Researching History

Family Chapter 2

The following day after school Oliver met Annie in the foyer. Molly had gone over a friend's house. " Today we're going to town hall to do research for your social studies project."

Annie grinned excitedly "Yes, lets'."

The father and daughter got in the Duesuenberg and off they went.

Once they got to town hall they went to the receptionist.

Annie smiled. "Hi I'm Annie Warbucks I'm doing a project for school and I wanted to do some research on my parents."

The receptionist looked up at Oliver slightly confused. "Isn't this man your father?"

"Adopted father." Oliver corrected. "Annie wants to find out information about her birth parents. David and Margaret Bennett."

"Registry of deeds would be upstairs. That's where you'd find information of where people used to live. Not sure how far back the information goes back though. How old are you sweetheart? "she asked Annie.

"14. I was born on October 28th 1922 and left by my parents at the 14th Street girl's orphanage when I was just a few months old."

"Which floor would the registry of deeds be on ?" Oliver asked.

"Take the elevator to the 4th floor." The receptionist instructed.

"Thank you." Oliver said.

Once getting to the 4th floor Oliver and Annie were greeted by another receptionisht.

"How may I help you?"

"My daughter is doing a project on family history and wanted to know if you had any information about her birth parents David and Margaret Bennett?" Oliver asked.

"Are they living or dead?" the receptionist asked.

" I was born in 1922 and I think they died shortly after. I don't exactly know the date." Annie said.

"1922. That goes back 14 years we should be able to find something. Let me go see." The receptionist disappeared into the bare ck office.

Annie looked at her father excitedly. " Do you think they'll find anything?"

Oliver squeezed her shoulder. "I sure hope so sweetheart."

"Do you think we should ask if they have any information about where your brother and sister live?"

Oliver shrugged. "Might as well get as much information as we're able to

In about 20 minutes the secretary returned with a folder in her hand.

"Here's some information about the last place that your parents lived in and also their death certificates. They died within a few days of each other and your uncle and aunt were the ones who buried them."

Annie's ears perked up immediately. "I have an aunt and uncle?"

The secretary nodded. "Yes, you do. They live just over the river in Hoboken, New Jersey."

Oliver was just as surprised as Annie. "You mean to tell me Annie has had relatives all this time and they never came forward to claim her?"

"That seems to the case sir. Their names are Antoinette and James Bennett Annie's father's brother and his wife. Would you like their contact information?

Annie nodded excitedly. "Definitely!"

The secretary wrote down an address and phone number on a piece of paper and handed it to Annie. "There you go. Sweetheart. Is there anything else I can help you folks with today?"

"Yes, actually there is. I was wondering if you had any information about Gloria and Eugene Warbucks?" Annie asked

"Who might those people be?" The secretary asked.

Oliver looked at her. "My brother and sister."

"I will go see what I can find." The secretary said

Annie was bubbling over with excitement. "I can't believe I have an aunt and uncle. Can we go to New Jersey to visit them?"

Oliver had always loved his daughter's enthusiasm. " Well I think it would be a little bit strange if we just showed up on their doorstep. I was thinking we could invite them over the house for dinner sometime later this week,"

"That would be swell." Annie smiled at her father.

With in 20 more minutes the secretary returned.

" , you're In luck! Your brother Eugene lives in Queens with his wife Anne and three children, and your sister Gloria is married to Richard Feldman and she lives in Quincy, Massachusetts."

"Well, I'll be darned!" Oliver said.

"Can we have them over for dinner too?" Annie asked.

"Why not? The more the merrier. May I have their contact information please?"

"Certainly sir."

Within 15 minutes Oliver and Annie were headed back to the mansion.

"Well that was certainly successful wasn't it?" Oliver grinned at his daughter.

"Definitely. Leapin Lizards I have three aunts and uncles! I can't wait to tell Mom and Molly." Annie returned her father's grin.

When they arrived home Grace greeted them at the door. She noticed her daughter's grin

" Someone is certainly happy. Was your trip to the town hall successful?"

Annie nodded.. "Mom, you'll never guess what! I have three aunts and uncles. One that lives in New Jersey, one that lives in Queens and one that lives in Massachusetts."

"3? I thought you only went to town hall to find info about your birth parents."

"We did. The first aunt and uncle is my birth dad's brother and his wife and then the second two are Daddy's brother and sister."

Grace's jaw dropped. "Oliver, this is wonderful news! Your brother and sister are still alive."

Oliver kissed his wife. "This is certainly a momentous occasion to celebrate. We will be having all three couples over for dinner within the next week. It will be great to see my brother and sister again."

"Oh boy oh boy! When can we have everyone over?" Annie asked

"I was thinking of sometime next week but I will have to make a few phone calls." Oliver replied.