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.
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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!
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