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"BIG BROTHER" Written in 1893 Two Orphan Train Riders
Annie Fellows Johnston was a popular writer of children's stories in the late 1800s and early 1900s. Her book, "Big Brother" was one of the Cosy Corner Series published by L. C. Page & Co., 53 Beacon St., Boston, Mass in 1893
Jean Smith of Van Buren, AR recently had to decide what to do with her sister's possessions after the sister passed away.	Among	her
belongings was the little book and Jean donated it to OTHSA,
The story is about a 10 year old brother caring for his little 3 year old sibling while they were on an Orphan Train from New York City to Kansas.
It follows the boys arrival and subsequent homes. When the older boy was away from the house the younger child was given to a younger set of 'parents' to cope with his lively disposition.
The heartbreak that follows is described by the author so delicately that one wonders if perhaps she had experienced the same pain.
The book is in danger of being destroyed if handled very much so a copy has been made and will be sold for the price of copying it and postage, $4.50.
The pages will be copied as the requests are made, bound with a plastic spiral binding and mailed out.
This may have been the first book written solely about Orphan Train children.
OTHSA would certainly like to have other copies of this book if they can be located.
For wur Information
Voter Registration records for the city of Chicago for the years 1888, 1890 and 1892 have been microfilmed and researching by mail is now available. Write to IRAD c/o NEIU, Ronald Williams Library, Lower Level, 5500 N. St. Louis, Chicago, IL 60625.
Information	about the
person registering to vote gives place of birth, date and place of naturalization; terms of residence in precinct, county and state; address.
This information came from the Northwest	Iowa Root
Diggers, NW IA Gen. Soc., 49 First ST., SW,	LeMars, IA
51031.
IOWA ADOPTION LAWS
Iowa House File 380: "An adopted person whose adoption became final prior to July 4, 1941, and whose adoption record was not required to be sealed at the time when adoption was completed shall not be required to show good cause for an order opening the adoption record."
Application for the court order must be made in the county where the adoption occurred. If the county is not known, an adoptee can contact the Iowa Health Dept, who will locate the county for a $6.00 fee. This law became effective July 1, 1991.
OTHSA Needs Your Help
Each state has a directory of newspapers in that state and OTHSA needs copies of these directories. Even an old one will help as newspapers do not go out of business often.
We recently obtained one from Kentucky. A member was kind enough to copy it and mail it to us.
CROSSROADS Vol. 18, January, 1992 page 3