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Archiver > GEN-UNSOLVED-MYSTERIES > 1998-08 > 0903586399


From: Mike & Kelley Engstrom <>
Subject: [GEN-UNSOLVED-MYSTERIES-L] Lost Cousins
Date: Wed, 19 Aug 1998 21:13:19 -0700


My unsolved mystery involves my dead aunt Jean's 1st two daughters. She
abandoned them in NY with "a babysitter and hitch hiked to Las Vegas".
Thier names were Deborah and Theresa Marie Schmidt. (Losts of spelling
variations with that surname!) Born between 1948-1951, most likely in
New York, but possibly Florida (one aunt has informed me that she may
have lived in Florida, as a "strawberry picker", and possibly married
the Schmidt person there).

They were abandoned between 1952-1955. It's possible that the birth
father was notified and retrieved girls. Or most likely put in
orphanage. I've looked for birth record of the girls, marriage record of
Jean and Schmidt (no first name known), and have listed self on numerous
adoption sites. Been at this for over 3 years, just not sure what to
try next. I really don't want to give up, they are out there somewhere.

BTW, my aunt Jean later remarried and had 2 more daughters, (another)
Theresa and Dale Hearn. She left then also, to be raised by thier
father Billy Hearn. I'm really close to locating them. (Found their
Dad.) When my aunt married a 3rd time, she later "adopted" a daughter
who I know as my cousin, and only ever mentioned the 2nd two daughters.
Linda didn't know about the first 2 until after her mother's death.

I'm sorry this is so long, but to tell an unsolved mystery you need
details. Here is a break down:

Birth Mother: Jean GRANT, b 4-9-33, NYC, NY
Birth Father: ?? SCHMIDT, b ??, ??
Daughter: Deborah Schmidt, b about 1948/49, pos
NY (or FL)
Daughter: Theresa Marie Schmidt, b about 1950/51
pos NY
Mother and Father have unkown status after returning to
NY
Abandoned by mother in New York between 1952-1955
UNKOWN STATUS OF DEBORAH & THERESA AFTER THAT TIME.

If anyone has any suggestions for me, please let me hear them! I've had
several private detectives want to help, but just don't have the money.

Thanks,
Kelley

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