barbara grumer
New Member
Hi Pilgrims!
I am writing a book about a group of 22 orphans who were removed from an orphanage in Santiago in 1803 by the king of Spain. They were used as living carriers of the smallpox vaccine and taken to New Spain and left in Mexico city. (The Balmis-Salvany Expedition, this is often called).
Information about these orphans is sketchy. I know all were male and they were between the ages of 2 and 8 when they sailed from La Coruna in late 1803. I would like to know where the orphanage was housed (which building) and who ran it (civil or religious group). I do know that the rectoress of the orphanage was not a relgious figure. Her name was Dona Isabel Gomez y Cendala (or possibly Cendala y Gomez).
Does anyone know anything about this or have a lead for me???
Thanks!
Barbara
I am writing a book about a group of 22 orphans who were removed from an orphanage in Santiago in 1803 by the king of Spain. They were used as living carriers of the smallpox vaccine and taken to New Spain and left in Mexico city. (The Balmis-Salvany Expedition, this is often called).
Information about these orphans is sketchy. I know all were male and they were between the ages of 2 and 8 when they sailed from La Coruna in late 1803. I would like to know where the orphanage was housed (which building) and who ran it (civil or religious group). I do know that the rectoress of the orphanage was not a relgious figure. Her name was Dona Isabel Gomez y Cendala (or possibly Cendala y Gomez).
Does anyone know anything about this or have a lead for me???
Thanks!
Barbara