Monthly Gathering—September 2003
Children of the Orphan Train
During the antebellum years, millions of immigrants streamed into New York City, where many ended up in dangerous and low-paying jobs. If a husband or wife died, the children commonly took to the streets to help feed the family. Often, these children became delinquents and street urchins. At one point, New York had 6,000 children in jail or reformatories and the problem only promised to get worse. What to do?
Enter the era of the “Orphan Train.” Between 1854 and 1927 at least 250,000 mostly homeless, abandoned and neglected children were loaded on trains heading West, to places like the towns of rural Michigan. Upon arrival they were taken to a village hall or church for a selection process. If the children were lucky, they were placed in a nurturing home environment. If not, their status was no more than that of an indentured servant. Those not selected rode on the next town. In the process the children could be separated from siblings, and/or almost certainly permanently lose touch with any remaining family.
Join us on Saturday, September 20, when our guest speaker Al Eicher will share the complete story of this little known yet fascinating chapter of history—how it worked and why Michigan figured in so prominently. Eicher is founder of Program Source International, a Bloomfield Hills video production company that specializes in historical profiles of small towns around Michigan. There will be a brief video presentation accompanying Eicher’s address.
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