st.josephes home

[Craig]

Patricia Van Ardoy wrote:

Does anyone have a photograph of St. Joseph's Home in the early years?

I will post a picture of St. Joesph,s Home from my files.

[Pamela Q]

My mother, Luisa Petti, was at St. Joseph's Home in Peekskill, NY from 1917 to about 1927 or '28 along with her brother, Sylvio, and sister, Molly (Ermalinda). Mom is now 93 y.o. and doing well.
She's interested in hearing from anyone who may remember her or was at St. Joe' during those years. Thanks for any info you can provide.

[Pamela Q]

Hi...this is Luisa Petti speaking.
Would love to hear from someone who was at St. Joe's - Peekskill, NY in the 1920's. I realize many are long gone by now as I'm in my 90's, but I do hope to connect with someone. I remember a Susan Connelly; Father Schneider; a tall nun with red hair (peaked & saw her hair!)- sorry to say that she was quite abusive to me - and the food as just awful. We had ice cream once a year!
Please comment with whatever information you may have for that time period. Thank you.

[Margaret Cenci Frontera]

Hi. I am doing family research for a friend whose aunt was there in the 1920 census. Her name was Agnes Spellman and she would have been about 7 in 1920. Her father William died in 1913, and her mother was left with 5 children age 9 and under. In 1914 the older 4 were supposedly abandoned in a church in NYC and brought to the St. Agnes Home in Sparkill, Rockland County. According to St. Agnes records, Agnes was not admitted because she was a patient at City Hospital on Blackwell's Island. I am pretty sure that this Agnes is the same one that was in the St. Joseph's Home in the 1920 census.

Does anyone know where the old records are? St. Agnes no longer exists, but the Dominican Sisters still have the old ledger books so I was able to get the info on the 4 older Spellman children.

Email me at [e-mail]

Thanks for any assistance/suggestions.

Margaret in NJ

Pamela Q wrote:

My mother, Luisa Petti, was at St. Joseph's Home in Peekskill, NY from 1917 to about 1927 or '28 along with her brother, Sylvio, and sister, Molly (Ermalinda). Mom is now 93 y.o. and doing well.
She's interested in hearing from anyone who may remember her or was at St. Joe' during those years. Thanks for any info you can provide.

[Pamela Q]

Hi Margaret - I recently called St. Joseph's & was asked to write a letter requesting my mother's info (Luisa Petti) & to provide whatever info I could regarding her (birthdate/parent's names/place of birth, years at St. Joseph's, etc.)
I spoke w/Sister Francis Marie who said that a lot of records were still there and that she was the one to research and find them.
Write to: Sister Francis Marie, 250 South St., Peekskill, NY 10566. I'm hoping to hear back soon. My mother, Luisa Petti, was 5 y.o. in 1920.

Margaret Cenci Frontera wrote:

Hi. I am doing family research for a friend whose aunt was there in the 1920 census. Her name was Agnes Spellman and she would have been about 7 in 1920. Her father William died in 1913, and her mother was left with 5 children age 9 and under. In 1914 the older 4 were supposedly abandoned in a church in NYC and brought to the St. Agnes Home in Sparkill, Rockland County. According to St. Agnes records, Agnes was not admitted because she was a patient at City Hospital on Blackwell's Island. I am pretty sure that this Agnes is the same one that was in the St. Joseph's Home in the 1920 census.
Does anyone know where the old records are? St. Agnes no longer exists, but the Dominican Sisters still have the old ledger books so I was able to get the info on the 4 older Spellman children.
Email me at [e-mail]
Thanks for any assistance/suggestions.
Margaret in NJ
<quoted text>

[Walter]

Hermes Maldonado wrote:

My father went to St.Josephs Home from 1935-1942.He wants to talk with other people from there during those years, please reply back

My mom was there from 1948-1959 and remembers a Francis and Marie Moldonado. Her last name was Brennan.

[Walter]

Cathy M wrote:

My dad told me stories of his time at St. Joseph's. He and his brothers and sisters were there sometime in the late 40s early 50s. Was anyone there around the same time who remembers the O'Brien's?

My mom was there from 48-59. Last name Brennan. Feel free to email [e-mail].

[Gail Ogle]

Eileen C wrote:

My great aunt lived at St. Josephs Home from the 1880s until her death in the 1930s. She was an orphan, then stayed on as seamstress. My mom would love to know more about her, and to learn where she is buried. Name: Antoinette Berry.
Any help would be greatly appreciated.

Have you tried contacting the home. I called a couple of years ago, and for a small donation, they sent me a lot of information regarding my grandfather. He was there from

[Gail Ogle]

Have you tried contacting the home. I did several years ago, as my grandfather and his siblings were there. They entered the home in 1901. I wrote the home, and for a small donation, they sent me quite a bit of information, that included the paperwork, from when they were first sent to the home, letters that were written from my grandfather's oldest brother and my grandfather after they left the home. It gave me great insight, on my grandfather and the life he led. Hope this helps.

[Rosaelisa Diaz]

craig wrote:

Any oldtime residents have stories relating to the childrens home on south st. that was named St. Josephs Home and is now a housing development? I was a resident in the 60's and would like to hear about your recollections of us and the effect it played in Peekskill's early history.

My husband was also in St. Joseph's home. I went with him a few years ago and met Sister Lianda, one of the nuns that raised him. She showed us how the plance has changed. And was able to see pictures of the early years at St. Joseph's. Sister Lianda also showed us pictures in the dinning area of the nuns. One that struck me was a receiving area of St. Joseph's in NYC (that's where we live). It was (or is)located on West 129th street.

[Pamela Q]

Does anyone remember 4 Italian kids who went to St. Joseph's in 1918 or so...Sylvio, Inez, Mollie, and Luisa Petti? Their parents died of the Spanish Flu epidemic of 1918. My mom is Luisa who is now 94y.o. & in excellent health & looks 75!

[Paul Turse]

Wow! St. Joseph's Home brings back memories of my summer job there. I was a lifeguard and later director of the pool in 1960 & 1961. As I recall fondly, the pool was situated in a beautiful setting. I can still see the happy faces of the children as they came down the road and into the pool area for their lessons.

I also remember some great lunches the sisters used to cook up for me and the other workers. I haven't been to Peekskill for some time, but I will have to see what has become of the property, i.e., the condos.

[Paul Turse]

Renee Robillard Reyes wrote:

I was a volunteer in the Infirmary in the early 60's. Spent a lot of time with a little boy named Jimmy Soto. Lost contact after having my own child in 1963. Would love to know if anyone know anything about him. I also worked with the pre-school girls for awhile in the 60's. Had the nuns in school when I was in the Assumption so knew a lot of them particulary Sister Ann Edward who was the nurse in the infirmary.

Hi, Renee. I did not know that we were at the home at the same time. Did you ever come down to the pool for a swim when I was the swimming instructor? Hope all is well with you.

[lou]

Patricia Van Ardoy wrote:

Does anyone have a photograph of St. Joseph's Home in the early years?

i am also looking for photos for my father who stayed there in the 30's did you ever find any photos?

[lou]

Karen Fitzpatrick wrote:

My mother was a resident at St. Joseph's from 1927 until approximately 1934. She had been abandoned my her parents. She had said the last time she saw her father it was in court in which he stated he did not want this child. I checked the 1930 census and found my mother as one of the "inmates". My mother died in 2002 at the age of 87. She had always been a very prayful woman. She had great respect for the nuns that helped raise her. I wish I had asked more questions while she was alive. She was ashamed that she was abandoned by her parents. I can only imagine what she felt.

my father was in the home in the 30s and is always telling stories, did you ever get any response from your post. i am looking for a picture of the actual school to surprise him with...can you help?

[lou]

Hermes Maldonado wrote:

My father went to St.Josephs Home from 1935-1942.He wants to talk with other people from there during those years, please reply back

my father was in the boys home in the 30's I came upon this site because i am looking for a picture of the school,he is always telling us stories!

[Dennis]

Frances-New York wrote:

I was in and out of St Joes from 1970-1973.It was not a great experience.The staff were great,but I remember being assaulted and picked on by a couple of the other kids.I was in group 3 girls.Now I am a Social Worker.My brother patrick who was in the home at the same time commited suicide 3 and a half years ago at age 40.

Hello sorry to hear about your brother Patrick,What was your name my e-mail is [e-mail] I know a Patrick and Eileen from there in the early 70's.......