Season One
Episode #1 - Lucille and John Mitchell - Waverly Hills
This episode focuses on the tragic death of Lucille H (Cain) Mitchell and the people impacted by her untimely death. Inspired by an episode of Kindred Spirits where they discover the story of John Mitchell and his wife Lucille. I uncover the details of her death, the struggle for John as a tuberculosis patient at Waverly Hills Sanatorium, and the "criminal" that perhaps got away with manslaughter. The genealogy of the Mitchell family, as well as the criminal in this case, are detailed in this first episode of The Criminal Genealogist.
Sources used for this episode, mainly from Ancestry.com and Newspapers.com.
- Podcast transcript available here.
- Information about Waverly Hills Sanatorium:
- Link to Ancestry Family Tree created with all records attached - viewable only
- Newspaper article about the death of Lucille, The Courier-Journal, Louisville, KY dated September 15, 1946 - https://www.newspapers.com/clip/80424927/lucille-mitchell-death/
- Newspaper article about Charles Cureton's arrest and trial
- Newspaper notice about Lucille filing for divorce from John - https://www.newspapers.com/clip/80117198/
- Newspaper notice about the marriage license for John T Mitchell and Laura Buckman in 1949 - https://www.newspapers.com/clip/80424721/the-courier-journal/
- Obituary for John T Mitchell, The Courier-Journal, Louisville, Kentucky, 13 Jul 1959
- Another obituary for John T Mitchell - https://www.newspapers.com/clip/80422076/john-t-mitchell-obit/
Waverly Hills Sanatorium
(Taken 2018 by user Royasfoto73; Wikimedia Commons)
John & Lucille Mitchell
Originally shared on Ancestry by user JamesCampbell55; Enhanced with MyHeritage photo tools.
John Tandy Mitchell
Originally shared on Ancestry by user JamesCampbell55; Enhanced with MyHeritage photo tools.
Charles C Cureton
Picture of Charles from The Courier-Journal newspaper out of Louisville, KY. 1946
Enhanced with MyHeritage photo tools.
Photos shared on public trees on Ancestry.com and used with permission.
Season One
Episode #2 - Elijah Upjohn - Criminal to Executioner
This is the story of Elijah Upjohn and his journey from criminal to an executioner of one of the most famous Australian Bushrangers, Ned Kelly! I explore the lives of Elijah and his father Henry Upjohn and walk through their genealogy, their criminal records, and some other interesting facts about the Upjohn line.
Sources used for this episode, mainly from Ancestry.com and Newspapers.com.
- Podcast transcript available here.
- Link to Ancestry Family Tree created for the podcast - viewable only.
- People Australia (links to all the newspaper articles for Elijah and Henry) - https://peopleaustralia.anu.edu.au/biography/upjohn-elijah-13583 https://peopleaustralia.anu.edu.au/biography/upjohn-henry-29691/text36745 https://peopleaustralia.anu.edu.au/biography/kelly-edward-ned-3933
- WikiTree on Elijah - https://www.wikitree.com/wiki/Upjohn-36
- Convict Records: Elijah - https://convictrecords.com.au/convicts/upjohn/elijah/56691
- Convict Records: Henry - https://convictrecords.com.au/convicts/upjohn/henry/79580
- Digital Panopticon - https://www.digitalpanopticon.org/life?id=fasai72129
- How Shaftesbury’s Upjohn Family Made Their Mark In The New World
- Obituaries Australia: https://oa.anu.edu.au/obituary/upjohn-elijah-13583 and https://oa.anu.edu.au/obituary/kelly-edward-ned-3933
- Libraries Tasmania - https://talis.ent.sirsidynix.net.au/client/en_AU/names/search/detailnonmodal/ent:$002f$002fNAME_INDEXES$002f0$002fNAME_INDEXES:1442178/one and https://stors.tas.gov.au/CON31-1-44$init=CON31-1-44p143
- British History Online - https://www.british-history.ac.uk/rchme/dorset/vol4/pp55-76
- History of Shaftesbury - https://localhistories.org/a-history-of-shaftesbury/
- Tasmania - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tasmania
- Van Diemen's Land - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Van_Diemen%27s_Land
- Ballarat East, Victoria - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ballarat_East,_Victoria
- Geelong, Victoria - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Geelong
- Transportation of Convicts - https://gizmodo.com/britain-sent-thousands-of-its-convicts-to-america-not-1707458418 and https://theculturetrip.com/pacific/australia/articles/why-great-britain-sent-its-prisoners-to-australia/
- William Upjohn Map - https://bryarsandbryars.co.uk/products/upjohn-s-plan-of-shaftesbury/
- Information about the Upjohn Company - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Upjohn
Elijah Upjohn (Date unknown)
Photo shared on Geni.com; Enhanced with MyHeritage photo tools.
Season One
Episode #3 - Enos McCollum - Family Secrets Uncovered
This is the story of Enos McCollum, whose story was submitted by Katie. Enos is her son's paternal great-grandfather. She told the story of how he was a bank robber and left behind a wife and 3 small kids (and one on the way) when he was sent to prison. He was later released but ended up back in prison, where he ultimately died. However, the family wasn't sure what he did to get into trouble yet again. Luckily I found the answer, but sadly, it wasn't a good discovery.
Sources used for this episode, mainly from Ancestry.com and Newspapers.com.
- Podcast transcript available here.
- Link to Ancestry Family Tree created for the podcast - documents attached/viewable only.
- Newspaper Articles:
- The Haddam Clipper-Leader (Haddam, KS) (29 Apr 1920) - "Rosa Lee Green Obituary"
- The Lincoln Star (12 Jul 1931) - "Identify Trio Under Arrest"
- Billings Gazette (Billings, Montana) (12 Jul 1931) - "Bank Robbery is Confessed"
- The Salt Lake Tribune (14 Jul 1931) - "Three Admit Bank Robbery"
- Albuquerque Journal (New Mexico) (14 Jul 1931) - "Three Admit Guilt"
- The Lincoln Star (18 Jul 1931) - "Robbers Taken to Penitentiary"
- El Paso Herald-Post (18 Jul 1931) - "Bank Robbers Go To Prison"
- The Nebraska State Journal (Lincoln, Nebraska) (9 Jan 1940) - "Bank Robbers to be Heard"
- The Nebraska State Journal (Lincoln, Nebraska) (15 Feb 1940) - "Wife Needs McCollum"
- The Lincoln Star (16 Feb 1940) - "McCollum Goes Free"
- The Nebraska State Journal (Lincoln, Nebraska) (17 Feb 1940) - "Leniency to 18 is Shown by the Board"
- The Lincoln Star (31 Jan 1953) - "Ogallala Man Dies"
- History Nebraska - Nebraska Prisoner Records Database; searched McCollum, Enos in the "Enter Name" field. Two results for two convictions.
Enos McCollum
Photo shared by Katie (submitted story); Enhanced with MyHeritage photo tools.
Season One
Episode #4 - Cordelia Botkin - Death by Chocolate
This is the story of Cordelia Botkin, an American murderer who sent a box of poisoned candy to her ex-lover's wife. This was the first American prosecution for a crime which took place in two different jurisdictions, as Botkin had sent the poison from California, but it was received in Delaware. I found this story when researching women criminals and had to tell the story.
Sources used for this episode, mainly from Ancestry.com and Newspapers.com.
Podcast transcript available here.
Link to Ancestry Family Tree created for the podcast - documents attached/viewable only.
Websites (Stories, Bios, Histories):
- Cordelia Botkin - Wikipedia
- Cordelia Botkin | Murderpedia, the encyclopedia of murderers
- Botkin.html
- Interesting article - Cordella Botkin - Genealogy.com
- Twitter Post
- John P. Dunning | Associated Press reporter John P. Dunning,… | Flickr
- Murder by mail: The story of San Francisco's most infamous female poisoner
- Candy From a Stranger: The Cordelia Botkin Case, 1898, Photo Gallery, Video - HistoricalCrimeDetective.com
- The Heinous Crimes of Cordelia Botkin | by Heather Monroe | Medium
- California, San Francisco Area Funeral Home Records, 1835-1979; https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:S3HY-6WNK-V1?cc=1385518&wc=MJC8-ZN5%3A1042889701%2C1042934301%2C1042934302%2C1042934401
- United States Census, 1850; https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:S3HY-D1W3-VVT?cc=1401638&wc=95RD-BZ7%3A1031310001%2C1031357901%2C1031642901
- (25) cordelia botkin - YouTube
- who did cordelia botkin kill - Google Search
- Search Marriage Index - Jackson County Public Access Search
- Polk County Missouri Genealogy
- The Faces Of My Family: February 2011
- 1898 Murderess Nearly Escaped Justice
- Celebrated Criminal Cases of America - Google Books
- My Stockton California : Disclaimer: This story is courtesy of [https://medium.com/@hlemonroe/the-heinous-crimes-of-cordelia-botkin-552d7d9e51d6](https://medium.com/@hlemonroe/the-heinous-crimes-of-cordelia-botkin-552d7d9e51d6) | Facebook
- Cordelia Adelaide (Brown) Botkin (1854-1910) | WikiTree FREE Family Tree
- Poison and Women: Cordelia Botkin - Murder Murder News
- Zaida Hope Ewell, "California, County Marriages, 1850-1952" • FamilySearch
Brownville, NE History:
- Brownville, 1859 | History Nebraska
- The Brownville Story: Portrait of a Phoenix, 1854-1974 | History Nebraska
Newspaper Articles:
- Chief Lees Presents His Case 15 September 1898
- WITNESSES FOR THE PROSECUTION TELLING THE STORY OF THE DOVER MURDERS. — San Francisco Call 13 December 1898 — California Digital Newspaper Collection
- CITIZEN JUDGES OF MRS. BOTKIN LISTEN TO THE STORY OF THE DOVER TRAGEDIES San Francisco Call 13 December 1898 — California Digital Newspaper Collection
- MRS. CORDELIA BOTKIN PLEADS WITH HER JUDGES FOR HER LIFE — San Francisco Call 23 December 1898 — California Digital Newspaper Collection
- MRS. CORDELIA BOTKIN IS GUILTY OF THE CRUEL DELAWARE MURDERS — San Francisco Call 31 December 1898 — California Digital Newspaper Collection
- LIFE SENTENCE FOR A POISONER; Mrs. Cordelia Botkin of San Francisco Hears the Court's Judgment. - Feb 5, 1899 The New York Times
- San Francisco Call 19 November 1901 — California Digital Newspaper Collection
- Sues Mrs. Botkin in Divorce Court - 22 October 1902
- San Francisco Call 1 May 1904 — California Digital Newspaper Collection
- EASTERN WITNESSES TELL OF MURDER OF TWO WOMEN — San Francisco Call 22 March 1904 — California Digital Newspaper Collection
- The Tacoma Times. April 30, 1904, Page 3, Column 4 (Top)
- San Francisco Call 22 March 1904 — California Digital Newspaper Collection
Cordelia Botkin - Mugshot from California Prison and Correctional Records, San Quentin Prison
Season One
Episode #5 - Homer Morris: Criminal or No?
This is the story of Homer Morris, a suspected criminal but sometimes there is more to the story than expected. As we explore the life of Homer, his mom Zoa and dad Thurman we discover the truth.
Sources used for this episode, mainly from Ancestry.com, FamilySearch and Newspapers.com.
Podcast transcript available here.
Link to Ancestry Family Tree created for the podcast - documents and links to newspaper articles are attached to the tree. The tree is viewable only.
Zoa Sophia (Haskins) Morris Rosenstiel and her son Homer William Morris.
Enhanced with MyHeritage
Season One
Episode #6 - Frank Toal - The Irish Wife-Beater
Today’s case was one I came across when looking through the San Quentin Inmate photo book and this guy caught my attention. He had one eye a little off-kilter and his crime was listed as “Assist to Murder” - well I had to know more. This case may be triggering for those who have experienced domestic violence. It involves Frank Toal and his repeated abuse and attempted murders of his wife, Mary Ann Roach. The story will shock you, make you mad and invoke some tears (ok, maybe that is just me).
October is Domestic Violence Awareness month so I felt it was important to tell this story to shed a light on how little things have changed in the past 100 years. If you or someone you know is in an abusive relationship, please know there is help in your community and people trained to get you out safely. Call the Domestic Violence National Hotline at 1.800.799.SAFE, that is 1.800.799.7233. PLEASE DO SO ON A SAFE PHONE AND ENVIRONMENT.
Sources:
- Podcast transcript available here.
- Link to Ancestry Family Tree created for the podcast - documents and links to newspaper articles are attached to the tree. The tree is viewable only.
Frank Toal - San Quentin Inmate Photo Book (1890) Enhanced with MyHeritage photo tools.
Season One
Episode #7 - Mary "May" Leota (Hendricks) Johnson - Bigamy in the Midwest
Today’s case was sent to me by Josiah Schmidt, whose 3x great grandmother committed bigamy. Josiah said May left her husband Clarence Johnson, his 3x great-grandfather, and eloped across state lines. She married her new man in Wisconsin however she was still married to her first husband in Minnesota!
Sources:
- Podcast transcript available here.
- Link to Ancestry Family Tree created for the podcast - documents and links to newspaper articles are attached to the tree. The tree is viewable only.
- Josiah Schmidt Twitter is @josiahschmidt and his website is www.schmidtgen.com
May Hendricks w/siblings (1924, 2nd from right)
Used with permission from Joshiah Schmidt.
Season One
Episode #8 - John Slack - Exciseman Becomes Criminal
This is the story of John Slack, a respected exciseman in England who decided to pocket some of the revenue, getting him transported and locked up.
Sources used for this episode, mainly from Ancestry.com, FamilySearch and Newspapers.com.
Podcast transcript available here.
Link to Ancestry Family Tree created for the podcast - documents and links to newspaper articles are attached to the tree. The tree is viewable only.
New South Wales, Australia, Assisted Immigrant Passenger.
Season One
Episode #9 - John Mitchell - Did He Do It or Not?
This is the story of John Mitchell - a man who was well respected in his community and one of the early settlers. So what happened that fateful day when a young boy was shot and killed for stealing fruit from John's tree? Was this the same John Mitchell who was a pillar community or could there have been multiple John Mitchell's living in Pleasant Valley, PA in the 1876?
Thank you for your support of this podcast. You can follow us on our social media platforms below. Twitter @TheCriminalGene - https://twitter.com/TheCriminalGene
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Show notes available on Website - https://thecriminalgenealogist.com/
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Sources:
- Podcast transcript available here.
- Link to Ancestry Family Tree created for the podcast - documents and links to newspaper articles are attached to the tree. The tree is viewable only.
Article from Daily Record of the Times
Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania 11 Aug 1876, Page 3
"John William
Season Two
Episode #1 - Mike Globenfelt - White Slavery
This is the story of Michael "Mike" Globenfelt whose life was full of trauma and drama. He was constantly in the news, arrested for a wide variety of crimes, and convicted for violating the Mann Act and the Harrison Act.
Sources:
- Podcast transcript available here.
- Link to Ancestry Family Tree created for the podcast - documents and links to newspaper articles are attached to the tree. The tree is viewable only.
Mike Globenfelt - Inmate Mugshot
Season Two
Episode #2 - Hattie Blackburn Stone - Family Serial Killer
This is the story of Hattie Blackburn Stone and the murder of her husband, 2 sons, and mother-in-law.
- Mary Stone died 8 January 1924
- Edgar Stone died 7 June 1927
- Edward Stone died 30 Jan 1928
- George Stone died 4 June 1929
All deaths in Havre de Grace, Maryland
Thanks to Susan Fabian for sharing her family's story and doing all the great research you did! If you want to learn more about Susan, you can check out her profile on the Association of Professional Genealogists (APG) website here.
Sources used for this episode:
- Podcast transcript available here
- Link to Susan's Ancestry Family Tree for Hattie Stone
- Blog about Hattie: http://unknownmisandry.blogspot.com/2011/09/hattie-stone-maryland-serial-killer.html - LOTS of pictures of the family!
- House History: https://www.historichavredegrace.com/newpage/recNpGnRI10gB6Bqy
- Newspaper articles pulled for this podcast - there are too many to share them all. If you have access to Newspapers.com then search for Hattie Stone to see all of them.
- https://www.newspapers.com/clip/103800956/hattie-stone-childhood-and-trial/
- https://www.newspapers.com/clip/85599590/691939-midland-journal-stone/
- 14 June 1929: https://www.newspapers.com/clip/74754924/hattie-stone-1929-4-tn/
- 24 Sept 1929: https://www.newspapers.com/clip/74754496/hattie-stone-1929-2/
- 26 Sept 1929: https://www.newspapers.com/clip/74754339/hattie-stone-1929-1/ (May Baker was Edward Stone's sister)
- 27 Sept 1929: https://www.newspapers.com/clip/74754661/hattie-stone-1929-3/
- 28 Sept 1929: https://www.newspapers.com/clip/74754743/hattie-stone-1929-5/
- 4 Oct 1929: https://www.newspapers.com/clip/100840349/hattie-stone-childhood/
- 11 March 1936: https://www.newspapers.com/clip/100840885/hattie-stone-denied-parole/
- 26 May 1939: https://www.newspapers.com/clip/100841223/hattie-stone-parole-denial-1939/
- 26 May 1939: https://www.newspapers.com/clip/100841328/hattie-stone-parole-denial-2/
Hattie V. Stone - Serial Killer - Arrested June 12, 1929
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