Speakers shared true stories, mostly good, and included memories of their own personal family connections at the West Feliciana Parish Library recently, giving insight about some of the many children who rode the historic orphan trains that came to Louisiana, specifically Opelousas, beginning in 1907.
The two main speakers, who were from the Louisiana Orphan Train Museum, presented slides, photos and a brief documentary detailing the orphan train movement, the New York Foundling Hospital and the Sisters of Charity’s efforts. The role of the Catholic Church in Louisiana, the key nuns and priests that were instrumental in helping to place children with Catholic families they had asked to open their hearts and homes was explained.
From the dire circumstances in New York City (1854-1929), the young children went to homes here approved by the church. Orphans had German, Polish, Irish, Italian and Jewish backgrounds and often had to learn a new language…