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Rider Story: Bill Oser
In August of 1986, I first came to
realize that, perhaps, I was a
survivor of the Orphan Train
Program.
At that time, I was subscribing
to the Smithsonian magazine,
when I came across an eight
page article written by Donald
Dale Jackson.
Mr. Jackson wrote in detail
about the 150,000 orphans who
were shipped by rail from cities
here in the east to foster homes
in the mid-west.
realize that, perhaps, I was a
survivor of the Orphan Train
Program.
At that time, I was subscribing
to the Smithsonian magazine,
when I came across an eight
page article written by Donald
Dale Jackson.
Mr. Jackson wrote in detail
about the 150,000 orphans who
were shipped by rail from cities
here in the east to foster homes
in the mid-west.
The article stated that Orphan Trains were operated from 1854 to 1929, by the Children's
Aid Society, the New York Foundling Hospital, and other pioneering child welfare agencies
here in the east. I became very interested in the article, and held on to it. I read the story
many times, and each time I was so impressed and happy to learn that most of the orphan
kids had been successful in life. One has to be orphaned to really appreciate how difficult it
can be to achieve your dreams in life. In the Smithsonian article, it mentioned that most of
the orphans did well in their adult life. In one survey, 87 percent of the children had been
successful, and the divorce rate in marriage was very low. For example, two boys became
Governors, while other alumni included a Supreme Court Justice, two Congressmen, 35
Lawyers and 19 Doctors. When I read this report, tears of joy came into my eyes.
In 1941, I visited the New York Foundling Hospital in New York City. At that time, I received
a brief report about my sister and me being placed int he Foundling Hospital in April, 1923
by our mother, after our father had died in January, of that same year. She herself was very
ill. I was 15 months old, and my sister was 4 years old. Mom had given our names as
William and Margaret Nash, her maiden name. I remained under this name for the first 20
years of my life, and then learned my father's name had been Frank Oser. After I read the
article in the Smithsonian, I decided I would visit the Foundling Hospital again, and try to
obtain a more detailed report.
I went there in April of 1987, and learned that my sister and i had been on one of the
Orphan Trains. I learned that on May 18, 1925, my sister and I left on a Orphan Train to the
State of Michigan. Marge was 5 1/2 and recalls very little. The records at the foundling
Hospital show that we were adopted by a Mr. and Mrs. Pallizzo who lived in Wayne County,
Michigan. However, due to poor living conditions, and other unfortunate circumstances, our
foster parents were unable to continue to care for us. Subsequently, on June 25, 1927 we
were both returned to the New York Foundling Hospital. We remained there until Jun 8,
1928, at which time we were transferred to St. Dominic's Orphanage in B Blauvelt,
Rockland County, N.Y. While in the orphanage, Marge and I were separated. At that time I
was about 11 years old.
As a boy in St. Dominic's orphanage, I can remember lying in bed, looking up at the ceiling
talking to my mother. I would ask her, "Why did you leave me? I miss you so much! Why
hasn't anyone in our family come to visit us? I thank God for the good nuns, my sister and
my friends here. Marge looks out after me every day. The winters are very cold here at
Blauvelt. Marge will come over by the high metal fence that separates the boys from the
girls tomorrow. She will make sure my jacket is all buttoned up and I'm wearing my knit hat
and gloves. Sometimes, she is able to obtain an extra sandwich, and throws it over the
fence. She makes me stand by the fence to eat the sandwich, Marge is afraid on of the
older boys might take it from me. Mom, you should be very proud of her. Marge also helps
the nuns to take care of the little babies in one of the dormitories."
I remained at St. Dominic's until he summer of 1938. I was then transferred to Mount
Loretto, in order to complete my high school and learn one of the trades available. I chose
electricity as my trade to learn at this orphanage. Mount Loretto was located on Staten
Island, N.Y. and is till in operation.
Aid Society, the New York Foundling Hospital, and other pioneering child welfare agencies
here in the east. I became very interested in the article, and held on to it. I read the story
many times, and each time I was so impressed and happy to learn that most of the orphan
kids had been successful in life. One has to be orphaned to really appreciate how difficult it
can be to achieve your dreams in life. In the Smithsonian article, it mentioned that most of
the orphans did well in their adult life. In one survey, 87 percent of the children had been
successful, and the divorce rate in marriage was very low. For example, two boys became
Governors, while other alumni included a Supreme Court Justice, two Congressmen, 35
Lawyers and 19 Doctors. When I read this report, tears of joy came into my eyes.
In 1941, I visited the New York Foundling Hospital in New York City. At that time, I received
a brief report about my sister and me being placed int he Foundling Hospital in April, 1923
by our mother, after our father had died in January, of that same year. She herself was very
ill. I was 15 months old, and my sister was 4 years old. Mom had given our names as
William and Margaret Nash, her maiden name. I remained under this name for the first 20
years of my life, and then learned my father's name had been Frank Oser. After I read the
article in the Smithsonian, I decided I would visit the Foundling Hospital again, and try to
obtain a more detailed report.
I went there in April of 1987, and learned that my sister and i had been on one of the
Orphan Trains. I learned that on May 18, 1925, my sister and I left on a Orphan Train to the
State of Michigan. Marge was 5 1/2 and recalls very little. The records at the foundling
Hospital show that we were adopted by a Mr. and Mrs. Pallizzo who lived in Wayne County,
Michigan. However, due to poor living conditions, and other unfortunate circumstances, our
foster parents were unable to continue to care for us. Subsequently, on June 25, 1927 we
were both returned to the New York Foundling Hospital. We remained there until Jun 8,
1928, at which time we were transferred to St. Dominic's Orphanage in B Blauvelt,
Rockland County, N.Y. While in the orphanage, Marge and I were separated. At that time I
was about 11 years old.
As a boy in St. Dominic's orphanage, I can remember lying in bed, looking up at the ceiling
talking to my mother. I would ask her, "Why did you leave me? I miss you so much! Why
hasn't anyone in our family come to visit us? I thank God for the good nuns, my sister and
my friends here. Marge looks out after me every day. The winters are very cold here at
Blauvelt. Marge will come over by the high metal fence that separates the boys from the
girls tomorrow. She will make sure my jacket is all buttoned up and I'm wearing my knit hat
and gloves. Sometimes, she is able to obtain an extra sandwich, and throws it over the
fence. She makes me stand by the fence to eat the sandwich, Marge is afraid on of the
older boys might take it from me. Mom, you should be very proud of her. Marge also helps
the nuns to take care of the little babies in one of the dormitories."
I remained at St. Dominic's until he summer of 1938. I was then transferred to Mount
Loretto, in order to complete my high school and learn one of the trades available. I chose
electricity as my trade to learn at this orphanage. Mount Loretto was located on Staten
Island, N.Y. and is till in operation.