This is a Message Board Post that is gatewayed to this mailing list. Surnames: McFarland, Durfey, Antcliff, Holmes, Rager, Kladder, Hamilton, Ryan, Classification: Query Message Board URL: http://boards.ancestry.com/mbexec/msg/rw/FG0.2ACIB/1043 Message Board Post: Seeking any information on the MCFARLAND Family's that lived in and around Howard City Mi. Benjamin James MCFARLAND b.1904 d.1950 was a Garage Mechanic, and may have had a shop in AMBLE, HOWARD CITY, ENSLEY CENTER, and in Muskegon. When Ben died of Cancer in 1950, his (2nd) wife, Lil (Lillian Durfey) MCFARLAND, Put there three children in the STANTON CHILDREN'S HOME, to be cared for until she could find work. When she returned for them, With her new husband ALFRED KLADDER, she was told that all 3 children had been adopted out. (Lil is still alive and living in a Kent Co. Adult foster care home.) The Children's names were Martha Lee MCFARLAND b.1944 Muskegon, Johnny Lee MCFARLAND b. 1946 Montcalm Co., Charles Arthur b. 1948 Montcalm Co. The family usually rented homes, as they moved around to find work. When Ben was a child, he lived in a house that is still standing on WHITEFISH RD. Near Howard City and Ensley Center. Ben's Family was a neighbor to ALONZO (Lon) and MARY RAGER who are the parents of Ben's first wife, VIOLET RACHEL RAGER/McFarland/Holmes. We now know that, The boys did not stay at the Children's home long, and may have been adopted out by some local farmers. The Stanton Children's home may have been supported by the local community, and given food by the local farmers. The Girl.....Martha Lee MCFARLAND was taken out of the home 3 times, and brought back because she wouldn't talk to her new family, (they thought she may be retarded so they took her back), one family named her Susie.....the last family to take her when she was 8 years old didn't care that she didn't talk, and kept her and raised her as there own.....(feeling secure, she found her speech). They named her Martha Lee ANTCLIFF and they lived in the surrounding Counties all of her life. She was raised as an only child, and is now happily married to JOHN HAMILTON, and has 2 kids of her own. Martha would desperately love to find her 2 little brothers who she hasn't seen in over 50 years. She is about to meet her only surviving half sister Maxine (MCFARLAND) Ryan on the 4th of July 2002 in Muskegon Co. Maxine is the last, and only surviving Child of, Ben MCFARLAND and Rachel RAGER, Rachel later married Lysle Henry HOLMES, Sr. and they lived in Ensley Twp. If you know of this, or any of these family's, or any information that you could give me on the Stanton Children's home, would you please drop me a line. Penny Niece of Martha, Johnny, and Charlie MCFARLAND