My great grandfather was adopted approximately in 1876 in Gratiot County, Michigan.

Question

My great grandfather was adopted in Gratiot County, Michigan. The story my grandmother told me about her father was that he was given to the Gratiot County Poorhouse when he was born, by his parents, Frederick Minacka and Sarah Iantha Gingrey. I believe he was born around 1876. He was then adopted by John W. and Charlotte Smith of Wheeler, Michigan. I have no idea when, what age, he was adopted. When my great grandfather was adopted he was given the name Wesley Osman Smith, he was always called Otto. The Smiths also adopted a daughter named Jennie, again I have no idea when. I am looking for some sort of formal paperwork regarding the adoption. I would greatly appreciate any help from fellow researchers.

Thank you!

Comments

Dear Susan,

   Here is a marriage for Frederick Minacka & Sarah Gingrey.  

"Michigan, County Marriages, 1820-1940", database with images, FamilySearch(https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:VNKJ-X11 : 22 April 2016), Frederick W Minacka and Sarah Iantha, 1865.

  It looks like Frederick may have gone for a soldier shortly after the marriage: 

"United States Civil War Soldiers Index, 1861-1865," database, FamilySearch(https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:F9TN-35M : 4 December 2014), Frederick W. Minacka, Private, Company C, 8th Regiment, Michigan Infantry, Union; citing NARA microfilm publication M545 (Washington D.C.: National Archives and Records Administration, n.d.), roll 28; FHL microfilm 881,941.

Hope this helps!  -NGP

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Hello Nanette,

Thank you so much for the information. The document about the marriage of Frederick and Sarah is one that I did not have. My grandmother said that her father, Otto, was adopted from the Gratiot County Poor Farm. I have found the names of Frederck and Sarah in some paperwork there but I am still unable to find any adoption paperwork. I will keep looking.

Again, thank you!

Susan

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Dear Susan,

    Glad I found something new for you.  I have an idea.  Do some hunting around to see if adopted sister Jennie was a blood sister of "Otto".  If that turns out to be true, it makes it even more likely that there is some family connection between the Smiths and the Minaka families.  Do you know adoptive mother Charlotte Smith's maiden name and family connections?  That might be the key here.

Happy hunting!  -NGP