End of the Line: Using DNA to Trace Orphan Train Origins

Uncover the identity of an Orphan Train rider through a combined use of DNA and historical documentation in this revealing case study. Between 1854 and 1929, over 250,000 children were transported from Europe or East Coast cities to families across North America, often with minimal documentation of their origins. This intermediate session follows one child's complete journey from mystery to identification, demonstrating how to navigate placement society records, utilize DNA matches strategically, and piece together fragmented evidence to reveal biological family connections. You'll learn specialized techniques for researching institutionalized children and gain practical strategies for combining genetic evidence with historical documentation in these uniquely challenging cases.

Attendees should have experience with DNA analysis and match interpretation.