Orphan Train on Tap at Genealogical Society Meeting

What is an Orphan Train Rider? Come to the Tuesday, July 18th meeting of the Delaware County Genealogical Society, 7 p.m. at the Grove Public Library to hear Ida Mae Wilhoit and Marie Hays, from Oklahoma City, speak to us about the Orphan Train Era. They are both members of the Orphan Train Heritage Society of America, an organization dedicated to researching and preserving the history of the Orphan Train Era.

Ida Mae Wilhoit, whose mother was an Orphan Train Rider, was born and grew up in Pierce City, MO, moving to Tulsa 56 years ago. She will tell us more about the Orphan Train Heritage Society, including her mother’s story.

The meeting is open to the public and anyone who is interested in their family history.

Ida Mae Wilhoit, whose mother was an Orphan Train Rider, will tell the Delaware County Genealogical Society about her mother's experiences at the society's meeting Tuesday, July 18, at 7 p.m. at the Grove Public Library. The Orphan Trains were organized beginning in the 1850s to find homes in rural America for the thousands of orphans roaming the streets of New York City. The last train rolled in 1929 by which time more than 100,000 children had been placed with families.
Today the Orphan Train Heritage Society of America preserves the history of the trains and their riders through research and outreach. Wilhoit is a member and will discuss the organization as well as her mother's experiences. She will be accompanied by Marie Hays of Oklahoma City who is also a member.
Wilhoit was born and raised in Pierce City, Mo., but has lived in Tulsa for 56 years. She, and husband Guy have been married for 55 years. They have three children, 4 grandchildren, and one great-granddaughter. After working as a legal secretary for several Tulsa law firms, she retired in 1991 from the Williams Companies' legal department.
The public is invited to this program provided by the Genealogical Society.