MYOG - Mine, Yours', and the Other Guy's Genealogy

Hickey's of Derrycon, Clare, Ireland

2012-02-12T11:26:00.001-08:00

I received a comment about William Hickey and Bridget Minogue. Can the person who commented, please email me at kristin@zelsersk.net? I am very interested in discussing our family connection.

My Napa Origins and Surnames - Part 3 - McLaughlin

2012-02-11T06:00:00.000-08:00

Whatever happened to the McLaughlin's in Napa, California. I realize that it is unlikely that my family was the only ones to hold this surname in that location. However, I am looking for information about Thomas Michael McLaughlin when he and his family lived in Napa, California.

In 1886, Thomas, his wife Ellen, and their children (Mary, Ellen, Catherine, Anna, Thomas, and Joseph), pulled up stakes in Austin, Nevada and headed for Napa, California. From about 1870 until 1886, this McLaughlin family had been in the Grass Valley/Austin Area of Lander County, Nevada. I'm still wondering why they left Nevada but then again, there really is not much there even these days. It is high desert. Napa had more to offer in the way of fertile soil and it sounds like the McLaughlin's were dairy farmers in Napa.

The first six children were born in Austin, Nevada while the seventh child, Hugh Robert, was born in Napa. So, where were Thomas and Ellen from? Thomas Michael McLaughlin was born and raised in Newport, Herkimer County, New York. His own parents were Irish immigrants. Ellen McLaughlin (maiden name - Maxwell) was born in Ireland and immigrated to the Newport, New York Area, as a child.

When I first discovered Newport, New York, it was written down as "The Irish Settlement" in my family's "box of treasures". The name alone peaked my curiosity and I had to know more. And know more I have. Several descendants of the McLaughlin's and Maxwell's helped me. I thank them for that.

Now, I continue to yearn for more information about the McLaughlin's lives in Napa, California. I have very little. I often wonder if our Duffy and Malloy relatives have anything about Thomas and Ellen. Someone may have information and photos without knowing it or really knowing who these people were. I continue to hope for a miracle of sorts on that front.

I'd loved to know more about Thomas Michael McLaughlin, Ellen Maxwell McLaughlin, Catherine "Katie" Maxwell Duffy, and Philip Duffy of Napa, California. I do have some information for sure and the Malloy's shared some of what they had years and years ago with my grandfather, their cousin.

The Irish Settlement and Beyond

My Napa Origins and Surnames - Part 2 - Flanagan

2012-02-08T06:00:00.000-08:00

I have written down so much information about my Flanagan's in this blog that when I go back and re-read my posts, I am even amazed. I am most amazed at the number of stories that I have about them. While I do now have an excellent family tree developed on Ancestry.com for my Flanagan's, I do need to go back and apply any sourcing to the tree to make it all good.

Patrick and Kate (Catherine Mary O'Brien) Flanagan arrived in San Francisco, California in 1870. They had immigrated from Australia. While this was not their first immigration, as Kate had left Ireland with her family when she was about 11 years old for the world "Downunder" and Pat had done so as a young adult, it was their last big move. They were married shortly thereafter and moved to Napa, California. Patrick purchased some land from Judge Stanly where he made his initial farm. The farm was in the now famed Carneros Region of Napa right next to and/or near the Stanly Ranch. By 1871, Patrick's brother, Michael Flanagan, had joined them from Australia. He worked for the Stanly Ranch as the manager. By the early 1870s, Patrick had traded up his land with Stanly again for something a bit larger. Even today, the Flanagan Ranch house sits off Hwy 12/121 at Cuttings Wharf Road in Napa, pretty much next to the Stanly Ranch.

When it comes to my Flanagan's in Napa, I do feel like I have yet to discover fully what I can about Patrick, Kate and their children. Patrick stands out for me though. I don't even have a photo of him. I wonder what information is lurking out there unbeknownst to the holder. What do I mean by that? I mean that until I actually opened "my box of treasures" and read every word on every page, I did not know who all of the Flanagan children were. Is there a Flanagan in a similar situation who has yet to open and discover what they have? I wonder.

Let's just say, Jack (John Francis) Flanagan's side of the family has probably exhausted our information and I've posted the "heck out of it" here in my blog. I accept anything scanned as a document and in JPEG photo form over email for anyone who has Napa Flanagan information. In turn, I can share with you my research. Where would you like me to begin?

If you are interested in reading about my Flanagan's, link below to my index of hyperlinked posts.

Napa Flanagan's and County Louth Ancestor Lines

My Napa Origins and Surnames - Part 1

2012-02-04T06:00:00.000-08:00

In my recent research of my ancestors, time and time again, I land on my family surnames from Napa, California. In as much as I would like to pursue my Hickey ancestors in Ireland, at every push of the button on my computer, sign-on to Ancestry.com, or review of email, I find requests and information associated with my ancestors who ended up in Napa, California. I guess I need to take that as a sign.

My mother's side of the family is from Napa and has been for generations. While I have relatives remaining in Napa and they are aging, I have a special affinity for the place and a family history that I only started to truly realize a few years ago. The connection to Napa spread to relatives of present and past outside of Napa. The explosion of family tree information resulting from simple inquiries that I am of the Napa Flanagan's, McLaughlin's, Borchers', and Vienop's, is quite amazing. I barely mention to various family researchers of my interest in these lines and receive a plethora of information from blood relatives, even if somewhat distant, that many family tree researchers would envy.

So, what does my mother's side of the family have in common with each other from my Irish relatives to my German family? They liked to keep track of our family tree including holding onto photos. I have always said that there is this strong desire on my Flanagan side of the family to write things down. This also applies to my McLaughlin's. As I've known for a long time, my Vienop and Borchers side of the family like to keep track of things too. I only wish that I had taken notes when I was younger and had more time to spend with my relatives some of whom have passed away.

My Napa Direct Line Relative Surnames:
-Flanagan*
-McLaughlin*
-Vienop
-Borchers
*Indicates that there were other surnames. Kate Flanagan was born Catherine Mary O'Brien and Ellen McLaughlin was born Ellen Maxwell.

My Irish family in Napa predates my German family by about 30 years. This applies particularly to my Flanagan's.

Napa Arrival Timeframe and Family Members:
-Flanagan - Patrick and Kate 1870, Michael - 1871
-McLaughlin - Thomas, Ellen, Mary, Ellen, Catherine, Joseph, Anna, Thomas - 1886
-Vienop - John Henry, Anna, Ernest, Mary, John Henry, Minnie, Ernest, Ernest, Ricky, George - 1901
-Borchers - Herbert Herman Leonhardt Borchers - 1920

My Napa Cousin's:
-Duffy - Philip and Katie (Maxwell)
-Malloy
-Gruenhagen
-Bruns
-Reidenbach
-Ruffino
-Mueller
-Skilling

In the cousin department, I have to admit that there could be more but I am just not all that familiar with the all of the family connections associated with St. John's Lutheran Church in Napa, a church that my Vienop Family helped start.

I was initially thinking that this would be it for my post about my Napa surnames but I do have more to say about this very topic.....To be continued......

Ernest J. Vienop

2012-02-01T06:00:00.001-08:00

You've got to love the State of California. It can be so random what information you might find online that exists within the walls of the California State Library located in downtown Sacramento. 900 N Street is the current and temporary location of the California History Room. The State is refurbishing the old library. That project has taken on a history of its own. We'll see how long the renovation and restoration takes while much of the catalog of books and documents lives in warehouses in West Sacramento. Thank goodness the California History Room is not boxed up in a warehouse. Have I had time to visit the "temporary" (which looks rather permanent to me) library. Well, I have not.

I do love it when I find information online. The book can be found under the following call number:

Calif. State Library History Room (RR)
CALL NUMBER: [Alcove] 979.452 G8 -- Book NC
CALL NUMBER: [q] -- 979.452 G8 -- Book
CALL NUMBER: \MICRO-\FICHE\G3\LH11176\

CA Gen Web

After 100 years, I suppose Copyright is not really in effect so I am posting the following biography about Ernest J. Vienop. He was and still is referred to as Cousin Ernest and not be confused with the other 2 Ernest Vienop's in Napa at the same time. All three were related. I've got to sit down to figure out the exact family tree connection and then write about it.

ERNEST J.VIENOP.

Theimmediate progenitors of Ernest J. Vienop, Fred H. and Charlotte (Shrick)Vienop, were born in Germany, and upon immigrating to this country they settledin St. Louis, Mo., where the father followed his trade of cigar manufactureruntil his death. The mother is still living and a resident of St. Louis. Fivechildren were originally comprised in the parental family, but of these onlythree are living, and Ernest J. is the eldest of the number. He was born in St.Louis, Mo., November 26, 1871, and his boyhood and youth were passed in thelocality of his birth, the public schools of that city also furnishing him witha fair education. When he was about sixteen years old he apprenticed himself tolearn the brick-layer’s trade under H. Hartman. a well-known brick contractorof that city. Four years of conscientious and constant work under thisinstructor found the young man full-fledged and ready to undertake work as ajourneyman, and for about eighteen years, or until 1898, he found plenty ofwork in St. Louis and vicinity.

Mr. Vienop’sfirst venture from native haunts occurred in 1898 and took him to Fairbury,Jefferson county, Neb., in which vicinity he established himself on a farm andcontinued farming there for two years, or until coming to California. Hereached the Golden State February 22, 1900, coming directly to Napa county,which has ever since been his home and the scene of his activities. Near Napahe purchased a small ranch of five acres on the Monticello road, where heengages in horticulture and the poultry business. His ranch activities may beregarded more properly as a recreation than as a business, however, for he isactively engaged in following his trade of brick contractor. Among thebuildings that have been erected under his supervision are the Registerbuilding, California bakery and Miglivacca warehouse in Napa, besides which hehas erected structures throughout Napa and Solano counties, in fact hisservices have also been employed on numerous structures in different parts ofnorthern California.

While stilla resident of St. Louis. Mo., Mr. Vienop was united in marriage in that citywith Miss Ricka Schiffmann. who was born there. Four sons have been born to Mr.and Mrs. Vienop : George, William, Walter and Albert. The family attends theLutheran Church and politically Mr. Vienop is a Republican. - Written in 1911-12

Henry and Anna Borchers - Family Potrait

2012-01-28T06:00:00.000-08:00

I say this all of the time, "I love photos!" They are so interesting to look at. When they are of your own ancestors, they are like magic. A picture is like a window. Old photos are like looking through a window into the past.

Last year, I mentioned to my aunt that I had wished that I had a photo of each of the Borchers children, my great grandfather's siblings. She said she did have a photo of the entire family together in a portrait. It amazes me how a comment like that can slip my mind and take me another year to request a copy of the picture. In my Borchers Family, ask and you shall receive.

The following photo is just that, my Borchers ancestors. Let me put some context around the photo before scrolling down. It definitely helps to know the "Who? What? When? Where? and Why?". Well, let's just say that the "why?" is simple. Every family should have a portrait taken together. While this is commonplace nowadays, it might not have been as such in the late 1800s. When I do find surviving family portraits of my ancestors and family that are over 100 years old, I just about burst from the excitement.

So, who is in this photo? Where and when was it taken? What other context can I put around it?

The photo is of Henry and Anna Borchers and Family. It was taken circa 1900 in Owatonna, Minnesota, at Mueller's, Ground Floor Studio.


Top Row: Henry, William, Martha; Middle: Tillie, Henry, Albert, Anna; Front Row Standing: Herbert, Clara

There is a note on the back of the photo indicating who everyone is by their first name. Below, I have listed their full names and married surnames to the best of my ability.

Top Row
Henry Ludwig Christian Borchers
William Heinrich Borchers
Martha Sophie Dorthea Borchers Joersz

Middle
Mathilda (Tillie) Maria Margaretha Magdalena Borchers Weber (later married name was Adams)
"Henry" Hans Heinrich Conrad Borchers
Albert A. Borchers
Anna Maria Jackel Borchers (biological parents' name - Kern/Kearne/Kerns)

Front Row Standing
Herbert Herman Leonhardt Borchers (Sr.)
Clara Pauline Christine Borchers Gruenhagen

It is interesting that I don't seem to have Albert Borchers full name. I wonder what the "A" stood for and if that is even correct. Another point to make that was shared with me recently was that Anna Maria/Marie Jackel Borchers was adopted. Yes, all of her children knew this. This maybe why it was okay for Anna's half sister, Augusta Jackel, to marry her son, William Borchers. Anna and Augusta were actually not biologically related at all.

So, who is missing from this photo? Emilie Regina Barbara Borchers was the first child born to Henry and Anna in 1878 and she died when she was only 2 months old. The second child born would have already been grown, married and out of the house by this time since she is not present in this portrait. In fact, Elizabeth "Lizzie" Amillia Borchers Strehlow married Charles F. Strehlow at the beginning of 1900. I wish that I had a photo of her. I might. I do have some unidentified photos that my aunt thinks are Strehlow's.

The best way for me to know when this photo was taken is to look at my great grandfather, Herbert Borchers, since he is the youngest in the photo. He looks to be about two to three years old. He was born on 3 Aug 1897. I would assume that this photo was taken in 1900 or thereabouts.

It is funny to me so see the name Mueller on the photo matting because I have relatives by marriage who have that last name. These Mueller's were apparently photographers in Owatonna, Minnesota, around the turn of the century. Mind you, the name Mueller (pronounced Miller by many) is common in Wisconsin and Minnesota, at least it was as a German immigrant surname in those parts.

Again, I love photos. If a Borchers descendant or family friend finds this photo, please comment. I often wonder if anyone is looking for our Borchers Family roots besides my uncle, myself, and a few others on Ancestry.com.

U.S. Season 3 - Who Do You Think You Are?

2012-01-27T06:00:00.000-08:00

A new season of "Who Do You Think You Are?" starts on Friday, February, 3rd. Can't wait!

This season includes Martin Sheen, Helen Hunt, Rob Lowe, Reba McIntyre, Blair Underwood, Rita Wilson, and an NFL Football player. I'm not much into football but my hubby is so he'll watch that one for sure.

Mark your calendar for 8pm on the 3rd. I'm setting my DVR to record.

Write it down! Blog it!

2012-01-24T06:00:00.000-08:00

If there is anything that I've learned in blogging about my family history, my roots, and genealogy, is the absolute importance of writing things down. That is the point of this blog.

This lesson is not a strange concept in my Flanagan Family. My ancestor, Richard Flanagan started writing things down in the farm account books in 1773 in Termonfeckin, Louth, Ireland. The fact that those books were retained by the family is probably a bit of a miracle. To his credit he must have set the trend in the family. His son, Patrick Flanagan, continued with the farm account books. The importance of the written word was not lost on Patrick's children or his grandchildren.

From Richard Flanagan (my 5th great grandfather) to his great grandson, Patrick Flanagan (my great great grandfather), there is an evident tradition in the ability and desire to write things down. While my great great grandfather, Patrick, may have been a pretty busy farmer in Napa, California, information still flowed home to Ireland from another source. Michael Flanagan, Patrick's brother, wrote letters and kept a diary in which he wrote of the events and experiences of his life.

Michael Flanagan is definitely a huge inspiration for me. Just to sit and read some of his letters is quite moving and motivation for me to continue blazing my family tree and "writing" it all down.

Whether my writing appeals to a wide range of readers or just to a select few relatives, I find that the torch has been passed to me. Instead of having to pull out a typewriter like my grandfather's sister, Ellen Maxwell Flanagan, I can easily and quickly type my thoughts and post them here. Aunt Ellen blazed away on our family tree with more of an emphasis on the McLaughlin side of our family. I now understand her desire to find our family roots and have taken all of it on.

My hobby is sometimes a bit of an addiction but not yet an obsession. Maybe someday this can become a full time job for me. I've got to win that lottery!

Hickey Family - Greenwich Village, Manhattan, New York City Circa 1940

2012-01-21T06:00:00.000-08:00

On Wednesday, I posted a photo of my Hickey relatives. There is so much to absorb from a photo that I've never seen before. While I can say that I can spot my own Grandmother (Josephine Hickey McGuire) in the photo, I can't say that I have ever seen a photo of my great grandparents, Patrick and Johanna Hickey. Now, I probably could pick them out of a line up if I had to. I just can't get over how much my grandmother looked like her own mother. In fact, I'd go so far as to say she was the spitting image of her mother. It is almost uncanny.


Back Row: Eleanor Hickey Fitzpatrick, Josephine Hickey McGuire, Martin "Marty" Hickey, Margaret "Marge" Hickey Ford, Fred Ford, Kathleen Hickey Daly, a Living Hickey; Front Row: Anna Hickey Kennedy, Patrick Hickey (of Derrycon, Clare, Ireland), Johanna Coughlin Hickey (of Ballyvannan, Clare, Ireland), and William "Billy" Hickey - Photo is circa 1940, New York City or the surrounding area.

So, with only one of the above family member's still living, I have chosen to post this photo and not identify who the living Hickey is out of privacy. While it may be somewhat of a compromised privacy since her photo is here, her name is not revealed. I am considering myself still respecting her privacy here.

I am most taken by the likeness of Josephine and Johanna. I have a few other photos of them including Josephine as she aged. They are almost twins. I am betting, however, that Josephine was considerably shorter than her mother at just about 5ft 1in. Josephine was my Grandmother and I knew her.

What strikes me is that I've always been told that I looked like a Hickey. As I glance over the faces of those in this photo, I at first disagree somewhat. However, when I look at Patrick Hickey's face, I totally see it. I do look like a Hickey while several of the family here favor their mother's side (Coughlin).

Now, if I could get my hands on more photos of Patrick I'd been in a great spot. I love photos and thank my aunt for sending this "gift". Here are a few more.............

Johanna "Mama"

Patrick "Popeye"

Johanna 1936

Patrick and Johanna July 1936

In the final photo above, I think that I spotted either the Empire State Building or the Chrysler Building. It looks like the rooftop was a place to hang out and take some photos. Love it!

Wordless Wednesday - Hickey Family

2012-01-18T06:00:00.000-08:00

A Good Day for Genealogy

2012-01-17T09:15:00.000-08:00

Today, could actually be the coldest day of the year for the Sacramento Valley in California. I woke up to 20 degree weather. While the sun is shining, the grass is coated with white. As my children would say, Jack Frost visited us last night as he has every night since around the end of December. Even at 9am, it's only 23F (-5C) degrees. Brrrrrrr!

How does this relate to genealogy? Well, not much except to shed some light on why my ancestors came Northern California and to give me a great reason to stay inside today and work on my research.

My ancestors certainly knew a good thing. Northern California has upwards of 10 months of growing season with 2 months off. If you are in Southern California, there is no time off because of the much warmer weather. That time off also gives the soil and plants their dormancy required for some great crops in the Spring. Now, if we'd just get some of our typical winter rain. It's pretty dry out there right now.

So, on these cold days, gardening is out and genealogy is in. I am not setting much in the way of goals for today but I do have a bit of information to look over relating to my Vienop line.

Happy researching to all!

Napa Vienop's

2012-01-14T06:00:00.000-08:00

Can I just say that I love photos? I do. The following photo is awesome. Thanks to my uncle for sending it.

There were ten original Vienop's who arrived in Napa, California at the beginning of 1901 with six of them in this photo. This family includes my direct family line. Mary was my great grandmother. Anna and John (Henry) were my great great grandparents.

For any Vienop's researching our line, feel free to contact me. Our line only has a few people that we know of researching the Vienop's/Vinup's in the U.S. Napa, CA and Daykin, Nebraska appear to be key places to find all of our related Vienop's outside of Germany.

Patrick Flanagan - Co. Louth, Ireland - Circa 1700-1779

2012-01-10T06:00:00.000-08:00

Oh my.....Have I started and perpetuated a mistake on Ancestry.com that will continue to haunt me forever?

I think that I must apologize to those out there who borrowed incorrect information from me before I was able to change it. Quite truly, the incorrect information only lived on my Flanagan Family tree at Ancestry.com for a few short months. Now, the error exists on at least 7 other trees while my tree stands corrected with no real evidence of my prior misunderstanding.

In honor of my 6th great grandfather, Patrick Flanagan, of Galroostown, Co. Louth, Ireland where he was born circa 1700 (maybe a little later on than that) and of Ganderpark, Co. Louth, Ireland where he died at his property 17 August 1779, I must take the specific stand that Mary Campbell (or the one that has been misinterpreted as his wife) was not his wife at all. His wife's name was probably Mary. He had a daughter named Mary Flanagan too.

Patrick's daughter Mary Flanagan, married James Campbell around 1773. At this point in her life, Mary was about 34 years old. Given that James Campbell died in 1799 lends me to believe that Mary might not have been his first wife.   It is possible that James was a widower and married Mary Flanagan as his second wife. This is all supposition but might explain why Mary did not have children. Mary (Flanagan) Campbell did make her way back to the family in Termonfechin after James' passed away.

Imagine the confusion that there could be when farm records written by Patrick Flanagan of Termonfechin (1780-1866), indicated a "Granny Campbell" coming to live with the family when his wife (Judith Kirwan) could no longer do so.   Granny Campbell was the 1780 Patrick Flanagan's aunt. Patrick's father Richard Flanagan of Termonfechin was the sister of Mary (Flanagan) Campbell. Patrick's children called their aunt "Granny Campbell". She, in fact, was not their grandmother or great grandmother but their grandaunt.

My own misunderstanding of this situation influenced by some other information that I read was corrected by my Flanagan's of Louth. They have studied and researched this family line with such proficiency that they are the experts.   Granny Campbell is the daughter/sister/aunt and not the wife of Patrick Flanagan who died in 1779 in Termonfechin, Louth, Ireland.

Is my mistake perpetuated forever on Ancestry.com? Only by those who randomly accept unsourced family trees. My tree is rather unsourced online. You've got to read my blog to find out more.

So, what can I do now? Well, I've tried to let people know about this mistake but who am I to tell someone that their ancestors are not Patrick Flanagan and Mary Campbell? There could be other couples with these same names.   I just wish people would stop borrowing Patrick's information off my Ancestry.com tree.   I see his death date of 17 Aug 1779 in Co. Louth on all of these other trees. Mind you, this is how I typed it on Ancestry.com the first time. I have since revised his specific location of death to read Ganderpark, Termonfechin, Co. Louth, Ireland. Everyone who's got this date of death as such has his wife as Mary Campbell. I guess that's a big "Oops!" on my part.

As I've said before, but maybe not recently, "Buyer Beware" on Ancestry.com. The public information on someone else's unsourced tree is just that - unsourced, unreliable, and unproven. I learned over a year ago to only gather sourced, proven information from others and with this as my example, I've learned a lesson or two.

I still place unsourced information on Ancestry.com on my own tree even today but that's because I'm doing the research and not borrowing from others that I do not know on Ancestry.com.

Mobile Device - MYOG

2012-01-08T06:00:00.000-08:00

Technology is a grand thing. Now you can access this blog via a mobile device version. Someone will have to tell me how that goes. I thought that I'd make the option officially available.

When There Were Trees In Ireland

2012-01-07T06:00:00.002-08:00

When there were trees in Ireland animals could run through the forest fleeing from a predator or chasing prey.

When there trees in Ireland children could climb to their hearts content and chase butterflies off branches as they flew scattering away.

When there were trees in Ireland

I started writing this (and have not yet finished as that will be for another day) when I recently read something about a tree planting program in Ireland. There really aren't a lot of trees there as there probably were in ancient times. Most of the trees were cut down and used for various things like fuel, buildings, farm implements, furniture, and you name it.

Not unlike the United States, especially in the "West", Ireland is replanting trees hundreds of years after they were taken down and used. Here in California, we are working to replant trees only 50-100 years after they were taken down and used. We continue to take them down but there are tree planting programs and "tree-huggers" all over this fine state to encourage replacement of the trees and preservation of the forest.

I just had to make note of this for future reference in my online diary here at blogspot.com.

Researching Ireland - County Louth

2012-01-04T06:00:00.000-08:00

In recent months, I've received various emails from people about genealogy. The emails that always grab my attention are those that offer a way to get my hands on records in Ireland. These records are not easy to get at since most of what I'd like to review is either held in the Irish Archives, various Irish heritage centers, and church parishes in Ireland. A cost is associated with retrieving this information and truly seems somewhat open-ended and unknown to me.

The rates that are potentially charged for looking up records appear to be fee based for each record. Once you get out of standard records and into more obscure research, the rate changes to an hourly rate. That is all fine and dandy but the research is only as good as the researcher. Some researchers are extremely proficient, accurate, and can disseminate information quite clearly and easily to their client. While I am an amateur genealogist with limited resources at my fingertips, I have quickly, proficiently, and accurately found information for at least two people. Extending my trust and funds to another researcher is tough without some review of their work.

If I could run off at a whim to the LDS Family History Center near my house, I could certainly gain some ground on my research skills. Hence, time does not currently allow an opportunity for me to do this so I search away online from my office at home and think of my future potential.

I did recently meet an individual online via email who can access Irish records for people who are willing to pay the minimal fee he charges. He can get to County Louth records quite easily and may even be able to help with records outside of Louth.

While I have not had the opportunity to truly hire him, he did send me some samples of his work to entice me. I've let him know that I am very interested and need to carve out some time and funds for this project. In the meantime, I told him that I'd share his information on my blog.

Kevin's Irish Research

His blog is quite interesting in and of itself but his research is quick, proficient, and as accurate as any. He found a few of my specific ancestors in Termonfeckin. I am impressed.

Happy New Year 2012!

2012-01-01T06:00:00.004-08:00

I've just finished my very well appreciated break from my blog, the daily routine of school and homework for my children, and even managed to get away from the house a bit. The holidays are always fun. Even more loved by me is when they end on a high note and I can get back to my routine. I must say that I never realized just how much I thrive in a routine. I realized this once I had children and started in on their daily routine from the time that they were babies. The routine has changed a number of times in the past almost 7 years but it a comfortable place to be once you've got it down. It gives me something to look forward to everyday with some predictability.

I am presented with the somewhat mundane question on what was routine for my ancestors. Did they thrive and appreciate their routine? What was daily life like in the 1600s, 1700s, or 1800s for my Flanagan's living in Termonfeckin, Ireland? What was life like for my McLaughlin's in Newport, New York of the 1830s?

The true answer to these questions may never really be nailed down. The reason being is that I can't go back in time and personally experience what their lives were like. What I can do is get a peek at who they were through working on my family tree. My peek includes anything from anecdotal stories to photographs or even looking over the length of an individual's life span. There are so many angles to work when it comes to finding and learning about your family roots.

I have continued to gather information about my family lines. Just when I've thought all hope has been lost on some lines, I receive information from others who generously take their time to send their research, photographs, or other research materials. It is amazing and I love the gift of information. These "gifts" are certainly not lost on me.

For 2012, I think that I will change my terminology a bit from "sharing" to "gifts". In the past, I have used sharing as a word to describe the exchange of information. I have realized that you can't expect everyone to share or have the time to do so. This year I am going to call the information sharing a "gift" since it can come at the most unexpected time. Gifts are special, not expected typically, and provide such surprise and delight to the receiver but also the gift giver. The gift of information offered or received is part of what genealogy is all about for me.

Merry Christmas

2011-12-25T06:00:00.001-08:00

MYOG wishes everyone a Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays!

Vacation/Break for the Blog!

2011-12-20T06:00:00.000-08:00

Happy Holidays to all!

MYOG is taking a holiday break but will return with a New Year's post and a plan for 2012.

Enjoy your families for the holiday and feel free to read any prior posts and make comments.

Good Health To All!

Slainte!

Lebkuchen

2011-12-19T06:00:00.000-08:00

Great Grandma Borchers' Lebkuchen

Lebkuchen is a traditional German Christmas treat that reminds many ofgingerbread. This recipe is more of acake version of Lebkuchen with basic ingredients ground very fine as to almosthide the nuts and citron that blends all of the flavors to create a taste trueto this variety of treat. The flavor isa combination of brown sugar, allspice, citron, and walnuts.

German bakers have been and continue to be rather industrious andtalented with sweets. Rather than simplymaking sweet treats out of sugar, vanilla, or chocolate (which is all great),they incorporate various spices and flavors that may seem rather unconventionalin the U.S. but test and delight the palate of adults and children alike.

This particular recipe is likely over 100 years old and was broughtfrom Germany in the late 1800s and probably modified based on availableingredients from Missouri to Nebraska to Napa, California. Enjoy my German family's traditionaltreat. Merry Christmas, Happy Hanukkahand Happy Holidays!

Preheat Oven - 350 degrees

Cooking time - 30-35 minutes

Ingredients:

-1-1/2 c. flour

-2 tsp. cinnamon

-1/4 tsp. allspice

-4 eggs

-1 lb. of brown sugar

-2 oz. finely ground citron

-1/2 c. finely ground walnuts

Cream together eggs and brown sugar. Grind citron and walnut and mix them together. Dash some flour on the citron to separate itand make it easier to mix in with the walnuts. Add remaining ingredients and mix well. Pour into a lightly greased 17"x 11"x1" pan.

Frosting:

-1 c. powdered sugar

-2 T. hot water

Spread the frosting on while the Lebkuchen is hot out of the oven. This is more of a runny glaze that will dryon the treat as it cools. Cut intosquares right away.

Irish Heritage and Paul T. McLaughlin

2011-12-17T06:00:00.000-08:00

Paul T. McLaughlin is a McLaughlin/Maxwell cousin of mine and he, like me, is definitely not shy about his willingness to share his information. Again, I disclose that for living people, my privacy policy follows that of Ancestry.com except when someone approves that they want to be revealed.

Below is a recent message that I received from Paul indicating where his collection is now located.

Thank you Paul for sharing this!

-------------------------------------------------------------

Hi,

As I was researching one of my other interests, I came across the American Heritage Center which is part of the University of Wyoming in Laramie. WY. It is one of the most respected archival centers in the states. What caught my attention was that they have an Irish-American center so I thought of you.

I have been working with them most of this year and contributed my collection of sixty nine years to them this summer. I've longed for and finally found a place where my collection will be available for posterity, if anyone is interested. What took so long was that I could never find a place to dedicate it until I surfed across a posting they had about Martin Jensen, with whom I worked back in 1942, had donated his papers to them 2 years before he died. That was all I needed. I contacted them and they were as anxious to get my collection as I was to get it to them.

Anyway, you might want to check into their Irish-American Center.

Cheers

Cuz

(Paul T. McLaughlin)

Wordless Wednesday - Mystery Person in The Photo Album

2011-12-14T06:00:00.000-08:00

My Great Grandparents Home

2011-12-11T09:15:00.000-08:00

On Wednesday, I posted a photo of 1134 Willow Avenue, Napa, California. I started really thinking about that house. It was my great grandparents home in which I spent many a day hanging out at with family for Easter, Christmas Eve, summertime visits, and more.

When my great grandma sold it in the 1980s, the new owner redid the house and put a second story on it. The second story is a little odd ball looking on what you an tell was a single story craftsman style ranch from the 1920s. I guess the original house was not big enough. While it was a bungalow type home, it did have 3 bedrooms and some rather large rooms including a big dining room and a large kitchen with laundry room connected.

To each his own in modifying a home to meet their needs. The picket fence out front is a little much though in my opinion.

I do wonder what my great grandma's brother would say about the modifications to the home. Afterall, he built it. John Henry Vienop, Jr., or rather, Uncle Henry was a general contractor in Napa, California after WWI. He built several homes in Napa. He also built more than one house on Willow Avenue in Alta Heights.

When I look up 1134 Willow Ave. on Zillow.com, it indicates that it was built in 1926. Well, my photo and family have indicated that was 1925. I guess the proof is in the picture. I suppose my grandma is not wrong....nor my great grandma....or my aunt. They all lived in this home. My aunt even has a beautifully painted water color of this house. By the time I was around, the house was completely painted white.

I rather miss visiting this home around the holidays.

Wordless Wednesday - 1134 Willow Avenue, Napa, CA - 1925

2011-12-07T06:00:00.000-08:00

1134 Willow Avenue, Napa, CA - Builder: John Henry Vienop, Jr.

MYOG Scanfest 2011

2011-12-03T06:00:00.000-08:00

There comes a time when you've got to make copies of the information that you've acquired and return the originals to the current owner. I am referring to all of the photos that I've borrowed from my mother. In particular is my grandma's photo album. It contains over 300 photos within the dimensions of an 7" X 11" book. I am scanning each page right now.

Where I lack photos of my father's parents, I do have photos of my mother's parents. In fact, I have 80 pages worth of photos of my grandma, Dorothy Marie Borchers Flanagan. Included on those pages are my great grandparents (Mary and Herbert Borchers), one of my great great grandmothers (Anna Borchers), and several photos of my grandpa (Richard J. Flanagan). There are some other relatives within the photo album including aunts, uncles, and cousins.

Many of the photos in this book are not labeled but credit goes to my great grandfather for even starting this album. According to one of his daughter's, Herbert Borchers, Sr. was the person who created this album. He may not have placed all of the photos in the book later on in his life but it is clear that my grandma did continue on with the placement of photos that include my mother.

Leave it to a Borchers to want to save and preserve these precious memories. That side of my family is big into our family genealogy. It is rather ironic because my grandma (Dorothy) never kept much of anything. She was more of a minimalist who kept everything clean and organized. I recall cleaning out my grandparents house and the bulk of the items were in the kitchen (pots, pans, etc.), fine china, linens, and garage tools plus the furniture. There were also a couple of small boxes of memories including albums. Can I just say that there was no clutter or hoarding going on in that house. My grandparents did live a rather simple, modest life and were very happy for that. I think getting back to that would work well in my life.

Anyway, I have embarked on my scanning project since my mother would like most of her photos back. She misses being able to pull out the album when a name or memory comes up. I respect that for sure. There are also some random unmounted photos that she would like to frame including her grandparents and parents.

Currently, I am on page 15 of the photo album working away at scanning it, saving the original scanned page to my removable hard drive, cropping the page in Photoshop, and uploading the pages to Shutterfly. My intent is to make a book of these photos. I'd also like to know who the people are in many of the photos. I will be asking my aunts when I see them.

Here's a sample page from the book.

Dorothy Marie Borchers and her mother, Mary Borchers circa 1922

So "Mine, Yours', and the Other Guy's" Scanfest 2011 is on!

Wordless Wednesday - Mary (Vienop) Borchers - Circa 1900

2011-11-30T06:00:00.000-08:00

Happy Thanksgiving!

2011-11-20T08:00:00.000-08:00

Given that it is the start of Thanksgiving week and my children are off from school, my blog will take a break. I'll be back next week with some new posts.

Happy Thanksgiving to all!!!

Hickey/Coughlin Research - Part 1

2011-11-17T06:00:00.000-08:00

My father's side of the family has limited information about our Hickey and Coughlin family line until now. One of my father's cousin's actually sought the information from the Clare Heritage Centre a number of years ago. Below, I begin my summary of research followed by the extent and details of my Hickey/Coughlin line research. My thought here is that if you wish and wait, you will find. It doesn't hurt to rundown every lead and post on a message board here and there.

Patrick and Johanna (Coughlin) Hickey immigrated to the United States between the years of 1903 and1906. Based on information in U.S. Census, it would appear that Johanna immigrated in 1904 and Patrick in 1905. They were married on November 26, 1911, at the Church of the Resurrection in Rye, New York.

Patrick Hickey was born on November 20, 1884, in Derrycon, County Clare, Ireland. His parents were William Hickey and Bridget Minogue. Patrick was the second oldest child of at least 14 children. He was baptized in Whitegate, County Clare, Ireland. Prior to 1869, Derrycon, Mountshannon, and this area of northeast County Clare along the County Galway border were, in fact, part of County Galway. The Griffith's Valuation altered the border slightly. Previous generations of this Hickey and Minogue family were likely considered as geographically living in County Galway.

William Hickey's parents were Patrick Hickey and Eleanora Hayes. Bridget Minogue's parents were Thady (Thaddeus or Timothy) Minogue and Mary Browne.

Johanna Coughlin was born and/or baptized on February 7, 1885. Her church was the Bodyke Roman Catholic Chapel in the area of Ballyvannan, County Clare, Ireland in the Parish of Taumgraney. Johanna Coughlin's family residence is indicated as Revail/Reveal, Caherhurly, Ballyvannan, County Clare, Ireland. This location is in and around the northeast corner of County Clare.

Johanna was the third youngest of 16 children. Her parents were Daniel Coughlin and Anna Mary McMahon. The McMahon property was apparently designated as Revail, Ballyvannan, County Clare, Ireland. Anna Mary McMahon's parents were Patrick McMahon and Mary McNamara. Daniel Coughlin's parents were James Coughlin and Anne Gooney.

Now it should be noted here that the rumor was always stated that the family name was McManus rather than McMahon. Church records indicate the family name as McMahon, however, and there is more distinct evidence that this is the correct family. It is highly likely that Patrick McMahon's father was Daniel McMahon and that there were other McNamara's living in the area.

It is interesting to note that the Caherhurly area of Ballyvannan was a place to find some Minogue families around the early 1900s. Were these Minogue's related to the Hickey/Minogue Family just about 30 miles north in Derrycon?

To be continued................................

Thomas Newman McLaughlin Inquiry

2011-11-14T06:00:00.001-08:00

The following research is by George Capes. I am making an exception here to identify him since he is the author of this research. He is a McLaughlin descendant and has completed extensive research on this line. Below is part of his research in his words.

Generation No. 1

THOMAS McLAUGHLIN, was born and died in Ireland. No Further Info.

Children of THOMAS McLAUGHLIN are:

i. MICHAEL McLAUGHLIN, b. abt. 1785, Edgeworthstown, Co. Longford, IRE; d. 15 May 1858, Newport, Herkimer Co., NY.

ii. PATRICK McLAUGHLIN, b. 1792, Edgeworthstown, Co. Longford, IRE; d. 06 Jul 1882, Newport, NY.

iii. ( Strong Possibility ) BRIDGET McLAUGHLIN, b. abt. 1802, Edgeworthstown, Co. Longford, IRE; d. 30 Jul 1890, Norway, Herkimer Co. NY. Her surname is listed on son Michael’s Death Certificate dated 1907, Herkimer Co. NY. She m. by 1823, probably in Co. Longford, IRE to MICHAEL MAHARDY / MAHADA. They appear on a New York City Passenger List Index, dated 30 Sep 1822, having departed from Liverpool, ENG on 19 Jul 1822. No children were listed. MICHAEL, b. c. 1799, prob. in Co. Longford, IRE; d. 17 Apr 1851 in Newport. His Will is dated 15 Apr 1851, probated 16 Jun 1851 in Herkimer, NY. They are both buried in Old St. Patrick’s Ceme. located at the Irish Settlement, Town of Newport, NY. (Commentary by this blogger: My brief research indicates that Bridget may have actually been married to Michael and Patrick's brother who died and then she married Michael Mahardy/Mahady).

Generation No. 2

1. MICHAEL McLAUGHLIN (THOMAS1) was born abt. 1785 in or near Edgeworthstown, Co. Longford, IRE, and died 15 May 1858 in Newport, Herkimer Co., NY. He married MARCELLA - in Ireland. She was born abt. 1792 in Ire-land, and died 20 Aug 1883 in Newport, NY. There is much speculation as to the surname of Marcella. As yet there is no definitive answer. They are both buried in Old St. Patrick’s Ceme., Irish Settlement, Newport, NY.

More about MICHAEL McLAUGHLIN:

Immigration: abt. 1823, through Quebec, CANADA

Naturalization: 08 Feb 1832, Herkimer, NY, per Naturalization papers

Known children of MICHAEL McLAUGHLIN and MARCELLA - are:

i. THOMAS Newman McLAUGHLIN, b. 25 Dec 1814, in or near Edgeworthstown or Ringowney, Co., Longford, IRE; d. 29 Jun 1900, Montello, Marquette Co., WI.

ii. JAMES Michael McLAUGHLIN, b. 25 Oct 1816, in or near Edgeworthstown or Ringowney, Co. Longford, IRE; d. 15 Apr 1905, Newport, Herkimer Co., NY.

iii. Female (MARY ?) McLAUGHLIN, b. bet. 1810 - 1820, in IRE. (female child per 1840 census). She was prob. married by 1845, as she does not appear with Michael & Marcella in the 1845 N.Y.S Census. No Further Info.

2. PATRICK McLAUGHLIN (THOMAS1) was born 1792 in Edgeworthstown, Co. Longford, IRE, and died 06 Jul 1882 in Newport, NY. He married BRIDGET MURTAUGH on 12 May 1828 in Old St. John's Church, Utica, NY. She was born 1799 probably in Co. Cork, IRE, and died 10 Feb 1886 in Town of Norway, Herkimer County, NY. They are both buried in St. John’s Ceme., Newport, NY.

Children of PATRICK and BRIDGET (MURTAUGH) McLAUGHLIN are:

i. ELIZABETH McLAUGHLIN, b. 24 Feb 1829, Newport, NY.; d. 27 Jan 1899, Montello, Marquette Co., WI.; m. PATRICK DUFFY, 22 Feb 1852, at St. Patrick's Catholic Church, Newport, NY.

ii. ROSE ANN McLAUGHLIN, b. 17 Mar 1830, Newport, NY.; bp. 11 Jul 1830 as recorded at Old St. John’s R.C. Ch., Utica, NY., Spon: Owen McLaughlin & Maria Murtaugh; d. 06 Oct 1912, Montello, Marq. Co., WI.; m. PATRICK RIORDAN, 24 Sep 1848, at St. Patrick's Catholic Church, Newport, NY.

iii. JOHN McLAUGHLIN, b. 13 Apr 1832, Newport, NY.; d. bet. 1835 – 1840 as he appears in 1835 NYS Cen-

sus, but not in the 1840 Fed. Census.

iv. MARY ANN McLAUGHLIN, b. 23 Apr 1834, Newport, NY.; d. 29 Oct 1917, at Buffalo, Erie Co., NY.; m. HUGH JOSEPH GARTLAND, 28 Nov 1850, at St. Patrick's Church, Newport, NY.

v. FRANCES (Fanny) McLAUGHLIN, b. 28 Aug 1837, Newport, NY.; d. bef. 1840 Fed. Census.

vi. JAMES PATRICK McLAUGHLIN, b. 12 May 1839, Newport, NY.; d. 03 Nov 1929, Little Falls, NY.

vii. THOMAS McLAUGHLIN, b. 17 May 1841, Newport, NY.; bp. 03 Jul 1841 at Old St. John’s Ch. Utica, NY.; d. young.

Information about Thomas Newman McLaughlin and his family:

THOMAS N.³ McLAUGHLIN (MICHAEL², THOMAS¹) was born 25 Dec 1814 in or near Ringowney, Parish of Edgeworthstown, Co. Longford, IRE, and died 29 Jun 1900 in Montello, Marquette Co., WI. He married (1) HELEN DALEY, 06 Feb 1840 in St. Patrick's, Newport, NY. She was born 1818 in MA, and died 14 Jul 1860 in Montello, Marquette Co., WI. He married (2) MARY MARGARET COWLEY in 1863, also in Montello, WI.

He and his wife, Helen, migrated about 1850 to Montello, Marquette Co. WI., with 4 children. Their eldest child, John had died by 1850 in Newport, NY. Thomas and his 2nd. wife, Margaret, deeded their claim to the estate of his late father, Michael McLaughlin at Newport, to his brother James McLaughlin on 27 Feb 1864 for the sum of $ 233., as recorded in Herk.Co. Deed Book 86, pages 363 & 364, being his interest in a lot identified as a part of Lot # 2, in the Sub-division of Lot # 4 of Hasenclevers Patent, containing approx. 30 ac.

Both Thomas and Helen Daley McLaughlin are buried in St. John’s Ceme., Montello, WI.

More about THOMAS N. McLAUGHLIN:

Burial: 01 Jul 1900, St. John's Ceme., Montello, WI. He died a widower, of kidney trouble and a fractured hip. Aged 87 Yrs. 5 Mos. 4 Days old.

Emigration: abt. 1823 through Quebec, CANADA

Residence: Co. Longford, IRE, - Herkimer Co., NY, - Marquette Co., WI.

Thomas left a ‘surveyor’s notebook’, which still survives, containing an unknown persons

handwritten notes on his migration, as follows :

Thursday April 17th. 1873.

Thos. McLaughlin Born Dec 25 1814 in Ringowney, Parish of Edgeworthstown, Co.

Longford, Ireland. Emigrated to America 1829. Settled at Newport, Herkimer Co.

State of New York.

In 1855 came to Wisconsin. Settled in Montello, Marquette Co.

Died at Montello City, Marquette Co. June 29 – 1900 at = 1:10 a.m.

Also found in the ‘notebook’ are the following notations on births and deaths of his children as follows:

Thomas McLaughlin and Ellen Daly married at Utica, Feb 6, 1840

Maurice McLaughlin born March 8, 1844

Margaret McLaughlin Kelly born March 13, 1846 – Feb 9, 1915

Marcella McLaughlin Collins born Nov 13, 1853

Elizebeth McLaughlin McNamee born Nov 8, 1847

Thomas Newman McLaughlin born Nov 24, 1847 (should read 1849)

Mary McLaughlin Quantius born Nov 18th. 1851, died 1908

Michael McLaughlin born Nov 8, 1855, died Feb 4, 1940

John Thos. McLaughlin born March 16, 1858, Died Dec 9, 1936

Ellen McLaughlin died June 14 at 15 minutes to three in the afternoon, 1860

Thomas McLaughlin died June 29 at ten minutes after one in the morning, 1900

Thomas McLaughlin’s obituary appeared as follows :

“OBITUARY. – Thomas McLaughlin, who departed this life on June 29, 1900, was born Dec. 25, 1812, in Edgeworth, Longford Co., Ireland. In 1829 he came to America and settled in Newport, N.Y. His occupation after coming to Newport was captain of a boat on Erie canal, which position he held until 1840, when he was married to Miss Ellen Daly. He then bought a farm and went to farming and he also taught school for a number of years. In 1855 he came to Wisconsin, where he remained up to the time of his death. After settling on his farm east of Montello, he had a hard struggle to get along and when he was on the road to success, his wife died, and leaving him with seven children to care for.

In 1862 he was elected to the office of county surveyor of Marquette Co., which position he held for twenty-eight years and was well known throughout the county.

In 1863 he married Mrs. Margaret Cowley. To this union were born two children, one of which died in infancy and the other is now Mrs. Chas. White, of Oshkosh.

He had been failing in health for some time and his death was hastened by a fall. He bore his sufferings patiently, being reconciled to the will of God. He leaves six children, twenty-two grand children, seven great-grand children, one brother in N.Y., and other relatives to mourn his loss. He was an obliging neighbor and a kind father.

He was buried from St. John’s Catholic Church, of which he was member and a strong believer of the Catholic religion.”

More about ELLEN / HELEN (DALEY) McLAUGHLIN:

Burial: Jul 1860 in St. John's Ceme., Montello, WI. Died in childbirth.

* (Much of the following information on these children comes from Thomas’s Notebook and various obituaries.)

Children of THOMAS N. and ELLEN / HELEN (DALEY) McLAUGHLIN are:

i. JOHN McLAUGHLIN, b. 08 Aug 1842, Newport, NY.; d. young, by 1850.

ii. MAURICE McLAUGHLIN, b. 08 Mar 1844, Newport, NY.; m. probably to HELEN HANCEL. No Further Info.

iii. MARGARET McLAUGHLIN, b. 13 Mar 1846, Newport, NY.; d. 09 Feb 1915; m. GEORGE KELLY.

iv. ELIZABETH McLAUGHLIN, b. 08 Nov 1847, Newport, NY.; d. 1920, Montello. Marquette Co., WI.; m. 14 Oct 1871 at St. John’s Ch. Montello, WI., to PATRICK McNAMEE; b. 13Aug 1843, IRE; d. 15 Jun 1930 at Montello, WI. In the 1900 Fed. Census, Elizabeth is noted as the mother of 5 children, all living.

Patrick McNamee’s obituary appeared as follows :

“OBITUARY – Patrick McNamee. - Patrick McNamee was born in Ireland, August 13, 1843, and died at the home of his daughter, Mrs. Wm. Campion, June 15, 1930, after an illness of several months duration.

When at the age of 18 years, Mr. McNamee came to America, settling first at Utica, N.Y., and a few years later he came to Montello and had resided here continuously, with the exception of three years which he spent with his daughter, Mrs. Harry Valentine, in Milwaukee.

Sixty years ago he was married to Elizabeth McLaughlin, and to this union five children were born, Ellen (Mrs. Jas. Collins), James McNamee, Margaret (Mrs. Wm. Campion), Mary (Mrs. Harry Valentine), of West Allis; Elizabeth (Mrs. R. J. Ennis), of Waukegan, Ill.

After their marriage, Mr. and Mrs. McNamee resided on a farm south of the village, and continued to live there until fifteen years ago, when they purchased a home in the village and came here to reside. Mrs. McNamee passed away ten years ago.

Mr. McNamee was highly respected in the community in which he had lived for so many years; he was ever ready to assist anyone in need, and his kindly, cheery greeting to young and old will be greatly missed by his many friends.

Deceased is survived by his five children; eighteen grand-children and twelve great grand-children. The funeral was held from St. John’s Catholic church, Tuesday morning, Rev. H. A. Velte officiating. Burial took place in the parish cemetery.”

Known children of PATRICK and ELIZABETH (McLAUGHLIN) McNAMEE are as follows:

a. ELLEN McNAMEE, b. 1871 in Montello; m. 11 Nov 1891 in Montello to JAMES COLLINS. No Further Info.
b. JAMES M. McNAMEE, b. 22 Nov 1872 in Montello; m. date & place unk. to IDA GRIFFITH. No
Further Info.
c. MARGARET E. McNAMEE, b. 06 Feb 1876 in Montello; d. 1957 in Montello; m. 12 Aug 1896 in St. John’s Ch., Montello, to WILLIAM CAMPION. No Further Info.
d. MARY E. McNAMEE, b. Jan 1879 in Montello; m. 17 Oct 1897 in Packwaukee, WI. to HARRY VALENTINE.
e. ELIZABETH McNAMEE, b. 10 Apr 1891 in Montello; d. 09 Aug 1982, poss. in Waukegan, IL., or in Janesville, Rock Co., WI.; m. 26 Nov 1914 to RONALD J. ENNIS. No Further Info.

v. THOMAS NEWMAN McLAUGHLIN, b. 24 Nov 1849, Newport, NY.; poss. d. 06 Jan 1923 in NY State; m. ANN - . No Further Info.

vi. MARY ELLEN McLAUGHLIN, b. 18 Nov 1851, Newport, NY.; d. 29 Feb 1908, Mellen, WI.; m. 1883 at Montello. WI., to JOHN QUANTIUS. He was b. 28 Dec 1854 and d. 29 Oct 1931. Both are buried in St. John’s Ceme., Montello, WI.

Mary Ellen McLaughlin Quantius’ obituary appeared as follows :

“OBITUARY. – Mary Ellen McLaughlin was born in Newport, Herkimer County, New York, November

18, 1851 and died in Mellen, Wis., February 29, 1908. About 1854 her parents moved to Wisconsin, settling on a farm in Marquette County. When about fifteen years of age she went to Milwaukee and resided there with her sister until the time of her marriage. In 1883 deceased was married to John Quantius of Montello, Wis. One child was born of this union, Mrs. Wm. Baumbach, who resided in this city.

For several months past Mrs. Quantius has been in ill health suffering from a complication of diseases fol-lowed by dropsy of the heart. She was taken to St. Joseph’s Hospital at Ashland but there being no hope for her recovery, she wished to be brought home after remaining in the hospital for one week. She was taken to her new home in Mellen where she lingered for several weeks.

All the care and love that physicians, family and friends could devise and apply for her comfort and assist-

ance was given but despite the prayers and entreaties of all who knew and loved her their appeals were over-ruled and the sufferer’s spirit took its flight to that home of the Christian which is the fulfillment of the life

everlasting.

Mrs. Quantius was a true and loving wife and a devoted mother. She was of a kind and gentle disposition doing good to all who came to her in time of need. She lived a life of usefulness and she will long be remem-bered by all who knew her.

The funeral was held in Montello, Wis., Tuesday, March 3, from the Catholic church, of which the deceased

was a faithful and devoted member, and the remains were interred in the Catholic cemetery. The funeral was one of the largest held in the city, which showed in what esteem the deceased was regarded by her friends and neighbors.”

Known child of JOHN & MARY ELLEN (McLAUGHLIN) QUANTIUS is:

a. HARRIET ELVANE QUANTIUS, b. 23 Jan 1885 in Mellen, Ashland Co. WI.; d. 15 Jul 1964 in an auto accident in N. Mexico. She m. WILLIAM H. BAUMBACH.. No Further Info.

vii. MARCELLA McLAUGHLIN, b. 13 Nov 1853, Newport, NY.; d. 08 Oct 1895, aged 41 Yrs. in Montello, Marquette Co., WI.; m. 15 Sep 1886 to JOHN HENRY COLLINS. No Further Info.

viii. MICHAEL McLAUGHLIN, b. 08 Nov 1855, Montello, WI.; d. 04 Feb 1940 in Ashland Co. WI.; m. 17 Jul 1881 in Montello to SOPHIA QUANTIUS. She was b. c. 1861 in Montello, sister of JOHN QUANTIUS (vi. above).

The known children of MICHAEL & SOPHIA QUANTIUS McLAUGHLIN are as follows:

a. MARGARET McLAUGHLIN, b. 20 Mar 1887 in Montello, WI. No Further Info.
b. EUGENE McLAUGHLIN, B. 22 Aug 1888 in Montello, WI. No Further Info.

ix. JOHN THOMAS McLAUGHLIN, b. 16 Mar 1858, Montello, WI.; d. 09 Dec 1936 at Montello, WI.; m. 14 Apr 1884 at St. John’s, Montello, to MARY E. VAUGHN. She was b. 22 Apr 1859 and d. 25 Sep 1936 at Montello. Both are buried at St. John’s Ceme. Montello, WI. The children of JOHN & MARY (VAUGHN) McLAUGHLIN are as follows:

a. ELLEN HARRIET McLAUGHLIN, b. 25 Jan 1885 in Montello; d. 19 Jul 1942; m. 09 Sep 1907 at St. John’s, Montello to JAMES F. COTTER. He was b. 10 Mar 1880 in Montello and d. 1938 in Markesan, WI. Both are buried at St. John’s Ceme. Montello, WI. They had no children.
b. JOHN EDWARD McLAUGHLIN, b. 19 Jun 1887 in Montello; d. 16 Jul 1970 in Montello; m. 07 Jan 1913 at St. John’s, Montello, to ELLA SOPHIA JOHN. She was b. 03 Oct 1885 in Montello and d. 05 Oct 1970 in Montello. Both JOHN & ELLA are buried at St. John’s Ceme., Montello. They had three daughters as follows:

x. (Unnamed) McLAUGHLIN, b. July 1860, Montello, WI.; d. at childbirth, July 1860, Montello, WI.

Enter the Jackel Wrench

2011-11-11T06:00:00.000-08:00

In communication with my uncle, I have found out that Anna Marie Jackel Borchers was adopted. Friedrich Jackel and Barbara Rausch were apparently not Anna's biological parents. This does present a giant wrench in researching this line.

I know that Anna Marie was born in Baltimore, Maryland. Her adoptive parents lived there too. This fact would explain that while Anna was born in 1859, she does not show up on the 1860 U.S. Census with Fred and Barbara.

Knowing that they were all Lutheran makes me question if Lutheran Church records in Baltimore, Maryland might have the identities of her biological parents. The "older" Borchers Family members, mainly Henry and Anna Borchers' children, knew that she was adopted. They also knew that her birth name was Kern or a variation of Kearne, Kerns, or Kern.

Did something happen to Anna's biological parents? I'd love to know the story and be able to trace her family line. It is clear that she did have a family even if adopted.

Wordless Wednesday - Soscol House - Napa, CA

2011-11-09T06:00:00.000-08:00

Jackel

2011-11-05T06:00:00.000-07:00

Once again, I have written a lot of information in an email and need to it include here in my blog. This time, the post is about my German side of the family. Hans Heinrich "Henry" Conrad Borchers and Anna Marie Jackel (pronounced Yackel) were my great great grandparents. They lived in Napa with my great grandparents including my grandma when they were elderly. They are buried at Tulocay Cemetery.

In researching my Borchers, you can't help but run across the Jackel's with more than one connection. Anyway, I recently provided my Jackel research to a relative. Here's what I wrote......

Here's what I found......It is not complete info. I possibly found Friedrich and Barbara in the 1860 U.S. Census in Baltimore, Maryland but am not sure. Also, I might have found Frederick Jackel with his parents and siblings living in Baltimore during the 1850 U.S. Census. I did not fill in all of the information for the spouses below. We already have all of the Borchers information.

Friedrich Wilhelm Jackel b. 2 June 1833 in Prussia (Germany), d. 14 Jun 1914, North Dakota but I found him buried in Minnesota
(Sources: U.S. Census - 1870, 1880, 1900, 1910, Minnesota Territorial Census - 1875, 1885, 1895, 1905, Minnesota Cemetery Inscription Index - See Below)

A-Married Barbara Rausch about 1858 in Baltimore, Maryland; Barbara was born on 29 Jan 1832 in Bavaria, Prussia (Germany), d. 13 Jul 1882, Havana Township, Steele, MN
(Sources: U.S. Census - 1870, 1880, Minnesota Territorial Census - 1875, Minnesota Cemetery Inscription Index - See Below)

i. Anna Marie Jackel - b. 22 May 1859, Baltimore, MD, d. 14 May 1931, Napa, CA (Spouse: Henry Borchers)
(Sources: U.S. Census 1870, 1880, 1900, 1910, 1920, 1930, Minnesota Territorial Census - 1875, 1885, 1895, Church Record of Marriage provided by a Borchers' researcher)

ii. Elizabeth Jackel - b. abt. 1861, Maryland
(Sources: U.S. Census 1870, 1880, Minnesota Territorial Census - 1875)

iii. William C. Jackel - b. 12 Sep 1866, Maryland, d. 4 Mar 1958, Steele County, MN (Spouse: Magdalena Hockemeyer)
(Sources: U.S. Census - 1870, 1880, 1900, 1910, 1920, 1930, Minnesota Territorial Census - 1875, 1885, 1895, 1905, Minnesota Cemetery Inscription Index - See Below)

iv. Baby Jackel - b. 1870, Steele County, MN, d. 24 Dec 1870, Steele County, MN
(Source: Minnesota Cemetery Inscription Index - See Below)

v. Katharina Jackel - b. 1872, Steele County, MN, d. 18 Oct 1872, Steele County, MN
(Source: Minnesota Cemetery Inscription Index - See Below)

vi. Heinrich Jackel - b. 1874, Havana, Steele, MN, d. 19 Nov 1875, Havana, Steele, MN
(Source: Minnesota Cemetery Inscription Index - See Below; MN Territorial Census - 1875)

B-Married Henrietta Fett (Fett by her first marriage to Conrad Fett)

vii. Augusta Margrite H Jackel (Spouse: William Borchers - Son of Anna Marie Jackel)
(Sources: U.S. Census - 1900, 1910, 1920, 1930, CA Death Index, Minnesota Territorial Census - 1885, 1895)

Minnesota Cemetery Inscription Index, Select Counties about Friedrich Jackel

Township:	Havana
County:	Steele
Name:	Friedrich Jackel
Birth Date:	2 Jun 1833
Death Date:	14 Jun 1914
Cemetery:	St. John's Luth.
Comments:	SP. BARBARA
Section:	N 13 C

Minnesota Cemetery Inscription Index, Select Counties about Barbara Jackel

Township:	Havana
County:	Steele
Name:	Barbara Jackel
Birth Date:	29 Jan 1832
Death Date:	13 Jul 1882
Cemetery:	St. John's Luth.
Comments:	SP. FRIEDRICH
Section:	N 13 C

Minnesota Cemetery Inscription Index, Select Counties about William C. Jackel

Township:	Havana
County:	Steele
Name:	William C. Jackel
Birth Date:	12 Sep 1866
Death Date:	4 Mar 1958
Cemetery:	St. John's Luth.
Comments:	SP. MAGDALENA HOCKEMEYER.
Section:	N 13 A

Minnesota Cemetery Inscription Index, Select Counties about Baby Jackel

Township:	Havana
County:	Steele
Name:	Baby Jackel
Death Date:	24 Dec 1870
Cemetery:	St. John's Luth.
Comments:	WITH FRIEDRICH & BARBARA
Section:	N 13 C

Minnesota Cemetery Inscription Index, Select Counties about Katharina Jackel

Township:	Havana
County:	Steele
Name:	Katharina Jackel
Birth Date:	1872
Death Date:	18 Oct 1872
Cemetery:	St. John's Luth.
Comments:	WITH FRIEDRICH & BARBARA
Section:	N 13 C

Minnesota Cemetery Inscription Index, Select Counties about Heinrich Jackel

Township:	Havana
County:	Steele
Name:	Heinrich Jackel
Birth Date:	1874
Death Date:	19 Nov 1875
Cemetery:	St. John's Luth.
Comments:	WITH FRIEDRICH & BARBARA
Section:	N 13 C

Also, Emilie Borchers (Daughter of Anna Marie Jackel) is buried with the Jackel's:

Minnesota Cemetery Inscription Index, Select Counties about Emilie Regina Barbar Borchert

Township:	Havana
County:	Steele
Name:	Emilie Regina Barbar Borchert
Birth Date:	28 Nov 1878
Death Date:	28 Jan 1879
Cemetery:	St. John's Luth.
Comments:	PAR. HANS HEINRICH CONRAD & ANNA MARIA JACKEL BORCHERT.
Section:	N 13 C

Past Present Future

2011-11-03T08:00:00.000-07:00

There are many people in the world who find the past something to forget. Many people may think that exploring their genealogy is just that, something in the past. Others find it fascinating and a way to find out more about themselves. For example, why am I tall and my sister is pretty short? Who did the phrase "wait a while" originate with in my family? How and why did my family line end up in the United States and in California, specifically Northern California?

While I do know the answers to some of those questions above, the connection to our past is important to understanding our present and our future. I look forward in my quest to find more about my connection to the past through my ancestors. I wish to use and understand this information in the present. My hope for the future is to share this with my children when they are older as a gift from the past.

Past - Present - Future

Linked Together By Time

Halloween

2011-10-31T08:00:00.000-07:00

Happy Halloween!

Halloween comes from the saying and/or Scottish 16th Century tradition of "All-Hallows-Even". Yes, I found it as "even" or evening. All Hallows Day is the next day on November 1st. Known as All Saints Day in Western Christianity and was once a holy day of obligation in the Catholic Church, All Hallows Day is the solemn day following Halloween. November 2nd, is also a rather solemn day known as All Soul's Day celebrated in the Catholic Church for those faithfully departed. Halloween, October 31st, leads off these days as a bit of a celebration. Is and was Halloween intended to be a big party day?

Now, I am big into understanding history, religion, and people. Most of my curiosity and understanding of history and theology came from what I learned in Catholic high school. I provide this disclosure so that you know the source of my learning and experience when I discuss pagan festivals or something more controversial (or perceived to be as such). My education was as honest and true as it comes which may surprise people where the Catholic Church is concerned. Facts and history demonstrate the evolution of society, including something as basic as a holiday or celebration such as Halloween.

The Celtic festival of Samuin (sow-an or sow-in) is historically given the credit of where Halloween comes from. The word is derived from the Old Irish meaning "summer's end". Celtic people lived mainly in the British Isles and the northern part of France. They were most certainly pagans that included animal sacrifice as part of their Samuin celebration on October 31st. Their new year started on November 1st. Is that a coincidence that it matches some very important days for Christianity?

Now, it should come as no surprise that the Roman Empire had influence over the conversion of pagan believers to Christianity. Many of the pagan festival days were converted to Christian holidays. I look at this as a way of making a belief transition easier. I'm not sure how easy it really was but the Roman Empire and the Church worked to retain and replace some of those pagan holidays with something equally palatable and more "Christian" like.

Many holidays, including Halloween, still pull tradition from those old Celtic Festivals. Where do you think carving a pumpkin comes from? Turnips were carved to honor soul's that had passed on.

The story is changed and more elaborate from the Christian stance. There is the legend of "Stingy Jack". In Ireland, the story goes that Stingy Jack tricked the devil into becoming a coin and also climbing into an apple tree. With the coin, Jack was able to buy a drink and the story goes on. Jack tricked the devil again a year later (presumably on Halloween). The deal that Jack made with the devil was one that prevented him from going to hell. When Jack died, God did not want Jack in heaven because of his previous unsavory dealings with the devil. As a result, Jack is stuck roaming the earth forever with a lit coal that God gave him to light his way in the dark.

Over the years this story evolved to create "Jack O' Lanterns" to light Jack's way on Halloween. I guess Jack's in purgatory walking the earth and on Halloween his ghostly figure needs light to see his path.

I must admit that the stories of Halloween, and there are many more, are so much more exciting than reality. The use of our imaginations now and thousands of years ago make this tradition fun and exhilarating for all ages.

My own children look forward to decorating with "Jack" and pumpkins plus dressing up and collecting some candy just as I did as a child as did my own parents. Imagine that, the children are really enticed by the sweets.

So, share your stories and traditions of "All-Hallows-Even"....Happy Halloween!

Richard Joseph Flanagan - Part 11

2011-10-29T06:00:00.000-07:00

On October 29, 2000, Richard "Dick" Joseph Flanagan passed away. I certainly have more to say about this and let me see if I can pull it all together.

Dick turned 88 years old on this day. His family had gathered at his home in Napa, California for the celebration of his birthday. The menu for the mid-afternoon dinner was one of Dick's favorites. Fresh leg of lamb with gravy, potatoes, a salad and a vegetable awaited the family at the table. There was also a wonderful bottle of Pinot Noir red wine to accompany the meal.

At around 3pm, Dick had just finished telling everyone a story about his father, Jack Flanagan, when it was announced that dinner was ready. Everyone headed to the table. Prayer was said, then everyone tasted and sipped the wine in honor of Dick's 88 years. A few minutes later, Dick was enjoying his food and sipping his wine but it was apparent that he could not move his left side. Soon after, 911 was called and Dick was headed to the hospital. I recall saying goodbye to him in the emergency room. He died a few hours later from a major brain bleed.

Dick had made the decision long before his final day that if something of this nature happened, he was not to be saved but allowed to pass in peace. In my opinion, time did stop for him at his dinner birthday celebration where he was surrounded by his family enjoying the food, company, and his glass of wine. I always say "What a way to go, and that is the way to go." As a witness to this, sitting next to Dick at the table and hearing him say "I'm fine", I could see his joy and calm.

On a beautiful Fall day in Napa, California, Dick was laid to rest with his wife, Dorothy, at Tulocay Cemetery. As several of us walked up to the grave site, leaves came slowly trickling down from the oak tree that shades the site. Another family member said that was Dorothy welcoming him home.

Happy Birthday Grandpa!

Richard Joseph Flanagan - Part 10

2011-10-27T06:00:00.000-07:00

After almost 57 years of marriage, Dick lost his wife, Dorothy, on October 24, 1997. She passed away from lung cancer. She had been diagnosed around 1993 with the disease. It was most certainly caused by her chain smoking. Her cancer was treated only to return again in 1995. On a beautiful Fall day in Napa, California, Dorothy Marie Borchers Flanagan was laid to rest at Tulocay Cemetery.

Dorothy Marie Borchers Flanagan, Napa, CA - 1921-1997

Dorothy had been ill for a number of years and it did take its toll on Dick. He still hung in there though. Over the years, Dick would say that he had suffered many health issues. I recall him saying once that he was not the most healthy child. In in his twenties, he suffered from stomach ulcers. The pain would sometimes make him roll on the ground. As he got older, the ulcer problem subsided. I truly wonder if it was ulcers. He had a doctor who recommended a glass of red wine with dinner every day. He followed doctor's orders.

When Dick was around seventy-nine, he had open heart surgery to repair his descending aorta and to clean thinks up a bit. It is interesting to note that Dick suffered from low blood pressure and had low cholesterol. He still did after surgery. They removed his gallbladder during that surgery too. It had golf ball sized stones in it. It does make you wonder if that was his pain back in his twenties. I could go on about the gallbladder but will refrain. Needless to say, there are countless many in my family who have theirs removed, including myself.

Dick did not have the best eyesight. I'm not sure if that was a life long problem for him. He suffered from cataracts in the 1960s. He had surgery to remove the cataracts and ended up with hard contact lenses. He went from wearing glasses that were as thick as the bottom of a coke bottle to no glasses needed except for reading. As technology progressed, he was able to use soft contact lenses. I still remember (when I was a kid) watching him put those hard contact lenses into his eyes in the morning.

Ironically, by the time that Dick was 87, his eyesight had deteriorated again. He elected to have Lasik laser eye surgery done. At age 87, Dick was back to having 20/20 vision again.

To be continued...............

Richard Joseph Flanagan - Part 9

2011-10-25T06:00:00.001-07:00

I could probably write a novel about Dick Flanagan. I've written down my own memories of him and there are plenty more. I have oodles of photos of him. I also have papers, yearbooks, and other information that I have yet to delve into. I wonder what I might find. I know so much already. There are a few other tidbits that I do want to share here before I wrap this up.

One of his favorite sayings was "wait awhile". He usually said this when someone, like myself, was being impatient. I find myself using this phrase today. Instead of flat out telling someone to "be patient". Saying the words "wait awhile" in a calm soft spoken fashion seems to have a pleasant effective impact on youngsters.

When Dick returned from WWII, he and Dorothy had a daughter, who is a living Flanagan and my mother. I can't specifically identify her and write about her for privacy reasons. Let's just say that gardening and baseball are definitely hobbies that they shared in common. By about 1960, Dick had season tickets (box seats) for the San Francisco Giants games. They even went to the 1962 World Series, 7th Game, at Candlestick park and watched the Giants lose to the Yankees. When Dick and his daughter went to leave after the game, they couldn't remember where they had parked the car. Retelling that story always got a chuckle out of Dick.

Dick also belonged to a deer club. Yes, he'd go hunting for deer. The club was near Lake Berryessa in Napa County. I do not remember the name of the club. In his older years, he would just go up to the deer club to hang out with the group. He did not do much hunting once he was in his late 70s.

Richard J. Flanagan

Fishing was also a fun past time for Dick. Once he retired, and even before that, he'd go fishing with his brother-in-law who was one of best friends. That brother-in-law, my uncle, is still living. For privacy reasons, I am not able to talk much about him here.

In Dick's younger years, he and my uncle would go duck hunting off Grizzly Island in the Suisun Area. They also went duck hunting somewhere along the Napa River. There was some sort of shed that they had and would use as accommodations. They had plenty of duck decoys. Dick's brother, John Maxwell Flanagan, had made plenty. Dick used them for his own duck hunting as his father Jack had before him. You could link a chain of the decoys together and float them in the water to attract other ducks. I've even got a decoy that has its head turned looking back over its proverbial shoulder/wing.

Random Duck Hunting Photo - Richard J. Flanagan is second from the left. Unknown others in the photo.

It seems odd for me to talk about hunting. I am certainly not a hunter nor a firearm person. Dick did use a Winchester shotgun for duck hunting. The shotgun belonged to his own father, Jack Flanagan. Because Jack's arms were so long, he had modified the recoil pad at the end of gun to extend further for comfort and reach. Let's just say that shotgun is well used, over 100 years old, and you wouldn't want to fire it today if you ask me.

To be continued...............

Richard Joseph Flanagan - Part 8

2011-10-23T06:00:00.001-07:00

I never realized how hard it is to write about someone you knew. The emotional response makes me stop and pause often. Lots of memories have come flowing back to my mind. I think to myself, should I write all of this down in such a public forum. Yes, "write it down, I say!" It may not really be so public. People have to be looking for my blog to find it.

As for Dick, he was a quiet, patient man. When he spoke, people did listen. He did not "gab" on and on as I sometimes do. I'm still wondering where I got that gift of gab. I did receive so many other gifts from Dick. Maybe my desire to garden came from him. I find it a relaxing outlet in my life when I have the time.

Dick's own vegetable garden was pretty amazing. At least a quarter of his backyard was his vegetable garden. From green beans (bush and pole) to squash and tomatoes, this Flanagan home had fresh vegetables at least 6-7 months out of the year directly from their backyard. Let me not forget to mention that Dick's wife, Dorothy, was an amazing cook. She was not a baker but did make tasty, delightful dinners.

From the time that I could walk and recall the backyard of Dick and Dorothy Flanagan's modest home on Spencer Street in Napa, California, I can remember the vegetable garden. Dick tried growing peas when I was quite young. We'd go out into the backyard and pop open a peapod right off the plant and nibble on the fresh pick. The pea crop never produced much in the way of a meal for maybe more than two people but that memory has stuck with me all of these years.

As a young adult, I can remember picking pole beans in the backyard with Dick. Even on the day before Dick's funeral, my mom, my aunt (from my Napa Borchers family) and I picked a huge amount of green string pole beans.

I must admit that gardening may sound so mundane. To write about it may or may not be the most interesting topic. What is interesting, is the story, memories, and feelings that it generates.

To be continued.......................

Richard Joseph Flanagan - Part 7

2011-10-21T06:00:00.001-07:00

Finding a job can be hard for some people and easy for others. Dick seemed to be able to always find a job but a career was still looming in the distance for him. When Dick returned from the war, I think he worked at various jobs here and there. He definitely worked for the Ghisletta's.

Ghisletta's Dairy is located near the intersection of Highway 12/121 and Highway 29 near the Carneros Area of Napa. It is actually located in the area of "Rural Foster Road". Even today there is talk about annexing the area for houses. For now, you can drive along highway 29 and still get a glimpse of the stucco buildings with red tile roofs that make up the Ghisletta property. The dairy does not appear to be in operation any longer.

Dick worked out at the Ghisletta property but I'm not sure for how long. He was friends with Joe and his wife, Billie. He was also friends with Steve and his wife who is still living. At Dick's rosary, Joe and Billie's daughter said that her mother wanted to be there but she was in the hospital at the time. When the news was broken to Billie that Dick had passed away, she said that she just lost her best friend. I asked my mother about that later. She said that Dick was a great listener. He was, at that, and a very patient supportive person. Anyone who had him as a friend would agree.

Richard "Dick" J. Flanagan

At different times, things were lean for Dick and Dorothy. They owned two lots in town in Napa. The intent was probably to build a house in the future but they ended up selling the land for financial reasons. Sometime in the 1950s, Dick did get a job working for the Napa County Treasurer's office. He was the Assistant Treasurer for a time.

I believe that it was 1959 and the Treasurer of Napa County passed away while in office. The job fell to Dick for the rest of the term. At the next election, Dick ran for Treasurer and won. After that, no one ever ran against him again. He always ran unopposed. He retired in 1979-80 with over 25 years of service to Napa County. Now that was quite the career for him.

During his time at Treasurer, his goal was always to make sure that Napa County was financially sound and investing its money appropriately. To his dismay, the job of tax collector was combined with treasurer during his time in office. That was not always a title that he admired about his position.

The irony of Dick's job would hit him when he went to mass on Sundays. At least once a year, he would hear the following reading and shrink a bit in the pew.

Luke 19:1-10

Zacchaeus the Tax Collector

¹ Jesus entered Jericho and was passing through. ² A man was there by the name of Zacchaeus; he was a chief tax collector and was wealthy. ³ He wanted to see who Jesus was, but because he was short he could not see over the crowd. ⁴ So he ran ahead and climbed a sycamore-fig tree to see him, since Jesus was coming that way. ⁵ When Jesus reached the spot, he looked up and said to him, “Zacchaeus, come down immediately. I must stay at your house today.” ⁶ So he came down at once and welcomed him gladly.
⁷ All the people saw this and began to mutter, “He has gone to be the guest of a sinner.”
⁸ But Zacchaeus stood up and said to the Lord, “Look, Lord! Here and now I give half of my possessions to the poor, and if I have cheated anybody out of anything, I will pay back four times the amount.”
⁹ Jesus said to him, “Today salvation has come to this house, because this man, too, is a son of Abraham. ¹⁰ For the Son of Man came to seek and to save the lost.”

I must say that Dick had no reason to be shrinking his pew. He could always hold his head high as an honest, upstanding man with the respect of probably everyone he ever met.

To be continued....................

Richard Joseph Flanagan - Part 6

2011-10-19T06:00:00.001-07:00

At different times in Dick's life, he worked on farms, in road construction, as a truck driver, and a few other miscellaneous things. I am not sure of the exact timeline of the various occupations for Dick throughout his life. He definitely worked on the Flanagan Ranch as a teen and may have actually helped keep the books for the property later in his life as the older generation of Flanagan's (Pat and Kate Flanagan's children) aged and still lived there.

Dick did get paid to play baseball. Just after high school, he played in the minor leagues around Northern California. This would have been the 1930s. His pay check was rather lean in those days. I seem to remember Dick telling me that he worked on road construction at one point down in the hot desert of Southern California. I'm not sure what roadway or highway that he might have worked on. He recalled that it was hot and the asphalt that they were pouring made it even hotter. Another job that he had was as a driver for Basalt. Basalt was a rock company in Napa.

I do know that Dick joined the U.S. Army during WWII. I'm not sure of his exact enlistment date. I have looked over his military paperwork in the past. As many young men at this time, it was an important commitment for many to enlist in the military and not just be drafted. Dick was 32 years old and married when he joined the Army.

While I was never in the military, I did essentially work for them. It was very much an important part of my job to know the rank of an individual and how to address them. After Dick passed away, I remember looking at his military paperwork and taking notice that he was a Staff Sergeant. Knowing that not everyone can be an officer, especially if you don't have a college degree, entering the military at the level of Staff Sergeant is pretty impressive. I recognize that it was war time and the military needed everyone that they could get but most people went in at the entry level as a Private.

My mother's response to my inquiry about how he ended up with the rank of Staff Sergeant when he had just joined the military was simple. He was not a kid. At 32 years old, his previous jobs and life experience made him a candidate for higher than average enlisted ranked position. I believe that he worked in he motor-pool and drove a truck during WWII. He was stationed in Nice, France. He also seems to have gone by the name of RJ while in the military.

Dick Flanagan circa 1944

Dick did tell me only passing bits and pieces of his time in France during WWII. He said that he'd go to church on Sundays where the priest would say mass in more than one language. It was war time but he did mention that Nice was a beautiful place. Dick was near the action during the war but never really talked about it.

At some point, I need to go through Dick's military papers again. When the war ended, he was honorably discharged and went back home to his wife in Napa, California. He did not choose a military type burial or even a color guard at his funeral. That was certainly his choice.

More to come on Dick's occupations.....................

Richard Joseph Flanagan - Part 5

2011-10-17T06:00:00.001-07:00

On December 28, 1941, Gary Richard Flanagan was born in Napa, California to Dick and Dorothy. I've seen photos of him as a baby and toddler. He was a cute toe head and looks almost dead on like my mother did when she was a child.

When I was a child, Dorothy used to let us (her granddaughters) play in her jewelry box. I know that may sound funny but most of that jewelry was just costume items that were mainly beaded necklaces an a few other things. I found a ring in that box one day as a child. It had the initial "G" on it. I brought it out to my mom and grandma, Dorothy, and asked about it. I was quickly rushed away and told that had been the baby ring for my mother's brother, Gary. Mind you, I must have been about 10 years old and never had heard of a brother or heard Gary's name before. There were no photos of him around either. Later my mother would fill me in.

Dorothy, Dick, and baby, Gary, Flanagan on his baptism day.

Gary was my mother's older brother. In February 1943, it became obvious that something was not right with Gary. He had taken ill. Dick and Dorothy took him to the hospital where he as diagnosed with a bowel obstruction. My understanding is that his intestines had grown inside one another. Just as today, this problem required surgery.

From what I can recall of the story, they were sent from Napa to Vallejo and back to Napa again. There was apparently some confusion as to where the surgeon would be to perform the operation. Time may not have been on their side in this. Gary passed away on the operating table at the age of 13 1/2 months, on February 9, 1943.

It was not until recently that I found an entire stash of Gary's photos in a box at my mother's place. There are at least a dozen or more. At some point, I really need to go through those photos.

To be continued...............

Richard Joseph Flanagan - Part 4

2011-10-15T06:00:00.001-07:00

I have had some hesitation in posting such an personal account of my grandpa but he was such an important person in my life that I could not let the opportunity to "write it down" pass me by. So, I continue with Dick's story............

I must admit to not really knowing how Dick got to know his wife, Dorothy Marie Borchers. They were both born and raised in Napa, California. As Napa natives, they probably had people that they knew in common plus Napa was a pretty small place. What is curious to me though is that they did get together at all. While Dick was born in 1912, Dorothy was not born until 1921. Dick was just over eight years her senior. In addition, Dick came from an Irish Catholic family and background, while Dorothy was German Lutheran.

They didn't go to the same church, although I always find it interesting that their churches had the same name. St. John's seems to be a popular saint name for many Christian churches. Dick went to St. John's Catholic Church in Napa while Dorothy attended St. John's Lutheran Church in Napa. In fact, Dorothy's Vienop family helped start St. John's Lutheran Church (Missouri Synod), Napa, California. I am talking about the one on Linda Vista in Napa but also the original St. John's, too.

Dick Flanagan and Dorothy Borchers were married on November 7, 1940, in Reno, Nevada. They eloped to Reno and were married in a Catholic church there. After being married, they came home to tell their families. The big deal was telling Dorothy's parents. Now, I knew them. Neither were prone to losing their temper and not surprising at all, they were rather shocked about the elopement. If you'd have ever met Herb and Mary Borchers, though, you'd know what even temperaments they had and how accepting of everyone they were. From the sounds of things, all was well after the initial surprise announcement of their marriage. (I'm not sure how long the shock and surprise lasted though.)

Something that I do find interesting is that they did receive wedding gifts. I wonder if they had a reception after the fact. They had fine china, silverware, and other types of kitchen items and giftware that one receives as wedding gifts. In fact, I have their china - Bavarian China from Germany pre-WWII.

So was life easy for Dick and Dorothy?

To be continued......................

Richard Joseph Flanagan - Part 3

2011-10-13T06:00:00.001-07:00

Growing up and into adulthood, Dick's hobbies included baseball, gardening, hunting, and fishing. His passion for baseball may have originated with it's popularity in American culture. Dick's interest in gardening likely originated in the fact that he spent so much time on a farm and lived on one during his teens. I do know who to attribute his love of hunting and fishing to though.

Dick's father, Jack Flanagan, was an avid hunter and fisherman. I have photos of Jack fishing and deer hunting with friends. I also have newspaper articles about Jack's duck hunting successes. Of all three of Jack's sons, Dick was the one who would go along on the treks and trips to hunt deer, fish, and duck hunt. The fishing and duck hunting were mostly done along the Napa River.

I am not sure if Jack's other two son's were interested or not into hunting. My mother does not have the whole story on that subject. I just know that for these trips to be successful, one must have skill, patience, and a natural gift for being an outdoors man. While, Dick's younger brother, John, may have had the gift of carving and creating duck decoy's (and what an amazing talent at that), he may not have been the hunter and fisherman. I wonder if anyone knows the whole story.

Deer Hunting in California, Richard J. Flanagan

In any family, there are times when you have to ask if there was a favorite son. Was Dick the favorite son of Jack? I suppose when it came to hunting and fishing, he was. I have poured though the many photos that I have of Jack with his friends in the woods camping. I have only spotted Dick in amongst the men who is a relative. The rest of the men appear to be of no relation to Jack. It would be interesting to know who everyone was. I'm sure that they were from Napa.

To be continued.............

Richard Joseph Flanagan - Part 2

2011-10-11T06:00:00.001-07:00

I have written about a historical home in the Carneros Region of Napa, California, a few times. It was and is still known as the Flanagan House. You can read all about in this very blog. To hear Dick talk about it when I was a child, teen, and young adult offered a different perspective as his Flanagan family home.

Dick grew up in Napa, California. His family lived in town on Stockton Street (which is now Palmer Street). The house is still there but I can never seem to pinpoint it exactly when I drive by. Dick's grandparents, Pat and Kate Flanagan, owned the house on the corner of Seminary and Stockton Streets. Jack Flanagan, Dick's father, grew up in the Seminary Street home before the family's home in Carneros was completed. It is not clear when the Seminary Street home was sold by the Flanagan's.

In about 1918, Dick's uncle, Ignatius (Nash with a long "a"), passed away. He had been running the Flanagan Ranch for his mother, Kate. When Nash died, it was Jack's (Dick's father) turn to run the ranch. It does not sound like Jack and his family moved out to the ranch immediately. Since Kate lived there, and that was her home, it was not until some time in the 1920s that Dick, his parents and siblings moved to the Carneros home. Kate died in 1928. By then, Dick was living at the Flanagan house in Carneros.

As one can envision, the Flanagan Ranch fields were dominated by vineyard. Dick recalled his younger years at times when he would help maintain the vines. This included fending off birds and other small creatures from attacking the grapes and future harvest. Armed with a firearm which could have been a BB gun or something more powerful, Dick would have the opportunity to keep these animals at bay.

Richard Joseph Flanagan being held by his mother Mary Elizabeth McLaughlin Flanagan in the vineyard at the Flanagan Ranch, Carneros, Napa, CA - Circa 1913

Other memories of the ranch itself seem to evade me, except one. Dick's father, John "Jack" Francis Flanagan, was diagnosed with ALS (Lou Gehrig's Disease). I am not sure when it was determined that Jack had this terminal illness or how long it took for it to progress. What is interesting is that Dick was on the road playing minor league baseball when he received word that he needed to come home to say goodbye to his father.

Upon receiving this news, Dick immediately headed home to the Flanagan house in Carneros. He did, in fact, make it home to say his goodbyes to his father. Word in the family has it that Jack held on so that Dick could see him one last time before he passed away. Jack died on May 20, 1936, in the Flanagan house on the Flanagan Ranch in Carneros. As part owner, Jack had held responsibility of and managed the Flanagan Ranch for eighteen years (1918-1936). My mother recalls being told that Jack passed away in a first floor bedroom of the house. The current first floor of the house does not really resemble its original appearance at this point in time. Upon the death of Jack, his ownership in the ranch passed onto his surviving siblings. Mary (Aunt Mary), Richard (Uncle Dick), and Louis (Uncle Louie) were the living children of Patrick and Kate Flanagan by 1936.

How close was Dick to his father, Jack? They were close.

To be continued.......................

Richard Joseph Flanagan - Part 1

2011-10-09T06:00:00.001-07:00

Lately, I've been thinking a lot about my grandpa, Richard Joseph Flanagan. In trying to figure out the best way to write about him, I've decided to write a bit of a bio that includes my own memories of him. My own memories include things that were told to me by him and my mother, his daughter. I have other historical paperwork to look through in the future but I thought that I'd write down what I know before delving into newspaper articles and other documents that may or may not have as much personal meaning.

The other point that I'd like to make is that I'm writing something based on my perspective and experience that tries to demonstrate his character and to honor him. This means that my choice is not to paint only the rosy picture of which some would prefer. Our lives are filled with imperfections and flaws. It is from missteps and decisions along the way that make us who we are. Our character is built from what we learn from each experience and carry with us during our lives. These experiences can lead to wisdom for those who pay attention.

Richard Joseph Flanagan was born on October 29, 1912, in Napa, California, to John "Jack" Francis Flanagan and Mary "Minnie" Elizabeth McLaughlin. Richard would refer to his birth year as the year the Titanic sank. His living grandparents at the time were Kate Flanagan (Catherine Mary O'Brien) of Napa, CA; and Thomas Michael McLaughlin and Ellen Maxwell, of Napa, CA. His grandfather, Patrick Flanagan, had passed away in 1896. Pat never did meet any of his grandchildren.

Richard, who was nicknamed "Dick", was the fourth child of Jack and Minnie. His older siblings were Ellen, Kay, and Robert. His younger sibling was John Maxwell Flanagan. It appears highly likely that Dick's namesake was his Uncle, Richard "Dick" Austin Flanagan, Sr, of Napa, CA. In my own research, I have discovered that there are many important Richard Flanagan's in my own line, each with their own story and a family line that connects them. Uncle Dick's (Richard Austin Flanagan, Sr.) namesake is almost undoubtedly Fr. Richard Flanagan who is interned in the Church of the Immaculate Conception in Termonfechin, Louth, Ireland.

Dick's younger years found him attending St. John the Baptist Catholic School followed by Napa High School. While Dick was left-handed, he was forced by the nuns to write with his right hand. He still played sports and did most everything else left-handed. He told me that he spent 5 years at high school. In his first senior year, he did not pass a math class that was required for graduation. The reason for him basically repeating his senior year of high school was two fold.

First and foremost, it should be noted that he was a bit of a math wiz. He certainly could pass the tests with flying colors. The teacher did not pass him because he did not apply himself in turning in the homework and other assignments that were required to pass the class. While he knew the answers and could pass the test, he did not pass the class.

The second part of repeating his senior year of high school was his involvement in sports. Dick was on the basketball and baseball teams. He was a great basketball player. It never really occurred to me just how much he enjoyed the sport until he passed away. At his rosary, the vigil before his funeral, a very tall gentleman and his wife showed up to offer their condolences. He carried with him a photograph of the high school basketball team that he and Dick had played on together. It amazed me that after all of those years, a high school classmate and teammate came to honor Dick at his rosary. That experience really took me aback and has stuck with me all of these years.

When it came to baseball, it was his passion. I'm not sure that I can stress that enough. The position that he played was catcher. If I remember correctly, his all time favorite player was Bill Dickey who played catcher for the Yankees.

Richard Joseph Flanagan

As a teen, it must have been obvious to everyone that Dick wanted to play baseball. He actually received a scholarship to play baseball at St. Mary's College in Moraga, California, but turned it down so that he could play minor league baseball touring around California just after high school. It is interesting to note that he never did take the scholarship offer or attend college. I often wonder what his parents and siblings thought of that. His mother had been a school teacher before she married and had children. His siblings all attended college with Kay graduating from Cal (University of California, Berkeley). His oldest sister, Ellen, graduated from Heald Business College. This would have been the late 1920s early 1930s. Both if his brothers also attended college.

Formal education aside, was that the only place Dick learned how to make his way in life? Maybe his siblings did take the easier path. I know from own experience that having a college education has made my life better, easier in some cases, and given me a broader perspective on life in general. Imagine finding this on your own through life experience. I suppose that is how people used to do it and some still do. Success may be right around the corner but sometimes you might have to "wait awhile".

To be continued.........................

What To Write About

2011-10-07T06:00:00.000-07:00

Sometimes, I wonder what I might write about next. I certainly have a plethora of family surnames for which I can rehash my research on each up until this point. That fills up my blog for most part as it is. I often wonder if I will run out of things to write about. Then, I remind myself that I certainly haven't run out of genealogy topics to verbally talk about. I also haven't finished going through the information that has been handed to me in yet another box of treasures.

While I try very hard to keep living people out of my blog, I find that I would have even more family history to write about if I could. I will hold off since those living people do want their privacy. I also find that I must be cautious in writing about those who came before that I personally knew. I would never want to dishonor them and want to get their story correct.

I could definitely write some historical fiction to fill in the blanks. That would make things a whole lot easier and quicker. Of course, that is not genealogy. I might someday attempt to write some historical fiction for that very reason. I could fill in all of the blanks!

Some stories do abound within my family history while other lines have produced a basic family tree with dates, locations, and people who happen to be my ancestors. Again, I search for my ancestors but also their stories. I can't wait to find more.

A Window In Time

2011-10-04T06:00:00.000-07:00

Photographs are like small windows in time. You can look at the photo and get a quick glimpse of the people. I love photos and wish for more old photos. It does help if we know who's in each photo. I realize that is not always possible though.

A photo can share some information about people including what they looked like. Most photos were taken on happy occasions when people were enjoying themselves. I find it interesting that in many photos, no one is smiling. I suppose that was not the practice in the 1800s. It does help when those in the photos don't look like they're frowning though.

Below are a couple of my favorite photos. I only wish that I had a true copy of the original for the second photo.

4 of Jack and Minnie Flanagan's Children - Circa 1913-1914 Carneros, Napa, CA


Katie Duffy and Ellen McLaughlin - A.K.A. Catherine and Ellen Maxwell - Circa 1915 Walter Springs, CA

Photos still leave much to the imagination. I still have to wonder what my ancestors were like. A photo can't tell you about their personality. You might be able to pick out some emotion. Joy, for example, can show through in a photo. I think that I spotted some joy in these.

A Quick Story - The Hickey's Circa 1950s, NYC

2011-10-01T06:00:00.005-07:00

Sometimes in life, you take what you can get in the way of stories. Even if they are anecdotal, they can still be very telling about someone. In a recent short visit with my aunt, I asked her about her grandmother/my great grandmother, Johanna Coughlin Hickey, and her grandfather/my great grandfather, Patrick Hickey. She said that they were quiet people. She added that Patrick had such a thick Irish brogue that it was hard to understand him at times. As for Johanna, I wonder how quiet she really was.

My aunt said that she did get to visit them in NYC as a child. She lived on Long Island (as did my dad, her brother). It sounds like on occasion, she had the opportunity to stay in "The City" (specifically, Manhattan, New York City in Greenwich Village) with her grandparents. She mentioned Christopher Street as a street they lived on. I threw out Bleeker Street and Charles Street and she agreed, too, that they had lived on each at different times.

She said that with at least one of her visits, a trip to the A&P was needed. That is one of the grocery stores in New York. I wonder if they are still in business. The official name is The Great Atlantic and Pacific Tea Company. I must admit that after over 100 years in business, I am not sure the name exists any longer.

The trip to the grocery store was a bit of a walk. Johanna and Patrick Hickey lived in the city with their mode of transportation on foot. Even today, most city dwellers would agree that is how they get around - on foot and with the assistance of public transportation.

My aunt indicated that during their walk to the A&P, Johanna chatted it up with everyone that she knew along the way. This seemed to be everyone. They even knew her by name at the grocery store. She introduced her granddaughter to all that she encountered. Let's also just say that the trip to the grocery store took quite a while. I'll sum it as "social hour" from the sounds of it. I also think that is wonderful. She had the fun of visiting her community and friends along the way and involving her granddaughter in what was probably one of her favorite outings.

I love quick stories like this that get thrown out by my relatives of those who came before us. I can now wonder if my gift of gab, social interaction, and just a "hello" to others comes from my great grandmother. Thank you, Johanna Coughlin Hickey. Your warmness and friendly spirit lives on!

Wordless Wednesday - Michael Flanagan

2011-09-28T06:00:00.000-07:00

Liberty Awaited Them

2011-09-25T06:00:00.000-07:00

As I look through my list of ancestors who immigrated from Ireland and Germany, I can pick out a few who likely saw the Statue of Liberty while sailing into New York Harbor. While many of my ancestors were already in the United States by 1886, I often wonder if my great grandparents', Patrick Hickey and Johanna Coughlin, first glimpse of the statue moved them. They would definitely have seen her upon their arrival in 1904 and 1905 to New York City.

Some people including New Yorkers say that the statue is just a tourist trap. I have heard this on more than one occasion from a New York City or Long Island resident. For many of these people, the statue is something that they take for granted. There are many a resident of New York who have never been to Liberty Island. In their defense, when something is in your backyard, it is sometime considered the usual story of the day.

As a Californian with several New York City relatives in my past and a few trips there, I have ventured out to Liberty Island. As part of the collection of tourists, I did get to see Lady Liberty on at least three occasions. In 1980, I made it up to the pedestal and, in 1990, I made it to the top, the crown. My 1984 trip to New York found me looking at her from a far with scaffolding surrounding her during the renovation. I also went there in 1986 and can't remember going anywhere near lower Manhattan. I might need to go back and check my photo albums.

So why do I bring all of this up now. I was recently watching a show about wonders of the United States. It included Yosemite, Yellowstone, and the Grand Canyon. In relating this to my ancestors, I thought, "Those national parks are places that the majority of my ancestors never saw. What wonders did they see?" That's when the Statue of Liberty popped into my head. It is a common "wonder" that many immigrants saw as they entered New York Harbor upon their arrival in the United States.

My own experience of awe for the Statue of Liberty was first felt as we rode the ferry out the island and saw her looming in the distance. That is an amazing sight. While I have been up in the statue and to the crown, the best view of her is standing at ground level looking up. I got some amazing photos back in 1990. I hope that I still have the negatives somewhere. Here is one of the photos:

“

Give me your tired, your poor,
Your huddled masses yearning to breathe free,
The wretched refuse of your teeming shore.
Send these, the homeless, tempest-tossed to me,
I lift my lamp beside the golden door!

”

"The New Colossus", by Emma Lazarus

Was Castleconnell ever within the boundary of County Clare?

2011-09-22T06:00:00.000-07:00

In researching my ancestors on the west coast of Ireland, I have found some interesting quirks along the way. Whitegate, County Clare used to be in County Galway. After the Griffith's Valuation was completed in and around 1869, the county line was laid out and Whitegate was then within the boundary of Clare. With that appears to have come a shifting or name change to the Roman Catholic Parish that also contained this location. In order to find records for the 1800s, you have to ask both the Clare Heritage Centre and the Galway counterpart to research your family line.

The above scenario is the case for researching my Hickey's, Minogues, and the other family surnames who's origins hug the border in the northeast corner of County Clare. This makes research rather tricky. Is this similar phenomenon what has transpired in Castleconnell, County Limerick for my O'Brien's? I need to find out so that I know where to look for my family tree.

Last Fall 2010, I received a response to a message board post. Someone had looked up RC (Roman Catholic) church records for County Limerick in Castleconnell. They seemed to have found my great great grandmother's, Catherine "Kate" Mary O'Brien, birth/baptism record but indicated the most of the other records had not survived. I have been thinking lately that the older records my be with County Clare. Afterall, Kate indicated that she was from Castleconnell, County Clare, Ireland. So, did I find another county line shift? Does it have the same drastic impact to my research as that Clare/Galway line shift? I wonder. Am I looking in the right place?

When I look up Castleconnell in Wikipedia, I find it in County Limerick, along the River Shannon, and about 7 miles from Limerick City. I have to pause here and take that in. Mind you in 2004, I travelled through Limerick City, walked the streets, and had no idea that my ancestors had lived so close. That is to say, close by today's stands. In 2004, I knew little of where my Irish ancestors originated in Ireland, except for my Flanagan's in Louth.

Back to Castleconnell......Was it ever in County Clare? When I look through the information on "Wiki", it doesn't say. It does say that the village has a bridge that connects Limerick and Clare. The historical information also mentions John FitzGibbons, the 1st Earl of Clare. That's a lot of mention about Clare when you talk about Castleconnell.

In all seriousness, when I look at Castleconnell on Google Maps, I have to wonder if the village should be considered in County Clare. It certainly looks that way. I, however, am no authority on this subject but seek some truth in the matter.

A sheer Google search of "Castleconnell Clare Border" produces some genealogy discussions online about locating ancestors in county border towns of Ireland. The overall suggestion is to check in both county's heritage centers. It is possible that while your ancestors may have lived in one county, they spent their time in the town or village in the adjacent county for church and social events. However, they would have been registered in the county in which they actually lived.

You've got to love those "border town ancestors". I have two family lines who lived in border town/villages in Ireland. It can make researching these lines even more interesting.

The O'Brien's, My O'Brien's

2011-09-19T06:00:00.000-07:00

Recently, I received an email as a result of one my posts on Ancestry.com. The message came through via RootsWeb which is apparently the precursor to the current Ancestry.com Message Boards. The person spotted my post about Edmund and Anne O'Brien, two of my 3G grandparents (that's great, great, great!). The person was looking for Anne O'Brien. His or her email was scant and did not indicate if they were looking for Anne O'Brien with O'Brien as her maiden name or not.

While I find these message board type emails to be quite random, I still respond to each and every one of them with the understanding and knowledge that I may never hear back from the person. As a prudent move, I have started posting my email responses right here on my blog. Below is my email response about my O'Brien's.

By the way, I must express my intense dislike for researching passenger lists. The email below included my one-by-one lookup of each O'Brien who arrived on the same date, ship, and location. It was not an easy search but once I nailed it, I was able to figure out all of the O'Brien's who traveled together on that particular journey. Did I find my correct O'Brien's?

The following is my email...............

Great to hear from you and I too am seeking more information about my O'Brien's. They went from Ireland to Melbourne Australia in the 1850s!

I have a little bit of information about my O'Brien's. Where should I start? My Ann O'Brien was born Ann/Anne Gleeson/Gleason. She married Edmund O'Brien. They were from an area near Castleconnell, Ireland or in Castleconnell. They left for Australia in 1854. This information was provided by my great great grandmother, Kate O'Brien Flanagan to her children and grandchildren. Luckily, the information was retained by her oldest grandchildren, my great Aunt Ellen and Aunt Kay. They in turn, shared this information with my grandfather, their brother, Richard J. Flanagan.

Now, my great great grandmother, Catherine "Kate" Mary O'Brien (her married last name was Flanagan) always indicated that she was from Castleconnell, County Clare, Ireland. She was born on May 19, 1843, immigrated to Australia with her family in 1854, and immigrated with her future husband, Patrick Flanagan (who was originally from Termonfeckin, Louth, Ireland) to San Francisco, CA in 1870. From what I can gather, the rest of her O'Brien family remained in Australia, most likely. Pat and Kate Flanagan lived in Napa, CA. Kate died in 1928.

When I look at Castleconnell, I find it in County Limerick these days. I have not done much research on a possible county line shift which may have occurred around the completion of the Griffith's Valuation circa 1869. I found another County Clare line shift in the northeast corner of Clare along the Galway border for another of my Irish Family lines. I bring this up because the county line shifts (which appear to be slight here and there in Ireland) do make a difference when you go to hunt for information. If you have anything about this, feel free to share it. Castleconnell is a definite place to find O'Brien's (and a lot of them) in Ireland. There is apparently a bridge there called O'Brien's Bridge.

I have tried to trace my Edmund and Anne O'Brien in Australia but have found much difficulty because I am challenged with the geography there. In other words, I know little about geography in Australia and New Zealand. I live in Northern California near Sacramento. I have some scant references to places in Australia and New Zealand in several letters including some written by my great great grandmother, Kate O'Brien Flanagan. My great great grandfather, Pat Flanagan, was there for the "Gold Rush Down Under". He went all over mining and wrote letters to Kate. I think that I found the O'Brien's on a passenger list into Melbourne. I think that I found Edmund with his wife Ann and his brother with his wife and each couple's children but I'm not sure which children belong to each couple. See below....Sorry that it might be hard to read.....copy/paste did not work so well.

I have three photos of Kate O'Brien and a possible photo of a brother named Peter O'Brien. I'm not sure about Peter though. I've determined that the "Uncle Peter" in the photo that I have is not a Flanagan, so he must be Kate's brother Peter. I have a letter referencing when a brother of hers visited her in Napa, CA from Australia.

I hope that this is not all that there is to find. I haven't gotten further with my research on my O'Brien and Gleeson line. By the way, Kate herself indicated that her mother's name was Anne Gleeson. I hope this helps some. Let me know what you think. Thanks.

Victoria, Australia, Assisted and Unassisted Passenger Lists, 1839–1923

Immigration & Travel View Image Preview Name:

Michael Obrien Estimated birth year: abt 1811 Age: 43 Arrival Date: 9 Jun 1854 Arrival Port: Melbourne, Australia Departure Port: Plymouth Ship: Parsee Nationality: Irish and Scottish Take a look at the picture to see even more. See more Name: Michael Obrien Birth: abt 1811 Departure: Plymouth Arrival: 9 Jun 1854 - Melbourne, Australia Victoria, Australia, Assisted and Unassisted Passenger Lists, 1839–1923 Immigration & Travel View Image Name: Edmund Obrien Birth: abt 1812 Departure: Plymouth Arrival: 9 Jun 1854 - Melbourne, Australia Victoria, Australia, Assisted and Unassisted Passenger Lists, 1839–1923 Immigration & Travel View Image Name: Bridget Obrien Birth: abt 1816 Departure: Plymouth Arrival: 9 Jun 1854 - Melbourne, Australia Victoria, Australia, Assisted and Unassisted Passenger Lists, 1839–1923 Immigration & Travel View Image Name: Run Obrien -- ANN Birth: abt 1816 Departure: Plymouth Arrival: 9 Jun 1854 - Melbourne, Australia Victoria, Australia, Assisted and Unassisted Passenger Lists, 1839–1923 Immigration & Travel View Image Name: Margaret Obrien Birth: abt 1841 Departure: Plymouth Arrival: 9 Jun 1854 - Melbourne, Australia Victoria, Australia, Assisted and Unassisted Passenger Lists, 1839–1923 Immigration & Travel View Image Name: Ella Obrien Birth: abt 1842 Departure: Plymouth Arrival: 9 Jun 1854 - Melbourne, Australia Victoria, Australia, Assisted and Unassisted Passenger Lists, 1839–1923 Immigration & Travel View Image Name: Catherine Obrien -- KATE Birth: abt 1843 Departure: Plymouth Arrival: 9 Jun 1854 - Melbourne, Australia Victoria, Australia, Assisted and Unassisted Passenger Lists, 1839–1923 Immigration & Travel View Image Name: Eliza Obrien Birth: abt 1844 Departure: Plymouth Arrival: 9 Jun 1854 - Melbourne, Australia Victoria, Australia, Assisted and Unassisted Passenger Lists, 1839–1923 Immigration & Travel View Image Name: John Obrien Birth: abt 1845 Departure: Plymouth Arrival: 9 Jun 1854 - Melbourne, Australia Victoria, Australia, Assisted and Unassisted Passenger Lists, 1839–1923 Immigration & Travel View Image Name: Michael Obrien Birth: abt 1845 Departure: Plymouth Arrival: 9 Jun 1854 - Melbourne, Australia Victoria, Australia, Assisted and Unassisted Passenger Lists, 1839–1923 Immigration & Travel View Image Name: Susannah Obrien Birth: abt 1847 Departure: Plymouth Arrival: 9 Jun 1854 - Melbourne, Australia Victoria, Australia, Assisted and Unassisted Passenger Lists, 1839–1923 Immigration & Travel View Image PreviewName: Michael Obrien Estimated birth year: abt 1849 Age: 5 Arrival Date: 9 Jun 1854 Arrival Port: Melbourne, Australia Departure Port: Plymouth Ship: Parsee Nationality: Irish and Scottish Take a look at the picture to see even more. See more Name: Michael Obrien Birth: abt 1849 Departure: Plymouth Arrival: 9 Jun 1854 - Melbourne, Australia

The Termonfeckin Historical Society

2011-09-16T06:00:00.000-07:00

Where do I begin? Excitement....Enchantment.....Curiosity...... and so much more! For me, this is what the following website means:

Link here to Termonfeckin Historical Society

or

www.termonfeckinhistory.ie

I will be reading all of this website page by page soon. Know that my Flanagan's are indicated under the "Historical Articles". The author of the research, a living cousin, is credited on the site for the work. Thank you cousin!

Please share this site with those interested in genealogy but also with Ireland, particularly with County Louth. Please post to the message board on the site to show your appreciation and to share your thoughts.

You can always become a member of the society, too.

Membership

Slainte!

The Napa Grapevine - The Stanly Ranch and The Flanagan Ranch

2011-09-13T06:00:00.000-07:00

I don't want to get too involved in the Napa gossip scene. Dealing in facts, history, and my family tree is definitely more of my preference when it comes to Napa.   Two little tidbit stories crossed my path recently. One that may not really be "gossipie" or buried very deep in the grapevine. The topic was and has been discussed at city council meetings and articles appear in the Napa Register (or rather now called "The Napa Valley Register"). It's about hotels coming to Napa.

"Developers committed to bringing Ritz, St. Regis to Napa" by Jennifer Huffman appeared in the newspaper on July 31, 2011.  The Ritz Carlon is moving on their project and hope to be under construction in the near future. The Ritz will be near the intersection of Third Street, Coombsville Road, East Avenue, and Silverado Trail. This is close to downtonwn Napa near the fairgrounds, cemetery and right near my great grandparents old house in Alta Heights. There are definitely mixed reviews by the locals in getting this hotel in town. Let's just say it does bring with it 524 full-time jobs. I think that I myself have mixed reviews but this project could really continue to help with the revitalization of the downtown Napa area.

The other hotel project mentioned in the article (which is the part of great interest to me) talks about a St. Regis Hotel. Despite all of the agricultural, environmental and historical naysayers, it would appear that the former Stanly Ranch on Highway 121 near the intersection of Highway 29 in the Carneros area of Napa, will get a St. Regis. The latest report is that this project will happen at some point but financing has not been sought as of yet. I wonder what Judge Stanly would think of this if he was still alive. As any smart businessman and attorney, I suppose if he were to profit from it, it would be a good thing.

My second tidbit which comes deep in the grapevine (and may or may not happen) is about the Flanagan Ranch. Someone very close to me bumped into a family member of the winery that owns the old Flanagan Ranch in Carneros. It was at a winetasting.

My "very close someone" asked the person pouring if any of the wine available for tasting was from vines at the the old Flanagan Ranch in Napa. I guess the young man stopped, looked at the table and grabbed one of the bottles to show him. He then looked rather perplexed at the "very close someone" and asked him how he would know about the Flanagan Ranch. They got to talking and the winery representative said that they would like to again pursue restoring the Flanagan Ranch House to its original state. The intent would be to hold events at the location. I'm not sure that there would be a tasting room open to the public though.

Will this really happen? I'm not planning to be a naysayer but previous thoughts of doing this same thing did not pan out. From what it sounds like though there are some plans including putting the house back to the way it was without the garage that was added later and moving the main drive entrance to the property onto Cuttings Wharf Road.  Both of those things sound like great ideas. You do take your life in your own hands when exiting and entering the Flanagan Ranch's current driveway right on Highway 121.

I wonder if the current owner has any idea that there are still about a half dozen Flanagan relatives who were in the original house and might remember some of it. My own grandfather passed away in 2000 and he had been their main contact. There are still others though.

You can read about the Stanly Ranch, Judge Stanly, and the Flanagan's in this blog. The following is an index that includes links to the posts.

Flanagan Posts

9/11 - A Moment, A Memory, A Memorial

2011-09-11T06:00:00.000-07:00

Recently, I was looking through some old photo albums trying to decide how best to preserve the photos. After many years, some of my photos are diminishing, if not degrading more than I'd ever expected. My visit to NYC in 1990 is no exception. The photos still look pretty good but I can see where they are starting to fade.

Below is a ground level shot of the World Trade Centers that I took on my trip. I know that I had photos from up on the roof platform but I just don't know where they are right now.

In honor of the day, I have this photo.


The Twin Towers of the World Trade Center 1990 C. zelsersk

Gartlan and Fox Family Research

2011-09-10T06:00:00.000-07:00

I do love when someone contacts me about one of my family lines, especially, one that I am familiar with and actively researching. Recently, someone contacted me about Thomas Fox and his family line out of Newport, New York. It got me thinking and digging a bit. Below are some notes that I quickly put together for my new contact. By the way, Thomas Fox (of the Irish Settlement in Newport, New York circa 1820s-1858) is my 4th great grand uncle. His sister, Hannah, was my 4th great grandmother.

It seems apparent to me and several other McLaughlin researchers that the Gartlan and Fox families from the Irish Settlement in Newport, New York had close family ties even back to Ireland in County Monaghan. I can honestly say that my Fox and Gartlan research has been gathered from a few others who dug deep looking for my McLaughlin's and Gartlan's of Newport, New York. They could not help but find the Fox's there but did not do too much extensive research at the time on the Fox and the Gartlan Lines. Much of the research was from Roman Catholic Church records, U.S. Census, and immigration paperwork. I do not actually have all of those source documents but I do have the family tree information.

So here is what I know...........

1. James Gartlan (b. 1777, Carrickmacross) and his wife, Hannah Fox Gartlan (b.1785, Clontibret) were married in Ireland and then immigrated to the U.S. via Quebec, Canada to the Irish Settlement in Newport, Herkimer County, New York in the 1820s. Hannah is scarcely indicated in Newport, New York because the U.S. Census only indicated the head of the household (the man in the family) until 1850. Hannah died before the census in 1850. She died on 9 Feb 1850 and is buried in the Irish Settlement Cemetery. James Gartlan lived a long life and it is fairly easy to locate him in Herkimer County until he passed away. I can pull U.S. Census and find him except in 1860. For some reason that year evades me.

2. The 1830 U.S. Census is very interesting while it is brief with information. Page 23 of 26 for the New York, Herkimer, Newport, 1830 U.S. Census, has 7 of my ancestors listed all on the same page. What you might find interesting is that James Gartlan (his wife is counted here - Hannah Fox) is immediately followed by Thomas Fox and Michael Fox on the census. Coincidence? I really don't think so. Based on information that I have gathered, Hannah, Thomas, and Michael Fox were siblings. They are all buried in the Irish Settlement Cemetery with Hannah indicated by her married name, Hannah Gartlan. Women do seem to get lost in history, don't they?

3. James Gartlan and Hannah Fox's children were Mary Ellen Gartlan, Francis "Frank" Gartlan, and Hugh Gartlan. Those children were all born in Ireland. I actually have a photo of Mary Ellen Gartlan McLaughlin. James Gartlan and Hannah Fox are my 4G great grandparents and Mary Ellen Gartlan McLaughlin (spouse was James McLaughlin) is my 3G grandmother. I also have Mary Ellen's obituary.

4. The 1850 U.S. Census for Newport, New York (page 32) had James Gartlan with his two son's (Frank and Hugh) living with them but also a James Fox (age 20) and a Margaret Fox (age 15). I'm thinking they are James and Hannah's niece and nephew but I'm not sure. Mary Ellen Gartlan Mclaughlin is indicated on the same page with her family. It seems to me that the Gartlan's and Fox's stuck pretty close together in the early generations that immigrated.

5. When Thomas Fox died in 1858, Hugh Gartlan helped his aunt, Nancy Davis, in settling his will/estate. That information did come from another Fox or McLaughlin researcher.

I was recently sent information of where one of the Gartlan's children was born but I need to find that email. I've been thinking that if I find the Gartlan's in Ireland, I'll probably find the Fox's, or vice versa. Gartlan is actually an incredibly common name in Carrickmacross, County Monaghan, Ireland. I wonder if it might be easier to find the Fox's in Clontibret which is just up the road!

Gartlan's of Carrickmacross, Ireland, and Newport, New York - Part 2

2011-09-08T06:00:00.000-07:00

It is incredibly wonderful and interesting when research leads you to somefacts and photos about and of ancestors. My own research has led me to other researchers who probably spent hours traveling and locating our ancestors. I thank them for their leg work and hope that their travels were fun and exciting. The thrill of "discovery" is very rewarding. My best discoveries as of yet have been in person but online works well too.

One fulfilling discovery moment was receiving a photo of Mary Ellen Gartlan who was the daughter of James Gartlan and Hannah Fox. Her brother's were Hugh and Francis Gartlan. Mary Ellen's uncles were those Fox brothers including Thomas Fox. Mary Ellen Gartlan was my great, great, great grandmother who married James McLaughlin of Newport, New York at the Irish Settlement. If anyone recognizes these names, you must contact me if you haven't already.

The following is Mary Ellen Gartlan McLaughlin's photo, courtesy of Paul T. McLaughlin. Again, Paul is fine with being revealed here in my blog. Thank you Paul!

For my own direct line, she was the mother of my great great grandfather, Thomas Michael McLaughlin. For Paul's line she is the mother of his grandfather, Maurice (Morris) McLaughlin.

Another bit of information that I've run across in gathering my research is that of one Hannah Gartlan. She was the daughter of Hugh Gartlan and Mary Ann McLaughlin Gartlan. While there is no record of her getting married or having children, she was a school teacher, school superintendent, college dean, and a mystery writer. She was a first cousin to my great great grandfather, Thomas Michael McLaughlin.

In some recent information gathering, a Gartlan researcher sent me the birth record information for Hugh Gartlan (son of James Gartlan and Hannah Fox). Hugh was born 3 Dec 1822, Ballyfery, County Monaghan, Ireland. I must admit that this is the first that I've seen of a more exact location for my Gartlan's in Ireland. Unfortunately, there is no such townland in County Monaghan, I can only guess that it was the address or title of the property where the Gartlan's lived in and around Carrickmacross.

I do now have access to a general group of Gartlan researchers. While they may or many not be my direct line, they are Gartlan descendants from a few different James Gartlan's of Carrickmascross, County Monaghan, Ireland. I follow a blog which has proven to be a good read for me in understanding the Gartlan line in general. It is as follows:

Gartlan Families from Carrickmacross, Co. Monaghan, Ireland

At this point, I conclude my blog post to summarize my Gartlan research. I do think that I am far from concluding this research, however. I hope to find more about James Gartlan and Hannah Fox. Waiting a while might help some new information show up. It's worked in the past!

Gartlan's of Carrickmacross, Ireland and Newport, New York - Part 1

2011-09-07T06:00:00.000-07:00

In my quest to trace my family tree, I have pursued my Gartlan line on occasion. After all, James Gartlan, one of my 4th great grandfathers, is easy to find on census based in the Irish Settlement from 1830-1870. The page of the 1830 U.S. Census, where he is indicated as living in Newport, New York, also includes Michael McLaughlin, another one of my 4th great grandfathers. He is listed four lines above James on the same page. There are also other McLaughlin and Fox relatives of mine listed on that very same page. I have to wonder if Martin Gartlan, who is listed directly above James, is another Gartlan relative. Talk about a small town and community.....That definitely describes Newport, New York.

I could reiterate and rehash my information about the Irish Settlement right here in this post but my real desire is to push back further in time on my Gartlan line. It seems clear and obvious to me that if I can find my Fox line in Ireland, I will probably find the correct Gartlan line there too. James' wife was Hannah Fox. They married in Ireland before they immigrated to the U.S. in the 1820s. The best information that I have about their location in Ireland is that James was from Carrickmacross, Co. Monaghan, Ireland and Hannah Fox was from Clontibret, Co. Monaghan, Ireland. Is that all I've got? I might have a little more.

Researching female ancestors presents a challenge at times. This why you've got to build your research around a location, community and the family unit. While James Gartlan and Hannah Fox Gartlan immigrated to the Irish Settlement, Newport, New York in the 1820s, it would appear that they were not alone. Did a Martin Gartlan come with them or end up there? Thomas Fox ended up there. He was Hannah's brother. I have a tidbit to share in the minute. There is also a Michael Fox buried in the old Irish Settlement cemetery where Thomas Fox and James Gartlan are buried. Hmmmm.....I think I found the location, family, and the community. Can I track these people back to Ireland? At least I have more than one person to look for.

According to another Fox researcher, when Thomas Fox passed away in 1858, Hugh Gartlan (James' son and Thomas' nephew) helped Thomas' wife, Nancy Davis, handle the will/estate. It would appear that the Gartlan's and Fox's were close. The Gartlan's are also very much linked to the McLaughlin's of Newport, New York but that appears to have originated in Newport, New York as opposed to Ireland.

I would like to try and find my Gartlan's and know that the Fox's are a lead for me in that respect. I may need to track my Fox ancestors first to find the Gartlan's. Fox is somewhat of a common name but Gartlan is even more common in the area of County Monaghan, Ireland that I seek. I have found numerous people online researching at least five to six James Gartlan's from the Carrickmacross area. They may all be related. Those darn naming patterns seem to have kept the "James Gartlan" name going in numbers.

How close am I to finding my Gartlan and Fox ancestors?

To be continued.......................

Status - My Family Tree Lines

2011-09-04T06:00:00.000-07:00

Here's a quick status of my family tree research.

Recent Research:
1-Borchers
2-Blume
3-Brandes

Pursuing:
1-Gartlan
2-Fox
(Currently reviewing these trees.)

On a break:
1-McGuire (includes McGrath)
2-Romaine

Haven't started:
1-Vienop
2-Koch
3-Jackel

Always in pursuit:
1-Maxwell
2-Shaffrey
3-McLaughlin
(I am reviewing these trees too.)

Have more to read and research:
1-Flanagan
2-Maguire
3-Bellew
4-Kirwan
5-O'Brien
6-Hickey
7-Coughlin
8-Minogue
9-McMahon

That kind of sums it up for now. It can change at any moment as information presents itself!

Genealogy and Computer Advice

2011-09-01T06:00:00.000-07:00

About a month ago I started updating my genealogy research online, saving photos and documents onto a separate hard drive, and scanning anything that I have in paper form. Am I done? Not exactly. While this is quite the task, there is another task that interfered with my progress of organizing, simplifying, and backing up my family tree research. The interfering culprit was the computer itself.

Around the beginning of August, we decided that the whole system needed to be backed up onto an external hard drive because the computer had been "acting funny". By the way, the computer that I am talking about is a rather "sup'd up" system with a quad four processor and some other goodies. I'm not really a computer tech but my hubby is pretty well versed in these things. He's an architect and his systems at work and home need to be able to run AutoCAD and Revit. Let's just say those programs require "a lot" of a computer.

We did avoid the computer crashing but not without having it only backup about 98% of the information onto the external hard drive. Let's just say that the 2% appears to my husband's stuff and not my genealogy. That backup still exists but I have a much more organized external hard drive that houses all of my photos and genealogy research.   I spent a number of hours moving all of my research off the main "C" drive of the computer. By the way, it was the "C" drive that was going bad. As I wiped it clean of my information, I found some good things along the way and hope I found everything. Only time will tell if I missed something. I've still got that other backup but dread having to filter through it to find any missing information.

In the hopes of retaining all of my research, and am not sure that I have, I am happy to say that I do have some redundancies of stored information and some advice to offer. Here's my list below:

1. Don't store information in Outlook. This is a lesson learned by many time and time again. Starting back in 2004 or so, my previous employer limited the space and time frame of available emails in Outlook to discourage people from storing information in that program. I should have known to carry over that practice to my home computer. My husband has indicated that Outlook will crash and lose data if it hits 2GBs. Watch out for this because you can lose your address book too. My husband exports and saves our address book every couple of months so that we don't have to "recreate the wheel" and find people's emails all over again.

2. Back-up, Back-up, Back-up. It is always prudent to back-up your computer. You should do it weekly for personal information and businesses should do it every night at the end of the work day. Does everyone do this? No and I forget to also. Having a redundant location for information is a good idea including storing it online like on a blog, a photo sharing site, or even on a website designed for storage.   There is also the option of storage disks including CDs, DVDs, Blu-Ray, and hard drives. I suppose you could also print or publish the information but that kind of defeats the purpose of saving paper, the environment, and shelf space. I am all for books but all of the "nitty-gritty" that was gathered to get to the final family tree does not really need to be published in paper form too!

3. Family Tree and the Computer.    While maintaining your family tree on your computer with the appropriate software is the preference of many, I prefer to maintain it online. I think that is a bit of a personal preference. At some point, I will download my tree off Ancestry.com and save it on a disk but I need to be in a good "finished" place for a specific line to do that. I enjoy having my tree on Ancestry.com because it is a living document. There is no pun intended by saying "living" while most of the people have passed on and are my ancestors. By "living document", I mean that it can be changed, updated, and added to at any time.

On point three, I'd love to hear what people's opinion is. Also, I'd really like to know what people do to save their blog. My blog exists only online and I need a solution to back that up. I don't want to lose the information and all that I've written in my online genealogy diary.

Blog Pages and Indexes

2011-08-29T08:00:00.000-07:00

I think that I have finally landed on a format for my blog that I can live with. Simplicity can sometimes get lost on the internet when you've got unlimited storage space available for information. The unlimited storage can come with a price tag, however. My blog is limited to ten pages unless I want to buy more space which I suppose is available. Lately, I've realized that I don't really need all of that space.

My blog now contains the following pages:

Linked Pages and Indexes

Eight pages seems to be a good length for this blog, at this point in time. I am reserving those other two pages for any future projects or large chunks of information that should be moved off onto their own.

I also have incorporated a photo album via Picasa online. It has some photos right now with room to expand and add other albums. In addition, I have a separate Shutterfly Share Site for MYOG for family members. This is a place where we can all share photos and upload and download as we wish. I am hoping that this catches on more in the future. I definitely accept photos via email at kristin@zelsersk.net.

As for updating the indexes, I continue to carve out time to do this. Even if everything is not found in the indexes, this blog site has a search capability. Feel free to use keywords to search and find what you seek.

One final note is that this research is a work in progress. It may not be perfect but let's not let perfection be the enemy of all that is good in the world of genealogy research past, present, and future.

If you find this diary blog of mine, feel free to comment and/or contact me.

McMahon Heraldry with a Twist

2011-08-27T08:00:00.000-07:00

In my recent research, I found out that I'm a McMahon descendant. My McMahon's lived in Ballyvannan, County Clare, Ireland. They lived in a place/property location called "Revail" or "Reveal" and was considered to be near Caherhurly Road. I think I've got most of that correct. Also, they were part of the Bodyke Roman Catholic Church in the parish of Tomgraney. I must admit to this is all rather new information for me.

With all of this in mind, I decided to gather some information about the McMahon's. It is the anglicized name for MacMathghamhna which is the name in Old Gaelic. It means "bear". So my question, is that the animal, the bear? The McMahon name comes from Clare and Monaghan. There were two different septs with this name. I am assuming that somewhere along the way, they are related to each other.

The first record of the McMahon's of Ireland is in 1170. There is a bit of scandalous story to go along with the McMahon's. A Norman by the name of Reginald Fitzurse fled to Ireland after the murder of Thomas a'Beckett. It is legend that Fitzurse fled to Ireland and is the father of the McMahon sept. Now that must make an interesting story.

When I look up additional information for the McMahon's, I find the name in Scotland too. So it looks like Clare, Monaghan, Scotland and, of course, all of those McMahon's in America, is where you would find this family line.

Here are some resources online:

McMahons of Monaghan. McMahon clan of Monaghan and beyond.
The Two Septs of McMahon. McMahon clan history.
The McMahon Family Tree. McMahons in Scotland.
McMahon DNA Project. McMahon DNA.

The McMahon name is plentiful in Ireland and the U.S. I am seeking mine in County Clare.

Kirwan

2011-08-25T08:00:00.000-07:00

I don't have much about my Kirwan line but I do know that Judith Kirwan (b. 1780) married Patrick Flanagan (b. 1780, Termonfechin) on January 18, 1801. Her father was Nicholas Kirwan. Judith lived much of her life on the Flanagan Family Farm in Termofechin but she also spent time in Dublin in the House of Industry for some mental health issue, presumably depression.

In my recent searches for information about the Termonfechin area and Clogher, I ran across some information about the Kirwan family name and history. While the name is prominent in Galway as a "Tribe of Galway", you have to wonder what my Kirwan line was doing all the way across the isle in County Louth. The surname, Kirwan, is the anglicised version of the Gaelic name "O'Ciardhubhain". That is quite the mouthful. It is no wonder that name was changed to Kirwan. In the Irish language, the name is derived from the "ciar dubh" which means black.

What I found most interesting is that the Kirwan's originate in County Louth. They were not in Galway until the 15th century. There have been many prominent Kirwan's over the ages including Rev. Francis Kirwan (1589-1661), John Kirwan (Mayor of Galway), and Owen Kirwan (1803).

When I look up Kirwan's and Louth today, I find a few in Clogher. They must be big in the fishing industry as that's what comes up in my searches these days. I wonder what my Kirwan line looks like.

Patrick and Kate Flanagan Family, Napa, CA - Circa 1895

2011-08-22T08:00:00.000-07:00

I love photos! Have I mentioned that before. My relatives in Ireland have quite the collection of Flanagan photos from what they've said. During a visit to Napa, California years ago, they were able to gather a few photos of our Napa Flanagan's. The photo below is one that I didn't even know existed. It is Patrick and Kate Flanagan's Family.

While Patrick is not in the photo, Kate is in the front row. After consulting with my mom and her cousin, we have confirmed that the back row from left to right is Ignatius (Nash with a long "a"), John Francis (Jack), Mary (Aunt Mamie), Richard (Uncle Dick), Leo (Dr. Leo Flanagan, M.D. when he was a kid.). The front row from left to right is Edward, Agnes, Kate, and Louis (Uncle Louie).

A couple of things that my mom and her cousin shared to confirm the people in the photos. First, they know what Jack looks like. We've got photos of him. My mom and her cousin personally knew Aunt Mamie (Mary), Uncle Dick, and Uncle Louie. My mom said that Louie was extremely short. This may be why he looks younger than Leo. Leo was actually two years younger than Louie. The way the photo was taken it would appear that Leo is actually further forward in the photo than the rest of his siblings in the back row.

Also, we can all identify Kate! I wonder why Patrick was not in the photo. He was still alive because Anges is there and still alive. This photo is estimated at around 1895. LOVE IT!

You can click on this photo to see it in a larger view.

Thank you P and M for sending this all the way from Ireland!!!!!

16 Great Great Grandparents

2011-08-19T08:00:00.000-07:00

I recently saw a post on another's genealogy blog that suggested that everyone make some sort of pie chart showing all 16 of their great great grandparents. It might have said to do something even fancier than what I have done below. I figured that I'd somewhat jumped on that bandwagon and list off my 16 great great grandparents quickly below and place any photo that I have of them. I love photos and would love to have one of each of these people.

Also, I thank my Flanagan/McLaughlin side for finding some great photos recently. I also thank my uncle for sending me the photo of Henry and Anna Borchers and of Henry and Anna Vienop. A special thank you to my dear cousin for sending Ellen Maxwell and Thomas McLaughlin's photos. That was quite the coup and a wonderful surprise! :-)

P.S. I would like everyone to know that I can receive large photo via email. I also have a Shutterfly share site where we can all share old photos. Email me if you would like to share more photos. Thanks, kristin@zelsersk.net.

My Mother's Side:

Patrick Flanagan

Kate Flanagan (Catherine Mary O'Brien)


I think this is Patrick Flanagan unless it is his brother Nicholas. (Update!!! - The man in this photo is referred to on the back at Uncle Peter and could be Kate's brother)				That is definitely Kate!

Thomas Michael McLaughlin

Ellen McLaughlin (Ellen Maxwell)

Henry Borchers (Hans Heinrich Conrad Borchers)

Anna Borchers (Anna Marie Jackel)

John Henry Vienop, Sr. (Johann Heinrich Vinup)

Anna Vienop (Anna Marie Koch)

My Father's Side:

Charles McGuire
Sarah McGuire (Sarah McGrath)

Joseph Romaine
Frances Romaine (Frances Lakervine or a German name that starts with "L")

William Hickey

Bridget Hickey (Bridget Minogue)

Daniel Coughlin

Anne Coughlin (Anna McMahon)

In honor of my Irish heritage, I did color code my Irish relatives' names in green. The bronze color are my German/Prussian ancestors.

The Irish Settlement and Beyond

2011-08-17T08:00:00.000-07:00

I recently updated my index page for blog posts associated with my McLaughlin, Maxwell, Gartlan, and Fox family lines which includes information about the Irish Settlement in Newport, New York. I added a preface to the index to explain what my diary of research is all about. I also split up my Maxwell and McLaughlin research to make reviewing the index easier. There are many duplicate posts that are shared by my ever so closely connected Maxwell and McLaughlin line. The following is the preface to the index followed by a link to it. You can also reach the index off the main page of my blog.

The Irish Settlement and Beyond

Index to Zelsersk's Genealogy Blog Posts

Relating to the Irish Settlement

Newport, Herkimer County, New York and Beyond.

If you found this blog and this index page, then you might be looking for those Irish families who left Ireland and ended up at the Irish Settlement in Newport, Herkimer County, New York and the surrounding areas.

I am a McLaughlin, Maxwell, Gartlan, and Fox descendant. It was not until April 2010 that I discovered the Irish Settlement. I thought to myself, "Where is that and what is that place?" I wanted to know more. I found and sought any McLaughlin's and Maxwell's who could tell me more. I succeeded and found more information than I ever could have hoped for. These blog posts below reflect gathered information and research from various people and sources. I also have some Shaffrey research at the very bottom. They were from County Meath too and related by marriage to the Maxwell's.

Each title below is a clickable hyperlink that takes you to the original post. Feel free to comment on these posts and enjoy reading them. The posts are listed in chronological order of my discoveries and broken up into each family line. Know that while the information may not be perfect, it is approaching exceptional as the information about my family tree has been researched by many a Maxwell and McLaughlin relative. From the first post to the recent posts, the information is updated and corrected as I diary my work in this blog. The posts also include family lines that went West and to Montello, WI.

I give special thanks to a few researchers who have contributed to my collection and paved the way for the rest of us to easily find our family roots. I respect the privacy of those living individuals but will outwardly acknowledge that there is a McLaughlin descendant who has provided several of us with a wonderful 34 page document of the "Descendents of Thomas McLaughlin". I also thank a living Maxwell for his help in pinpointing our Maxwell's and sending me in the absolute correct direction to find my McLaughlin's.

A living relative who does not want to remain anonymous here is Paul T. McLaughlin. He is a Maxwell and a McLaughlin descendant like myself. His information, photos, and support have been wonderful. I am forever grateful.

I also must thank those who came before me, but have since passed, and heavily researched our family line. They are Ellen Maxwell Flanagan and Thomas Malloy. It is a real pleasure to walk in their foot steps and have some of their research at hand.

The Irish Settlement and Beyond

Index to Blog Posts for Northeast County Clare

2011-08-16T08:00:00.002-07:00

I am in the process of revamping my page indexes that link to previous posts about specific family lines. I have created a new page for my Coughlin and Hickey research entitled "Northeast County Clare Ancestor Lines". Below is the clickable link:

Northeast County Clare Ireland Ancestor Lines

Pay It Forward - Genealogy and Beyond

2011-08-16T08:00:00.001-07:00

The 2000 film called "Pay It Forward" starring Helen Hunt, Kevin Spacey, and Haley Joel Osment had lots of drama, the impact of "Hollywood" style storytelling, and likeable characters. At the crux of the story was a "good-movement". That is to say if someone does a good deed for you, return the deed to someone else down the line. Applying this to my genealogy research seems to produce wonderful results.

I may not have all of the answers and am looking for more information about my own family tree but I do try to help others with their research. Considering that I am still in my own learning curve on genealogy research (but may be approaching the top where learning levels off a bit), I take opporunities to share, collaborate, and compare notes. I do try to "pay it forward" when I can. Helping others who do want to be helped is a good way to go about working on your family tree.

In giving help and sharing information, it is always a benefit to practice good manners online. That can be tricky at times. The other end of the help may not be looking to communicate further. Those that you may have helped may not always remember to say "thank you". However, you never can tell when one good deed will return another so "pay it forward".

Someone's Ancestor Sunday - Dennis Maxwell Duffy

2011-08-14T08:00:00.000-07:00

Recently, I received an inquiry email from a living individual (who will remain anonymous out of respect for privacy) about Dennis M. Duffy. His name apparently cropped up during this person's research into the Kennedy District mining area of Nevada.

The email prompted me to see if this was the same Dennis Maxwell Duffy who was the son of Philip Duffy and Katie Duffy (Catherine Maxwell). He is one in the same. I suppose it should not come as much of a surprise since Nevada was not very populated in the late 1800s. This part of Northern Nevada isn't very populated even today. Dennis Maxwell Duffy was an attorney, was married to Clara Grace Blossom for a time, and was my great grandmother's first cousin. I have found Dennis living out at the family home on Big Ranch Road, Napa, California in at least one census.

From what I have read about Clara Grace Blossom's family land ownership in the Kennedy District area of Nevada, it is quite the story with a bit of scandal. It would appear that Dennis Maxwell Duffy, who was an attorney out of San Francisco, represented his wife's interests in her family land. I also found that eventually Dennis and Grace (as she was addressed) were divorced. I found Dennis living in Napa and then San Francisco with his second wife by 1920 and 1930.

What seems to be a quieter note is that Dennis and Grace had a daughter named Grace Dorothy Duffy. She was born in 1903 in Napa and died there in 1928. I wonder what her story is. While she had a brief life, it would appear that she lived with or on the property with her grandparents, Philip and Katie Duffy.

While the Duffy's aren't my direct line, they are cousins who lived within just a couple of miles of their relatives including my Flanagan's and McLaughlin's (including Ellen Maxwell). I have yet to find a Duffy from this direct line currently researching their family but hope to find someone someday. Who knows what treasures they have saved.

Here's to Someone's Ancestor Sunday. While the Duffy's are somewhat distant relatives to me, they are specific people's ancestors and are connected to my family line.

Ireland - Part 7 - Castles, or rather, Tower Houses

2011-08-13T08:00:00.001-07:00

Castles in Ireland appear to be small in some locations and larger in others. They riddle the countryside from rather isolated locations to villages and towns all over the "Emerald Isle". Are they really considered castles? Most of them are referred to as tower houses rather than castles.

Tower houses were Middle Ages era construction. They were used both for defensive reasons and as dwellings. Many "castles" in Ireland are from the Middle Ages (5th-15th centuries). Below are some "castles" and tower houses that I visited in Ireland. All of these photos are copyrighted to me 2004.

Kilkenney Castle - Yes, I think this is a real castle rather than a tower house.

Blarney Castle (Tower House) - Kissed the Blarney Stone!

Ross Castle (Tower House) near Kilarney

Bunratty Castle (Tower House) near Limerick

If you are interested in Ireland castles and tower houses, I might just have a few more photos. Feel free to comment. I have never been to Maguire Castle in Enniskillen. Is it worth the trip? Let's just say, it is worth the trip to Ireland to see where your ancestors came from.

Ireland - Part 6 - Around the Isle

2011-08-11T08:00:00.001-07:00

As I start to wrap up my short tour of Ireland, I am left with some photos that remind me of some places of strong interest. I definitely want to return to Waterford. While I was able to visit the factory and see the work in progress, it was a Sunday and things were not all up and running. Also, Waterford itself was pretty well shut down on a Sunday. Our tour guide gave us a very interesting walking tour of the city.

Driving the Ring of Kerry was worth the twists and turns to get to Waterville. I'm not sure that I'll venture out there again but it was beautiful. I only got to experience a quick visit to Adare and Galway. I do think Galway has more to offer and will need to go there again.

Waterford - It was a place before there was crystal.

Waterville, Ring of Kerry - Charlie Chaplin's Statue

Thatched roof house in Adare

Galway

And the finale will be next..................

Ireland - Part 5 - Dublin

2011-08-09T08:00:00.002-07:00

Dublin, Ireland, is a pretty interesting place. In fact, during my visit in 2004, I found it to be wonderful, interesting, and left me wanting more. With all of the history in this city, there were many modern touches here and there including a wine bar, a fabulous Italian restaurant with a delicious cheese platter, and some outstanding fish and chips to be found at local restaurants and pubs.

Aside from the food, there was more to see including some great shopping on Grafton Street and at the St. Stephen's Green Shopping Centre. The Guiness Brewery even had the modern facelift going on. It is quite a visitors center with exhibits and the gravity bar on the seventh floor.

History abounds everywhere in the Dublin. I thoroughly enjoyed visiting Dublin Castle and the Book of Kells at Trinity College. I feel like I only got to experience the tip of the iceberg in Dublin. I must say that some cities think of tourists as strangers in a strange land interfering with the normal progression of city life. I did not get that feeling at all in Dublin, Ireland, or anywhere in Ireland for that matter. People were just nice.

Below are some of my favorite photos of Dublin, Ireland - Copyrighted to me 2004.

St. Stephen's Green

Grafton Street

St. Stephen's Green Shopping Centre

The visitors center that was in an old church.

Guinness Brewery

View of the Wellington Monument from Guinness

Dublin Castle

Papel Cross at Phoenix Park

Trinity College

Ireland - Part 4 - Newgrange

2011-08-07T08:00:00.001-07:00

What is Newgrange and how old is it? In layman's terms, it is a burial mound from a couple of thousand years ago. The actual use of the mound is debatable. It was constructed between 3100 and 2900 B.C. It is considered a prehistoric monument. While Newgrange has been restored, other mounds nearby called Knowth and Dowth are still being researched and possibly restored today.

The area is known as Brú na Bóinne UNESCO World Heritage Site. It is adjacent to the River Boyne in County Meath just southwest of Drogheda, Louth, Ireland. This location is definitely worth visiting. There is so much history in the location. If you are of Irish decent, you never know if your ancient ancestors might have originated in this location.


Copyright 2004 - Newgrange

Ireland - Part 3 - St. Fechin's

2011-08-05T08:00:00.003-07:00

When I tell people where my Flanagan's originate in Ireland sometimes people find the name of the location rather odd. Even some Irish nationals haven't heard of it. That is strange because I thought everyone knew where Termonfechin was located. I have to laugh because prior to 2004, I could barely place it on a map.

My previous post about Termonfechin is as follows (Click the link): Termonfechin

At this juncture, I am not sure that I have much to add to my original post except to say that all of the Flanagan's buried at St. Fechin's Cemetery in Termonfechin are from the same family line. So, are there other Flanagan's buried there or nearby? That is possible but other Flanagan's from the early 1700s in and around the Termonfechin Area appear to have migrated to slightly differing locations within County Louth.

It would be interesting to trace and track down Patrick Flanagan circa 1700 of Termonfechin's brothers - James and Peter Flanagan. I wonder about their lines sometimes. The family line from past to present belonging to Patrick of Termonfechin is fairly well mapped out. There are some mysteries as to what happened to certain Flanagan's though.


Copyright 2004 - St. Fechin's Church Steeple

St. Fechin's Church is now closed and it is apparently not safe to enter the church. That is such a shame. This church has so much history attached to it from being once a Roman Catholic Church to the change over to the Church of Ireland by the British. The cemetery holds so much history too and it's upkeep is handled by the local community who is mainly Catholic.

In California where I live, we consider buildings that are over 50 years old to be very old. When you come across something that is over 100 years old, we deem it a historical building or location. Not every historical site can be saved and restored. Can you imagine the challenges, costs, and undertakings of saving and restoring a site in Ireland that is over 200 years old? I hope that St. Fechin's can be saved and restored. There is history that lives in that place.

Ireland - Part 2 - Clogherhead

2011-08-03T08:00:00.003-07:00

Longing to return to this beautiful country does not make it easy at times for me to work on my genealogy. I know that some answers about my family tree rest in Ireland. When I visited there in 2004, I had no idea that my future desire to find my family tree would become such a consistent project and sometimes an addiction for me.

Below are photos that are slightly more local to my Flanagan and Maguire ancestors of Termonfechin, Louth, Ireland. Clogherhead is just slightly north of Termonfechin.

The lifeboat in Clogherhead is beach-launched which is rather unique in
the world of lifeboat rescue, especially in Ireland.

I had to look up some information about Clogher because you see so many different spellings. The headland in this location is known as Clogher Head while the village is known as Clogherhead and the townland is known as Clogher, Louth, Ireland.

This area is lovely. While this part of Ireland runs along the Irish Sea, it is still mainly an agricultural community. It often strikes me as funny when I recall seeing cows in pastures with beachfront views. In California, the people hoard the beach views while the cows are in pastures mainly inland.

I've been trying to locate the parochial parish name for Clogher. That is to say, or ask, is the parish for Clogher called Clogherhead? It makes a difference when you want to research Roman Catholic Church records at the LDS library. I have not attempted to do this research but may someday. I know that there are Maguire's buried in Clogher. They seem to be my ancestors.

My final comment is about my Kirwan family line. I just ran across some information online that indicates Kirwan's originating in Louth. While the family surname of Kirwan is known well in Galway, they were first in Louth. I find this fascinating and need to research the Kirwan's further. Maybe my Judith Kirwan and her father, Nicholas Kirwan, from this area of Louth are of these Kirwan's. I kind of think they are and tracing this line could get interesting.

Ireland - Part 1 - Monasterboice

2011-08-01T08:00:00.001-07:00

In the spirit of walking in the footsteps of my ancestors, I thought that I'd share photos right here of my 2004 trip to Ireland. It is "summer vacation" after all. My own children have about 3 weeks of vacation left before school begins again. At that point, I intend to really dig into my genealogy yet again. For the next few weeks, I will be cleaning up my family tree and blog indexes. Let's hope the laptop can keep up with my typing outside on the patio while I watch my children play.

My intent in sharing my Ireland photos here in my blog is to also review what I have. It has been a while since I looked them over and I never quite know what memories I might find. And, yes, all of these photos belong to me.

The above photo is a high cross at Monasterboice. It is Mulredach's Cross, one of the most perfect high crosses in Ireland and is believed to be circa 900 A.D. The condition remains quite excellent even given its age.

Monasterboice was a pretty amazing place. It is located in County Louth, Ireland. Lots of church and religious history rests here. It is a beautiful spot.

Researching Germany - OMG and LOL!

2011-07-31T08:00:00.001-07:00

Every once in a while, you have to poke a little fun at yourself and laugh. When it comes to researching Germany, I do feel like I am going in circles but also a little dense. While ignorance is bliss at times, when you're researching your family tree and really want to get it correct, you've got to settle in and learn about the geography for the country in which your ancestors came from.

The more I learn about Germany, the less I know. I had located my Vienop's in Borninghausen, Westphalia, Germany months ago. In fact, my aunt has always known where they were from. When I look at the locations near Borninghausen, the biggest city appears to be Hannover to the east. I also can see that the Vienop's lived about 60 miles from the current border of the Netherlands. In all seriousness, though, it is all German to me. When I map Germany on Google Maps, everything is titled in the German language.

So is Borninghausen the anglicized version of the town or village? Or, is that the name in German? I must admit though that at least I found the location on a map. I think that I even have a more specific address location for where some Vienop's/Vinup's still lived about 80 years ago.

Now I am working on my Borchers Family line from Germany. As I enter Jurgen Borchers' descendants into my Ancestry.com Family Tree, I consistently run into the location of Gr. Nenndorf, Schaumburg, Niedersachsen, Germany, for the Borchers of the late 1600s and 1700s. When I finally mapped the location, it is about 10 miles west of Hannover. That gives me some perspective now.

My Vienop's and Borchers' ancestors may have lived about 60 miles from each other. The other discovery that I made in my research is that Niedersachen translated in to English is Lower Saxony. That does pull some other information that I have together.

Distances aside, even if the Vienop's and Borchers' lived only 30 miles apart, that would have felt like a lifetime back in the 1700s, right? While Germany is a small country, it is riddled with names and locations that are very foreign to me. At times, you can find that many locations have been somewhat translated into English. That really is confusing if you ask me. Too bad I took Spanish in high school and college. Sometimes, I wish that I had taken German.

I am making my way in researching my family tree in Germany with a huge amount of help from my aunt and uncle. It is slow going and I do feel like a total "newbie" on these lines of my tree. All I can say in internet jargon is "OMG!" and "LOL!". I certainly have my work cut out for me and a lot to learn.

-------------------------------------------------

Since my original draft of this post, I have had someone recommend "Lands of the German Empire and before" by Wendy K Uncapher.

Ilion, New York and a McLaughlin - Part 2

2011-07-30T08:00:00.000-07:00

Paul T. McLaughlin has gathered an immense amount of research over the years about his hometown, Ilion, New York but also about the McLaughlin's, Maxwell's, and his Lynch's of Herkimer County. His contributions also stand out on the following pages:

Click on the title:

1 Town of Newport, Herkimer County, New York on Gen Web
2 History of St. Patrick's and St. John's Parish

Additionally, I found another link:

3 Herkimer/Montgomery Counties Surnames L-M

While the third link is not exclusive to Paul, his contributions are linked to this site.

For anyone researching the Irish Settlement in Newport, Herkimer County, New York, the above sites are a good start.

Thanks to Paul for all of his information!

Ilion, New York and a McLaughlin - Part 1

2011-07-29T08:00:00.000-07:00

A year or so ago I went looking for a cousin who I could tell knew a lot about our McLaughlin's and had articles online about the Irish Settlement. What I did not fully understand at the time was how he knew about my ancestor, James Maxwell. As it turned out, he is also both a McLaughlin and a Maxwell.

My own great great grandfather was Thomas Michael McLaughlin of Newport, Herkimer County, New York. His parents were James McLaughlin and Mary Ellen Gartlan. Both James and Mary Ellen had immigrated at young ages from Ireland to the Irish Settlement in Newport around the late 1820s. Their oldest child, Thomas Michael McLaughlin, married Ellen Maxwell in 1869. After they were married, they moved west to Austin, Nevada and then onto Napa, California.

Ellen Maxwell was the daughter of Joseph Patrick Maxwell and Judith (Julia) Shaffrey of County Meath, Ireland who immigrated to the Irish Settlement in Newport, New York around 1853. Ellen's oldest brother was Dennis Maxwell. He had a daughter, Mary Ellen Maxwell, who married Maurice McLaughlin. Maurice was the youngest brother of Thomas Michael McLaughlin (their parents were James McLaughlin and Mary Ellen Gartlan).

There are many people who descend from these McLaughlin's and Maxwell's. There are number of us who descend from both lines. With two marriages between these families, you would expect to find some people researching the family. I must admit to having found quite the group of people researching these lines including a person who has authorized me to divulge his name in this blog.

Paul T. McLaughlin makes it no secret that he is well versed on the history of the Village of Ilion, New York. I would say that he is the expert. I am breaking with my privacy rule and revealing this living relative because he does have so much information available online, has provided me directly with so much information, and has agreed that he would like to be indicated on my blog.

The following is the clickable link to his website:

The Village of Ilion

As I review his website (and have looked at it previously), I begin to realize how much information I do have my finger tips about the McLaughlin's of Herkimer County. It is amazing the quantity and quality of the information available on this website. If you or a relative was ever from Ilion, this site is your bible to the history of the village. It also contains specific family tree research information including obituaries for a few of Paul's family lines.

To be continued..................

Genealogy Juggling Act - My German Family Trees

2011-07-27T08:00:00.000-07:00

Being about a quarter or so German means that I really need to visit Germany someday. It also means so much more to me than that. On my mom's German side of the family, everyone was always very close to one another. I often wonder where that desire to remain close came from.

When so many of my other family lines have gone their own way for various reasons, my Vienop's (Borchers) have remained close to one another. I can only imagine that it is because of the family's desire to remain close. Also, there are many females in this line. Generally, females remain close to their mothers even as adults. I give a huge amount of credit to one person in my line - Mary (Vienop) Borchers. I have written about her in a few past posts. I have so much more information about her and was close to her myself.

It is interesting to me that I have so much information available to me about my Vienop and Borchers Family Trees but have only begun to start actually "treeing" it. I have photos, stories, a diary, and maybe even other information I have not gone through as of yet. I want to have this information organized and well presented. Also, I have to be careful not to reveal information about living people. In my Borchers/Vienop Line, people live long lives. Mary Borchers lived to be 96 years old.

I have research interests for my German side of the family but must admit that most of my research for the Borchers' and Vienop's is more inwardly directed toward my family members, photos, and records that we already have. Networking outside the family might produce some helpful hints but as evidenced by my Borchers research, my aunt and uncle seem to be the primary experts in Northern California.

At any rate, below are my research interests for my German Heritage:

1. Vienop and Vinup - Napa, California; Audrain, Missouri; and Borninghausen, Germany - I haven't really started working on my family tree for this line but have personal firsthand knowledge of who everyone is back to my great great grandparents, Henry Vienop, Sr. and Anna Marie Koch. I will get working on this line in the near future.

2. Borchers - Napa, California; Aurora, Minnesota and North Dakota; and Germany - Jurgen Borchers you say? I have some information about him from 1720. I also have several other lines that I have yet to explore. I worked a little bit on my Jackel ancestors. I am crafting a Borchers Family Tree on Ancestry.com as I write this which I hope to be free of errors. It is currently a private tree as I add people and their information. Let's just say a whole lot of exact research has been done on my Borchers line. Several people with Borchers family trees on Ancestry.com have errors in them including my original tree. I hope to have a good accurate version to publicize on Ancestry.com by the end of this year or sooner.

3. Romaine's - Delancy Street, Manhattan, New York - Where do I begin with this research? I do feel like I have pinpointed my Romaine's location in New York City. Mary Elizabeth Romaine was born in NYC in 1878. Her parents were Joseph and Frances Romaine. Frances' maiden name is a bit of a mystery at this point. I have seen it butchered four different ways on legal documents. Let's just say it was a German name that starts with an "L". I have no idea if my Romaine's are related to several of the same surname living in New Jersey at the time. More than likely, they are related to Romaine's living it Brooklyn, possibly. It is interesting to note that my great grandmother, Mary Romaine did have a family bungalow on the Jersey Shore in Keansburg. Where did she get that from? Considering that her husband, Frank Joseph McGuire, took off on the family, I am thinking Mary had some tough things to handle in her life including four living young children at the time.

The Vienop's and Borchers' are on my grandma's (Dorothy Marie Borchers Flanagan) side of the family. The Romaine's are my father's side of the family. Mary Elizabeth Romaine was my great grandmother who was married to Francis Joseph McGuire.

Genealogy Juggling Act - My Irish Heritage - Part 2

2011-07-25T08:00:00.000-07:00

I continue with the list of my own Irish Genealogy projects. My father's side of the family has always been a little secretive about things as one of my uncles would say. It's not much of a secret when everyone seems to know the worst things. I'd like to know more about the people overall.

So, how Irish am I on my father side? Aside from the Romaine's, who appear to be German, the families are Irish. My research has ebbed and flowed at time on the following lines and research...............

1. McGuire - They are from County Fermanagh! Yes, I think anyone could figure out that Hugh Maguire was the main leader from the 1300s and that people with the surname of Maguire or McGuire descend from him. My granddad, Francis Robert McGuire, was pretty specific though that his own grandfather, Charles McGuire, was from Fermanagh. By the way, his wife's name was Sarah McGrath. I am still trying to pin down this family tree and have it all on hold for now. New York City can be a hard place to do research. And, yes, I've got Maguire's on my mom's side of the family in Ireland.

2. Hickey's of NYC and Derrycon, County Clare, Ireland - Researching this line can be confusing because the part of Ireland in County Clare where the Hickey's lived was likely part of County Galway prior to 1869. I've also got Minogue's in this area. The Clare Heritage Centre found the Hickey's and Minogue's to an extent. I am wondering if there is more to find.

3. Coughlin's with their McMahon's in Ballyvannan, Ireland - This is new research for me. I even have information that I have yet to review. My Coughlin and McMahon ancestors have been located living in the northeast corner of County Clare. Bodyke RC Church records pinpoint their location.

Above is where my research has landed on my father's Irish side of the family. I can't wait to discover more.

Genealogy Juggling Act - My Irish Heritage - Part 1

2011-07-23T08:00:00.000-07:00

In my past life, multi-tasking was a must. I lived it everyday from juggling email, reports, videoconferences, teleconferences, net-meetings, voicemail, the telephone, classroom training sessions and in-person visitors to my desk. Oh, and there were those deadlines and regular work. My ability to multi-task was streatched to the maximum and my former employer definitely got their money's worth out of me.

While I do have plenty of things to juggle in my life now, I find that all of that multi-tasking built a skill within me that allows me to juggle several aspects of my genealogy. Even though regular life requirements, family and other commitments take we away from this research/project/hobby, I always find that I can jump back in on a whim. I may not have every line and branch of my family tree memorized but I can get to the information quickly to "refresh" my memory.

Currently, I do consider my family tree lines a bit of a juggling act. I have started research on so many lines that sometimes, I receive responses about several of them in the same week, or even, the same day. I currently have some unanswered email about the Gartlan's/Gartland's. I really need to look them over soon. I will get there.

At this point in time, I do feel that I should list my genealogy juggling act right here because I do want to continue the "juggle" and love responses to my blog posts, message board posts, and others just finding me randomly in search of someone or a research source.

The following list is what I consider my primary research topics:

1. Austin, Lander County, Nevada - McLaughlin and Maxwell: I am very interested in the migration that apparently occurred from the 1860s until maybe the 1880s from the Irish Settlement in Newport, New York to this location. Maybe not everyone was from the Irish Settlement but it would be interesting to know just how many from that community moved to Austin, Nevada. Was it only Thomas, Francis, James, and Hugh McLaughlin; Ellen and Catherine Maxwell; or were there others who made the trek? I am interested in their story. Know that I have come across Duffy's and Malloy's from the Austin Area.   I have actually found living Malloy's. Later, many of this group moved onto Napa, California.

2. Thomas and Ellen (Maxwell) McLaughlin - Napa, California - I seek to find out more information about my great great grandparents once they were in Napa. I have one photo of Ellen and her sister, Katie Duffy (Catherine Maxwell) at Walter Springs, CA. Any photos or other historical information about Thomas, Ellen, Katie, and Katie's husband, Philip Duffy, would be wonderful. Any stories are absolutely welcome too. I lack information about what life was like for the McLaughlin's in Napa.

3. Flanagan's of Napa, California and Termonfechin, Louth, Ireland:  I hold and have very specific information about my Flanagan Family Tree in these locations. In fact, I have such specifics that I can probably tell someone if they are related to this line or not. If can't tell, I know a couple of people who can. My further detailed research does await me in Ireland at this point. I cannot forget to mention the other surnames in Ireland that are really inseparable from this Flanagan line including the Maguire's, Sheridan's, Bellew's, and Kirwan's of the Termonfechin area, past and present. And, yes, the correct spelling of Termonfechin is with an "h" but you'll find it today as Termonfeckin with the "k". I would love photos of the Flanagan's of Napa, California if anyone has them. I am specifically looking for Patrick and Kate along with their own eight children. I know where they all buried by the way.

4. O'Brien's of Castleconnell, Clare/Limerick Area, Ireland and in Austrailia: Catherine Mary O'Brien (Kate Flanagan was her married name.) was born/baptized on 19 May 1843 in Castleconnell, Ireland. When she was 11 years old, her family left Ireland for Melbourne, Australia. I certainly think that the move was intended to be beneficial to the family.  For Edmund O'Brien and his wife, Anne Gleeson, I have some very basic information that life was tough when they left Ireland and then again in Australia. I don't have very much information about Kate's early life except that I believe the family struggled. That was the case for many, I suppose. Kate, herself, was apparently quite the character and her own reputation precedes her even today in the Flanagan Family. I believe her to have been quite a strong woman and one "tough cookie". I do think that she loved her children and grandchildren absolutely unconditionally. I also think that she had high expections of people in general. I have more to discover about her. Mostly, I'd like a good photo of her.

5. McLaughlin, Maxwell, Gartlan, Fox - The Irish Settlement, Newport, Herkimer County, New York- I am starting to deem this line of my research some of the oldest, successful, and most detailed of my family tree.   The search for my great great grandfather, Thomas McLaughlin, turned up several people who have already completed research on these lines. The research lives on and continues. There are so many people on my McLaughlin/Maxwell Family Tree. It is rather amazing. I continue to desire more information about the McLaughlin's in County Longford Ireland but we seem to have hit a deadend.   The Gartlan and Fox research may start to take off very soon.

6. Shaffrey - Parish of Moynalty, County Meath, Ireland - This is not a very common Irish surname and I seek more information about my Shaffrey's. If you have Shaffrey information, please contact me, kristin@zelsersk.net.

7. James Maxwell - Scotland - So, I guess there is a little bit of Scottish in me after all. I have been trying to find my James Maxwell, b. 1786 in Scotland, who's son was in Shancarnan, County Meath, Ireland, married a Shaffrey and immigrated to Herkimer County, New York. Who was James Maxwell?

The above represents my grandfather's (Richard Joseph Flanagan) ancestry. I would love to know more. Isn't that every genealogist's wish? I guess I will "wait awhile" and see what happens. :-)

Write It Down For Heaven's Sake!

2011-07-21T08:00:00.000-07:00

I know it sounds like common sense but writing down a story or two about your ancestors is key to passing on your family history. Whether the story is anecdotal or much longer, knowing more about the people who came before you can explain so much about family traditions, family traits, and even just provide for a wonderful connection to the past. We can also learn from our family's past experiences.

Recently, my husband and I were at child's birthday party. That child is so fortunate to have his great grandparents still in his life. As a three year old, he has no clue about how lucky he really is. Most children and many young adults don't understand that the older generations in our families have so much to share. They have stories that could be lost forever. At this particular party, the great grandfather was talking to my husband and shared many stories very quickly. My husband said that he really enjoyed talking to him but he didn't write anything down nor did any of his family in the room at the time.

To be honest, we just don't think about writing these things down. I wish that I had more time to spend with everyone who is still living and connected to my Flanagan's, McLaughlin's, Borchers', and Vienop's. I would be writing things down like a mad woman. Time is not on my side though. I have children of my own and other commitments. While the clock is ticking, I encourage everyone to write down some of their family stories before they are lost.

Write it down for heaven's sake!

California, Here I Come - Part 4

2011-07-19T08:00:00.000-07:00

Napa is know these days for its wine. In my book, it is known for my McLaughlin's, Borchers', Vienop's, and Flanagan's. How about those Flanagan's? They grew grapes and made wine. They even did it in the famed Carneros Region of Napa. Times change though as a property is passed down the line and I suppose Prohibition from 1919 to 1933 didn't help the Flanagan's.

It seems all but true and clear to me why my great great grandparents, Patrick and Kate Flanagan, left Australia for San Francisco followed by Patrick's brother, Michael. They were sick and tired of the dry heat and mining for gold "Down Under". After leaving their home in Termonfechin, Ireland, in 1857, Patrick and Michael headed to Australia for the gold rush. It seems evident that while they were truly farmers at heart, they needed to move onto a place where they could do just that on their own land.

By 1870, Patrick Flanagan and Catherine Mary O'Brien (Kate) had immigrated to the U.S. They were married in San Francisco and moved to Napa, CA. I have so much information about Pat, Kate, and Michael, that most historians (including a few university professors) have sought out the information. I only wish that I had a photo of Pat.

The following is the plethora of posts about my Flanagan's:

Flanagan Post Index

I am very glad that Pat and Kate moved to Napa. I wouldn't be here today if they hadn't.

.........................................................................................................................

So.....I have lots of family history in Napa, California. When I make my next trip to Tulocay Cemetery in Napa, I will have to go and visit each of the gravesites for all four sets of my great great grandparents on this side of my family as they are all buried there - McLaughlin's, Borchers', Vienop's, and Flanagan's.

California here I remain!

California, Here I Come - Part 3

2011-07-17T08:00:00.000-07:00

Sometimes, I come across people from Napa whether they are online, outside of Napa, or even in city limit itself. If they have lived in Napa for any decent length of time, like back to the 1970s, they usually can recall my grandfather, Richard J. Flanagan. After all, he was the Treasurer of Napa County for 20 years retiring around 1980. When I mention McLaughlin's, Borchers', and Vienop's, it always amazes me how often people say that they knew a Vienop from Napa and/or went to Napa High School with a Vienop.

To be honest with you, the Vienop name is not a very common German surname in the United States and possibly in Germany too. In Germany, the name is generally written as Vinup. My Napa Vienop's appear to have had their last name altered at their immigration into the United States. I have to really make time to sit down and review the stories and family tree for Johann Heinrich Vinup (John Henry Vienop, Sr., or actually, Henry Sr.) and Anna Marie Koch, my great great grandparents. I know that Henry Sr. visited the U.S., then returned to Germany, only to return again and take up permanently living in the U.S. I really need to get more about that story. I do have a living source or two.

Henry Sr. and Anna Marie Koch originally lived in Audrain, Missouri. A few children were born while they lived there. They moved on to Daykin, Nebraska by the mid to late 1890s. I know that there are Vienop's buried in Daykin. It is very clear and specific why the Vienop's left their harsh weather environment. Anna Marie's doctor told her that she needed to move to a better climate for health reasons. The Vienop's researched California and made their way to Napa by the beginning of the 1900s. Below are two posts from my 5 part series about my Great Grandma who was one of Henry and Anna Vienop's daughters:

Maria Luise Katharine Vienop - Part 2
Maria Luise Katharine Vienop - Part 3

Of the ten original Vienop's to move to Napa, four of them were named Ernest (Ernst) Vienop. My Mom and I have to laugh a bit because it does get confusing to talk about them. I know that all of them are buried at Tulocay Cemetery in Napa, CA. I wonder what the Vienop Family Plot headstones look like. I am assuming that there are Ernest's and Henry's when it comes to the men. I just have to note here that their full given German names probably differentiated them more. I just don't know what their full names were. That will be part of my future research.

So the weather most definitely prompted my Vienop's to move West. It's a good thing that they did!

To be continued............................

California, Here I Come - Part 2

2011-07-15T08:00:00.000-07:00

I think that most people would agree that the weather in the populated areas of California is quite desireable. Here in Northern California, we do actually have seasons. In the Sacramento Area, we have hot dry summers (100+ degrees in July/August) and mild fall weather when the leaves start turning on the trees. By the end of December, we might see some winter rain and most trees are now bear of all their leaves. "Jack Frost" generally visits us in January a number of nights in between winter rain storms. It can rain anywhere from October to the beginning of June. It is cold rain generally.

Sometimes, we only have rain from February to April. You just never can tell. Springtime in Northern California is definitely a mixed batch of weather effects. Generally, the weather is mild compared to the rest of the country and we don't really have humidty with the heat. There is legendary fog in the Sacramento Valley during the wintertime. It is known as Tule Fog. There are times where the fog is so thick at ground level that I can't see the houses down the street. The San Francisco Bay Area (and the Napa Valley) contends with fog but mostly in the summer months. The wind in certain areas can kind of drive you crazy, especially the "North Wind". It blows summer in and out during the change in the seasons.

What struck me as very interesting recently is the remark that my aunt made about the "North Wind". I asked her what made our Borchers ancestors leave Minnesota and North Dakota. They, in fact, had spent many, many years living in Aurora, Minnesota. My great great grandparents, Hans Henrich "Henry" Conrad Borchers and Anna Marie Jackel (J pronounced as a Y), met and married in Minnesota in 1878. By the early 1900s, I have them living in Morton, North Dakota. For both of these locations, all I can think of is "burrrrr".

Aurora and Morton appear to be about 60 miles from each other. I can only imagine the reason for the move was to follow other family members. They went from cold to cold. Were they escaping the "North Wind"? My aunt is a living grandchild of Henry and Anna. She believes that they were escaping the "North Wind". Apparently, there could and can be quite a gale blowing in this part of the country. The wind can make you crazy. Trust me, I lived in it for years right near Travis AFB in Fairfield, CA.

Even today when I search for "weather north wind minnesota", if find an explanation of the winds that come out of the north and northwest in that state. As no surprise to me, I also find that power companies harness the wind for power in parts of Minnesota.

While several of Henry and Anna Borchers' children made their way to Napa and Sonoma Counties of California, it would appear that they thought it was a good idea too after having visited. Henry and Anna ended up living in Santa Rosa, CA and ultimately with their youngest son in Napa, CA when they were quite elderly. I have a photo of Anna with my own grandma (her granddaughter), Dorothy.

I do have more relatives who moved to Napa.

To be continued............................................

California, Here I Come - Part 1

2011-07-13T08:00:00.000-07:00

When I was about 4 1/2 years old, we made the trek back to California from Ohio where we'd been living for about 4 years while my father completed his MBA at the University of Dayton. We had moved out to Ohio when I was six months old. I recall my mother singing the song repeatedly, "California, here I come, right back where I started from, open up your Golden Gates, California, here I come!", during our trip back to the golden state. She was so ready to be back home away from the snow and cold winters, and also away from the hot, humid summers in tornado alley. For a California girl from Napa, Ohio weather just was not so appealing, inviting or anything that she was accustomed to.

Witnessing my mother's experience with the weather in the Midwest, has made me wonder if that is what drew many of my ancestors West, specifically ending up in Napa, California. Was the weather just a fringe benefit? How much do I know about why my ancestors came to the West?

When it comes to Thomas McLaughlin and Ellen Maxwell (two of my great great grandparents), I can only assume that they moved west in search of land. There could have been another draw and that was gold. The California Gold Rush spanned 1848 to 1855. That, of course, did not mean people stopped looking for gold by 1855. Let's just say that people were still hopeful and looking in other places like nearby Nevada.

Based on what I can discern, the McLaughlin's left Newport, New York, in 1869-70, to make their own way in the world. They likely ended up in Austin, Nevada because they wanted land to farm. Based on my research, it would appear that was not the only reason why they stopped there. Others from the Irish Settlement in Newport, New York, appear to have made their way to Austin. Were my great great grandparents some of the first of their community back in Newport, New York, to take up stakes in this area of Lander County, Nevada? Other McLaughlin's and those from the Irish Settlement in Newport definitely followed. It is high desert there with some hilly and mountainous terrain so mining was definitely an endeavor of some in that location too.

I do have the exact coordinates on a map of the land that Thomas and Ellen McLaughlin owned near Austin, Lander County, Nevada. My grandfather, Richard Flanagan, held onto these coordinates and a photocopied map for years. I still have the documents today. By at least the end of 1885, Thomas had sold his land in Lander County and his house in Austin, Nevada. It was time to move on.

As you can imagine, the weather in Newport, New York, located upstate in Herkimer County, is very cold and snowy in the winter. I can imagine that may be why people left the Irish Settlement and moved West.....well, maybe. There was probably no land left to claim ownership of by 1870 which is a more likely reason. Now, why did Thomas and Ellen (Maxwell) McLaughlin leave Austin, Nevada? It would appear that by 1886, they had enough of the high desert. The wind alone in this part of the state can really get old. The high desert presents very dry conditions all year long whether it is hot or cold. It can make farming extremely difficult, if almost impossible. I can only assume that the weather and farming conditions played a huge role in my great great grandparents deciding to move on....And move on they did.

How the McLaughlin's moved on into California is no real secret. They certainly traversed the Sierra Nevada mountain pass possibly over Donner Summit traveling through Sacramento and onto Napa, California. I am still left wondering how Napa landed on their radar. Thank goodness it did because that is why I am here today.

To be continued.........

Pinpoint, or Rather, Put a Nail in it! - Northeast County Clare

2011-07-11T08:00:00.000-07:00

Put a nail on this location (not just a thumb tack) and save it for future generations. Johanna Coughlin used to do her homework under at tree at Taumgraney/Tomgraney Rock. This is according to my father's cousin who knew Johanna. The cousin, who is a living relative, also has a photo of herself in this location.

I must admit to having found this rock online in doing my research of the Bodyke RC Church graveyard. I wish that I could get back to that search result. Maybe someday I'll find that rock along with Revail, Caherhurly, Ballyvannan, Clare, Ireland.

James Maxwell 1786 Scotland

2011-07-09T08:00:00.000-07:00

James and Maxwell are not the most uncommon names. If I look for my James Maxwell in Scotland, do I find him on a census circa 1780? I'm not sure because I found about six James Maxwells indicated a number of months back. I abandoned the search because of my lack of knowledge about the geography of Scotland plus if and when he might have left for Ireland. I can find his son, Joseph Patrick Maxwell, in Ireland circa 1850 in the Shancarnan area of County Meath, in the Parish of Moynalty. I certainly have more to find out about him but what about James Maxwell?

How do you find someone with such a common name and a likely common reason for leaving Scotland for Ireland? Was he a transplant by the British? Did he remain in Scotland but his son moved to Ireland? How much do I really know? Not much.

The following are some posts from my blog that mention James Maxwell:

Family Tree Worksheet Circa 1970-80 - Maxwell
Descendants of James Maxwell Part 1
Descendants of James Maxwell Part 2

Will I find the man and his ancestors?

Researching Ireland - Part 2

2011-07-07T08:00:00.000-07:00

I did a quick Google search with the keywords of "Locating ancestors in Ireland" and up popped a link to the following: Finding Your Ancestors in Ireland. It is rather funny since the first line of the article states, "To use church, civil, and other types of Irish records, you need to know where in Ireland your ancestors lived. Knowing the county is a start, but knowing the name of the townland or parish will make your searches much more productive." Bingo, I hit the nail on the head and this just backs me up even further.

The book that is referenced in the above article is The Pocket Guide to Irish Genealogy. The key to locating your relatives is to find them stateside (or in whatever country they immigrated to) first before you start looking in Ireland. The main elements that you must extract from source documents and other references are name, date, and location. Personally, I have found that church records give the most specific location information. Names and dates can be found on birth, marriage and death certificates but the location may only indicate that the person was born in Ireland. Church records, on the other hand, may actually tell you the town or county, and possibly even the parish that the person was from. Keep in mind, this all needs to start stateside.

I found out where my great grandparents, Patrick Hickey and Johanna Coughlin, were from in the Roman Catholic Church records in Rye, New York. Patrick's death certificate tells me his date of birth, given name, and that he was born in Ireland but does not provide the specific location. The church record does and indicates Whitegate, County Clare. The church record also indicates that Johanna was from County Clare but does not give a specific location. The county is a good start for sure and to have a town/village/parish is even better. As it turns out, Whitegate is a bit complicated to research since prior to 1869, it was in County Galway.

So once you can nail down where your ancestors are from in Ireland, which may come easy or not so easy, you can pursue the information in Ireland. The following are resources, several of which do cost money but are well worth the expense if you really want to get at the truth of your family tree.

The following is a link to the Ireland Heritage Centres: Ireland Heritage Centres

Cobh Heritage Centre - Cobh

The National Archives of Ireland - Irish Archives

LDS - LDS Family Search

Don't get me wrong, Ancestry.com can be a great resource stateside but once you've exhausted those records, you will need to move away from the research materials found on Ancestry and "jump out of the box". Doing a Google Search won't hurt either. Typing in "Gartlan Carrickmacross Monaghan Ireland" has gotten me to a plethora of records online. I just need to find the Gartlan's that I'm related too. Maybe the Monaghan Ancestry Centre can help me.

Let's not forget that the LDS Church has traveled the world placing church records on microfiche. That could be a great place to look also. Remember though that you need to know the parochial parish to search those records.

I can continue to wish that Ancestry.com will pay for the source material above at some point from Ireland or the LDS Church, but it may just not happen.

Researching Ireland - Part 1

2011-07-06T08:00:00.000-07:00

In my quest to trace my family tree in Ireland, I have found Ancestry.com to be of little help. That is a shame as there is so much information to be found, had, and discovered. Ancestry does not even have the 1901 and 1911 Irish Census in their card catalog. You can easily search and find it online for free, however.

In my past life, we used to call easy research and projects "low lying fruit on the tree". In many respects, it was expected that the low lying fruit be addressed and taken care of resulting in a "quick win" and kudos for those involved. On the other hand, if you were the one always going after the low lying fruit and never attempting the fruit higher on the tree, you'd be considered someone who was not necessarily up for the challenge and just looking for the easy way out. Is this the approach that Ancestry.com takes?

When it comes to researching in Ireland, it can be challenging and considered fruit that is high on the tree. Are the source documents that hard to get at? In some cases, they may be hard to find or completely unavailable. On the other hand, the Irish Archives seem to have a lot of information as do the individual heritage centres across Ireland. Also, the LDS Church went after the parish records a number of years back, filming the records that they could get their hands on. The parish records are all on microfilm available for viewing at a minimal cost via LDS Family Research Libraries found in cities across the U.S. In fact, I live about a mile from one. In my opinion, the LDS Church went after the fruit high on the tree. Has Ancestry.com even made that attempt?

I must admit to not really knowing if the LDS Church records are easy or hard to search. The key to unlocking these records is knowing where your Irish ancestors were from. I know with certainty where several of my ancestors are from in Ireland, yet a few of my lines are still questionable. I would not know what parochial parish film to request for my McGuire's who were apparently from Fermanagh. That's pretty generic. It's almost like saying my McGuire's are from Ireland. I'm also referring to the McGuire's on my Dad's side of the family. My Maguire's on the other side are very likely to be found on the parochial parish film for Termonfeckin/Termonfechin, County Louth, Ireland. It is nice when the name of the town and the parish match, as in this case.

So how do you go about finding your ancestors in Ireland when all you have is a last name, that they were from Ireland, and left from Cork or another seaport along the Irish coast. Well, let's just say that I am working that myself. I might have hit on some sources online.

To be continued......

Coughlin McMahon Research - Bodyke RC Church Records Ballyvannan - Page 5

2011-07-04T08:00:00.000-07:00

Below is page 5 of the research completed based off Bodyke RC Church Records, Ballyvannan, Clare, Ireland. This does appear to be Daniel Coughlin's family. More research and source documents is needed to truly make this more solid research.

Coughlin McMahon Research - Bodyke RC Church Records Ballyvannan - Page 4

2011-07-03T08:00:00.000-07:00

As I review the information from the Bodyke RC Church records, I do find Coughlin's indicated. The following may be Coughlin relatives but is not clear. Below is page 4 of the research.

Coughlin McMahon Research - Bodyke RC Church Records Ballyvannan - Pages 2 and 3

2011-07-02T08:00:00.000-07:00

Below are pages 2 and 3 of the research........

Coughlin McMahon Research - Bodyke RC Church Records Ballyvannan - Page 1

2011-07-01T08:00:00.000-07:00

Below is page one of the Coughlin/McMahon Research that I believe was completed by the Clare Heritage Centre Circa 1992. It reflects the Bodyke R.C. (Roman Catholic) Church Records for McMahon's and Coughlin's for Revail, Ballyvannan, Clare, Ireland. Click on the document to make it larger.

Patrick McMahon and Mary Mack (McNamara) were Johanna Coughlin's grandparents and Anna McMahon is her mother.

Coughlin's - Part 3

2011-06-29T08:00:00.000-07:00

When using a Census to do research, it is recommended that you also look at all of he people listed on the same page and even look at the page before plus the page after. There you will find the neighbors, community members, and sometimes, relatives.

The transcribed information for the area of Ballyvannan where I find my Coughlin's and McMahon's in the 1901 Census, also indicates several Minogues. I have to then question if there is any connection to the Hickey's and Minogues living near Mountshannon. I further wonder if Johanna Coughlin of Ballyvannan, Clare, had any passing knowledge of her husband, Patrick Hickey of Derrycon before they immigrated to the U.S. where they were later married.

One big clue to this is the two generations indicated in Bodyke RC Church records of this family line from Revail who's children have Minogue sponsors for their baptisms. Now, I have to wonder if the name Minogue in this part of County Clare is like the name Smith in the U.S., or am I onto something.
Maybe someone knows........?

Coughlin's - Part 2

2011-06-27T08:00:00.000-07:00

The Bodyke RC Church Records have two generations of families indicated in the research that they provided about the Coughlin's. In actuality, even the church records are more about the McMahon's living in "Revail".

I tried to pinpoint the Coughlin’s location on a map with the “Revail” name listed in the research. Based on my experience in researching Irish genealogy and locations, Revail may have been the title/name of the property at which they lived. I am getting that based on my Flanagan’s property address in Louth, Ireland (even today). It looks like the researcher in Ireland thought and noted the same thing.

The more I map things and look the information over, I am beginning to think that the Coughlin’s address might have been Revail, Caherhurly, Ballyvannan, Clare, Ireland, or something like that, in the Parish of Taumgraney/Tomgraney. I am thinking that the Coughlin’s were related to their McMahon neighbors, Anna McMahon Coughlin’s family. The neighbor’s before and after the Coughlin’s are McMahon’s in the Census headed by Daniel McMahon and Patrick McMahon. They, or McMahon relatives, are found in the 1855 Griffith’s Valuation for Ballyvannan, Tomgraney Parish, Scariff Union, County Clare. This is stretching things a bit but I think I am on the right track if I try to find the McMahon’s.

I found this other old map online at Link to Ballyvannan Townland Info, that I need to spend more time looking at. I can clearly see the Bodyke RC Chapel on the map. I’m still working on getting my bearing in this area. I wonder how many generations of McMahon's lived in "Revail", Ballyvannan, Clare, Ireland?

I think that I am off and running.....................To be continued.............

MYOG - Mine, Yours', and the Other Guy's Genealogy

Hickey's of Derrycon, Clare, Ireland

My Napa Origins and Surnames - Part 3 - McLaughlin

My Napa Origins and Surnames - Part 2 - Flanagan

My Napa Origins and Surnames - Part 1

Ernest J. Vienop

Calif. State Library History Room (RR) CALL NUMBER: [Alcove] 979.452 G8 -- Book NC CALL NUMBER: [q] -- 979.452 G8 -- Book CALL NUMBER: \MICRO-\FICHE\G3\LH11176\

CA Gen Web

Henry and Anna Borchers - Family Potrait

U.S. Season 3 - Who Do You Think You Are?

Write it down! Blog it!

Hickey Family - Greenwich Village, Manhattan, New York City Circa 1940

Wordless Wednesday - Hickey Family

A Good Day for Genealogy

Napa Vienop's

Patrick Flanagan - Co. Louth, Ireland - Circa 1700-1779

Mobile Device - MYOG

When There Were Trees In Ireland

Researching Ireland - County Louth

Happy New Year 2012!

Merry Christmas

Vacation/Break for the Blog!

Lebkuchen

Irish Heritage and Paul T. McLaughlin

Wordless Wednesday - Mystery Person in The Photo Album

My Great Grandparents Home

Wordless Wednesday - 1134 Willow Avenue, Napa, CA - 1925

MYOG Scanfest 2011

Wordless Wednesday - Mary (Vienop) Borchers - Circa 1900

Happy Thanksgiving!

Hickey/Coughlin Research - Part 1

Thomas Newman McLaughlin Inquiry

Enter the Jackel Wrench

Wordless Wednesday - Soscol House - Napa, CA

Jackel

Past Present Future

Halloween

Richard Joseph Flanagan - Part 11

Richard Joseph Flanagan - Part 10

Richard Joseph Flanagan - Part 9

Richard Joseph Flanagan - Part 8

Richard Joseph Flanagan - Part 7

Luke 19:1-10

Zacchaeus the Tax Collector

Richard Joseph Flanagan - Part 6

Richard Joseph Flanagan - Part 5

Richard Joseph Flanagan - Part 4

Richard Joseph Flanagan - Part 3

Richard Joseph Flanagan - Part 2

Richard Joseph Flanagan - Part 1

What To Write About

A Window In Time

A Quick Story - The Hickey's Circa 1950s, NYC

Wordless Wednesday - Michael Flanagan

Liberty Awaited Them

Was Castleconnell ever within the boundary of County Clare?

The O'Brien's, My O'Brien's

The Termonfeckin Historical Society

The Napa Grapevine - The Stanly Ranch and The Flanagan Ranch

9/11 - A Moment, A Memory, A Memorial

Gartlan and Fox Family Research

Gartlan's of Carrickmacross, Ireland, and Newport, New York - Part 2

Gartlan's of Carrickmacross, Ireland and Newport, New York - Part 1

Status - My Family Tree Lines

Genealogy and Computer Advice

Blog Pages and Indexes

Linked Pages and Indexes

McMahon Heraldry with a Twist

Kirwan

Patrick and Kate Flanagan Family, Napa, CA - Circa 1895

16 Great Great Grandparents

The Irish Settlement and Beyond

The Irish Settlement and Beyond

Index to Blog Posts for Northeast County Clare

Pay It Forward - Genealogy and Beyond

Someone's Ancestor Sunday - Dennis Maxwell Duffy

Ireland - Part 7 - Castles, or rather, Tower Houses

Ireland - Part 6 - Around the Isle

Ireland - Part 5 - Dublin

Ireland - Part 4 - Newgrange

Calif. State Library History Room (RR)
CALL NUMBER: [Alcove] 979.452 G8 -- Book NC
CALL NUMBER: [q] -- 979.452 G8 -- Book
CALL NUMBER: \MICRO-\FICHE\G3\LH11176\