Orphanages in Wisconsin - Family History & Genealogy Message Board

Looking for info on orphanage in 1880's LaCrosse, Wisconsin

BurrowPeg — 2009-11-05 03:09:58Z

My grandmother Alma (middle name - Bell from bible, but E was on divorce papers)Anderson was borned Feb 25, 1878 in LaCrosse, Wisconsin. The story has it that she and her siblings were placed in an orphanage when her parents split up. That she (my grandmother) was placed with a family and work on a farm. Later when older she worked at a hotel in Chicago, and that's were she met my grandfather AD Orem.

I would appreciate any information on her.

Re: Milwaukee County Orphanage

dabjmiller — 2009-11-01 21:43:38Z

I too am looking for info of my dad's stay in the Milwaukee Co. Home for Dependent Children.....he was in probably from 1935 - 1944.....his name is Frank Rudolph, his brother was Robert Rudolph, he was also in the home with my dad...their mother was Alice Rudolph, and the father was Robert Held...their grandfather was Frank X. Rudolph, he lived on 18th Street, Milwaukee in the 1930's-1940's...I too, am having a hard time locating my dad's records from the Co. Home for Dependent Children....no one has been very helpful with info in my researching so far.....so any info that you get, please pass it on to me....thanks !!

Re: Information/Kids that attended St Joseph's Orphanage Greenbay Wisconsin 1925-1940's or any other info.

brendavv2002 — 2009-10-29 21:00:37Z

HI

My Dad went to the orphanage, he was born april 7th 1940. I guess he had two older sisters when he was born. They thought they were about 5 and 10 years old in 1940.. Did you mom or aunt say they had a younger brother?

Re: Information/Kids that attended St Joseph's Orphanage Greenbay Wisconsin 1925-1940's or any other info.

brendavv2002 — 2009-10-28 18:46:32Z

HI,

My dad attended St Joseph orphanage in Green bay as an infant around 1940. He had two older sisters that were here as well, not sure why they all ended up living there..
My father was adopted to Gertrude and alvin vanveghel. Our last name is vanveghel, but I have heard my dad's mother name was "press". Do you remember a little boy at the orphanage with two older sisters? I guess 1 was 5 years old and the other was 10...
I would love to find out if I have cousins, aunts and uncles out there. :)

Re: St. Joseph Orphanage 3249 S. 18th Street, Milwaukee, WI

gracieduffy — 2009-09-01 16:32:14Z

You got further than me. Thank you for your help.
Becky

Re: St. Joseph Orphanage 3249 S. 18th Street, Milwaukee, WI

nhunkel — 2009-09-01 15:28:50Z

Becky= I emailed them, and got a call yesterday from someone in Milwaukee- Sister Brenda- who was very helpful and checked the records for me- was not able to locate my uncles, but will send me other info on where I can look- try calling her= 414-645-5337 x262= good luck!

Re: St. Joseph Orphanage 3249 S. 18th Street, Milwaukee, WI

gracieduffy — 2009-08-26 01:04:14Z

Hello,
I got the information from the Archidiocesan Archivist of Milwaukee. Shelly Solberg
e-mail: archives@archmil.org.
address: 3501 South Lake Drive, Milwaukee, WI 53207.

The anwser I got from her is that ALL REOCRDS ARE SEALED Post - 1920.
I can't get the address, names or dates of my uncles until ????. I wasn't told when the records would be available to family or to the public.
Frustrating.
See what you can find out,
I'd appreciate any updated news as to WHEN we can get the records.
Becky in California bcorroo@yahoo.com

Re: St. Joseph Orphanage 3249 S. 18th Street, Milwaukee, WI

nhunkel — 2009-08-25 23:11:51Z

Hi- you said the records were kept ath the Felicians Sisters in Chicago- where is that? I believe my uncles were there given up for adoption about 1936 and I cannot find records of them...my grandma married and pulled them out after that and I cant seem to verify that....

Re: St. Joseph's Orphanage, Green Bay Wisconsin, 1955-56

hallpat_1 — 2009-08-18 14:14:57Z

This is in response to an old message posted 12/20/2002, but I wanted to add that I spent two years at St. Joseph's between 1955-1957. Did you every get an answer to your request?

Re: St. Joseph Orphanage 3249 S. 18th Street, Milwaukee, WI

lakefun5 — 2009-07-14 04:11:08Z

Hi
My mother-in-law was also in St Josephs from 1929 - 1935.
The records are kept at the Felicians Sisters in Chicago.
If you Google St Josephs Milwaukee, there are some pictures posted.
It was built in 1907. Two years ago there was a reunion of any surviving orphans, here in Milwaukee. It was for the 100 year anniversary.
Hope this information helps in your search.
Judy Ganzke

"Arminia" JANUZZI

metaphor — 2009-07-03 16:18:03Z

shushu138, do you know your mother-in-law's birth month and day?

"Armine" JANUZZI was enumerated in Racine, Racine County, WI in 1930, age 16 (born c1914 in Wisconsin), with father Peter (born c1887 Italy, widowed) and brother Mike (born c1910 WI).

In 1920, Michael (age 7, born Italy), "Arminia" (age 5, born MN) and Dominic (age 3, born MN) all were enumerated at St. Joseph Orphanage in Superior, Douglas County, WI.

The MN Death Index lists a "Baby Hatherine Jannzzi" born 9 Mar 1915 in St. Louis County.

An SSDI entry for a Dominic Januzzi indicates birth date of 27 Apr 1918, death date Jan 1964, SSN issued in Wisconsin.

If you know your mother-in-law's birthdate, or approximation, it may be helpful to contact the St. Louis County, Minnesota, county recorder's office to inquire about birth records.

Re: St. Joseph's Orphanage- Superior, WI - Charles Harschlip

semkofam5 — 2009-06-23 18:53:52Z

I am related to Charles Harschlip and can give you information - please contact me at semkofam@charter.net

Re: St. Joseph's Orphanage- Superior, WI

cbutler_89 — 2009-06-23 18:49:04Z

Things are a little confusing. But my great-grandfather was Charles Harschlip who was married to Dorathy Babbitts/Schlesinger. She had 2 children previous marriage unknown Schlesinger;
1.Albertine(aka Tina) who married Lou Steele who lived in Rock Creek Twp, Dunn Cty, WI.
2. Anna who after Dorathy's death married Charles Harschlip from what I have found out.

Re: St. Joseph's Orphanage- Superior, WI

townofmaine — 2009-06-23 18:41:50Z

Thank you to those that replied about George Wyland. Does anyone know what happened to the other Wyland Children? I know they weren't orphaned while there, the parents just didn't want them. There were 7 children if I remember correctly. Also, I do know that the mother, Vernice Wyland, was at one time in Taycheedah Women's prison and may have had another child during that time.

Re: Information/Kids that attended St Joseph's Orphanage Greenbay Wisconsin 1925-1940's or any other info.

JoanHeller51 — 2009-06-12 07:37:20Z

Hi, My mother, Irma Williams and my Aunt Ida were at the orphanage. My mother was born about 1922 and was about 12 years old when she was sent to the orphanage. Did you know them per chance?

Re: St. Joseph's Orphanage- Superior, WI

pahoo45 — 2009-06-08 14:07:49Z

Actually, there were two other boys with George that day.. Dale Martineau and myself.

We made the decision to swim from the east end of Barkers Island to the grain elevator to save about 2 miles from the walk back to St Joe's. We tied our clothes to a large board which we took turns pushing ahead of us, but we lost them about halfway across. We weren't aware that there was a pretty strong current through there. Dale and I barely made it across, and saw that George was missing after we got out of the water.

It may be over 50 years ago (1958?) but I'll never forget that day.

Re: St. Joseph's Orphanage- Superior, WI

capeside — 2009-06-07 00:36:37Z

I was swimming with George the day he drowned. I don't remeber all the details as that happened over 50 years ago. I do remember a group of us swimming down by the grain elevators and when we realized we were late in getting back to the orphange George and one other boy deceided to take a short cut and swim to shore, the rest of us walked the long way around. I did not know that George didn't make it until I was back at the orphange. Very sad day for all.
cathy

Re: St. Joseph's Orphanage- Superior, WI

townofmaine — 2009-06-06 17:04:40Z

Lots of information can be found here:
http://www.vincerush.com/photogallery.php?album_id=8

Re: Milwaukee County Orphanage

beaches1822 — 2008-08-23 23:30:27Z

I believe my mother & her brother were in the Milwaukee County Orphanage from 1925 (approximately) until ???. When I became interested in my heritage, she (at the age of 54) she was told she had the early stages of Altzimer's. My dad took care of her for 24 years until she passed away. He would not talk much about her youth at first, then a little later, but now his memory is failing at the age of 86. Please help me. I want so very much to find out how long she was there with her brother. I do not know where to start looking. I just know she was in a seperate building for the girls and my uncle in the building for the boys. If you even know where the place was in Milwaukee County, and whom I should contact to find records I really would appreciate it. Thank you in advance. Barbara. PS My mother' name was Dorothy Marie Blohm and her brother Edward ? Blohm. They were approximately 3 to 4 years old then.

Re: St. Joseph's Orphanage- Superior, WI

pahoo45 — 2008-07-19 11:12:32Z

Yes, I remember Bonnie.. but she probably wouldn't remember me.

I didn't know her as well as my sisters did, but I could probably pick her out of a picture (if one existed). If I recall right, she was there around 1958/59.

Re: St. Joseph's Orphanage- Superior, WI

pahoo45 — 2008-03-30 14:46:51Z

That picture might look a little strange because the building is missing the bell dome that was directly above that part.

As you may recall, St. Joe's was built in the shape of a cross. What you're looking at in that photo is the very top of the cross. A part of one of the 'arms' is just barely visible to the left of the broken window.

Re: St. Joseph's Orphanage- Superior, WI

pahoo45 — 2009-05-08 04:04:36Z

The picture I posted is all me brothers and sisters (except my oldest brother). See if you can pick out Ruth, Leola, and myself.

:o)

Re: St. Joseph's Orphanage- Superior, WI

pahoo45 — 2009-05-08 04:02:15Z

I would love to see any pictures you have of ANY of the St Joe's kids. I don't have any pictures of them at all. If you can scan them, my email is pahoo@tcinternet.net

Re: St. Joseph's Orphanage- Superior, WI

pahoo45 — 2009-05-08 01:13:10Z

Steve Rutkowski

Do the names Ruthanne and Leola ring a bell?

:o)

Re: St. Joseph's Orphanage- Superior, WI

pahoo45 — 2009-03-23 10:11:01Z

I'd love to see those pictures. Perhaps I could identify anyone in them.

There's a good chance that we know each other since I also left St. Joe's in '59.

pahoo@tcinternet.net (Steve)

Re: St. Joseph's Orphanage- Superior, WI

capeside — 2009-03-23 01:36:32Z

I lived in St. Joseph Orphange until 1959. I have a few pictures that were taken while I was there. I believe one of them is Bonnie Gerhman

Re: St. Joseph's Orphanage- Superior, WI

capeside — 2009-05-08 01:55:31Z

Ruthann and Leola were friends of mine while in the orphange
Does anyone remember the Greniers? Lucky, Ron ,Bill, Jerry and myself Cathy

Re: St. Joseph's Orphanage- Superior, WI

katiep21 — 2009-01-21 18:09:22Z

If you get enough requests and decide to put a few pictures in an email, could you please email to me at kmichgirl@hotmail.com? Thank you so much! I know it would mean a lot to my mother-in-law whose grandmother and siblings were taken there when their mother, Maggie Schneider, died suddenly after childbirth in 1904.

Re: St. Joseph's Orphanage- Superior, WI

cfrancis041 — 2008-04-15 01:52:35Z

Joany, My father and three of his siblings were in St Josephs orphanage for 5 years from 1937 to 1942. Like your father the experience was horrific. My father was in the process of writing a story about his families days in the orphanage when he passed away. I am currently trying to finish this book for him so anyone with information or pictures that would like to share it would be appreciated. I too will share what I have and I do have lots of pictures.
Back to your comment about the experience, Some had wonderful experiences and others did not due to a huge change in staff at the orphanage. So depending on the years you were there your experiences could differ. In my fathers book he states that about the last year or two all of the nuns and the priest were removed from the home and a new (nicer) batch was brought in. My father said<, "that they were sent from god because surely the first batch was from the devil." If you would like me to ask the three siblings that are still living if they know the people you are looking for send me the information: cfrancis@deskmedia.com
You can try cencus reports too. I am told that the children are listed on there.
Hope this was helpful,
CF

Re: St. Joseph's Orphanage- Superior, WI

cfrancis041 — 2008-07-16 03:58:12Z

I was told they do not have anything. It's funny how so many places will not release any information about that place. I would love to find some pictures of the inside (besides the chapel).

Re: St. Joseph's Orphanage- Superior, WI

cfrancis041 — 2008-07-16 03:55:50Z

I would love to talk to you more about the orphanage. Why don't you e-mail me at cfrancis@deskmedia.com and we can see if we have some stuff on the orphanage to swap. Is your father still living? Maybe he would enjoy reading what my father wrote or even have some things to add.

Re: St. Joseph's Orphanage- Superior, WI

gslovick — 2009-05-07 19:03:00Z

Steve who??? My sister Muggs and I were there from 55'--59'

Re: St. Joseph's Orphanage- Superior, WI

gslovick — 2009-05-08 03:11:59Z

Steve, I have pics of your sisters,and several of the others---I had a camera,and took alot of pics. Also got a few from Fr. Tracy befor he died. Bonnie

Re: St. Joseph's Orphanage- Superior, WI

gslovick — 2009-05-08 02:57:45Z

I sure do remember cute Cathy Grenier and your brothers. Lucky was my age and I used to see him around Superior years ago. He and Joe McLaughlin were two of my favorite
guy friends.Joe is still around ,as are John and some of their sibs.Muggs was a friend of yours I beleive.
Little Stevie, Ruthie was one of my BEST friends there!I kept in touch with her for several years,until she got sick.

Re: St. Joseph's Orphanage- Superior, WI

kageistfe — 2008-07-07 00:17:18Z

Hello,

Have you checked with the Douglas County Historical Society?

Re: St. Joseph's Orphanage- Superior, WI

lklaus5184 — 2008-07-18 01:29:39Z

Did you know Bonita Gehrmann?

Re: Milwaukee County Orphanage

kathopp44 — 2008-08-24 23:01:37Z

Not sure if I replied to your query. Let me apoligize if I did not. Anyway I did reply recently to a query, so you may want to look at my reply.

Don

Re: Milwaukee County Orphanage

kathopp44 — 2008-08-24 22:58:05Z

Sorry I can't be of much help but I can tell you what I found out. First the offficial name was the Milwaukee Home for Dependent Childern. Seemed very difficult to locate even on Milwaukee County and WI.State Historical web sites if you do not the correct name. Milwaukee Co. Orphanges didn't turn anything up. You can locate a photo of the remaining build by doing a to Goggle Map seach. It will give you a great view of the remaining building. The site also says this "
Milwaukee County Home for Dependent Children--Administriation Building is a building located in Milwaukee County, in the city of Wauwatosa. This building was listed as a historic place according to the laws of the state of Wisconsin..." So at least you know it is still there. Another site: http://www.poorhousestory.com/WISC_PhotoScrapbook.htm has an older photo and states the building have been torn down. I don't think that is correct since the Goggle map seach give you a great street view. I have some photos I got off another web site I will be glad to send them to you. Not sure I can do this using Ancestory, but we can work it out.
Anyway I did attempt to contact some of the Milwaukee Co folks in attempt to locate the records..but no luck. So you might want to contact the Milwaukee Co. Historical or Genealogical Societies and see if they can help.
I have to admit I lost interest as I was doing this for one of my relatives and they lost interest so I dropped the seach.
Just to share with you, my mother was in a Masonic Orphanage. I located the orphange in OR. The buildings were all there and in good shape. When I aked to see the records they said the records were in the attic and they wouldn't go up there as there were too many Bats.
Anyway good luck in your seach. If loacate the records let me know.
Don
Thousand Oaks CA USA

Adoption Agencies, Orphanages and Maternity Homes : An Historical Directory

RegNMINiles — 2009-03-26 23:52:02Z

Free access to the book is on the Internet as indicated at:
http://boards.ancestry.com/surnames.gaudry/2.3.13.1/mb.ashx

Reg Niles
RegNMINiles#cs.com
(change pound sign to at sign)

St. Joseph Orphanage 3249 S. 18th Street, Milwaukee, WI

gracieduffy — 2009-02-10 22:51:22Z

Does anyone have a picture of St. Joseph Orphanage in the 1930s?
Any stories about how it was in 1933 - 38?
My two uncles Jim and Tom were placed in the orphanage in 1933. They were 8 and 9 years old. New to the Milwaukee area.
Their mother died and their father couldn't take care of them when he worked 12 - 14 hours a day.
It was understood that they were not to be adopted.

Bill Corroo
bcorroo@yahoo.com

Re: St. Joseph's Orphanage- Superior, WI

seba1956 — 2009-01-10 11:03:18Z

can you send email the pictures to me or arrange to get copies of the pictures thankyou seba1956@comcast.net

Re: St. Joseph's Orphanage- Superior, WI

seba1956 — 2008-07-23 17:16:29Z

i would like to know if any one pictures of st josephs or where i can obtain them. I lived in the home in the 1960's

birth parents names - 1911

ajlauer1 — 2008-09-22 02:22:34Z

attempt to find the parents names of my father, wilfred francis lauer. his birth date is 02/23/1911, born in superior, wi. he was adopted by frank and mary lauer when he was about 6 years old. possibly names mentioned were o'day or lafex. if anyone has a suggestion of how to research the orpanage records to determine my genealogy history, i would appreciate it.

Re: St. Joseph's Orphanage- Superior, WI

townofmaine — 2009-06-06 16:35:18Z

Does anyone remember any of the Wyland Children that resided there? I'm one of them. I believe one of my brothers drowned in Lake Superior while staying at the orphanage. There were 7 of us. Our mother was Vernice Wyland. I believe she was in prison at some point for prostitution. George Wyland was our father. We were unwanted and just dumped there. Parents never visted.

St. Josephs, Superior Wisconsin. circa 1919

shushu138 — 2009-03-27 02:39:37Z

Anyone have family that was in this home in about 1919-1924 or so? My mother in law. Erminia (Erma) Jannuzzi was there as a 5 year old. I am doing research for my husband. Her 2 brothers were in another home. She was moved to Milwaukee at some point. She has no birth certificate and we are trying to back into it. Thanks. Cheri

Re: St. Joseph's Orphanage- Superior, WI

JoanHoffman949 — 2008-12-07 00:10:38Z

My father died in March of this year. But, I would very much enjoy hearing what you have to tell me about the place. It looked pretty from the outside.
Joany Hoffman, (John Palko’s Daughter)

Re: St. Joseph's Orphanage- Superior, WI

JoanHoffman949 — 2008-07-13 23:49:39Z

Hi,
I am still working on genealogical search and have hit a road block in researching an Aunt. My Father John Palko told me that if you did not have anyone paying money to keep you at St Joes that you were treated differently than those who had someone supporting them financially. Plus, my grandfather would not allow his children to be adopted after his wife’s death. Thus the poor treatment they received from the priest and nuns. My father told me father Jugowhiskey as he called him was a mean alcolohic. Just what I was told by my 84 year old deceased Father. You know, my father had heard about abuse by the clergy, he even asked if he could file a complaint against the people that used to be there or represented them. I told him I thought it was too long ago. Maybe I should have listened to him. Joany

Re: St. Joseph's Orphanage- Superior, WI

Jeschmidt125 — 2009-01-10 08:37:07Z

Have about 15+ photos of the building and the demolition, plus some of its history; dfficult to consolidate and find; let me know jeschmidt_ch@yahoo.com.

Lacrosse Orphanage

hammersx3 — 2008-11-22 01:04:53Z

My Mother gave up a child in 1956 or 1957 apparently to a Orphanage in Lacrosse Wisconsin, it was a boy, her maiden name was Tracy. Anyone out there have any information? We would like to find him.

Re: St. Joseph's Orphanage- Superior, WI

ceharschlip — 2008-03-29 15:20:42Z

Yes, the picture I posted was of the St. Joseph's Children's Home in Superior, WI. It was a Catholic Orphanage run by nuns.

Perhaps the picture doesn't look familiar? I believe it was taken in the late 80's or early 90's before the building was demolished.