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Archiver > GOOD-SHEPHERD-HOMES > 2000-05 > 0958874480


From: <>
Subject: re: seeking info
Date: Sat, 20 May 2000 22:01:20 -0400 (EDT)


(long)
I'd like to thank you all for your responces. It means alot to me after
struggling with all by myself for so long. And I should mention that I'm
not very skilled in geneology research so if I ask some questions that
seem obvious then please bear with me.
Just to give an idea of what I looked into so far, I was up in Peekskill
approximately 2 years ago talking with some of the locals who live right
around the corner from the Mt Florence site, now they told me that the
girls went to the local Peekskill hospital for delivery, so this was why
it never crossed my mind to look in the city, but I'll try...I don't
know if they were correct or not. I took a swing by the hospital, to
medical records and told the woman a the desk I was looking for my mom's
records from the 1950's and got a very abrupt cold reception then...the
woman said all the records were destroyed from then...but her reaction
made me and my daughter wonder. (My daughter wants to be reunitned with
my sibling if possible more than anything) I have a friend who lives
right around the corner from the convent, who's also a real sleuth when
it comes to snooping out stuff, who actualy put me in e-mail touch with
the original order of sisters that worked the Mt. Florence site and all
was going pretty congenialy with the e-mails until I finaly eluded to
what I was seeking and I heard no more back. I originaly just inquired
if any of the older sisters recalled my mother's name or her. (Of course
I knew it was a longshot because thy dealt with so many girls) So I can
say that alot of persons affiliated with this operation are not openly
willing to divulge any info or even discuss the topic for that matter. I
also poked about at the Peekskill Library which has little, a few
photographs, and one big old book with the history of the convent. Now
one of the locals gave me the following address and told me that they
were sure that the records from this Mt F-site would be at :
St. Joseph's Archives Seminary, Dunwoodie, Yonkers N.Y. 10704,
(914)-476-6333, I haven't checked this out yet 'cause I must admit that
I have cold feet to approach the church, based on the small amount of
contact I've had at various places, and it left me feeling that I would
rather try to seek records almost any other way If you know what I
mean...I hear NY state isn't much easier, they have some strict laws
concerning adoption files and birth certificates in such matters if my
understanding is correct. But I think you're all right when you say I've
got to start hounding some of these institutions and not give up, but
alas this isn't my nature...but one thing for sure this sure is an
intriguing uphill climb of a mystery. I know another thing for sure,
that the church always keeps accurate records for their own purposes but
as to whether they might divulge...
My daughter was also wondering about the social security system, whether
they had another child recorded and linked to my mom's name because they
have the other children my dad had and his girlfriend whom he never
married had linked to them which we found interesting, wondered how they
made the link between my dad and this woman. Which led us to the
conlusion that ALL the information is out there in a govn't file
someplace but whether we can ever gain access to it is the key
question...
I sincerely apologize for the length of this post, I hadn't intended to
ramble at such length. I think at this point I'm just attempting to deal
with the whole ordeal...the resistance encountered and the inner
longing, it's painful, and my heart goes out to anyone who is dealing
with the struggle, the constant inner unrest as a result of this system.
So I hold great gratitude that this list was formed...it's a ray of
hope, a glimmer of enlightenment. I know I am not alone in seeking. I've
just got to dive in and try to persue all and any avnues that I can.
Pat, what is FHC? And no I don't think my mom was there in 49-50, I
don't have an exact date but I'm estimating somewhere between 51-54
which is a large time period.
Again thank you all so very much for your input, and please keep me in
mind if any thing comes your way in the way of info.
(And I promise not to make every e-mail this long)
All good things to you and yours, Dee

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