[Ger-Poland-Volhynia] adoption by relatives in 1919

[Nancy Gertner]

My family history regarding adoptions indicates that the orphaned  
child was adopted by a close relative - like aunt or uncle - that was  
childless.  This was after the migration to North America.

Of course, childless couples were relatively rare in the late 1800s  
and early 1900s, so maybe the family with the least children would  
have been the most likely to adopt the orphan.  Godparents might be a  
possibility also.  Have you seen the christening record?

Nancy

On Jan 24, 2007, at 8:39 PM, Helen Gillespie wrote:

> Kristen,
>
> Since the year is 1919, it might be that the child was
> orphaned due to the big Spanish Flu epidemic that went
> round the world about that time - after WWI.  That flu
> was devastating and decimated families and villages.
>
> IMHO
>
> Helen Gillespie
>
>
> --- ohgrmtns at aol.com wrote:
>
>>  I have 2 requests with which I hope someone may
>> help.
>> 1. In my research 'travels' I have come across a
>> relative, Adeline Burau, who according to family,
>> was adopted.  She was born in Marianowka 17.4.1919.
>>
>> So my questions are: Were adoptions a commonplace
>> event back then?  Were adoptions more likely to be
>> of family members who had lost parents as opposed to
>> those who were not related?
>>
>> Kristen FEIFERT Clark
>>
>> Researching: (P)FEIF(F)ERT, STIEBNER, POLINSKE,
>> BURAU
>>