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| Looking for my relatives- Tolvaijah (Tolvaysh) |
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Author:
Liz Ramsey |
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My Mom, Mary Bernadine Tolvaijah, was at the orphanage with her older brother, Lawrence, about 1918. Her younger sister, Bernadine Leila,(1914) was adopted by a family from Chicago named Duckworth. Bernadine Leila Duckworth later married, becoming Bernadine Leila Bixel, died 1993, Orange County, CA. My mom was sent to work for a farm family around Mankato and stayed with them until she was 18. She was sent away with a straw suitcase and a new dress, but not the $100 that her indentured contract required. Mary always said her time at the orphanage was good and she was treated well by the staff. Her brother Larry worked in the cafeteria and would sneak her extra bread or other little bits of food. Mom never complained, but always felt ashamed about her past, being so poor. I never could make her feel better about her young life and make her understand that none of it was her fault. For years, I hated my grandmother for giving up her kids. Now I know that it may not have even been her fault or wish and the children were seized from them against the parents wishes. I guess I will never know the story about why my family was wrenched apart. I do know that I have relatives I will never meet because of adoptions. My dear mother Mary passed away March 2006 at the age of 96. Please, if anyone knows of Mary,Larry or Bernadine Leila Tolvaijah please contact me. lizramsey@hotmail.com |
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