HI is this place still there? have a ph number? mailing address? thanks Ray Moore. researching MOOR,MORE,MOORE,MAYS,MAYES, TOWNSLEY,WHITEACRE,WHITEAKER, WHITAKER,REECE,STAMPER.NORTH,PECK, GRUBBS,GRAY.these last 2 are in KNOX Co.TN.note some above names are other researchers. my webpage http://tippytnn.topcities.com/moore/moore.htm -- http://www.fastmail.fm - A fast, anti-spam email service.

The following appeared in the Advertiser-Tribune in Seneca County on August 29, 2003. This is probably the "National Orphanage" you are referring to. Homekids come home once again By Scott Niles, staff Writer For one group of people in Tiffin, the term "family affair" takes on a much larger and more significant meaning. The Junior Homekids of Tiffin are reuniting again this weekend for their annual gathering. The Junior Home, which was a national orphanage (1896-1944), was a haven for children of deceased member of the Junior Order United American Mechanics, a fraternal lodge. Tiffin was selected from among 12 sites for the orphanage. By 1931, it had reached its peak of 1,150 children and employees and had become the country's largest orphanage. It actually was a working village with everything from a bakery, a bank and dining halls to a post office and a high school of its own. However, Sept. 28, 1944, the home shut down and has not been in operation since. The campus later was transformed into a developmental center, a use that continues today. Every year, hundreds of families, with over a hundred of the actual Homekids, come to Tiffin on Labor Day weekend to take part in events that have been put together by members of the group. Some events that are to take place at this Homekids gathering include a golf tournament at Seneca Hills Golf Course, a memorial, and a business meeting and reception. Edith Kilgore, who was one of the Homekids, looks forward to getting together again. "Its good seeing everyone again each year," Kilgore said. "Each year the people change and its good to see them." The Homekids come from all over the United States to reunite for this one weekend after Labor Day. "We come from all directions," Kilgore said. " North, west, east and south, we have it all covered." The group is so large that people should not even think about staying at the Quality Inn this weekend, because they are not going to get a room. The group is big enough that it has booked the hotel and some members are staying at other places. This annual event has been going on since about 1926-1927. The only time the Homekids have not united for this mammoth group gathering was during World War II, in the years of 1941, 1942, 1943 and 1944. Since then, they have not missed a year to see one another. --