In a message dated 1/28/03 11:42:36 PM Eastern Standard Time, emvelez@attbi.com writes: > This book tells me that the "Out-Door Poor" were poor > >people who were living at home .. and needed assistance while still living > >in their homes. I haven't figured this out yet .. in my grandmother's > >situation, but it could provide a clue to her mystery. > > > This for Betty, the original poster of this very informative book. The above quote most likely means..... l. family being helped was NOT HOMELESS and did not need to go to he local shelter 2. family was in need of other services tho, such as food, fuel, medicine, etc. I am familiar with similar situation in 19c Ireland where they had workhouses for homeless....but if a person had a 'hut' to live in they were refused any other services, even a cup of broth..... Janice

My mom and 3 of her sisters were sent to an orphanage in MA when their mother died (1913) and their father thought he was unable to care for them - he was not poor - not rich, but certainly not poor. He tried to find someone in home to care for the girls but for some reason decided on the orphanage. My mom was 11 at the time and the oldest. My grandfather visited them and brought them home on Sunday to visit with their youngest sister who was adopted by an aunt who was childless (lucky girl). I sent for their records which only showed the dates they went in and came out 3 years later and returned to live with their dad until they married. I guess there were many reasons children were sent to orphanages. "E"