In the late 19th and early 20th centuries, a remarkable and heart-wrenching chapter of American history unfolded as thousands of children embarked on a journey from the crowded streets of New York City to new lives in rural communities across the nation. This was the Orphan Train Movement, a unique initiative that left a lasting impact on the children themselves, as well as on the communities that welcomed them. The movement would last for 75 years and impact an estimated 250,000 children.

We will explore the beginnings of this movement, the organizations involved, and the journeys taken by the children. We will then examine Illinois’ unique relationship with this movement. Finally, we will take an in-depth look at the lives of a handful of orphan train riders who arrived in Illinois in 1884 – their pasts, their journey to Illinois, and their lives after their journey west. Audience members will be invited to share stories of orphan train riders in their families if they would like.

Presented by Jamie Poorman, Jamie Poorman is a librarian, genealogical researcher, and local historian
based in Marshall, Illinois. She serves as Head Librarian at Marshall Public Library, where she oversees genealogy and local history collections, leads community programming, and children’s services. Jamie is also the coordinator of the Clark County Illinois GenWeb Project and has spent more than two decades helping individuals discover and preserve their family histories.

Jamie holds a bachelor's degree from Indiana State University, a Master of Science in Library Science from Clarion University of Pennsylvania, and a Certificate in Genealogical Research from Boston University. Her
background combines academic training with extensive hands-on research experience, allowing her to make historical and genealogical topics accessible to audiences of all experience levels. An approved presenter on the Illinois Humanities Road Scholars Speakers Bureau, Jamie presents programs on genealogy research, military ancestors, the Orphan Train movement, the Civilian Conservation Corps, mapping family history, and local history. Her presentations blend careful research with engaging storytelling, helping audiences connect with the people and events that shaped their communities and families. 

In addition to her work at the library, Jamie serves on the board of the Clark County Historical Society and is a member of several genealogical, historical, and lineage organizations, including the Association of Professional Genealogists and the National Genealogical Society. When she is not researching or presenting, she enjoys life on her small central Illinois farm, a setting that keeps her closely connected to the rural heritage and traditions that inspire much of her work.