aka Mary Agnes Moroney
Bioglocial parents:
Married:
1st) Edward "Edgar" Clifton Jennings, Sr. (1923-1985) - m. 1946; div.
2nd) Earl Thomas Burchard (1915-1989) - m. 1977
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Catherine Moroney had married very young, at the age of thirteen and, by the age of seventeen, had two daughters, Mary Agnes, 2 and Anastasia, 11 months. They were very poor, as Michael only made $15 per week, passing out handbills. A relative of Catherine's wrote to the needy-family service and a paragraph on the family's plight was printed. The service did not normally disclose addresses, but, through a slip, the Moroneys' address was learned by a woman.
On May 14, 1930, while Catherine was scrubbing the floor, there was a knock at the door. When Catherine opened the door, she was greeted by a woman that stated she had been sent by a social worker to deal with the Moroneys' case. She was described as well-dressed, about 22 years of age, with protruding teeth and a "cultured" voice and she identified herself as "Julia Otis". After listening to the Moroneys' problems, she asked Catherine if she could take Mary Agnes to California with her, just for a little while, adding that she would be unrecognizable and "fat as a butterball". Catherine refused. After promising to return, the stranger handed Catherine $2 and left.
The next day, May 15, she came back, this time not with money, but baby clothes, as Catherine was pregnant. She stated that she had arranged for her husband to get a better job and then she offered to take Mary Agnes to a nearby store and buy her some clothes and shoes. Eventually, Catherine gave her consent. Later, Catherine commented that Mary Agnes sobbed and refused to go with the woman, but she was taken anyway. She was never returned.
aka Mary Agnes Moroney
Bioglocial parents:
Married:
1st) Edward "Edgar" Clifton Jennings, Sr. (1923-1985) - m. 1946; div.
2nd) Earl Thomas Burchard (1915-1989) - m. 1977
------
Catherine Moroney had married very young, at the age of thirteen and, by the age of seventeen, had two daughters, Mary Agnes, 2 and Anastasia, 11 months. They were very poor, as Michael only made $15 per week, passing out handbills. A relative of Catherine's wrote to the needy-family service and a paragraph on the family's plight was printed. The service did not normally disclose addresses, but, through a slip, the Moroneys' address was learned by a woman.
On May 14, 1930, while Catherine was scrubbing the floor, there was a knock at the door. When Catherine opened the door, she was greeted by a woman that stated she had been sent by a social worker to deal with the Moroneys' case. She was described as well-dressed, about 22 years of age, with protruding teeth and a "cultured" voice and she identified herself as "Julia Otis". After listening to the Moroneys' problems, she asked Catherine if she could take Mary Agnes to California with her, just for a little while, adding that she would be unrecognizable and "fat as a butterball". Catherine refused. After promising to return, the stranger handed Catherine $2 and left.
The next day, May 15, she came back, this time not with money, but baby clothes, as Catherine was pregnant. She stated that she had arranged for her husband to get a better job and then she offered to take Mary Agnes to a nearby store and buy her some clothes and shoes. Eventually, Catherine gave her consent. Later, Catherine commented that Mary Agnes sobbed and refused to go with the woman, but she was taken anyway. She was never returned.
