Share your family’s story
Many of the stories in this magazine began as a letter from a reader. If someone in your family rode an orphan train, grew up in a small railroad town, or left behind a box of papers nobody has read, we would like to hear about it.
What we look for
- True stories about ordinary American families, from the 1850s to living memory.
- Orphan train riders, placed-out children and the families who took them in.
- Small towns, depots, schools, farms and the places families settled.
- Heirlooms, letters and photographs with a story behind them.
- Your own research: how you found someone, and what surprised you.
How to send it
Write to the editor through our contact page or at hello@ridersontheorphantrain.org. A few paragraphs is plenty to start. Tell us who the story is about, where it happened and what records or photographs survive. Please do not send original documents; copies or phone photos are fine.
What happens next
The editor reads every submission. If a story fits the magazine, we will write back to talk it through, ask questions and agree how you would like to be named. Some stories become a full article; others become part of a larger piece. We never publish anything without your permission, and we will always show you a draft first.
A note on privacy
Family stories involve real people. We will not publish details about living people without their agreement, and we can change names or leave out details where that is kinder. Tell us in your letter if anything should stay private.