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The New York Foundling
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Connect To Your Foundling Roots

Making History Together

Our Impact

Purchase our Book, “The Story of The New York Foundling

Donate

2020 Records Legislation

Throughout our 152-year legacy, thousands have passed through our doors. We created this page as a resource for those looking to discover more about their past and their connection to our history.

Below, you can find information on requesting historical records, read stories from adoptees and their descendants, browse historical resources and archival photos, and learn how you can get involved with The Foundling today!

Stories of Strength, Resilience, and The Foundling’s Past

For more than 150 years, The Foundling has touched the lives of young people and families. Hear from a few of our adoptees and descendants below:

“My grandfather rode the Orphan Train in 1901… I’ve always wanted to know his history.” Read Greg’s story.

Greg Markaway
Greg MarkwayFoundling Descendant

“I grew up in an area where a number of our neighbors were also from The Foundling.” Read Robert’s story.

Robert Sensale
Robert SensaleFoundling Adoptee

“My mother has a story about how she fell in love the first time she saw me as an infant.”  Read Nicole’s story.

Nicole MunhooFoundling Adoptee
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Interested in sharing your Foundling story? Contact us here.

Requesting Foundling Records

Requesting Records
A recent adoptee rights law, effective January 15, 2020, establishes the right of New York adoptees to obtain their original birth certificates from the City and State. This new law does not unseal adoptee records. For more information on how The Foundling can assist under this legislation, click here.

If you are interested in learning more about your history or the history of someone in your family, The Foundling’s Records Department can help. We maintain records on all individuals that have passed through The Foundling’s doors, as well as those that resided at St. Agatha Home for Children (which merged with The Foundling in 1977). Click here to learn about the types of information we can legally disclose.

To begin exploring your Foundling past, contact us by completing our Records Request Form online, emailing us at records@nyfoundling.org, or calling us at 212-727-6923.

What The Foundling can Disclose

The Foundling is able to disclose the following information to people who were previously in foster care, were adopted, or have family members who were adopted through The Foundling:

  The Founding is able to share: The Foundling is unable to share:
Information about foster children ·       Complete foster care and medical record ·       Medical records for other family members (including HIV/AIDS information)
Information about adoptees ·       Birth certificate number

·       Birth Parent’s medical history

·       Birth Parent’s physical description

·       Child’s medical history (redacted – identifying information is removed)

·       Date birth mother signed surrender

·       Date birth mother gave birth and hospital

·       Location of child’s birth

·       Year adoption took place

·       Birth Parent’s astrological sign

·       Birth Parent’s date or place of birth

·       Birth Parents’ names

·       Birth Parent’s school information (i.e. school name, school location)

·       Letters from Birth Parents to Adoptive Parents

Order of Adoption

·       Specific Occupation or employer

Birth Parent’s death certificate does not open record to adoptee. We cannot inform one party that another party is searching for them, or contact the adoptive family.

Information about siblings ·       Complete sibling registry via NY Adoption Registry

·       Confirm twinship

·       Information to adopted siblings about non-adopted siblings

The Foundling’s History

The Foundling’s Past

The Foundling’s Past

On October 11, 1869, three Sisters of Charity opened The New York Foundling as a home for abandoned infants. From that night on, The Foundling began its legacy as an organization that believed in the power and potential of its neighbors, and in providing the support and opportunities for young people to succeed. The organization quickly expanded, providing pediatric medical care, support for working mothers, and more. The Sisters, believing that children thrive with loving families, became adoption pioneers – finding safe and permanent homes for children throughout the New York area. Between 1875-1919, The Foundling participated in the Orphan Train movement, which resettled hundreds of children with families across the country.

In the 20th century, The Foundling expanded to meet the demands of a changing New York City. In 1929, a nursing school was established to train generations of pediatric nurses and new behavioral health and community-based programs were developed to expand our reach and stay on the forefront of child welfare.

Watch a short overview of The Foundling’s history
Learn about The Foundling’s legacy of adoption
The Foundling Today

The Foundling Today

Today we provide a comprehensive spectrum of community support services to children, adults, and families in New York and Puerto Rico. While social situations and our approach to our mission have evolved, we continue to share our founders’ belief that no one should ever be abandoned, and that all children deserve the right to grow up in loving and stable environments.

Learn more about our five current service areas below:

SandraChild Welfare

We are one of New York City’s largest providers of foster care services for children and youth, and emphasize the use of preventive programs and providing support to keep families together.

DD Twins in HarlemDevelopmental Disabilities

The Foundling operates residential, day, and community programs for people with developmental disabilities, providing the opportunities for all participants to live their best life.

Education

Our distinctive, trauma-informed education programs help children in the child welfare system succeed academically – from pre-K to college.

Delany and MelodyHealth & Behavioral Health

Our range of integrated behavioral health services create early intervention opportunities for people and their families to prevent and address crises.

Juvenile JusticeJuvenile & Criminal Justice

We provide comprehensive family-centered therapy for children and youth who are involved with or at risk of getting caught in the maze of the justice system.

Photo Gallery

Click here to view our Historical Photo Gallery.

Police dropping off baby to The Foundling (1949)
Receiving Crib (1899)
Girls at playground outside (1800s- early 1900s)
Toddlers in playroom (1930-1960)
Sr. Barbara Pitts and nurse playing with babies

View more historical photos here!

View our 150th Reunion Day Photo Gallery:

Greg Markway and Illona Dixon_Researching Your Roots Panel
Greg Markway and Illona Dixon
Shaley George (left) with Carmen Jirau-Rivera
Shaley George (left) with Carmen Jirau-Rivera (1)
Sr. Carol Barnes
Sr. Carol Barnes
150th Reunion Day Weekend
150th Reunion Day Weekend

Additional Historical Resources

Additional Historical Resources

Nun at The Foundling

NYFoundling.org: Making History Together
Our history page – browse our timeline for additional information about our past.

Records Documents

The New York Historical Society: Collection – The New York Foundling Hospital
A digital collection of archival materials from The Foundling, spanning 1869-2009. The collection includes notes left with abandoned children, pamphlets and other promotional material, historical photos, and more.

Orphan Train

Podcast: Mobituaries – The Orphan Train
In this hour-long podcast, host Mo Rocca delves into the history of the Orphan Trains in the U.S., and shares archival interviews with riders and their descendants.

Learn more about our history! Purchase The Foundling: The Story of The New York Foundling

The New York Foundling BookThe Foundling: The Story of The New York Foundling, written by award-winning New York Times editor Martin Gottlieb with contemporary photography by renowned photographer Claire Yaffa, provides an engrossing historical overview of our extraordinary organization.

Originally published to a limited run in 2001, the book has now been reprinted and updated for our 150th anniversary! Click here to read an excerpt.

Purchase Your Copy!

Get Involved and Deepen Your Foundling Connection

The Foundling has changed the lives of tens of thousands of our neighbors. As a 501©3 nonprofit, we cannot do the important work we do without our generous supporters. Here’s how you can get involved.

Donate

Gifts from people like you make a difference. Making a donation today shows your support for the 30,000 children, adults, and families who partner with us every year to create transformational change in their own lives.
Donate here

Legacy Giving

By including The Foundling in your estate plans, you can ensure that The Foundling’s work continues for years to come, leaving a legacy through your support of The Foundling’s vital programs.
Learn more here

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Volunteer Your Time

Learn how you can further our mission.
Volunteer opportunities here

Keep in Touch

Sign up for our e-mail mailing list, or follow us on social media for the latest news and updates!

Contact us.

Find us  

A list of our locations

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Donate  

Multiple ways to donate

212 633 9300

Main Phone Number

Employee Login  

© 2023 New York Foundling, Inc • 501(c)(3) • Tax ID #13-1624123
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