Hill, Mrs/Miss Cristina

1898-1899

Family reports that she abandoned her husband and 2 children to go north for the gold rush. e-mail from Jay Arnold, great grandson, JB2ARNOLD@aol.com;

1898-1900

Family reports she opened a dance hall and/or boarding house in Valdez about 1900 and lived in Valdez until her death. Brother is Art Hill, who mined in Valdez area before WWII. e-mail from Jay Arnold, great grandson, JB2ARNOLD@aol.com;

Additional Information

Valdez Undertaking Co. funeral record #2-165 shows she was 65 years old, single. Her funeral was on 6/17/1929. The bill was charged to Alex Singletary, another ‘98er who owned the Montana Bar.“She was Norwegian and came from the area around Grandforks North Dakota. Grandma said her mother abandonded her and her father and brother to run away to the Alaska Gold Rush. I know that my Grandmother’s brother’s name was Art Hill. He stayed for a time with his mother in Valdez, I would guess when he was in his teens. Great-Uncle Art wasborn before the turn of the century and was raised mostly by relatives in Seattle. My grandmother said her brother Art worked a claim outside of town. I don’t know if that is possible, a fiction or incorrect history.Grandma said she last saw her mother sometime in the 1930’s when she traveledback to Grand Forks for a visit. She said at that time her mother gave her a gold nugget which she kept until her death in Portland, Oregon in a safety deposit box. Any tidbits or crums of information you might have would be appreciated. Grandma died in 1989 at the age of 100. She always used to tell me, “When you go to Alaska you’ve got to go to Valdez. My mother is buried there and I might have title to some property yet.” I didn’t think so then and I sure don’t think so now.” Jay Arnold, e-mail, 1/4/2000.