Mary Mohelnitzky was born in Seltschan / Sedlčany, Bohemia / Czech Republic. According to family stories, Mary was placed in an orphanage in the Milwaukee, Wisconsin, area. The Orphanage Mary lived at St. Rose Orphan Asylum in Milwaukee, Wisconsin from March 14, 1858 to June 4, 1862.Mary's sister, Julia, also lived at the orphanage from March 14, 1858 to April 5, 1861. Julia and Mary's brother, Anton Mohelnitzky, was placed in a boy's orphanage in March 1858 - at St. Aemilian Orphan Asylum in St. Francis (Milwaukee, Wisconsin). January 12, 2007 email from St. Rose Youth & Family Center, Inc.: "I found two admission index cards for a Mary & Julia Mowhometichkie
dated March 14th, 1858. Unfortunately there is not date of birth
listed for either of the girls. The only other information listed is
the discharge date. Mary was discharged on June 4th, 1862, and Julia
was discharged on April 5th, 1861. If you send me your address I
would be more than happy to send you a copy of the index cards.
I also looked at baptism and confirmation records but did not find them
listed. If I do find any more archived information on the girls,
I will certainly pass it along. Perhaps this alternate spelling of
their last name will help you in your genealogy
search." February 8, 2007 email from St. Rose Youth & Family Center: "I wanted to let you know that we found a book of records kept since the
date of admission. I'm sorry to say the binding of the book is too
fragile to make a copy of. & Unfortunately, there is not much more
information in it than was on the admission cards. There is no
date of birth or age listed. We know that Julia Mowhometichkie
was the 169th resident admitted and Mary was the 170th. It
states simply that Mary was discharged on June 4, 1862. For
Julia it states, "Placed with Mrs. Paith, Granville, April 5,
1861." Unfortunately I don't have access to a digital camara. Believe it
or not, we're not that high-tech here at St. Rose. There is no
title on the book. Imprinted on it is simply "St. Rose
Asylum". All of the entries are typewritten, so I'm certain of
the spelling of the name. However, as the last name of your aunts
was quite a different spelling in our records, perhaps you could try
variations of the name "Paith". Good luck in your search and I will keep my eyes open for more
records."
Feb. 20, 2007 email from St. Rose Youth & Family Center: "I felt bad that I couldn't take photos of the log book I had told you
about when it means so much to you and your family, so I very delicately
found a way to copy the pages from it and I'm sending the copies
in the mail today."  Address of St. Rose as of January 2007 St. Rose Youth & Family Center 3801 North 88th Street Milwaukee, Wisconsin 53222 The following is from St. Rose's website:
1860 U.S. Census - Name not found
Julia and Mary Mohelnitzky's
names are not listed among the 3 pages of names for the residents of
St. Rosa R C Orphan Asylum. Two pairs of Julia and Mary's with the same
last names are listed, but the last names are Sullivan and
Hanly/Hanley. One "Mary Mulchaky" is listed, but the birth place is
"Ireland." Source: 1860 (June 12) US Federal Census, St. Rosa R C Orphan Asylum, Ward 7 Milwaukee City, Milwaukee County, Wisconsin. Page 79. Roll: M653_1421; Page: 859; Image: 216. Source Information: Ancestry.com. As told by Emma about 1965: "Mary married a Schmitz and there are some descendants living in Milwaukee. 52nd and Layton corner, Milwaukee, WI." Another spelling for Mary's married name: Schmidt As of 2006, here is the corner of 52nd and Layton in Milwaukee, Wisconsin: |
St.
Rose Youth & Family Center, founded in 1848, is the oldest social
service agency in Wisconsin. In 1848, many immigrants made the perilous
journey across the Atlantic to the United States. Many did not survive
this journey, while others arrived very sick. While caring for the
newly arrived immigrants, Rev. Peter McLaughlin came upon a seriously
ill couple from Ireland. The parents dying request was that Rev.
McLaughlin promise to care for their four-year-old daughter, Katie
Colfer. Rev. McLaughlin made that promise and then entrusted Katie's
care to the Daughters of Charity. Katie's stay with the Daughters of
Charity was the beginning St. Rose Residence.