unsunscribe ResQSquaw@aol.com wrote: > I have a family reference in Indianna. My ggggrandfather died leaving second > wife and 4 young girls and older son (teen) from 1st marriage. He died in > October. The girls were warded out in November. Next fall the older son was > warded out til he turned 18. I researched the reasons and came to this > conclusion: They lived on a farm. The girls were warded out to neighbors (men > who agreed to be financially responsible for them as in food and clothing) I > do not know if they lived at home or with the neighbors. I think the wife and > older son tried to farm the next year but could not make it on their onw, so > he was warded out the next fall. She returned to her birth place in KY and > after about 4 years came back to get the girls. This was an early form of > welfare to make sure the children did not starve and does relate to women's > rights and who could sign as being legally responsible. > If you are researching orphan's court records, try looking at deeds to locate > your ancestor and/or deeds of men mentioned as "warders". You often find they > are related or neighbors. > Marti Wethington > > ==== PALUZERN Mailing List ==== > Northeast Pennsylvania Chat can be accessed at: > http://www.rootsweb.com/~paluzern/chat.htm