Orphanages in Georgia - Family History & Genealogy Message Board

Re: Southern Christian Home, 1011 Cleburne Avenue, Atlanta, Georgia

GAPeach49 — 2013-05-12 22:50:30Z

To all of you Southern Christian Home kids out there.............
I just spoke to Dennis McKee who was at the Home from 1951 - 1958. He has information before 1951 and after 1958 that he can share with all of you. He asked me to give you his telephone number 503-913-8655. Please call him. He is updating a CD about the Southern Christian Home and all of the "family". Happy Mothers Day to all of you...... We may not have been with our birth family, but we were "family."

Re: Bibb County Childrens Home

1_namsue — 2013-05-07 17:42:51Z

Was your name Rosemary Beard back then? My name is Susan Sims and I use to be the roommate of Sheryl Sanders. We were like 6 to 9 years old during the time I was there. Nelly Stroup was a lot older than us, one of the big girls as we use to call them. When were you there? have you heard from any of these people recently?

Re: Bibb County Childrens Home

rosemarybeard61 — 2013-05-04 19:01:31Z

I know Nellie stroup Sheryl sanders.Mrs Garrett I was out there then do u know me rosemary perdue

Re: Atlanta Ga Orphanage 1922

josparks70 — 2013-04-21 19:55:17Z

Thanks so much. That is probably where they were.

Re: Atlanta Ga Orphanage 1922

GAPeach49 — 2013-04-20 14:31:51Z

I don't know if this helps, but when I explored trying to get info about the Southern Christian Children's Home, which was torn down and the children were relocated to a second home, I was told that no records were retained, because they were not required to hold onto and store the old records. In other words, there are no records anymore.

Atlanta Ga Orphanage 1922

josparks70 — 2013-04-19 18:38:53Z

My aunts and uncles were placed in an orphanage in Atlanta in July of 1922. They were there in November of 1922 as their photo was in the Atlanta Constitution and it mentions needing food for the orphans of Atlanta. Their mother died in childbirth and father had a mental breakdown. They were adopted out and sent to Arkansas. My mother was adopted by an uncle. No orphanage was mentioned. Does anyone know how to find records of orphans of Atlanta in 1922?

Re: Southern Christian Home, 1011 Cleburne Avenue, Atlanta, Georgia

eweatl — 2013-03-17 21:11:10Z

My name Eddie Evans and I used to live across the street from the Home. I remember David and Shirley Bradley from Highland Grammar School and Bass High School. Several of the kids at the home were my playmates and I have wondered what ever happened to them. I remember Reggie Lowery and his sister Bonnie and Jean Satterfield and Tommy Braim to name a few.
How are David and Shirley? I think of them often.

Re: Southern Christian Home, 1011 Cleburne Avenue, Atlanta, Georgia

eweatl — 2013-03-17 21:04:34Z

You can download a postcard picture of the home from atlantatimemachine.com. It is a sight with a lot of archival photos of Atlanta.

Re: St. Joseph Catholic Orphanage - Washington, GA

john1432970 — 2013-03-03 23:55:09Z

The link is on Richard Grome's post 25 Feb 2013 @ 6:53. Let me know if you can't pull this up.

John

Re: St. Joseph Catholic Orphanage - Washington, GA

WilliamSonnyDavis — 2013-03-03 22:45:50Z

Please send me the link to the 1940 census. Sonny

Re: St. Joseph Catholic Orphanage - Washington, GA

john1432970 — 2013-03-03 20:56:27Z

Don't recongnize any of the nun's names. Only the Mansours and William Norris. All the other kids were 7-13 when this census was taken. Wouldn't have been in any classes with them also they would have been in the big boy dormitory. How about you? Do you remember any of them?

Re: St. Joseph Catholic Orphanage - Washington, GA

WilliamSonnyDavis — 2013-03-03 19:33:17Z

My brother and I would not be on the 1940 census, nor the 150 census when it is releassed, because we were there from 1943 to 1950. Regardless, I would like to see if I recongnize any names on it, especially the nuns names.

Re: St. Joseph Catholic Orphanage - Washington, GA

rgromes — 2013-03-03 03:21:34Z

Thank you very much for the update on the living conditions there. Brave of you to run away 'towards home'. Goodness knows I ran away plenty of times from home!

Again my thanks for that though.

I've contacted Benedictine School's alumni organization. The president there, a nice guy, name of Mike, is forwarding my request for info to the archivist who only works Mondays. So I'm hoping to hear back soon as to whether or not my missing relative attended that school post-orphanage.

Speaking of orphanages; I tried to find the Census record for St. Marys in 1940. It's literally listed in the title, however the page was either omitted or simply forgotten. So S.o.L on that front. I'm going to ask Ancestry to look into it.

Re: St. Joseph Catholic Orphanage - Washington, GA

WilliamSonnyDavis — 2013-02-27 23:40:23Z

Living conditions at St. Joseph's were excellent. Discipline very strict, though. I remember that whippings by the nuns were given for wetting the bed. I had a great feeling when I could sleep all night without wetting the bed. I guess the whippings worked? The food was good, clothing was good, and recreation was excellent. The only abuse was the whippings most boys got for doing things they were not supposed to do and for using slang words like "heck." There was some homosexual activity between the boys and they were punished, whipped, for that if they were caught. When run-a-ways were caught they got a beating from Father Crean. He knocked me to the ground for leaving a hoe out on the circle driveway leading to the home. However, he treated me fine otherwise. We had sports: baseball, boxing, football, all played with very little equipment, but I remember that these activities were lots of fun. In hinesight, I believe my treatment was good and I deserved any punishment I received. I consider myself fortunate that I was there and my education was excellent. I ran away because I wanted to be with my family.

Re: St. Joseph Catholic Orphanage - Washington, GA

john1432970 — 2013-02-27 22:53:55Z

I was offered the opportunity to go to Benedictine Military School in Savannah. Didn't go. I remember one boy going I think his name was Malcom Daniels. He sent me a picture, nice uniform.

Re: St. Joseph Catholic Orphanage - Washington, GA

rgromes — 2013-02-27 22:50:11Z

Thank you for your help. I'm looking into St. Mary's now. I take it the name Fred Zehl is unfamiliar to you as well? I reached out to the alumni association of the Benedictine school, hopefully I'll hear back from them soon. If that pans out, I let folks here know if its a good source of info.

I'm in NJ otherwise I'd just go knock on the doors. For now its all armchair work for me.

If it's not too personal a set of questions, can you describe the living conditions of St. Josephs? How you were treated, fed, clothed? If family visitations took place with any regularity for children who's parents/kin were local?
I understand if you'd rather not answer, I'm just trying to get a good understanding of the place.

Many Thanks!

Rich Grome; NJ

Re: St. Joseph Catholic Orphanage - Washington, GA

WilliamSonnyDavis — 2013-02-27 21:51:35Z

St. Mary's (in Savannah) was where my sister was sent when we, my brother and I, were sent to St. Joseph's. I assume that St. Mary's was the school of choice for those under the eighth grade. Crean is how he spelled his name. My time at St. Joseph's was 1943 to 1950. I was in eighth grade when my brother and I ran away to my mother's home in Jacksonville, Fl. Where the boys went after St. Joseph's is a mystery to me. but I assume it was somewhere in Savannah or Atlanta. Sonny Davis

Re: St. Joseph Catholic Orphanage - Washington, GA

john1432970 — 2013-02-27 12:11:52Z

After completing 8th grade I was offered a chance to go to Benedictine Military School in Savannah, Ga.,912-644-7000.I declined and my brother @ I went home with our parents who had just remarried. From what I hear St. Benedictine was a first class military school. For girls of that age they went to St. Marys also in Savannah.I don't know where the girls orphanage was, I'm thinking it was in Savannah. Hope this helped.BTW where are you from?

Re: St. Joseph Catholic Orphanage - Washington, GA

rgromes — 2013-02-27 01:15:11Z

First, you're welcome. I'm glad the link worked. It's terrible that we have to wait 9 more years for the next census to come out.
Regarding Fr. Crane. It's possible it was spelled Crane, but delivered to a census taker in a thick Irish brogue it's possible the census taker thought he said Crean? I'm checking outside of Ancestry on this, if anything turns up, I'll report back. Anyway, I have a few follow up questions if you don't mind; you mentioned "we only stayed until the 8th grade" were you referring to you and your brother or was that a general rule for all residents? If it was the rule for all, where did a resident go after that?
Yesterday I received confirmation that this Frederick was in fact a relative of mine. Problem now is that I don't know where he went after this. His mother literally disappeared after his birth in 1927. He is listed as a resident of the orphanage in the 1930 census at the age of 2. His Father, who was a police officer in Atlanta at the time relocated to Brooklyn, New York by 1930. Frederick's sisters also disappeared after 1930; so was there an orphanage for girls I can check as well?
Thank you for your help and your time. I really appreciate your first hand knowledge!

Re: St. Joseph Catholic Orphanage - Washington, GA

john1432970 — 2013-02-26 13:12:02Z

I see Frederick was 13 at this time. We only stayed until the 8th grade. I only recall Joseph and George Mansour on the list.I always thought Fr. Crean was spelled Crane. I appreciate you sending this to me.My brother and I visited the school recently and they were converting it into a Technical School.

Re: St. Joseph Catholic Orphanage - Washington, GA

rgromes — 2013-02-25 23:38:18Z

The following link will take you to page 41. This is where I found Frederick Zehl. If you look at the previous pages going back to page 39 you will see the rest of the names. It starts there with John Crean/Cream Catholic Clergyman of Ireland at the top, followed by the various Sisters, then the kids.

http://1940census.archives.gov/search/?search.census_year=19...

If the link doesn't work let me know and i'll try to email them to you.
- Rich

Re: St. Joseph Catholic Orphanage - Washington, GA

john1432970 — 2013-02-25 23:00:00Z

I got to St.Joseph's in 1943. Never knew Frederick. I left in 1950. Not many boys were adopted in those years due to the fact the war was going on. I would like to see a census of 1940 where it might have been taken in Washington. Can you email me a copy? mcmahon862@bellsouth.net

Thanks

Re: St. Joseph Catholic Orphanage - Washington, GA

rgromes — 2013-02-25 18:34:24Z

I discovered on the 1930 and 1940 census records here on Ancestry the names of all the boys present in those years. Amongst them the name Frederick Zehl shows up. Born in 1927 in Georgia. I'm trying to determine if his parents were Louis and Eva Zehl of Atlanta, GA but can't find any record of him post 1940. Anyone of you remember him? Also, was this the sort of place where children were adopted from all were all residents until a certain age?

Thank you for your insights and info.

Re: St. Joseph Catholic Orphanage - Washington, GA

9955davis — 2013-01-31 21:51:58Z

Johnny:

There is a name on this ancestry that indicates he had some paper on the home but not the names. The diocess of Atlanta has a contact for records. Try to find some details and pass on. In reply, I live in west Cobb County (Marietta). Good to hear from someone that stayed there.

Joe

Re: St. Joseph Catholic Orphanage - Washington, GA

john1432970 — 2013-01-31 21:50:59Z

No that was not me. I was in the Marine Corps, 1953-1957, stationed a MCSD Albany, Ga. and then Japan and Okinawa.I asked FR.Crane how was my name pronounced and he said McMann like Ed McMahon. I've been explaining that pronounceation all my life.But what the hell, it never bothered me.

Re: St. Joseph Catholic Orphanage - Washington, GA

9955davis — 2013-01-31 21:46:34Z

William:

My name is Joe Davis. My brother sent to St Joseph's was Anthony (Tony). I am sure we are not related at all. My older brother and father were named George Houston Davis. And my dad simply called George(son) - my son "Sonny". Sonny stuck thereafter. Anthony and I were sent in 1949 and stayed through 1950(summer). All my family is gone now. As the youngest, not much was told to me about the family members(Davis side). In fact, been looking for records on father, grandfather and grandmother. Too young to have many memories.
Thanks for all your messages.

Joe

Re: St. Joseph Catholic Orphanage - Washington, GA

WilliamSonnyDavis — 2013-01-31 21:19:36Z

I remember you well!! Your name is pronounced as Macman as I recall.
Back in 1954 or 1955, I was on an encampment at Travis Field in Savannah, with the Florida Air National Guard. Did I run into you there?

Re: St. Joseph Catholic Orphanage - Washington, GA

john1432970 — 2013-01-31 21:03:42Z

My Name is John McMahon. They called Johnny.
I called someone in Atlanta a few months ago and they told me all records of the school were destroyed. Who did you call? I would like to have my confirmation and school records for my kids to see. (Depends on how they were}

Re: St. Joseph Catholic Orphanage - Washington, GA

WilliamSonnyDavis — 2013-01-31 20:29:55Z

We are not related to the Davises of the 1950s. The Mullins brothers: Elbert is the oldest and I believe the youngest name is Steve(not comletely sure, though). I remember Johnny Norris. When he got there, he was so young and could not pronounce his first name correctly...it sounded like Nonny, so we, the boys in the home, called him Nonny.

BTW, what is your name?

My brother Joseph Paul Davis visited the place 50 years ago and took a picture of Paralee in the kitchen. I believe I could find it if I look real hard. I visited 30 years ago and found it as a public school.

Don't be disappointed with the records people (maybe nuns). They were teachers and not records keepers. I believe when St. Joseph's "closed," the nuns, our records, and remaining boys were transferred to Atlanta. I was able to obtain a few records, such as confirmation certificates, grades, etc., and they are the original records.

Re: St. Joseph Catholic Orphanage - Washington, GA

john1432970 — 2013-01-31 17:24:52Z

I'm confused. I've been comunicating w/the Davis' of the 50's and now there are Davis' of the 40's. Are all of you guys related?
We used to take a taxi to Sharon.I always thought they were a bunch of rich kids in a private school. I remember the place as an old wooden church. Was not impressed. I do remember the Mulluns, wasn't his first name Mike. Remember Sonny Norris? I met the people who adopted him. Took some pics of the school when I was there. Will send them to you when I figure out how to do it. I'm not much of a techie. Never thought this computer thingajig was for real. Now I couldn't live without it.

Re: St. Joseph Catholic Orphanage - Washington, GA

WilliamSonnyDavis — 2013-01-31 16:34:59Z

I went to Sharon GA on several occasions by train from Washington GA. All I did was serve mass at a little wooden, clapboard, style church. I do not believe that there was a school there.

What a coincidence in names, your relative (Sonny Davis) and me William Courtney (Sonny) Davis, and my brother, Joseph Paul Davis who attended St. Joseph's from 1942 to 1949. We ran away from St. Joseph's, along with the Mullins brother in 1949 while the other boys were at the Wilke's Theatre viewing a movie. We just walked out and got a bus about 2 blocks from the theatre. We were not caught and arrived at our parent's home in Jacksonville, FL.

Re: St. Joseph Catholic Orphanage - Washington, GA

9955davis — 2013-01-31 15:49:52Z

thnaks for the reply. I went to Sharon twice with the priest. I was just looking into Sharon. There is something strange about my older brother George (Sonny) and Sharon. All my brothers and sisters passed away, but some small words and phrases (from the sisters) indicate that George went to Sharon for a year or two (age 14 & 15). However, when I asked, they all acted as if nothing happened. What do you know about a school in Sharon?
I have been trying to find out information on my father and his family, but there are few records. The search is still fun.

Re: St. Joseph Catholic Orphanage - Washington, GA

john1432970 — 2013-01-31 15:22:22Z

No it dosn't. I remember going to Sharon every Sunday w/Fr. Crane. I thought Sharon was a private school. Other names I remember, Kenneth Clark, he was my best friend.Where do you live now? I live in McDonough.As for Washington, Ga. the whole town is like a tourist attraction, drug store gone,movie house that we used to go is now a retail store,allin all the town is very clean and is well maintained.The main attraction is the hotel, so they say.

Re: St. Joseph Catholic Orphanage - Washington, GA

9955davis — 2013-01-31 15:07:56Z

John:

Does the name Ronie Cumby (or Cumbie) mean anything to you?

Re: St. Joseph Catholic Orphanage - Washington, GA

john1432970 — 2013-01-31 04:29:54Z

I don't recall cleaning Fr.Crane's house,I think one of the kitchen staff did it. Speaking of kitchen,remember Paralee Jackson, the head cook? My brother Snooky remembers you. He is 72, I'm 76. People I remember are Curtis Clark,your brother Sonny,the Parker brothers,Elkins,Joe & George Mansour.There are more but can't recall at this moment.
My brother and I went to Washington about 2 Months ago. They are changing it into a Technical School. It was hardly reconisible from what I remembered. Jim Fretwell's name was written on one the blackboards.
Someone sent me a name of a person in Atlanta that had records of the school but whene I called him he said all of the records had been destroyed. Sounds fishy to me.

: St. Joseph Catholic Orphanage - Washington, GA

9955davis — 2013-01-30 23:05:56Z

William:

Having read several emails between you and John many thoughts come to mind. The most impressive are your history about you, your brother, your dad, etc. Take a read on my history at ST Joseph's. My brother, Anthony and I (Joe) were at the home in 50 and 51. Older brother's name is George Houston Davis, called Sonny for all family menbers. My dad died in 1946, at age 49. We also received social security SS support folling his death. I am trying to find details on my older brother in Sharon Georgia.

Joe Davis

Re: St. Joseph Catholic Orphanage - Washington, GA

9955davis — 2013-01-30 22:38:14Z

Hi John:
I was there in 1950. I also served the father for maybe for a year following you. Don't remember you, but I am 70 years old. Did also later clean the father's home? Does Harry Hames or O'brien? Trying to remember names, but not coming through.

Joe Davis

Re: St. Joseph Catholic Orphanage - Washington, GA

9955davis — 2013-01-30 22:30:56Z

Thanks for all your research. My bother and I lived at St Joseph's in 1950 & 1951. During that time I entered the old home (wooden structure), on the same property. Nuns never found out. We would catch "hell" if found out. The building was empty, except for very old church service books and some records. Do not know details of the records. I was only 7 and 8 years. The fellow that took me in the building was 12 years. Also have seen other church instruments (high quality) that seem to be in storage. I would like a copy about the home, if possible. Email is djosc@bellsouth.net. I am 70 years and hope to go by the property before I die. I think closure. Also searching history regarding Sharon Georgia. There is some family secret regarding Sharon and oldest brother. Family is all deceased and secrets loom from my ear for the past.
Thanks for your consideration and help. Joe

Re: St. Joseph Catholic Orphanage - Washington, GA

roach50 — 2013-01-16 00:32:35Z

Interesting....but mommy did not die until years later
In Augusta. Daddy either.

Re: St. Joseph Catholic Orphanage - Washington, GA

Ericak1115 — 2013-01-15 05:35:34Z

http://files.usgwarchives.net/ga/wilkes/obits/m/meehan6619go...

Re: Orphanage homes--Atlanta, Georgia

RobinSawyer12 — 2013-01-05 00:23:52Z

HOw about 316 Carver Street?

Re: orphanage in Macon

VintonSeaLions — 2012-09-11 05:28:17Z

Thought this might prove productive http://www.themethodisthome.org/history.htm
I, too, had relatives in this Orphanage in the 1920 census. Hope this provides you with a lead.

Mabel Frances Smith

cmckathy32448 — 2012-08-09 00:03:48Z

Am looking for my grandmother's family. My grandmother Mabel Frances Smith was born in Atlanta, GA on 25 Sept. 1895. I know that she had a brother named Walter whom I believe never married. He was mustard gassed during World War I. Mabel Frances Smith was put in an orphan's asylum or children's home or poorhouse(in Georgia) between 1895-1910. In 1910 she is shown in the census living with James Morris Stovall and Mattie Edna Funderburk Stovall and N. Bryson Stovall their small son in Sandersville, Washington, GA. I know that she was adopted by James and Mattie Stovall and I have always heard she was around 13 years old when she was adopted. There is no information in the Stovall family that I have located that shows anything about her adoption. Mabel Frances Smith Stovall married my grandfather Thomas Jefferson Chason in 1914 and she died of TB on 10 July 1919. My mother, her only child, was about 3 years old at the time. If anyone has any leads, sources, information, etc. I would deeply appreciate hearing from you. Kathy Roberts

Re: Southern Christian Home, 1011 Cleburne Avenue, Atlanta, Georgia

svantelennartsson — 2012-04-25 19:39:53Z

Hi, I am researching an orphan that resided at a "group home" or orphanage in 1920. It was located in the Fulton Ward 6 district 108. Reading the info, it seems this home was in Fulton county. Anyone know if it was ward 6 in 1920? The head of the home at the time was GALVIN. Any way to research the residents of that time?
Thanks
tonya

Re: Southern Christian Home, 1011 Cleburne Avenue, Atlanta, Georgia

GAPeach49 — 2012-04-21 10:16:02Z

I hope they do too!

Re: Southern Christian Home, 1011 Cleburne Avenue, Atlanta, Georgia

rootsdiggerupper — 2012-04-21 01:33:19Z

I'm sorry to hear the records were destroyed. But if there are descendants of this Woodis/Hafley (Gail was a Hafley) family perhaps someone will discover this post and get in touch with me. Thanks for your information! Nancy

orphansages in atlanta

dwells356 — 2012-04-20 03:22:44Z

My grandmother told us that she and her 3 siblings were placed temporairly in an orphanage in the Atlanta area about 1907 while their father took their mother home to Michigan where she died of cancer of the stomach. He returned less than a year later and picked them up. What orphanages were in operation in 1907. Their name was Stoddard and she was only 5 years old.

Re: Southern Christian Home, 1011 Cleburne Avenue, Atlanta, Georgia

GAPeach49 — 2012-04-19 23:46:40Z

I have bad news for you. A few years ago, while doing my research, I spoke to the people in Atlanta regarding history etc. of "the home". There are no records at all. They were destroyed. It is so unfortunate that people do not realize how important making family connections are to those of us who had no family for such a long period. I am so grateful that I was able to connect with my biological family after sooooooo many years. I am still just getting to know them. I am very lucky. "Wanda"

Re: Southern Christian Home, 1011 Cleburne Avenue, Atlanta, Georgia

rootsdiggerupper — 2012-04-19 22:00:01Z

While doing research on members of a branch of my family, I recently discovered in the 1920 census that they were living at the Southern Christian Home on Cleburne Avenue, in Atlanta, Georgia. They are listed as Margaret "Woodies", age 9; Frank "Woodies", age 9; and Gaile "Woodies", 25 (Divorced). The two children are listed as "inmates" and Gaile is listed as a boarder. The correct spelling of the last name is Woodis for Frank and Gail and I believe Margaret may be a daughter of Gail and sister of Frank. I can find Frank and Gail later in City Directories for Atlanta, but I cannot locate anything on Margaret. I have some info that indicates Margaret may have used the name Margaret McNair later, but don't know if that was name of an adoptive family or if she married. I have found that Gail (Hafley) Woodis died in 1943 and Frank H. Woodis died in 1977. Would there have been any records kept from that far back that would be available to get any further info on these relatives? I particularly would like to know what "happened" to Margaret and if she was, in fact, a daughter of Gail. Thanks!!!

Re: St. Joseph Catholic Orphanage - Washington, GA

john1432970 — 2012-04-13 22:47:23Z

My brothers Gene, Rufus and my name is Johnny were there at St. Joeseph's from 1943-1950. I don't recall anyone named Carter. I was 7, brother Ernie was 8 and Rufus was 4. Ernie ran away about a month after we got to the school. Made it all the way back to Atlanta. The school was run by the Sisters of St.Joseph. The priest was Fr. John Crane, born in Ireland and was a mean man.My email address is mcmahon862@bellsouth.net.