Fairbanks - Family History & Genealogy Message Board

Re: Willock Family

suerenkert — 2013-05-14 09:07:13Z

Here is a link to the obituary. There is a photo.
http://www.legacy.com/obituaries/adn/obituary.aspx?pid=16338...

He apparently died in Anchorage. The obituary doesn't mention a service, or a place of burial. Try Anchorage or Kotzebue for the surviving relatives. Make some phone calls. Search online for phone numbers. There are 11 entries in the online guest book. Unfortunately, it has expired. If you pay the fee, you can read the messages that were posted. Call the bar where he worked. You can probably find people there who knew him. He was likely buried in Anchorage or shipped to Kotzebue for burial. The family should be able to tell you. Or call the funeral homes in Anchorage and inquire.

A Google search for "Thomas Fred Willock" brings up the obit, his address, and an old notice for a child's adoption

Re: Willock Family

suerenkert — 2013-05-14 09:05:23Z

Re: Willock Family

suerenkert — 2013-05-14 08:46:03Z

You could thank the person who posted the obituary, instead of complaining that it didn't answer your questions.

Re: Willock Family

osucowboysfan — 2013-05-12 06:58:15Z

I saw the obituary already, but it didn't answer my questions.

I am looking for someone who knew him or knows what happened to him, if there was a memorial service, where the burial was.

Re: Willock Family

ELLinSpain — 2013-05-12 06:49:47Z

In Loving Memory Of: Son, Brother, Cousin, Uncle, and Friend Thomas Fred Willock "Uuilyuq" 05/13/63-02/26/13.

Tom was born to Minnie Savetilik and the late Paul Willock on the thirteenth day of May in 1963 in Kotzebue, Alaska. He was the second youngest of Minnie's nine children. He and his younger brother Bert moved down south when they were twelve and eleven with their foster parents: Phillip and Marty Odem, until they graduated from a Mississippi High School. After attending college for a short time, he served the army in Korea for a couple of years. He then returned home for a year and worked at Red Dog then moved to live in Anchorage where he made it his home and met his daughter's mother. Tom met and made a lot of friends in Anchorage and even consider some as his family, especially Jill. He bar-tended and was a bouncer for 515 and King's X in Anchorage. Whenever you saw Tom, he was always happy to see you with a smile. He always made the best of what life threw his way, may his soul rest in peace. He will be greatly missed by all and will always have a special place in our hearts.Tom is preceded in death by his daughter, Christina Johnson; dad, Paul Willock; brothers: Clarence "Sonny" Allen Jr.and Robert Allen and sister Elsie May Willock.

Tom is survived by his mom and step-dad, Minnie and Dan Savetilik Jr.; sister, Rhoda Allen; brothers: Jimmy Allen, Roy Willock, Ingram Willock, Bert Willock, and brother in-law Wilbur Skin Sr.; as well as numerous aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews, and many friends

Re: Willock Family

osucowboysfan — 2013-05-11 07:47:23Z

Does anyone know what happened to Thomas "Tom" Willock?

Thomas Fred Willock, 1963 - 2013. He died several months ago. What happened? He was only 49 years old.

Was the a memorial service? Where was the burial?

Is his brother Bert still living?

Re: Willock Family

osucowboysfan — 2013-05-11 07:35:09Z

Elsie Mae and Thomas Willock both died in recent years.

Last lived in Anchorage.

Their mother Minnie lives in Kotzebue.

Richard Langstrom Member, Pioneers of Alaska; Born Sweden; Died November 1973 Seattle, Washington

oastwd — 2013-03-25 16:50:44Z

The Seattle Times Sunday, November 11, 1973
Langstrom, Richard
Age 87, of 7513 Earl Avenue Northwest. Beloved husband of Ebbam. Brother of Helen Terry, Chehalis. 4 sisters in Sweden. Member of the Pioneers of Alaska, Igloo No. 4, Fairbanks, Alaska; Alaska Yukon Pioneers. Memorial service Monday, 1PM, Wiggen and Sons Chapel. Cremation. Family suggests remembrances to Pioneers of Alaska Igloo No. 4, Fairbanks, Alaska.

William G. Gould former Fairbanks, Alaska resident; Died February 1917 Seattle, Washington

oastwd — 2013-03-23 18:46:30Z

The Seattle Daily Times Friday, February 23, 1917
Deaths and Funerals
Gould. At San Francisco, California, February 13, 1917, William George Gould, aged 67 years, beloved husband of Mrs. Matilda F. Gould, 213 Crockett Street and father of Gilbert, Lois and Alice R. (sic) Gould. Formerly of Fairbanks, Alaska. Member Pioneers of Alaska, Igloo No. 4.

Funeral services will be held at the parlors of Bonney Watson Co., Broadway at Olive Street opposite Broadway High School, Saturday afternoon at 4 o’clock. Friends and members of the Alaska Pioneers are invited to attend. Interment at Mount Pleasant Cemetery.

ALEXANDRE STONE (b.1867Mich) s/o GL CAPTAIN MOSE STONE

colleenmck — 2013-03-18 05:52:23Z

Are there any connections to my Stone family?
Source found for MOSES STONE is www.linkstothepast/marine/ via Captains Bio.(John Stone) which is the earliest occupation reference for GGGrandfather MOSES STONE (&wife) pts of Alexandre Antoine Stone.
Additional sources from 'Ancestry' are US Census 1870, 1880 Frenchtown, Monroe MI. MOSES STONE & ELISA / LIZZY (ELISABETH LEMIRE?) w/issue; John, Rosa, Louisa, Alex, Joseph, George & William.
ELisa's(Lemire) death doc, d. 10 APR 1921,Tecumseh, Essex Canada, lists pts as ANTOINE LEMIRE & MARGUERITE (DALY). Uncertain of yr
b. 1836/39 PQ and Moses's death doc, d. 25 NOV 1925 Tecumseh, Essex, Canada is w/o pts. Only known date for b. 1839? Place Unk??
CA Census' 1891,1901, 1911 having the family in Maidstone, Essex, ONT. I have tried to search for a marriage doc for Alex's pts without success. The Stone name was apparently chgd from?....sound/x 'Larooo' (per my GGrandmother Valerie HEBERT, sister-law to Alex) and I have tried various spellings; La/Le....Rue/ Roche/ Rocque/ Roach/ Heruex, and a "dit" at this time searching would be pointless.
Although, I've also searched for oldest childs birthcert. and assume he, John( oldest brother of Alex), was born in Detroit MI as the following 2 sib(s) no luck. In searching for Moses' origin I found my GGGrandmother Eliza (Lemire) even more so curious, If she was M. E. Lemire in early CA Census' 1851/1860 I have found her previously married and buried.

Is there a family connection to fill in the gaps ?

Re: Selmer

karenkdempsey_55 — 2013-01-22 03:33:26Z

Thank you Michelle! Yes, I have found all the Selmers,and I have you on my tree too! My mother is in the picture you posted.she is the daughter of Victor. I have talked to my mom and also have some great stories from her days living in Skagway and Fairbanks.I'm still working on the tree,I don't have Virginia's children,and all my mom could remember is that she married someone named Merritt.I have a tree on ancestry under Murray/Selmer.I have lots of pictures posted.Thank you for the information,I just found out yesterday that Alice married both Louis and Robert.Did Alice only have the one child,Louis Dean?

Looking for an old friend

thammill — 2013-01-14 03:34:04Z

Does anyone know anything about Elsie West? She should have graduated in 1966. She and her family moved to Alaska in 1966 from Oxnard, CA. Her father was in the air force. I had heard that she remained in Alaska after her father's transfer back.

US Army Radio Station

elliethomas51 — 2012-12-06 23:40:56Z

If anyone can help find information on the Radio station. My Grandfather, James Edward Thomas served there in 1930

Thanks,
Ellie

Re: Selmer

michellehogg12 — 2012-11-18 08:17:46Z

Hi there. This post was from 10 years ago, so you may have already found your information. Oscar & Pauline are my Great Grandparents. My Grandfather was Louis Selmer. You are missing another child. The youngest was Robert Selmer Born in 1924. Robert was also my Grandfather, my Grandmother Alice married him after Louis passed away at the age of 50.

The attached photo... Back row right is Louis, next to him is Alice, in front of her sitting is Virginia, Oscar sr.& Pauline are center, tall one in back is Occie, Birdie is third from left in back row. Oscar Jr is one of the other men. Robert is the young boy on the left.

Re: Steger, Fairbanks

voithoferr — 2012-08-01 16:30:04Z

I do some private research on Salzburgers in the USA. Are you related to Peter Steger?

Best regards
Richard Voithofer

Re: Steger, Fairbanks

voithoferr — 2012-08-01 16:27:52Z

Thank you and best regards from Austria.
Richard Voithofer

Re: Steger, Fairbanks

ELLinSpain — 2012-08-01 10:59:16Z

not what you asked for but may help

Name: Steger, Peter
Date of Birth: 23 Aug 1881
Date of Death: 4 Jun 1968
Location, Tier, Row: Catholic #2, Tier 12, Row 5

Name: Peter Steger
SSN: 574-01-3587
Last Residence: 99701 Fairbanks, Fairbanks North Star, Alaska, United States of America
Born: 23 Aug 1881
Died: Jun 1968
State (Year) SSN issued: Alaska (Before 1951)

WW1
Name: Peter Steger
City: Iditarod
County: Yukon-Koyukuk
State: Alaska
Birth Date: 23 Aug 1881
NO RELATIVES
NO EMPLOYMENT
Race: White
SHORT
MED BUILD
DK BRON HAIR & EYES
FHL Roll Number: 1473297

WW11
Name: Peter Steger
Birth Date: 23 Aug 1881
Birth Place: Salsburg, Austria
Residence: PO BOX 1654 Fairbanks, Alaska
EMPLOYED BY US S.R. AND M CO. FAIRBANKS
Race: White
WHO WILL KNOW HIM: MRS STEGER SAME ADDRESS

NAT.
Name: Peter Steger
A MINER
Age: 34
Birth Date: 23 Aug 1881
Birth Location: Rauris, Austria
Arrival Year: 1910
Issue Date: 16 Oct 1915
State: Alaska
DARK COMPLEXION
4'5" TALL
130lbs
BLACK HAIR
BROWN EYES
NOW RESIDING IN FOX, ALASKA
ARRIVED ON THE SS GRAF WALDERSEA IN PA 10 NOV 1910
Locality, Court: Juneau, District Court

1930
Name: Peter Steger
Gender: Male
Birth Year: abt 1882
Birthplace: Germany
Race: White
Home in 1930: Fairbanks, Fourth Judicial District, Alaska Territory
View Map
Marital Status: Married
Immigration Year: 1910
Relation to Head of House: Head
Spouse's Name: Barbara Steger
Father's Birthplace: Germany
Mother's Birthplace: Germany
+
Name: Barbara Steger
Gender: Female
Birth Year: abt 1888
Birthplace: Germany
Race: White
Home in 1930: Fairbanks, Fourth Judicial District, Alaska Territory
View Map
Marital Status: Married
Immigration Year: 1921
Relation to Head of House: Wife
Spouse's Name: Peter Steger
Father's Birthplace: Germany
Mother's Birthplace: Germany
+
Name: Alfred Steger
Gender: Male
Birth Year: abt 1923
Birthplace: Alaska
Race: White
Home in 1930: Fairbanks, Fourth Judicial District, Alaska Territory
View Map
Marital Status: Single
Relation to Head of House: Son
+
Name: Olga Steger
Gender: Female
Birth Year: abt 1924
Birthplace: Alaska
Race: White
Home in 1930: Fairbanks, Fourth Judicial District, Alaska Territory
View Map
Marital Status: Single
Relation to Head of House: Daughter
+
Name: Edward Steger
Gender: Male
Birth Year: abt 1928
Birthplace: Alaska
Race: White
Home in 1930: Fairbanks, Fourth Judicial District, Alaska Territory
View Map
Marital Status: Single
Relation to Head of House: Son

Edward Joseph Steger
Birth: Mar. 12, 1927
Fairbanks
Fairbanks North Star Borough
Alaska, USA
Death: Mar. 1, 2010
Anchorage
Anchorage Borough
Alaska, USA

Anchorage Daily News March 5, 2010

Edward J. Steger, 82, of Anchorage, died March 1, 2010, at his residence. A Mass of Christian burial and Rosary were held at St. Anthony's Catholic Church, 825 S. Klevin St. Anchorage, with the Rev. Fed Bugarin and Archbishop Francis Hurley celebrating. Interment took place at Angelus Memorial Park.

Edward was born March 13, 1927, in Fairbanks to Peter and Barbara Steger. "Eddie's life was a love story in many aspects," his family wrote. "He married the love of his life, Shirley, more than 60 years ago. He was devoted to 'his girl' his entire life. His love of family was center to his life, with six children, 16 grandchildren, and two great-grandchildren. He was proud of his large family and the closeness they shared. He had a career as a pilot, which he loved; few can say they love going to work every day. Eddie began his professional flying career in 1945 at the age of 18, working for Pollack Airways, then Northern Consolidated Airlines, which later became Wien Air Alaska. He was known by his friends as 'Steady Eddie' for his skills as a pilot and trainer. "Those who knew him know how much he loved his cabin on Kenai Lake, it was the setting for many memories spanning several generations. Special weekends with his grandsons became 'Camp Ed.' "Ed's love of God prepared him for a new life in heaven. He will always be loved and missed, and there is no doubt he is watching over us today." Eddie was preceded in death by his grandson, Ryan Keyes; and brother, Alfred Steger.

He is survived by his wife, Shirley; children, Debbie (Loni) Vea, Cathie (Dan) Keyes, Barbara (Jesse) Musliu, Pat (Sue) Steger, Peter (Vickie) Steger, Rich (Darcy) Steger; 16 grandchildren, two great-grandchildren; and a sister, Olga Steger of Fairbanks. Memorial bequests may be made to Alaska Right to Life, 3400 Spenard Road, Suite 4, Anchorage 99503 or Providence Hospice, 3485 Tudor Road, Anchorage 99507. Arrangements are with Alaskan Heritage Memorial Chapel in Anchorage; www.akheritage.com. Visit the online memorial at legacy.com

in
Angelus Memorial Park
Anchorage
Anchorage Borough
Alaska

Name: Barbara Steger
SSN: 574-48-3245
Last Residence: 99701 Fairbanks, Fairbanks North Star, Alaska, United States of America
Born: 29 Jun 1887
Died: Oct 1981
State (Year) SSN issued: Alaska (1973)

Barbara
Birth: Jun. 29, 1887
Death: Oct. 14, 1981

Burial:
Birch Hill Cemetery
Fairbanks
Fairbanks North Star Borough
Alaska, USA
Plot: Catholic #2, Tier 12, Row 6

Alfred P. Steger
Birth: Feb. 26, 1922
Death: Nov. 26, 2000

Anchorage Daily News November 30, 2000

Lifelong Alaska resident ALFRED P. STEGER, 88, died Nov. 26, 2000, at Fairbanks Memorial Hospital. A Mass of Christian Burial was held at Immaculate Conception Catholic Church in Fairbanks. A reception followed at the Fairbanks Pioneer Home. Burial was at Birch Hill Cemetery in Fairbanks.

After grade school, he attended the Alaska Agricultural College and School of Mines from 1930-43. He served in the U.S. Army from 1943-45 at Ladd Field (now Fort Wainwright) and Fort Belvoir, Va. Mr. Steger was employed by the Department of the Interior, Bureau of Land Management, at Fairbanks, from March 26, 1946, to July 16, 1954, as manager of the Fairbanks Land Office. From 1956 to 1978, he worked for the Bureau of Lands and Minerals in Anchorage, retiring after more than 30 years as chief of Lands and Minerals. Mr. Steger was a life member of Pioneers of Alaska, Igloo #4, of Fairbanks. He returned to Fairbanks in December 1997, when he entered the Fairbanks Pioneer Home. He was very content there, his family said. The family added: ''Al will be greatly missed by all of his family.''

He is survived by his sister, Olga Steger of Fairbanks; brother and sister-in-law, Edward and Shirley Steger of Anchorage; nieces, Debbie Vea, Cathy Keyes and Barbara Musliu, and their families; and nephews, Patrick Steger, Peter Steger and Richard Steger, and their families, all of Alaska. Chapel of Chimes Funeral Home was in charge of arrangements.

Burial:
Birch Hill Cemetery
Fairbanks
Fairbanks North Star Borough
Alaska

Re: Steger, Fairbanks

jsteger08 — 2012-07-31 09:09:17Z

My family may have one on file. What would it be used for?

Re: Harris in Alaska 1905-1920

karenkdempsey_55 — 2012-06-04 21:36:20Z

I will ask my mom and get back to you.My great uncle Henley Murray was postmaster in Fairbanks in 1930's and 40's. My uncle "Occie" Selmer was railroad worker another selmer was a butcher,my greatgrandfather had a gold mine outside fairbanks his name was Stephen Patrick Murray, my grandmother had a Beauty shop there, Murrays and Selmers lived born raised died and breathed Fairbanks Alaska from 1918 until 1950's.Some still live there.

Re: Mabel or Polly Howard

nancyberont — 2012-05-01 17:50:02Z

yes, I found Frank in the 1910 census. it is Mabel/Polly I can't find. we are beginning to wonder if Howard was not her maiden name. we have noticed that the oral 'family history' has a lot of errors in it and the 1930 and 1940 census where she was the reporter, contained 'errors' that she herself reported! so grandma was not always truthful, it happens!

Re: Mabel or Polly Howard

ELLinSpain — 2012-05-01 14:04:48Z

he appears to be single in the 1910 census & by

WW1
24 JUL 1917
Name: Frank KarabelnikoffJENNECOTT COPPER CORPORATION
City: Valdez
County: Third Judicial District - LATOUCHES
State: Alaska
Birthplace: Alaska - KODIAK
Birth Date: 24 Oct 1888
Race: Caucasian (White)
MED HEIGHT & BUILD
BROWN EYES
BLACK HAIR
WITH WIFE & 3 CHILDREN TO SUPPORT
FHL Roll Number: 1473299

Re: Mabel or Polly Howard

nancyberont — 2012-05-01 13:51:24Z

husband Frank Karabelnikoff, son William, George and daughter Mollie. they were in Valdez in 1920. she told us she was born in sitka, moved to Juneau as a child, and then to Valdez. I posted messages in those cities too. one of her sons later lived in Fairbanks. I have been looking at the original pages of the 1910 census looking for her. no luck yet, but I haven't done the whole state yet! she was called Polly and Mabel

Re: Mabel or Polly Howard

suerenkert — 2012-05-01 03:17:32Z

Where was she in 1920? What was her husband's name? Her son's name?

Re: Mabel or Polly Howard

suerenkert — 2012-05-01 03:16:41Z

What was her married name? What are the places you associate with her?

Re: Mabel or Polly Howard

suerenkert — 2012-05-01 03:15:45Z

Don't be too quick to dismiss this. There is a 4 year old boy listed here. Census data are not always correct. I have two ancestors who were married but enumerated under their parents' name. Sometimes census takers would make assumptions.

Re: Mabel or Polly Howard

nancyberont — 2012-04-30 14:41:29Z

thank you for finding this for me, but it can't be her since her son was born in 1911 and I found her under her married name in the 1920 census. I can't find anything before 1920. thanks for trying!

Re: Mabel or Polly Howard

ELLinSpain — 2012-04-28 10:27:25Z

just a maybe

Name: Mable Howard
Age: 15
Birth Year: abt 1905
Birthplace: Alaska
Home in 1920: Sitka, First Judicial District, Alaska Territory
Race: Mxd (Mixed)
Gender: Female
Marital Status: Single
Father's Birthplace: Alaska
Mother's Birthplace: Alaska
Able to read: Yes
Able to Write: Yes
+
Albert Howard 35
May Howard 32
Maggie Howard 14
Carrie Howard 12
David Howard 4
Elsia Howard 3
Julia Howard 1 6/12

Re: Fairbanks Children's Home

chmorrow — 2012-04-27 17:33:36Z

I will e-mail you at your above address. I was born there in 1960, my parents were the directors until 1962.

Re: Mabel or Polly Howard

nancyberont — 2012-04-27 12:57:43Z

I have tried searching through ancestry.com in the censuses, no luck. I am currently going through the census pages myself for 1910, (it is amazing! it is over 100 years old!) but like you said, it is a big state. after about 14 hours no luck. I started with the places I associated with her, now I will go on to the rest of the state. some of the pages are very faded and illegible. she would have been 15 in 1910, so she should be associated with someone and not alone, but if she had a different last name, it will be impossible.

Re: Mabel or Polly Howard

suerenkert — 2012-04-27 04:21:47Z

Have you tried checking the 1900 and 1910 censuses? That will probably be the best way to find out where in Alaska she lived. Alaska is a BIG state.

Mabel or Polly Howard

nancyberont — 2012-04-26 14:58:21Z

looking for information on grandmother born in Alaska around 1895. may have been in an orphan home

Re: Fairbanks Children's Home

LWilliams8977 — 2012-04-17 00:03:32Z

I am researching Norma Vallier that worked at the home. She had several children that she gave up for adoption and two of them were adopted by my aunt. We are still looking for a sister and are trying to solve a mystery. It is a very long story.

Re: Fairbanks Children's Home

Bearjerr1 — 2012-04-16 23:52:46Z

Who are you anyways.

Re: Fairbanks Children's Home

LWilliams8977 — 2012-04-16 23:15:22Z

You can email me direct at umpire@sbcglobal.net

Re: Fairbanks Children's Home

Bearjerr1 — 2012-04-16 21:37:05Z

It's going to take more than a sentence or two on that subject.

Re: Fairbanks Children's Home

LWilliams8977 — 2012-04-16 21:06:07Z

What kind of home was Fairbank's Childrens? What can you tell me about it before it closed?

Re: Fairbanks Children's Home

Bearjerr1 — 2012-04-16 17:37:44Z

I was one of the last to leave. The place is an apartment building now.

Re: Lois Grace Chase 1935-1960

DEL1564 — 2012-03-14 20:47:31Z

This is Delmar Cheeseman. My father, Harvey L. Cheeseman was married before he married my mother. He passed away in 1977. He had 3 daughters, and one son to the first marriage. One of the daughter was Lous Grace Cheeseman.
All I kno was that She married to Frederick Chase. upon her death, She left 3 minor children. (I corrected this mistake)

My humber is 916-436-7818.

Re: Lois Grace Chase 1935-1960

DEL1564 — 2012-03-14 20:44:34Z

Re: Lois Grace Chase 1935-1960

vanhatten_1 — 2012-03-14 07:18:47Z

I am Katherine (Chase) VanHatten, the daughter of Fred and Lois Chase.
I would be interested in speaking with you. Please post to this site, I will be checking back.

Re: 1940s Civil Service Work?

suerenkert — 2012-03-10 10:01:39Z

If he was around polar bears, that would indicate that he was at some point on the North Slope. Possibly Barrow.

Re: 1940s Civil Service Work?

RBestrom7380 — 2012-03-09 22:29:47Z

The US Census won't help with anything other than showing where he was in 1940...

Based on your comments, it "appears" he was a civilian employee of the military, which would "probably" was under the Federal service of the Department of Defense. Alaska was a territory at that time, so there wouldn't have been an Alaskan State civil service.

Since this service "appears" to have been prior to 1951:
http://www.archives.gov/st-louis/archival-programs/civilian-...
I don't know what might still be in the Official Personnel Folder (OPF) of that time-frame; but as a retired fed...long after 1951, position titles, locations, dates, evaluations, applications (SF-171), might be in the file.

As far as photo's or stories, first check any family member that might have his old photo albums, old address books, etc. Since he was in AK in his early 40's, there may have been underlings that are still alive that knew him. His old SF-171's might identify co-workers as references, etc. Once you can review the OPF, it might lead to enough information as to specific accomplishments at specific locations, at specific dates. His duty/job position also would identify the possible type of positions he held. His work may or may not have been on the base itself, but in the "wilderness." If he went there in the early 1940's, he "might" have been involved in the construction of the Alaska highway.

This research sounds interesting.

Ron Bestrom
Tacoma, WA

Re: Gr-Aunt found dead on Fairbanks street in 1960

Molly_Nightingale — 2012-03-09 00:44:23Z

Thank you for all the helpful information.

Vernita briefly married Elmer McLaughlin abt 1940 in Nebraska. She gave their baby up for adoption. She left Elmer and went to California/Oregon area and hung around her aunts and uncles there for a while. No one knows when she left or why.

I just located an address for her on a family will. In June of 1960 (two weeks before her death) her grandfather died. Vernita is listed in his probate papers as living at 402 Lane Street, Mt View (Anchorage) Alaska. This record makes me think Vernita may have died in 1961, as my grandmother recorded.

I wouldn't expect to find any relative in Alaska.

I have contacted all my relatives that are living and they have no more information about Vernita.

Here is my tree link for Vernita: http://trees.ancestry.com/tree/21591943/person/1112400827

Cousin found dead on Fairbanks street in 1960

Molly_Nightingale — 2012-03-09 00:27:13Z

Vernita May (Atkinson) MCLAUGHLIN was found dead on a street in Fairbanks on June 29, 1960. She was last known to be living in the California/Oregon area.

Her Aunt Mabel Doolittle's name was found in Vernita's purse. Mabel (my grandmother) received a letter at her home in Nebraska, asking about next of kin.

I have some questions that perhaps a native of the area could shed some light on.

I've been told that she froze to death. How likely is that, given the summer date of death?

I wouldn't expect to find an obit, as she had no connections there. (No one even knows why she was there...) Would this type of death have merited mention in a local paper?

Vernita is buried in Anchorage Memorial Cemetery (under the name "Vernie"). Any guesses why she is buried in Anchorage? I suspect my grandmother paid for the burial, so there was no personal reason to choose Anchorage over Fairbanks. Would Fairbanks have had any reason to have sent her body there? For a criminal investigation? An autopsy? To attempt to identify the body? For a pauper's burial?

Vernita's burial was two weeks after her death. Would they have waited for an answer from Mabel before burying her.

I am aware that I can purchase a death certificate from the state of Alaska. How important is it know for sure where she died in order for them to find it? Family history SAYS it was Fairbanks, but I have found no official death record for her.

Thanks for any thoughts.

Re: 1940s Civil Service Work?

MidwestAncesTree — 2012-03-08 23:55:10Z

Thank you. Actually I have all the census information for my father and all other records available on ancestry.com. I specifically am looking for any info on his time at Fairbanks, Alaska and the Civil Service work that was being done out of the military base there.

Re: 1940s Civil Service Work?

judyartley53 — 2012-03-08 23:46:35Z

Hi,
The 1930 Census is the latest one that is available to the public at this time. The 1940 Census will be released next month but not indexed until probably the end of this year. It's very difficult to find info about a person other than the Census records.

Are you interested in the Census info after this birth until 1930? If yes, I need to know his middle name as I ran in to too many James Hanlon's b. 1898 in Iowa.

Re: Gr-Aunt found dead on Fairbanks street in 1960

suerenkert — 2012-03-08 04:48:53Z

This may possibly be connected:

George M. McLaughlin died - FDNM page 1, 6/23/1958
Ed. Geo McLaughlin died - FDNM page 4, 6/24/1958

Re: Gr-Aunt found dead on Fairbanks street in 1960

suerenkert — 2012-03-08 04:06:14Z

Considering the circumstances of her death, she would have been sent to Anchorage for an autopsy. If she didn't have family in Fairbanks, it is logical that she would have been buried in Anchorage. You could call the cemetery and ask what funeral home handled her burial. The funeral home would likely have records that would include the cause of death.

People freeze to death on the streets of Fairbanks every winter. But in June she would not have frozen. However, she may have died of exposure/hypothermia.

You can contact the Noel Wein Library in Fairbanks and ask for the reference desk. They have the Fairbanks Daily News-Miner on microfilm. If you give them her date of death, they will check around that date to see if there was anything in the newspaper. There is also an obitualy index at the library, but, as you say, it is unlikely there was an obituary. There is also a death index at the library, and I believe it would cover 1960.

Noel Wein Library
*Reference Desk*
Email: fairbanks@taos.fnsb.lib.ak.us
Telephone: 907) 459-1020

You would need only her name and date of feath to obtain a death certificate.

1940s Civil Service Work?

MidwestAncesTree — 2012-01-27 16:47:52Z

My father, James Hanlon (1898-1987)(from Iowa) went to Fairbanks in the early 1940s to work in Civil Service. The only stories I remember him telling are of huge mosquitos and monstrous polar bears. Would love to have any pictures or stories from the time; maybe what he did and where he might have been stationed.
Thank you in advance for any information or direction you can provide.

Re: Fairbanks Children's Home

suerenkert — 2012-01-19 09:10:17Z

I learned that children were taken there for vaccinations, and that the building is now a private residence.