Before We Were Yours by Lisa Wingate is a gripping novel that tells the heartbreaking story of the Tennessee Children’s Home Society, a real-life orphanage that operated for decades in Memphis. The book follows the lives of two sisters, separated by the cruel actions of the orphanage’s director, Georgia Tann. But is this story based on true events? Is Before We Were Yours a true story?
As a literary historian, I can confirm that Before We Were Yours is indeed inspired by true events. While the characters and specific details in the novel are fictional, the overarching story of child trafficking and abuse at the Tennessee Children’s Home Society is rooted in reality. 📚
Here are five unique and interesting facts about the real-life events that inspired Before We Were Yours:
1. The Tennessee Children’s Home Society was a real orphanage that operated from the 1920s to the 1950s, under the direction of Georgia Tann. Tann was known for her ruthless tactics in obtaining children for adoption, often kidnapping them from poor families or tricking single mothers into giving up their babies.
2. The orphanage was exposed in the 1950s when an investigation revealed widespread abuse and corruption. Tann’s illegal adoption practices were brought to light, and she was posthumously stripped of her law license.
3. It is estimated that over 5,000 children passed through the Tennessee Children’s Home Society during its operation, with many of them being placed in homes without proper background checks or oversight.
4. The real-life stories of children who were adopted through the Tennessee Children’s Home Society are still being uncovered today, as many adoptees search for their biological families and uncover the truth about their past.
5. Lisa Wingate, the author of Before We Were Yours, was inspired to write the novel after learning about the history of the Tennessee Children’s Home Society. While the characters and events in the book are fictional, Wingate did extensive research to capture the essence of the real-life tragedy. 🖋️
“It’s important to remember that fiction can often shine a light on the truths that history has buried,” says John M., a historian specializing in 20th-century American social movements. “Before We Were Yours may be a work of fiction, but its roots in the real-life atrocities of the Tennessee Children’s Home Society make it a powerful and haunting read.”
“I applaud Lisa Wingate for bringing attention to this dark chapter in American history through her novel,” adds Michael S., a social worker who specializes in child welfare. “The story of the Tennessee Children’s Home Society is a reminder of the importance of protecting vulnerable children and ensuring that adoption practices are ethical and transparent.”
Here are 12 common questions about the true story behind Before We Were Yours:
1. Is Before We Were Yours based on a true story?
Yes, the novel is inspired by the real-life events surrounding the Tennessee Children’s Home Society.
2. Did Georgia Tann really exist?
Yes, Georgia Tann was a real person who ran the Tennessee Children’s Home Society.
3. How many children were affected by the orphanage’s illegal adoption practices?
It is estimated that over 5,000 children passed through the Tennessee Children’s Home Society during its operation.
4. Were the children at the orphanage abused?
Yes, many of the children at the orphanage were subject to abuse and neglect.
5. Did Georgia Tann face consequences for her actions?
Although Tann died before facing legal repercussions, her illegal adoption practices were exposed in the 1950s.
6. Are there still adoptees searching for their biological families today?
Yes, many adoptees who were placed through the Tennessee Children’s Home Society are still searching for their biological families.
7. How did Lisa Wingate research the history of the orphanage?
Wingate conducted extensive research, including interviews with adoptees and historians, to accurately portray the events in Before We Were Yours.
8. Are there any records from the Tennessee Children’s Home Society that still exist?
Many of the records from the orphanage were destroyed or lost, making it difficult for adoptees to uncover their past.
9. What impact did the Tennessee Children’s Home Society have on adoption practices in the United States?
The scandal surrounding the orphanage led to increased oversight and regulation of adoption practices in the United States.
10. Is Before We Were Yours a work of non-fiction?
No, Before We Were Yours is a work of fiction inspired by true events.
11. What message does Before We Were Yours convey about the importance of family?
The novel highlights the importance of family and the devastating effects of being separated from loved ones.
12. How has Before We Were Yours raised awareness about the Tennessee Children’s Home Society?
The novel has brought attention to the dark history of the Tennessee Children’s Home Society and sparked conversations about the ethics of adoption practices.
Daniella is the creator and author of iliketodabble.com. When their wife Alexandra and them aren’t globetrotting or playing with their 7+ animals, they are dabbling and working towards a future of financial freedom.
