Did you like this post? He was born October 18, 1888. They werent all there for abortions!! I can promise you this, if theres a hell, he is in the front row seat! My parents lived together for 62 years and went on to have seven more children but my Mama grieved the rest of her life for the son she lost! It was Mother's Day of 1997 when Reymann saw a story in the Akron Beacon Journal featuring the story of Jane Blasio who had discovered she had been illegally sold as an infant for $1,000 from a clinic run by Dr. Thomas Hicks in McCaysville, Ga. some three decades earlier. You gotta wonder if this was a routine operation throughout history. In next week's column, this family's lineage will be continued with the family and history of Samuel Hicks (2). Dr. Thomas Hicks was a small-town Georgia doctor who was posthumously accused of selling hundreds of babies in illegal adoptions. My brother was born in the middle 1930s. http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-3186644/Adopted-woman-51-SO Dr Thomas Jugarthy Hicks, Sr worked as Physician. After I watched your show on TLC, I took a trip up to the mountains., looked the house that was HIckscock and made a big mistake when I asked some questions. My heart breaks for your mama and for your whole family. Learn how three Hicks babies were able to find biological family using DNA. The motives of Hicks actions are unclear. On the documentary the officer in the second episode claimed he gave a relative of his a shot and she died 30min later. Dr Hicks didnt keep records of the births and adoptions, so the only way to find your brother, if hes still alive, would be if he decided to look for you using DNA. Originally from Tennessee, Thomas Hicks was educated at Tusculum College (now Tusculum University) and Carson-Newman College, both in Tennessee, and Emory University Medical School near Atlanta, Georgia. I realize Dr. Hicks is not here to defend himself or answer questions, but I cannot imagine how you can defend him after what you heard. I am wondering if any possible hicks babies that have not found relatives has DNA done? Many of the Hicks babies were able to do DNA testing as part of the TV show. Exactly! Several in the town told the outlet the story was sensationalized. Are you in all of the DNA databases? amd im 13 so i have a long way to go . Before Doctor Hicks opened his practice in Georgia he was just across the state line in Polk County Tennessee in the 1930s. You saw it. But honestly, my suggestion would be for them to live for today. When Dr. Hicks began his illicit practice, abortions were illegal in the United States, Phil Trexler wrote in the article. This is how those who were adopted can identify the parents or grandparents of their biological parents. How can this man NOT be vilified?! There is absolutely NO defense for that.He treated these babies like they were nothing more than a puppy mill money making machine. Those who were adopted have few places to turn to track down their origins. The primary purpose of this post is to explain how those children who were adopted through the Hicks Clinic have been able to use their DNA to discover close relatives, and sometimes, the identities of their biological parents. I just wanted to say I watch this show about a little girl. "United States Census, 1920", database with images, FamilySearch (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:MN5X-3HV: 3 February 2021), Thomas J Hicks, 1920. It sickens me to see any one make what he did look OKAY! Mama had seven more babies after that(Im the youngest)she never stopped grieving for her oldest son. She is a brave woman who helped a lot of people find answers. Instead, he illegally sold the babies for approximately $800 to $1,000 each.1. He was protecting himself due to his many illegitimacies & looking out for his own financial interest!!! Sims Family Tree View These Best Collection, Mishima Family Tree Find Best Design For You. If you havent been there, you cannot possibly imagine what that is like. According to the neonatalogist interviewed in the show many other babies must have died. A New York Times profile of Blasio appeared in 1997, which was around the. Babies born that early would need to remain in the hospital. He buried them for her (such a nice guy) and gave her a birth certificate stating they were stillborn. Blasio has dedicated her life to helping reunite Hicks Babies with their biological families. "United States Census, 1930," database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:SPQ5-SW1: accessed 10 April 2021), A G Hicks, Copperhill, Polk, Tennessee, United States; citing enumeration district (ED) ED 10, sheet 1B, line 89, family 17, "United States Census, 1940," database with images, FamilySearch (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:K4ZJ-HRF: 11 January 2021), Thomas J Hicks, Civil District 3, Polk, Tennessee, United States; citing enumeration district (ED) 70-8, sheet 11B, line 42, family 207, Sixteenth Census of the United States, 1940. Just keeping an RN on duty, even in the 1950s -60s, was a big expense. Those who were passed through the window as babies to adoptive parents have stopped by to see where their lives changed direction so early in life. Enter your email address to receive notifications of new posts by email. Dr. Hicks, who passed away at the age of 83, was born in 1888 in Picket County, Tennessee. In these cases, Hicks would forge a birth certificate and give the baby to adoptive parents in secret from his Georgia clinic. These lists include people who are genetically related to us. But what does anyone think was normally done with illegally aborted babies during that time I can tell you, they were likely disposed of in with the garbage. If he was truly compassionate and a good man he would not have lied to the mothers and told them they delivered a stillborn baby or that the baby died. This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. One twin has not been found yet but the one that was found was adopted into a horrible family and had a really sad childhood. Read our best DNA test page to find the best one for you. It can be a serious disease. It is in Gods hands. Has your family done any dna tests like 23andme or ancestry? He was her first born and she said she heard him cry yet Dr Hicks told her he was still born. Dr. Thomas Hicks was a small-town Georgia doctor who was accused of selling hundreds of babies in illegal adoptions. He may have done it to avoid suspicion and keep the transactions discreet. Dr Thomas Jugarthy Hicks, Sr (1888 - 1972) - geni family tree. Instructions for how to transfer the raw data file to MyHeritage and FTDNA are here: https://thednageek.com/how-to-transfer-your-ancestrydna-test-to-other-databases/. Brother of Infant Daughter Hicks, U.S. Social Security Death Index (SSDI)Listed as Thomas HicksBirth: Oct 18 1888Death: Mar 1972Last residence: Copperhill, Tennessee 37317, USA, News report: [http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-3186644/Adopted-woman-51-SO]. Hicks was forced to give up his medical license in 1964 after being charged with performing illegal abortions, and he died in 1972 at the age of 83. All of Dr. Hicks grandparents were born in Tennessee, as were many of his great-grandparents. TLC Use your brain, IF good old dr hicks was such a good doctor then why did he need to tell the women that their baby died?? Copyright 2023 The DNA Geek Ascension WordPress theme by, Click to share on Twitter (Opens in new window), Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window), New TLC Special Taken At Birth Dives into Shocking Hicks Babies Black Market Adoption Scandal, Babies For Sale: The Secret Adoptions That Haunt One Georgia Town, Hicks Baby Adoptee Sold by Georgia Doctor 50 Years Ago Reunites With Birth Mother, Brother, Busted not for selling babies, but for the abortion clinic, 23andMe Introduces the Automated Family Tree , The Hicks Babies The DNA Geek | Ups and Downs of Family History V2.0, https://thednageek.com/how-to-transfer-your-ancestrydna-test-to-other-databases/, Book Review: I Know Who You Are, by Barbara Rae-Venter, Up Your DNA Game With New Courses in 2023, Verogen Increases Costs for Law Enforcement Again, A Board of Certification for Investigative Genetic Genealogy Is Announced. Dr. Hicks served as a town doctor in McCaysville, Ga., and was known for performing abortions, which were illegal at the time. He let loose some real chaos into this world.. She was present when authorities opened the mausoleum. All in all, I cannot condemn him. Both of Dr. Hicks parents were born in Tennessee. Who Are the Hicks Babies? - Who are You Made Of? Have The Hicks Babies Been Reunited With Their Birth Parents Or Birth Families? The story broke across the U.S. in 1997 when an Akron woman named Jane Blasio learned that her parents bought her from a clinic in Georgia. Even though Dr. Hicks is not suspected to be biologically related to any of the Hicks Babies, some people might find his ancestry and family tree to be of interest. Dr. Thomas J. Hicks performed abortions in the 1950s, long before abortions were legalized in Roe v. Wade. What is the Egypt DNA Region on Ancestry? Natalie. Father of Dr Thomas Jugarthy Hicks, Jr; Dr Walter Lynn Hicks and Private My decision is there was something very wrong going on. Would love to have help, Im mr.hicks grate grate grand daughter sadly, hes from my moms side of the family. Dr. Hicks is horrible. Bloomington, Pickett, Tennessee, United States, Dr Thomas Jugarthy Hicks & Chass Copeland, marriage record, https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/9119259, https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1997-jul-06-mn-10123-story.html, https://www.nytimes.com/1997/08/23/us/town-secret-is-uncovered-in-birth-quest.html, https://www.distractify.com/p/dr-hicks-taken-at-birth, https://narratively.com/babies-for-sale-the-secret-adoptions-that-haunt-one-georgia-town/, https://www.countryliving.com/life/entertainment/a29403041/who-is-dr-thomas-j-hicks/, https://nypost.com/2019/10/08/black-market-babies-reunited-after-more-than-50-years/, https://www.cbsnews.com/news/hicks-babies-trying-to-find-their-roots-decades-later/, https://www.wkyc.com/article/news/investigations/decades-old-secret-adoptions-solved-by-modern-dna-for-akron-area-families/95-597582808, https://www.timesfreepress.com/news/local/story/2014/jun/22/seeking-family-links/250410/, https://globintel.com/usa/dr-thomas-hicks-wiki-taken-at-birth/, https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:MSZD-WWR, https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:MGFJ-W52, https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:KZ6P-BJM, https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:VNX9-1PS, https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:MN5X-3HV, https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:SPQ5-SW1, https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:K4ZJ-HRF, https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:JRRC-NPT, https://www.wikitree.com/wiki/Category:McCaysville%2C_Georgia, U.S., Social Security Applications and Claims Index, 1936-2007. The good Dr told the mother they were still born. | Birch on Trellis Framework by Mediavine, Family Tree Building Basics for Beginners Book, Use DNA to Trace Your Mexican Family Tree Book, Example of Family Tree DNA Family Finder Results, were discovered more than two decades after Dr. Hicks death. 1997. What years was he operating in TN, and where? In other cases, he said their babies were stillborn and died before or during delivery. Besides his charitable practices, he performed unauthorized abortions. 'Hicks Baby' Adoptee Sold by Georgia Doctor 50 Years Ago Reunites With Birth Mother, Brother, Who are the Hicks babies? Are there any unresolved feelings or unanswered questions you're still working to unravel? I dont know. My YDNA indicates I am not Hicks. Then you missed the entirety of the story. "United States World War I Draft Registration Cards, 1917-1918", database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:KZ6P-BJM: 23 February 2021), Thos J Hicks, 1917-1918. Jane Blasio, The Hicks Baby Who Broke the Black Market Baby Adoption Case: 5 Fast Facts You Need to Know. THE ONE FAMILY HAD TWIN BOYS AND THE MAN WAS IN A FAMILY THAT HATED HIM HIS ENTIRE LIFE. He induced labor and delivered low birth weight babies that were in danger of dying. Join the search for truth. Some on here commented that the bio moms were likely unwed and didnt want the babies. At least 200 babies had their identities stolen. She noted to the TV station many of them went to good homes and led successful lives. Mama named my brother Von Gordon. These babies were born between 3.5 and 4.75 lbs.. very unfavorable!! Hicks faced legal trouble for illegal abortions, but not for the illegal adoptions. is anything else your are looking? No matter where they grew upmost often in the industrial cities of Ohiotheir birth certificates said they were born in the Hicks Clinic in McCaysville, Georgia. Ray, you bring up an excellent reason why everyone has the right to know who their biological family is. Babies For Sale: The Secret Adoptions That Haunt One Georgia Town Sompayrac believes her grandfathers actions helped the birth mothers in need and gave the babies life. Hicks performed illegal abortions in the 1950s and 1960s, along with the illegal adoptions, until he faced legal troubles in 1964 for the abortions. The truth about the adoptions came to light in 1997, more than two decades after his death, as some of the Hicks Babies began seeking out their biological parents. I would love to be able to find him or maybe some of his family. What he did was completely illegal, but was it less moral than aborting these babies? But those he left behind have differing opinions on his actions. It turned into a business. His forged birth certificates did not list biological parents. Taken at Birth: The Hicks Clinic Stolen Babies, Best Food Sensitivity Test To Take At Home (2023), The Best DNA Tests (for Health, Ancestry, and Ethnicity), Best At-Home Allergy & Intolerance Tests (2023), We Took The Viome Gut Test Heres Our Verdict. Decades-old secret adoptions solved by modern DNA for Akron area - WKYC Dr. Thomas J. Hicks is the "bad guy" featured in a three-part docuseries titled Taken At Birth. Bruen, Matthew Steven. "Tennessee State Marriage Index, 1780-2002," database, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:VNX9-1PS: 4 December 2014), Thos J Hicks and Chassie Copeland, 07 Jun 1917; from "Tennessee State Marriages, 1780-2002," database and images, Ancestry (http://www.ancestry.com: 2008); citing p. 222, Polk, Tennessee, United States, Tennessee State Library and Archives, Nashville, Tennessee. I hope that you have found this article interesting, and that you understand more about the story of Dr. Hicks and how the individuals who were adopted through his clinic might be able to use DNA results to discover the identities of their biological parents. The poverty here in the Copper Basin of southeast Tennessee and far north Georgia, which includes the town of McCaysville, often meant that pregnant women couldnt ask a relative or friend to help raise their children. Dr Hicks induced some babies early, and they would have been put in incubators had then been born that early today. He told some of the biological mothers that they had undergone an abortion. 'Hicks baby' reunited with her birth mother and brother In 2014, around 30 suspected Hicks Babies traveled to Tennessee to undergo DNA testing. Perhaps your dad was referring to the equipment used to save preemies. Since you cant know which one in advance, your most cost-effective strategy is to test with AncestryDNA and 23andMe and then transfer the raw data file into the other databases for free. Then hed place a baby in their arms. As I watched this documentary it made me think of the story my mother told many timesas her grandmother told hershe (my mother) was born in Oliver Springs TN.. (a little over two hours from McCaysville GA) A Dr Stone dilivered her and told her mother that she didnt make it meanwhile shes lying on a cart covered up with a sheet outside the room when her grandmother realizes shes there picked her up blew into her mouth then spanked her bottom and she started crying.