Worcester Historical Museum: Temporary Home and Day Nursery Collection 2004.

04 Feb09

Your Name Your Email Address

Nicole Simonelli nsimonelli@worcester.edu

Family Name Envelope # (2004.04-Box Number-Envelope #)

Duggan 2004.04-7.40

Text on Envelope’s Outside

1927 Duggan Home

October 24th
Charles
George
Mary
Part Pay- $2.00 per week for each child

# of cards in the envelope Other contents, if any

2 6 Cards- The Social Service Exchange of The Associated Charities

Main card: FRONT

Children
Names Date of Birth Place of Birth Nationality Admission Date of
Date Leaving

George May 8, 1924 Nov. 12, 1927

Charles June 22, 1922 Worcester Irish Oct. 24, 1927 Oct. 31, 1927
Mary Oct. 5, 1925 Nov 12, 1927

Parents
Father Mother
Richard Name Stella

Burton Court Residence Burton Court

Irish Nationality French

1
 Father Mother
Aug. 7, 1892- Worcester Place & Date of Birth May, 1894- Worcester

Sept. 11, 1916- Worcester Place & Date of Marriage Sept. 11, 1916- Worcester

South Works Factory: American Occupation Housewife

Steel and Wire
Earnings

Characteristics

Married Married-Divorced Married

Deserted-Separated

Other children in family

Lauretta & Thomas- At house with father

Lauretta- Aug., 1918
Thomas-1920- Age: 3 months

Stella- In city Hospital with Mother

Main card: REVERSE

Reasons for Admission

Introduction Paragraph

The Duggan family resided in Worcester and required assistance due to Mrs. Stella Duggan, a
mother of six, needing an immediate hip replacement operation at City Hospital. Stella has suffered from
a dislocated hip since childhood and hopes that this operation will allow her to walk more efficiently. Of
her six children, only three whose names are George, Charles and Mary took residency at the Temporary
Home and Day Nursery. The two eldest children, Thomas and Lauretta will be staying at home with their
father, Mr. Richard Duggan, since they are attending school. The youngest child, also named Stella, is
three months old and will be staying at City Hospital with her mother. Although Stella was admitted to
the hospital for the operation, it was never completed as doctors informed her that there was only a small
chance the surgery would be successful. Doctors also informed Stella that the surgery would deem her
incapable of taking care of the children for approximately five years. Therefore, instead of undergoing
the operation, the doctors formed a special shoe for Stella that would allow her to walk with less pain.
Although the children spent a short time at the home, it is important to recognize their story and the
agony that Stella endured during the early 1900’s due to a lack of medical knowledge during this time
period.

2
 Who Brought? Who Agrees to Pay Relatives? Vaccinations
recommended?
Miss. Smith- $2.00 per week for Reach Father by
Father Nurse at South each child phone at American
Works Steel & Wire

REFERRAL SLIPS How Many: 6

Referring Agencies
1. Worcester Children’s Friend Society: January 27, 1933
2. Associated Charities: January 14, 1931
3. Child Guidance Clinic: May 6, 1932
4. Fresh Air Fund: August 4, 1932
5. Fresh Air Fund: July 1, 1931
6. Woman Probation Officer: December 16, 1932