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Orphan Train Riders



  This Page is dedicated to the children who arrived in Webster County aboard the Orphan Trains.
  Hopefully the information found here will help those researching their ancestors that came to Nebraska on one of the
  infamous Orphan Trains.

  Beginning sometime during 1853, charitable institutions in New York City began sending orphans on trains to the west to
  find new families, hoping the children would fare better out west than on the streets of New York. Orphan trains began
  arriving in Nebraska during 1854 ending about 1930.  During this time over 3400 children were placed in Nebraska homes.
  Some of the children had pleasant experiences with their new adopted families and some did not.  Some children remained
  in Webster County for the remainder of their lives and raised families while others moved on and lived out their lives in
  other places.



 The link below is a list of children brought to Webster county.  If you know of anyone else who arrived in Webster county
 via the Orphan Train please contact the  county coordinator.