Date of event: Friday 16 May 2025

Start Time: 1:00 PM Central - a short member meeting precedes program

 Event Title: Completing the Puzzle - One Orphan Train Rider's Journey

Presenter Name: Genevieve Brandt Kirchman

Description: Little Genevieve was just one of 250,000 children from New York City who was placed on an orphan train. Her journey ended in 1887 in Wisconsin when she was four years old. Learn how her granddaughter, also named Genevieve, pieced together the puzzle of her life, including identifying little Gen's biological mother with the aid of DNA. It is a story of resilience rather than tragedy.

 Genevieve Brandt Kirchman is a longtime story teller and promises an engaging conversation with her audience.  Genevieve's maternal grandmother was one of over 250,000 children who rode the Orphan Trains from New York City to the Midwest and beyond between the mid-1800's to 1929.  Over the years, she has researched her grandmother's story to the extent that, with the help of DNA, she was able to identify the woman that birthed her grandmother in the lower East Side of Manhattan in 1883.  She has now written that story and published a book entitled, Completing the Puzzle - One Orphan Train Rider's Journey.  Come join us for a lively conversation about the orphan train story and how to translate YOUR family story into a keepsake for future generations.

Location: The Milwaukee Central Public Library 814 West Wisconsin Avenue, 1st Floor Rotary Club of Milwaukee Community Room

In Person and Online: https://zoom.us/meeting/register/RqKfKeknQfmgZ20Z-srYLw#/registration