Orphanages in Minnesota - Family History & Genealogy Message Board

Re: Old orphanages in MN

johnaa52 — 2013-01-20 19:46:32Z

It was called Saint James Childrens Orphanage. My sisters and I were there in the early fifties. We had parents but they had us there around 1953-54. My sisters names are Kathy Pat and Pam Anderson. My name is John. The place was built in 1909 in the Woodland Hills. We went to Saint Johns which was apart of the orphanage.

1949 Minnesota adoption

melissabedore1 — 2012-06-11 00:06:51Z

My father was born Oct 9, 1949 in Minnesota. I was told that his birth mother kept him for approx 4 months before giving him up for adoption. I am seeking grandparents, aunts, uncles, cousins etc. I have been told he was adopted thru Lutheran Boys Home (orphanage) in Minnesota. He grew up in Iowa. Any of this sound familiar? Please...anyone.

Re: Twin Valley Or Lake Park Orphanage

robinlarson1 — 2012-04-11 20:48:38Z

I am looking for information on the Lake Park Children's Home as well. My grandmother was there in the 30's. I also grew up in Twin Valley so I'd like to know more about the Wild Rice Home as well. Thank you.

Re: Twin Valley Or Lake Park Orphanage

ejohnson2610 — 2012-02-19 04:57:01Z

My two uncles were at the Twin Valley orfanage. I have a quite a bit of the information and if interested I can refer you to someone who has more info than I do.

Re: Old orphanages in MN

west_katnleen — 2011-10-26 18:05:03Z

My oldest brother and I were in an orphanage in Duluth, probably 52'ish. Can anyone enlighten me on the name, how long it was in existence, any historical data and pictures, and what happened to it?

Re: Minnesota orphanages

frankierat — 2011-05-25 23:10:21Z

Here is the link for: Minnesota State Public School for Dependent and Neglected Children Museum. They do not have records there.
http://www.orphanagemuseum.com/history.php

To find out more about available records see the Minnesota Historical Society link:
http://www.mnhs.org/genealogy/family/genieguide/owatonna_sch...

Re: 1912-1913 Baby Abandoned in St. Paul, MN

frankierat — 2011-05-25 22:53:02Z

Is this her?
http://trees.ancestry.com/tree/13121063/person/-120800791

Re: 1912-1913 Baby Abandoned in St. Paul, MN

frankierat — 2011-05-25 22:52:50Z

Is this her?

Re: Older orphanages in Minnesota

frankierat — 2011-05-25 22:24:28Z

Re: Older orphanages in Minnesota

scrapbooknicole — 2011-03-09 15:47:59Z

The phone number for the MN Historical Society Library in St Paul is 651-259-3300. This is who you must contact to obtain records of children who lived at the orphanage in Owatonna.

Re: Older orphanages in Minnesota

scrapbooknicole — 2011-02-28 04:10:29Z

Hi,
There was a very large orphanage in Owatonna MN, which is only 30 miles from Albert Lea. It was open from 1886 until 1945 as an orphanage, then from 1945 to 1970 as a school for the educable mentally retarded. There is a orphanage museum there now (where I am a volunteer) but we have no records on site. They are kept in St Paul. There is a phone number you can call to get copies of records but I do not have it on me right now so I will have to get back to you with that.
I hope this helps you get on the right track to finding some answers!
Nicole

Older orphanages in Minnesota

meholl711 — 2010-12-25 16:55:04Z

My father was an orphan and he has passed on and he would never talk about anything, now that I'm older I have been trying to find anything out. We think it was an orphange either in Albert Lee, MN. or in Sauk Rapids, Mn. But have no idea if he had brothers, sisters or anything. He lived in foster homes in Minneapolis. His name is Edwin Kenneth Hollerud I keep running into dead ends. Please Help

Re: Old orphanages in MN

se8332 — 2010-12-24 02:27:15Z

I was not sure how long you were there and how old you were. My brothers and me were there like either between 54-57. My brothers were Robert(bobby) Russell(Rusty) And me Sherry. Our last name would be Lee.I remember some parts of being there so I would think I would be at least 3.My mother has passed away and would never give any info on stuff so I did hear things from family members after, but not like why we were there or how long.We should have stayed.... Any help thanks....It was a very large place long tables,we all took naps on mats...And of course the nuns, gotta love them......

Re: Old orphanages in MN

6mom6 — 2010-07-27 02:56:05Z

I think I was only there during the winter months of 46-47,so I wouldn't have gone swimming. I remember spending time on the boys' side(?) of the dorms visiting with the older boys. They nicknamed me 'California' because I always said I was going to go to California. I do remember visits by the priests to the children and at Christmas I went to a wealthy widow's house for the holiday.

Are you still in MN?

Re: Old orphanages in MN

mackwriting — 2010-07-20 15:46:46Z

I was in St. James then too. From age 5 (in 1945) to age 11. Were you among the girls who would take the bus to fourth, and then walk down to the lake to go swimming?

HELP DELORIS FIND HER FRIEND JOANN(E) LEWIS

bettymclaughlin59 — 2010-06-21 17:02:39Z

JOANN LEWIS was living at the MN orphanage in Owatonna ( a town near Mankato). From there she was 'farmed out' to a smaller town named Nicollet. Nicollet had a very small school, everyone from K-12 was in the school. The school was named Nicollet High. She graduated in the year 1949. I would check anywhere from 1945-1949.
DELORIS KLANDE is looking for her friend and i am trying to help with the search too, as requested betty

Re: 1912-1913 Baby Abandoned in St. Paul, MN

quiltinglady18 — 2009-09-19 20:49:12Z

I apologize for the wrong name. It should be Virginia Martha JOHNSTON. Sorry!

1912-1913 Baby Abandoned in St. Paul, MN

quiltinglady18 — 2009-09-19 00:38:51Z

My Mother was abandoned in St. Paul, MN when she was about 5-8 months old. She searched all her life for her parents but never found them. A family took her in as a foster child but never adopted her. They named her Virginia Martha DeMaster. Does anyone have any information around the Minnesota area that might be looking for a sister, or daughter that this may have happened to? At that time in history it was tough to raise a child. Maybe an unwed mother or one more mouth to feed was just too much. Can anyone help with a name of an orphanage that might have been in the area at that time? Thanks for your help!

Re: Old orphanages in MN

6mom6 — 2009-02-02 04:41:56Z

There was an orphanage in Duluth built about 1910 that was operated by the Catholic nuns there. It was called St. James Orphanage. It hasn't been running for years, but I was a resident there in 1947. You may find out more by contacting the Chancery Office of the Diocese of Duluth, MN.

Orphanages in Minnesota

JennyLeonard37 — 2009-01-26 22:14:44Z

My Grandfather and brother, and Sister and maybe more kids in Orphanage in Minnesota, before 1900, Fred Dunn and Glenn Dunn, They were both Adopted in 1900. Fred Was adopted by Leonard's and Glenn was by Stevens in Minnesota, They were born in Galatia , Saline Co ILL. I would like to fine what Orphanage they were in, and fine Who their parents were in ILL. Is their a Book or Film i can fine to fine out something, Thanks Jenny

Keefus orphaned children.

lady0fthew00dland — 2008-08-30 21:02:15Z

Parents George and Grace Keefus died within a week of each other in January of 1920 from the flu, orphaning three children. The mothers maiden name was Grace Otis. Family lived in Ramsey County, MN. Birthdates of first child, name unk was 27 Sep 1909, birthday of second child name unk was 20 Oct 1912, birthday of third child Grace Margaret Kiefus was 8 Jan 1915. Any help finding these three sisters would be appreciated.

Sigfrid, an orphan in Minnesota

christina1849 — 2006-09-07 13:23:24Z

Ester Persson, emigrated from Sweden in Dec 1915 and stayed in Lindstrom, Minnesota, for some years. She gave birth to a son, Sigfrid, in 1916. Some years later she met her husband to be and they both returned to Sweden, leaving Sigfrid in an orphanage in Minnesota. Ester's children in her second marriage,love to get in contact with Sigfrid (if he is still alive) or his relatives in the United States.

Of course I understand that the chance of finding Sigfrid is almost none, especially as we don't know his second name. His mother's name was Persson, his father's name Nilsson and probably he got a third name when he was adopted. Is there anyone who could possibly help me?

Re: Twin Valley Or Lake Park Orphanage

RegNMINiles — 2006-07-29 02:53:18Z

The orphanage in Twin Valley was called The Wild Rice Children's Home, named for a river. It was conducted by the Norwegian Lutheran Church of America, which also conducted an institution in Lake Park.

There is one paragraph on each institution on pages 170 and 165 of the out-of-print book titled, Adoption Agencies, Orphanages and Maternity Homes--An Historical Directory. The WorldCat data base lists 147 libraries in the U.S. (including 4 in Minnesota) that have copies of the Directory.

Reg Niles

Re: Minnesota orphanages

laurieskeller — 2006-05-19 10:23:34Z

Orphanages in Minnesota: History of

laurieskeller — 2006-05-19 10:23:34Z

The web site http://www.irishgenealogical.org/igsi_published/orphanages/o... has a brief history of Catholic orphanages in Minnesota.

The web site refers to two books written by Sister Claire Lynch on the history of orphanages in Minnesota. According to this, the information contained in the two books is fairly comprehensive as to the dates orphanages operated, the names they operated under and so on, and should enable anyone to look up inmates of these institutions in the appropriate census records. Copies of the books are held by the Minnesota Historical Society (http://www.mnhs.org) and the Minnesota Genealogical Society.

Twin Valley Or Lake Park Orphange

2005-12-23 19:24:17Z

My father, Melvin Olson, spent time in both orphanages. He was orginally in Twin Valley (the orphanage was burned to the ground) and was transferred to Lake Park. I am trying to find out if there is any information on the two institutions - this is a part of my dad's life that he does not talk much about.

His mother died when he was 7 and his father sent him and his brothers to the orphanage. My father's name was actually Olsen when at the time he was there.

My father and his brothers would have been there in 1925 - 1932 time frame.

Any help would be appreciated.

Re: Minnesota orpanagesSa

PamelaJeffers — 2005-10-28 22:39:25Z

Sarah.I just recently saw your request.and perhaps we can help each other.Since you live in MN
and I live in OH. I am also looking for Orphanges in MN Mankato to be exact around 1920 or so.There is a Book called Orphanges in Minnesota written in 1977 by a Nun.if you couldfind a copy perhaps we could share info from the book.I understand the Minnesota Historical
Society.has a copy.if you wish you can use my private e mail Pam jeffers

Re: Orphages in St. Paul

Flmom8 — 2005-07-19 14:02:59Z

Many thanks for the suggestions. I had thought of checking the archives of the Catholic Diocese as I think it may have been a Catholic orphanage. The other options will help along the way I'm sure. Thanks again. Pat

Re: Sigfrid, an orphan in Minnesota

RegNMINiles — 2005-07-18 22:21:08Z

If Sigfrid was born out-of-wedlock, assume that his birth surname was that of his birth mother, PERSSON. If you lack his full copy birth certificate, apply for it to obtain his exact date of birth. The address of the Minnesota Dept. of Health is among the 50 states listed at :

http://www.cdc.gov/nchs/howto/w2w/w2welcom.htm

When you get his exact date of birth, use it on the Advanced Search feature at RootsWeb's version of the online Social Security Death Index :

http://ssdi.rootsweb.com

You can search with only a first name and date of birth, if you think his last name was changed by adoptive parents. We have no way of knowing if his first name was changed also, so we---I mean you---search on the assumption the first name was not changed.

I am reading a book by E. Wayne CARP, "Family Matters." I recall that Minnesota had an early law for confidentiality of adoption records, but I cannot quickly find the relevant page in the book. That could pose a problem for your research.

Reg Niles

Re: Minnesota orpanages

RegNMINiles — 2005-07-18 22:04:02Z

Maybe you know of a library that has these books---directories that I trust will list the orphanages in Minnesota.

MINNESOTA. Secretary of State. The Legislative Manual of the State of Minnesota . . . St. Paul, [etc.], 18__-19__. __ vols. Blurb: ?Published biennially by the secretary of state, according to act of Legislature of 1889.? Includes a roster of state and county officers, state departments and institutions. (Minnesota blue book) (LC 9-34825)

UNITED STATES. Census, Bureau of the. Benevolent Institutions, 1904. [Washington, D.C.: Govt. Print. Off.], 1905. 335 p. (Special Reports). A directory of 4,207 institutions (excluding 85), with their addresses and statistics: orphanages, hospitals, temporary homes for adults and children, etc. Includes a single alphabetical index to the institutions. (Charities--U.S.) (Hospitals--U.S.) (Orphanages--U.S.) (LC 06002276)

Without specific knowledge of the disposition of orphanage records in Minnesota, I can only say that for various states I hear of records being in the custody of a state library or local historical society---on a hit and miss basis in the absence of any statutory plan for record-keeping.

Reg Niles

Re: Orphages in St. Paul

RegNMINiles — 2005-07-18 21:48:45Z

According to a book titled, "Search and Research," by Noel C. Stevenson, Minnesota conducted a state census in 1895. The Minnesota State Archives, in St. Paul, had custody of all the state censuses at the time the book was published (1973).

I am not an expert in Minnesota genealogy, so I don't know if these censuses were indexed by name. If you are willing to search all of St. Paul there is a possibility you will find the entry for your grandmother and the name of her orphanage. Her entry may include something if her parent was of foreign birth---I don't know if the country of his birth is given.

With the name of the orphanage, you can post a new query seeking the records thereof on this message board (at Ancestry.com) and the message board for Ramsey County. You could also do a Google search for the name of the orphanage to see if someone started a webpage about it. You could also seek its records in local historical societies and a state library, if any.

Reg Niles

Re: Minnesota Benedictines taking orphans to Canada

2005-07-15 12:50:02Z

The surname was Dziewidek (pronounced Javedeck). There were 4 girls, Frances, Sophia, Louise and Teckla. They were taken in eventually by several families in Canada.

Re: Minnesota Benedictines taking orphans to Canada

purpleisit — 2005-07-15 02:37:18Z

just wondering what their names would be. My grandmother had brothers and sisters that she didn't know what happened to after her father died she went to the neighbors to live with them and help on the farm but this would have taken place during the dates that you have posted

Orphages in St. Paul

Flmom8 — 2005-07-01 18:50:57Z

I am searching for the records of 3 siblings who were placed in an orphanage about 1885 when their father died and remained there for about 10 years. The siblings were Madgalen Prommersberger (my gm) and her sisters Elizabeth and Sophia.The last name has shown up as Brommersberger in early census records. Any information would be helpful. Thanks, Pat

Minnesota Benedictines taking orphans to Canada

@@ljrjblack@earthlink.net — 2005-04-02 11:19:19Z

found out that some cousins had been taken, by the benedictines, to saskatchewan. they had been "adopted out" some time between 1909 and 1920 by their widowed mother. any idea of why the benedictines would be involved?
Thanks,

Minnesota orpanages

valleycem1 — 2005-03-19 00:13:32Z

I volunteer in Washington County, Mn to help with genealogy research and I come up with children being put into orphanages a lot and I never know where to turn. Is there some kind of listing out there of orphanages in Minnesota history? What happens to their old records?

Re: Old orphanages in MN

2005-03-15 14:37:20Z

Hi, there. If the timeframe were around WWII, I can't do any census look-ups as they are only available through 1930. Sorry about that. There were no doubt many orphanages in the state-- the only one I am familiar with as a large institution was the Owatonna State School in Steele county, but I believe they closed down as an orphanage in 1945 so at least that one can be removed as a possibility for your Hal Wolfe.

Sorry I couldn't be of more help. Good luck in your search.

Re: Old orphanages in MN

2005-03-15 09:30:56Z

danise
all the infomation I have is the name Hal Wolfe 2nd from Minnisota his father owned a lead pencil Factory and some time after the war he went home to run it and was a very strong worker for the orphanage in his home town this information was writen by my grandmother in her Autobiography as they were very good freinds during the second world war it would appear his wife was in an instution
and this Hal never remarried but spent all his free time helping the kids.

Re: Old orphanages in MN

2005-03-15 02:13:43Z

Not sure if I can help--but----what is Hal's formal first name ie; what did Hal stand for? What might be the years included in the 30 year range that he worked at the orphanage? Any names of spouses, or his children that might locate him on old census records to identify the area he lived in in MN? with this info, maybe I can try to do a few look-ups or census searches.

Thanks, Denise

Re: Old orphanages in MN

2005-03-14 15:12:07Z

I was hoping for some help I am looking for Hal wolfe the 2nd (or some family members ) who spent some 30 odd years working for a orpanage in Minnosota in his spare time it would appear he spent time in the UK during the war and his father had a lead pencil makers firm
any info would be thankful

Re: Minnesota Benedictines taking orphans to Canada

2004-09-27 21:31:50Z

What other cases are aware of the exporting of
United States citizens?

Re: Old orphanages in MN

denisepd — 2003-02-20 04:10:45Z

Susan, did you ever get any replies on this? I was browsing through and saw your message. There was a very large orphanage during the time you mention in Owatonna, MN, Steele county, called "The Owatonna State School for neglected and dependant children". My father-in-law spent some time there. About 18,000 children went through this orphanage between the years of approx. 1888-1945.

Denise

St. Paul, Minnesota Orphanage

2001-09-21 03:13:04Z

Does anyone know if there is a board with listings of adoptions out of this orphanage. I am looking for the surname of Balsiger.

Old orphanages in MN

srydquist — 2001-07-03 03:51:40Z

My grandfather was born in 1906 and raised in an orphanage(I believe in Mn).Need to find out who his parents were. I was told that he also had siblings. Searching for my Borg family tree. Please help! S_RYD@prodigy.net