Train Orphans

In New York City between 1854 and 1929, there were about 200,000 orphaned, abandoned, and homeless children living on the streets. Orphanages were built to care for as many children as possible but the need was greater than the resources. Once a child became a ward of the court, they could be "disposed" of as saw fit. Many became Train Orphans and were relocated across the country, traveling by train, stopping at town after town until someone took them in. Children were placed in 47 states. This mass relocation of children in the United States is widely recognized as the beginning of documented foster care in America.

Mary was one of those children who, surrendered by her own mother, became a ward of the court and was placed on a train going West.