The Youngest Child At The Roman Catholic Orphan Asylum – c. 1911

A Beautiful Orphan With Her Doll c. 1911

Photographed by William Davis Hassler is the “youngest child at the Kingsbridge Roman Catholic Orphan Asylum,” in the Bronx.

Hassler took a series of photographs of the residents of the asylum sometime between 1911 and 1912. Hassler’s other photographs, many of the Bronx and its people, are housed at The New York Historical Society.

Unfortunately Hassler did not identify who this little girl is or her age. She looks to be about three-years-old. If you click on the photo to enlarge, you will see that Hassler’s photo is a masterpiece of portraiture. Hassler put his camera low to the ground to capture the moment. He framed the shot perfectly. It looks as if the picture is a modern one and his subject’s face is more twenty-first century than early twentieth century. The little girl’s expression is somewhere between one of bemusement and happiness. A photographer taking your picture was a special occurrence. It certainly helps the overall image that Hassler’s subject is tremendously photogenic and cute.

The Big Question – Who Is She?

Searching through various records to find out who the girl is, was fruitless. I was hoping someone did a feature article in one of the many periodicals of the day about the asylum and its residents – but no luck. And looking through many other photos taken at the asylum yielded no other pictures of this girl. There was one other photo that might have contained this child, but it was not clear enough to be definitive.

I looked at this photo for a long time and wondered: Who is she? What happened that she ended up here? Where was her mother? Was she ever adopted? Did she marry and have children? Did she have a happy life? Is there anybody who is alive today who would recognize this little girl as their mother or grandmother?

The only certainty is that she is now dead.

And I can only wonder…

2 thoughts on “The Youngest Child At The Roman Catholic Orphan Asylum – c. 1911

  1. Suzanne Colilla

    My grandmother was about two when she was placed in that asylum around 1911. However, she was placed with her twin sister and I would find it odd that he would not photograph them together. In the unlikely event that it is her, she happily married, had kids and grandkids, traveled the world, and died at age 90.

    Reply

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