Hi Dakota County Researchers, While I'm not new to Minn research, I recently found a Lakeville connection. Of course now I'm excited that I may still find missing person. Can someone give me names of old cemeteries for Lakeville. Joseph Herrera died between 1885 and 1895. The township for Lakeville would be helpful also. JoAnn [email protected]

Dakota Co. Tribune, Dated July 1905 We regret to record the sudden death of our valued friend, Mrs. M. Cannon, which took place at the home of her sister, Mrs. P. Cahill of St. Paul, July 20. The remains were taken to her old home in Empire. She was a woman of superior mind and gifted with remarkable faith and piety and a sympathizing friend of the sick and sorrowing. She bore her sufferings in an exemplary and Christian manner and passed to the other world consoled by the rites of the church to whose teachings she was so faithful. She is survived by a husband, four sisters, and a brother. The funeral was held Saturday morning from St. Patrick's Church, Inver Grove, Rev. Fr. O'Connor officiating. The funeral sermon was preached by Rev. Fr. Stauton of St. Paul. The community sympathizes with the family in its bereavement and sorrow.

I have checked my records and our John Henkes didn't have a son named Martin. He was born in 1818 and died in 1912 in Vermillion MN. He was widowed before coming to USA from Rhine Province Germany with 5 children, Mary, Magdelena, Nicholas, Ann and Margaret. If you ever come across this family keep me in mind as I will do for your Martin. Thanks BARB RYAN

Sorry about the author deal. Looking for my grandfather Sebastian Sommer. All I know he was from Bavaria. Came to the States about 1880 Born 1-20-1854Any information will help- Thanks Hulda

Seeking information on Sebastian sommer born 1-20-1854 from Bavaria. Died in Michigan 7-22- 1940

I also have a Wilkinson mystery. I am searching for a Cora E. Wilkinson who may or may not have married a Lowell Thompson of Ramsey County, MN. Cora was the birth mother to Mary Ella Thompson, b. 9 APR 1894 at 116 Eaton Avenue, St. Paul. Mary Ella was put up for adoption through the Children's Home Society. Information from the adoption papers would make Cora b. between 1875-76 and Lowell b. between 1869-69. The adoption papers say that Lowell was her husband and he had abandoned her. The 1895 St. Paul City Directory lists: Wilkinson, Cora, bds 932 Fauquier Place. Fauquier is a few blocks N. of East 7th Street, just off Arcade. If you can connect to Cora, please let me know.

I also have a Nicholas Backes in my family, not related, but there is a letter we found in the house, which was my great-grandpa's house, probably 40 years ago. Nobody living then knew anything about it, and nobody now does either, but it says, written in pencil, no date, " Maple Lake, Wright Co, Minn, Dear Friend hew ever you are, Mrs. Mike O Loughlin asked me about a Brother of the name of Nicholas Backes. My name is Nicholaus Backes and I havend got no Sister, but two Brothers and 53 years old been born in Germany in Meckel Kreis(?) Bitbury Rgl Trier Rhein Provinz but as near as I can come to at your Parents or you must be born in Alsdorf same Kresi My Fathers name was Charl Backes. Please tell your Father to write me in Deutch. Best Regars, N Backes" Maybe something in this will help you. I would love to know if so, the search for my Backes family has kept me interested for a long time now.

I also have a Nicholas Backes in my family, not related, but there is a letter we found in the house, which was my great-grandpa's house, probably 40 years ago. Nobody living then knew anything about it, and nobody now does either, but it says, written in pencil, no date, " Maple Lake, Wright Co, Minn, Dear Friend hew ever you are, Mrs. Mike O Loughlin asked me about a Brother of the name of Nicholas Backes. My name is Nicholaus Backes and I havend got no Sister, but two Brothers and 53 years old been born in Germany in Meckel Kreis(?) Bitbury Rgl Trier Rhein Provinz but as near as I can come to at your Parents or you must be born in Alsdorf same Kresi My Fathers name was Charl Backes. Please tell your Father to write me in Deutch. Best Regars, N Backes" Maybe something in this will help you. I would love to know if so, the search for my Backes family has kept me interested for a long time now.

Would some kind reader of this web page be willing to look at Lakeview Cemetery records and tell me if birth and death dates are given for Rufus C. and Harriet (possibly Hattie or Hazel) Dunham? The notes I have state they were probable burials. Any help would be appreciated. Bob Saunders, Salem, OR.

Would some kind reader of this mailing list be willing to look at Lakeview Cemetery records and tell me if birth and death dates are given for Rufus C. and Harriet (possibly Hattie or Hazel) Dunham? The notes I have state they were probable burials. Any help would be appreciated. Bob Saunders, Salem, OR.

Michael- My Grandmother was Anna English (Beckrich)

Is anyone familiar with Nicolous (Nickolas) Feipel who came to the states in 1900 aboard The Southwark. On the same ship came three sister, Calla, Lucie and Marie Bechen, ages 16, 14, and 11. Nicholas and Lucie would eventually marry and have sons Nick, Benjamin, Anthony, Joseph, and daughters Isabel, Helen and Katherine. They lived in South Dakota, West Bend, Iowa, Deep River, Iowa and finally Chicago. The three sisters father was Victor Bechen with an address of 1339 Brynmaur in Chicago. Nickolas had a cousin names Thisdore Nellis of 861 W. Lavett Street in Chicago.

Could someone please look up the household of Frederick McCollum in 1910? They may be living in St. Paul, Ramsey County or South St. Paul, Dakota County. They should be listed with a child, Bessie, 2-3 years old and a child George, 1 yr. old. If it's possible to find who the next door neighbors are, that would be wonderful. Bessie's father was left with 6 or 7 young children to raise when their mother died giving birth to Bessie. My grgrandparents adopted her, as Bessie's natural father was unable to both work and care for her. We don't know who her natural parents were. Sadly, Bessie died at age 14 when she contracted a communicable illness. Adoption records are not open for 100 years. My 85 year old grandmother wants to know more about her sister's family. Sonja Lende

Michael: Which of your three names are from Dakota Co.? By chance English or Beckrich wouldnt be the one would it? I had an Aunt(maybe cousin) Barbara Beckrich who was a school counseler at Park High (also my Grandmothers maiden name) Grandmothers married name was English, which is my maiden name. I would appreciate any info you have on those to name. I'm not having any luck with the Beckrich name at all.

Hi George, Just a quick note to give you my email [email protected] I'm at work right now so my time is limited. I will be happy to share the info from the green book with you. Catch you later. Catherine

To Catherine Madigan. Delighted to hear from you with your information and would like to have your e-mail address for further reference. No, I hadn't heard of the little booklet you mentioned and would like to know more concerning it, or if more had been detailed on Michael Rowan and wife Sarah Neallis. I've found out quite a little here and there which I'll send along to you, Sarah also spelling her name Nellis or Nelis and with a brother and sister in the area as well, her marriage date and all children, birth and death dates for some. And of late her parents' names in Ireland. (And I am in communication with one of the Gepharts...) But there's SO much yet to find out. Let me know what sort of facts you're searching and I'll try to be on the look for them. Again, MANY thanks, Catherine, George Murphy. My e-mail -- [email protected]

Dear George, I just came across your message from last year inquiring about Michael Rowan Jr.. I have a little green book called "Church on the Seven Mile Prairie". Have you heard of it? It gives information on Michael Roan Jr. (later changed the spelling of Roan to Rowan) and Sarah Neallis. According to the book Michael Jr. son's, Michael, married a woman whose last name was Strong. I too am doing research on Dakota Co. families. Madigans, Redmonds and oddly enough a Murphy family. In case you don't know, the Gephart family is an old Lakeville family (Dakota Co.) who started their business by making furniture and coffins in the 1850's. I know this because I am geneologically familiar with the area. Good luck on your continuing search!! Warm Regards Catherine Madigan

If you are looking for John Henkes whos son Martin Henkes who married Anna Catherine or Catherine Anna KUHN.....they I have info down............but not back.........am interested in what you have if we tie in. Do you have back on her??????????? Will share greatfully! ~Yvonne

I did a search and found this: Brown, Mrs. Cecilia, died 12-12-1944 in Ramsey County. MN Record # 026512 To get it to come up, you have to chose EXACT for the first field where you enter last name, Brown and "CONTAINING" in the second field for Cecelia. It screws up the search when someone puts Mrs. in front of the name. I checked that way because it was common in that timeframe. You can order that record on-line for $8.00. http://people.mnhs.org/dci/ This should have her spouse's name, even if deceased, the informant, and parents' names and place of birth, if the informant knew them. I live in Hopkins, MN. Where are you? Sonja

I'm sure you've all been there. You've spent years and years researching the whereabouts of a certain ancestor who "went west," but with little success. The paper trail suddenly stops. Was he/she abducted by aliens, you ask yourself, as the theme for "Twilight Zone" echoes in your head? My "uncooperative" ancestor, ALEXANDER JAMES (1808-1858), moved his wife, Phoebe Wilcox (1820-1910), and 3 daughters (Anjennette-1849, Mary-1851, and Laura-1854) from Branch County, Union City, MI to Dakota Co, Hastings, MN around 1855. His 4th daughter, Emily Ida, was born in Hastings, MN in August 1856, according to her obituary. Alexander died in January 1858, and his wife returned to Coldwater, MI the following spring. I've spent many years attempting to prove that Alexander James had lived in Dakota County, and died there, but to no avail. I was unsuccessful in finding him in the 1857 census for the region, but admittedly, it was a fast perusal, since time was limited. If any! one who resides in the area could maybe take a quick look for ALEXANDER JAMES in some land records, or cemetery records, or whatever records seem appropriate, I would appreciate the effort beyond words. If not, then could someone who has an understanding of Dakota County resources at least point me in the proper direction? I would dearly like to solve this puzzle someday!! If anyone needs a similar helping-hand in my vicinity (Kent County, MI), I would be more than happy to reciprocate. Thanks!