This is a Message Board Post that is gatewayed to this mailing list. Author: kaystanton132 Surnames: Classification: queries Message Board URL: http://boards.rootsweb.com/localities.northam.usa.states.massachusetts.unknown/7572.1.1.2.1.1.1.1.2/mb.ashx Message Board Post: Does the following help? TIMELINE OF LOWELL ORPHANAGES [ Home Page ] [ Special Collections ] [ Franco American ] 1851 Massachusetts Legislature passed the first Adoption of Children Act, directing judges to ensure that adoption decrees were "fit and proper." 1868 Massachusetts Board of State Charities began paying for children to board in private family homes. This was the beginning of placing-out, a movement to care for children in families rather than institutions. 1869 Massachusetts Board of State Charities appointed an agent to visit children in their homes. 1873-1820 Ayer Home for Young Women and Children: Pawtucket Street. 1874 National Conference of Charities and Corrections established. 1876 Ayer (Frederick) Mansion, Pawtucket Street built. 1880-1920 Edson (Theodore) Orphanage: Anne and Kirk Streets staffed by St. Anne's Episcopal Church. 1885-1912 Lowell Day Nursery: Kirk Street [now Hall Street]. 1898 National Conference of Charities and Corrections began looking for alternatives to traditional orphanages, including cottage homes and foster care. 1900-1915 Catholic Orphanages: 51 new institutions opened. 1900-1920 Saint Peter's Orphanage: Stevens Street staffed by Sisters of Charity, Nazareth. 1900 Saint Mary's Orphanage: Crosby Street. 1907-2006 Florence Crittenton Rescue League [now Hall Street]. 1908-1968 Ayer (Frederick) Mansion, Pawtucket Street purchased by the OMI for an orphanage. The mission was to provide appropriate care and primary instruction for children from Franco American families that had lost a spouse. 1909 Franco American Orphanage: Pawtucket Street staffed by the Sisters of Charity, Quebec. 1909: White House Conference on Dependent Children recommended children should not be removed from their homes, unless. . . 1910 Children's Home: Moore Street. 1912 Faith Home for Children: Westford Street. 1912 Franco American Orphanage: expanded adding a four story brick wing. 1923 Catholics Orphanages: 558 existing institutions with 81,000 children. 1930s The Great Depression and WWII prolonged the traditional orphanages delay the shift to foster care. 1933 All US Orphanages: 140,000 children 1933 All US Foster Care: 102,000 children. 1940s-1850s Post WWII welfare reform resulted in a major shift from traditional orphanages to foster care. 1960's Decline in women entering religious orders had a dramatic impact on Catholic social welfare institutions including traditional orphanages. 1963 Franco American School: Day student program added to the Boarding student program. 1978 Franco American School: Boarding student program discontinued. Extended day care before and after school expanded. 1980s-1990s Franco American School: enrollment gradually increased and double classes in grades K-8 became the norm. Important Note: The author of this message may not be subscribed to this list. If you would like to reply to them, please click on the Message Board URL link above and respond on the board.