Orphanages and Societies
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"I want to know if you have any information on Elizabeth. I don't know what her real name was. She was my dad's mother and he said she was an orphan train rider." -OR- "I would like to know if you have any records regarding Elizabeth Smith? She may be my paternal grandmother. After hearing stories that she may have been placed out in Iowa, I have found the following information: 1) Her obituary which states she was born in New York 27 April 1895. 2) An article in the Clinton County Herald dated 06 Dec 1899 mentions a group of children arriving from New York, including an Elizabeth Smith. 3) The census for 1900 lists an Elizabeth Smith, age 5, born in NY in the family of John Jones, which is my great-grandfather. The 1905 state census for Iowa lists Elizabeth Jones, age 10, adopted, born in NY." Etc., Etc. Although the letters are fictitious, they show that someone at least tried to do research on 'Elizabeth Smith'. The writer of the first letter has lots of research to do yet and would probably just be referred to the Orphan Train Heritage Society. The more work you do *before* you contact these organizations in writing, the better response and more information you will likely receive. See also: |
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It is recommended that you *only* contact these organizations by regular mail unless their websites allow for other options. We cannot stress enough how important it is that you do the research you can to avoid contacting these groups about 'possibilities'. You will get much better results and lots more help if you WRITE and can tell them Exactly what you are looking for. Which of these two letters do YOU think will get the best response?