But many aspects of his clinic remain a mystery to this day. Buying or selling A CHILDTHERE IS EVERYTHING WRONG WITH THAT! Once they have grouped their DNA matches in to several groups, they can study the descendants of the ancestors to find where they connect to each other. Her decade-long search for her birth parents led to the exposure of Hicks' illegal babies. Some were children of women Hicks convinced not to have abortions. I agree totally with you.This all sounds awful. I personally think he is a sociopath and I wonder if he could have been a Serial Killer as well. In 2020 a 4lb baby as a very good chance of not making it even with amazing NICUs in todays age. Since these adoptions were discovered more than two decades after Dr. Hicks death, there are many details of the story that may never be uncovered. And youve had children with them??? At least 200 babies had their identities stolen. When families came to his clinic to adopt babies, Hicks made the women pretend they had just given birth. Im disgusted that someone would think that this is ok. Not a mother who wanted to give her baby up for adoption, but a mother who trusted her doctor? Ive heard the same story over and over, that the mother heard her baby cry but was told it was stillborn. He lied to many and told them their babies died! What he did has no merit. Have The Hicks Babies Been Reunited With Their Birth Parents Or Birth Families? In these cases, Hicks would forge a birth certificate and give the baby to adoptive parents in secret from his Georgia clinic. He was born October 18, 1888. And, even though it was illegal, many women thought they were having an abortion. We Delivering you Souvenirs from China;Our site is Specialized in Selling Chinese Special Versions of Stamps, Currency (Coins / Paper), also Selling Souvenirs From the Most Famous Chinese Tourist Sites www.ChinaCoinz.com Part of NTD E-Commerce Co. LTD www.ChinaCoinz.com Part of NTD E-Commerce Co. LTD,. These folks deserve to know where they came from! My Dad was a black-market baby in 1941 in Akron OH. Moves to NE Ohio and then to Michigan from 1868 to this day. He also told the mothers that their babies died, gave them death certificates but then sold the baby out the back door for $1000. A lot of the babies that were sold were under 5lbs which could indicate that he induced labor which would make the childs death more believable since the baby came early. Its time the truth came to light. So, what you are saying is, when my mom went to deliver my BROTHER and was told he was born dead, yet she has nightmares TO THIS DAY that she heard her baby cry for her. That is not correct. now that im older and i actually understand what happened i think its horrible. They were not, and he sold those babies. The illegal adoptions stopped in 1964 when Hicks . So all of what you said is ridiculous. i come from to sides of a family that are both messed up. #TakenAtBirth, a 3-night special event, begins Wednesday at 9/8c. For him to lie to these women is unforgivable. Have you heard the story of Dr. Hicks? If it wasnt Hicks, there was someone doing the same thing during the war years adopting babies out to Akron. | 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. Theres nothing there, Linda, one of the Hicks Babies, told Narratively. First of all, it was a small town clinic and back then it was not unheard of for any woman in a small town to go to a clinic to deliver their baby so to say hes some kind of hero for what he did is beyond disgusting. His wife and son both passed away, and his daughter lives in North Carolina, according to Appalachian History. They wanted to be rid of their babies and were desperate. Leave a message for others who see this profile. Many people who fell victim to the Hicks baby market hope these DNA tests will help them find closure. He was a monster, a murderer, and a kidnapper, but he wasnt a good man doing a good thing for helpless women. Who Are the Hicks Babies? - Who are You Made Of? He then relocated just across the line in McCaysville Georgia. Has your family done any dna tests like 23andme or ancestry? Dr. Thomas Hicks McCAYSVILLE, Ga. - Services for Dr. Thomas J. Hicks, Sr., 83, of McCaysville will be at 2 p.m. Monday in Finch's Chapel here, burial in Crestlawn Cemetery in Copperhill, Tenn. Dr. Hicks, who operated Hicks' Clinic from around 1945 until he retired in 1965, died of leukemia Sunday. He lost his medical license in 1964, but he faced no jail time for the illegal abortions. On another point, Ive heard it said that Dr. Hicks disposed of aborted babies in the river. Theres a documentary on the Hicks Babies that Im assuming you havent seen. But those he left behind have differing opinions on his actions. is anything else your are looking? Thanks, I recommend that you test with AncestryDNA and 23andMe, then consider transferring the raw data file into some of the other databases if you dont have luck at the first two. Barbara, the very same thing happened to my Mother. TLC's 'Taken at Birth' Investigates Black Market Adoption Ring - People "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. Thankful for the granddaughter who went beyond what most would have to get answers. I cannot imagine being one of these babies. That is crazy! Just recently I have been confirmed to be the last of the Hicks babies. He ran the Hicks Community Clinic and offered his services to poor copper mining families. we do not know where these births occured most of our family is deceased. I agree that in those cases he did the right thing, but everything else he did was just horrible! i am from polk county tenn we are trying to find if our brother danny is still alive we have learned 3 dead babies in my family it is interesting. After 57 Years Dad Gets To Meet Son He Believed Died At Birth - Shareably Appalachian History, accessed 17 September 2019. i am interested in the hicks babies i supposely had a brother who died in the early 1950s i would like to know if he is still alive, DNA geek, She said the whole time she was having the babies that there was a very nice dressed lady sitting in the room across the hall from her. When they opened it up there was great excitement. Perhaps your dad was referring to the equipment used to save preemies. Both of Dr. Hicks parents were born in Tennessee. Dr. Thomas Jugarthy Hicks, the man behind the Hicks Babies, ran a small clinic in the tiny town of McCaysville, Georgia. Hicks performed illegal abortions in the 1950s and 1960s, along with the illegal adoptions, until he faced legal troubles in 1964 for the abortions. These babies were born between 3.5 and 4.75 lbs.. very unfavorable!! That is when my older brother was born and my mother was told he was still born even though she told me she heard her baby cry. He was born in April 1964 Sumner County TN from what he knows. I am the youngest of seven siblings. The same lecture is offered twiceNovember 1 and 2, 2022to accommodate schedules and time zones. If hes alive, hopefully hell see the TV show and decide to test. Hicks Baby Adoptee Sold by Georgia Doctor 50 Years Ago Reunites With Birth Mother, Brother. 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. Sompayrac believes her grandfathers actions helped the birth mothers in need and gave the babies life. How can this man NOT be vilified?! There is living proof, with dna, of one man, who along with his twin brother, was reported dead and buried by Dr. Hicks. At-home DNA testing wasnt available until recently. Hicks died at age 83 in 1972. Clearly, you have never lost a child. This lecture will be retired after this offering, so dont miss out! THE ONE FAMILY HAD TWIN BOYS AND THE MAN WAS IN A FAMILY THAT HATED HIM HIS ENTIRE LIFE. Are you kidding me. Just one grandparent can lead you to many His death occurred in 1972, long before any of the children that had been adopted illegally through Dr. Hicks clinic had discovered the truth about their origins. Stories of young girls dying from botched abortions in the early 50s still exist in the living memories of those from the region. I was warned about ever asking those questions again, this man said I know who you are, please let it alone. But lets be honest, no one is going to admit that they willingly sold their baby. Mama had seven more babies after that(Im the youngest)she never stopped grieving for her oldest son. Clickherefor more information. I may have a couple brothers out there. He let loose some real chaos into this world.. CONTENT MAY BE COPYRIGHTED BY WIKITREE COMMUNITY MEMBERS. Kriste Hughes is reunited with her mother, Thelma Tipton, and big brother Roger Tipton, after Dr. Thomas Jugarthy Hicks illegally sold her to adoptive parents . Most biological mothers disappeared after giving birth to their babies. How is the river any worse, I ask you? Dr. Hicks was married and had two kids a son and a daughter. 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/. Yes, thats a horrible thought. What Dr Hicks did was illegal. At the other end of the transaction, adoptive parents drove to a window in the alley behind the clinic, shelled out $1,000 or morebig money for the timeand were handed a newborn. Tune in to #TakenAtBirth, a 3-night special event, starting TONIGHT at 9/8c. Instead, he illegally sold the babies for approximately $800 to $1,000 each.1. Many are hoping DNA will link them to their birth families, and some of them have found biological parents, siblings and parents through DNA, according to WKYC. How Many Babies Did Thomas Hicks Put Up For Adoption? 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. I was born in 1967. Despite the illegality of the abortions, Hicks would advertise the service at phone booths, bus stations and bridges, according to Appalachian History. Do you know how that can mentally affect a woman? Corinthios, Aurelie. Dr. Thomas Hicks died of leukemia, a type of blood cancer. One thousand dollars in 1955 would be nearly $10,000 today. WIKITREE PROTECTS MOST SENSITIVE INFORMATION BUT ONLY TO THE EXTENT STATED IN THE TERMS OF SERVICE AND PRIVACY POLICY. At least one Hicks baby submitted his DNA to Ancestry.com and found a half-sister. Have you taken a DNA test? If not, see our friends at Ancestry DNA. Blasio has dedicated her life to helping reunite Hicks Babies with their biological families. There are about 200 people, now adults, who are among those who are sometimes referred to as Hicks Babies. Hicks didnt oversee legal adoptions. This is a story of a doctor who saved lives?? Babies For Sale: The Secret Adoptions That Haunt One Georgia Town To give Sallie an answer. Are there any unresolved feelings or unanswered questions you're still working to unravel? 'Black market baby' meets biological father in Gallatin This is accomplished through the careful study of DNA matches. I only wish Mama had lived long enough to know her baby is most likely alive. 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. My mother was soooo lucky compared to all of the hudreds of babies Hicks Babies. Thank you. Dr thomas hicks family tree Aside from giving the adopted daughter her answer. His wife and son have both passed away. He reportedly performed abortions, which were illegal at the time, for $100. He was married and had three children. Occupation: Dentist Spouse: Sallie Cobb Johnson Adopted children: Thomas J. III and Sallie Cobb Hicks Son of Chassie Copeland and Dr. Thomas Jugarthy Hicks Sr. who performed illegal late term abortions, sold infants on the black market and is the subject of the TLC documentary Taken At Birth.. Are you on drugs. You saw it. Hicks beliefs did not fully mesh with abortions, and he would sometimes convince women that he would handle adoptions if they carried the babies to term, according to WKYC in Cleveland, Ohio. Investigators opened the mausoleum, searching for records of the illegal adoptions, but found it was empty. I do truly feel for the Hicks babies for not knowing; I know that must be hard. As a result, he could not provide information that would help the babies find their parents or the other way around.4. Both of Dr. Hicks' parents were born in Tennessee. He sold at least one more baby after he was shut down. He is the man behind the babies who are now called the Hicks Babies. Ignorance is a terrible thing smh!!!! Did your mother give birth in Akron or in McCaysville? She assumed it was a legal adoption until he told her otherwise. If they were going to have an abortion like some people are saying then there would be absolutely no need to tell the moms that. 2017. Mama told me they ran the doctor out of Tennessee after that because he was killing so many babies. Many are still trying to find their biological relatives. 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. The man that is Dr.Hicks first stolen, one of the twins. Never has been black market babies, she told WKYC. The second would have been no later than 1962. For over 50 years this small town has been hiding a shocking secret. a fun fact is that me and my mom and my dead grandfather only have his blood. Dr. Thomas Hicks: 5 Fast Facts You Need to Know | Heavy.com I can empathize because of some similarities, but I cannot fully understand. Shame on him and all those who covered for him and his horrific lies. 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. The Hicks Community Clinic has been closed for years, but the building still stands. Just horrible! My heart breaks for your mama and for your whole family. Youre as crazy as he was if you think he should even get a pat on the back for his time and services. Many of those from Hicks small town defended his actions. [But] I dont think it initially started that way., SAD STORYwith a happy ending for a brother & sister, John & Cindy were just 2 of more than 200 newborns sold by Dr. Thomas Hicks, a doctor in Georgia who was selling babies out of the back door of his clinic in the 50s & 60s. At the very least, she helps them learn more about their birth stories and roots. I think that you did well with pointing out that this is not on and well done. When I told my parents about this documentary.. My dad said well back then they didnt have the equipment to deal with infants like they to do today my response was oh they didnt know to clear the air passage way and slap a baby on the bottom? Hed do anything for anybody sometimes hed pay a price for it, she said. His forged birth certificates did not list biological parents. News, TLC Shows. Thomas Hicks was a well-respected doctor in the small town of McCaysville, Georgia. Not to mention the fact that some of these birth mothers thought their babies DIED! Love and hugs to them all! I so agree with you. Oh my gosh Barbara, he also delivered the babies early, like induced at between 31 & 34 wks causing them to have low birthweight, failure to thrive and other health issues. Babies born that early would need to remain in the hospital. Blasio blew the whistle back in the 1990s. He delivered my oldest brother. He gave them good care. It can sometimes be more difficult to pinpoint the exact identify of someones biological parents without closer cousins, such as first cousins. My Mama and Daddy were very young yet very poor when this evil man told my Mama her first born son, my oldest brother was dead. There was a tip-off, though. However, many people are able to discover closer relatives, like aunts and uncles or even half-siblings, through DNA testing. Our filters are much different than the ones from that period of time. A New York Times profile of Blasio appeared in 1997, which was around the. These babies were later sold to adoptive families. Login to find your connection. Father of Dr Thomas Jugarthy Hicks, Jr; Dr Walter Lynn Hicks and Private He was her first born and she said she heard him cry yet Dr Hicks told her he was still born. During the years that he ran his clinic, the town was at its population peak of between 1,800-2,000 residents. Hicks' wife and son had already passed away. He was married and had two children, a son and a daughter. Dr Thomas Jugarthy Hicks, Sr (1888 - 1972) - Genealogy Genealogy for Dr Thomas Jugarthy Hicks, Sr (1888 - 1972) family tree on Geni, with over 230 million profiles of ancestors and living relatives. My Grandma has been gone several years now, but she told us numerous times that in 1952 when she gave birth to my aunt that she remembers having two babies and the nurse telling her she had a boy. Some of those in his town defend his actions, according to Narratively, saying he was providing a service. The biological mother was not mentioned, and there was no court record or other official document connecting the babies to their biological parents. Her initial search was unsuccessful, so she contacted a Georgia probate attorney. Hicks beliefs did not fully mesh with abortions, and he would sometimes convince women that he would handle adoptions if they carried the babies to term, according to WKYC in Cleveland, Ohio. A fake birth certificate was produced, listing the adoptive parents as the parents of the child. He told women their babies had died when they hadnt. He was born October 18, 1888. These types of adoptions can cause extra hurt for families, since they were financial incentives, coercion is often a factor, documents dont exist to help adoptees locate their biological families, and lies are often told to protect the adults involved in the illegal adoption. His birth certificate when he ent into the service was different than the one his parents had, so all I know its June 19 or 20, 1941. When Dr. Hicks began his illicit practice, abortions were illegal in the United States, Phil Trexler wrote in the article. Could you imagine the survival rate back then for babies 3lb or 4lbs. thank you so much for the information danny has 5 sisters and 1 brother looking for him, Should anyone believe or just want to be a part of the DNA registry for The Nicks Babies..please visit us on our webpage (Hicks Adoptees), Thank You I am from Tennessee before Dr Hicks moved across the state line to McCaysville Ga. However, only four of his siblings survived to adulthood. You can follow their life-changing stories in a three-night series, Taken at Birth, airing October 9th-11th, 2019, on TLC and some streaming platforms. The illegal adoptions came to an end in 1964, when Hicks was caught performing illegal abortions. Just watched the documentary. Were it not for him encouraging these women to have their babies, these children would have never been given a chance at life. Dr. Hicks was a town doctor who performed illegal abortions. Curiously, Dr. Thomas J. Hicks is not buried in a mausoleum that bears his name, but beside it. If shes still alive and knows shes adopted, she may be looking for you using DNA. "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. You got a problem with that? He is buried in Crest Lawn Cemetery in Atlanta, Georgia. Instead of killing the children he delivered live infants, told the mothers their babies were dead, and gave the babies away to parents who wanted them. We will never know the hell they have suffered. If there was no demand for the service, Hicks would not have been doing it. Thank you. Those who were adopted have few places to turn to track down their origins. She did tell me she heard her baby cry and Dr Hicks told her he was still born. Oh well for them, I was raised in those mountains and Im not afraid of them. Dr Harshi Dhingra is a licensed medical doctor with a specialization in Pathology. What an awful tragedy. Now, they are using the power of DNA to reunite with their biological families. Please enable JavaScript in your browser's settings to use this part of Geni. Learn how your comment data is processed. Barbara, you clearly have no idea what you are talking about. Thank goodness your grandmother was there and knew what to do. What people dont realize is Doc Hicks started his practice in Tennessee. These babies were born between weighing only 3.5 and 4.75 lbs.. ALL very unfavorable conditions!!!! ALL OF THOSE CHILDREN WERE MESSED UP FROM THIS. How would you feel if you found out a child your told was dead is actually alive I wish Hicks was alive to stand trial for what he did, he had no right. Blasio and 200 others were taken from their mothers at birth in the 1950s and '60s and sold illegally on the black market out the back door of a clinic run by Dr. Thomas J. Hicks. Absolutely horrifying!!!!! 2016. Jane Blasio, The Hicks Baby Who Broke the Black Market Baby Adoption Case: 5 Fast Facts You Need to Know. #TakenAtBirth, a 3-night special event, begins TONIGHT at 9/8c. http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-3186644/Adopted-woman-51-SO Dr Thomas Jugarthy Hicks, Sr worked as Physician. Hopefully he got his comeuppance. This is how this group of babies, who are now all grown up, came to be called Hicks Babies. Before Doctor Hicks opened his practice in Georgia he was just across the state line in Polk County Tennessee in the 1930s. He states that he chased the car down the road from where hicks office was to try and get me before they took off in 1954. Im going to play a little devils advocate. Enter a grandparent's name. She noted to the TV station many of them went to good homes and led successful lives.
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