MACHESNEY PARK, Ill., March 11, 2009 — Between 1854 and 1929 an estimated 200,000 orphaned, abandoned, and homeless children were placed throughout the Midwest during what is known today as the Orphan Train Movement. R. Michael Buck’s mother was one of these children. This is the story of “One’s Way Home” (published by AuthorHouse) to the family that gave her up.
Dorothy’s mother, Emma, was a 16-year-old, unwed mother, at a time when young girls were sent away to “stay with relatives” until the baby was born and could be put up for adoption. By doing this, the family reputation was not tarnished. However, like most young girls, Emma believed the father of the baby would step forward and marry her, making them an instant family. So to the chagrin of her mother and father, she brought home her bundle of joy. Instead she found herself being shunned by family and friends.
Emma’s mother was proud and could not allow the community that had once embraced her family to have nothing to do with her; she had lost her stature in the community. Dorothy’s grandmother made a decision to save her family from more disgrace.
Emma’s work took her away all day and leaving Dorothy in the care of her mother. One morning when Emma left for work, her mother took the child and traveled to an orphanage where she left her granddaughter. She handed money to the receptionist instructing her not to have this child there the next day. The receptionist, fearing for the child’s life, accepted the money and took the child to New York City.
Dorothy told the story of her quest to find “One’s Way Home” to her sons and, after her death, Robert Buck felt his mother’s story should be told.
About the Author: R. Michael Buck was born in Upstate New York. Following graduation from high school, he attended Wartburg College in Waverly, Iowa, as an undergraduate in Music Education. Graduating in 1971 he continued the family history as an educator, and is now an elementary school principal after receiving his master’s degree from Northern Illinois University in 1993. This is his first book.
AuthorHouse is the premier book publisher for emerging, self-published authors. For more information, please visit www.authorhouse.com.
EDITORS: For review copies or interview requests, contact:
Promotional Services Department
Tel: 888-728-8467 ext. 5224
Fax: 812-961-3133
Email:
(When requesting a review copy, please provide a street address.)
# # #
