Museums: Museo degli Innocenti (Part 2 of 4)

More abut the hospital's history. 

The museum creatively tells the story of the hospital's history of caring for children.  The children were sheltered, clothed, fed and educated. 

One fascinating part of the story is the detailed report made when a newborn was received.  Everything about the child was cataloged, including details about its swaddling.  Plus, any unique items on the child were noted, such as a small necklace and pendant.  A common practice was to place a unique item on the child for later identification if a parent ever returned to claim the child.  Half of a pendant was one common item.  The other half could be presented later to confirm the legitimacy of the claim.  Of course, many children were never claimed.    

The story of identifying children

Maddalena arrived at the hospital on September 15, 1833. She wore the broken pendant shown below. 

Maddalena's pendant.  Because the hospital still has the broken pendant, we suppose she was never claimed while she lived at the hospital.

P.S. The practice of accepting and caring for newborns has continued on and off for a long time.  In the recent past in the U.S., after a number of infanticides, the practice was restored and has become widespread with the adoption of safe haven laws, also known as Baby Moses laws.  Click here for more info.   

Next up:  A surprise at the end of our visit.