Searching for Birth Mother & Birth Father. I was born March 06, 1971 in St Paul. Information that I have on Birth Mother is: She was born in Illinois in 1952 and attended HS in Ramsey or Hennepin County, she worked as a nurses aide in a local nursing home and took pottery classes at a Wisconsin college. She also took a summer school class in art. She had 2 other sisters, one which was a telephone operator, and 1 brother who had 2 years of college and had served in the army. I have more identifying information for my Birth Mother. My Birth Father was born in Wisconsin in 1952, he worked at an automotive place in Ramsey County, IF ANYONE KNOWS, OR BELIEVES THEY KNOW, WHO MY BIRTH MOTHER,OR BIRTH FATHER MAY BE, PLEASE CONTACT ME BY E-MAIL AT: [email protected]_ (mailto:[email protected]) Thank You

Can anyone help Kathy? Be sure to include her address in your response. "Kathy Johnson" <[email protected]> >Oct, 9, 2005 - Kathy Johnson - <mailto:[email protected]>[email protected] > > Charles WHEELER died 16 Feb 1886 in St. Paul, Ramsey,MN at the home of > one of his children (name unknown). Charles was from Camden, Oneida, NY > and had taken residence with his children a few years prior to his death. > I am looking for information on any members of this family, and would > particularly like to find his obituary.

I found this very interesting. this is a great site to find house information in Minnesota. http://rrinfo.co.ramsey.mn.us/public/characteristic/Parcel.pasp?scrn=Quick&pin=022823210147&cnt=0 Michelle Jackson, GA

At 05:02 PM 10/4/2005, Pam Wagoner wrote: >Thanks to everyone who suggested the Minnesota Historical >Society. According to their website they only have 1905-1907 and >1908-1996, even though I did see a 1999 date on a person. I agree it's a >wonderful site and so much more satisfying when they provide you with a >copy online almost immediately. > >If I'm reading their holdings incorrectly, please let me know. What is offered on their on-line index is only a part of their holdings. They have microfilm of death cards (similar to certs) for 1899-1907, the later of which are indexed on-line. The earlier ones are not, at least not yet. They are easy to use. First sorted by year, then by county, Minneapolis, St. Paul and Duluth, then alphabetically, looking someone up is relatively easy when you know the year and the location. You can get the films via interlibrary loan, or try again to see if someone will go there and make a copy for you. Mary >Pam > > > >============================== >Jumpstart your genealogy with OneWorldTree. Search not only for >ancestors, but entire generations. Learn more: >http://www.ancestry.com/s13972/rd.ashx Mary Bakeman [email protected] Ramsey MnGenWeb Coordintor http://www.parkbooks.com/MnGenWeb/ Park Genealogical Books http://www.parkbooks.com/

At 04:20 PM 10/4/2005, you wrote: >I would like to obtain a copy of the Death Certificate for Ann Curtin, who >died 5 December 1900 in St. Paul. According to the Ramsey county website >you need to provide a notarized request for that information whcih seems a >bit excessive. Is there anyone on the list that does lookups and >copying? I would be willing to pay. > >Pam Wagoner >Oregon There should be a death card for her at the MN History Center -- check our swap page http://www.parkbooks.com/Html/swap.html for people who might help. That will be a lot cheaper than going through the county health department. I'll also put it on the MnRamsey mailing list -- there are people who might do it Please respond to Pam privately at <[email protected]> Mary Mary Bakeman [email protected] Ramsey MnGenWeb Coordintor http://www.parkbooks.com/MnGenWeb/ Park Genealogical Books http://www.parkbooks.com/

Thanks to everyone who suggested the Minnesota Historical Society. According to their website they only have 1905-1907 and 1908-1996, even though I did see a 1999 date on a person. I agree it's a wonderful site and so much more satisfying when they provide you with a copy online almost immediately. If I'm reading their holdings incorrectly, please let me know. Pam

I would like to obtain a copy of the Death Certificate for Ann Curtin, who died 5 December 1900 in St. Paul. According to the Ramsey county website you need to provide a notarized request for that information whcih seems a bit excessive. Is there anyone on the list that does lookups and copying? I would be willing to pay. Pam Wagoner Oregon

There was a house at 961 Selby Ave. as recently as 1994, and it is likely still there today. Chances are that it is the original house built on that site. I will check for sure next time I am in the area and let you know. That area of the Summit-Hill neighborhood was built mostly during the 1880s and 1890s. The neighborhood suffered greatly from inner-city urban neglect by the 1960s, caused by a high concentration of poverty. A large number of the original buildings were lost during this period. Today the neighborhood is greatly rejuvenated, many new homes and shops have been built, and there are plans for more. Selby Avenue marks the center of the oldest African American neighborhood in St. Paul, dating from the 1860s. Originally, the African American community centered around Rondo Street, but when Rondo St. was replaced by Interstate 94 during the 1960s, many of the former residents moved south to the Selby Ave. area. There is also a much newer (beginning in the 1980s) African American community on the Eastside of St. Paul, near Payne Avenue. The Payne Avenue area was first settled during the 1870s and 1880s by Scandinavians, many of them railroad workers. Hope this helps.

Yes, Dawn, my grandmother was the granddaughter of Charles Willes and his wife. I only learned this within the past year, not previously knowing anything about my grandmother's family. She was my brick wall! She married Irvine Dugan, son of Margretta Tostevin and Robert Dugan, of St. Paul. Linda

Does anyone know whether the house which was located at 961 Selby in the early 1900's is still standing? Thanks!

Can sks tell me the which ward Eagle Street, St.Paul is in? or where I can look up this information? TIA Judy

In 1852 Mr. and Mrs. Charles L. Willes came from Cleveland, Ohio, Mrs. Willes coming on her wedding trip; they bought a home on Irvine Park, adding another to our attractive homes. Mrs. Willes was beautiful and refined, worthy to join the group composed of Mrs. Ramsey, Mrs. Sibley, and others of our company forming the best society. Mr. Willes had the advantage of some of our young men, in that he was well to do and could help in civic improvements in many ways. Mrs. Willes is still with us, and her children and grandchildren are leaders in social and intellectual life. Linda here is some food for thought: This came from Railroad history 1849 to 1875. Could your grandmother be a granddaughter Of this woman? Irvine Park is near Downtown St Paul. The Ramsey's and The Sibley's were prominent families in St Paul in the Late 1800's. Both husbands were governor's of MN. Dawn a former St Paulite ----- Original Message ----- From: Linda J Naranjo<mailto:[email protected]> To: [email protected]<mailto:[email protected]> Sent: Wednesday, September 28, 2005 8:52 PM Subject: [mnramsey] Re: MNRAMSEY-D Digest Selby Ave My grandmother, Sue Merrille Willes, lived with her parents and siblings at 210 Selby in 1898. I suppose by now the house must be gone. Linda Naranjo Seattle, WA ============================== Search the US Census Collection. Over 140 million records added in the last 12 months. Largest online collection in the world. Learn more: http://www.ancestry.com/s13965/rd.ashx<http://www.ancestry.com/s13965/rd.ashx>

Dear Linda, Selby Ave. begins near the Cathedral of St. Paul (built 1906-1915), near downtown, and extends several miles to the western city limits. The No. 210 Selby Ave., is where the Cathedral of St. Paul parking lot is located today. My records indicate that there were never any houses which faced Selby Ave. on that property. There was one house on Summit Ave., on the site of today's parking lot. Could you please check the number and let me know. I believe 210 is incorrect. The street is named for Jeremiah Selby, who had a small farm on the bluff in the 1850s, near today's Cathedral. It was an early business street for the St. Anthony Hill neighborhood, and carried the streetcar traffic to and from downtown. The famous Selby Tunnel started just below the Cathedral bluff, and opened onto Selby Ave., just beyond the Cathedral building. The underground tunnel was built in 1907, to safely carry streetcars up the steep hill. Street cars before that, had to ascend the hill by a cable and pulley system. After a terrible streetcar accident on the hill claimed several lives, it was decided that there was a need for a safer system. The tunnel was closed after the streetcars disappeared from our streets (replaced by buses) in 1954. For many years after, the old Selby Tunnel sheltered scores of homeless during our bitter winters. About ten years ago the city permanently sealed the entrance to the tunnel. Linda J Naranjo wrote: > My grandmother, Sue Merrille Willes, lived with her parents and siblings > at 210 Selby in 1898. I suppose by now the house must be gone. > Linda Naranjo > Seattle, WA > > ============================== > Search the US Census Collection. Over 140 million records added in the > last 12 months. Largest online collection in the world. Learn more: http://www.ancestry.com/s13965/rd.ashx

My grandmother, Sue Merrille Willes, lived with her parents and siblings at 210 Selby in 1898. I suppose by now the house must be gone. Linda Naranjo Seattle, WA

In a message dated 9/26/2005 11:42:17 PM Central Daylight Time, [email protected] writes: The one-story brick structure (for many years painted white) stood at the northeast corner of Eagle and Washington St. Now that you state that, I remember it!! Annie in Minnesota

Sorry I put an extra letter in the street name in my previous message. I'm interested in 961 Selby Street in St. Paul.

My great grandfather, Gustav Luck, owned a saloon at 174 East 5th street in St. Paul. This is noted in the 1890 city directory. I looked at some old fire insurance maps of the area at the MN Historical Society to no avail for further information. Can someone expound on the area of the saloon and perhaps locate a name of the business? Steve Luck

In a message dated 9/27/2005 7:58:25 AM Central Daylight Time, [email protected] writes: 961 Shelby Street Shelby or Selby? If it is Selby, it is an area that has been undergoing renovations in the last few years. It had just about hit bottom, as usually happens before a neighborhood is reclaimed and renovated and is looking much better now. Let me know for sure on the address. Annie in Minnesota

I have enjoyed reading the recent messages about the history of old addresses in St. Paul. My great-grandmother, Elizabeth Hunt Page, and my great-great-grandfather, William Hunt, resided at 961 Shelby Street in St. Paul prior to 1910. I would love to know the history of this street and address. It is said that she sometimes worked at a tavern of some kind. Was there one near this area? Thanks!

Dear Friends, Lots of interesting conversation about 222 Eagle St., so I thought I would add some first hand information. Eagle Street, one of our city's oldest, was platted in 1849, and opened for traffic during the first year of Minnesota's territorial period. The street is just a few short blocks, running south from West Seventh St. (at Seven Corners) to the Mississippi River. A few years ago, the city rerouted Eagle street to intersect Chestnut St., near Ryan St., and renamed the street Eagle Parkway, mainly because it connects with the new park land along the Mississippi River front. The corner where No. 222 Eagle St. once stood no longer exists after the recent rerouting. No. 222 Eagle St. was a very interesting building, with a long and somewhat tainted reputation. The one-story brick structure (for many years painted white) stood at the northeast corner of Eagle and Washington St. The building was built in the 1870s as a saloon. It's strategically planned location couldn't have been more intentional - - for it was located in the heart of St. Paul's red-light district, known as "Below the Hill". Immediately behind the saloon on Eagle, stood a row of brick and stone brothels, lining Washington Street. By the 1880's, across from the brothels on Washington, stood the city's electric power plant, and the County Morgue. The most famous, of the more than two dozen brothels in the area, was that of Nina Clifford, which stood at 147 S. Washington, and which she operated continuously from 1889 to her death in 1929. Her notorious, and well patronized "house" was just a half block from the little saloon at 222 Eagle St. (The ornate crystal chandelier, which once graced the foyer of Nina's establishment, has been a constant conversation piece, since it was installed in our St. Paul mayor's office in 1938, when the brothel was demolished.) The demolition of Nina's brothel in 1938, spelled the end of the city's oldest red-light district, and soon there was no need for a saloon in the area. In it's last years, the saloon building at 222 Eagle was used as a shop and residence for a painter and interior decorator. I believe he was of Norwegian origin. Demolished sometime in the late 1960s, or early 1970s, the old saloon building at 222 Eagle St., resurfaced in the news, when construction crews excavating for the new Minnesota Science Museum, unearthed the basement level of Nina Clifford's brothel. They also found the area around the brothel laden with hundreds of artifacts - - some dating from the 1850s and 1860s. Construction was halted for a month, while dozens of state and local archaeologists descended on the site. With only 30 days to recover what they could, less than 10% of the entire city block-sized site was surveyed and searched. Included in the archaeological dig was the former "refrigerator" for the saloon which stood at 222 Eagle St. The term refrigerator here describes a deep, stone-lined pit, which was located behind the little brick saloon. Originally it would have been lined with sawdust, and then filled with ice. This is where they kept things cool during hot Minnesota summers back in the 1870s and 1880s. In later years, after the refrigerator pit was no longer needed, it was used as a trash pit for the saloon. Literally hundreds of bottles -- some quite valuable, were recovered from the site. In all, several thousand artifacts were recovered from the brothel and saloon digs. The Minnesota Historical Society called the dig - "One of the most successful domestic archaeological recovery sites, in the entire history of Minnesota archaeology." The finds included jewelry, bottles, coins, clothing, and almost anything you can imagine used in or around a house or saloon. Some of the items were quite exquisite in design and detail. The old saloon at 222 Eagle St. took on a new label and reputation when some of the archaeologists misidentified the building as the former "Bucket of Blood Saloon" on their maps and literature produced to publicize the dig and the finds. Although the "Bucket of Blood" was a real saloon, and did exist at one time in the neighborhood - - it actually stood more than a block away for the location of 222 Eagle St., and had been demolished several decades before the building on Eagle St. By the way - "Bucket of Blood" refers to the folklore of the nearby saloon, where it is said, there were so many fights between patrons each night, that the owner mopped up a "bucket of blood" every night at closing. For those of you familiar with St. Paul, the area described here is now the site of the Minnesota Science Museum on Kellogg Blvd, and some of the property immediately behind the museum - in between the museum and the Irvine Park neighborhood. If you have any questions, please don't hesitate to contact me.