6/1950 Need help w/ St Vincent's Home for Unwed Mothers in PA

Hello there : ) I would love for you to share your birth story with my mother. She was the one born Jan.1946 at St.Vincent's hospital and would want to share her story as well. I'm trying desperately to find any information I can. We have made some lead way with contacting cousins etc. some refused to say a word while others have listened and have given us some information. I actaully live in Philadelphia and last month I went down to 70th and Woodland Ave. ,The hospital was torn down but they have a decent looking homeless shelter placed in the very spot the hospital was. I took photographs since the scenery on the outside area was still the same. Photos of the trees,etc. then paid a visit to the catholic Church that had my mothers baptismal record. After St.Vincent's was torn down the record went to St.Clemments at 7104 Woodland. after St.Clemmens was torn down the records went to this other Parish around the corner. In the past my mother only got a copy with her adopted name on it but I gave the nun my mothers birth name and she gave me her original baptismal record. Although the record didn't have her parent's names on it,we've always suspected and it has been confirmed that her father asked his sister to adopt my mom. But it was never to be known. What I'm wondering is most likely the nuns baptized you before you left the hospital, if there was no adoption then what was the last name you were born with? What names do you have? my mother lives in St.Louis,MO right now but please email her so she won't feel alone in this endevour... her email is : starlight_afar@myway.com and her name is Pauline

I received a reply to my letter asking for a sacramental document and you guessed it, their records do not go back to the 1920's. According to PA law adoption records may be destroyed after 50 years. They did suggest if my mom was baptized at St Vincents I should contact Rev Olivere in Philadelphia for a Baptismal Certificate. Letter was mailed today. We shall see.

Hello All! I haven't been here in awhile, but I'm back on my search for my bparents. I am wondering if anyone out there has experience dealing with St Vincent's Home for Unwed Mothers in PA. My bmom spent a short time there in 1950. After that, she lived in an apt paid for by my amom until my birth 6-5-50 at St Joseph's Hospital in Philadelphia. Are there any other gray-market babies on this list who would like to chat with me? My impression is that there should be many, many of us born at St Joseph's in that time period. My obstetrician was Dr. John Lawler. I would love to find others with similar stories so that we could work together to track down information. My story: briefly! Bmom, Barbara, was 19, unmarried. Bfather not willing to marry.Bmom was Catholic from New Jersey, father may have been politically involved in New Jersey. She lived in St. Vincents' a short while. Mutual friend introduced her to my future Amom, Marie. Agreement made privately for Amom to pay for apt and medical expences with me being given to her immediately after release from hospital. Dr. Lawler facilitated Barbara entering hospital under name of Amom and signing BC as that person. (forged signature of amom). No official adoption was done. BC remains original and false. One person, my uncle, knows who my bmom is but won't tell me! Amom and Dad or now deceased. Would appreciate any advice, information, input anyone is willing to share with me.

st vincents not cooperative. actually paid them $50 to get info, which they refused. Born thru St Vincents april 24, 1952, birth certificate said Teresa Marie Wood. I've hit a dead end all these years. Sounds like you have been struggling too.

st vincents not cooperative. actually paid them $50 to get info, which they refused. Born thru St Vincents april 24, 1952, birth certificate said Teresa Marie Wood. I've hit a dead end all these years. Sounds like you have been struggling too.