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52 Ancestors No.44: Madeline (Coughlin) Demarse (1900-1929)

December 10, 2015, 1:07 pm
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Mary Madeline (Coughlin) Demarse died eighty-six years ago on December 11, 1929.

She died just a couple of weeks after my grandparents were married (November 27, 1929). Madeline's daughter Eileen (the eldest) was the flower girl.

My grandparents wedding on November 27, 1929
with Madeline's daughter Eileen Denarse as flower girl (centre)


What had begun as an ear ache developed into cerebral spinal meningitis and Dr. McGavin of Hotel Dieu attended to Madeline from December 3 to December 10 when she succumbed to the illness on December 11, 1929.

Grandma Elizabeth (Annal) Coughlin cared for her and all four children while she was ill. My grand aunt Betty Harrison told my cousin Gail Kinsel that Grandma Coughlin "made sure that all of Madeline's children had a joyous Christmas and that all of the children got gifts from Santa."

What a difficult year it must have been for those children and her husband Joseph Demarse.

Mary Madeline (Coughlin) Demarse 
1900-1929

Mary Madeline (Coughlin) Demarse
1900-1929
1900

Mary Madeline Coughlin (my grand aunt) was the first born child of William and Elizabeth (Annal) Coughlin and she was born on the 4th of September 1900 in Wallaceburg, ON, Canada

1901-1911

In 1901, Madeline was living with her parents (William and Elizabeth) in the home of her grandparents, James Henry and Mary (Hess) Annal in Wallaceburg, Ontario.

Source: Year: 1901; Census Place: Wallaceburg (Town/Ville), Bothwell, Ontario; Page: 13; Family No: 118
Madeline's father (glassblower William Henry Coughlin) had just emigrated to Canada from Poughkeepsie New York in 1899 and Madeline's parents were married (November 27, 1899). By the time the 1911 census was taken, the family was found in their own home and Madeline now had four sisters!
Source:  Year: 1911; Census Place: 47 - Wallaceburg, Kent East, Ontario; Page: 18; Family No: 196
1917



By 1917, the Coughlin family was complete with a baby boy and brother for the Coughlin sisters Lawrence William (1916-1992) shown below on his father's lap.

Madeline, the eldest daughter, is standing at the back
The other sisters in the picture in birth order are: Rhea (1902), Margaret (1904), Viola (1906), Gretta (1910) and Betty ("Bessie) (1913)

1920

On November 17, 1920, 20-year-old Madeline married the 24-year-old Joseph Demarse who was a machinist from Stoney Point, Ontario.

Madeline's occupation listed on her marriage certificate says she was working as a bookkeeper.

Wedding Day - November 17, 1920
The witnesses to their wedding were
William Demarse and Margarite Coughlin

Source: Archives of Ontario; Series: MS932; Reel: 528

1921-1927

From this union, four children were born:

  • Eileen Margaret (Demarse) VanHuyse (1921-1990)
  • Joseph Aurele Demarse (1923-1998)
  • Madeline Demarse (1927-2010)
  • Elizabeth ("Betty") (Demarse) Lauzon
When researching my family history, I am always sad to read the details of ancestors whose lives were cut much too short like Madeline's. 

And poor Joseph Demarse and these children to have lost their wife and mother so young was tragic enough but to lose her so suddenly and so close to Christmas, 

It is heartwarming to know that "Lizzie" (Annal) Coughlin and the extended Coughlin family made sure that the Demarse family had a joyous Christmas that all of the children got gifts from Santa.

Madeline is buried at Heavenly Rest cemetery in Windsor, Ontario

1929

The Border Cities Star.
December 12, 1929  (Page 7 of 42)

Source:  Archives of Ontario; Series: MS935; Reel: 370

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52 Ancestors No.45: My Grand Aunt Mabel (Moynahan) Morkin (1902-1945)

December 11, 2015, 10:27 am
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Mabel Morkin (1902-1945) is seated at the far right in this picture dated 1904
Left to Right: Ernest, Mary Aileen, Erlan Raymond, and Mary Mabel
Mabel (Moynahan) Morkin was born on the 27th of September 1902 the daughter of Essex county school teacher John Moynahan and Mary Broderick. The family was living at 297 Talbot Road in Maidstone, Ontario at the time.



Source: Ancestry.com. Ontario, Canada Births, 1869-1913 [database on-line].
Provo, UT, USA: Ancestry.com Operations Inc, 2010.

I love these photos of Mabel (below) taken in the early years. I have edited them from the family group photos. There is a lovely innocence in her face and I love that her hair was always in ringlets with a lovely large bow.




1927-1929

Mabel Moynahan's 1927 border crossing card says that she was living at 251 Campbell with her father John Moynahan who is also listed as nearest relative and that she was working as a bank clerk.



Marriage 1930

I have been unable to locate a marriage record for Mabel, but I estimate that the marriage occurred between 1929-1930 based on the birth years that I found for her children on the 1940 Michigan census (below).


The married couple Martin P and Mabel Morkin are on the 1930 census at 15858 Snowden, Detroit, Michigan and Martin P is an accountant in the oil industry (Source: "United States Census, 1930", database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:X7S5-VWY : accessed 13 December 2015), Martin P Morkin, 1930.



Eldest Son: Frederick "Freddie" Morkin 
(1931-1994)

Mabel and Martin's first son Frederick (known as "Freddie") was born on March 6, 1931, in Detroit, Michigan.

He would be twenty years old when both of his parents had passed on and he had two younger brothers to care for (aged 16 and 13 years old).

Frederick died in Ipswich, Suffolk, England and is buried in Vancouver, Clark County, Washington, USA in 1994 at Evergreen Memorial Gardens.

Freddie Morkin

Freddie Morkin

Frederick married and I cannot locate any records on his spouse, but I did have this photo from my grandparents that had "Alice, Freddy and Billy" written on the back.

Close up: Freddy, Alice and Billy

Alice, Freddy and Billy
photographed in my grandparents backyard
(Marentette, Windsor, Ontario)

Fred was struck by a car and killed in 1994 while visiting Suffolk, England.




Evergreen Memorial Gardens
Vancouver, Clark County, Washington, USA

Middle Son: Martin Thomas 
(1935-1988)

A second son was born in 1935, Martin Thomas.


I know so very little about Martin Thomas if it were not for the California Death Index and the U.S. Social Security information. 


Martin died in San Francisco in 1988 at the age of 52. The San Francisco Main Library provides a free, five (5) per month, obituary search service. so I have made a request there. I will update this page if I am successful in obtaining Martin's obituary.

Photo of Frederick (the older child) and his brother Martin Thomas

Youngest Son William (Billy) Morkin

Billy with Gerald Moynahan and Federick Morkin (right)

Billy Morkin

Billy Morkin

The Morkin Family
1940 Detroit Michigan Census

15858 Snowden

In 1940, Martin Morkin and his family were living in Detroit, Michigan (15858 Snowden) where he was working as a credit manager for the Wholesale Oil Company

1940 Census: Detroit (Wayne County) Michigan
Martin (44 years old; born 1896) and Mabel (38 years old; born 1902) had three children:
  • Frederick ("Freddie") 9 years old (Born in Michigan; 6th of March 1931)
  • Thomas 5 years old (Born in Michigan; 1935)
  • Bill (William) 2 years old (Born in Michigan; 1938)

1940 Census: Detroit (Wayne County) Michigan
1942
WW II Draft Registration Cards 
for the Morkin Brothers





Left to Right: Thomas Morkin, Gerald Moynahan, Freddie Morkin, and
Billy Morkin in the front.
Mabel Morkin Dies 1945

Mabel Morkin died on the 19th of November 1945 at the age of 43. Her obituary is in the Windsor Star Nov 20, 1945, and it was not available in the google newspaper archives. Thankfully, a genealogist member of the Essex OGS will try to get a copy for me. If successful, I will add it here later.

Martin Morkin Dies 1951


Martin Patrick  Morkin (1895-1951)
Source: Births Ontario 1869-1910; Family Search

Mabel's husband Martin Morkin was born in London, Ontario the son of hotel keeper T.J. Mokin and Catherine Toohey. We know from his death certificate in Michigan that his father was Thomas J. Morkin and his mother was Catherine Toohy. He died suddenly in 1951.


In 1951, Martin's father T.J. was living in Toronto and his brother William was living in New York. Three sisters were also living in Toronto at the time of his death in 1951: Mrs. Jack Nopper, Mrs. Fred Stanbach and Stella Morkin.

The Morkins of London, Ontario
1901

In 1901. Mabel's husband Martin was living in London, Ontario with his parents and siblings. His father was a teacher.

Source Citation Year: 1901; Census Place: London (City/Cité) Ward/Quartier No 2, London (city/cité), Ontario;
Page: 20; Family No: 155
The 1901 census shows the following family members
  • Head: Thomas J. (born: 9 Dec 1860 )
  • Wife: Catherine (born: 3 Nov 1860 )
  • Daughter: Bella M. (born: 19 Sep 1887 )
  • Daughter: Cathleen E (born: 7 Feb 1889 )
  • Daughter: Josephine (born: 24 Aug 1890)
  • Son: Thomas W. (born: 2 Feb 1895) (census error?)
  • Son: Martin P (born: 9 May 1895)
Son Martin P. Morkin left London, Ontario to move to Detroit Michigan about 1916 based on the information below:



Source: "Vermont, St. Albans Canadian Border Crossings, 1895-1954," database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:QKQM-K6VJ : accessed 13 December 2015), Martin Morkin, 1895-1924; citing M1461, Soundex Index to Canadian Border Entries through the St. Albans, Vermont, District, 1895-1924, 279, NARA microfilm publications M1461, M1463, M1464, and M1465 (Washington D.C.: National Archives and Records Administration, publication year); FHL microfilm 1,473,079.

This blog post is dedicated to Mabel's youngest son Billy. Merry Christmas!


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My Family History Christmas Tree

December 14, 2015, 2:33 pm
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All of the surnames that I am currently researching.
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52 Ancestors No.46: The Morkin House: A Tale of Two Taverns .

December 19, 2015, 9:53 am
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This is a follow-up to the Morkin genealogy blogpost that I posted December 11, 2015, about my grand aunt Mabel (Moynahan) Morkin (1902-1945).

The beauty of blogging about your family history is that social media connects you with folks you have never known who then generously share information about the family you are researching.

This was the case yesterday with the Morkin family. Thanks to another genealogist on ancestry.ca, I learned that the Morkins were hotel keepers in London, Ontario and that the London Morkins had a connection to the infamous Donnellys of the day!

This post is a continuation of the Morkin family history back to Tipperary, Ireland, the two London, Ontario hotels owned by brothers Ed and Thomas, and that connection to the infamous Donnellys

The First Clue

A 2011 newspaper article was sent to me, "London history mystery: Quaffing at Morkin’s" with an amazing photograph of the Morkin Hotel and James Reaney wrote, " identified by a family member as Edward Morkin and Edward Morkin Jr."


I knew that Mabel's husband Martin Patrick Morkin was born May 5, 1895, the son of hotel keeper Thomas Morkin and Catherine Toohey (source: Births Ontario 1869-1910; Family Search) so I wondered, how was Martin Patrick related to these two men in the photo?


The Second Clue

The second Morkin clue came from the internet archive copy of "History of the County of Middlesex, Canada: Thomas Morkin" that detailed the life of a Thomas Morkin (born 1837) and now I was REALLY confused.


Sorting It All Out

The naming traditions among the Irish meant that there were several Edwards, Martins and Thomases and I needed to get out a pen and paper and, using the three sources below, draw out a family tree.

It helped me to understand that the two Morkin hotels were owned by brothers. One was at 89-91 King St (the Morkin House) and the other was at  587 Richmond Road.



My handwritten notes on the Morkin Family tree
With this chart, I was now able to start writing a narrative for my distant cousins about their Morkin ancestors. The third invaluable source for the following narrative comes from " The Ontario Numismatist: "The Morkin House 1892-1921" by Len Buth (pp 107-111; 2008) http://the-ona.ca/ON/V47.09-10.Sep-Oct.2008.pdf

The Morkins: 
From Tipperary, Ireland to London, Ontario
1851

The Morkin family immigrated from Barnagrotty, Toomevara, Tipperary, Ireland settling in London, Ontario in 1851. There were thirteen children and two sons, Edward and Thomas, would become hotel keepers in London, Ontario.

The subject of this narrative, Thomas ("Old Tom"), was fourteen (and his brother Edward was thirteen) when they immigrated to Canada.

Thomas ("Old Tom") married Mary Cooney (who was born in 1832 Tipperary, Ireland as well) and they had six sons:
  • John: born 1859
  • Tom ("Thomas J."): born 1860; married Catherine Toohey (9 Mar 1886)
  • Ned: born 1863
  • Martin: born 1865
  • Will: born 1872
  • Joe: born 1873
Thomas ("Old Tom") "worked at different occupations until he decided upon the tannery business, which he followed for thirteen years"before entering the hotel business.



1868

 Thomas ("Old Tom") operated a "groceries and liquor store on the west side of Richmond St., between streets now known as Albert St. and Central Ave."

1871

By 1871, Thomas ("Old Tom") "is operating a hotel at this site, with a street address of 587 Richmond St."

1875

"In 1875, the name of the hotel is shown as the Palace Hotel,.."



1881

In 1881, the Palace Hotel "becomes the Morkin Hotel"

Source:  "The Morkin House 1892-1921" by Len Buth
1890 Directory

1890-95: Ivey Family London Room, London Public Library, PG B-25, Cairncross, ca. 1890-1894

In 1893, there were forty hotels in London, Ontario including the Morkin House at 89 King and Thomas Morkin's hotel at 587 Richmond.

1893 Directory

1895 Directory

1896

Thomas ("Old Tom") had worked in the hotel business for twenty-three years when he retired in 1896. He then became a cab owner, operating from the rear of 587 Richmond St.
“Old Tom”, as he became known, drove cab and was known for his ability to swear.’ If I remember, Mrs. Worrall said that Tom and a number of other Liberals were captured and held in a barn in London Township by the Conservatives so until after one the federals. I believe it was in the 1890s. I also seem to recall she mentioning that Tom was one of the survivors of the City Hall disaster (Jan. 3, 1898). He managed to grab onto a window sill and hung on as the floor collapsed under him
1898 Directory



1901

"Old Thomas" aged 65 years is on the 1901 census employed as a hackman. Note that on the census it shows that he immigrated to Canada in 1856 (not 1851 as stated above) and that his wife Mary (Cooney) Morkin immigrated in 1850. Sons Joe and William are still living at home. Both are employed as "stablemen".

Source: .Year: 1901; Census Place: London (City/Cité) Ward/Quartier No 2,
London (city/cité), Ontario; Page: 20; Family No: 199

1908

"Old Thomas'" died in 1908

Source: Ontario, Canada Deaths, 1869-1934,
Archives of Ontario; Series: MS935; Reel: 137


Thomas J. Morkin
1886

Thomas J. was born on the 9th of December 1860 son of  "Old Thomas"and Mary (Cooney) Morkin. Thomas J. married Catherine Toohey on the 9th of March 1886 in London, Ontario at 25 years of age,

Source: Ontario, Canada Marriages, 1857-1924
Archives of Ontario; Series: MS932; Reel: 54
1891

On the 1891 census, Thomas J. Morkin is a hotel keeper living with his wife Catherine and daughters Stella, Kathleen and Josephine.

Source: 1891; Census Place: London, Middlesex East, Ontario; Roll: T-6352; Family No: 29
1901

The 1901 census shows that two sons have been added to the family. Thomas J is shown as a "teacher"?
  • Head: Thomas J. (born: 9 Dec 1860 )
  • Wife: Catherine (born: 3 Nov 1860 )
  • Daughter: Bella M. (born: 19 Sep 1887 )
  • Daughter: Cathleen E (born: 7 Feb 1889 )
  • Daughter: Josephine (born: 24 Aug 1890)
  • Son: Thomas W. (born: 2 Feb 1895) (census error?)
  • Son: Martin P (born: 9 May 1895)

Source Citation Year: 1901; Census Place: London (City/Cité) Ward/Quartier No 2, London (city/cité), Ontario;
Page: 20; Family No: 155
1910 postcard: Richmond St. North, London, Ont
1911 Census

In 1911, the family is living at 66 Palace, London, Ontario:
  • Thomas J. (b: Dec 1860) is employed as an insurance agent
  • Catherine (b: Nov 1860) No occupation
  • Stella (b: Sep 1888) working in a print shop
  • Edna (b: Feb 1890) working as a teller
  • Josephine (b: Aug 1890) working as a saleslady
  • William (b: Feb 1893) working as a shipping clerk
  • Martin (b: May 1895) working as a messenger


Source: Year: 1911; Census Place: 35, London City, Ontario; Page: 22; Family No: 253


1919 Border Crossing

In 1919, Martin P. Morkin was looking for permanent residence in Detroit. He listed his mother Catherine Morkin at 66 Palace, London, Ontario as his nearest relative. He had entered the U.S. on three previous occasions: 5 months in 1914; 5 months in 1915 and 5 months in 1916.

He was 5 feet 8 inches tall and had brown hair and brown eyes and at 23 years of age, he was working as a bookkeeper. He was headed to 86 Spruce St. Detroit, Michigan.

Source: "Vermont, St. Albans Canadian Border Crossings, 1895-1954," database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:QKQM-K6VJ : accessed 13 December 2015), Martin Morkin, 1895-1924; citing M1461, Soundex Index to Canadian Border Entries through the St. Albans, Vermont, District, 1895-1924, 279, NARA microfilm publications M1461, M1463, M1464, and M1465 (Washington D.C.: National Archives and Records Administration, publication year); FHL microfilm 1,473,079.

1921 Census

In 1921, the family is living at 66 Palace, London, Ontario: All of the children are shown at home except William
  • Thomas J. (60 years old) is working as a collector
  • Catherine: (60 years old) No occupation
  • Stella: working in a print shop (33 years old)
  • Edna: working as a teller (32 years old)
  • Josephine: working as a saleslady (31  years old)
  • Martin: working as a bookkeeper (26 years old)
Source: Year: Reference Number: RG 31; Folder Number: 71; Census Place: Ward 4, London, Ontario; Page Number: 4

1929 Marriage

In 1929, Martin P. Morkin married Mabel Moynahan and they had three sons. There are pictures and details of this family to be found on my previous blog post "My Grand Aunt Mabel (Moynahan) Morkin - 1902 -1945"


Hotel Business During Prohibition

It appears that by 1921, this branch of the Morkin family disengaged from the hotel business and for good reason.

London in 1870 had some 80 licenced hotels or taverns; 40 in 1893 (see above) and only 35 in 1900. Add to that the temperance movements and the Ontario Temperance Act of 1916, it's no wonder the family decided to find other ways to make a living. It appears they moved to insurance, banking and bookkeeping activities

The Morkin Link To The Black Donnellys

The Black Donnellys were a family of Irish settlers in Ontario. Five were murdered by an armed mob in February 1880 and their farm was burned to the ground.

The feud had its origins in Ireland. Biddulph township was the grounds upon which the ancient feud between Whiteboys, Blackfeet and Orangemen would be rekindled.

In the book "The Donnellys Album" by Ray Fazakas, there is mention that when Robert Donnelly was arrested in 1877, he needed a $200 bond and Edward Morkin provided the money.

"The Donnellys Album" by Ray Fazakas,
But was it Edward or Thomas who gave the money? James Reaney wrote: "indeed it is London taverner Thomas Morkin who puts up $200 bail for a Donnelly. Dad writes these Morkins will hear no ill of the Donnellys to this day. Wow."

Dan Brock  wrote: I believe the Biddulph Morkins were descended from brothers or cousins of Edward Morkin the father of Edward and Tom. One of Tom’s brothers was married to a sister of Nora (Kennedy) Donnelly

The Donnellys frequented the Morkin House and their stagecoach stopped there.

Conclusion

This story is far from complete. Through ancestry.ca I have connected with unrelated distant cousins to the Morkins who promise to send more information in the New Year. I will keep you posted!

The Morkin House hotel in London, Ontario (c 1915)
Sources

Links
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52 Ancestors No.46: Creighton Wedding Photos

January 4, 2016, 1:58 pm
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I thought that for the 2015 #52 Ancestors project, I would dedicate the last six posts to share photographs that I have in myy collections and that I want to share with cousins near and far.

This 46th post is a file of wedding photographs that I have of five of the seven children of  Frederick Douglas Creighton (1907-1976) and Dorothy (Moreland) Creighton (1909-2000)

O'Connor-Creighton
1950

Huston-Creighton
1952


Moynahan-Creighton
1956



Creighton-Balzer
May 1963



Creighton-Tremblay
Aug 1964





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52 Ancestors No. 47: My Grand Aunt Mary Aileen (Moynahan) Boyle

January 4, 2016, 2:21 pm
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Having finished the post on my grand aunt Mabel (Moynahan) Morkin (1902-1945) I thought I should add a post about her older sister Mary Aileen (Moynahan) Boyle (born 1899) and her family, the Boyles.

Mary Aileen is my grand aunt. Only recently have I been paying attention to the distinction made between "grand aunts" and "great aunts" (thanks to Amy Crow)
"Technically, the sister of one of your grandparents is your grand-aunt. “Grand” shows that it is one generation away; “great” is supposed to be added to generations beyond “grand.” - See more at: http://blogs.ancestry.com/ancestry/2013/10/25/great-and-grand-aunts/
Grand aunt Mary Aileen Moynahan was the first born child of John and Mary (Broderick) Moynahan.


 Mary Aileen (Moynahan) Boyle standing in the rear

 Mary Aileen (Moynahan) Boyle standing in the rear
Mary Aileen (Moynahan) Boyle (1899-)

1935 Campbell Ave., Windsor


Mary Aileen was living at home in 1935 and working as a stenographer


The Boyle-Moynahan Wedding

Francis Edward Boyle
Born: 11 March 1889 • Peterborough, Ontario
Died:  26 March 1973 • Windsor, Ontario


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"For what is the worth of human life..?"

January 18, 2016, 8:28 am
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52 Ancestors No. 48: The Moynahan-Bondy Family of Detroit

February 6, 2016, 7:06 pm
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1879

James Joseph Moynahan was born on the 6th of February 1879 in Maidstone, Essex, Ontario, Canada, the son of Jeremiah and Mary (Brennan) Moynahan. He was the seventh of nine children and the second of the two boys living at 298 North Talbot Rd., Maidstone, Ontario

1881

Acording to the "Canada Census, 1881," database, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:MVDY-XXD), James Moynahan (2 years of age) was living in the household of John Brennan (his grandfather) in Sandwich East, Essex, Ontario, Canada(citing p. 24; Library and Archives Canada film number C-13281, Library and Archives Canada, Ottawa, Ontario; FHL microfilm 1,375,917.) with his sisters Catherine (6y) and Ann (4y).


1903

April 1903 he married Miriam Ann ("May") Bondy (1880-1933) who was the daughter of Albert E. and Eliabeth (Botsford) Bondy of Belle River, Ontario.

Source: Ontario French Catholic Church Records (Drouin Collection), 1747-1967; retrieved at Ancestry.com
1909

In 1909, a great deal is learned from the U.S. Border Crossing manifest. 
  • James is employed as a carriage painter
  • He has three sons
    • Albert (5 years old)
    • Lawrence (4 years old)
    • Norman (1 year old)
  • James and May own their home at 960 Tromblay Ave., Michigan
  • James is 5'11 3/4" tall; of fair complexion; has light brown hair and blue eyes
  • Miriam is 5'4'' tall; of dark complexion; has brown hair nd brown eyes
  • In 1909, Miriam's father Albert was living in Ojibway, Ontario.


Source: U.S. Border Crossings 1895-1956

1910

In the 1910 census, James is listed as a "painter" in an auto factory.


Below is a picture of Jame's and May's first born son Albert Joseph Moynahan. He was born Feb 17, 1904 (Essex, Ontario) and died 2 Apr 1980 (Detroit Michigan). He married Elizabeth Noble.

The other two sons eventually moved to California - Lawrence James Moynahan (1905-1991) and Norman Anthony Moynahan (1907-1969)

Albert James Moynahan (1904-1980)
1930

On the 1930 census, James and May have only one son living at home (9306 Yosemite), 24-year-old Lawrence, who is working as a driver on a milk route.

1933


Death certificate: Miriam Ann (Bondy) Moynahan 1933
Source: Seeking Michigan: Death Records 1921-1947
1940

Source: The Windsor Daily Star - Aug 15, 1940

Death certificate: James Joseph Moynahan 1940
Source: Seeking Michigan: Death Records 1921-1947


Both May and James Moynahan are buried at Holy Sepulchre cemetery in Detroit Michigan but I was unable to find a headstone for them at FindAGrave.com. There were  17,621 interments and only 51% of them are currently photographed.


RECORDS 

"United States Census, 1910,"database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:MLTB-M74 : accessed 7 February 2016), Lawerence J Moynahan in household of James J Moynahan, Detroit Ward 13, Wayne, Michigan, United States; citing enumeration district (ED) ED 202, sheet 32B, NARA microfilm publication T624 (Washington, D.C.: National Archives and Records Administration, n.d.); FHL microfilm 1,374,699.

"United States Census, 1920," database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:MZWF-NLB : accessed 7 February 2016), Lawrence Monahan in household of James Monahan, Detroit Ward 12, Wayne, Michigan, United States; citing sheet 1B, NARA microfilm publication T625 (Washington D.C.: National Archives and Records Administration, n.d.); FHL microfilm 1,820,811.

"United States Census, 1930", database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:X795-YZ8 : accessed 7 February 2016), Lawrence Moynahan in entry for James Moynahan, 1930.
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52 Ancestors No. 49: Last Will and Testament of Martin Broderick (1831-1915)

February 13, 2016, 7:54 am
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I found this interesting newspaper reference to my 2nd great-grandfather Martin Broderick in the 1919 Border Cities Star.

It mentions my great grandfather John Moynahan (1866-1933) and my 2nd great-uncle Detective Leo William Broderick (1879-1920).

John and Leo were executors to my 2nd great-grandfather Martin Broderick's will and had applied to the Ontario Supreme Court for the title to a piece of land in Sandwich West under the "Quieting Titles Act".

Actions under the Quieting Title Act are "to finally resolve competing claims over the same parcel of land." and "offers the most definitive resolution of title problems." (Source: Adverse Possession: Pulling Out All the Stops; N.S. Barristers' Society)


Sandwich West, Essex County, Otario 
1877

The map below shows the location of Martin's 100 acres in Sandwich West township (Essex County, Ontario) in 1877. Note also a J. Broderick and a  P. Broderick in the bottom right of the map photo. This particular triangular area is the present day location of a "ghost road" or a "disputed road" as it has historically been known.

Source: Ontario Historical County Maps Project; Essex County Map (1877)
http://maps.library.utoronto.ca/hgis/countymaps/essex/index.html

Ghost Road ~ Disputed Road
The so-called"Disputed Road runs north south from a point just south of Normandy Street until it reaches the Middle Side Road boundary with Amherstburg. The road is one side of a triangle of land, with the other side being Huron Church Road."
Sandwich West, Essex County, Ontario
Source: http://www.internationalmetropolis.com/2008/03/25/ghost-road/
"Today carved up by the Expressway and shopping plazas, the road terminates at Dougall and picks up again behind the roundhouse centre for a short distance. The line in red shows the original path of the road, overlaid on a current aerial view."(Source: http://www.internationalmetropolis.com/2008/03/25/ghost-road/)
Sandwich West, Essex County, OntarioSource: http://www.internationalmetropolis.com/2008/03/25/ghost-road/

I came across an interesting blog post on the International Metropolis website about an old Ghost Road in the vicinity. http://www.internationalmetropolis.com/2008/03/25/ghost-road/

In the comment section, Alice wrote, 
"I was told that two brothers were fighting over the land a long time ago hense the name of the street “disputed”. Is that the real story? who knows? maybe the Broderick family would know since they were the owners at the time. As far as I know they are still around."
Could this be related? I am not at all certain. In fact I doubt that this story has anything to do with Martin Broderick (but possibly J. and/or P. Broderick?). I do find it interesting that property in this small section of Sandwich West is the source of so many historical title challenges.

Source: http://www.internationalmetropolis.com/2008/03/25/ghost-road/
And when we see abandoned places such as this old ghost road, well, you just never know what story it secrets it holds.

Martin Broderick 
(1831-1915)



Source: Detroit Free Press, Page 11
Tuesday, October 11, 1915
Trivia: The 4th Line in Sandwich West was known as the Broderick Road

Source: Amherstburg Echo 1952


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52 Ancestors No. 50: Martin Broderick's Fenian Medal

February 14, 2016, 10:42 am
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Source: Township of Sandwich (Past and Present); Neal
From a photograph taken about the year 1867
I learned that my 2nd great-grandfather Martin Broderick was the recipient of a Fenian Raid medal for his service in 1866.

In the Detroit Free Press newspaper excerpt below, " For his services in the raid Mr Broderick was given a grant of land and a medal. The latter was, he considered, his most valuable possession, and until three days before his death he was seen on the streets with the trophy pinned to his breast."

Detroit Free PressPage 11 Tuesday, October 11, 1915



1866 Fenian medal for sale on ebay


The location of Martin Broderick's medal is unknown.

I searched the Library and Archives Canada website for Martin Broderick http://www.bac-lac.gc.ca/eng/discover/military-heritage/military-medals-1812-1969/Pages/search.aspx and found him (File 4-261):


The link 15914 took me to a  digitized image of the original Fenian Raid medals registers (available in PDF format).
From this register, I learned that, despite announcing the Fenian Raid medals in 1899 (33 years after the Fenian Raid), Martin did not actually receive his medal from the government until 1914, one year before he died.

History of the Fenian Raid

There is a great deal of nformation on the Fenian troubles in Sandwich that can be found in the online book "Township of Sandwich (Past and Present)"; Neal (Sandwich, 1909)

Source: Township of Sandwich (Past and Present)"; Neal (Sandwich, 1909)


"Fenians received their name from John O’Mahony, who labelled them after the Fianna Eirionn, the ancient Irish warriors. Chief among the Fenians' goals was Irish independence, but they were divided on how this could be achieved." (Source: http://www.thecanadianencyclopedia.ca/en/article/fenian-raids/)
Source: Township of Sandwich (Past and Present)"; Neal (Sandwich, 1909)
Source: Township of Sandwich (Past and Present)"; Neal (Sandwich, 1909)

History of the Fenian Raid Medal
and Land Grants

"In 1895 the Veterans of ’66 Association had organized a national petition for the recognition of all the volunteers who served during the Fenian Raids. In January 1899, in response to the petition, Britain authorized a Canadian General Service Medal for veterans of the 1866 and 1870 Fenian Raids and the 1870 Red River Rebellion. Anybody who was on active service in the field, had served as a guard at any point when an attack from the enemy was expected, or had been detailed for some specific service or duty was eligible for the medal upon applying for it—it was not issued automatically. There were 15,300 of these medals issued to Canadians with their individual names and units engraved on the rim. (Another 1,368 were claimed by British veterans.) In.....1901 the province of Ontario undertook to grant its Fenian Raid veterans 160 acres of provincial land if they applied for it".(Source: Canada Decoration Day)
1870 Fenian medal for sale on ebay



Source: The Canadian Statesman, February, 1899

List of Essex County Fenian Medals Presented 
in 1900

Source: Amherstburg Echo Jan 26, 1900

1900 
Ontario Announces Free Land 
to Fenian Veterans

In 1901,"An Act to provide for the appropriation of certain lands for the Volunteers who served in South Africa and the Volunteer Militia who served on the frontier in 1866" (1 Edward VII, C. 6) was passed. 
Under the Act, the following individuals were eligible for a grant of land: those persons, who while resident or domiciled in Ontario, had enrolled or enlisted for active military service in the South African war in the years 1899 and 1900 [standard grants] and, if deceased, their next of kin; residents of Ontario who had served as a chaplain or nurse or Red Cross Commissioner or had acted as a newspaper correspondent; persons who had been members of the Volunteer Militia of Canada in Ontario and had been engaged in active service against the Fenians in 1865, 1866 and 1870 [standard grants] and, if deceased, their next of kin; persons resident in Ontario who had been members of the company known as the Chicago Volunteers and who had come to Ontario in 1866 to assist in the defence of the province; and persons resident in Ontario who had been engaged in Imperial service in defence of the frontier of the province in 1866.
Upon furnishing satisfactory evidence to the Commissioner of Crown Lands that he/she was a member of one of these classes, the applicant was entitled to a certificate of location for 160 acres of land.
Lands in the following townships were set aside by proclamation for the grants: Aubin, Beck, Carnegie, Crawford, Dargavel, Gowan, Holmes, Hoyle, Kidd, Kingsmill, Lennox, Lucas, Murphy, Nesbitt, Prosser and Wark in the Temiskaming District; Lyon in the Thunder Bay District; Borden, Chewett, Cochrane, D'Arcy, Gamey, and McGee in the Sudbury Districts; and Burk, Hartman, Pettypiece and Revell in the Kenora District.(Source: Archives of Ontario)

Source: St. John Daily 1900

Sub series at the Archives of Ontario

Check to see if your Ancestor 
Received a Medal for Service in the Fenian Raids
(Library and Archives Canada)

Step 1:Search: Military Medals, Honours and Awards, 1812-1969 http://www.bac-lac.gc.ca/eng/discover/military-heritage/military-medals-1812-1969/Pages/search.aspx


Check to see if your Ancestor 
Received Land for Service in the Fenian Raids
(Archives of Ontario)
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New 'US & Canadian Border' Category on Cyndi's List

February 24, 2016, 8:32 am
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While exploring "Cyndi's List" new category 'US & Canadian Border' (45 links), I found this Border Crossing Card dated 28 June 1927 for my grandfather Ernest Joseph Moynahan. This shows a photograph of him taken a couple of years before he married my grandmother Rhea Fern Coughlin in 1929.

Source: Michigan, Detroit Manifests of Arrivals at the Port of Detroit, 1906-1954
Family Search: https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:K8M3-DW6
From this card, I learned that:

  • My Grandfather started commuting to Detroit in January 1925
  • My Grandfather was employeed as an "Express clerk" at the American RR Express Huron Depot
  • My Grandfather was 5'9", medium complexion, light brown hair and blue eyes
  • My Grandfather was carrying $50 on June 28, 1927
Some of the links that "Cyndi's List" listed require a subscription ($) and some are free. Definiely worth visiting if you are researching ancestors who lived near the border like my ancestors from Detroit and Windsor!

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List 279: Fenian Raid Volunteer Bounty Claim

March 10, 2016, 2:03 pm
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Martin Broderick (1831-1915)
 Martin Broderick's obituary read that he was seen walking about before he died with his Fenian medal pinned to his breast:
"For his services in the raid Mr Broderick was given a grant of land and a medal. The latter was, he considered, his most valuable possession, and until three days before his death he was seen on the streets with the trophy pinned to his breast." (Source: The Detroit Free Press; Page 11 Tuesday, October 11, 1915)
The Fenian Raids took place in the 1860s and, after much protest and a national petition organized by Fenian veterans,  in January 1899, Britain finally authorized a Canadian General Service Medal for veterans of the 1866 and 1870 Fenian Raids and the 1870 Red River Rebellion.

The medal finally arrived in 1914, only one year before Martin Broderick died. 

Martin Broderick's approved "Fenian Raid Volunteer Bounty"claim is found on List No. 279 at Library and Archives Canada. Below are the documents related to Martin Broderick.


RG9 II A 4, volume 82, List 279

Source: RG9 II A 4, volume 82, List 279
March 4, 1913 Application For Grant 
The Fenian Raid Volunteer Bounty Act
(March 1913)

Below is Martin Broderick's application for a grant under the Fenian Raid Voluntary Bounty Act 

Source: RG9 II A 4, volume 82, List 279

J. Wallace Askin's
Comrade Declaration 
(March 1913)
 
Source: RG9 II A 4, volume 82, List 279

Department of Militia and Defense
Rejection of Application
May 7, 1913

On May 7, 1913, the Department of Militia and Defense wrote to Martin Broderick that, "it will be necessary for you to produce better proof of your service, and any facts you can which would prove that you actually served."

Source: RG9 II A 4, volume 82, List 279

On May 31, 1913, Frederick Neal wrote from Sandwich, Ontario to the Secretary of the Militia Council (Headquarters, Ottawa) on behalf of Martin Broderick:
Source: The Town of Sandwich (Past and Present) by Frederick Neal
Frederick Neal's Letter (May 1913)

Source: RG9 II A 4, volume 82, List 279

Frederick Neal indicates in his letter that he is enclosing written declarations made by:
  • Martin Broderick before ex-mayor Eugene Brault
  • Sargeant David Clark declared before Capt J. Wallace Askin
  • Private John Vigneaux declared before Capt. J. Wallace Askin
Martin Broderick's Declaration (May 1913)

Source: RG9 II A 4, volume 82, List 279

From Martin's declaration, I learned:

  • Martin signed his name with an "x" meaning that he never learned to write
  • Martin first joined the Voluntary Independent Infantry Co. No. 2 about the year 1862 under the command of  the late senator Charles E. Casgrain as Captain
  • Martin continues as a member of Voluntary Independent Infantry Co. No. 2 until the winter of 1865
  • In the winter of 1865, Sandwich Companies No 1 and 2 held a joint meeting (in the old jail building which No. 1 company had been using as an armory) and that the purpose of the meeting was joining Co. No 1 & 2 into one strong company for active service.
  • Martin and others enrolled in No. 1 company and at the meeting Thomas H. Wright was elected Captain
  • Martin was engaged in active service under Captain Wright from March to June 1866 at Sandwich Detroit River - Essex Frontier.
  • Martin continued as a member of that company until 1872 when it was disbanded.

David Clark's Declaration (May 1913) 


David was Martin's neighbour in Sandwich West and served with Martin on the Sandwich Voluntary Infantry Co. No. 1.

David said that "Martin Broderick performed active service with us from March to June 1866 and continued to perform all drills and other duties until the year 1872; that I received from the government my Bounty of $100 for said service; that I was a Sargeant in said No 1 Company under Captain Thos. H Wright and that the said Martin Broderick was a Private with me in the same company"

Source: RG9 II A 4, volume 82, List 279


John Vigneaux's Declaration (May 1913) 

John was engaged in active service with Martin on the Sandwich Voluntary Infantry Co. No. 1 in the months of March, April, May and June of 1866

Source: RG9 II A 4, volume 82, List 279
Map illustrating the Fenian Raid, June 2nd 1866. [LAC cartographic material].
Links
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52 Ancestors No. 51: The Broderick-Murray Wedding

March 12, 2016, 6:25 am
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I was quite excited to locate a Border Cities Star article dated January 5, 1935 that had the Wedding announcement of Mary Margaret Broderick (1911-1994) and John Charles Murray (-1995)

Source: Border Cities Star; Jan 5, 1935; Page 6 of 28; Found online
The caption reads:
"Mr. and Mrs John Charles Murray, JR; whose marriage took place this morning at Immaculate Conception Church, are shown with their attendants immediately following the ceremony. From left to right are Miss Marcella Broderick, maid of honor; Mrs Murray, the bride, who was before her marriage Miss Madeline Margaret Broderick; daughter of Mrs. Clara Broderick of Marentette Ave and the late Leo Broderick; Mr Murray, the bridegroom, son of Mr and Mrs Charles Murray of Church street and Mr. Raymond Marcotte, best man. Mr and Mrs. Murray will take up residence on Church street following their return from a motor trip to New York City. Mr Murray is physical training instructor at the Windsor-Walkerville Vocational school.

Miss Madeline Margaret Broderick on her wedding day 1935

Madeline Margaret Broderick was the daughter of Detective Leo Broderick and Claire Gignac

Madeline's parents Detective Broderick and Clara (Gignac) Broderick
I wanted to include this beautiful photograph of this most gorgeous child - their son Donald Murray.


I am fortunate to have connected with some Broderick-Murray distant cousins through my genealogical research. That is why I enjoy doing genealogy so much. You meet wonderful relatives that you never knew you had!
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The Irish of Maidstone, Essex and Detroit

March 16, 2016, 2:42 pm
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Below is an excerpt from the book,"Detroit is my home town" written by Malcolm W. Bingay (editorial director and columnist at the Detroit Free Press) in 1946 and found on the Internet Archive.
 
In the book are tales from Corktown Detroit and the song below is presented as follows:

From Detroit Is My Own Hometown

 Essex County Irish

Some Essex county (Ontario) Irish surnamescompiled by here by Victoria Penner https://alifeinessexcounty.wordpress.com/2012/03/18/essex-county-irish-part-1/ and some of my Irish surnames added. The source for some of the surnames is "Commemorative biographical record of the county of Essex, Ontario : containing biographical sketches of prominent and representative citizens and many of the early settled families"

Askin– came to Sandwich in the late 1700s
Atkin– originally English but fled to Ireland during the time of Cromwell. Came to Essex County in 1840 from County Wexford.
Beacom– County Fermanagh. Came to Mersea Township in 1853 after several years in Quebec (the family arrived in Canada in 1841)
Brett - County Sligo, Ireland in 1826 and came to North America 
Brien– Fermanagh, Ireland. Came to Essex in 1846.
Burke– Mary Ann (came from Montreal and married John LaMarsh).
Brennan - County Kerry arrived in 1853
Broderick - County Clare - came across the Atlantic 1843
Catherwood– first came to Peel County, then bought land in Colchester North in 1887.
Cleary– County Fermanagh – came to Montreal first, then to Windsor in 1841.
Cowan– Northern Ireland, County unknown – came to Mersea about 1842
Curry– Northern Ireland – came to Windsor in 1838.
Gardiner– came from Ireland in the early 1800s and originally settled in New York State. Son James Gardiner moved to Canada, eventually settling in Chatham in 1870.
Golden– County Sligo, Ireland. The Goldens of Ireland were originally English but were forced to flee to Ireland during the time of Cromwell. Came to Anderdon in approximately 1850.
Hanna– first came to Lanark County from Ireland in 1820. Came to Essex County in 1884.
Henderson– Ernest – came to Canada in 1883 from Ireland where he worked for the Great Northern Railroad of Ireland. 
Hincks (Rev. John Perrot Hincks) – Dublin and Belfast. Came to Canada in 1860 and to Windsor in 1880 as rector of All Saints Anglican.
Kenning– came to Canada in 1834, didn’t move to Essex County until 1887.
McCarthy– County Cork. Came to Sandwich South about 1839.
McHugh– from County Cavan, Ireland. Came to Maidstone in 1840.
McKeough– from Ballymackeough, Tipperary. Came to Paris Ontario in 1829, settled in Chatham sometime thereafter (the source book includes some Kent county settlers too so I will include them here)
McCormick– County Down and Belfast. Originally the McCormicks came to the British American colonies back in the early 1700s. Came to Colchester South in 1795. There have also been McCormicks on Pelee Island.
McNamara– Mary – born in 1822 in Ireland — Married Leonard Scratch (Kratz) of Gosfield.
Miller– Louise – married into the Vermette family.
Mooney– came to Sandwich South in 1836 after 15 years living in Valcartier Quebec. Home county in Ireland unknown.
Moynahan - County Kerry arrived in 1828, first staying in Pennsylvania for three years
O’Connor– originally came to Boston in 1824, settling up in Canada in Maidstone in the 1830s.
Osborn– Jane – Dublin – married to Walter Atkin, came with him in 1840.
Wilkinson– County Tyrone, originally, then Virginia. Came to Malden in 1801. (likely a loyalist) 


The Maidstone Cross was erected in the year 2000 to commemorate thethe 150th anniversary of the devastating famine in Ireland 1845-1852. The Irish family surnames engraved on the Maidstone Cross helped Build St. Mary's Parish.

Source: Photos taken by Louise & Jack Boyde at the 2000 Maidstone Cross Dedication

Source: Photos taken by Louise & Jack Boyde at the 2000 Maidstone Cross Dedication

 Surnames Appearing on the Maidstone Cross

ALLEN, AUSTIN, BARRETT, BARRY, BATTERSBY, BEAHAN, BRADY, BRAZILL, BRENNAN, BRODERICK, BROWN, BURKE, BUTLER, BRYNEE, CAHILL, CARROLL, CASEY, CHITTLE, CLANCY, COLE, COLLINS, CONNELLY,CONROY,CONWAY, COSTIGAN, CRONIN, CUNNINGHAM,CURNEYN, DALY, DANIBER, DAUGHTERY, DAWSON, DEEHAN, DELANEY, DENNISON, DEVLIN, DILLON, DIXON, DOLAN, DONAGHUE, DONNELLY, DONOVAN, DOOLEY, DORAN, DOWNING,DOYLE,DRISCOLL, DUNN, FAHEY, FALLON, FARRELL, FERRY, FIELDS, FITZGERALD, FITZPATRICK, FLANAGAN, FLANNERY, FURLONG, GALLAGHER, GAUGHAN, GEARY, GRAHAM, GRANT, GREEN, GREENAWAY, HALEY, HALFORD, HAMILTON, HAUGH, HAYES, HEALY, HENCHEY, HENNESSEY, HENRY, HICKEY, HIGGINS, HOGAN, HOULIBAN, HUGHES, HURLEY, JONES, KANE, KAVANAGH, KEANE, KEATING, KELLY, KENNY, KILROY, KIRBY, LANE, LARKIN, LAVIN, LENNON, LYNCH, LYONS, MAHER, MAHON, MAHONEY, MARKHAM,MARTIN, McAULIFFE, McCANN, McCARTHY, McCLOSKEY, McCOY, McDONALD, McGUIGAN, McGUIRE, McHUGH, McINTYRE, McKEON, McLAUGHLIN, McLEAN, McMAHON, McNALLY, McNAMARA, McPHARLIN, MITCHEL, MOONEY, MORAN, MORTIN, MOYNAHAN, MULLINS,MURPHY, NANGLE, NOLAN, O'BRIEN, O'CALLAGHAN, O'CONNELL, O'CONNOR, O'DONNELL, O'FLYNN, O'GORMAN, O'HALLORAN, O'KEEFE, O'NEIL, O'RILEY, O'SULLIVAN, POWERS, QUINLAN, REYNOLDS, ROBINSON, RUDDEN, RYAN, SAVAGE, SCULLEY, SEXTON, SHANAHAN, SHEEHAN, SHEENAN, SHERIDAN, SLATTERY, SMITH, SMYTHE, SWEENY, TIERNAN, TWOMEY, WALSH, WARD


Source: Border Cities Star March 17, 1930
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52 Ancestors No. 52: The Broderick-Knapp Family Photographs

March 21, 2016, 9:23 am
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My first cousin (2x removed) Mary Amelia "Geraldine" Broderick was born on the 4th of December 1908 in Canard River, Ontario the daughter of Leo William Broderick (1879-1920) and Claire (Gignac) Broderick (1882-1973). Leo Broderick was engaged in farming at the time of her birth (Source: Ontario, Canada, Catholic Church Records (Drouin Collection), 1747-1967) . Her father Leo would later become a detective in Windsor Ontario

Geraldine's Parents
 Leo William Broderick (1879-1920) 
and Claire (Gignac) Broderick (1882-1973)


Mary Amelia "Geraldine" Broderick (1908-1974)
Photo (c 1925); Source: Detroit Border Crossings 1905-1963



I located a border crossing card for her that said she worked at the Book-Cadillac Hotel in Detroit in the mid to late 1920's

The Book-Cadillac Hotel in the 1920s
Source: The Burton Collection; Detroit Public Library



 1929

I found pictures of Geraldine in the Border Cities Star at the Annual Haverhill Club Holiday Dance. She is with her sister Madge Broderick and future brother-in-law Johnny E. Murray.


At 24 years of age, Geraldine married Thomas C. Knapp at the Immaculate Conception church in Windsor, Ontario



As far as I know, Geraldine and Thomas Knapp had only one daughter pictured below.

Geraldine (Broderick) Knapp and daughter "Gerry" (c1940)

 In 1946, when her sister Margaret (Broderick) Hogan died, her obituary stated that Geraldine was living in Nomoka, Indiana.

Windsor Daily Star - Nov 11, 1946

When Geraldine's mother Claire (Gignac) Broderick died in August 1973, her obituary stated that Geraldine was then living in Pompano Beach, Florida.


Mary Amelia "Geraldine" (Broderick) died aged 65 years at Lighthouse Point, Broward, Florida, USA and her husband Thomas Cassius Knapp died there in 2003 at 95 years of age. (Source: Social Security info)


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"Too-Ra-Loo-Ra-Loo-Ral" Not An Irish Lullaby?

April 1, 2016, 7:49 am
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This is no April Fool's joke! Did you know that  "many of the best Irish songs were not written by Irishman"

"Too-Ra-Loo-Ra-Loo-Ral (That's an Irish Lullaby)" is a classic Irish-American song originally written in 1913 by composer James Royce Shannon (1881–1946) for the Tin Pan Alley musical Shameen Dhu.
"But wait a minute J.R. Shannon was really James Royce, and Royce isn't an Irish name, it is the old form of the English name Rice. Royce/Shannon is a prime example of the use of pseudonyms to make a song more saleable. Although probably not Irish Mr. Shannon wrote a number of very popular songs both"Irish" mainstream." (Source: Searching for the Irish in Irish American Music" @ parlorsongs.com) 
Irish or not, what's not to love about this beautiful Bing Crosby version of Too-Ra-Loo-Ra-Loo-Ral - imbedded here for your listening pleasure below.

Enjoy! And have a great weekend!




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My Father's Visit To The Heavenly Rest Cemetery, Windsor Ontario

May 9, 2016, 5:41 am
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In March 2016, my father visited Heavenly Rest cemetery in Windsor, Ontario
and photographed the headstones of his family
As a young girl, on our many trips back and forth between Mimico and Windsor, Ontario, my family  would make time to visit the Heavenly Rest cemetery to pay our respects to our ancestors who had passed..It has been years since I have visited there

On a recent trip (March 2016), my father obligingly took photographs for me of our ancestors headstones.

Only 27% of the graves/headstones at Heavenly Rest cemetery in Windsor have been photographed at "Find A Grave" and our ancestors headstones have NOT. So I am eternally grateful for my father doing this for me so that I can share them here on this family history blog.

My father's headstones photographs are presented below in alphabetical order with links to any blog posts that I may have already written about that ancestor..

Elizabeth (Annal) Coughlin

Elizabeth Coughlin 1884-1953
Blog posts:

Lawrence Coughlin

Lawrence Coughlin 1916-1992

Victoria M. Coughlin
 
Victoria M. Coughlin (1920-1999)
William I. Coughlin

William I. Coughlin (1947-1971)

William H. Coughlin 

William H. Coughlin (1872-1952)
Blog Posts:
 
Ida Marie Demarse

Ida Marie Demarse (1890-1964)

Mary M. (Coughlin) Demarse

Mary M. (Coughlin) Demarse (1900-1929)
Blog Posts:

Joseph P. Demarse

Joseph P. Demarse (1896-1981)

Gretta (Coughlin) Langlois 
Gretta (Coughlin) Langlois (1910-1988)
Blog Posts

M. Rose Lacroix

M. Rose Lacroix (1909-2002)
Betty and Austin Lauzon
Betty (Demarse) Lauzon () Austin Lauzon (1922-1999)


LeFaive 

Joan Lefaive (1935-1984)

 Blog Posts:
The Lefaives of Detroit

McHugh

Patricia (Moynahan) McHugh (1930-1993) and Edward J. McHugh (1928-2005)

 Blog Posts:
The Moynahan-McHugh Wedding (1954)

Mabel A. (Moynahan) Morkin 

Mabel Morkin (1902-1945)

 Blog Posts:
My Grand Aunt Mabel (Moynahan) Morkin 
The Morkin House: A Tale of Two Taverns 


Bernard Moynahan 

(Bernard Moynahan 1909-1974)
 Blog Posts:
 Remembrance Day 2014 - Lest We Forget 
Bachelors, Spinsters, Priests and Nuns 
WWII Ancestors

Ernest Moynahan

Ernest Moynahan (1900-1974)
 Blog Posts:
 UAW Local 200 Autoworker Ernest Moynahan Sr. 
A Favourite Photo: My Grandparent's 1929 Wedding 

Gerald Moynahan

Gerald Moynahan (1908-1961)
Blog Posts:
 Remembrance Day 2014 - Lest We Forget 
Bachelors, Spinsters, Priests and Nuns 
WWII Ancestors

 
Shirley (Brazeau) and John Moynahan 

John Moynahan (1934-1987) and Shirley (Brazeau) Moynahan (1935-1997)
 Blog Posts:
John Moynahan: Labour Leader 

John Moynahan 

John Moynahan (1886-1933)
Blog Posts:
John Moynahan:   first Clerk of the Township of Sandwich South (Ontario)

 
Mary (Broderick) Moynahan 

Mary (Broderick) Moynahan (1869-1960)
 Blog Posts:
My GG Mary (Broderick) Moynahan

Rhea (Coughlin) Moynahan 

Rhea (Coughlin) Moynahan (1902-1992)
 Blog Posts:
Rhea Coughlin & Parke Davis, Detroit 
 Trick or Treating .
Ice Boating in Windsor, Ontario
 UAW Local 200 Autoworker Ernest Moynahan Sr. 
A Favourite Photo: My Grandparent's 1929 Wedding 




Family Visits to Cemeteries & Grave Tending

Visits to the cemetery or mausoleum provides a concrete way to demonstrate that the deceased has not been forgotten. It is also an opportunity to tend to the grave - place fresh flowers, add a wreath, trim any overgrowth.

A visit to the cemetery also allows time and space for unfinished conversations between generations.

Though there are not prescribed times for visitation at cemeteries within the Catholic tradition, many find comfort and strength on visiting the grave site of a loved one on special occasions or holidays. It is appropriate for family and friends to visit on the birthday of the deceased, the wedding anniversary of the deceased, the anniversary of the death, or other special holidays. Some families pick a special day of the year to have loved ones gather and visit several grave sites on the same day.

The Irish Catholic Traditions in Dealing with Death

Long ago, the Irish were famous for wakes. The traditional wake was a merry celebration of the deceased’s life, where copious amounts of snuff and alcohol were taken, songs were sung and games were played.

Read more about the Irish and death by visiting links below





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Distant Cousins from the Annal-Hess Clan Part II

May 13, 2016, 8:31 am
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In this morning's inbox was an email from ancestry.ca saying that I had hints for Jemima Almina (Annal) Sutherland (1846-1920)

When I visited the ancestry.ca hints I found one that connected me to Find A Grave with photos recently added by Sandy Sutherland.

Source: Sandy Sutherland, Find A Grave

I had to check. Most of the information that I have received about the Annal-Hess branches in my family tree, I have received through the generous sharing of cousin Vicky Hess. Another distant cousin, Kim Simpson, shared information on the Simpson branch (and I wrote about this in my blog post 52 Ancestors No.31 Meeting Distant Cousins from the Annal-Hess Clan.

Distant Cousins: Annal-Hess descendants: Simpson & Sutherland branches
(Find A Grave profiles)
I was excited about the possibility of Sutherland cousins so I emailed Sandy Sutherland to ask for permission to use her Sutherland family photo (below) .

Jemima Almina (Annal) Sutherland (1846-1920)

Jemima is the older sister of my 2nd great-grandfather James Henry Allan Annal (1849-1930). She married James Sutherland (1850-1933) an only child, son of William and Barbara (Barron) Sutherland of Pomona Island, north of Scotland (better known as the Orkney mainland).

My 2nd great-grandfather
James Henry Allan Annal (1849-1930

James & Jemima Sutherland Headstone
Riverview CemeteryWallaceburg, Ontario
Source: Sandy Sutherland, Find A Grave


Source: Vicky Hess: Wallaceburg Newspaper page 1 May 27 1920
On the photo below, Sandy Sutherland wrote,
Family photo. Jemima is seated next to her husband James. William Sutherland is standing behind her. If you can label anyone else in the photo, please do so, or let me know.
Source: Sandy Sutherland, Find A Grave


Commemorative biographical record of the county of Kent, Ontario (p 513)
Following the branches on your family tree is so important. 

In the Commemorative Biographical Record above for James Sutherland (above), detailed information is also given on my 3rd great-grandparents James and Elizabeth (Wiley) Annal of Orkney, Scotland.


This biography makes me curious:
  • Why are two children: James Henry Allan (1849-1930) and Mary C. Annal (1851-1918). omitted?
  • Why did all the children stay in Scotland except for sisters Jemima, Mary and their brother (my 2nd great-grandfather) James Henry Allan Annal?
    Screen shot: My Annal-Wylie Family Tree on ancestry.ca

    Meeting cousins like Vicky, Kim and Sandy through genealogical research has been one of the many benefits of my genealogical research. Another benefit is being able to share the information and photos with other descendants so that they know more about the story of their ancestors.

    LINKS
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    My Moynahan-Fortier Mystery Leads Me To A Wyandotte Chief

    May 14, 2016, 5:18 am
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    This blog post demonstrates the fascinating tangents that genealogical research can take you. In wanting to determine the relation of an Essex county Moynahan I found the Captain Charles Fortier family which then led me to the family of the Chief of the Wyandottes in Anderdon, Ontario.

    Source: Teach Me Genealogy
    It All Started With 
    Denis Moynahan (1787-1885) 


    When researching my 3rd great-grandfather Denis Moynahan (1787-1885) in the early days of Essex County (1820-1860), I would always came acrossanotherDenis Moynahan (#2) who was born in 1823 (Ireland) and died at the young age of 42 years on the 9th of November in 1865.

    Because of Irish naming traditions, I have always tried to connect this Denis Moynahan (#2) with my other Essex county Moynahan ancestors to no avail. ( I have yet to locate any BMD record)

    Denis (#2) was well educated. My Moynahan ancestors of the same time period were unable to read or write.

    Denis (#2) married Elizabeth ("Eliza") Fortier (1831-1871) and they had four children: Ellen, Mary Jane, John and James.

    When widow Elizabeth ("Eliza") Fortier died in 1871, the young children were raised by the Fortier family.




    Denis Moynahan (1823-1865) was
    • Crown Land Agent in 1857
    • Township Clerk of Sandwich West in 1861
    • District and County Clerk between 1863-1864
    • In charge of Sandwich Infantry No. 1 Co in 1864 
    Despite Denis (#2) being so well positioned in the early politics of Essex county, there is so very little actually written or known about him and some local histories do not even mention him.
      1857 

       1861

      Source: Township of Sandwich; Frederick Neal (Page 12)

      1863-1864

      Source: Township of Sandwich; Frederick Neal (Page 104)


      1864

      Source: Township of Sandwich; Frederick Neal (Page 72)
       Death 1865


        John Fortier Moynahan 
        1863-1950

        Of the four children of Denis and Eliza (Fortier) Moynahan, I have learned most about John Fortier Moynahan. Sister Mary Jane died in her twenties; sister Ellen, I believe, became a Sister of Charity in Winnipeg, and brother James died at thirty four years of age.

        Here is what I know so far about  Denis and Eliza's only known surviving son John.
        Source: The Book of Detroiters

        Source: Detroit Free Press January 15, 1939


        John was the eldest son of Denis and Eliza (Fortier) Moynahan and he was only two years old when his father died (1865)  and 8 years old when his mother died (1871).

        He owned a successful metalworks in Detroit - the Moynahan Metal Works (est 1912) - and I find it most interesting that he took pride in his shanty house beginnings and would defend his proud description of himself as a "shanty Irishman". He also proudly retained ownership of his childhood home ("shanty") in Anderdon, Ontario in the 1940s
         
        Source: Detroit Free Press Feb 14, 1941


        Source:"The City of Detroit" 1701-1922

        Descended from Captain Charles and Jane Fortier

        The Amherstburg newsclipping where I found J.F. Moynahan as a pallbearer at his uncles funeral in 1917 started me on a new tangent that would lead me to Captain Charles Fortier and the Chief of the Wyandottes

        Source: The Ameherstburg Echo: March 23, 1917


        The Fortiers of Anderdon

        Finding J.F. Moynahan as a pallbearer at his uncle Edward Albert Fortier's 1917 funeral yielded some insight into the Fortier family from which he descended. 

        I spent a lot of time on that tangent even though the Fortiers are only related through marriage to a Moynahan I have yet to prove is directly related. 

        Captain Charles Fortier was an important character in the early history of Ontario. He was a captain in the British Army and came west from Quebec at the war of 1812 and served as Commissariat in Amherstburg. After the war, the Captain settled in Pain Court, Kent until his death when the family moved to Anderdon, Ontario. (Source: Amherstburg Echo March 1917)

        Chief of the Wyandottes - Joseph White Sr.

        Captain Charles' daughter (Eliza Fortier Moynahan's sister) Angelique (1816-1895) married Chief Joseph White Sr. - Chief of the Wyandotttes (he died in 1885).

        Source: Gary Hall; Photo of Chief Joseph White at 45 years

        Joseph White Sr., an acquaintance of Chief Tecumseh and British general Sir Isaac Brock during the War of 1812, was later honoured by the British monarch King Edward VII for his aid in putting down the 1837 rebellion.

        They had six children together (four sons and two daughters) and two of the sons, Solomon and Thomas, were important figures in the early politics in Ontario.


        • Son: Solomon b. 1836 who became Mayor of Windsor (1890) and a Conservative MPP for 20 yrs. Prior to entering politics, Solomon was a vintner & a cattleman
        • Son: Thomas, became a prominent businessman and long-time reeve of Anderdon and Ex-warden of Essex
        • Son: Joseph White of Windsor
        • Son: Alexander White of Windsor
        • Daughter: Mrs Pierre Ramon
        • Daughter: Evangeline (Eva) White, b 1855 (Mrs. E.L. Scully )
        Captain Charles an Angelique are buried together in the Amherstburg Wyandotte Indian cemetery
        http://www.essex.ogs.on.ca/wp-content/uploads/2014/06/amherstburg-wyandotte-indian-cemetery-1836-index.pdf



        Source: Windsor Public Library
        Joseph and Angelique (Fortier) White Headstone


        Source: Windsor Star
        Oldest descendant of Chief Joseph White


        Ernest White (photographed above in a Lakeshore, Ont. home July 16, 2013) turned 100 on July 27 and he is the oldest descendant of the last Canadian Wyandot Nation chief Joseph White.

        LINKS
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        My First OGS Genealogical Conference!

        May 15, 2016, 11:38 am
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        Suffice to say that I have attended many, many conferences in my life. In my previous occupation, conference attendance was a standard, regular activity and I have also been responsible for planning various conferences over the past few decades.

        I entered my retirement feeling a little "conferenced-out" actually but I am SO excited about attending the upcoming Ontario Genealogical Society Conference in Toronto because it will be my very first genealogical conference and I am spending this week to prepare.

        OGS 2016 Home Page
        I have been doing genealogy for over thirty years. When I started, you had pencil, paper and you physically visited the archives, libraries, record offices etc and sat down for the day researching.

        In the early nineties, the internet opened up so many possibilities especially for folks like me who, at the time, was living in a fairly remote community north of Sudbury, Ontario. I used the mail a LOT. Mailing churches, relatives and various other institutions to gather research on my ancestors.

        By the time I moved to Ottawa in 2002 (location of the Library and Archives of Canada) the internet was rapidly growing and to compare those early days to what is available online today is mind boggling!

        Ironically, as I prepare for my first ever genealogy conference, one of my favourite genealogists, Amy Crow, recently posed the question,"Are In-person Genealogy Events Dead?"

        Live-streaming of genealogical webinars, the expense of traveling, and the comfort of "researching from the couch" has apparently made attending in person less of a draw according to some genealogists. Some would prefer spending their money on travel to research places where their ancestors once lived.

        Happily, I am NOT late to the genealogy conference party! Amy Crow's answer to the question is that "Genealogy conferences and seminars are not dead. "

        The OGS 2016 App

        I downloaded the app last night and thought I would start to think about what I hope to achieve between June 3-5, 2016. The app is GREAT and allows me to build an agenda for myself (My Schedule) and peruse the list of exhibitors and mark the ones that I am really interested in visiting.

        The app also has maps of the expo hall and two conference floor meeting rooms and there is a comprehensive events listing that can be browsed by categories like social media, newspapers, keynote lectures and Irish genealogy, etc.
         
        I have just downloaded the OGS 2016 app!
        There are so many other features on this app that will only be fully functional during the conference. I am not sure who is responsible for the app but it is great. Here is the profile that I created on the app that other folks using the app can see. 
        My OGS 2016 app profile
         The Conference Sessions

        The first thing that you should do with your newly downloaded app (after creating your profile) is insert the sessions that you pre-selected at registration int your schedule. In doing this I noticed that there was nothing selected for Friday. ( I have contacted the OGS conference folks to figure out how to fix this)

        I am REALLY excited about some of the sessions that I selected:
        If you too are a "first-timer", please note that there is a 1-hour gathering scheduled at 4:30 Friday June 3 that is sponsored by the National Institute for Genealogical Studies

        And I am hoping to get selected for "Ask An Expert".I am hoping to find where my ancestors who died in asylums are buried and how to learn more details about them.

         The Conference Exhibitors

        I really always love the  folks who set up tables at conferences to connect with their community and share information.

        The full list of exhibitors is here http://www.ogs.on.ca/conference/expo-hall/ and some of the ones I have circled that I am most excited to visit include:
        • Armchair Genealogist Family history writing workbooks thearmchairgenealogist.com
        • Digital Treasures Analogue to Digital Media Transfer Services – Photos, Documents, Video, Film, Audio to Digital digitaltreasures.ca
        • FamilySearch International FamilySearch is a nonprofit, volunteer-driven organization sponsored by The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. familysearch.org
        The OGS Conference 2017 coincides with Canada’s 150th birthday and will be held in Ottawa, June 16-18, 2017. The theme will be Our Canada – Your Family: Building a Nation. ogsottawa.on.ca/conference-2017/
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