Mary Mohelnitzky - Orphanage

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 Mohelnitzky, also lived at St. Rose Orphan Asylum, but 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:  

History

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. By 1850, there were 33 girls in the care of the sisters. In 1853, the St. Rose Orphan Asylum, as it was called moved into a two-story building on Jackson Street. It was complete with dormitories, kitchen, schoolroom, dining hall and wash room. It would serve as home for the girls for the next 35 years. In April 1888 a new orphanage building was completed at 2321 North Lake Drive. Occupying three-and-a-half acres close to Lake Michigan, a better location for the care and nurturing of girls could not have been found. This was our home for the next 85 years. It provided a comfortable environment and offered excellent medical care through St. Mary's Hospital, operated by the Daughters of Charity. During the decade of 1900-1910, there was an average population of 166 girls at the facility.

Mary and Julia's brother, Anton Mohelnitzky, was also placed in an orphanage in March 1858 - at the boy's orphanage called St. Aemilian in St. Francis (Milwaukee, Wis.)

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: 

Located on the east side of Centennial Park.