  Qdaddy77 Member Username: Qdaddy77 Post Number: 1 Registered: 05-2007 |
Hello all, I am new to the board. I don't know if anyone might be able to help me, but here goes.... I am looking to see if anyone either has or knows where I can find phone directories for the city of Detroit between 1918 to 1925. My grandfather was born in the city in 1918, is now 89 and dosen't remember where in Detroit he lived. I thought the best place to find out might be the phone directory. does anybody have some insight, or possibly a better way to find out? I would love to find his old house ( if it even still exists) and take a few pics for him. Thanks! Q. | ||
Mikem Member Username: Mikem Post Number: 3302 Registered: 10-2003 |
I have some. What is his name or his father's name? More importantly, did he have a phone? | ||
Lafayette Member Username: Lafayette Post Number: 8 Registered: 03-2007 |
Go to the Burton Historical Library at Detroit's main library branch on Woodward north of Warren. They have yearly "city directories" starting in the mid 1800's for Detroit and include a version of today's White Pages, listing a person's address and occupation for that year. | ||
Qdaddy77 Member Username: Qdaddy77 Post Number: 2 Registered: 05-2007 |
It would be under my Great Grandfathers name, Keith W Smith or K W Smith. Probally East side, as my grandfather remembers walking up to GP with friends and sneeking into Three Mile Park. I am hoping he had a phone...dont really know. My G Grandfather was an architect and was a partner in the firm, Smith, Moss & Mitchke the might be listed too... | ||
Mikem Member Username: Mikem Post Number: 3304 Registered: 10-2003 |
1918 address & phone number: Keith W Smith 466 Hurlburt Hickory 2533-W | ||
Rickinatlanta Member Username: Rickinatlanta Post Number: 52 Registered: 07-2006 |
You can also go to Ancestry.com and get a three day free trial which I've done recently. On that site you'll find a link to State of Michigan Census Records for 1900, 1910, 1920, amd 1930. Simply input the first and last name of the person you're searching and you'll see all listings close to that. I've found and copied census records with great info on my family from those times. Also, understand that census records were handwritten and that names were sometimes difficult to read and may have become mis-spelled when entered into this online database. You can verify by knowing sons/daughters if you're looking for a grandparent, etc. Hope this helps. | ||
Qdaddy77 Member Username: Qdaddy77 Post Number: 3 Registered: 05-2007 |
Thanks a ton Mikem! the W at the end of the phone number, is that for a party line? now I am off to find info on the Architect firm... I knew joining this Forum would be worth my while  | ||
Qdaddy77 Member Username: Qdaddy77 Post Number: 4 Registered: 05-2007 |
I tried google maping Hurlburt, but i guess the street either dosent exist anymore or the name was changed. anyone have an old map or know where abouts Hurlburt was? | ||
Mikem Member Username: Mikem Post Number: 3305 Registered: 10-2003 |
Yes, the W meant it was a party line (J,M,R, or W). I'm not finding Smith, Moss & Mitchke but I'll keep looking. | ||
Southwestmap Member Username: Southwestmap Post Number: 818 Registered: 01-2005 |
My Father grew up on Hurlbut, on the east side of Detroit near Waterworks Park, | ||
Qdaddy77 Member Username: Qdaddy77 Post Number: 5 Registered: 05-2007 |
According to my grandfather, they designed and built the old Belle Isle Bathhouse ( now gone) thats about all I know | ||
Gingellgirl Member Username: Gingellgirl Post Number: 7 Registered: 04-2007 |
Hurlbut, not Hurlburt. One block east of Cadillac Blvd., north of Jefferson to Gratiot. It jogs a little. | ||
Qdaddy77 Member Username: Qdaddy77 Post Number: 6 Registered: 05-2007 |
so it is HURLBUT not BURT? that makes sense..it comes up | ||
Gingellgirl Member Username: Gingellgirl Post Number: 8 Registered: 04-2007 |
From the Detroit News: Chauncy Hurlbut . . . who for many years served as president of the Board of Water Commissioners. Hurlbut spent the last 11 years of his life improving the water works system and left almost all of his estate for maintenance of the (Waterworks Park) grounds. In 1895, funds were used from this bequest to erect a stone entrance to the park known as the Hurlbut Memorial Gate. See http://info.detnews.com/histor y/story/index.cfm?id=207&categ ory=locations | ||
Gingellgirl Member Username: Gingellgirl Post Number: 9 Registered: 04-2007 |
466 Hurlbut would place the house INSIDE Waterworks Park. I'm confused. | ||
Mikeg Member Username: Mikeg Post Number: 859 Registered: 12-2005 |
Gingellgirl, the street numbering system was changed in 1921 to the present scheme. You would have to consult a pre-1921 directory to find the street numbers at all of the cross streets. From a scan I have of the old street numbering along Chene, I would estimate that 466 Hurlbut would have been near Vernor Hwy. | ||
Gingellgirl Member Username: Gingellgirl Post Number: 10 Registered: 04-2007 |
Thanks, Mikeg. I'm learning all the time! | ||
Qdaddy77 Member Username: Qdaddy77 Post Number: 8 Registered: 05-2007 |
North or South of Vernor? | ||
Neilr Member Username: Neilr Post Number: 503 Registered: 06-2005 |
As Mikeg said, the 1920 or 1921 street directory will have both addresses. These volumes will be at the Burton Historical Library which is inside the Main Library on Woodward. | ||
Mikeg Member Username: Mikeg Post Number: 860 Registered: 12-2005 |
The scan I have is for the old street numbering along Chene, which is much farther to the west. If the numbering at the cross streets held constant for the newer streets to the east, I would say that 466 Hurlbut would have been on the first block north of Vernor Hwy. Here are the old numbers along Chene at each cross street. Take a look at a current map and judge for yourself: 501 - Hunt 479 - Hendricks 457 - Cleveland (Vernor Hwy.) 435 - Waterloo | ||
Mikem Member Username: Mikem Post Number: 3306 Registered: 10-2003 |
Sorry, had a quick dentist appointment to run to. 466 Hurlbut would be between Kercheval & Waterloo (Vernor). I think it's new address would be 2214. 1916 map of Hurlbut:  Appears to be a 2-story duplex, and one of the few on the block with a garage. Today it looks like it might be the only house left on that side of the street:  | ||
Qdaddy77 Member Username: Qdaddy77 Post Number: 9 Registered: 05-2007 |
Thats awsome!!!! Thanks Mikem. how did you get this picture? | ||
Mikem Member Username: Mikem Post Number: 3307 Registered: 10-2003 |
Using this software: http://atlas.freshlogicstudios .com/ | ||
Qdaddy77 Member Username: Qdaddy77 Post Number: 10 Registered: 05-2007 |
anyone have a picture of the old bathhouse at belle isle? | ||
Ray1936 Member Username: Ray1936 Post Number: 1462 Registered: 01-2005 |
Tried finding him in the 1920 and 1930 U.S. Census reports, but struck out. Not unusual. | ||
Michigan Member Username: Michigan Post Number: 244 Registered: 04-2007 |
this type of thread is what makes this board great | ||
Karl Member Username: Karl Post Number: 7495 Registered: 09-2005 |
This sure beats paying $1.25 to call 411..... | ||
Patrick Member Username: Patrick Post Number: 4425 Registered: 10-2003 |
You've gotta be careful with the directories at the Burton. They will crumble in your hands if you are not careful. | ||
Esp Member Username: Esp Post Number: 62 Registered: 09-2005 |
Mikem! Are these plat maps online? | ||
Karenk Member Username: Karenk Post Number: 37 Registered: 07-2006 |
Qdaddy77, on the 1920 census, Keith W. was a 35 yr old architect born in Canada, wife Helen J., age 25 born in Mich., and son Douglas age 10 months born in Mich. They were living on Blaine at the time of the census. I couldn't find them on the 1930, but I'll try again when I have more time. I have several databases I can check. | ||
Mikeg Member Username: Mikeg Post Number: 862 Registered: 12-2005 |
quote: Yes, but you have to go to a Detroit Public Library and use one of their computers to access them: https://www.atdetroit.net/forum/mes sages/76017/85573.html | ||
Qdaddy77 Member Username: Qdaddy77 Post Number: 16 Registered: 05-2007 |
Karenk, Thats them! Douglas is my grandfather! you wont find them in 1930. By 1925 my great grandmother had run off to Southern California. I dont know when my G Grandfather left Detroit, but it was soon after when he moved to Lansing to work as a State Contractor. is there an address on Blaine? | ||
Mikem Member Username: Mikem Post Number: 3310 Registered: 10-2003 |
By 1940, Keith Smith, architect, was living at 1124 Vinewood. Business address 16520 Woodward, Highland Park. Listed under architects by himself, no partners. | ||
Ray1936 Member Username: Ray1936 Post Number: 1464 Registered: 01-2005 |
Oh, that Smith. I didn't think the dates lined up with what Qdaddy77 said. Here's part of the image:  Keith was 35, Helen 25, and Douglas was a month short of his 1st birthday. The street number on Blaine is badly blurred, sorry (to left of image, not shown). | ||
Qdaddy77 Member Username: Qdaddy77 Post Number: 17 Registered: 05-2007 |
i assume you get all this from the census records...where do you find them, are they online? thank you all ver much for this info...lots of picture taking this weekend! | ||
Ray1936 Member Username: Ray1936 Post Number: 1467 Registered: 01-2005 |
Ancestry.com,Qdaddy77, but it's a pay $ervice. Couple hundred a year. But many libraries carry the service, you might check with your local one. For those really into it, the 1880 census is on line free at www.familysearch.org a site of the LDS. (Message edited by Ray1936 on May 17, 2007) | ||
Karenk Member Username: Karenk Post Number: 38 Registered: 07-2006 |
I did get it from the 1920 Federal Census. I have subscribed for years to Ancestry's. Many libraries also have Heritage Quest online, free. I go back and forth between Ancestry & HQ. www.familysearch.org is also a helpful site. | ||
Rickinatlanta Member Username: Rickinatlanta Post Number: 53 Registered: 07-2006 |
As I said in my earlier e-mail, Ancestry.com offers a FREE three day trial during which time you can find these census records quite easily. | ||
Qdaddy77 Member Username: Qdaddy77 Post Number: 18 Registered: 05-2007 |
thank you all for your help. I got on ancestry.com last night and was able to find his immigration records and even his WWI draft registration! now off to find info on my wifes family...if only i could read russian! Mikem, Ancestry dosen't have any census info after 1930, can i ask where you found the 1940 info? | ||
Mikem Member Username: Mikem Post Number: 3311 Registered: 10-2003 |
1940 Polk's Detroit City Directory | ||
Missnmich Member Username: Missnmich Post Number: 593 Registered: 11-2004 |
The Census raw info is not released until 72 years have passed, the 1940 census raw data will be released in 2012. | ||
Qdaddy77 Member Username: Qdaddy77 Post Number: 19 Registered: 05-2007 |
very cool thanks! | ||
Nlynncar9 Member Username: Nlynncar9 Post Number: 1 Registered: 05-2007 |
I am looking for Detroit City Directories for 1921-1926. More particularly, I am looking for the names of everyone named Mercurio during those years, as I am trying to track when certain Mercurios moved to Detroit and what family members of the same name they were meeting there. Thank you for any help! | ||
Mikeg Member Username: Mikeg Post Number: 897 Registered: 12-2005 |
The information you seek is waiting for you at the Burton Historical Collection within the Detroit Main Library on Woodward Ave. The Detroit City Directories are on the shelves and can be accessed without the assistance of staff (therefore, you do not need a Library Card or have to pay a fee). The old City Directories are on the lower level shelves to the right of the windows on the wall opposite of the Burton entrance. | ||
Cynknight Member Username: Cynknight Post Number: 86 Registered: 11-2003 |
Hi Guys - If you don't mind visiting your local public library, you can use Ancestry Library Edition (it's Ancestry.com with all the subscriptions paid for). The Library of Michigan paid for ALL public libraries to offer their patrons this free access. You have to use it in the library - it's not available at home. Ask your local librarian! Just FYI. | ||
Nlynncar9 Member Username: Nlynncar9 Post Number: 2 Registered: 05-2007 |
Thank you. I will have to ask a librarian to copy and mail me the pages from the directories, as I live in Texas! | ||
220hendrie1910 Member Username: 220hendrie1910 Post Number: 72 Registered: 02-2006 |
[hijack] Hey Mikem, Would you be able to repro the 1916 map of 220 Hendrie, where my grandmother lived? I believe that old address was at the corner of St. Antoine, and would now be 586 (vacant). Thanks from Ottawa. | ||
Mikeg Member Username: Mikeg Post Number: 901 Registered: 12-2005 |
Nlynncar9, Send me an e-mail using my contact information that appears here. If you can wait, I will do the look ups for you the next time I go to the Burton. | ||
Bulletmagnet Member Username: Bulletmagnet Post Number: 537 Registered: 01-2007 |
Welcome to DetroitYES Qdaddy77. As you can see, this forum has some of the best minds around. I have read this thread to the bottom and I must say, it is running like a well oiled machine. Suburb work, and a very typical response by those who love this city. Bravo to all! |
