Orphans and Inmates

by Rosanne Higgins

In the spring of 1835, at the pier of Buffalo's Canal District, the most dangerous square mile in developing America, 17 year old Ciara Sloane steps onto land, alone, save for her younger sisters, orphaned at sea on the voyage from Ireland. Turned away by her only family on this side of the Atlantic, Ciara is admitted to the almshouse, along with her younger sisters, as the nursemaid, charged with bringing order to the chaos that is the children's ward. With the help of the Christian Ladies Charitable Society, led by the formidable Mrs. Farrell, and the compassionate and charming Dr. Michael Nolan, Ciara is able to transform the children's ward from a place of loneliness and despair to one of optimism and hope.

Genres: Fiction, Book Club

382 pages, Kindle Edition

First published April 25, 2014

About the author

Rosanne Higgins was born in Enfield Connecticut, however spent her youth in Buffalo, New York. Her experiences traveling in both the United States and in Europe as a child resulted in a love of history from an early age. She knew from the time she was in fourth grade that she wanted to be an Anthropologist and went on after earning her BA to graduate school at the University at Buffalo. Combining her two interests, she studied the Asylum Movement in the nineteenth century and its impact on disease specific mortality. This research focused on the Erie, Niagara, and Monroe County Poorhouses in Western New York. That research earned her a Ph.D. in Anthropology in 1998 and several scholarly publications.

After six years as an assistant professor, Rosanne focused on her family, husband Bob Higgins, and sons, Max and Charlie. She also opened a successful business, tapping into her love for animals with a doggy daycare. This led to charitable efforts in animal rescue. During this time, she also turned her attentions to a more personal fundraising effort following the tragic death of her older son, Max, from a rare pediatric cancer at age 11. This event inspired in her the ability to imagine the previously untold stories of personal and private sufferings.

In the Spring of 2012, she was invited to join the Erie County Poorhouse Cemetery Project, undertaken by the Department of Anthropology at the University at Buffalo While writing her dissertation in the mid 90's, Rosanne had gotten to know many of the inmates of the institutions mentioned above as she pieced together what little could be told of their lives while researching their deaths. For over 20 years, she had a desire to tell the other side of the story in a way that would be accessible to more than just the scholarly community. Rosanne's need to tell their tale has resulted in her first novel, Orphans and Inmates, which is the first in a series chronicling fictional accounts of Poorhouse residents inspired by the historical data.

Reviews

[Lynda Wood · Rating 5 out of 5]

As a native of Buffalo and a member of the WNYGS, a novel written about our very own poorhouse gave me an opportunity to step back in time and follow Ciara and her sisters when the came to Buffalo in the Spring of 1835. I became attached to the characters and was left wanting to continue their adventure.

[Jackie · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a fictionalized story of the children and inmates of the Erie County Almshouse which was located in the general area of D'youville College on Connecticut Street in Buffalo, NY. It takes place in the 1830's, a place of cruelty and privation. The story follows Ciara Sloane, an Irish immigrant who takes over the running of the children's ward.

[Lbball27 · Rating 3 out of 5]

Buffalo in the 1830's. Fast read with good characters.

[Donna · Rating 4 out of 5]

Interesting read.

[Amy Lee · Rating 3 out of 5]

I have never read historical fiction before, but I wanted to support a local author and learn a bit about the history of my city in an interesting way (that is, without reading an actual history book). Orphans and Inmates was a quick read, with a few good scenes and characters. You'll love to hate Mrs. Rowan, Dr. Nolan will make you swoon a bit, and you'll be rooting for Mrs. Farrell....however, I just didn't really care for Ciara, the main character. She seemed too much like a Mary Sue, like she can do no wrong and everyone loves her. I wanted to see her get real mean and cause a scene at the gala, I wanted to see her break down from exhaustion at the almshouse, I wanted to see any sort of emotion from her...

As well, I found myself just wanting for more out of almost every scene in this book. There is a lot of dialogue and very little setting description. I felt that the scenes I was most looking forward to were rushed through (the gala, the wedding, the decision that Ciara would be the new keeper, Ciara deciding to marry Michael). And what the heck happened to Sean? I wanted there to be a good rivalry between he and Michael, but it only lived for a few chapters.

I may come back to this series and see if I can learn to love the characters, or see if Michael/Michelle or Sean's storylines ever return...but overall, I'd say this book was just ok and lacked some depth.

[Ann · Rating 3 out of 5]

When I was in Buffalo this summer, I learned of this series of books which arefictional accounts of poorhouse residents inspired by the historical data. The book is interesting, since it's Buffalo in the 19th century. The storyline is a young 17 year old who arrives from Ireland with her 2 young sisters. Their parents and baby sister died on the boat coming over, so now Ciara (who is destitute) must find her way. She winds up in the poor house (aka the almshouse) with is also serving as an orphanage. While just an 'ok' book, I'm going to read book 2 of the series (where, I'm assuming) the story will focus on a separate orphanage for children. It was an easy ready...I read it in one evening.

[Judy · Rating 3 out of 5]

A disappointing book club recommendation. I'm no historian but the continuous use of 'ye' felt very inauthentic (and annoying) in a story set in Buffalo, NY--"Aye, ye did the right thing. How bad are ye hurt?" is a typical sentence from one of the main, supposedly educated, characters. Few sentences were uttered without the use of 'ye'. Two story threads also went nowhere-- the run-away fiance' posing as a hermaphrodite was pointless in my mind, and Alec attempting to expand the family seed business with live flowers also faded into oblivion without explanation. I hope for better things next time.

[Margaret · Rating 3 out of 5]

This historical fix novel is set in 1835 in our city, Buffalo. It focused on the development of almshouse s and orphanages during that time. I met the author when she spoke about the history of the poorhouses in Buffalo. Basically, the story centers around an immigrant family struggling upon coming to America. The story transcends into a romantic saga but does point out important historic relevance throughout and gives one an imagining of the way of life in an up and coming city of the time..

[Nancy H Foster · Rating 4 out of 5]

An intriguing view into the "alms" houses of the 1800's. It is a detailed peek into the difficult situation children were in if the parents fell on hard times. It is a story of perseverance, faith and love. Class struggles and prejudice are another theme of this story. The writer draws you in with a focus on the main character Ciara who is responsible for her 2 sisters as a new arrival in Buffalo. this would be a great summer read.

[Jan · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5* I thoroughly enjoyed this book. Although written as fiction, it could
well have aspects of the lives of new Immigrants in 1830’s. The fact that it was based on Irish immigrants (as my grandparents were) and set in Buffalo, made it very interesting for me.
Some of the scenes and descriptions of the Alms House and Work House , also housing insane ‘inmates’ , were heartbreaking.
Not to spoil the ending, but things got better for the children and other residents.

[Doretha · Rating 4 out of 5]

I live near Buffalo and enjoy historical fiction, this read was enjoyable however you come to realize that we hear in the states have a class system. It is not as evident as in other countries and I guess the difference is that it is possible to move out of a lower class to upper class with guts and determination. I love the happy ending.

[Janet Mustard · Rating 4 out of 5]

The story was inviting and interesting. I was hoping to find out how much was fact vs. fiction. Truly a disparity between social classes. There is no lack of understanding why people struggle from overweight when life is in many ways so much better.

[Jayne Moorman · Rating 3 out of 5]

As other readers have commented, I felt it was amateurish & lacked depth. I see it is part of a 5 book series so perhaps the writing improves as the story progresses. This book was not compelling enough to interest me in reading another 4 along these lines.

[Julie Pfleuger · Rating 5 out of 5]

Growing up in Buffalo

Growing up in Buffalo I find this story absolutely riveting. I can see text steers and the buildings that are still here today. I've fallen in love with the characters and their endearing qualities. This is a must read for everyone

[Dawn Stanton · Rating 4 out of 5]

Enjoyed the local references

[Mary A Bonner · Rating 5 out of 5]

Lovely

What a nice story of how good wins out at the end. To care for the poor and unwanted in a new land. So much courage.

[Beth · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very good!

[Kara Simpson Stevens · Rating 4 out of 5]

Excellent read!

[Lindsey · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fun to hear names of my hometown. Interesting story and perspective of someone coming to America and facing many challenges of immigrating and living in the 1800s.

[donna moshier · Rating 5 out of 5]

Found next local book series!

[Mike · Rating 4 out of 5]

Overall I enjoyed this book. The story is straightforwardly told, and has plenty of appeal. Sometimes it seemed to me that the 'good' characters got their own way a little too easily (Mrs Farrell never loses on anything she puts her hand to, and Michael's rival for Ciara's hand gives in far too readily); equally it's rare for the not so good characters to get their comeuppance. And plainly there are some loose ends left hanging for us that will be picked up in the next book in the series. Bother! I'll have to read that too. :)

The story is perhaps more in the historical saga style than I'm used to reading - I do like books to have an element of plot, though I know I'm a bit old-fashioned in that respect. But within the historical genre, this book is very successful. The writing is good and stylish, the background to the characters comes across as real, and the research that is Rosanne's forte is perfectly integrated into the book: we never feel as though it's being thrust down our throat merely because she knows about it. Instead it adds value to what we know, and we only ever get enough of it to give us an awareness of the times.

This is a book that could easily be enjoyed by most readers from teens upwards.

[Beth Kew · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book and its location intrigued me and captured my imagination. The vivid depiction set in Buffalo's Canal District hosts a fantastically intriguing tale. The story is about the survival and perseverance of a girl who has recently become responsible for herself and her sisters due to her parents' deaths on the way to America. She, Ciara Sloane, finds herself and her sisters destitute and seeking aid in the alms house. Through a couple of twists and turns, she lands in charge of caring for the children and bringing order to a chaotic situation. Fascinating characters such as Mrs. Farrell and Dr. Nolan add texture to the story. Rosanne L. Higgins' meticulous research makes the book a creditable piece of history; her writing style makes it a much more than creditable piece of entertainment.

[Ann Marie · Rating 3 out of 5]

The book was a gift otherwise I'm not sure I would have stumbled upon it. I love that it is written by a professor and she uses accurate historical details. It was of particular interest to me because of the setting (Buffalo, NY) and the main characters' origins.
Although I was annoyed by some typos and awkward sentence constructions, I can't say it was poorly written. It just could have been so much more. I wanted to get lost in the details not just gloss over them - let me feel the table linens that get taken out only for guests, immerse me in the care of small children left alone - you get the idea. I kept waiting for the misery, intrigue and missed connections to peek but it never got to me emotionally. With all that, I found myself thinking about this book a lot and looking forward to picking it up again (all hallmarks of a good book for me). Higgins makes good use of some unfinished or not fully disclosed plot and I have the second book in hand.

[Barbara · Rating 1 out of 5]

So. Disappointing. I was hoping for a story about Buffalo's past. This could have happened in any number of burgeoning cities in the mid 19th century. I was buffaloed. Amateurish at best and the author gives no indication of having actually done any research.There are no notes on source material. There are some familiar street names and famous family names. Anyone could have written this after one trip to the library.

[Suzanne Laba · Rating 5 out of 5]

I absolutely loved this book! Once I started, I could not put it down. The author did an amazing job of blending fiction with historical fact in regards to the location where the story took place. I felt I learned so much more about Buffalo along with becoming enthralled with many of the characters. I highly recommend this book.

[Mary Hannon · Rating 3 out of 5]

Excellent accurate historical facts about Buffalo NY in the mid 1800's. Believable love story, I found myself hopeful things would work out for these characters. I didn't get the Michael Ketchum character, maybe I missed something? It just didn't tie into the story. I wished Ciara's sisters characters were a little more developed. I really enjoyed this book.

[Rosemary · Rating 3 out of 5]

More like 2.5 stars. I was interested in this book because of the setting of Buffalo, NY in 1835. Unfortunately, I couldn't get around the clunky writing, typos and confusion...a character who has only been called Dr. Nolan is referred to as Michael in the next paragraph. I did enjoy the historical aspect, but the characters just fell flat.

[Kimberly Kadziolka · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really liked it, especially living in Buffalo, NY where the book is set. The historical references are interesting and added credibility to the fictional story.

[Mrsschif]

Great book!! Would highly recommend.

[Bernie Walsh · Rating 5 out of 5]

Set in Buffalo in the 1880's. Fast read that sucks you in!