Hi, my name is michael goodwin son of patricia ann nelson.
my mother was there with her brothers and sisters;there names were charles,bobby,ruth and shirley Nelson.I was also in the same orphage with my 2 older brothers Jeff and tom after my mother passed.
I was in the Catholic Orphanage from 1957 to 1962. I'm going to post a picture of my first communion which has my brother, Joe, and other children that were in the orphanage with us. My name: Barbara Young and my brothers, Joseph and David Young. I'm trying to find the Hutchby's that were in the orphanage with us, here are their names: Dean, Donna, Delores (triplets); Danny; Kathy and Craig (twins); Dickie all Hutchbys.
I lost contact with Kathy after I went back to live with my Mom. I believe she was adopted and moved to Georgia. I'm not sure, but if you have any information please contact me. I will try to post the picture shortly.
I was in the Catholic Orphanage appx. 1957 to 1962. My name was Barbara Young. Both of my brothers, Joe and David were also there. I'm going to post a photo of the front of the church at my communion. I'll try to get it up soon, had a bad fall last week so I'm pretty much flat on my back for a while. I also have pictures at the playground behind the school. I'd love to communicate thru email: youboogie2@tampabay.rr.com.
How old were you when you went there. I was about 6 yr, 1st grade in the old school. We probably have some good stories to share.
Hi...I was in the orphanage during this time. The only names I remember were the Hutchby's. I have no idea what ever became of them. My name then was David Bishop. I had a sister there named Deborah. My grandmother adopted us and changed our names to Laton. I would appreciate anyone's contact from the same period. My e-mail is latondave@gmail.com.
Hi...I was in the orphanage during this time. The only names I remember were the Hutchby's. I have no idea what ever became of them. My name then was David Bishop. I had a sister there named Deborah. My grandmother adopted us and changed our names to Laton. I would appreciate anyone's contact from the same period. My e-mail is latondave@gmail.com.
Hi, I was at this orphanage 1949-1959. I don't remember to many names though this brings little good memories. I had two sister and they kept us seperate. We were not allowed to be with each other. There were times I would catch a glimps of them on the playyard. A charge Nun had a room at the end of the floor which had around thirty beds for our age group. One boy would have comic books and at night sometimes we would slide under the beds to where he was and take a couple of books and return them when we were done for others. You just had to pray not to get caught by the nun.Other nights the nun would have a bag of candy and after we were all in bed she would go down the rows and point to the boy who could get up and go into the tv room and watch tv and she wqould pass out some candy. I remember not getting up much. Every two weeks we would take turns with the girls in going to church, the boys would get up and go to church for two weeks, then the girls get their turn. On Christmas Eve the nuns would line us up and familys from near by, would pick up a group of the boys and take them to their home and a santa would visit each location and hand out a present. On Christmas Day the unus would take us to the Sir Walter Raleigh Hotel for a Christmas dinner. A couple of the boys and I were still hungry and ordered hambugers. When we got back to the orphanage and the nun found out we got our butts whipped. Occasionaly there was a barber that would visit the orphanage and I don't know why, but some boys and I decided to convince the barber to cut all our hair off and he did. When the nun saw us we got our butts whipped again.One of the good things about the place was when a hurrican hit it would knock over a pecan tree and we would climb on it get the nuts. All the boys were given chores and one of mine was to sweep the arcades between the buildings and latted I was put in the kitchen.I saw very little of my sisters. I know that putting us here was for the better. We would be feed and given a good education, but for me it didn't do anything for family bonding. My mom passed in 1987 and my dad's still alive but we only talk occasionly and havn't heard from my sisters in years. This is where I spent my childhood years which formed who I am today. I would love very much to get ahold of some picture of th place, for I feel that part of me is still there, donald richard lindsay.
Hi I am Deborah, David Laton's sister. I remember the Hutchby's. I seem to remember Dickie was about my age. There was also a girl named Brenda Buck a boy named Walter Buck. I am not sure how or if they were related. I remember a few of the nuns names, Sister Regis, Sister Ignatious, Sister Delores. Most of the time David and I were there the priest's name was Father Roderick O'Connor. Yes we were given a place to live and go to school but I remember it as a horrible place. Sister Regis was a very cruel person. Sister Ignatious was one of the compassionate ones. Somewhere I have a booklet that was published by the orphanage, always seeking donations. I will see if I can get any information from that.
Michael, I was looking through this booklet I have that was published in Winter 1963. Charles Nelson was mentioned. I sort of remember the name but that is about all. I wish I had more to tell you. I did not find anything yet on your Mother. Do you know if she went by Patricia or Patty?
I was at the orphanage two different times: first in the late 50's and again in the mid to late 60's, with two different sets of brothers. I don't remember you, but I remember Jeff & Tommy Goodwin and most of the Hutchbys, and Brenda and Patrick Buck, and of course the Hunts. Don't specifically remember Patricia Nelson but she would have been there the 1st time and I was pretty little. They had us segregated, girls from boys, and even the girls were in different dorms by age group. I do have some materials from the late 60's, (those little books asking for donations that Debbie Bishop refers to). Give me some time and I will get them out and do a little research for you. The post from Donald, I like your description, it's very accurate. Think I might know who you are. Does anyone know if you can post pictures on this site? If so, I can post copies of the booklets. U may find yourselves there. What a blast from the past that would be! Any interest out there let me know.
Hi...I don't know if any of you ladies remember my two sisters Carol( the oldest) and Judy Lindsay, who were there between 1949-59. Another thing that I remember, is every now and then when it became time to eat, the closer we got to the dinning room there was a smell of caster oil in the air. There would be cups of hot chocolate on the tables and they made sure you drank it. There for the longest time, that smell haunted me. Until one day, when my wife and I were in the drug sore and she opened up a a bottle, and bang, I had a vision of hot chocolate sitting in a cup on the table, thats probably why I don't like hot chocolate today. One time a year, at breakfast time, they make pancakes with coins in them. Of corse you didn't get to keep the money, the floor warden ( sorry nuns) would collect it and use it to buy candy, to give out at night to the good guys, for a tv snack. I don't know if any of you guys remember, that the dorm we stayed in had three floors ( the boys were seperated into age groups,and the older took care of the younger. Which cause other problems that I want go into ). We were not allowed to go on the third floor, for in was reserved for the vistors. I snuck up there a couple time, and noticed that all the doors had pad locks on them. I guess in such a rightful place, that we couldn't be trusted, since we could have anything that we wanted, bye for now,don
Folks...I'm working on a book about our experiences at the orphanage. If you would like to submit stories to me I would appreciate it. My email address is latondave@gmail.com.
I am excited to see that there are more of us little orphans out there and you have found your way to this blog.
Initially when I first commented on this blog I was looking for Cathy Hutchby and her family, now I see more are out there searching for the past.
Good or bad, we all need to know that time in our lives really happened, and we mattered. I want you all to know though our paths have taken us far from the orphanage--those memories still lay deep within our souls and I hope we will be able to share with each other all those memories, good or bad.
Cathy, if you are out there, I'm still looking for you. I need to know you are okay, and know that you have always been in my heart for the wonderful friend you were to me.
If anyone remembers the Hutchby's then you may remember me and my family? We all sat together for years at meals in the small dining room. My name is Barbara Young, and my brothers were Joe and David. Usually where you would see Cathy, I would be there also.
I remember the silver dollar pancakes with coins, the liver they served, and the Friday night movies under the church, forts we built out in the field behind the laundry, college kids taking us for hikes and swimming in the creeks, Pullen Park swimming and our long parade of kids walking there, long walks past the crazy house, stacking all the high grass after it was cut under the stair in the main building ...and jumping off, and holidays with strangers.
Do you remember Sister Mary Andrew? She was the small girls dorm sister, chorus leader, and 5th grade teacher. She did not like me or Cathy.
I must have really been special because I can truly say that Sister Mary Regis is the person in my life that changed me forever. I had experienced love from her and she made me feel special. She also took my brothers under her wings.
We've all had experiences with the nuns that were good memories and bad. Let's see if we can find the blessings that came from such an inadequate place--the orphanage. We always received the necessities ...but someone forgot to tell them love, patience, and kindness are also important factor in the development of a child that was in their care.
After David and I talked I began to remember Charles Nelson. I remember he was the handy man there for awhile. The main thing I remember about him was him comming into the dorm rooms to fix the radiator.
When I left the orphanage I live in Jacksonville, NC for 4 years, then moved to Woodbridge, VA, then a year in Maryland and in 1973 I moved to Fort Lauderdale, FL. 1988 I moved just 40 miles north of Tampa,FL in the little place of Spring Hill, FL. Now I live across the road in Weeki Wachee. "Home of the Mermaids" almost 60 years ago this beautiful Weeki Wachee Springs attraction blossomed in this tiny area of the Gulf Coast of Florida, just 5 miles from the Gulf of Mexico.
When I left the orphanage I live in Jacksonville, NC for 4 years, then moved to Woodbridge, VA, then a year in Maryland and in 1973 I moved to Fort Lauderdale, FL. 1988 I moved just 40 miles north of Tampa,FL in the little place of Spring Hill, FL. Now I live across the road in Weeki Wachee. "Home of the Mermaids" almost 60 years ago this beautiful Weeki Wachee Springs attraction blossomed in this tiny area of the Gulf Coast of Florida, just 5 miles from the Gulf of Mexico.
I know this is out of the time frame you're looking for but I thought you might think it interesting. My mother (then Theresa Speaks)age 87 was at Nazareth from 1930-1935. She was there with her two older sisters, Grace and Eunice McDermon. Her brothers Andrew and Inman McDermon were also there but she did not know that until she was an adult. As one of the poster mentioned the boys and girls were kept separated. My mother and her siblings weren't orphans in the true sense. Their mother was still alive. But when my mother's father James Speaks supposedly died before she was born her mother could not afford to keep the children at home because she worked as a live in nurse for wealthy families. My mother hated it, she arrived there on her 6th birthday. She said most of the nuns were so mean. I've been trying to research my mother's father. Her mother would never tell her anything about him. And her older siblings by a different father insisted they didn't know anything. She only has one sister living out of 6 sisters and 2 brothers.
Cece, Thanks for the post. I'm sorry your mother's memories of Nazareth were not happy one's. I also was there but had living parents. My sister and I were there initially together because our mother and father had divorced and she couldn't provide for us. Most of the children there had one or both parents. The true orphan was a rarity. At any rate, thank you for sharing your memories. I have a blog I'm using to share memories and to encourage other residents to share theirs. It is: www.nazarethstories.blogspot.com. I am trying to do research with the intent of writing a book about Nazareth. I hope you'll visit it and share what ever memories you can.
Another memory I have is playing out in the field in front of the boys dorm. There were some huge trees there (at least they seemed huge to me as a child) with roots that were above ground. Somehow we had some sort of cars or trucks. I remember drivng many miles around those roots with those little cars. I wonder just how many of those trees still stand. The stories they could tell.
Does anyone remember the magnolia tree in the front of the main office? I loved that tree. Such beautiful blooms.
Yes, I remember the "forest" out front of the boy's building and the magnolia tree. I always enjoyed climbing it. I used to use the seed cones a pretent grenades.
Roseann, you mentioned that you had some pictures and booklets from the orphanage. If you do not mind sharing them I would love to see them. I do not know how to post pictures on here but you can email them to me if you want. Please put the word Nazareth in the subject title. My email address is dswillet1@yahoo.com Thanks, Debbie
michael goodwin; Your morher is my sister. My name is gene nelson. My e mail address: gnelson777@bellsouth.net. Please let me know where you are. I will fill you in when we connect.
I really enjoyed a visit to the Catholic Center in Raleigh last week. I walked the grounds where the old orphanage stood. I enjoyed lunch with Rod O'Conner. He's in wonderful health.
Hello, My name is Ashley Wright and I am trying to gather information about my fathers background, Buddy Wright. He was in the orphanage in 1950-1960. If anyone has any stories or pictures, please contact me at wright_1985@yahoo.com.
My father may have been known as Buddy or Paul Wright. He was born on May 11. 1946. He went in with his two older sisters, Ann and Margie. Any information that you have is appreciated.
Hi CeCe, I believe my grandmother was at the orphanage around the same time as your mom. Her name was Pauline Cauley. She passed away in 1989, but my mom has been trying to find information or records about my grandmother's time there. She never spoke much about it, only to say that the nuns were cruel. We were never allowed to wear crucifixes in her presence.
Cardinal Gibbons High School was built in 1962. It was located adjacent to the orphanage property. The students from Nazareth went there. About the same time the younger grades went to Our Lady of Lourdes school in Raleigh. They shut the old school down at Nazareth at that time. I was at Nazareth from 1958 to 1967. I went to the Nazareth school for my first and second grade then transferred to Lourdes.
I'm in the process of writing a book about the history of Nazareth and my memories of it as a child there.
Cardinal Gibbons High School was built in 1962. It was located adjacent to the orphanage property. The students from Nazareth went there. About the same time the younger grades went to Our Lady of Lourdes school in Raleigh. They shut the old school down at Nazareth at that time. I was at Nazareth from 1958 to 1967. I went to the Nazareth school for my first and second grade then transferred to Lourdes.
I'm in the process of writing a book about the history of Nazareth and my memories of it as a child there.
I just moved back home to Raleigh NC from NY and man! has thngs changed. Cardinal agibbons is closed ;Iunderstand it moved and it just doesnt look much like it was at all. Alot of extra roads every were.
Just wanted to set the story straight;Gina was my wife and somehow put her name in my profile but I just changed it back.Now do you see why I might have decided to ask her to move out? LOL just jokeing; it was alot more then that. Michael
Danny Hutchby is on Classmates.com... if you go to the new orphanage building, now Catholic Charities, there is a picture of the old place on the lobby wall. Who remembers raiding the bakery truck? stampeding pigs? the "Great Field Fire" from cooking baloney in the fort? Sunday cold cut dinner? yikes. Hendricks 3 foot stack of comics? Sr. deMonfort? She passed away a couple of years ago out at Belmont Abbey. Saturday movies? I just watched Lawrence of Arabia on TV still my favorite. Our Lady of Lourdes sixth grade teacher getting misty when JFK got it?
trimming Betty Crocker box top points? Stuffing those little books? riding the bannisters (triple oiled)? Mac and Cheese night? turns out my brother was there years before, apparently mom got around a bit. I didn't know this for 50 years till my biological family got together. As bad as it could be still the best time of my childhood. Maybe cause it was the first time I saw TV. Combat, McHales Navy on Thursdays. yea
John, Please contact me. My email is latondave@gmail.com. I was at Nazareth in the time period you were there. I'm working on a history of Nazareth and would love to talk with you.
Hi all, Roseann, I lived there with Jeff and Tommy Godwin in the "new" Nazareth, along with the Hunt's, Preddy's, Cathy Puckett. I remember Brenda Buck, she was one of what we considered the Older kids.. we were the middle kids. I also have some of those little booklets with stories and pictures. Fond memories, but we grew up to fast in those days.. I am just happy to have my girl grow up slower. Oh my, the weekends at Pullen Park Pool and dancing to the jute box in the little gazebo outside the pool to Micheal Jackson and Donny Osmond.. I remember the merry go round attendant letting us ride as long as we wanted. Then when we got older we would take our meager allowance over to Cameron Village, and usually spent it in Village book and stationary. I remember finding the "head" shop on the way to Cameron Village, not knowing what kind of store it actually was.. thinking what "cool" stuff it had.. hehe. Sister Demontford, Sister Hildebrand , Floyd Pope, all the novices, Rosalie, and the many children that i grew to love. Good or Bad experiences, it made me who I am today for the most part ~waves~
Hi Ashley, I remember Paul Wright, he and I were very good friends. I hope that he's still around and in good health. When I left the orphanage I never wanted to go back because of the memories, but my younger went back for a visit and ran in to Paul. She asked me if I knew who he was and I told her yes. We use to play together a lot. There were open corridors between the buildings that we would get on the roof and jump off of( not very bright but fun. Ashley I'm sorry that I don't have any pics of him and if he's still with us ask him if he remembers Richard Lindsay with two sisters, even though they kept us separate from the girls, and boy do we remember that terrible liver they served us. Saturday night movies that we saw, the Shadow, and Hop a Long Cassidy. Paul I'm sure you were one of the guys with me when the barber showed up at the orphanage to cut all of our hair and we decided to go with a army cut and got our tails whip, and I'm sure you were one of the guys that along with me decided a the Christmas dinner at the Raleigh Hotel dinner to order hamburgers after we ate the first meal, and we got our tails whipped for that also. There was one boy that use to get a lot of comic books and at night we would crawl over to his bed and get some to look at.
I worked at the Orphanage 1971-72 as a houseparent & remember all of the Callahans, Preddys, Virginia & Eddie Poot, Judy, Paul, Rowena, Tanzy, Floyd, Fr. O'Connor, Rita Such, Rosalie, Catherine, et al. I wonder all the time what became of the children and how their lives progressed. The children came to my wedding June 1972 with Fr. O'Connor. Would love to hear from any of them. The old building was still standing when I worked at the newer building. Last summer I met a resident Bernadette who left the orphanage before I started working there. She lives in Greensboro. Peggy (Peg) Parham pegster123@gmail.com
Hi! My name is Margaret Anderson and I believe my father was at Nazareth around 1936. He was born in Richmond, VA in 1936, but my Grandparents, who had very strong ties to the Episcopal church (ie. Bishops, etc.) were living in Wilmington at the time. The story was that the orphanage that he was in burned around the time that I was born, 1961, and so Nazareth fits the story. My father's adoptive father died when he was a baby and my grandmother passed away when I was in kindergarten, so I have been quite challenged trying to locate his natural family. I have pictures of him and if you should know anything or have any suggestions I would greatly appreciate your contacting me! Best, Margaret 7mmartin@gmail.com
Hi. My name is Helen Thomas nee Geater. I remember being there in the late 50s. Mixed memories. Some good, many not so good. As the only little girl of color at the institution, it was a very difficult time for me, a 6 year old. I remember being one of a group of children who went to WRAL for a taping.
Hi my name is Chrissy Jean John (Dietz) my adopted name, Alisa Jean Saunders (birth Name) I'm searching for my birth sister Sylvia Lynn Saunders aka Sylvia Lynn Johnson. We were foster kids their I remember Floyd the cook, 1977 the mercer brothers one had a different color eye, Felicia, the house parents Mezzina, I remember the black iron fence that surrounded the house, my fondest memory was getting a kick-n-go for Christmas, Dorthy Dix was right across the street.
Hi my name is Paul,my dad and Aunt were both there in the early 1950s for several years,his name was Buddy Paul Wright,he was an alterboy and boxed while there,my aunt's name is Margie,i know he was there from the time he was 8 until 13 or 14,if anyone could remember them it would be appreciated
The best you can do it contact Sister Julia at the Belmont Abbey in Belmont, NC. She would have a record as exists at this time. She may also have some information on various folks.
My story is a little bit different but I hope you can help.My name is John O'Donnell. My mother's cousin was Father Raymond Donohue who was the administrator (and, apparently burned down the rectory) during the early 60's. My family of 10 went to visit Father Ray in the Summer of 1962 for "vacation". Vacation in this case meant all seven of us children boarding at the orphanage with the orphans. I was 5 at the time and have a clear memory of my first night there. I was taken to a large ward with rows of iron beds and large windows and shown to a bed. I tried to tell the nun there must be some mistake, but there I was.
In the end we had a great time walking around the grounds and playing. I met one young fellow, a little older than me, and we became fast friends. It was very difficult to leave. Over almost 60 years I've forgotten his name but I do have photos of him and my brother Marty along with a few other photos of the place.
I was hoping that someone will remember us and also remember the young boy I'm talking about. If you can show me how to post photos I'd be happy to do so.
Hi everyone My siblings & I were there for several years around 1973-76 ish. We were all English’s : Liz, Renee, Charles , and I (Margaret). I believe I was the youngest child there at the time. I remember the Goodwins & Barbara. philapart whom I spoke with a few years ago. I remember Floyd the cook who used to put the coins in the pancakes. Sister Mary Lois Cecil made a lasting impression on me. She was very kind and loving. I also remember there was a Filipino gentleman who used to play the guitar & I would sing with him. We were at the old house when we first came; but then moved over to the Bishops Mansion eventually. If you remember us I’d love to hear from you. My email is aStanley.directrepservices@gmail.com.
Hi everyone -- I'm looking for information about Sister Mary Rita Dever (Sister Rita). She was a teacher in the 20s, 30s, and 40s that I know of -- she passed away in 1979 and is buried at Belmont Abbey. She was my mother's Godmother. Just looking if anyone remembers her and/or stories (good or bad). Anything to share would be appreciated.
69 comments:
Hi, my name is michael goodwin son of patricia ann nelson.
my mother was there with her brothers and sisters;there names were charles,bobby,ruth and shirley Nelson.I was also in the same orphage with my 2 older brothers Jeff and tom after my mother passed.
I would like to know if anyone knew my mother
I was in the Catholic Orphanage from 1957 to 1962. I'm going to post a picture of my first communion which has my brother, Joe, and other children that were in the orphanage with us. My name: Barbara Young and my brothers, Joseph and David Young. I'm trying to find the Hutchby's that were in the orphanage with us, here are their names: Dean, Donna, Delores (triplets); Danny; Kathy and Craig (twins); Dickie all Hutchbys.
I lost contact with Kathy after I went back to live with my Mom. I believe she was adopted and moved to Georgia. I'm not sure, but if you have any information please contact me. I will try to post the picture shortly.
Thanks
Bobbi Stern
I was in the Catholic Orphanage appx. 1957 to 1962. My name was Barbara Young. Both of my brothers, Joe and David were also there. I'm going to post a photo of the front of the church at my communion. I'll try to get it up soon, had a bad fall last week so I'm pretty much flat on my back for a while. I also have pictures at the playground behind the school. I'd love to communicate thru email: youboogie2@tampabay.rr.com.
How old were you when you went there. I was about 6 yr, 1st grade in the old school. We probably have some good stories to share.
Bobbi Stern
Hi its michael goodwin again checking to see if anyone knew my mother aunt and uncles charles,bobby,ruth,sherly and my mom patricia nelson.
Hi...I was in the orphanage during this time. The only names I remember were the Hutchby's. I have no idea what ever became of them. My name then was David Bishop. I had a sister there named Deborah. My grandmother adopted us and changed our names to Laton. I would appreciate anyone's contact from the same period. My e-mail is latondave@gmail.com.
Hi...I was in the orphanage during this time. The only names I remember were the Hutchby's. I have no idea what ever became of them. My name then was David Bishop. I had a sister there named Deborah. My grandmother adopted us and changed our names to Laton. I would appreciate anyone's contact from the same period. My e-mail is latondave@gmail.com.
Hi, I was at this orphanage 1949-1959. I don't remember to many names though this brings little good memories. I had two sister and they kept us seperate. We were not allowed to be with each other. There were times I would catch a glimps of them on the playyard. A charge Nun had a room at the end of the floor which had around thirty beds for our age group. One boy would have comic books and at night sometimes we would slide under the beds to where he was and take a couple of books and return them when we were done for others. You just had to pray not to get caught by the nun.Other nights the nun would have a bag of candy and after we were all in bed she would go down the rows and point to the boy who could get up and go into the tv room and watch tv and she wqould pass out some candy. I remember not getting up much. Every two weeks we would take turns with the girls in going to church, the boys would get up and go to church for two weeks, then the girls get their turn. On Christmas Eve the nuns would line us up and familys from near by, would pick up a group of the boys and take them to their home and a santa would visit each location and hand out a present. On Christmas Day the unus would take us to the Sir Walter Raleigh Hotel for a Christmas dinner. A couple of the boys and I were still hungry and ordered hambugers. When we got back to the orphanage and the nun found out we got our butts whipped. Occasionaly there was a barber that would visit the orphanage and I don't know why, but some boys and I decided to convince the barber to cut all our hair off and he did. When the nun saw us we got our butts whipped again.One of the good things about the place was when a hurrican hit it would knock over a pecan tree and we would climb on it get the nuts. All the boys were given chores and one of mine was to sweep the arcades between the buildings and latted I was put in the kitchen.I saw very little of my sisters. I know that putting us here was for the better. We would be feed and given a good education, but for me it didn't do anything for family bonding. My mom passed in 1987 and my dad's still alive but we only talk occasionly and havn't heard from my sisters in years. This is where I spent my childhood years which formed who I am today. I would love very much to get ahold of some picture of th place, for I feel that part of me is still there, donald richard lindsay.
Hi I am Deborah, David Laton's sister. I remember the Hutchby's. I seem to remember Dickie was about my age. There was also a girl named Brenda Buck a boy named Walter Buck. I am not sure how or if they were related. I remember a few of the nuns names, Sister Regis, Sister Ignatious, Sister Delores. Most of the time David and I were there the priest's name was Father Roderick O'Connor. Yes we were given a place to live and go to school but I remember it as a horrible place. Sister Regis was a very cruel person. Sister Ignatious was one of the compassionate ones. Somewhere I have a booklet that was published by the orphanage, always seeking donations. I will see if I can get any information from that.
Debbie,
Please contact me.
Michael, I was looking through this booklet I have that was published in Winter 1963. Charles Nelson was mentioned. I sort of remember the name but that is about all. I wish I had more to tell you. I did not find anything yet on your Mother. Do you know if she went by Patricia or Patty?
Hi Michael, (and all former orphans)
I was at the orphanage two different times: first in the late 50's and again in the mid to late 60's, with two different sets of brothers. I don't remember you, but I remember Jeff & Tommy Goodwin and most of the Hutchbys, and Brenda and Patrick Buck, and of course the Hunts. Don't specifically remember Patricia Nelson but she would have been there the 1st time and I was pretty little. They had us segregated, girls from boys, and even the girls were in different dorms by age group. I do have some materials from the late 60's, (those little books asking for donations that Debbie Bishop refers to). Give me some time and I will get them out and do a little research for you. The post from Donald, I like your description, it's very accurate. Think I might know who you are. Does anyone know if you can post pictures on this site? If so, I can post copies of the booklets. U may find yourselves there. What a blast from the past that would be! Any interest out there let me know.
Hi...I don't know if any of you ladies remember my two sisters Carol( the oldest) and Judy Lindsay, who were there between 1949-59. Another thing that I remember, is every now and then when it became time to eat, the closer we got to the dinning room there was a smell of caster oil in the air. There would be cups of hot chocolate on the tables and they made sure you drank it. There for the longest time, that smell haunted me. Until one day, when my wife and I were in the drug sore and she opened up a a bottle, and bang, I had a vision of hot chocolate sitting in a cup on the table, thats probably why I don't like hot chocolate today. One time a year, at breakfast time, they make pancakes with coins in them. Of corse you didn't get to keep the money, the floor warden ( sorry nuns) would collect it and use it to buy candy, to give out at night to the good guys, for a tv snack. I don't know if any of you guys remember, that the dorm we stayed in had three floors ( the boys were seperated into age groups,and the older took care of the younger. Which cause other problems that I want go into ). We were not allowed to go on the third floor, for in was reserved for the vistors. I snuck up there a couple time, and noticed that all the doors had pad locks on them. I guess in such a rightful place, that we couldn't be trusted, since we could have anything that we wanted, bye for now,don
Folks...I'm working on a book about our experiences at the orphanage. If you would like to submit stories to me I would appreciate it. My email address is latondave@gmail.com.
I am excited to see that there are more of us little orphans out there and you have found your way to this blog.
Initially when I first commented on this blog I was looking for Cathy Hutchby and her family, now I see more are out there searching for the past.
Good or bad, we all need to know that time in our lives really happened, and we mattered. I want you all to know though our paths have taken us far from the orphanage--those memories still lay deep within our souls and I hope we will be able to share with each other all those memories, good or bad.
Cathy, if you are out there, I'm still looking for you. I need to know you are okay, and know that you have always been in my heart for the wonderful friend you were to me.
If anyone remembers the Hutchby's then you may remember me and my family? We all sat together for years at meals in the small dining room. My name is Barbara Young, and my brothers were Joe and David. Usually where you would see Cathy, I would be there also.
I remember the silver dollar pancakes with coins, the liver they served, and the Friday night movies under the church, forts we built out in the field behind the laundry, college kids taking us for hikes and swimming in the creeks, Pullen Park swimming and our long parade of kids walking there, long walks past the crazy house, stacking all the high grass after it was cut under the stair in the main building ...and jumping off, and holidays with strangers.
Do you remember Sister Mary Andrew? She was the small girls dorm sister, chorus leader, and 5th grade teacher. She did not like me or Cathy.
I must have really been special because I can truly say that Sister Mary Regis is the person in my life that changed me forever. I had experienced love from her and she made me feel special. She also took my brothers under her wings.
We've all had experiences with the nuns that were good memories and bad. Let's see if we can find the blessings that came from such an inadequate place--the orphanage. We always received the necessities ...but someone forgot to tell them love, patience, and kindness are also important factor in the development of a child that was in their care.
Bless you all, we made it!
Bobbi Stern
Does anyone know how to post pictures here?
After David and I talked I began to remember Charles Nelson. I remember he was the handy man there for awhile. The main thing I remember about him was him comming into the dorm rooms to fix the radiator.
Hey everyone,
Can each of you please list where your are living now? I want to see how far you strayed from Raleigh, and how close we all are. Thanks
Hi....In 1959 from the orphanage to Maryland and in 2006 wife and I moved to Felton, Delaware.
My wife andI live in Prattville, Alabama. I've lived in Arkansas, Tennessee, Texas, Oklahoma, and even Turkey.
I have lived in NC, Florida, Arkansas, Idaho and now in Maryland
When I left the orphanage I live in Jacksonville, NC for 4 years, then moved to Woodbridge, VA, then a year in Maryland and in 1973 I moved to Fort Lauderdale, FL. 1988 I moved just 40 miles north of Tampa,FL in the little place of Spring Hill, FL. Now I live across the road in Weeki Wachee. "Home of the Mermaids" almost 60 years ago this beautiful Weeki Wachee Springs attraction blossomed in this tiny area of the Gulf Coast of Florida, just 5 miles from the Gulf of Mexico.
When I left the orphanage I live in Jacksonville, NC for 4 years, then moved to Woodbridge, VA, then a year in Maryland and in 1973 I moved to Fort Lauderdale, FL. 1988 I moved just 40 miles north of Tampa,FL in the little place of Spring Hill, FL. Now I live across the road in Weeki Wachee. "Home of the Mermaids" almost 60 years ago this beautiful Weeki Wachee Springs attraction blossomed in this tiny area of the Gulf Coast of Florida, just 5 miles from the Gulf of Mexico.
Anyone interested in communicating thru Facebook you can contact me there under Bobbi Stern. See you onlne.
I know this is out of the time frame you're looking for but I thought you might think it interesting. My mother (then Theresa Speaks)age 87 was at Nazareth from 1930-1935. She was there with her two older sisters, Grace and Eunice McDermon. Her brothers Andrew and Inman McDermon were also there but she did not know that until she was an adult. As one of the poster mentioned the boys and girls were kept separated. My mother and her siblings weren't orphans in the true sense. Their mother was still alive. But when my mother's father James Speaks supposedly died before she was born her mother could not afford to keep the children at home because she worked as a live in nurse for wealthy families. My mother hated it, she arrived there on her 6th birthday. She said most of the nuns were so mean. I've been trying to research my mother's father. Her mother would never tell her anything about him. And her older siblings by a different father insisted they didn't know anything. She only has one sister living out of 6 sisters and 2 brothers.
Cece,
Thanks for the post. I'm sorry your mother's memories of Nazareth were not happy one's. I also was there but had living parents. My sister and I were there initially together because our mother and father had divorced and she couldn't provide for us. Most of the children there had one or both parents. The true orphan was a rarity. At any rate, thank you for sharing your memories. I have a blog I'm using to share memories and to encourage other residents to share theirs. It is: www.nazarethstories.blogspot.com. I am trying to do research with the intent of writing a book about Nazareth. I hope you'll visit it and share what ever memories you can.
Another memory I have is playing out in the field in front of the boys dorm. There were some huge trees there (at least they seemed huge to me as a child) with roots that were above ground. Somehow we had some sort of cars or trucks. I remember drivng many miles around those roots with those little cars. I wonder just how many of those trees still stand. The stories they could tell.
Does anyone remember the magnolia tree in the front of the main office? I loved that tree. Such beautiful blooms.
Debbie,
Yes, I remember the "forest" out front of the boy's building and the magnolia tree. I always enjoyed climbing it. I used to use the seed cones a pretent grenades.
Roseann, you mentioned that you had some pictures and booklets from the orphanage. If you do not mind sharing them I would love to see them. I do not know how to post pictures on here but you can email them to me if you want. Please put the word Nazareth in the subject title. My email address is dswillet1@yahoo.com
Thanks,
Debbie
michael goodwin;
Your morher is my sister. My
name is gene nelson. My e mail address: gnelson777@bellsouth.net.
Please let me know where you are. I will fill you in when we connect.
your uncle Gene
Michael GOODWIN;
Send me an e mail at gnelson777@bellsouth.net.
I will fill you in when we connect.
Your Uncle
Gene Nelson
Your mothers brother
Meet me on face book. Gene Nelson
Blogger name.catholic orphanage Nazareth raleigh n.c.
My blogger is: catholic orphanage
nazareth n.c.
Gene Nelson
I really enjoyed a visit to the Catholic Center in Raleigh last week. I walked the grounds where the old orphanage stood. I enjoyed lunch with Rod O'Conner. He's in wonderful health.
Hello, My name is Ashley Wright and I am trying to gather information about my fathers background, Buddy Wright. He was in the orphanage in 1950-1960. If anyone has any stories or pictures, please contact me at wright_1985@yahoo.com.
My father may have been known as Buddy or Paul Wright. He was born on May 11. 1946. He went in with his two older sisters, Ann and Margie. Any information that you have is appreciated.
Hi CeCe, I believe my grandmother was at the orphanage around the same time as your mom. Her name was Pauline Cauley. She passed away in 1989, but my mom has been trying to find information or records about my grandmother's time there. She never spoke much about it, only to say that the nuns were cruel. We were never allowed to wear crucifixes in her presence.
Can anyone tell me if there was ever a high-school operated at Nazareth?
I think not, but I could be wrong. I used to go to school with kids from Nazareth at Cathedral Latin High in the late 1950's - up to 1961.
Thanks
Charlie Cunningham
e-mail charlie-cunningham@nc.rr.com
Charlie,
Cardinal Gibbons High School was built in 1962. It was located adjacent to the orphanage property. The students from Nazareth went there. About the same time the younger grades went to Our Lady of Lourdes school in Raleigh. They shut the old school down at Nazareth at that time. I was at Nazareth from 1958 to 1967. I went to the Nazareth school for my first and second grade then transferred to Lourdes.
I'm in the process of writing a book about the history of Nazareth and my memories of it as a child there.
Hope that helps.
Charlie,
Cardinal Gibbons High School was built in 1962. It was located adjacent to the orphanage property. The students from Nazareth went there. About the same time the younger grades went to Our Lady of Lourdes school in Raleigh. They shut the old school down at Nazareth at that time. I was at Nazareth from 1958 to 1967. I went to the Nazareth school for my first and second grade then transferred to Lourdes.
I'm in the process of writing a book about the history of Nazareth and my memories of it as a child there.
Hope that helps.
I just moved back home to Raleigh NC from NY and man! has thngs changed. Cardinal agibbons is closed ;Iunderstand it moved and it just doesnt look much like it was at all. Alot of extra roads every were.
Just wanted to set the story straight;Gina was my wife and somehow put her name in my profile but I just changed it back.Now do you see why I might have decided to ask her to move out? LOL just jokeing; it was alot more then that.
Michael
Danny Hutchby is on Classmates.com... if you go to the new orphanage building, now Catholic Charities, there is a picture of the old place on the lobby wall. Who remembers raiding the bakery truck? stampeding pigs? the "Great Field Fire" from cooking baloney in the fort? Sunday cold cut dinner? yikes. Hendricks 3 foot stack of comics? Sr. deMonfort? She passed away a couple of years ago out at Belmont Abbey. Saturday movies? I just watched Lawrence of Arabia on TV still my favorite. Our Lady of Lourdes sixth grade teacher getting misty when JFK got it?
trimming Betty Crocker box top points? Stuffing those little books? riding the bannisters (triple oiled)? Mac and Cheese night? turns out my brother was there years before, apparently mom got around a bit. I didn't know this for 50 years till my biological family got together. As bad as it could be still the best time of my childhood. Maybe cause it was the first time I saw TV. Combat, McHales Navy on Thursdays. yea
John, Please contact me. My email is latondave@gmail.com. I was at Nazareth in the time period you were there. I'm working on a history of Nazareth and would love to talk with you.
Hi all,
Roseann, I lived there with Jeff and Tommy Godwin in the "new" Nazareth, along with the Hunt's, Preddy's, Cathy Puckett. I remember Brenda Buck, she was one of what we considered the Older kids.. we were the middle kids. I also have some of those little booklets with stories and pictures. Fond memories, but we grew up to fast in those days.. I am just happy to have my girl grow up slower. Oh my, the weekends at Pullen Park Pool and dancing to the jute box in the little gazebo outside the pool to Micheal Jackson and Donny Osmond.. I remember the merry go round attendant letting us ride as long as we wanted. Then when we got older we would take our meager allowance over to Cameron Village, and usually spent it in Village book and stationary. I remember finding the "head" shop on the way to Cameron Village, not knowing what kind of store it actually was.. thinking what "cool" stuff it had.. hehe.
Sister Demontford, Sister Hildebrand , Floyd Pope, all the novices, Rosalie, and the many children that i grew to love. Good or Bad experiences, it made me who I am today for the most part ~waves~
Sorry, didnt add this.. I was Teresa
Akai,
I'd love to chat with you. Please email me at latondave@gmail.com. I was at Nazareth from 58 to 67. I'd like to hear more of your experiences.
Hi Ashley, I remember Paul Wright, he and I were very good friends. I hope that he's still around and in good health. When I left the orphanage I never wanted to go back because of the memories, but my younger went back for a visit and ran in to Paul. She asked me if I knew who he was and I told her yes. We use to play together a lot. There were open corridors between the buildings that we would get on the roof and jump off of( not very bright but fun. Ashley I'm sorry that I don't have any pics of him and if he's still with us ask him if he remembers Richard Lindsay with two sisters, even though they kept us separate from the girls, and boy do we remember that terrible liver they served us. Saturday night movies that we saw, the Shadow, and Hop a Long Cassidy. Paul I'm sure you were one of the guys with me when the barber showed up at the orphanage to cut all of our hair and we decided to go with a army cut and got our tails whip, and I'm sure you were one of the guys that along with me decided a the Christmas dinner at the Raleigh Hotel dinner to order hamburgers after we ate the first meal, and we got our tails whipped for that also. There was one boy that use to get a lot of comic books and at night we would crawl over to his bed and get some to look at.
I worked at the Orphanage 1971-72 as a houseparent & remember all of the Callahans, Preddys, Virginia & Eddie Poot, Judy, Paul, Rowena, Tanzy, Floyd, Fr. O'Connor, Rita Such, Rosalie, Catherine, et al. I wonder all the time what became of the children and how their lives progressed. The children came to my wedding June 1972 with Fr. O'Connor. Would love to hear from any of them. The old building was still standing when I worked at the newer building. Last summer I met a resident Bernadette who left the orphanage before I started working there. She lives in Greensboro.
Peggy (Peg) Parham pegster123@gmail.com
Hi! My name is Margaret Anderson and I believe my father was at Nazareth around 1936. He was born in Richmond, VA in 1936, but my Grandparents, who had very strong ties to the Episcopal church (ie. Bishops, etc.) were living in Wilmington at the time. The story was that the orphanage that he was in burned around the time that I was born, 1961, and so Nazareth fits the story. My father's adoptive father died when he was a baby and my grandmother passed away when I was in kindergarten, so I have been quite challenged trying to locate his natural family. I have pictures of him and if you should know anything or have any suggestions I would greatly appreciate your contacting me! Best, Margaret 7mmartin@gmail.com
Hi. My name is Helen Thomas nee Geater. I remember being there in the late 50s. Mixed memories. Some good, many not so good. As the only little girl of color at the institution, it was a very difficult time for me, a 6 year old.
I remember being one of a group of children who went to WRAL for a taping.
Hi my name is Chrissy Jean John (Dietz) my adopted name, Alisa Jean Saunders (birth Name) I'm searching for my birth sister Sylvia Lynn Saunders aka Sylvia Lynn Johnson. We were foster kids their I remember Floyd the cook, 1977 the mercer brothers one had a different color eye, Felicia, the house parents Mezzina, I remember the black iron fence that surrounded the house, my fondest memory was getting a kick-n-go for Christmas, Dorthy Dix was right across the street.
Hi my name is Paul,my dad and Aunt were both there in the early 1950s for several years,his name was Buddy Paul Wright,he was an alterboy and boxed while there,my aunt's name is Margie,i know he was there from the time he was 8 until 13 or 14,if anyone could remember them it would be appreciated
Sir I just read this post,I am Paul Wright maybe the Ashley girl you replied to was my sister,do remember a Russell Moore,or my dad's sister Margie ?
Does anyone remember a Marjorie Wright,had a younger brother Buddy Paul Wright,there in the 1950s
If anyone has any information please contact me at pawright1980@gmail.com
Hi all, I was wondering if anyone knows if there is a list of those that stayed in the orphanage?
Donald,
The best you can do it contact Sister Julia at the Belmont Abbey in Belmont, NC. She would have a record as exists at this time. She may also have some information on various folks.
Hi everyone!
My story is a little bit different but I hope you can help.My name is John O'Donnell. My mother's cousin was Father Raymond Donohue who was the administrator (and, apparently burned down the rectory) during the early 60's. My family of 10 went to visit Father Ray in the Summer of 1962 for "vacation". Vacation in this case meant all seven of us children boarding at the orphanage with the orphans. I was 5 at the time and have a clear memory of my first night there. I was taken to a large ward with rows of iron beds and large windows and shown to a bed. I tried to tell the nun there must be some mistake, but there I was.
In the end we had a great time walking around the grounds and playing. I met one young fellow, a little older than me, and we became fast friends. It was very difficult to leave. Over almost 60 years I've forgotten his name but I do have photos of him and my brother Marty along with a few other photos of the place.
I was hoping that someone will remember us and also remember the young boy I'm talking about. If you can show me how to post photos I'd be happy to do so.
Do you have a smart phone it will upload it to here
Hi Paul and thanks for responding. I have an iPhone and iPad. How do I upload photos to this blog?
Thanks,
John
Hi everyone
My siblings & I were there for several years around 1973-76 ish. We were all English’s : Liz, Renee, Charles , and I (Margaret). I believe I was the youngest child there at the time. I remember the Goodwins & Barbara. philapart whom I spoke with a few years ago. I remember Floyd the cook who used to put the coins in the pancakes. Sister Mary Lois Cecil made a lasting impression on me. She was very kind and loving. I also remember there was a Filipino gentleman who used to play the guitar & I would sing with him. We were at the old house when we first came; but then moved over to the Bishops Mansion eventually. If you remember us I’d love to hear from you. My email is aStanley.directrepservices@gmail.com.
Hi everyone -- I'm looking for information about Sister Mary Rita Dever (Sister Rita). She was a teacher in the 20s, 30s, and 40s that I know of -- she passed away in 1979 and is buried at Belmont Abbey. She was my mother's Godmother. Just looking if anyone remembers her and/or stories (good or bad). Anything to share would be appreciated.
Thank you,
Elaine Davis
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