Copper Thread Genealogy & Research

04/23/2026

✨GUESS HOW MANY:
How many hotels were there in Houghton County in 1910?
Closest guess and answer will be posted tomorrow!

photo shows the Northwestern Hotel in Hancock about 1890 (near the modern-day post office) | (Centennial Collection, Book LD3328H3-18-3, Michigan Technological University Archives and Copper Country Historical Collections)

04/21/2026

Copper Thread Genealogy & Research is a proud member of the Historical Society of Michigan, Houghton County Historical Society, Ontonagon County Historical Society, and Keweenaw County Historical Society. 📰📖📚

If you enjoy our posts and learning about Copper Country history, consider joining one of these or another local historical society, museum, or heritage center. It’s a great way to stay connected, support local history, and find opportunities to get involved.

04/20/2026

I found this story today from "The Calumet News" in 1896 while doing totally unrelated research and wanted to share! The Copper Country was definitely once a wild place. 🍻
*click to expand

Transcription: "He stated that Frank Hahn, a teamster employed by the Bosch brewing company to deliver beer, had not been on good terms with his wife for some time and that Hahn and his wife had not lived together for about three months. Early last evening Hahn went into Swetich’s saloon and met his wife there, an argument ensued at the conclusion of which Hahn pulled out a small 22 calibre revolver and handed it to his wife, saying 'Shoot me if you want to.' She immediately began to shoot and fired several times, one bullet hitting Hahn just below the left eye. Hahn went in search of a physician and met Dr. McQueen in Nisander’s drug store in Red Jacket, when the doctor probed for the bullet but was unable to find it. Hahn said that was all he could stand then and left the pharmacy. He was seen in company with his wife later in the evening."

04/20/2026

04/19/2026

August Jarvey arrived from Finland and started out as a bartender. By the 1920s, he owned a saloon in South Range and later served as assistant fire chief. A life built right here in the Copper Country. What can be learned about your family? ➡️

04/15/2026

Those unexpected surprises are one of the best parts of building your family tree. What have you discovered? 🌼

04/12/2026

There was a time when everywhere in town had their own matchbooks. Here is a collection of some vintage Copper Country matchbooks. Which places do you remember? 🍻

first photo:
“Last Ride to Gay,” James D. McCarthy, Copper Range Company Photograph Collection, MS619-03-02-01, Michigan Technological University Archives and Copper Country Historical Collections.

04/12/2026

Messages like this mean so much to me. These are the projects I love most, uncovering the stories of a family’s history.

If you have UP roots and would like to dig into your own family’s history, contact me via message or email anytime ✨

04/10/2026

Answer to ✨GUESS HOW MANY:
How many public schools were there in Calumet in 1930?

There were approximately 10 public schools in what was considered "Calumet" in 1930.* See a map of where the schools were located through a link in the comments.

*(According to the 1930 Polk's Directory for Calumet & Vicinity, Michigan Technological University Archives and Copper Country Historical Collections)

04/09/2026

✨GUESS HOW MANY:
How many public schools were there in Calumet in 1930?

Closest guess and answer will be posted tomorrow!
*note: combining grade-high schools. only public and only schools in Calumet.

(photo shows a science classroom at Calumet High School | Calumet & Hecla Photograph Collection, MS003-009-013-04, Michigan Technological University Archives and Copper Country Historical Collections)

04/07/2026

Here are a few places you can find Copper Thread Genealogy this spring and summer. I hope to see you there to talk family history and Copper Country stories. ☀️

*details on classes coming soon!

04/06/2026

📸 BEFORE & AFTER - corner of Tezcuco and Hancock streets, Hancock
Top photo - 1920s
Bottom photo - 2024

*photos courtesy of a private collection and Google Maps.