LCGS June Program on "Orphan Trains"

LIBERTY, June 3, 2010 - The Liberty County Genealogical Society will meet Tuesday, June 15th at 10:00 a.m. in the upstairs meeting room of the Sam Houston Regional Library and Research Center for their regular monthly meeting. Society President, Linda Jamison will present a power point presentation on the “Orphan Trains” and their impact on genealogical research.

In 1852, the New York Chief of Police reported that 10,000 dependent and delinquent children lived on the streets of the city. New York was the primary gateway for European immigrants and many German, Italian, Irish and other nationalities brought their families to America to start a new life during this period of time but died of decease leaving widows and children without means of support. Different “aid societies” were formed and between 1854 and 1929 an estimated 250,000 orphaned, abandoned, homeless children and poor families were placed in homes in other states, primarily in farming communities in the Midwest and Southwest.

Many genealogical researchers hit “brick walls” in their ancestry and this program is intended to open a little known pathway to past generations. The PBS American Experience film The Orphan Trains will also be shown after the power point presentation. This film includes interviews with adults that started new lives after riding the orphan trains and joining new families.

For more information about the Liberty County Genealogical Society, please visit their new website: www.libertycountytexasgenealogy.com or email: libertygenie@yahoo.com

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