I don't know whether WSCH was in operation at the turn of the century or not; but here is some history and maybe a palce for you to look. At one time Whitaker State Orphans Home (later Chilren's Home) located at Pryor, OK , along with Girls Town at Tecumseh, along with Taft State School for Girls and Taft State School for Boys both at Taft, Helena State School for Boys at Helena (think I am forgetting one but can't recall it right now) were all under the jurisdiciton of the State of Oklahoma, State Board of Public Affairs, then sometime ni the 1960s by an act of the legislature all were transfered to the Department of Public Welfare (later known as Depart. of Institutions, Social and Rehabilitative Services) and now known as Department of Human Services. All files of the children who were residing at the residences were transferred to the DHS. If a person is searching for someone who was in the institutions when they were transferred to DHS and earlier, I would start with the Deaprtment of Human Servcies state offices in Oklahoma City. At the time of the transfer of the homes to to DHS, the files of all children who were there or who had been there were also transferred. Like I said at the beginning of this message, I don't know of the Whitaker State Childrens Home was in existence or ot in 1899, but you might start with DHS. Someone in hte agency should be able to give you some information on the history of Whitaker. Have you searched the 1900 census records for Pottawatomie County, line by line? She may have been living with a family. She may have been in one of hte Catholic Charity Homes or living with the nuns. Liz Freeman > Was Whitaker State Orphans' Home in Pryor in operation at the turn of the century? They might have housed unwed mothers who were also orphans. However, I do not know how to get their files. I have been trying to get info on a later incarnation of this place--called Whitaker State Children's Home in the early to late 70's (a home for problem and neglected children). The state later shut it down in

Liz: Thanks so much for your suggestion. I will check out Whitaker State Orphans Home and the others even if I have to go through DHS. I have checked the 1900 Pottawatomie Census. I can't find her living with anyone at that time. Because of the sensitive nature of this, I'm sure that you can understand why I don't want to reveal her name to the entire list. Thanks again for your help. It is greatly appreciated. Leslie lliddiard@nc.rr.com ----- Original Message ----- From: "Elizabeth Freeman" <eeffree@flash.net> To: <OKROOTS-L@rootsweb.com> Sent: Wednesday, February 21, 2001 10:33 PM Subject: Re: [OKROOTS] RE: 1900 Unwed Mothers > At one time Whitaker State Orphans Home (later Chilren's Home) located at > Pryor, OK , along with Girls Town at Tecumseh, along with Taft State School > for Girls and Taft State School for Boys both at Taft, Helena State School > for Boys at Helena (think I am forgetting one but can't recall it right now) > were all under the jurisdiciton of the State of Oklahoma, State Board of > Public Affairs, then sometime ni the 1960s by an act of the legislature all > were transfered to the Department of Public Welfare (later known as Depart. > of Institutions, Social and Rehabilitative Services) and now known as > Department of Human Services. All files of the children who were residing > at the residences were transferred to the DHS. > > If a person is searching for someone who was in the institutions when they > were transferred to DHS and earlier, I would start with the Deaprtment of > Human Servcies state offices in Oklahoma City. At the time of the transfer > of the homes to to DHS, the files of all children who were there or who had > been there were also transferred. > > Like I said at the beginning of this message, I don't know of the Whitaker > State Childrens Home was in existence or ot in 1899, but you might start > with DHS. Someone in hte agency should be able to give you some information > on the history of Whitaker. > > Have you searched the 1900 census records for Pottawatomie County, line by > line? She may have been living with a family. She may have been in one of > hte Catholic Charity Homes or living with the nuns. > > Liz Freeman > > > Was Whitaker State Orphans' Home in Pryor in operation at the turn of the > century? They might have housed unwed mothers who were also orphans. > However, I do not know how to get their files. I have been trying to get > info on a later incarnation of this place--called Whitaker State Children's > Home in the early to late 70's (a home for problem and neglected children). > The state later shut it down in