HUMAN SERVICES DEPARTMENT: ADOPTION UNIT:

These records, which document patients' progress from admission to discharge, and often after discharge, include personal health and familial histories, many with pregnancy, birth, and adoption information; death records; and a small amount of data relating to diphtheria (1909-1910) and measles (1918) epidemics. Included are admission ledgers and registration records; medical history reports, records, and cards; and a limited number of financial records, particularly relating to boarder payments.

Return to top

Records are arranged first by home, there under by record type in either alphabetical or chronological order.

Return to top

Access Restrictions:

Many records contain birth records, including illegitimate births. Records containing information relating to adoptions and illegitimate births are restricted for 100 years. Birth records less than 100 years old must be inspected by library staff to prevent inappropriate disclosure of confidential information. Access to adoption records less than 100 years old is available only with a court order. Please consult library staff for more information.

Preferred Citation:

[Indicate the cited volume and page or item and folder title here] Minnesota. Department of Human Services. Adoption Unit. Maternity, Children, and Women's Homes Records. Minnesota Historical Society. State Archives.

See the Chicago Manual of Style for additional examples

Accession Information:

Accession number(s): None; 2006-7

Processing Information:

Processed by: Maria Plonski, July 2005

Catalog ID number: 001709055

RLIN ID number: MNHV751-A

Return to top

Bethany Home opened in 1876 on Sixth Street Southeast and incorporated in 1879. It served unmarried pregnant girls, married women seeking maternity care, and convalescing older woman who would otherwise be alone. After several moves, it was established at 3701 Bryant Avenue in 1925. In 1930, it was incorporated as the Helen Walker Maternity Hospital. The hospital closed in 1945.

Return to top

The Children's Home Society was incorporated on November 11, 1881 to "rescue from evil and misery such children as are deprived of their natural protectors." Originally located 2200 Sixth Street South, by 1885, it was located at 3200 Stevens Avenue. On June 23, 1885, its name changed to the Home for Children and Aged Women.

Return to top

The Maternity Hospital opened in November 1886 at 316 15th Street Southeast; after at least one other location, its permanent residence was established at 2215 Glenwood Avenue (corner of Glenwood and Penn avenues north) in 1896. In 1955, the name was changed to the Ripley Hospital for Women in honor of its founder, Dr. Martha G. Ripley. The hospital closed in 1956 due to declining occupancy and funding problems.

Return to top

The Women's Christian Home, located at 1245 North Hamline Avenue in St. Paul, was opened on November 1, 1873. Sometime prior to 1916, the home was transferred to the Union Gospel Mission and operated as the Union Gospel Mission Home until its closure in November 1933.

Return to top

This collection is indexed under the following headings in the catalog of the Minnesota Historical Society. Researchers desiring materials about related topics, persons or places should search the catalog using these headings.

Topics:

Maternal and infant welfare -- Minnesota.

Illegitimacy -- Minnesota.

Medical records -- Minnesota.

Maternity homes -- Minnesota.

Social work with women -- Minnesota.

Hospitals -- Maternity services -- Minnesota.

Public welfare administration -- Minnesota.

Child welfare -- Minnesota.

Adoption -- Minnesota.

Women's hospitals -- Minnesota.

Unmarried mothers -- Services for -- Minnesota.

Maternal health services -- Minnesota.

Persons:

Ripley, Martha G. (Martha George), 1843-1912.

Organizations:

Children's Home Society (Minneapolis, Minn.).

Bethany Home (Minneapolis, Minn.).

Harriet Walker Maternity Hospital (Minneapolis, Minn.).

Home for Children and Aged Women (Minneapolis, Minn.).

Maternity Hospital (Minneapolis, Minn.).

Ripley Hospital for Women (Minneapolis, Minn.).

Sisterhood of Bethany (Minneapolis, Minn.).

Union Gospel Mission Home (Saint Paul, Minn.).

Women's Christian Home (Saint Paul, Minn.).

Document Types:

Medical histories.

Functions:

Admitting.

Releasing.

Return to top