July 16, 1999

Re: Information Surrounding the Birth of My Mother, Grace Delores Williams a/k/a "The Sunshine Baby," "Baby Grace" or "Blind Baby Grace"

Dear Sir or Madam:

In researching my family's genealogy line, I came to a complete halt on my Mother's side (which did not surprise me). I made many phone calls, which has led me to your organization. I spoke with a librarian a few weeks ago regarding my Mother's birth and she suggested that I mail a letter with as much information as I have, and ask for your help. Since I have very vague information surrounding her birth, she thought that possibly your group could do some research for me. If so, it would be very much appreciated. What little information I have is as follows:

(1) My Mother (referred to hereinafter as "my Mother" or "Mom")'s surname at birth was either Stevens or Stevenson (which could possibly be spelled Stephens or Stephenson), and that may not even be it at all(?);   (2) My Mother was born on or about July 20, 1904 (give or take a few days either way); (3) From what I understand, my Mother's biological mother (referred to hereinafter as "her mother") was impregnated by a married man, thus she was a disgrace to her family. Her mother then went to work for a doctor as a mid- wife and he was very rich (at least that is the story told to my Mom). His name is unknown to me. While he was on vacation, my Mother was born. Her mother put Mom in a suitcase in the attic (an accordian-type which had holes in it), and left. I understand her mother was not seen again.   (4) When the doctor came home from his vacation he heard a baby crying, went to the attic to put his suitcases away, and discovered my Mom in the suitcase; her mother was nowhere to be found. Since Mom's eyes were not properly cared for, she was blinded from the afterbirth.

 

(5) Supposedly, this incident was put in the newspaper in or around Saginaw, trying to locate the woman (mid-wife) who gave birth to a baby girl, and then abandoned her. Mom was referred to as the "Sunshine Baby," why I do not

know, as well as "Blind Baby Girl," "Blind Grace" "Baby Grace" or "Blind Baby Grace." She was named (by the doctor or nurses at the hospital I guess) "Grace" because it was a miracle and the Grace of God that kept her alive, and "Delores" meaning deserted." I guess she was very tiny and she wore doll clothes until she was almost two years old.

 

(6) A couple from Toledo, Ohio, Lewis (a/k/a "Lew Williams; The Buckeye Poet")and Sophia Williams, raised my Mother. Lew Williams worked in the Probate Court system in Toledo, Lucas County, Ohio, so this must have been how he found out about "Baby Grace." He was also very active with the "Old News Boys" organization in Toledo. Mom attended the Lansing School for the Blind (which I found out was closed a few years ago) until she was 15 or 16 years old, going under the name of "Grace Delores Williams." I was told they never officially adopted Mom because at that time handicap children were not put up for adoption, she was considered their foster child, and since she legally had no last name, she used theirs.

 

(7) I remember when it was time for my Dad to draw Social Security, there were many problems regarding my Mother's birth certificate, because none could be found. I am not sure how it was arranged (since I was only 14 at the time), but Mom was issued a Social Security card under my Dad's name, having the same number as Dad, but Mom's number had a "B" after it.

 

(8) My Mother appeared to have the "American Indian" high cheek bones and very tan skin tone. Possibly her mother was Indian. Mom told my brother (who is deceased also) that she was full-blooded Shawnee Indian (how she knew this, I don't know), but I heard that she was Cherokee. We could tell she had Indian in her, but if she was full-blooded, then her mother and father would have to had been full-blooded also!!! Maybe this can help??? Were there Indians in the area in the early 1900's? If so, which tribes?

 

(9) One of my brothers said that he had never heard the facts which I have stated above (although my sister who is 15 years older than I gave me the same information as she recalled it), but he had always heard that Mom's mother put her in the garbage and an old bum (a "sheany?") found her and took her to the hospital. Her eyes were cut by glass in the garbage, and that is why she was blind. This was a new one on me, but he is 9 years older than I am, so maybe he was told something that I wasn't. Even though this story seems somewhat more believable, my other brother had never heard it either???? Would there be hospital records somewhere I can check? If so, what would have been the name of the hospital in 1904 and how would I go about acquiring such records?

My Mother and Dad met at the Society for the Blind in Toledo, Ohio at one of their social dance functions. They were married on July 20, 1929 (her 25th birthday). His name was Frank Edwin McCready, a Toledo, Ohio resident. I am the youngest of seven children (5 boys and two girls). Mom passed away December 1, 1978 and Dad followed her November 30, 1979. Mom passed away just six months before their 50^th wedding anniversary.