2008  Louisiana Orphan Train Reunion
The local Orphan Train Society, made up of descendants of the original riders, has
been holding annual in-gatherings since 1990.

The Orphan Train is the popular name for an adoption program that began in 1854
by the New York Foundling Hospital.

They marked the 100th anniversary last year.

James Douget delivered the keynote address on the "Importance of Preserving
History."

Flo Inhern, one of the driving forces behind the reunion, said the theme of this
year's gathering is "Orphan Train History Continues Through the Generations".

Special guest of honor was 92-year-old Alice Bernard, who is believe to have
arrived from New York's Foundling Home in 1919. She was escorted by her
daughter, Kaye.

Bernard was 3 when she arrived in Louisiana. She was indentured and adopted by
the Geofferys, an Erath family.

                        - article and photograph from the Louisiana Daily World newspaper
The 18th annual gathering
of the Louisiana Orphan
Train Society was held
Saturday in Lauman Hall of
the Louisiana Memorial
United Methodist Church in
Opelousas.

About 60 attendees
gathered from all over the
state in the hall to reminisce
about their descendants, the
Orphan Train riders.