Orphan Train -

: By 1890, over 150,000 miles of track were used to transport these children.

: Many children were legally adopted, treated as beloved family members, and given education and opportunities they never would have had.

: Upon arrival, children were often lined up on a platform or in a town hall for prospective parents to inspect. This process was sometimes dehumanizing, with adults checking children’s teeth or muscles as if evaluating livestock. Placement Realities : Orphan Train

: It explores rootlessness, the search for identity, and the shared trauma of being "unwanted" across different generations. Quick Facts Duration : 1854–1929 (75 years).

: You can visit the National Orphan Train Complex in Concordia, Kansas, which serves as a museum and research center for descendants. The Past is Prologue: The Orphan Train Movement : By 1890, over 150,000 miles of track

: Children were sent in batches by rail to predetermined stops in the Midwest.

: The book intertwines the story of Vivian, a 91-year-old former "Orphan Train rider," with Molly, a contemporary foster teen. : You can visit the National Orphan Train

: While the Children's Aid Society was the largest, other groups like the New York Foundling Hospital and the New York Juvenile Asylum also participated. The Journey and "Selection"