Archive for the 'Milwaukee County' Category

1861 New Years Day Fire Destroyed Milwaukee Public Records

Thursday, January 1st, 2009

I thought this article was interesting enough to post in its entirety here.  It describes a fire where the papers of the city offices were destroyed.  Explains why a lot of records are missing!

Milwaukee Daily Sentinel, (Milwaukee, WI) Tuesday, January 01, 1861; Issue 1; col E

Another Fire! Cross’ Block in Ruins!

At precisely twenty minutes to two o’clock on Sunday morning, while a portion of the firemen were yet a the fire on Walker’s point, the alarm was given for the third district, and Cross’ Block on the corner of Huron and Water Streets was discovered to be in flames.  The firemen, already drenched with water and coated with ice, repaired from one scene of destruction to another, and recommenced their efforts to save the property from the devouring elements.  When first seen, the flames were confined to the hall in the third story, and there being no one in any of the offices at that tie, there is no theory that will account for the fire but that of incrediarism.  From the hall the flames spread rapidly to the adjoining offices occupied by city officers, and in an incredible short space of time the Common Council Chamber, the City Clerk’s office, School Commissioners’ room, and the various offices were wrapped in a common blaze.  Armstrong & Spink, Bankers, occupied the corner room on the ground floor.  They succeeded in saving their office furniture, even to the carpet.  THeir books and papers were secured in a large safe locked up at the rear of the house-which yet stands, apparently perfectly sound.  All the papers in the City Clerk’s office-records and valuable documents-were destroyed.  There are nearly $200,000 of chattel mortgages, together with a large amount of bills and vouchers, in one of the Herrings safes, which fell from the third story.  It will probably be opened to-day.  In the Connell Chamber was a large amount of furniture, including oil paintings of the Mayors, upholstery work, records of the Board & c.  The furniture of the chamber was worth about $3,000.  In the city Comptroller’s room were also valuable papers, but it is impossible to state with accuracy what is lost or saved until the safes shall be opened.  The School Superintendent, Mr. Foru, informs us that he had $500 in money in his safe.

Mr. Summer, picture frame maker and gilder, occupied rooms in the building, and barely escaped with his life.  Nearly all his stock, including his tools, is lost and could not be replaced for $1,000.  He lived in the building with his family, and being a cripple-as we have said-barely escaped himself.

There was another room occupied by Mr. Aldrich, who, together with Russel Wheeler, will probably lose $500.

Mr. Bilty, the proprietor of the saloon in the basement, estimates his loss of $150.  A man by the name of Ellesly, who had a stock of liquors in the East end of the basement, is also a loser, but to what extent we could not learn.

Edward Miller, type founder, just opposite, had a quality of stock in the building, most of which was removed in an injured condition.

R. Dunn’s mercantile agency was in the same building.  Loss Unknown.

This paragraph is blocked out.

Cross’ Block blocked out…. and cost $12,000.  It was insured for $30,000, with an insurance of $8,000 on the ???.

It has been occupied by the city for several years at a rent of $2,900 per annum.  The City Treasurer had but recently moved his office to the new City Hall, thus saving everything.

The stones north of the main entrance was occupied by Geo. Dyer & Co., with a very large and valuable stock of saddlery, hardware, &C., amounting to about $60,000.  There were insured, we understand for about $30,000.  A great portion of their stock was removed, though their lost is heavy.

The north wall of Cross’ Block fell upon the unoccupied four story brick store adjoining, with a tremendous crash, completely demolishing it. The building was owned by Eliphalet Cramer, and was worth $7,000 or $8,000-covered by insurance.  It has fortunate ended, that the store was unoccupied at the time, as the smallest amount of fuel, in the shape of goods, added to the flames, would have caused the destruction of the entire block of buildings.

Milwaukee County Genealogy and History Website Additions

Thursday, January 1st, 2009

These entries can be found at the Links To The Past Milwaukee Website.

Centenarians

Lu Elizabeth Chapman
John Henry Dahlman
Lillian Haessly
Katrina Jansen
Osceola Jones
Viola Klinger
Adelaide R. Krueger
Max Mallin
Cora Priest

Calvary Cemetery (036)
Dahlman

West Granville
Viola Klinger (more…)

Milwaukee County Fees Increasing

Thursday, January 1st, 2009

Karen D. Just posted this to another news list. I was unaware of the changes. Thanks to Karen for posting them!

I was just down in Milwaukee for a little post-Christmas genealogical research, and a word of caution to those planning to go to the Milwaukee County Register of Deeds to look up records. The rules will change as of Jan. 2, 2009.

As always, a researcher must make an appointment and they are then free to look through any of the indexes and pull for themselves any record before 1931.

Records after that year, you may know, must be pulled by the staff and only 10 records maximum. The change will be with the pulls by the staff, as it will now cost $7 to see each record. Copies are still the standard $20.

I understand that Milwaukee County is going through tough financial times, but I was quite surprised to see the fee set so high.

Updates to the sites

Saturday, November 22nd, 2008

It has been slow going he past few months adding items to the site. Besides my full time job, as some of you may know I also have a genealogy business, Linking Your Past Research Service.

My other distraction this month has been the Brookfield East High School Musical. They are putting on Thoroughly Modern Millie. I am an assistant costume person so have been busy with fittings and alterations. If you are interested in going to a performance, it is showing at the Sharon Lynn Wilson Center for the Arts in Brookfield WI the first weekend in Dec. Tickets can be obtained at the Theatre Box Office.

I made only one updates today. I moved Katherine Doffek from Cemetery X to Cemetery 104 Pinelawn and added her husband Andrew Doffek. This update should be going live on Monday.

Milwaukee County History Biographies

Saturday, September 27th, 2008

It has been a while since I posted.

I got a new scanner recently and it allows me to somewhat scan the bios a little quicker.

Michael James Chaloupka

Friday, September 12th, 2008

Some of the reason I do genealogy is so that I can help preserve the memories of someone that others loved. With all the experience I have had with obituaries my brother and his family gave me the honor of writing the obituary for my nephew, Michael Chaloupka. I never thought it would be so hard. I will miss his sweet smile and his sarcasm.

Obituary-Written By Auntie Ellie

Michael James Chaloupka, 23, of Whitewater, formerly of Waukesha, passed on to his reward at University Hospital, Madison, Tuesday, September 9th, due to complications after a motor vehicle/wheelchair accident on August 26.

Mike was born April 10, 1985 in Waukesha, dear son of James and Julie (Roose) Chaloupka. He graduated in June 2003 from Waukesha North High School and from the University of Wisconsin Whitewater in May 2008. He served for several years as a Goodwill Ambassador for the Muscular Dystrophy Association.

His most recent goal was to become a campus staff worker with InterVarsity Christian Fellowship at UWW rather than

Polish names

Monday, September 8th, 2008

Hello everyone.

Karen D. just sent me the index to a book called “We, the Milwaukee Poles.”

Watch out for Pedestrians-Accidents Happen Way to Quickly!

Tuesday, September 2nd, 2008

Sorry I haven’t posted in a while. I have been worrying about my nephew and haven’t really had the mind set to update the sites.

Last Tuesday my nephew was hit by a car while crossing the street in Whitewater. He is still in critical condition, now a week later. We are praying for him constantly. You can email me privately if you are interested in any details.

His parents put up a blog here so that all that love him can monitor his progress more easily:

http://sewcrafty-mikesprogress.blogspot.com/

Many people have asked if they can send flowers or if they can help in anyway. I believe whole heartedly, besides your prayers and positive thoughts, we all can help Mike best by supporting him in his recent decision. On August 13, Mike wrote the following letter to me:

Hello,

I hope this letter finds you well and that you’re enjoying your summer. As you may know, this past May I graduated from the University of Wisconsin at Whitewater (UWW) with a Bachelor’s degree in Management Computer Systems (MCS). My time there was well spent, I learned so much about myself, the man I wish to become, and had a blast doing it! While I enjoyed my major, my future goal is to become a campus staff worker with InterVarsity Christian Fellowship at UWW rather than “using my degree” in the typical sense.

The decision to join staff took me almost a year to make, but after much thought, prayer, and council of others, I truly feel called by God into the ministry of InterVarsity and therefore am pursuing it with every effort. Not having a relationship with Christ when I first attended college I understand first-hand the need for college Christian ministry. Staff and students in InterVarsity poured their love, training, and generosity into me during school and I want to pless others in the same way. The best way for me to do this is through joining InterVarsity staff.

As a campus staff worker I’ll be helping students grow in their relationship with Jesus, learn to love all people and teach them how to become future leaders in the church. Becoming a campus staff worker will allow me to use many of my natural skills. I’ll be relating with people, expressing my passion for God, and making a difference in people’s lives.

In order to make this goal a reality, I’ll need a team of support to keep me going. My support team will consist of people willing to pray for me, people willing to travel with me and help me with my personal cares, and financial support to meet my salary and ministry expense needs. It’s my hope and prayer that you would be interested in being part of my team and helping me meet some of those needs and challenges.

I will be contacting you within the next few months, along with many others, and would appreciate you to being thinking and praying about your interest in supporting my ministry with InterVarsity. If you have any questions I welcome your response through a phone call (he left his number) and his email (I won’t post that since he cannot respond right now), or sitting together face to face and discussing it. Thanks for reading and please look forward to our future contact.

Blessings,

signed Michael J. Chaloupka

If you feel the wish to help, it would be spectacular if when Mike wakes up and is further on his journey to recovery that he finds his salary needs for the upcoming year are met. Please help support Mike, by going to http://www.intervarsity.org/ and clicking on the donate link on the left. You can give by credit card, phone, mail or automatic withdrawal from your account. Any amount is good, even if it is just a dollar or two.

It will ask you if you want to give towards a certain person. Put in Chaloupka and it will come up with his name. Check the radio button and then continue.

Thanks for reading,

Mike’s Auntie Ellie

Hans Bergmayr

Tuesday, August 19th, 2008

In may 2007 I adopted the grave of PFC Hans Bergmayr from Wisconsin (reg.number 36826126)He is burried at the millatary cemetery in Margraten The netherlands. He served in the 49 INF BN 8 ARMD DIV and was killed on 26-02-1945 in the Netherlands. He took part in the ASTP programme. A friend of him, who was in the same company as Hans, told me that his home address was 2224 North 7th Street, Milwaukee, Wisconsin. My motivation for the following request is that people around here still consider it to be an honour to take care of the graves of the fallen U.S. soldiers, buried at the Margraten Cemetery. For me it is the least I can do to show my gratitude and respect for what so many young men from far over the ocean did for us more than 60 years ago. The adoption of a grave means: visiting the grave on a frequent basis, placing of flowers on special days or occasions (like e.g. Memorial Day or Christmas) and when relatives wish to do so, corresponding with the homeland. His friend told met that a sister (Josephine) of Hans is still living. She is married to Herman Foster and they live at 11225 82nd Ave at Seminole, Florida.I wrote her a letter, but to this date she did not reply. I don

Milwaukee Kuryer Polski

Saturday, August 16th, 2008

I haven’t posted anything for awhile.