Changeling -- Finding Christine Collins

Christine Collins' residences, as shown on Google Earth.

View Larger Map Christine Collins' addresses in Google maps Dick Morris, a regular Daily Mirror reader, is a skilled researcher and passed along some material on Christine I. Collins. It fills in a few details of her life but still leaves many other questions. Except for her two earliest known addresses, which were in Venice, Christine lived within a fairly restricted part of Lincoln Heights, east of downtown Los Angeles.    Dick found her in the 1920 census, living with her husband, Conrad J., a streetcar motorman, and 1-year-old Walter at 1110 2nd Ave., Venice. Locating this address is problematic with Google maps, which defaults to Santa Monica. And my oldest map, a 1946 Thomas Bros. Guide, is no help. Second Avenue was close to the streetcar tracks, so that location makes sense if Conrad was a motorman. Update: This appears to be the general vicinity of the Collins home. Christine was born about 1891 in California, according to census records, and married when she was about 25. Christine was a first-generation American; her father was born in Ireland and her mother was born in England. Voter registration for 1920 shows Christine and Conrad living at 112 Thornton Place, Venice. In an updated e-mail, Dick points out a Sept. 24, 1928, United Press story in the San Mateo Times saying that Christine gave a 10th birthday party for her missing son, Walter, on Sept. 23. We can infer that he was born Sept. 23, 1918. Dick didn't find any birth record, but I'm not surprised. In searching The Times for C.J. Collins, I found an early listing of someone by that name visiting from Salt Lake City. (In the late 19th and early 20th century, newspapers published the names of people who were visiting Los Angeles and gave the names of the hotels where they were staying.)  Of course, it's unclear if this is the right C.J. Collins. According to census records, Christine's husband, Conrad, was born in Nebraska about 1890 and his parents were born in Iowa. He appears only in the 1920 census, Dick says. He also says he didn't find a death record on Walter, but I somewhat expected that. Because the victims' remains weren't found, they weren't formally declared dead until sometime later. In 1928, the time period of "Changeling," Christine was living at 219 N. Ave. 23, and working as a supervisor at the phone company. The 1930 census lists her as a roomer in the home of James C. Barton, 2614 N. Griffin Ave., still working for the phone company. (The 1929 city directory lists a James C. Barton as a chauffeur living at 1802 E. Vernon, but it's unclear if this is the same man.) Update: Dick clarifies this is James C. Borton, who was a salesman at a furniture store. The Times published a paid obituary on a man named James C. Borton on May 1, 1938, but he's not necessarily the same person.  In 1934, she was living at 2121 Workman St., a multi-family home built in 1907. In 1936, she was living at 152 N. Ave. 24 and listed as a housewife. In 1938, she was living at 551 S. Lorena. From 1942 to 1944, she was living at 2451 Daly St. In 1946, she was living at 2603 Griffin Ave. Clarifies earlier error. From 1948 to 1950, she was living at 2919 N. Broadway, Apt. D. From 1952 to 1954, she was living at 2330 Johnston St., Apt. D There is nothing to be found of her after 1954, Dick writes. And thanks from the Daily Mirror!

 

1920 Census, Venice, Los Angles California. 1110 Second Ave.
Name: Christine I Collins
Home in 1920: Venice, Los Angeles, California
Age: 29 years
Estimated Birth Year: abt 1891
Birthplace: California
Relation to Head of House: Wife
Spouse's Name: Conrad J
Father's Birth Place: Ireland
Mother's Birth Place: England
Marital Status: Married
Race: White
Sex: Female
Able to read: Yes
Able to Write: Yes
Occupation: None
Neighbors: View others on page
Household Members: Name Age
Conrad J Collins 30
Christine J Collins 29
Walter C Collins 1 3/12  (Husbands Occupation, Motorman, Electric Rail Road)

1930 Census, Los Angeles, Los Angeles. 2614 N. Griffin Ave. House
owned by James C Barton.
Name: Christine I Collins
Home in 1930: Los Angeles, Los Angeles, California
Age: 37
Estimated Birth Year: abt 1893
Birthplace: California
Father Born: Irish Free State
Mother Born: England
Relation to Head of House: Roomer
Race: White
Occupation: Supervisor, Telephone Co.
Marital Status: M
Age at first marriage: 25

California Voter Registrations, Los Angeles County, Venice City
Precinct No. 8, 1920 (this is the only voter registration that has
her husband living with her.)
Collins, Mrs Christine, hswf, 112 Thornton Pl, R
Collins, Conrad J, mtrmn, 112 Thornton pl, R

California Voter Registrations, Los Angeles County, Los Angeles City
Precinct No. 1370, 1928
Collins, Mrs Christine, 219 N Ave 23, telep spvsr, R

California Voter Registrations, Los Angeles County, Los Angeles City
Precinct No. 1819 1930
Collins, Mrs Christine, 2614 N Griffin av, sprvsr R

California Voter Registrations, Los Angeles County, Los Angeles City
Precinct No. 1496 1934
Collins, Mrs Christine I, 2121 Workman st, D

California Voter Registrations, Los Angeles County, Los Angeles City
Precinct No. 2324 1936
Collins, Mrs Christine I, 152 N Ave 24, housewife, D

California Voter Registrations, Los Angeles County, Los Angeles City
Precinct No. 862 1938
Collins, Mrs Christine I, 551 S Lorena st, housewife, T

California Voter Registrations, Los Angeles County, Los Angeles City
Precinct No. 2324 1942
Collins, Mrs Christine I, 2451 Daly st, housewife, D

California Voter Registrations, Los Angeles County, Los Angeles City
Precinct No. 2324 1944
Collins, Mrs Christine I, 2451 Daly st, housewife, D

California Voter Registrations, Los Angeles County, Los Angeles City
Precinct No. 2888 1946
Collins, Mrs Christine I, 22603 Griffin av, housewife, D

California Voter Registrations, Los Angeles County, Los Angeles City
Precinct No. 2953 1948
Collins, Christine I, 2919 N Broadway, D

California Voter Registrations, Los Angeles County, Los Angeles City
Precinct No. 2953 1950
Collins, Christine I, 2919 N Broadway, D

California Voter Registrations, Los Angeles County, Los Angeles City
Precinct No. 2965 1952
Collins, Christine I, 2330 Johnston st, D

California Voter Registrations, Los Angeles County, Los Angeles City
Precinct No. 2965 1954
Collins, Christine I, 2330 Johnston st, D

Comments

[Gill's daughter]

It's been decades since I left Venice but I think '2nd ave' was either Electric ave or only about 50ft long. I lived on 5th ave & knew many oldsters that had lived in Venice since the 20s but now I'm getting to 'oldster' & my mind's fuzzy sbutI can see the brown wood building which I think was th whole of 2nd ave. If it helps......

[shar]

would like photo and more info on
cchristine collins. just saw changeling "and i've be-come
exceptionally interested in her and totally intrigued.
thanks

[Kat Fashempour]

I am interested on what happen to the Code 12 mentioned in the movie"Changeling". What statues were made to ensure this event is not repeated  again.  What laws were entered into the books to protect women against @ the will of stupid men?

[Jim]

I would be interested in seeing the Times coverage of the LAPD corruption and of the minister who tore into the LAPD.

[veronica]

Is there a picture of Christine? I have seen a photo of pretty much everybody except her. Where can I find one.

[Richard H]

In 1938, according to the voter registration record, Christine Collins lived at 551 S. Lorena St. in Boyle Hieghts. That looks to be the one time in all those years after leaving Venice that she wasn't living in Lincoln Heights.

The Daily Mirror link goes to 451 S. Lorena St. on Zillow ( I can't believe that house is worth $443,500!). 551 S. Lorena St. today is a gas station at the corner of Sixth and Lorena St. Unless there was a major change of addresses on Lorena, the place she lived at in Boyle Heights is now gone.

Interesting coincidence. 551 S. Lorena St. is about a mile away from 955 S. Orme St. which is to the east and south going down Whittier Blvd.

955 S. Orme St. was the residence of Harry Raymond and the site of his attempted murder by car bombing by members of the LAPD in 1938. It would appear this happened at same time as when Christine Collins was living nearby on Lorena St. The Raymond Bombing, of course, has been a subject of some interest in this Blog.

If her husband was a motorman for an electric railroad, did he work for Pacific Electric or Los Angeles Railway? In 1920, I think those were the only two urban electric railway (railroad?) companies in Los Angeles County of any note. If they lived in Venice, It had to be P.E.

[Dawna]

According to the California Birth Index, 1905-1995
(at ancestry.com by subscription) an unnamed male Collins child was born in Los Angeles County 23 Sep 1918, mother's maiden name Collins.

[Mathew]

If you look in the 1930 census, you will find a Walter Collins in the Folsom State Prison in Sacramento, CA. Being that Mr. Collins was in jail for robbery in Folsom, I am sure this is him. I don't see how he could also be Conrad J Collins in the 1920 census with Christine and Walter unless he was going by a different or assumed name.

[Frances]

Code 12 is probably superceded by a California Law 5150 which allows for Involuntary Hospitalization. I may be wrong but I think under this law and other California Codes the Police, the Doctors and Hospitals are immune to all legal responsibilities for anyone taken in on a 5150. So, today, someone like Christine would not even be allowed to take the Police to court these days. She would have been forced to take medication. She might not even have been told of a diagnosis. And she also would have been sent a bill for her Hospital stay. The Laws and Codes are explained in a book called "Essentials of CA Mental Health Laws" by Behnke, Preis, et al. It's a horror story.

[Norma Puquirre]

I live in Cypress Park which is next door to Lincoln Heights. I haven't seen the movie yet, but my friend did. She told me I have to see it. I will not regret it. So I started researching on the internet. First of all it is a terrible trajedy. From the beginning to the end. Second, I recognized all the streets where Christine lived. Third, I drove over to 219 N. Ave.23. Of course the house doesn't exist anymore because there are brand new condos. And my brother happens to live there. Also, I read that Christine gave her son a dime to go to the theatre. The only theatre that I know of is in Highland Park. Too far. The theatre that he went to does exist. The building does. Its located at 3232 N. Figueroa St. It's now a sandwich shop. I cannot believe I have lived here all my life and had no idea this horrible story happened in my own backyard.

[Chris]

Mystery Solved,

I can definitively say that Christine Collins died on 12/8/1964. Another blogger correctly identified her as Christine I. Dunne (maiden) name who lived in Seaattle in 1910. The blogger linked to a name in the California death index under Christin Collins. She was unsure if this was Christine or not. If one clicks on the Social Security number, it links to Kathleen Collins, a name she used after the kidnapping and the aftermath of the trial. 568-36-8665

I spent many hours trying to figure out why she wasn't coming up in the index. She was also living in Oakland for a time in the early 1930's with a family friend they first met in Hawaii in the 1920's.

Finding Christine Collins has turned out to be more difficult than I thought!

[Chris]

Another note:

James Borton was a friend of her Father, Frances W Dunne. It turns out that both were members of the Knights of Pythias, a fraternal organization. Borton took in Christine Collins as a favor to her father and because of his duty to help out family members of fellow lodge members.

[Cory]

Are you sure that this is the same Christine Collins from the movie? I search of that SS# shows that her DOB is 12/14/1888. If you look at the 1930 Census: http://content.ancestry.com/iexec/?htx=View&r=an&dbid=6224&iid=CAT626_165-0154&fn=Christine+I&ln=Collins&st=r&ssrc=&pid=90685202
it shows her year of birth being about 1893. Close, but not sure if this is her unless someone can go get a obituary from the library and see. I'd really want to know what happened to her too.

[chris connor]

great film really moving, are there any photos of christine, did she have any more children later

[vickie]

Just seen the movie and thought it was very moving. i did'nt know it was a true story until the end,so sad. i also would like to know what Christine looked like and if she had ever givin birth to any other children. Also if she ever gave up hope on finding her son alive.

[Maria Olsen]

Hello all
I'm a little confused: How could Christine be married to a Conrad J Collins when the letters sent to her by the Los Angeles Railway are addressed to a "Mrs Walter J Collins".
Also: the illegible word in her letter of July 1st 1927 to Wardon Court Smith appears to be "unintentioned".
Thanks!
Maria

[Michael Ackerman]

Christine Collins' May 3, 1929 and May 16, 1929 letters give her address as 811 E. Park St. San Gabriel, Calif. I am unable to find a Park Street on current maps of San Gabriel. I did find a Park Street In what was called South San Gabriel in my 1950s Thomas Guide, but is now in Rosemead. The street numbers are wrong, but what's interesting is that this short street would have had addresses in the 800s if it had the numbering scheme used by the City of San Gabriel.

I want Larry to be able to stick a pin in the map for this address.

[Anne Adams]

I've downloaded most of the LA Times PDF archive files on the Christine Collins story. For the most part, the Times coverage reflected the newspaper's general philosophy back then, which was 100% on the side of the police and business interests. Collins' civil lawsuit against the LAPD was covered extensively in the Times. The Times' earliest coverage of the lawsuit portrayed Collins in a negative light, suggesting between the lines that the lawsuit was frivolous. The last coverage I found - in the early 1940's, only gave the basic facts. Her lawyer had successfully renewed the civil judgment before it expired, but it doesn't appear that Collins ever collected a dime. The civil judgment she won was $10k, from the police captain who'd signed the order committing her to the asylum, but her lawsuit against the LAPD was dismissed.

[Ashley]

Ever since I saw the film I have searched all over the internet for her story. I have come across many addresses, dates and letters none of which seem to make sense to me. I am a little confused. I am intrigued by her story and would love to know more about her but getting my head around everything is just so hard. In the beginning of the film she tells Walter that she has asked a neighbour to check in on him. This was never mentioned again? Nor is it mentioned in any of the papers I have read.

Can I say too that it does not mention this in the film but little Sanford went to a state school but was released not long after and he eventually married and had kids. He died in 1991.

Gordon's mother helped with the killings of the children and also went to prison for life but was released after 12 years (i think),

Walter was never found. However, Christine never gave up hope.

[gutman]

Interesting how Eastwood omitted the fact that the murderer's mother (rather, grandmother) also took part in the killings. Perhaps it didn't tie in with the film's general depiction of women as having been victims of those times. Ironically, her story would have given nod to that as well....

[Precious Ng]

Is Walter Collins alive?

[Gloria McDonald]

After watching the Changeling, to too have many questions, i.e. why Christine did not immediately go to the people who were to check in on Walter. Also after the last child came forward and said that Walter was still alive when the three boys ran away from Northcott's, why at that time would the LAPD sent an entire crew back to that area looking for the other two boys and/or dig up the rest of the area. The children not have run that far, especially as according to the film and the found boys testimony, Northcott got into his car to chase them down. And why did the LAPD not offer a deal to Northcott in return for info on Walter(after all from what I understand at that time, the LAPD was certainly not beyond reproach for their shady behaviour, etc. They could have pretended in this case to offer a deal in exchange for the truth about Walter and if dead, spared his mother all future years looking and waiting for her son.
Gloria

[Colette]

I just watched the movie and like so many others I am greatly interested in this story.
I have read on one site that she remarried.
I also can't believe that the movie totalled skipped over the fact that his mother was invovled in the murders.

[emma]

I don't understand in the movie she was asked out by the one man and she accepted, but how could that be true if she was married

[Jen]

I am sure her husband conrad J was really her husband Walter J.

After all he was a known train robber and prob live for a while under a diff name, to avoid getting caught. After he was caught and put in prison she was never listed as living with Conrad again