Probably the least used resource of all are the Orphan's Courts found in many states. These courts do not deal only with small children without parents, but also handle a variety of records which can be most profitable.
First we must understand that the legal definition of an orphan is one who lost his natural father. It is not tied to the mother or to any specific age.
Orphan court records, called "dockets," are used to appoint or change appointments of guardians for orphans, incompetents, and sometimes indigents.
They also record administrators for estates and frequently trustees. Many property transfers, inventories of estates, marriages, births, and deaths are to be found in these "Orphan Court Dockets."
You might even uncover and elusive maiden name for when a widow asks that an individual be appointed guardian for her son. It's possible that they are related.

ANCESTORS ARRIVALS

Most immigrants were processed in these facilities if they arrived at the Port of New York City between 1 August 1855 and the end of 1924:
1 August 1855 to 18 April 1890 - CASTLE GARDEN
19 April 1890 to 31 December 1891 - BARGE OFFICE
1 January 1892 to 13 June 1897 - ELLIS ISLAND
14 June 1897 to 16 December 1900 - BARGE OFFICE
17 December 1900 to 31 December 1924 - ELLIS ISLAND
Following World War I, immigration quotas were improved, and by 1954 the flow of immigrants decreased to the point where Ellis Island was closed.

           

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