Christine Collins’ residences, as shown on Google Earth. |
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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. 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
ladailymirror.com 
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……
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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
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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?
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I would be interested in seeing the Times coverage of the LAPD corruption and of the minister who tore into the LAPD.
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Is there a picture of Christine? I have seen a photo of pretty much everybody except her. Where can I find one.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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!
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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.
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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.
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great film really moving, are there any photos of christine, did she have any more children later
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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.
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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
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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….
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Is Walter Collins alive?
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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
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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.
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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
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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
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I just watched the movie and was sick about how these little boys were killed..I never thought it was about a serial killer who killed 20 boys..I wasn’t prepared for the ending. Did they ever ask the little boy who helped with the murders, if they ever caught Walter that night or if he got away..because when he first told his story, he said SOME got away…also he had to bury the boys..did he bury Walter? He would know..he picked him out of the pictures. Also a father was never in the film and no friends..she was always alone..why?
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I am very happy to find out what happened to Christine Collins. I truly hate loose ends. Apparently she died on Dec. 8, 1964 at the age of 73 according to an obituary. The problem was that she was listed as Christin Collins, a misspelling. This can be linked to SS death index as Kathleen Collins, an alias she mentions using in a letter. She did this to avoid attention after the high proflie trial. No, she did not look like Angelina Jolie, but neither does anyone else. Though she may not have lead an exemplary life, she loved her child and a horrible thing happened to her, and that is qute all we need to know. Everyone has a story, and her’sis way better than most. A way underrated movie.
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After looking over some of Mrs. Collins letters to the warden of Folsom Prison she clearly states that Walter J. Collins was her husband. She referes to her son as Walter Jr.. Also Walter Sr. was known to use different names while trying to avoid arrest, thus Conrad could have been him just hiding out.
Her letter is dated 8/28/32.
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i think they didnt put the killers grandmother in the movie cuz it would resemble the movie psycho too much. We have to keep in mind that in the end this is a movie wanting to win awards and if its like a movie from the past it doesnt make so special to win an award you know?
but i wanna know if they ever asked gordon what his motive was like i know he was mental but did he ever say anything about the boys he killed??
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does anyone know where christine collins nee dunne went to college or school? being a manager for the phone company she must have had a decent education. Thanks!
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In the movie, “Changeling,” did anyone else notice how Northcott put something in the back of the detective’s car who was going to pick up Northcott’s nephew at the ranch? The movie never referenced that again. Very strange…
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Does anyone know the annswers to the following:
1. Did Gorden S. Northcott have a lawyer at his Los Angeles Trial?
2.. Did the lawyer raise the Insantiy Defense?
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I have recently watched this movie and I am horrified by this tragedy. I was wondering if anyone knew where I could read correct information on this case.
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There are many questions that everyone has after watching this story. Has anyone examined the remains today for DNA? Also searching the area where this all took place, I was thinking just like NG they should have looked on the grounds more. Has anyone looked since then? I’m sure things have changed in that area but curious on how it looks now.
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I bought this movie because I was adopted and felt I would relate although I thought it was going to be sappy. I have watched it at least 2 times each day since I bought it 3 days ago. This movie was not only interesting and intriguing as many of you have put, but for me it has touched my soul. You see I was adopted at age 6 and all my life I have casually wondered about where I came from and who my real parents are but after seeing this movie, my new perspective is that I never considered how my maternal mother has felt this whole time. Ive been selfish in my thinking. For all I know instead of wondering what happened to me and why she gave me up, it never occurred to me that I could have been taken away, either by corrupt child services for my state or some other means beyond her control. After seeing this movie, I now understand what others have with their birth mother. Its that fire between a mother and her child which can never be put out by nothing or no one except God, if its within his plan. Its like an invisible force field that binds them together and always is there and will never go away and though I have never felt it before,.. I do now. I just want to send her a letter and let her know that I’m ok, I’m loved and have a good job and not to worry and that I’m sorry for being so selfish all these years by wondering what happened to me and why I was given up instead of trying to find her and giving her peace. If I could say anything to her right now, I would tell her I dont care what the circumstances were, Im ok, and wish her health but more than wealth, I wish her love. I love you Mom, where ever and who ever you are.
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Her husband died in prison of liver disease. He died in the early 30’s.
here is a link to some letters that have return addresses of Christina Collins. There is such a street, but I cant find the house, if u maps.google.com
http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/thedailymirror/changeling
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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
Posted by: emma | February 21, 2009 at 06:29 PM
===================
She was asked out in the movie in 1935. The date is flashed on the screen – February 27, 1935 – Oscar night. Perhaps you missed it. She became a widow in 1932.
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i just watched the movie and all i have to say is what a mom that is what you call a mothers love
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One web site has Christine Collins death in LaFayette Ca. 1996, B movie news has her death listed for 1935 which was 14 years after her son disappeared, another site stated that she had renewed her law suit against Captain J.J Jones in Jan. 1941. So when did she really pass away? And if there were any remains of unindentified bodies, could they do dna now to determine if any of them were the son of Christine Collins
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Hi, please someone tell me if she had more babies? That would bring some joy to my heart. Poor woman.
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A little confusion here. The movie mentions Christine Collins and her boy living at 210 N. Ave 23. in 1928. In the letters Christine Collins handwrote to the prison board she indicates she lived at 217 N. Ave 23. in the same period. Now, Mr. Dick Morris has her living at 219 N. Ave 23. in the same period.
I know that there are condos and a freeway wall in that vicinity on Ave 23 today.
Which one is her correct address from March 1928 to August 1928?
Thanks.
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this is one of the saddest tales that i have ever read or watched a film adaptation about.
even after all the odds were against it…she still had hope that walter could be still alive.
personally after reading and doing various reserch….sadly i think that he was already dead, perhaps within the next few days after being snatched by Northcott.
if he was still alive, i am sure that he would have found a way of getting in touch with his mother, so as not to worry her any more.
and if not then, he would have grown up and got some adult sense, and would know that his mother was still looking for him, and he would have come forward. this is why i think that Walter was sadly already dead.
my heart will always go out to this brave lady.
one day i hope to visit l angelis, and i want to find her grave. so please could someone furnish me with her interment where abouts. i would be very grateful.
i have watched Changeling lots of times, and it always leaves me wondering, and with a big lump in my throat.
thankyou for your indulgence.
please keep me informed.
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