orphan train to IA.--MORRIS children
MORRIS, PUTNAM, JENSEN, CHRISTENSEN
Posted By: Marlys MCGRATH RICE (email)
Date: 4/30/2003 at 12:50:39
I have just discovered that grandmother, Anna Bertha MORRIS, b. 9-19-1886 Westchester Co., NY, her sister Julia, b. Jan. 1890, and a brother, Fredrick R. MORRIS, b. June 1893, all children of Fredrick R. and Karina/Clarissa HUFFMAN MORRIS of Westchester Co., NY., came west on an orphan train from the NY Juvenile Asylum in June 1903.
Fredrick got off in Pekin, IL. where he was raised on a farm, and grew up to become a fire department captain in Pekin. Sister, Julia MORRIS, got off in West Bend, IA., eventually married a CHRISTIANSEN/Christensen and a PUTNAM. (Anna) Bertha MORRIS, got off in Independence, IA. June 1903, age 13. Bertha MORRIS married James Fredrick JENSEN, 6- 3-1908, Independence, IA.
I know so little---where do I even start? If all were MORRIS when they married, I assume none were officially adopted--just "raised". Does that indicate the parents hadn't relinquished their rights? How do I find WHO raised each? Is there a 1890 NY census that might show the children in their parental Westchester Co., NY home? Is there any photo of the NY Juvenile Asylum? (I have a small photo that says it was Grandma's home in NY. It's huge, and I thought it meant the family was wealthy--but it may be the asylum.) Did the asylum once stand where the UN is today? Since Grandma never told her family of this, I assume she was embarrassed, and I want to "tell her story" to my family so it's not lost. PLEASE, any advice? Where do I even start? MANY THANKS! Marlys Rice, Concord, NE.
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