4th Anniversary of the Old Family Photographs Website

Four years ago this week the Old Family Photographs website was launched! The website was established to preserve and share the large collections old family photographs that are in my care. Many of the photographs belonged to my great grandmothers.

Over the last four years the site has grown to house over 650 old family photographs and family documents. The documents include post cards, hand written notes, letters and newspaper clippings. The content is housed in thirteen different collections.

The collections currently available include:

• The Military Collection
• The Bukowski Collection 
• The Guth Collection 
• The Haggerty Collection
• The Holtz Collection
• The McDonald Collection 
• The Murosky Collection
• The O'Neill Collection
• The Selker Collection 
• The Zelazny Collection 
• Arthur & Mary Eugenia
• The Unknown Collection
• The Postcard Collection

Many of the photographs featured belonged to my great grandmothers Helen Bukowski and Frances Philomena Selker. Over the last four years other family members have been very generous and have donated photographs to be incorporated into the family collections. I am so incredibly thankful to those who have shared their photographs so that we may preserve the memory of our ancestors.

One of the donations is the Frederick William Selker Collection. This collection of photographs shared by Selker cousins includes Frederick William Selker, his wife Eleanor E. Herman and some of the other Selker relatives.

Another addition was to the site were snapshots taken at the wedding of my grandparents Arthur Murosky & Mary Eugenia McDonald.

Working in conjunction with my Selker cousins we were able to label several of the previously unknown photographs. Some of those unknown photos are featured in the posts 1937 - Selker Family Photo and Wedding Photos: Frederick William Selker & Eleanor E. Herman.

The old family photographs website is housed under the MB Boutiques Brand. To navigate to the old family photo collections select Photo Collections from the top navigation bar.

We are very fortunate to have a large collection of old family photographs. There are still many more old photographs to be shared. My goal going into fall and winter be to continue to add new content to the site on a regular basis. New content will be shared using this platform. Updates will also be provided via the Facebook page - Our Ancestors - The Murosky & McDonald Ancestral Lines if you wish to follow along that way.

To learn more about the work to setup the website and prepare the photographs for sharing please visit the Portraits of a Life section. Portraits of a Life is a project to digitize, archive, restore and share the large collection family photographs that are in my care. View the original post Launch of the Old Family Photographs Website.

Thank you for Reading!

-Michelle

Wedding Snapshots: Arthur Murosky & Mary Eugenia McDonald

Arthur Murosky and Mary Eugenia McDonald were married August 9, 1941 at 9 o'clock in the morning at St. John's Roman Catholic Church in Erie, Erie County, Pennsylvania. Arthur was 22 years old and Mary Eugenia was 19 years old when they were married. A grouping of formal portraits were taken to commemorate the marriage. The couple remained inseparable for their fifty-six years of marriage. After Mary Eugenia's death in 1998 Arthur never remarried and he always kept her photograph by his bedside.

To view other posts related to the wedding of Arthur Murosky & Mary Eugenia McDonald:

• Engagement Photographs: Arthur Murosky & Mary Eugenia McDonald
• Arthur Murosky and Mary Eugenia McDonald - Application for Marriage License
• Wedding Invitation: Arthur Murosky & Mary Eugenia McDonald
• Wedding Portraits: Arthur Murosky & Mary Eugenia McDonald

The following grouping of snapshots were taken the morning of their wedding.

Mary Eugenia McDonald on her wedding day.

McDonald Family Members photographed with the Bride.
Winifred Agnes O'Neill (paternal grandmother of the Bride), Mary Eugenia McDonald
and Madeline Gertrude McDonald (Aunt of the Bride).

A snapshot of Arthur Murosky and Mary Eugenia McDonald on their wedding day.

Mary Eugenia McDonald photographed with her parents 
Frances Philomena Selker and Loraine Anthony McDonald.

Bridesmaid Rita Ann Murosky, Sister of the Groom

Bridesmaid Eleanor Lucille McDonald, Sister of the Bride

Flower Girls Marian Elaine Murosky (Sister of the Groom)
and Dorothy Elizabeth McDonald (Sister of the Bride)

Flower Girl Marian Elaine Murosky, Sister of the Groom

Flower Girl Dorothy Elizabeth McDonald, Sister of the Bride

A snapshot of Anthony Harry Murosky Jr. (Father of the Groom),
Mary Eugenia McDonald (Bride) and Loraine Anthony McDonald (Father of the Bride).

A snapshot of Frances Winifred McDonald (Sister of the Bride) 
with her friend Charlotte Allgeier.

A snapshot of Mary Eugenia McDonald with her friend Charlotte Allgeier.

Wedding Party
(L-R) Eleanor Lucille McDonald, Ray McCosky, Frances Winifred McDonald,
Mary Eugenia McDonald, Arthur Murosky, Rita Ann Murosky

Anthony Harry Murosky Jr. (Father of the Groom) photographed with Frances Philomena Selker (Mother of the Bride).

From the Mary Eugenia McDonald Collection. Photographer Unknown. Editing and digital restoration by Michelle M. Murosky.

Arthur Murosky is my paternal grandfather. He was the son of Anthony Harry Murosky, Jr. and Helen Tillie Bukowski. Mary Eugenia McDonald is my maternal grandmother. She was the daughter of Loraine Anthony McDonald and Frances Philomena Selker.

References:

1. Personal interview with Arthur Murosky, late 1990's.
2. Special thanks to family friend Debi Johnson who during the summer of 2014 asked Arthur questions. Some of these details would be unknown without her.
3. 1940 United States Federal Census.Year: 1940; Census Place: Erie, Erie, Pennsylvania; Roll: T627_3650; Page: 3A; Enumeration District: 68-77. Record for Loraine McDonald.

1920's - Frances Winifred & Mary Eugenia McDonald

Sisters Frances Winifred McDonald and Mary Eugenia McDonald most likely photographed in the late 1920's. The back of the original photograph is labeled "Jean & Fran".

Frances Winifred McDonald was the oldest child born to Loraine Anthony McDonald and Frances Philomena Selker. She was born March 18, 1920 in Clarion, Clarion County, Pennsylvania. Mary Eugenia McDonald was the second child born on January 22, 1922 in Strattanville, Clarion County, Pennsylvania.

The location of the photograph is unknown. There is a possibility the photograph may have been taken in front of 3216 Landis Street in Pittsburgh, Allegheny County, Pennsylvania. The 1930 United States Federal census records Loraine's parents Robert A. McDonald and Winifred A. O'Neill living at 3126 Landis Street. The house in the photograph below is very similar to the images available of 3126 Landis Street.

Mary Eugenia & Frances Winifred McDonald

From the Frances Philomena Selker Collection. Photographer Unknown. Editing and digital restoration by Michelle M. Murosky.

Loraine Anthony McDonald and Frances Philomena Selker are my great Grandparents. Mary Eugenia McDonald is my paternal grandmother. Frances Winifred McDonald is my great aunt.

Five Generation Chart: Mary Eugenia McDonald

The five generation pedigree chart below showcases Mary Eugenia McDonald with four generations of her direct ancestors. The color coding is used to group the birthplaces of the featured individuals. If the birth location is unknown black has been used. This format has been adapted from the original version shared by genealogist J. Paul Hawthorne.

The oldest ancestor featured in the chart is Anton Guth born 1792 in Untersimonwald, Margraviate of Baden, Holy Roman Empire. His 2nd great-grand daughter Mary Eugenia McDonald was born 130 years later on January 22, 1922 in Strattanville, Clarion County, Pennsylvania.

Mary Eugenia McDonald
Five Generation Pedigree Chart

As shown from the chart the ancestors of Mary Eugenia McDonald arrived over several generations.

• David McDonald and his wife Bridget Dunn are first documented in Clarion County in 1833. David and Bridget traveled with their son James most likely arriving prior to 1833. They may have traveled with other family members as well. 
• Robert Haggerty is the son of Irish immigrant Thomas Haggerty. Thomas Haggerty arrived in the late 1700's with his first wife and at least one son named John.  
• Rebecca Easly is a descendant of the Kuhn and Easly families. These families were living in the United States prior to the Revolutionary War. 
• Michael O'Neill arrived in the United States May of 1851. Several of Michael's siblings also relocated to the United Sates. 
• Ellen Cunningham arrived in the United States June 1869. She traveled with her parents and her siblings. 
• Joseph William Selker arrived in November 1885. Joseph set out alone seeking opportunity. He would eventually return to Germany and bring two of his nieces back with him. 
• Leopold Guth arrived approximately 1850. Leopold and his brother Francis Xavier left Germany together and settled in Clarion, Clarion County, Pennsylvania. 
• Theresa Loll arrived with her mother and sibling on October 7, 1852.  Her father Antoine may have traveled ahead as he was not recorded on the ship's manifest. 

An additional chart is also shown that includes the birth and death dates for the featured individuals.

Mary Eugenia McDonald

Five Generation Pedigree Chart

Mary Eugenia McDonald is my paternal grandmother. The individuals featured in the chart are my direct ancestors. 

1950's - Mary Eugenia McDonald & Arthur Murosky

Mary Eugenia McDonald and Arthur Murosky. The couple may have been photographed in the 1950's. The location of the photograph is currently unknown. 

Mary Eugenia & Arthur

The photograph was included in the Mary Eugenia McDonald Collection. Photographer Unknown. Editing and digital restoration by Michelle M. Murosky.

Mary Eugenia McDonald and Arthur Murosky are my paternal grandparents.

1942 - Wedding Guests

The Murosky ladies dressed up to attend the wedding of Raymond H. Bukowski and Veronica A. Karpinski on June 6, 1942. The photograph was taken in Erie, Erie County, Pennsylvania. The exact location of the photograph is unknown.

Helen Tillie Bukowski, age 41, the aunt of the groom Raymond H. Bukowski. Helen is the sister of John Frank Bukowski - the grooms's father.

Rita Ann Murosky, age 14, and Marian Elaine Murosky, age 6. The girls are the daughters of Helen Tillie Bukowski and are first cousins of the groom Raymond H. Buowski.

The ladies included in the photograph include Mary Eugenia McDonald, age 20, wife of Arthur Murosky. Arthur is the son of Helen Tillie Bukowski and was a fist cousin of the groom Raymond H. Buowski. Mary Eugenia was expecting her first child, James Arthur, who was born in October 1942.

Mary Eugenia McDonald, Helen Tillie Bukowski, 
Rita Ann Murosky, Marian Elaine Murosky standing in front 

The photograph was included in the Helen Tillie Bukowski Collection. Helen likely recorded the names on the photograph. Photographer Unknown. Editing and digital restoration by Michelle M. Murosky.

Helen Tillie Bukowski is my great grandmother. She married Anthony Harry Murosky, Jr. my great grandfather. Their son Arthur Murosky is my paternal grandfather. Arthur married Mary Eugenia McDonald - my paternal grandmother. Rita Ann Murosky and Marian Elaine Murosky are my great aunts.

Arthur Murosky and Mary Eugenia McDonald - Application for Marriage License

The application for marriage license for Arthur Murosky and Mary Eugenia McDonald was filed July 28, 1941 in Erie, Erie County, Pennsylvania. The duplicate was returned August 26, 1941. The couple's marriage date was recorded as August 9, 1941.

The application for marriage license offers some interesting details about the Arthur and Mary Eugenia's life in 1941. The first page in the file is the Application for Marriage License.

Application for Marriage License
Pennsylvania, County Marriages, 1885-1950 004480649 Image 723 of 829

From the Statement of Male:

Arthur's name is recorded as Arthur J. Murosky. This variation of his name included his confirmation name. He was employed as a machinist - this skilled labor position would keep him at home when the war efforts went into full swing in a few years time. He is recorded living in his parents home at 729 E. 24th Street. This is the same address where his family was living when the 1940 United States Federal Census was recorded.

The application indicates he was born in Erie, Pennsylvania - the son of Anthony Murosky and Helen Bukowski. His father was also employed as a machinist and his mother a housewife. His father's birth place is recorded as Forest City, Pennsylvania and his mother's Erie, Pennsylvania. Arthur was 22 when the application was filed. The application also notes he is physically able to support a family.

From the Statement of Female:

Mary Eugenia is listed with her full name - Mary Eugenia McDonald. She was employed as a Clerk at the Boston Store. She is recorded living in her parents home at 422 East 19th Street. This is the same address where her family was living when the 1940 United States Federal Census was recorded.

The application indicates she was born in Strattanville, Clarion County, Pennsylvania - the daughter of Loraine McDonald and Frances Selker. Her father was employed as an 'ecectrian' (most likely electrician) and her mother a housewife. Her father's birth place is recorded as Vowinckle, Clarion County, Pennsylvania and her mother's birth place Clarion, Clarion Country, Pennsylvania. Mary Eugenia was 19 when the statement was filed.

The couple's signatures are included on the Application for Marriage Lcense

Signatures of Bride and Groom
Application for Marriage License
Pennsylvania, County Marriages, 1885-1950 004480649 Image 723 of 829

Mary Eugenia's father Loraine McDonald had to complete the second page of the Application for Marriage License - the Consent to the Marriage of Child or Ward. This indicated he was aware of her intended marriage to Arthur.

Application for Marriage License - Consent to the Marriage of Child or Ward
Pennsylvania, County Marriages, 1885-1950 004480649 Image 724 of 829

The Consent to the Marriage of Child or Ward contains Loraine's signature.

Signature of Loraine McDonald
Consent to the Marriage of Child or Ward
Pennsylvania, County Marriages, 1885-1950 004480649 Image 724 of 829

Arthur Murosky is my paternal grandfather. He was the son of Anthony Harry Murosky, Jr. and Helen Tillie Bukowski. Mary Eugenia McDonald is my maternal grandmother. She was the daughter of Loraine Anthony McDonald and Frances Philomena Selker.  

References:

1. "Pennsylvania, County Marriages, 1885-1950," database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/pal:/MM9.3.1/TH-1-159363-39562-94?cc=1589502 : accessed 26 August 2015), 004480649 > image 723 of 829; county courthouses, Pennsylvania.
2. "Pennsylvania, County Marriages, 1885-1950," database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/pal:/MM9.3.1/TH-1-159363-39562-94?cc=1589502 : accessed 26 August 2015), 004480649 > image 724 of 829; county courthouses, Pennsylvania.
3. 1940 United States Federal Census.Year: 1940; Census Place: Erie, Erie, Pennsylvania; Roll: T627_3650; Page: 3A; Enumeration District: 68-77. Record for Loraine McDonald.
4. 1940 United States Federal Census. Year: 1940; Census Place: Erie, Erie, Pennsylvania; Roll: T627_3650; Page: 3A; Enumeration District: 68-85. Record for Anthony Murosky

Wedding Portraits: Arthur Murosky & Mary Eugenia McDonald

The marriage of Arthur and Mary Eugenia blended two Catholic families from different cultural backgrounds. Arthur descended from Polish and Lithuanian families that had settled in Erie, Erie County, Pennsylvania where Arthur was born. He was the son of Anthony Harry Murosky, Jr. and Helen Tillie Bukowski. Mary Eugenia descended from French, German and Irish families that had settled in Clarion County, Pennsylvania. She was born in Strattanville, Clarion County, Pennsylvania. Her parents, Loraine Anthony McDonald and Frances Philomena Selker, relocated to Erie, Erie County, Pennsylvania in the 1920's in search of work.

There are some known details about how Arthur and Mary Eugenia met. When interviewed in the late 1990's Arthur indicated he initially met  Mary Eugenia in 1936 when they were both checking out books at the Wilson Library. He said:  "I met Jean at the Wilson Library.  We used to hang out there and walk the girls home."  Arthur would have been 17 and Mary Eugenia would have been 14.

The "we" Arthur mentions may be his group of friends he called "The Gang". Included in "The Gang" were Arthur, Gene, Fred and a girl named Charlotte. It is plausible "The Gang" was at the library that day. Charlotte was best friends with Mary Eugenia. The girl's friendship may explain how Arthur became acquainted with Mary Eugenia.

It isn't known exactly when the courtship between the couple started. The Wilson Library Arthur mentions is most likely the library associated with the current Woodrow Wilson Middle School located at 718 E. 28th Street. The school is about one mile from 422 E. 19th Street (near the intersection of 19th Street and Parade Street) where Mary Eugenia was living with her family in 1940. The 2-story home had a second floor porch where Arthur said the couple would "sit and smooch while courting."

Arthur Murosky and Mary Eugenia McDonald were married August 9, 1941 at 9 o'clock in the morning at St. John's Roman Catholic Church in Erie, Erie County, Pennsylvania. Arthur was 22 years old and Mary Eugenia was 19 years old when they were married. A grouping of formal portraits were taken to commemorate the marriage. The couple remained inseparable for their fifty-six years of marriage. After Mary Eugenia's death in 1998 Arthur never remarried and he always kept her photograph by his bedside.

Arthur & Mary Eugenia
Black and White Portrait

Mary Eugenia
Color Portrait

Mary Eugenia
Black and White Portrait

Wedding Party
Back (L-R): Edward V. Murosky (Groomsman and Brother of the Groom), Arthur Murosky (Groom), Mary Eugenia McDonald (Bride), Loraine Anthony McDonald (Father of the Bride), 
Frances Winifred McDonald (Maid of Honor and Sister of the Bride), 
Ray McCosky (Best Man and Groom's best friend), Harry Anthony Murosky (Groomsman and brother of the groom)

Front (L-R): Dorothy Elizabeth McDonald (Flower Girl and Sister of the Bride), Eleanor Lucille McDonald (Bridesmaid), Rita Ann Murosky (Bridesmaid and Sister of the Groom), 
Marian Elaine Murosky (Flower Girl and Sister of the Groom)

From the Mary Eugenia McDonald Collection. Photographer Unknown. Editing and digital restoration by Michelle M. Murosky.

Arthur Murosky is my paternal grandfather. He was the son of Anthony Harry Murosky, Jr. and Helen Tillie Bukowski. Mary Eugenia McDonald is my maternal grandmother. She was the daughter of Loraine Anthony McDonald and Frances Philomena Selker. 

References:

1. Personal interview with Arthur Murosky, late 1990's.
2. Special thanks to family friend Debi Johnson who during the summer of 2014 asked Arthur questions. Some of these details would be unknown without her.
3. 1940 United States Federal Census.Year: 1940; Census Place: Erie, Erie, Pennsylvania; Roll: T627_3650; Page: 3A; Enumeration District: 68-77. Record for Loraine McDonald.

Wedding Invitation: Arthur Murosky & Mary Eugenia McDonald

A photograph of an original invitation from the wedding of Mary Eugenia McDonald and Arthur Murosky. A copy of the wedding invitation, from 1941, was included in a box of old photographs. The invitation uses Arthur J. Murosky, an alternate name for Arthur. The J. represents Joseph which was his confirmation name. This name variation has also been found on some older documents.

Arthur and Mary Eugenia were married August 9, 1941 in their hometown of Erie, Erie County, Pennsylvania at St. John's Roman Catholic Church.

From the Mary Eugenia McDonald Collection. Editing and digital restoration by Michelle M. Murosky.

Arthur Murosky is my paternal grandfather. He was the son of Anthony Harry Murosky, Jr. and Helen Tillie Bukowski. Mary Eugenia McDonald is my maternal grandmother. She was the daughter of Loraine Anthony McDonald and Frances Philomena Selker.

Engagement Photographs: Arthur Murosky & Mary Eugenia McDonald

Engagement photographs of Arthur Murosky and Mary Eugenia McDonald. The photographs were most likely taken in 1941. Arthur and Mary Eugenia were married August 9, 1941 in their hometown of Erie, Erie County, Pennsylvania. The formal portraits include color photographs and black and white photographs. Mary Eugenia would have been 19 years old and Arthur would have been 22 years old in these photographs.

Mary Eugenia McDonald
Engagement Photograph

Arthur Murosky
Engagement Photograph

Arthur Murosky & Mary Eugenia McDonald
Engagement Photograph

From the Mary Eugenia McDonald Collection. Photographer Unknown. Editing and digital restoration by Michelle M. Murosky.

Arthur Murosky is my paternal grandfather. He was the son of Anthony Harry Murosky, Jr. and Helen Tillie Bukowski. Mary Eugenia McDonald is my maternal grandmother. She was the daughter of Loraine Anthony McDonald and Frances Philomena Selker. 

Four Generations of Maternal Ancestors - McDonald < Selker < Guth < Loll

On this Mother's Day a tribute to my Grandmother Mary Eugenia McDonald and the three generations of women who came before her.

Mary Eugenia McDonald, the daughter of Frances Philomena Selker and Loraine Anthony McDonald, was born January 22, 1922 in Strattanville, Clarion, Pennsylvania.  She married Arthur Murosky August 9, 1941 in Erie, Erie, Pennsylvania at St John's Church. The couple raised ten children together. 

Frances Philomena Selker, the daughter of Frances Philomena Guth and Joseph William Selker, was born August 25, 1895 in Clarion, Clarion, Pennsylvania. She married Loraine Anthony McDonald June 10, 1919 in Clarion, Clarion, Pennsylvania at the Immaculate Conception Church. The couple raised nine children together. 

Frances Philomena Guth, the daughter of Theresa Loll and Leopold Guth, was born February 25, 1863 in Clarion, Clarion, Pennsylvania. She married Joseph William Selker November 4, 1890 in Clarion, Clarion, Pennsylvania at the Immaculate Conception Church. The couple raised ten children together.

Theresa Loll, the daughter of Mary Ann Jehl and Antonie Loll, was born June 16, 1803 in Marcholsheim, Alsace, France. She married Leopold Guth  January 20, 1853 in Clarion, Clarion, Pennsylvania at the Immaculate Conception Church. The couple raised eleven children together.

These photographs were included in the Frances Philomena Selker Collection. Photographer Unknown. Editing and digital restoration by Michelle M. Murosky.

Mary Eugenia McDonald my paternal grandmother. Frances Philomena Selker is my great grandmother. Frances Philomena Guth is my 2nd great grandmother. Theresa Loll is my 3rd great grandmother. 

Mary Eugenia & James Arthur - mid 1940's

Mary Eugenia McDonald photographed with her oldest son James Anthony Murosky in the mid 1940's.

Depending on the date the photograph was taken Mary Eugenia would mostly likely have been between 23 and 25 years old. James Arthur would likely have been between 2 and 3 years old. The location of the photograph is unknown. This photograph was included in the Helen Tillie Bukowski Collection. Helen Tillie Bukowski would have been James Arthur's paternal grandmother.

Mary Eugenia McDonald with her oldest son James Anthony McDonald

Mary Eugenia McDonald was born January 22, 1922 in Strattanville, Clarion, Pennsylvania. She was the daughter of Loraine Anthony McDonald and Frances Philomena Selker.

James Arthur Murosky was born October 8, 1942 in Erie, Erie County, Pennsylvania.

This photograph is from the Helen Tillie Bukowski Collection. Photographer Unknown. Editing and digital restoration by Michelle M. Murosky.

Mary Eugenia McDonald is my paternal grandmother. James Arthur Murosky is my Uncle. 

Mary Eugenia McDonald - High School Graduation 1939

Mary Eugenia McDonald the daughter of Loraine Anthony McDonald and Frances Philomena Selker was born January 22, 1922 in Strattanville, Clarion, Pennsylvania.

The family relocated to Erie, Erie County, Pennsylvania in the 1920's. Mary Eugenia attended Academy High School in Erie, Pennsylvania and graduated on June 15, 1939. She was 17 years old when she graduated from high school.

Mary Eugenia McDonald Graduation Photograph

Mary Eugenia McDonald High School Diploma

Mary Eugenia McDonald Diploma Cover

A copy of this photograph and Mary Eugenia's diploma were included in the Frances Philomena Selker Collection. Photographer Unknown. Editing and digital restoration by Michelle M. Murosky.

Mary Eugenia McDonald is my paternal grandmother.

Photo: Mary Eugenia McDonald

This is a portrait of my grandmother Mary Eugenia McDonald as a baby. The original photo was enhanced to appear like a painting in a frame. She was born January 22, 1922 in Strattanville, Clarion County, Pennsylvania and was one of nine children. She was the daughter of Loraine Anthony McDonald and Frances Philomena Selker.