Children Institutions in Kansas City 1918 - 1920
Keeping in mind that Kansas City was a railroad station hub,
the second largest in the nation, competing only with Chicago, in the 1918-1920
era, know that it also was also a hub for abandoned children and maternity
homes. The 21 April 1919 Kansas City
Times article named the following orphanages: The Children’s Home, The Life
Line Mission (KS), The Negro Orphans” Home, the Gillis Orphans” Home (MO).
However, know that there were plenty more. Many of the children were abandoned
without a name or any clue to parentage.
One Well-Known
Children’s Home – Life Line Mission
According to the 17 Feb 1918 Kansas City Star newspaper,
Life Line Mission was “an institution devoted to the care of children under
four years old.” Turning to local
newspapers using the mission names as the keywords, may lead the family researchers
to uncovering an ancestor’s past. The
local newspaper may be your key to adoptions and misplaced children research. Plus
you may learn a bit more about the law and social practices.
For one, it was clearly illegal to bring destitute persons
to Kansas. A 12 Feb 1918 Kansas City Times article gives details on the arrest
of Dr. Hartman for bringing three “destitute persons” - two women and a baby-
to Rosedale, KS. Dr. Hartman owned a maternity home in the Rosedale township (later
part of Kansas City, Kansas) that borders the Kansas City, MO. state line. But
much more can be learned about the children’s home that Hartman used to drop
off several children.
Children of Life Line
Mission: 1918-1920
A Kansas City Star and Kansas City Times keyword search for Life Line Mission from 1918 - 1920 proffered
several children’s names.
Francis, Jack and Wallace, 20 July 1920, Kansas City Times, Three Babes Want A Home. One is 5 years
old (Francis), Another Blue-Eyed and Chubby; Third Seldom Cries, Jack and Wallace were not yet one year old.
Both Jack and Wallace were left at Union Station (KCMO) “The mother of Wallace
is known…” Ten month old Jack is dark complexion, with black eyes and dark
brown hair “He was given to a woman to hold and she found she had a baby on her
hands that did not belong to her.” pg.
11, Co 1. Wallace’s mother was 18 years
old with black hair and dark eyes and small of stature and visits her son.
Three month old “Wallace is blue eyed a [?] blond and fat.”
Emanuel Lissner, 15 Oct 1918, Kansas City Times. …the 3 year
old son of Louis Lissner died yesterday of pneumonia at the Life Line Mission,
Kansas. He had a sister Gertrude Lisner. Funeral services held at home of
Albert Lissner, 1323 Summit St. Buried in Elmwood Cemetery.
Stultz children 27 Feb 1919, Kansas City Times. Belle, 5
years old, Beulah 3 years old. Seek
Father of Two Children. Homes for Kiddies Will Be Obtained if Relatives Are Not
Found. Father Lem Stultz. Mother died of influenza.
William J. Harvey, 29 Sept 1919, Kansas City, Times. William J. Harvey about 5 months old was left
on a porch with a note and a bundle of clothes. His father was “lost in the
service.”
Infant Child Sydnor, 9 Feb 1920, Kansas City Times. Mrs.
Jessie Sydnor’s Child Ill at Life Line Mission (KS). Mother Jessie Sydnor.
Peter Lyons, 28 Aug 1919, Kansas City, Times. Peter Lyons,
four year old son of Mrs. May Lyons was at the Mission for one week. While his
mother was sick, he was to stay with his aunt, sister of May Lyons, Mrs. Wm.
Hunter. However, he “became lost.” Peter
was found wandering the street, but was returned to his mother.
Striegel Keota Eagle, Keokuk County, Iowa, 11 April 1918.
Elmer Pipes grandson of Mrs. Striegel of Keota, Iowa. He was kidnapped by his mother, Louise Pipes Quinette.
Father [I or J] S Pipes. I. S. Pipes divorced his wife 4 years prior. Note: appears as Pipes, may read Piper.
Other Places to
Research
The Missouri Valley Special Collections is chocked full of
hints, tips and surprises. In narrowing
1920’s children’s home, we turned to the Jackson County Institutional Homes
documents that provides us with the Jackson County institutions [under the
direct control of the County Court," including the "McCune Home for
Boys, Jackson County Home for the Aged and Infirm, the Jackson County Girls'
Parental Home, the Jackson County Home for Aged and Infirm Negroes, the Jackson
County Home for Negro Boys, the Detention Home. This collection includes the photos.
Adult Residences
Of course not all housing institutions were for children. The
Helping Hand Institute was an institution at 523 Grand Avenue in Kansas City,
MO for "worthy homeless men" and some women and children not able to
find work. Again, the newspaper will be the researcher’s friend.
Kathleen Brandt
a3Genealogy.com
Accurate, Accessible Answers.
Was there ever a children's home in Missouri called Haddon Hall?
ReplyDeleteSee response below.
DeleteYes... There was a Haddon Hall as early as 1910. At that time it was more of a medical facility. Later it at least housed boys 16 and up as housing for workers. This building was on 1315 Linwood. You may find out more by contacting the Missouri Valley Room at the KCMO Public Library. That's a great place to start. However, know that many of these records were not salvaged and those that were are not centralized. As you probably know, a3Genealogy is a for-hire research firm. Let me know if we can help you with this project.
ReplyDeleteI am trying to find a comprehensive list of orphanages in Wyandotte County, KS in 1900? My great-grandma was adopted from there (she was born September 1900, was left on the doorsteps of the orphanage at only a few days old), but when she went to try and retrieve her records (sometime as an adult, no idea when?) the orphanage had burnt down? I have no idea what the orphanage was even called. My grandpa always referred to it as the Wyandotte County Orphanage, but I don't seem to have any luck using this name?
ReplyDeleteThank you!
Hmmm...we join you in wanting a comprehensive list of orphanages (anywhere?) Based on your info above, we would start with a newspaper search to find out the one's that burnt down. We would also look at the 1900 census to find the nearest orphanage at the time of her birth. If you wish for a3Genealogy to assist, just let us know!
DeleteMy Father and siblings were listed in 1930 census as being in The Children's Home On north 8th st. Later they were back with their mother any info and or how I might access records would be helpful
ReplyDeleteMost often, the answer is yes there's documentation. However, most were not centralized resulting in each case being individualized as a research project. Individual facility records may be found at the county, local or state archives. Many of these facilities changed hands, so that too must be researched while seeking out documents. That can be uncovered, sometimes, through newspaper search. This is typically a 10 hour search for a3Genealogy Research. If you need our assistance, just reach out via email or call.
DeleteMy dad had a half-sister that was sent to the State Home in Carrollton, Mo in 1927. I have been unable to locate the "keeper of the records". I have contacted state agencies, State Archives, and State Historical Society. In the 1930 census, she was not listed at the Home; I assume she had passed or was fostered/adopted. Any suggestions how I can find out what happened? Thanks.
ReplyDeleteI'm assuming you are referring to the children's Home. I would look at court records and county court minutes. There may also be a Guardianship record for her, or a newspaper of the court and allowance of $$$ for her care. It is possible that you will have to do a formal court request to release the information, but genealogy or family history is normally accepted. Please let us know how it goes.
DeleteI have been looking for my biological son who was born the early days of October, 1969 at the KU Medical Center, Kansas City, KS. The adoption was made thru Catholic Charities Sisters of Charity where I lived during the summer in the north part of Kansas City, MO. I am awaiting results of a 23&Me DNA test & am hoping to get more info. However, I'm told these adoptions went before the court on the Missouri side where I lived at the time. I would appreciate any assistance you might give me as I am wanting to share medical info with my son before I die.
ReplyDeleteDo you have any information on the “ Julia AW Baker Children's Home “
ReplyDeleteAh...the Julia AW Baker Children's Home of KC is well known. However records, news and photos are spotty at best. If you need a3Genealogy to assist you with a research project just drop us an email of the details and we forward to you a quote.
DeleteIf you are wanting to attempt this research yourself, I suggest starting with newspapers for your timeframe. Many of the children were transferred to Judge Porterfield's pet-project. Unfortunately, Porterfield was not a conventional Judge, and many or his court proceedings have not been uncovered. We have had about 70% success rate in researching the wards of these two homes.
Let me know if a3genealogy can assist with your project (please provide details).
Was there a St. Mary's Orphanage in KC in the 1940's? If so,how do I attain records of a teen girl who would have been there? Thank you in advance!
ReplyDeleteHi I am trying to find information about what Catholic Orphanage my grand mother was in during 1904 in Kansas City while her single mother went to St Louis to work at the worlds fair? Any help or direction would be greatly appreciated. I think it might have been St Joseph Orphan home as I have a picture of her on the front steps and it looks similar to the photos online.
ReplyDeleteThank you so much for any information or direction.
Looking for any information on a large farm for children (could have been in excess of 40 kids) in Mission Township of Shawnee County, Kansas called K & L of S. Home, allegedly owned free of mortgage by a farmer and his wife named G. G. Coffman, aged 54, his wife, Arminta B. Coffman, aged 53, and their grandchild Rey Coffman, aged 11. They appear on a 1920 census report for Mission Township. The children, who the census refers to as “Inmates”, may have been made to work/do chores on the farm. I cannot seem to substantiate the existence of this place nor find any history that pertains to it. One would think a place like that would have many records of its existence. Please respond if you know anything that will help me. Thank you, Phill
ReplyDeleteLooking for information on an unwed mother’s home who would have taken in a 15 year old victim of rape and who delivered a babygirl in 1925 who was adopted out. The only living family thought the name of the home had the word “Green” in it possibly. Mother was from Flora, Illinois.
ReplyDelete