I saw a video early in 2008 showing her friend in Seattle talking about Ann’s visit in August, 1961 with the baby. She said Ann didn’t even know how to diaper little Barry.
I had a baby 2 wks before I turned 19. I was in the hospital 2 1/2 days. When I went home, I was bleeding heavily. I did nothing strenuous, but being young and healthy, I saw no harm in being up, making formula, etc. Within 2 days, I was suffering with flu like symptoms. This turned out to be exhaustion. My doctor told me if I did not go to bed and let someone else care for the baby, he was putting me back in the hospital. I rested for another week while my aunt cared for the baby.
Because of this experience, I thought the most likely place for Ann to be 3 wks after giving birth was close to Seattle.
I then thought about a young rebellious pregnant teenager deciding to buck the adult system, keep her baby, and go to college in Washington all on her own and show everyone how adult she was and how she could manage without them.
This is my theory. I wish someone would try and find some evidence of her in Canada or Washington prior to the birth.
Very similar to my theory. I have always thought she was sent to live with either Aunt Eleanor Birkebeile or Uncle Ralph Dunham. My bet would be on the Aunt though. Aunt Eleanor was definitely living in Canada in 1959, and we have proof of that. Whether she was there in 1961 we don't know.
In 1961, when young girls developed an embarrassing pregnancy, they would usually get shipped off to live with a relative somewhere far distant until they had the baby. Sometimes the babies would then be put up for adoption, but I think that would have been problematic for a half black child during that era.
I currently think Barry was born in Canada.