME

kaykay94cma — 2012-07-10 21:15:33Z

My dad was there from 1944 to 1952. If you find any information out please let me know. This is very important to our family. He was later adopted and we would love to know if he has any biological family.

Re: Healey Asylum for Boys - Lewiston, ME

kaykay94cma — 2012-07-10 21:13:41Z

My dad was there from 1944 to 1952. If anyone has any information. We would forever be in debt to you. This is something very important for our family.

Re: Healey Asylum for Boys - Lewiston, ME

pjttg — 2012-06-28 14:21:54Z

I also failed to mention, that my uncle's nickname, was Bunny, perhaps they remember this? However, he did pass away several years ago now.

Re: Healey Asylum for Boys - Lewiston, ME

pjttg — 2012-06-28 14:20:59Z

Not sure yet, I believe an uncle of mine, was there during those years. His wife's name is Gert Mynahan in Lewiston...phone # 783-8888, and though she has dementia, I believe, her daughter lives with her and perhaps could give you so information? Is this the location also known as, The Farm? If so, I believe Bernard Mynahan, my uncle, may have been there at the same time.

Timothy Murphy

mkireland193 — 2011-07-05 20:21:47Z

I am looking for information regarding Timothy Murphy; born 1892 Biddeford, Maine..son of Michael and Fannie Murphy...placed approximately 1902... Would like to know where the records may be held....Mary Ireland

Re: Lewiston-Auburn Childrens Home

lesliefern36 — 2011-06-23 15:20:51Z

My mother and aunt were there in the middle to late 30's. Rosemarie and Florentine Laporte. We've been told the nun in charge was their aunt. Have you any details or records from that time?

Murphy Children

mkireland193 — 2011-04-21 18:21:15Z

Five children of Michael and Frances Murphy were place in a Portland (Maine)area orphanage approximately 1900-1902. I am unable to find records either through the diocese office or Catholic Charities. Does anyone have information as to other orphanages in Portland during that time. I do know that some of the girls learned to speak french (nuns).

Re: Boys School near Clinton

firemikey1 — 2010-10-28 07:24:51Z

Hi,
The name of the school is the Goodwill Hinkley school, located in Hinkley(Fairfield), Maine on Route 201.

Re: Reply to Re: Healey Asylum for Boys - Lewiston, ME

MEGSPAUL2002 — 2010-09-02 18:40:36Z

I wold be interested in any photos for a presentaiton I am doing for a class I am taking. Megspaul2002@yahoo.com

Reply to Re: Healey Asylum for Boys - Lewiston, ME

ClaudiaGuay — 2010-07-29 16:50:50Z

Hi ... Thanks for responding. Unfortunately, my husband doesn't remember any of the other children's names. I did write to the Nuns and received a letter back from them but they don't have any records. However, I was able to get some photos of the building itself which is now being used as a home for the elderly, I think. I'd be glad to send you the photos I have but would need your email address. Let me know.

Re: Healey Asylum for Boys - Lewiston, ME

bruce1vi4fiq2s7ouns9t9n749et9omet4 — 2010-07-29 15:55:16Z

I don't have any pictures, but my father and his brother were there in that time frame. I'm trying to get some information on this subject. There names are Robert and Donald Landry from Madison Maine.

Orphanage in/near Westbrook Maine

michelesboyd — 2010-03-15 22:42:38Z

My grandfather, Francis Daniel Legere, was an orphan. He was born on Sept 27, 1901. On the 1930 Census he listed his birth-state as Maine, his father as being from Nova Scotia, and his mother from Canada-Fr. My mother remembers him saying he was from Westbrook, ME, or that the orphanage was there. I don't know where to look. I do know he had a sister, Josephine.
Thanks so much!
Michele Saillant Boyd

lewiston-auburn children's home

ru4flowerpower1 — 2010-03-02 18:04:23Z

Looking for anybody who was in the home.Also anybody who has records or information on the home.

Re: Lewiston-Auburn Childrens Home

rcc08 — 2010-02-20 22:00:39Z

I was there in the early 40s I wonder if there is anyway i can find out how long i was there

Re: Orphanages in Lubec, Maine

sharond59 — 2009-10-16 18:58:02Z

Sorry, I don't. The only information given was that she was adopted in (approximately) 1908 from an orphanage in Lubec, Me.

Re: Orphanages in Lubec, Maine

dbguy3 — 2009-10-01 22:20:49Z

I am searching for you but out of curiosity, do you know how long this orphanage was around?

family tree

sbb1949 — 2009-08-25 01:48:20Z

I am looking for information on Charlott, Jenett and Charles Spencer. They were in a orphanage in Bath Maine in 1900. All born in wisconsin

Lewiston-Auburn Childrens Home

ru4flowerpower1 — 2009-07-12 23:27:52Z

looking for anyone who was a resident of this home during it's existance especially 1939-1947

Healey Asylum for Boys - Lewiston, ME

ClaudiaGuay — 2009-06-20 19:05:19Z

I'm looking for any Asylum photos of children who resided in Healey Asylum in Lewiston, Maine during 1945-1950. Looking for photos of my husband (William Charles Guay) & his brother (Paul Guay).

Healey Asylum - Lewiston, Maine

madera21 — 2009-03-07 17:15:01Z

I'm looking for any Asylum photos of children who resided in Healey Asylum in Lewiston, Maine during 1915 - 1930. Looking for my wife's grandfather Arthur Joseph Pare.

Boys School near Clinton

auxcain — 2008-09-28 21:44:36Z

My father's family (Cain) lived and worked on a Boys School near Clinton Maine in the late 1800s and early 1900s (my father was born in 1901). Would like info and name of the school. Thanks

Orphanages in Lubec, Maine

sharond704 — 2008-02-04 01:45:02Z

My grandmother was born in 1905 in Lubec, Me. Birth name was Helen O'Brien. She was adopted at the age of 5 by the Blake family. Any information of orphanages located in Lubec or the family name of O'Brien from Lubec.

Re: need info on orphanages /homes in Maine 1895-1900

nanablue2007 — 2007-12-26 14:10:30Z

JUNE 20 1900 {ONLY NORWOOD IN CUMBERLAND MAINE}
South Portland, Cumberland, Maine
Thomas J Griggs 64
Sarah Griggs 56
Nina S Griggs 16
Everett W Norwood 37 SON IN LAW MASTER MARINER
Annie Norwood 38 DAUGHTER STATES SHE BORE 2 CHILDREN WITH ONLY ONE LIVING
Leslie E Norwood 1 MALE

Portland, Maine Directories, 1889-91

Name: Everett W. Norwood
Location 2: Ferry road, n. Pleasant, South Portland
Occupation: master mariner
Year: 1890 ********
City: Portland
State: ME

Name: Everett W. Norwood
Location 2: 23 Ferry road, South Portland
Occupation: master mariner
Year: 1891 **********
City: Portland
State: ME

NOT KNOWING THE CIRCUMSTANCES TO WHY HE WAS PUT UP FOR ADOPTION...AND I'M TRYING TO BE DISCREET HERE...PERHAPS THIS EVERETT NORWOOD WAS OUT TO SEA FOR LONGER THAN HE SHOULD HAVE BEEN?
JUST SPECULATING,

ANNIE GRIGGS NORWOOD(WIDOW) AND SON LESLIE WERE STILL IN CUMBERLAND MAINE IN THE 1910 CENSUS LIVING IN HER MOTHER'S HOME

IN ADDITION TO EVERETT NORWOOD THERE ARE THE FOLLOWING NORWOODS LISTED IN PORTLAND MAINE DIRECTORIES ***DATES
Name: Elias Norwood
Location 2: 31 Lowell
Occupation: peddler
Year: 1889 ***
City: Portland
State: ME

Name: Elias Norwood
Location 2: 31 Lowell
Occupation: peddler
Year: 1890 ***
City: Portland
State: ME

Name: ELIAS NORWOOD
Title: Portland, ME Directory 1895
Year: 1895
City: Portland
Book Section: N
Page: 519

Name: James Norwood
Location 1: 2 Beach
Occupation: finisher
Year: 1891 ***
City: Portland
State: ME

SO FAR AS I CAN TELL ELIAS NORWOOD DOES NOT SHOW UP AFTER 1895...DIED???

THERE WERE A LOT OF NORWOODS IN THE BIDDEFORD YORK MAINE AREA IN 1900

FURTHER INFO
THERE WAS A ST ELIZBETH'S ORPHAN ASYLUM IN PORTLAND CUMBERLAND MAINE IN 1900

YOU PROBABLY HAVE SEEN ALL THIS

REGARDS,

CONNIE

need info on orphanages /homes in Maine 1895-1900

2006-12-05 18:08:45Z

According to my father, he was adopted from an oprpahange/home on Munjoy Hill in Portland Maine in 1898-99
He was told that his biological name was NORWOOD, and that the HOWE family had chosen him at the orphanage.

I know that Cumberland County Records and Portland City Records were lost in seperate fires in the early 1900's, but I keep searching.

State School for Boys

2006-10-11 15:32:21Z

Trying to find information about the above in South Portland ,Maine around 1930. My father was listed as being there in the Federal Census of 1930.

Re: Fire in Maine Orphanage

herbypeg — 2006-07-30 20:40:58Z

Thank you for the information, I'll follow up on it. Also, the Daughters of Charity of St VIncent de Paul had orphanages in the NE. They also ran homes for the destitute poor. Peg Plummer

Re: Nagarda Work Farm

RegNMINiles — 2006-07-29 01:50:14Z

If you have access to a large library, try this publication :

UNITED STATES. Bureau of the Census. "Juvenile Delinquents in Public Institutions, 1933." Washington, D.C., 1936. 62 p. (Library of Congress Control No. 36026054)

Reg Niles

Re: Fire in Maine Orphanage

RegNMINiles — 2006-07-29 01:40:58Z

It seems unusual to ship orphans out of state due to a fire in an orphanage. I consulted page 283 of the out-of-print book titled, "Adoption Agencies, Orphanages and Maternity Homes--An Historical Directory." The WorldCat data base lists 147 libraries in the U.S. that have copies of the Directory.

Page 283 says institutions bearing the name Little Wanderers occur in Maine at Augusta, Caribou and Waterville. Also in Massachusetts at Boston and Pittsfield. Also in Connecticut, New York and Vermont. I picked Little Wanderers because I knew it involved more than one state.

You can read other parts of the Directory to check out orphanages in New York and New Hampshire. There are three entries for Poughkeepsie, NY: Catholic Charities, Children's Home of Poughkeepsie, and Dept. of Social Services of Dutchess County. None of them appear to have links to Maine.

Reg Niles

Fire in Maine Orphanage between 1900 and 1910

herbypeg — 2006-03-30 00:15:21Z

My gr grandmother was injured in a fire in an orphanage in Maine; was evacuated by train; destination was another orphanage. The train stopped overnight in Laconia NH and the local Catholic priest placed the children in homes for the night. She became a member of the family. Her brother travelled on to Poughkeepsie NY. Does any one know of this institution or sister institutution in NY? Is this familiar at all? Thank you

Re: St.ElizabethOrphangeAsylum,Portland,Maine

2006-01-08 22:41:18Z

I don't know if you will find this helpful, but when I was searching for my biological parents, there was an orgaization by the name of the Adoptees Liberty Movement Association which had a computerized search where parents adoptees could hunt by their birthdate for their biological parents. They have geneologists aid in the searches as well.
Good luck!

St.ElizabethOrphangeAsylum,Portland,Maine

MaryJeffrey25 — 2006-01-08 07:02:18Z

Hello,
In the 1940"s-1950"s there was a Orphange on High St. in Portland Maine, does anyone know where the records are and can any one retrieve records. I am looking for a male born August 25, 1945 and was put there for adoption, that:s all I know.I believe it was St. Elizabeth Orphange Asylum.
Thank You
Mary

Nagarda Work Farm

2005-09-18 21:48:13Z

I am looking for any information on the above farm. It was a home for troubled boys during the 1940s. I would like to know anything on this farm. Thank you

Re: St.ElizabethOrphangeAsylum,Portland,Maine

2003-07-04 16:12:51Z

Hi! I lived at St. Elizabeth's Home in the early 1950's but when I was there it was all girls. My brother had to go to the St. Louis Home for Boys in Scarborough Maine. This was in 1952 -53. The orphanage is now operated by the Catholic Diocese of Portland. You could contact Cathedral Church on Cumberland Avenue in Portland to find out where the old records are kept. Good Luck. Jackie D.

Holy Innocent's Home in Portland, Maine

2001-04-30 16:50:06Z

My father, frederick Wayne (Tenney) Pelton was adopted from The Holy Innocent's Home in Portland, Maine, on April 1, 1944. His DOB is 8/12/44. His parents were Frederick Tenney and Charlotte (LaPorte) Tenney. We believe that they had a second child there as well. SANDRA TENNEY. We believe she was born in Brigeport, CT, around 1942. any info. would help. Please e-mail me at: diamsmudg@aol.com. Thanks.