I love watching Finding Your Roots on the PBS channel. Here in my town it’s broadcast on Tuesdays. I just love to watch a family ancestral history unfold and see where genealogy can take these celebrities. On the last show, Henry Louis Gates told one woman that her great grandmother came by way of a foundling wheel.
That intrigued me so I had to go look it up. The term originated in 1198 by the current Pope of the Catholic Church. He was appalled at the number of babies found drowned by their impoverished parents in creeks and rivers so he decreed that these devices offering an alternative to drowning were to be installed in every church in the region.
These foundling wheels consisted of what looked like a barrel cut in half and placed where they could rotate in an outside church wall. A parent unable to feed or care for their child would place the baby inside the container and rotate it inside. This was usually done under cover of darkness to preserve anonymity. Then, they’d pull a string that rang a bell and a nun would go get it. A lot of the babies had some type of disease or infirmity and died, but it was far more humane than drowning.
How ingenious. I found this so interesting. Here’s a picture of one from a church in France.
Foundling wheels were taken out of use in the 19th century and replaced in 1952 with what was called “baby hatches.” It’s basically the same idea but the babies can be left anonymously in hospitals, churches, fire stations and other designated safe places.
In Germany, a baby will receive care for eight weeks and during that time the mother can return and get it if she so chooses. After the eight weeks, the baby is adopted out. Sometimes, a harried mother loves her child but just needs a little break. They give her the chance.
Baby Hatches are found in almost every country and serve a real purpose. In the U.S. we have a “safe haven law” that protects parents from being charged. And curiously, mothers and fathers can leave not just babies but any child up to age 18.
Probably half of all my books have an orphaned or abandoned child in them. I simply love writing about them because they’re so vulnerable and desperately need someone to care. Back in the early days orphaned children flooded the country. On the American Frontier, adults died of rampant disease, epidemics, and childbirth. The lack of medical care contributed greatly.
I have a free short story – The Miracle – up on my website if you’d like to go read it. Click HERE
Also, the Love Train series is chugging right along. Only three more to go until mine. FANCY will be up for preorder on July 1st so watch for it. I can’t wait to share the story with all of you. Fancy Dalton was told her baby was stillborn at birth only it wasn’t and she’s determined to find and get her son back or die trying. It’s a touching story of a young mother’s heartache and discovering love along the way. Here’s a link to the first six – CLICK HERE
Do you think foundling wheels and baby hatches are helpful? There are some who argue against them. Leave a comment to be entered in the drawing for a $10 Amazon gift card.
That’s all until next time. Stay cool and happy. And if you haven’t signed up for my newsletter, you can HERE.
Here in the Texas Panhandle, we do love our cowboys. There's just something about a man in a Stetson and jeans that makes my heart beat faster. I'm not much of a cook but I love to do genealogy and I'm a bit of a rock hound. I'm also a NY Times & USA Today bestselling author of historical western romance. You can contact me through my website and I'd love to connect with you on Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest and more. HAPPY READING!
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I remember one being used on an episode of MAS*H.
I can see how they helped in a time before social services. I’m sure there may have been abuses or children going to a home where they may not have been appreciated or were used for labor, or worse, but I hope most went to a home where they were loved.
Denise, thank you for coming. There were people against the foundling wheel saying it deprived the child of knowing its parents. But, if they drowned it in the river, it sure wouldn’t. The object was keeping the babies alive. Sure, there were lots of abuses in orphanages and other places before some kind of oversight. Like you, I just hope that the majority were treated with love and kindness.
Although the situation is not the best wether way, it seems to me that the foundling wheel is better than just abandoning the baby to die on its own or killing them.
Absolutely, Janice. If the baby died, it wouldn’t even have a chance. The foundling wheel offered a chance to grow up. Thanks for coming.
I think that any method used to keep a baby alive when the parents can’t or won’t raise it themselves is helpful.
I think so too, Rhonda. Thank goodness there are plenty of options available now for unwanted babies. Have a blessed day.
Good morning. I do think it’s a great idea, as opposed to the parents drowning them or abandoning them to starve and die.
This really pulled at my heartstrings. Have a beautiful day Ms. Linda.
Miss Tonya, always wonderful to see you. This pulled at my heart too. I didn’t know so many parents drowned their babies back then. How horrible. I can’t even wrap my head around someone taking a newborn down to the river and throwing it in like a piece of garbage. I wonder if they felt anything at all. Just so sad. I’m glad things changed, although we do hear an occasional story of people finding babies in the dumpsters. The mother can take it anywhere and leave it anonymously so why just discard it? Makes no sense. You have a blessed day, sister friend. 🙂
Yes it gives a baby a chace to live.
I’d heard of the concept but not the actual term. I imagine it would be so hard for many of those mothers to leave their baby. But so merciful and loving to allow the child an opportunity for better than you think you can provide. It’s always been fascinating to me that we often consider ourselves so far advanced beyond our predecessors, and yet they were doing the best they could with the knowledge available to them.
Hi Jess, great to see you! I can’t imagine any mother killing her child, yet they still do. I think these foundling wheels back in previous generations and the “safe places” now save a lot of unwanted babies and gave them a chance to grow up. All they need is a chance. Hug your children close and tell them often how you love them. I always smile when I see pictures of your beautiful children. They’re adorable. Blessings and love.
Yvonne, it certainly did and that was a good thing. Have a blessed day, dear friend.
It might not be great but it does give a baby a chance to survuve.
Cathy T., yes it does. It was far better than killing them. Thank you for coming and stay cool. 🙂
I think they are helpful. It is much better than putting them in a trash can
I agree, Debra. We still hear the occasional story of finding a baby in a dumpster or trash can but thank goodness, it’s not often. We have so many options now and “safe places” to leave them and I think that’s saved many lives. Have a blessed day.
Oh Linda what an interesting blog , I had never heard of the Founding Wheel. I most definitely believe in a parents right to leave a baby at a fire station or any where allowed if they’re not able to care for the baby. I know some may say it’s awful but what an act of love to try to give child life. Even in the show This Is Us the story was based on leaving a baby at a fire station because the devastated father couldn’t care for his child when the mother died. I would rather give it a chance at life than murdered !!
Rose Ann, I agree totally. Giving up a child is an act of love and far better than killing them. We never know what a desperate mother or father faces. I love This Is Us! Randall was as equally loved as Jack and Rebecca’s blood children. Such a great show. Have a blessed day.
Good morning Ms. Linda! Oh my goodness, why had we never heard of these? Yes, they’re very helpful! Why on earth were they ever removed? In our modern times a weight activated device with a timer for a few minutes set up to an alarm and even an app to notify someone on call at hospitals, churches, and fire stations that a baby has been left could be installed.
I love that Germany allows a parent to change their mind! That is awesome! We’d never allow that in the U.S. there would be along drawn out process and it would take forever for the parent(s) to get their child back, if they ever did. Im so glad we at least started the “safe haven law”. I believe ot at least hope it has saved many babies. I don’t understand why anyone would choose to depose of a baby now that the law us in place. Maybe we need to start teaching kids about it in school and at a younger age. Girls start their period much younger now. We need to have the little mentral cycle class they have in school much younger now. The class needs to cover more than a girls period even. They should also teach a more in depth class about sex, abstinence, pregnancy, the Safe Haven Law, molestation, rape, the day after pill, birth control, sex trafficking, grooming by predatory adults, the dangers of being lured in by a pedophile online and so much more. Teachers do not want to teach and children do not want to learn about many of these things in a co-ed class. It’s too embarrassing for all of them. Parents that wouldn’t sign off on their daughter taking this class are insane. Kids are exposed to so much at a very young age these days. Boys need to have the same class separately and learm about these things also with a lot of emphasis on no means no and thar they need to ask more than once if the girl is sure. That the boy needs to ask the girl more than once. That the girl can change her mind at any point and thet must stop or it is rape. The boys need to learn to absolutely always wear a condom. They need to learn that if they father a child they must take responsibility for the child from the time of conception. They need to understand about how child support works. Learm how if they get behind they can spend the rest of their life struggling because the attorney generals office can take a big chunk of their check leaving them and their future family struggling to survive on what money is left. They need to understand that they can and will be incarcerated if they do not pay. They need to understand about DNA and they could be easily identified as the father of a child.
I’m sorry i got so off track and made this entirely too long. Love you dear lady and I can’t wait to read Fancy!
Dearest Steph, there is so much that teachers are not allowed to do, helpful things that would make our society better. Parents want to shield their children from these subjects but it does them no favors. Kids still indulge in risky behavior, that’s just the nature of things. My daughter used to drive a school bus and two years ago, she caught two fifth graders having sex in the back of the bus. It’s shocking. Yes, our “safe haven” places have saved a lot baby’s lives. So did the foundling wheels. I love you too, my warrior buddy. Fancy will be available soon.
What an interesting story and picture. Before this article, I never heard of it.
Hi Julie, I hadn’t either until I caught the phrase on Finding Your Roots. That intrigued me. I’m so happy you enjoyed the information. We’re always learning. Thanks for coming. Have a blessed day.
interesting concept
BN100, I thought it was too. At least they tried to address the problem. Seeing babies floating in the river must’ve been a chilling sight. Have a beautiful day.
I’ve not heard of the foundling wheel. I have heard of this being done in other countries, I believe China. I do know the United States has this in place now which I think is a great idea. Anything to save the babies/children.
Kathleen, I think so too. Saving an unwanted baby and giving it a chance is far more humane than to be discarded like trash. I’m glad you enjoyed my post. Blessings and love.
Yes many fire departments have a safe haven baby box here in Indiana and surprisingly get used many times a year
Miss Teresa, it’s good to see your name pop up. It gave me a smile. We have so many more options now than those people did back then. I’m sure glad we implemented the “safe haven” law where parents aren’t charged with a crime. I think it’s made a lot of difference. We never know what parents are going through. Thanks for coming. Blessings and love.
Good morning Linda! I have never heard of a foundling wheel. At least it afforded the opportunity for a baby to live. A chance. Hope. Am glad you dug deeper and shared the information. History brings about the best and the worst in us.
Kathy, I’m so happy to see you. I hope you’re having a beautiful day. We have so much to be grateful for. I love finding out things I hadn’t heard about. My curious mind. 🙂 You’re so right about history. There are some things that make me really ashamed but then I find things that make me proud and happy to be a part of society. Thank you for coming. Blessings and love.
I think it gives a desperate parent a safe choice and most likely saves the child’s life.
Hi Connie Lee, thank you for coming. Things like the foundling wheel did save a lot of lives and I think were very worthwhile. In fact, they might’ve improved society as a whole and brought them out of the Middle Ages. Have a blessed day.
I think they are helpful. I have friends that have fertility problems, and they’d have loved to take in a child like this! Adoption is extremely expensive, since more women have abortions than give a child up for adoption. I know that there aren’t many who even leave a child at a “safe haven” they either abandon the baby somewhere else or a few have thrown them in the trash. That, to me, is the saddest of all, that a mother would throw her child away.
Trudy, it is very sad that a mother would throw her child away, yet it happens. And yes, there are people unable to have children who would dearly love to take one of these unwanted babies. Or several. Just sad. Have a blessed day.
Interesting read. Yes I think Safe Haven Laws work.
Tonya Cherry, thank you for coming. It’s great to see you. I’m so happy you came by to read my post. I was very intrigued by these foundling wheels since I’d never heard of them. Interesting to see how they tried to address the problem so far back in the 12th century. I’m very happy I didn’t live back then. Have a blessed day.
welcome today with this wonderful post. I am sure it could be argued either way. For myself, I see the advantage of having these and putting healthy children with couples/families who really wanted and could afford a child.
Lori, I’m glad you enjoyed my post. It really sparked my curiosity to know more since I’d never heard of these. I think foundling wheels gave babies a chance to grow up. Thank you for coming. Blessings and love.
A few years ago there was a Christian movie I saw about a minister in South Korea who install something like that in his church because of babies found dead in alleys. It was a true story, although I don’t remember the name of the minister. He adopted a couple of them. Definitely a good idea!
Karijean, thank you for stopping by. Bless that minister in South Korea! He followed his heart and did something about the problem. Give people other options and most will take advantage I think. At least I hope. Blessings and love.
This was absolutely a good idea as opposed to drowning your baby. Crazy! Thanks for sharing, I had heard of these before.
Susan, I’m glad you liked my post. I enjoyed writing it. Enjoy your day and find blessings along the way.
Hi Linda, wow, I had never heard of this. I think it is a very good idea because at least it gives an innocent little one a chance at life. What a great idea that was.
Alicia, we do indeed have to give a newborn a chance to live and grow up. That pope in the 12th century must’ve had a soft heart to want to address the problem. All it takes is one person sometimes to change the world. Have a beautiful day. Much lvoe.
Very interesting, Linda! I had never heard of foundling wheels, but it was definitely a more humane way to give up one’s baby. Stories that feature orphans really touch my heart. The stories I have read about the Orphan Train are heartbreaking.
By the way, I have really been enjoying the books in the Love Train series. I look forward to yours!
Cheryl C, some of the stories of the orphan trains are so tragic. Makes me wonder if people possessed a heart. Thank goodness, there were some treated with immense kindness and love. I’m so happy you’re enjoying this Love Train series. Mine will be along soon. I’m very anxious for readers to get it. Blessings and love.
Giving a baby a chance… I had not heard about the foundling wheels, but have seen the modern versions at firehouses.
Hi Colleen, thanks for coming. We have an interesting history. I’d never heard of this term so I found it very interesting. Have a wonderful rest of your day.
Interesting! I’d never heard of these, or their modern counterparts. Makes sense though, and the safe haven law. Never thought about it before.
Thanks!
AhhyH, thanks for stopping by to read my post. History is so interesting and filled with unusual things. The minute I heard this I had to go look it up. I’m so glad that pope implemented these. Poor babies. Have a great evening.
Linda, I enjoyed so much, your post about the foundling wheel, and I followed your link and read The Miracle. It seems like I’ve read it before. I loved it!! I am so thankful for those foundling wheels and all of the babies whose lives were saved because of it and, of course, the caring people who took care of those precious little ones!! I love learning more about the past and things like this, especially the good things! What a great post! Thanks, again!!
Lana, thank you for reading my story. It just popped into my head one morning and I knew I had to write it down. The foundling wheel really was a wonderful thing and saved so many lives. I love learning also and get really excited when I run across something like this. We should always stay curious and keep learning.
I had never heard of foundling wheels, but I have heard of their modern counterparts. They are definitely better option than drowning or dumping the baby in the trash.
Hi Minna, great to see you! I can’t imagine anyone desperate enough to drown a baby or dump into the trash. They must not have much of a conscience. Much love, lady.
I’ve never heard of a foundling wheel until now. I love it and I’m so glad so many babies lives were saved. I saw a show where the parents went to a fire department and placed their baby in a box with no lid and put it back and rung a bell. You could hear a person on the other side getting the baby out.
Pam, thanks for coming, I’m glad I could tell you something you didn’t know. I haven’t seen the actual place at the fire stations to place the babies but I’m glad they have something. Nothing touches my heart more than a child or an animal. Have a lovely evening.
I had never heard of a founding wheel before. An inventive way to save children who might not have had a chance otherwise.
Thanks for a great article.
Alisa, thanks for coming. Yes, those foundling wheels were certainly wonderful. I can’t imagine anyone being desperate enough to use one but I’m glad they were there for those people. Poor babies. How could anyone drown one? Or throw it in the trash. How horrible.
A founding wheel would save a child’s life. The child could then be put up for adoption to parents who would love and cherish it.
So true, Debbie. Every child deserves loving care whether the parents are of blood or not. Thanks for coming to weigh in.
You find the most fascinating details to share, Linda! I think it was probably a great way to give children a chance!
Shanna, I’m so glad you enjoyed my post. You know, I keep an eye out for anything unusual or interesting to share with everyone. History is really filled with millions of these little nuggets. Blessings and love, dear Filly Sister.
Wow! I learned something new! I think they did sound helpful. It allowed for more children to survive. in a time when social services was not available. It sure beat having these poor babies drown. At least this way they had a fighting chance.
For sure, Cherie. This invention gave them a chance to live. It’s a horrible shame that parents back then resorted to murder. Thank you so much for coming and have a blessed day.
I think its a good idea because without somewhere to take the baby it could end up in the trash or anywhere else. I havew heard of this happening today when someone can’t take care of a baby or just don’t want it. So yes its a good idea to have some place to take the baby.
Quilt Lady, it’s wonderful to see you. Thank you for taking time to come by. I can’t understand how any mother would nurture her baby through the long months to birth then discard it. I have a feeling it was the fathers who didn’t want them. Blessings and love, dear friend.
Foundling wheels and the like were a good solution to terrible situations. Not all orphanages were good places to be, but still better than being left to die or being raised by someone who would use and abuse them. I look forward to reading Fancy and the rest of the series. (Fell asleep last night while writing this and never finished. Hope you have a good week.)
Pat, thank you for coming. I’m always happy to see you. I agree about the terrible solutions to this problem but at least the babies had some chance this way. I’m so glad FANCY is on your radar. I do think you’ll like this. A stolen baby and a rugged cowboy determined to help her find it. You have a beautiful day.
I think Foundling Wheels are a good idea. Anything that would help a person to choose life for their child rather than discarding them as trash is a good idea in my book.
I agree, Megan. That pope saved a lot of babies. He must’ve had a deep soft spot for them. Blessings and love.
Hi, Linda. I’m late catching up on my blogs and comments the last couple of days but I wanted to say hello and how fascinating this info was. I do think baby hatches are helpful; some way to allow people that are afraid of getting caught or punished to just let the baby go. Sure, they should take responsibility, etc., etc., etc. but in too many cases that will just never happen, and if there is a life of a child, even an older child, at stake then that needs to take priority. Enjoy summer – we’ll currently in a heat wave, hoping no fires any time soon. Take care. Sally
Hi Sally, great to see you. I’m glad you found my post as interesting as I did. I just had to find out more about this invention. Summer…I haven’t gone out much. Just too hot here in West Texas. I’m anxious for fall and winter. Those are my favorite seasons. Blessing and love.
I think anything that gives a baby or child a chance is much better than nothing. It is hard for me to understanqd how a mother could let go, but I have never been in their shoes. I say yes, the foundling wheel or hatches serve a purpose. Thank you Linda Broday. I never knew about these. Thanks for informing us.
Cricket, I’m always keeping my eye peeled for anything new I can learn about. That’s why I was so excited and intrigued by the mention of foundling wheels. I’m so happy to share these with you. By the way, I had lunch with Beverly Cooper and her husband yesterday and really enjoyed it. She’d the talented lady who made all the Texas things that you and I bought. I just love this couple. Have a beautiful day–one that’s hopefully cooler. Love you, lady.s