Searching for Home: 3 Families from the Orphan Trains, a True Story

by Martha Nelson Vogt, Christina Vogt

"I will never forget my children. I have carved you on the palm of my hand." Isaiah 49 "The best adventure stories often turn out to be real life, more gripping, touching, and life-changing than any other kind. This book -- "the one that started it all" -- is the only true narrative of three families of orphan train orphaned, half-orphaned, and abandoned, creating a unique microcosm of the long-hidden story of Orphan Trains. From 1853 to 1929, nearly 100,000 children were brought from the East to small towns and farms in the Midwest. Yet nothing about this segment of American history has been captured from those who experienced it until "Searching for Home" was first published in 1979. This book has timeless appeal, for it shows lessons of overcoming adversity, of forging new family life, and examples of courage, character, love and commitment. Six years of primary research from these families, neighbors, friends, and other sources resulted in this unique touching family story and historic document. "Searching for Home" is a tribute to the human spirit, for it shows even young people working to survive, to fit in, to be loved, in new surroundings, and among strange faces and accents. The story also reveals the faith that many of these children found, to strengthen them in the hardest times and make their sense of belonging complete." (From the back cover)

Genres: Nonfiction, Adoption

240 pages, Paperback

First published April 1, 1983

Reviews

[Carolyn Lind · Rating 3 out of 5]

After reading "The Orphan Train" I was interested to read true stories of children brought to new homes by those trains. I was also intrigued because of my own family ties to areas near the McPherson Kansas destination of some orphans.

Each of the three families encountered could probably be the subject of a complete book and I was drawn to their stories. Unfortunately, the quality of the writing made it difficult follow each story. It comes across as disorganized and also lacking in important detail.

[Monica · Rating 4 out of 5]

I became interested in learning more about the history of Orphan Trains and the children who came to Kansas through these programs because of the film and book “The Chaperone” which helped me to realize that my current home of McPherson, KS has close ties to this phenomenon. Because of that interest, I found this book at the local public library.

Reading this book I found many more ties than I expected, as several of the children featured in this true story found homes in and around McPherson. More surprising to me, two of the highlighted children attended and graduated from McPherson College, where I currently work as the alumni director. This gives me even more fuel for my interest in these unique individuals who were part of a much broader child welfare system.

The book itself is told in an engaging and historically interesting tone. I appreciated that more than one experience were given as examples of “orphan” children finding homes in Kansas. While the research and the style were very good, the structure was often confusing. I often was not sure which child I was reading about and had to reorient myself chapter by chapter. I later listened to what I could of an interview the authors shared about their process with the McPherson Historical Society. They described needing to publish in haste because of others who were trying to capitalize on the stories, and this may have led to some of the confusion in organization.

Listening to that interview, I was disappointed in the propriety tone that the authors took. While I’ve not undertaken a project like this, and while they come from the world of journalists who are attempting to “scoop” other writers, I felt that there could have been better success with more collaboration instead of protection of these stories that can shine a light on local history and on ways that society can support and give hope to anyone who is searching for home.

[Brenda · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Vogt's have told the true stories of three families of children who rode the orphan trains, the adjustments that had to be made in their lives and the lives of the families who took them in. This 75 year period of American history should not be lost. We need to make sure our children and grandchildren learn about it.

After reading "The Orphan Train" (fiction) - which I greatly enjoyed, this book just seemed to add the extra ingredients. Interviews with real people that lived through this. A few pictures - all in all a very good book that I highly recommend.