The Anomalies of Placing Out Children & Babies
NATIONAL ORPHAN TRAIN COMPLEX MUSEUM AND RESEARCH CENTER Orphan Train Movement 1854-1929 Like any other massive immigration movement, the United States, although known as the land of ‘milk and honey,’ had the reality of tenements, scarce jobs, and insufficient provisions for the over four million arrivers. These newcomers faced unsanitary living conditions, diseases due to the lack of sanitary living quarters and work environment, and risky jobs without safety measures where many of the men faced their demise leaving overworked mothers at home with young children who may have begun working as early as age six. Due to the high death rate of parents, or their heavy burden, these children were often abandoned or orphaned, left to feign for themselves. By 1854 there were over 30,000 children living in the New York City streets. But this was a growing issue especially in overcrowded eastern cities. Two organizations took noticed: The Children’s Aid Society (CAS) led by Charle