The Other Half I Shall Keep

Did you ever come across a document or an artifact that changed you in some way? Surprised, delighted, or elicited strong emotions? This happened to me last year when I traveled to Bologna to visit my daughter who was studying there. No matter where I travel, I visit libraries and archives and do research if possible. After looking at various resources online, I chose the subject of child relinquishment at the Ospedale di S. Maria della Scaletta in Imola – a 45-minute train ride from Bologna.

The diocese of Imola covered 14 municipalities. as evidenced by the records. In 1577, the Ospedale (hospital), which until that time had entrusted the care of children to private individuals, set up a nursing room, hired wet nurses, and served as an orphanage for “foundlings” (abandoned infants). The records are expansive and not only tell the story of an institution and government policy, but more importantly the lives of thousands of children.

In the 12th century, Pope Innocent III, who was shocked by the number of dead infants found in the Tiber river, instituted the system of foundling wheels or “ruota.” A ruota was a type of cabinet or turntable if you will, built into the wall of a hospital or convent. A mother could place her infant on the platform, close the door, and turn the wheel into the building. A bell would be rung to alert the caregivers. The mother could then walk away knowing that her child would be cared for.

What struck me the most (though I’m not sure why) was the wide variety of documents available to me for in-depth research, dating back hundreds of years. I held in my hands correspondence, field reports, official documents outlining where and when a child was found, and baptismal records as early as the 17^th century. I was most surprised when I discovered “tokens” still pinned to various intake documents. These artifacts – small medals broken in two, handmade items, pieces of cloth, coins, small crucifixes or rosary beads – were left with the babies for potential identification and reunification later. I was overwhelmed when I realized what I was looking at – touched to the core. These seemingly simple yet personal objects bely the emotional and symbolic value that they were shrouded with.

Later in the week, my daughter and I spent a day in Florence. Unbeknownst to many a tourist, the Museo Degli Innocenti provides a detailed look at the history of the foundling hospital in Florence. Visit if you get a chance. You will find an entire exhibit room filled with drawers – each one contains a token – a tangible, sentimental piece of material culture that was left with a child. The museum and archives are currently undergoing a digitization project to preserve the tokens and integrate them fully with other documents in their archives.

In doing your own family history research, you might come across birth records with the words “proietta” or “esposti” (castoff or exposed). Since churches and hospitals were required to keep records of all baptisms (and all foundlings were baptized and given names), you may be able to delve into archival records to discover more. Maybe you will be as moved by the tokens as I have been.

Note: Credit for the title of this post goes to the exhibit at the Museo Degli Innocenti.