Matrons Journal: House of Refuge for Western Pennsylvania 1854-1860 Paperback – August 3, 2023

This is one book you cannot put down. The day to day entries in this journal keep you in suspense, who is coming and going. What ages they are, can they read, write and so on. So sad, families give up their children, whether financially, or in some cases, the new spouse does not want them in their new life. The mystery behind the Superintendent’s coming and going. Makes you wonder what is really happening. I can’t wait to read the next book to find out. I enjoyed it very much.Barb Farone

The Matrons journal was a handwritten historical document from the 1860’s that Dr. Robert Waddington transcribed to a readable format. In his introduction, Waddington correctly says that the journal is only significant source of information concerning the inmates and the day to day operation of the Western House of Refuge. It is also clear that Waddington, who played a significant role in Pennsylvania justice system in the 1970’s and 80’s, did extensive research on the system and the House of Refuge before transcribing this document. His transcription is well done, exact, and supported by much detail in the accompanying introduction, appendixes, and extensive indexing. The latter provides the name of residents, employee, and officials associated with the faculty. Family genealogists and historians with family roots in Western Pennsylvania should find this information helpful in locating missing female ancestors often overlooked by history.

I recently purchased The Matron’s Journal for my genealogical research, and it has been an invaluable resource. The depth of information and the meticulous attention to detail make it an exceptional reference for anyone delving into family history.What sets this book apart is its thorough indexing, which allows me to quickly find relevant entries without wading through unnecessary pages. The well-organized structure and the clear, concise writing make it easy to navigate and comprehend, even for those new to genealogy. Highly recommended.