United States Records of Childrens Homes and Orphanages - International Institute

Children's Homes and Orphanages
In the early days of institutions for the poor and sick, orphans and children of destitute parents were usually cared for in the same facilities as adults. Churches and religious associations opened separate orphanages in the late 1700s. The first half of the 19thcentury saw these types of institutions in a few locations in the United States, mainly in urban areas.

By the 1880s, most states had enacted laws requiring children to be cared for in facilities separate from adults. It is at this time you will see the creation of government-run county children’s homes.

The term ‘orphanage’ is often a misnomer. These institutions often took in not only parentless children, but also children whose parents were unable or unwilling to provide for them. Such children could be placed there either by the choice of their parent(s) or by the courts.

Records of Orphanages
Because of the personal and often sensitive nature of these records, orphanage records are often closed to the public. However, do not assume that all of them are sealed. You may be pleasantly surprised to find the one you need is available, and the records can be a treasure of information.

Admission registers and applications can be wonderful sources of information. Specific information on the child and his parentage is often asked for. (Of course, there are times when this information is not available.)

Below is Mrs. Mary J. Oharra’s application for her son William to the Hare’s Orphans’ Home in Columbus, Ohio. Figure: Hare’s Orphans’ Home Application, Columbus, Ohio



Not all applications were on pre-printed forms. A letter to the Hare’s Orphans’ Home reads:

Records of county children’s homes tend to be more open than those of private orphanages. Below shows the admission register for the Athens County, Ohio Children’s Home. The information asked for included:


 * Name
 * When born
 * Where born
 * Parents’ name
 * Nationality
 * How received
 * Township
 * When admitted
 * To whom indentured
 * When indentured

Although some children were noted as being returned to their parents, others children were indentured. Sarah E. Kemp was indentured to Mrs. Annie Birt, Murray City, O. A search of Athens County court records for indenture, adoption or guardianship records would be wise.

Indentures may be noted in the admission register (as you’ve just seen) or they may be in separate volumes. If indentures are not part of the admission register information, look for a separate volume; the clues to the person taking the child and their residence can point you toward court records and a possible place of residence after their discharge from the childrens’ home.

Figure: Children’s Home Register, Athens County, Ohio Left Side

Figure: Right Side