Know your rights when it comes to an eviction

I am telling my story because I am concerned for any other person that may end up in this situation. I want other people to know their rights because my rights were violated. Being uneducated in the laws, i was unaware of my rights to stay in the home 26 ambassador lane,selden, my children and myself have lived in the past year. At the time I was left homeless with my 2 children because I was not properly informed by the authorities. After speaking to the clerk at the sheriff’s office in Yaphank, 360 Yaphank Ave. Yaphank. The clerk gave me a concerned look and said “ you didn’t get a “jane doe” eviction notice? You shouldn’t have left. Which i replied i did not. She then asked more than once to make sure i didn’t get that notice. I told her the only name on the notice was the person I was living with. Then asked for my name and phone number and that someone wouldcall me back, I haven’t received a call . I couldn’t think at that moment when 3 sheriff’s were at my door telling me , not the person on the eviction notice, nor was he home at the time - that i had to go now. I was scared and hesitant to question the sheriffs because at the time myself and my sons property were being taken to the curb as trash, with little to no time to get anything out. As the sheriff who served the eviction notice to the other occupant of the home, that sheriff should have informed me that the notice did not apply to me or my sons. I did not receive the Jane doe notice for the eviction or ANY notice. I spoke to several lawyers that said I should of called them when the sheriffs were there, but not knowing anything about the law at that time my concern was to get me and my children’s things out safely . The people that are there to serve and protect, did not protect me. I lost thousands of dollars worth of my personal property, who helps me get money for all my damages? myself and my children’s emotional damage? because I was not properly informed and didn’t know my rights.