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| Frequently Asked Questions |
Why can't I find the Orphan Trains in my history book?
The best answer I can give is at best speculative. This is my personal belief, rather
than a cold hard fact. In general, history is about adults and is written by adults. It
has only been in recent history that children have been more than property. They
were to be seen, but not heard. History books are not written about property, or
people with no voice.
Another possible reason is that we do not want to admit that we did this to our
children. While it may have been necessary for their survival, we still feel guilty about
having to do it.
During the latter part of this migration, we had just gone through a civil war to
abolish slavery. The farms and shops still needed labor. Some of these children took
the place of the slaves. A family member did not have to be paid with more than
board and room.
None of the above answers can be proven nor disproved. None of them provides a
satisfactory answer. We want to sweep it out of sight under the rug. If the children's
migration is not in our history books, we do not have to admit that it happened.
The best answer I can give is at best speculative. This is my personal belief, rather
than a cold hard fact. In general, history is about adults and is written by adults. It
has only been in recent history that children have been more than property. They
were to be seen, but not heard. History books are not written about property, or
people with no voice.
Another possible reason is that we do not want to admit that we did this to our
children. While it may have been necessary for their survival, we still feel guilty about
having to do it.
During the latter part of this migration, we had just gone through a civil war to
abolish slavery. The farms and shops still needed labor. Some of these children took
the place of the slaves. A family member did not have to be paid with more than
board and room.
None of the above answers can be proven nor disproved. None of them provides a
satisfactory answer. We want to sweep it out of sight under the rug. If the children's
migration is not in our history books, we do not have to admit that it happened.
Why does my grandmother say that she rode THE ORPHAN TRAIN when there had to be more than one?
Almost all of the riders thought that they rode the only orphan train. In their limited child's world, they could not
conceive of there being other trains moving other children. It was bad enough that it happened to them.
Only after the riders started getting together at reunions, and started comparing notes, did they realize just how
many children were involved. They found out that they were not the only ones. There were others out there facing
the same kinds of problems that they had faced. They were no longer alone.
Almost all of the riders thought that they rode the only orphan train. In their limited child's world, they could not
conceive of there being other trains moving other children. It was bad enough that it happened to them.
Only after the riders started getting together at reunions, and started comparing notes, did they realize just how
many children were involved. They found out that they were not the only ones. There were others out there facing
the same kinds of problems that they had faced. They were no longer alone.
Why does the number of children vary from 100,000 to 200,000 children? Wasn't record keeping any
better than that?
We are talking of a large number of individuals who had language problems, personnel problems, and even
literacy problems. We are talking of several different organizations who transported children over a very long
period of time. Not all of the numbers come from the same reports. Even the period's press could not agree on the
numbers. These numbers are at best an estimate of all the children over the entire time period.
better than that?
We are talking of a large number of individuals who had language problems, personnel problems, and even
literacy problems. We are talking of several different organizations who transported children over a very long
period of time. Not all of the numbers come from the same reports. Even the period's press could not agree on the
numbers. These numbers are at best an estimate of all the children over the entire time period.
Why should I believe that this ever happened?
This movement was thoroughly covered by the local press as it happened. The stories are there in the local
archives for all to read. This did not involve just one location. It happened all over the United States. It went on for
too long for the press not to detect a fraud.
There are still too many living riders to bear witness to the fact that it happened. These people exist and they will
not go quietly into the night. They are part of America's history and they want their story told.
This movement was thoroughly covered by the local press as it happened. The stories are there in the local
archives for all to read. This did not involve just one location. It happened all over the United States. It went on for
too long for the press not to detect a fraud.
There are still too many living riders to bear witness to the fact that it happened. These people exist and they will
not go quietly into the night. They are part of America's history and they want their story told.
My Grandfather refuses to talk about his past. I am trying to do a family history and I am hitting a blank
wall. Could he be one of these Orphan Train Riders?
Just because a person will not speak of his past does not make him one of our riders. However, it is a possibility.
Our riders were supposed to break all contact with their past. In some cases, they were so young, that they have
no memories to draw upon. In many cases, their past was to painful to talk about.
wall. Could he be one of these Orphan Train Riders?
Just because a person will not speak of his past does not make him one of our riders. However, it is a possibility.
Our riders were supposed to break all contact with their past. In some cases, they were so young, that they have
no memories to draw upon. In many cases, their past was to painful to talk about.
Did the Orphan Train Riders just come from New York?
Boston and New York were the main sources of the Riders. However, they were not the only sources. Our
northern border allowed our riders to go to Canada, and allowed Canada's Home Children to go into our West. It
is possible that your rider might have been a Home Child. They had very similar stories.
Boston and New York were the main sources of the Riders. However, they were not the only sources. Our
northern border allowed our riders to go to Canada, and allowed Canada's Home Children to go into our West. It
is possible that your rider might have been a Home Child. They had very similar stories.
Were the children only sent to the West?
Children were sent to 47 of the 48 continental United States. The majority were sent to the West but New
England, the South, and the eastern seaboard had their share. No children were placed in Arizona, even though
a group of children were sent there from the New York Foundling Hospital, but were laster returned to New York.
Children were sent to 47 of the 48 continental United States. The majority were sent to the West but New
England, the South, and the eastern seaboard had their share. No children were placed in Arizona, even though
a group of children were sent there from the New York Foundling Hospital, but were laster returned to New York.
Why did so many riders come from New York?
New York City was a main port of entry for the immigrants. The city could not provide jobs and housing for the
huge numbers coming from the rest of the world.
New York City was a main port of entry for the immigrants. The city could not provide jobs and housing for the
huge numbers coming from the rest of the world.
Why were the trains used to transport these children?
Trains proved to be a reliable, practical system of transportation to deliver precious cargo. New towns were built
along the expanding railways. These children could be transported more cheaply in large numbers. Food
supplies could be obtained from towns along the track.
Trains proved to be a reliable, practical system of transportation to deliver precious cargo. New towns were built
along the expanding railways. These children could be transported more cheaply in large numbers. Food
supplies could be obtained from towns along the track.
Why didn't the government help out?
At this time in history, Welfare and Child Protection Laws did not exist. Children had no rights. These trains
helped form the laws which would protect future children.
At this time in history, Welfare and Child Protection Laws did not exist. Children had no rights. These trains
helped form the laws which would protect future children.
Was America the only country which did this to their children?
No, similar programs developed in Canada, Australia, England, New Zealand, etc. These children were called
Home Children.
No, similar programs developed in Canada, Australia, England, New Zealand, etc. These children were called
Home Children.
Isn't Adoption and Indenture the same thing?
When a child is adopted, he becomes equal to the natural children in all respects-including inheritance. Indenture
was a legal means to remove a child from an unsatisfactory home without a long court procedure. The child was
not given inheritance rights. People tended to use the two terms interchangeably but they are not the same thing.
Many people simply did not know the difference.
When a child is adopted, he becomes equal to the natural children in all respects-including inheritance. Indenture
was a legal means to remove a child from an unsatisfactory home without a long court procedure. The child was
not given inheritance rights. People tended to use the two terms interchangeably but they are not the same thing.
Many people simply did not know the difference.
Why is it so difficult to obtain birth certificates for these children?
In many cases, a certificate of baptism is the only legal document available. Many times, the baby was placed in
the care of these organizations without the parent ever being seen. In order to keep a new born from being killed,
the parent's identity was not a requirement. The children, and/or parents often could not read, write, or even
speak English. Children were taken from the streets. Sheer numbers prevented accurate records from being kept.
Most of the organizations which were sending children, were religious in nature. As a result, the children were
usually baptized before traveling to their new homes.
In many cases, a certificate of baptism is the only legal document available. Many times, the baby was placed in
the care of these organizations without the parent ever being seen. In order to keep a new born from being killed,
the parent's identity was not a requirement. The children, and/or parents often could not read, write, or even
speak English. Children were taken from the streets. Sheer numbers prevented accurate records from being kept.
Most of the organizations which were sending children, were religious in nature. As a result, the children were
usually baptized before traveling to their new homes.
How accurate is the data on the official paperwork?
We have many documented cases of errors in name, religion, and nationalities. In some cases, this was
accidental. In other cases, quotas were being met. There are often inconsistencies between different documents.
We have many documented cases of errors in name, religion, and nationalities. In some cases, this was
accidental. In other cases, quotas were being met. There are often inconsistencies between different documents.
Were siblings kept together?
Unfortunately, most foster parents could not take more than one or two children. Where possible, siblings were
placed in the same general area so they could visit occasionally. Many times, however, many miles of track
separated siblings. Many never saw their siblings again.
Unfortunately, most foster parents could not take more than one or two children. Where possible, siblings were
placed in the same general area so they could visit occasionally. Many times, however, many miles of track
separated siblings. Many never saw their siblings again.
How did these children affect America?
These children were survivors. Most of them became solid citizens from all walks of life. There have been
governors, doctors, lawyers, business men, teachers,laborers, farmers, etc.
These riders have defended America in her wars. They have built her industry. Most of them have been have been
loving parents who took in orphans of their own.
It has been estimated that these children's descendants number approximately 2 million. This produces
considerable political power. Elections have been swayed by less.
These children were survivors. Most of them became solid citizens from all walks of life. There have been
governors, doctors, lawyers, business men, teachers,laborers, farmers, etc.
These riders have defended America in her wars. They have built her industry. Most of them have been have been
loving parents who took in orphans of their own.
It has been estimated that these children's descendants number approximately 2 million. This produces
considerable political power. Elections have been swayed by less.