Prof. Ross: Orphan Train Children in Nebraska: Loving Families or Forced Labor

To get the most out of this project, students will engage in many of the following activities:

• Read current literature on Orphan Trains
• Research primary and secondary sources, particularly those related to the development of the Orphan Train movement and children relocated to Nebraska
• Critically analyzing the documents to develop a research project that narrates the lived experiences of these children and the families in Nebraska who adopted them
• Expand their research project to develop posters and oral presentations for UNL’s Research Days in April, and potentially a paper that can be delivered at local student conferences.

This project welcomes students pursuing a degree in history  or a related field (sociology, women’s and gender studies, political science, psychology, anthropology) who are passionate about learning more about the Orphan Train movement and the children and families impacted by it in Nebraska.

Student qualifications/characteristics:

• An interest in the lives of children and families impacted by the Orphan Train movement
• A passion for researching historical events to better understand our past
• Excellent reading and writing skills
• Cultural sensitivity and the ability to respect the lived experiences of others
• An interest in archival and library research
• The ability to work independently, while also possessing a willingness to ask for help and direction
• Good time management and the ability to be flexible when necessary
• Students in the Honors Program preferred, but others will be given serious consideration

Dr. Ross is passionate about working with students and guiding them through the research process. She enjoys helping students develop a research plan that allows them to discover new information and critically analyze it for deeper understanding.  Much of this project involves spending time in libraries, archives, and digital repositories, where students will sort through documents and determine relevancy of the sources to piece together a narrative of children relocated to Nebraska as part of the Orphan Train movement.

Dr. Ross will meet regularly with students — usually once a week either at the library, the archives, or in her office — to review findings, ask new questions, and pursue emerging leads. While archival research is an important component, much of the work can also be done online, allowing students the flexibility to manage their own schedules.

A key part of this research experience is sharing findings with broader audiences. Dr. Ross works closely with students to help them prepare posters and oral presentations for UNL’s Research Days in April. She also mentors students as they develop an academic paper that can be presented at local student conferences.  These opportunities allow students to engage in public scholarship, refine their communication skills, and connect their research to real-world conversations.

Understanding the demands of student life, Dr. Ross is flexible around exams, significant assignments, and other academic responsibilities. She also prioritizes building a mentoring relationship with her students, organizing casual coffee or lunch meetings throughout the academic year. These gatherings provide space for discussing the project, sharing interests, and talking about students’ academic and career goals.