First, figure out what you know about the orphan. Write down all the details that you can. Consider some of the following questions. Record all of the information that you know. You might be surprised what could prove helpful research clue.
The basics
- Was the orphan placed with a family? Or through an orphanage, asylum, children’s home, or institution?
- Do you know the name of the family that adopted the child?
- Do you know the name of the children’s home where they were placed? If you know the home’s name, you can begin your search using the name of the orphanage, home, or institution. You will discover that many homes changed names multiple times or were called informal names within the community.
What do you know about the location?
- Where was the home? What State? City? See the resources available for each state.
- Where did the family live around the time the child/children were released? See How to Search a Census for Orphans
Time frame
- When did your relative become an orphan? Or when was your relative placed in a home?
Religion
- Is there a family connection to a church or a religion?
About the home
- Did the home or orphanage accept boys, girls, or both?
- Were there age restrictions for the children living at the orphanage?
Finding more details
- Is there anyone else that you could ask to discover more details or potential clues?