Hi Shelley For what it's worth my grandfather and his 4 younger siblings who were living in Upton, Franklin County became orphans in 1889. This doesn't specifically address your time frame but there were court records establishing guardianship of the minor orphans at that time some 40 years later than your dates.. While they had the names and vital statistics of the children and the name of the judge there was a vital piece of information left out. According to the records, the guardianship was given to a neighboring farmer and listed his name. Our question then was; why weren't they given to one of the older siblings, some of them who were married. Several months later after much speculating and searching, we discovered that the neighboring farmer was in fact a first cousin who's mother was an older sister to the deceased father. I guess that is what makes this so much fun. John Raymer PS) Unfortunately, my cousin who had found these documents is now in Ireland and I cannot ask him where they were found.

I have guardianship for Fulton Co, PA dated 1878 through orphan's court. Not quite the same as adoption. Often the surviving wife would have to petition for guardianship of her children. By 1880 he was on the census living with his mother. Best Regard, Nance --------------------------------- Get your own web address for just $1.99/1st yr. We'll help. Yahoo! Small Business.