I'm looking for any orphanage records for the St. Joseph Orphanage in Washington, GA. I believe my great grandfather's (George Washington Wheeler) brothers Harry Wheeler and Aaron Wheeler may have been placed in that orphanage in the late 1800s. I understand the brothers may have been placed in the orphanage after the marriage separation of their parents, James Wheeler and Flora Jones. I'd be grateful for info on that orphanage as I know little about it. E-mail to me at dale30809@aol.com, dale30809ga@aol.com, or dale30809ga@yahoo.com, Dale Boyd, Evans, GA.

Good luck. I have been trying to obtain information on the orphanage. I found the cemetery in Washington Ga. I had a great uncle who fell to his death as he tried to scale a wall and escape. The orphanage came under the Diocese of Savannah. I asked the archivist at the Diocese about the orphanage but did not receive a response. I do know that the orphanage burned down and it was rebuilt. Maybe records were lost then. I don't think there is a Catholic parish in Washington now...not sure. Perhaps your posting is enough of a prompt for me to try again.
John Broderick

I would like to hear about anything you learn. My grandmother, grand aunt, and grand uncle all stayed there for a period when my greatgrand father died. I believe there was some money for their care, but I would surely like to find any records that are available.

My father-in-law and several of his siblings also lived in the orphanage during the 1930-40's. I would be interested in any information that you may find. Thank you-

I received a response from the Diocese of Savannah referring me to additional possible sources of info. I am going to contact those and hopefully obtain information. I will post whatever I am able to obtain. Thanks


We have a booklet about the orphanage at Washington, Georgia, which we
could copy for you if you wish. But we have no personal information on
the boys who stayed there. For that, you might contact the Sisters of
St. Joseph, who ran the orphanage St. Joseph's Provincial House, 6400
Minnesota Avenue, St. Louis, MO 6311-2899) or the church in Washington,
which is in the Archdiocese of Atlanta (St. Joseph's Church, 1015 N. By
Pass Hwy. 78 W., P.O.Box 632, Washington, GA 30673.)

I would love to have a copy of the book. Please mail to the address below and let me know how much I owe you for postage. Thanks!!

Julienne Cronin
3133 Galangale Way
Atlanta, GA 30340

Hi: My wife and I have recently visited Saint Patrick's Cemetery in Washington, Wilkes County, Ga. and have posted photos on Find A Grave. There are over 50 nuns and about 8 orphans buried there.
Bud

Several of my great great uncles stayed there and were listed in the 1860 census, but their surnames were spelled MEAHAN instead of MEEHAN. One of them learned a printing trade there and eventually worked for the Augusta Chronicle.
I do not know the circumstances surrounding the uncle's stay at the orphanage, but would sure like to know more. Eventually their mother got the boys out and moved to Augusta, GA. I have found no record of their father MICHAEL J MEEHAN's death, butbelieve he may have been taken to a convalescent home nearby.
Is there any way I too can obtain a copy of the booklet?
Jean Roach
1312 N 42nd St
Omaha, NE 68131
I am going to try and write to these places as well and will post any responses I get. Thanks.

I will be happy to send you a copy. I have to make copies for some other folks. The Diocese provided some other addresses I can write to but I have not have had the time of late. I think I will do that this next weekend.

Thanks much. I will give it a look.

John