1950's - Ambrose Aloysius McDonald & Jeannette M. Straley

A formal portrait of Ambrose Aloysius McDonald with his second wife Jeannette Margaret Straley.

Ambrose Aloysius McDonald was born 24 October 1889 in Vowinckel, Clarion County, Pennsylvania. He was the youngest son of Michael McDonald and Anna Haggerty. Ambrose and his second wife Jeannette Margaret Straley were married on 23 December 1953 in Cuyahoga County, Ohio. Jeannette was the daughter of George Straley and Caroline Oliphant. She was born about 1886.

This was also a second marriage for Jeannette M. Straley. Her first husband was Fred Emerson Allen. The death date for Fred Emerson Allen is currently not known.

The photograph may have been taken the day the couple married - note that Jeannette is wearing a corsage and Ambrose appears to be wearing a boutineer.

Ambrose Aloysius McDonald & Jeannette M. Straley

This portrait is shared with permission. The original is in the care of Ginny Geary Laskovics my 2nd cousin 2x. Ginny is a granddaughter of Ambrose A. McDonald. The photograph is originally from the Virginia McDonald Geary Collection. Photographer Unknown. Editing and digital restoration by Michelle M. Murosky

Virginia McDonald Geary is my 1st cousin 3x removed. She is the daughter of Ambrose Aloysius McDonald, my 2nd great uncle and Gertrude Anna O'Neill, my 2nd great aunt. My relationship with Virginia McDonald Geary  is unique in that we are double 1st cousins 3x removed. We share two sets of common ancestors. Our common McDonald grandparents are Michael McDonald and Anna Haggerty. Our common O'Neill grandparents are Michael O'Neill and Ellen Cunningham. Winifred Agnes O'Neill is my 2nd Great Grandmother  Robert Alphonsus McDonald is my 2nd Great Grandfather.

References:

1. Ancestry.com. Ohio, County Marriages, 1774-1993 [database on-line]. Lehi, UT, USA: Ancestry.com Operations, Inc., 2016. Marriage of Fred Emerson Allen & Margaret Jeannette Straley.
2. Ancestry.com. Ohio, County Marriages, 1774-1993 [database on-line]. Lehi, UT, USA: Ancestry.com Operations, Inc., 2016. Marriage of Ambrose A. McDonald & Jeannette M Allen. [Jeannette M Straley].

Formal Portrait: Gertrude Anna O'Neill

A painted image of Gertrude Anna O'Neill the daughter of Irish immigrants Michael O'Neill and Ellen M. Cunningham. Gertrude Anna O'Neill was born 29 January 1879 in Clarion County, Pennsylvania.

The high necked dress style with long sleeves and the hat align with women's fashion that was popular between 1900 and 1910. In 1910 Gertrude was living with her mother Ellen Cunningham in Pittsburgh, Allegheny County, Pennsylvania. The family lived at 711 Dallas Avenue, today this would be 711 North Dallas Avenue. Gertrude's 16 year old niece Evelyn McNaughton was also living in the household. Evelyn was recorded as a dressmaker in the census. Perhaps she made the lovely dress that Gertrude is wearing in the painting. As a dressmaker Evelyn would have been known the latest fashions.

Painted Image of Helen Gertrude O'Neill

This painted image is shared with permission. The original is in the care of Ginny Geary Laskovics my 2nd cousin 2x. Ginny is a granddaughter of Gertrude Anna O'Neill. The photograph is originally from the Virginia McDonald Geary Collection. Photographer Unknown. Editing and digital restoration by Michelle M. Murosky

Virginia McDonald Geary is my 1st cousin 3x removed. She is the daughter of Ambrose Aloysius McDonald, my 2nd great uncle and Gertrude Anna O'Neill, my 2nd great aunt. My relationship with Virginia McDonald Geary  is unique in that we are double 1st cousins 3x removed. We share two sets of common ancestors. Our common McDonald grandparents are Michael McDonald and Anna Haggerty. Our common O'Neill grandparents are Michael O'Neill and Ellen Cunningham. Winifred Agnes O'Neill is my 2nd Great Grandmother  Robert Alphonsus McDonald is my 2nd Great Grandfather.

References:

1. 1910 United States Federal Census. Year: 1910; Census Place: Pittsburgh Ward 12, Allegheny, Pennsylvania; Roll: T624_1303; Page: 3A; Enumeration District: 0440; FHL microfilm: 1375316. Household of Ellen O'Neil 

1940's/1950's - Helen Gertrude McDonald & Gertrude Anna O'Neill

Helen Gertrude McDonald photographed with her mother Gertrude Anna O'Neill. The photograph was most likely taken in the late 1940's or early 1950's. When photographed Helen was likely between age 32 and age 37. Gertrude was most likely between age 69 and 74. The latest date the photograph could have been taken was early summer 1953 as Gertrude passed away on 21 July 1953.

The location of the photograph is currently unknown. Helen and Gertrude were living in Cleveland, Cuyahoga Country, Ohio - so it is possible the photograph was taken at a family home in Cleveland.

Helen Gertrude McDonald & Gertrude Anne O'Neill

This photograph is shared with permission. The original photograph is in the care of Ginny Geary Laskovics my 2nd cousin 2x. Ginny is a niece of Helen and Ambrose. The photograph is originally from the Virginia McDonald Geary Collection. Photographer Unknown. Editing and digital restoration by Michelle M. Murosky

Helen Gertrude McDonald is my 1st cousin 3x removed. She is the daughter of Ambrose Aloysius McDonald, my 2nd great uncle and Gertrude Anna O'Neill, my 2nd great aunt. My relationship with siblings is unique in that we are double 1st cousins 3x removed. We share two sets of common ancestors. Our common McDonald grandparents are Michael McDonald and Anna Haggerty. Our common O'Neill grandparents are Michael O'Neill and Ellen Cunningham. Winifred Agnes O'Neill is my 2nd Great Grandmother  Robert Alphonsus McDonald is my 2nd Great Grandfather.

1940's - Helen Gertrude McDonald & Ambrose Aloysius McDonald Jr.

A snapshot of Helen Gertrude McDonald with her only brother Ambrose Aloysius McDonald Jr.  They are the children of Ambrose Aloysius McDonald and Gertrude Anna O'Neill.

The photograph may have been taken in 1943 as Ambrose is wearing his United States Marine Corps uniform. After the outbreak of WWII Ambrose enlisted with the United States Marine Corps. When photographed Helen was probably about 27 years old and Ambrose was around 23 years old.  Ambrose deployed in 1943 and was killed in action shortly after his 24th birthday at the Battle of Tarawa. This is likely one of the last photographs taken of Ambrose. To learn more  about Ambrose visit this link.

McDonald Siblings
Helen Gertrude McDonald & Ambrose Aloysius McDonald Jr.

This photograph is shared with permission. The original photograph is in the care of Ginny Geary Laskovics my 2nd cousin 2x. Ginny is a niece of Helen and Ambrose. The photograph is originally from the Virginia McDonald Geary Collection. Photographer Unknown. Editing and digital restoration by Michelle M. Murosky

Helen Gertrude McDonald and Ambrose Aloysius McDonald, Jr. are my 1st cousins 3x removed. They are the children of Ambrose Aloysius McDonald, my 2nd great uncle and Gertrude Anna O'Neill, my 2nd great aunt. My relationship with siblings is unique in that we are double 1st cousins 3x removed. We share two sets of common ancestors. Our common McDonald grandparents are Michael McDonald and Anna Haggerty. Our common O'Neill grandparents are Michael O'Neill and Ellen Cunningham. Winifred Agnes O'Neill is my 2nd Great Grandmother  Robert Alphonsus McDonald is my 2nd Great Grandfather.

Wedding Photos: Helen Gertrude McDonald & Harold I. Moore

The wedding of Helen Gertrude McDonald & Harold I. Moore took place on April 26, 1950 in Cuyahoga County, Ohio.

Helen, the daughter of Ambrose Aloysius McDonald and Gertrude Anna O'Neill, was born 12 June 1916 in Freeport, Armstrong County, Pennsylvania. Helen was 34 years old when she was married. Harold I. Moore, the son of Dallas N. Moore and Mabel Williams, was about 33 years old when he was married.

Wedding of Helen Gertrude McDonald & Harold I. Moore
L-R: Martin Edward Geary, Harold I. Moore, Helen Gertrude McDonald, 
Virginia Dorothy McDonald  

A family portrait was taken the day of the wedding. This may be one of the last photographs taken of Ambrose Aloysius McDonald and Gertrude Anna O'Neill with their adult daughters - Virginia Dorothy McDonald (married to Martin Edward Gearty), Helen Gertrude McDonald and Anne Marie McDonald (married to Stanley L. Kresge Jr.). The couple's oldest daughter, Mary Elizabeth McDonald, died an an infant. Their son, Ambrose Aloysius McDonald Jr., killed in action at the Battle of Tarawa.

Wedding of Helen Gertrude McDonald & Harold I. Moore
Back L-R: Martin Edward Geary, Virginia Dorothy McDonald, Harold I. Moore, Helen Gertrude McDonald, Gertrude Anna O'Neill, Ambrose Aloysius McDonald, Anne Marie McDonald 
Front L-R: Mark Francis Geary, Kevin McDonald Geary, Kurt Kresge, Keith Kresge

These wedding photographs are shared with permission. The original photographs are in the care of Ginny Geary Laskovics my 2nd cousin 2x. Ginny is a niece of Helen Gertrude McDonald. The photograph is originally from the Virginia McDonald Geary Collection. Photographer Unknown. Editing and digital restoration by Michelle M. Murosky

Virginia McDonald Geary, Helen Gertrude McDonald and Anne Marie McDonald are my 1st cousins 3x removed. They are the daughters of Ambrose Aloysius McDonald, my 2nd great uncle and Gertrude Anna O'Neill, my 2nd great aunt. My relationship with their children is unique in that we are double 1st cousins 3x removed. We share two sets of common ancestors. Our common McDonald grandparents are Michael McDonald and Anna Haggerty. Our common O'Neill grandparents are Michael O'Neill and Ellen Cunningham. Winifred Agnes O'Neill is my 2nd Great Grandmother  Robert Alphonsus McDonald is my 2nd Great Grandfather. The children of Virginia Dorthy McDonald, Mark Francis Geary amd Kevin McDonald Geary, are my 2nd cousins 2x removed. The children of Anne Marie McDonald, Kurt Kresge and Keith Kresge, are my 2nd cousins 2x removed. 

References:

1. Pennsylvania, Death Certificates, 1906-1924 [database on-line]. Provo, UT, USA: Ancestry.com Operations, Inc., 2014. Mary Elizabeth McDonald. Certificate Number: 77032.   
2. Ohio, County Marriages, 1774-1993 [database on-line]. Lehi, UT, USA: Ancestry.com Operations, Inc., 2016. Marriage record for Helen B. McDonald. Film
3. Ohio, County Marriages, 1774-1993 [database on-line]. Lehi, UT, USA: Ancestry.com Operations, Inc., 2016. Marriage record for Harold I. Moore.

Formal Portrait: Ambrose Aloysius McDonald

Ambrose Aloysius McDonald was born 24 October 1889 in Vowinckel, Clarion County, Pennsylvania. He was the youngest of fifteen children born to Michael McDonald and Anna Haggerty. Ambrose married Gertrude Anna O'Neill on 15 January 1915 at the Holy Rosary Catholic Church in Pittsburgh, Allegheny County, Pennsylvania.

This formal portrait of Ambrose Aloysius McDonald was included in the photograph collection of his daughter, Virginia McDonald Geary. Ambrose appears older in this formal portrait than in another known photograph of him taken at his parent's Golden Wedding Anniversary Celebration in 1916. Based on the style of the collar the portrait was likely been taken in the 1920's.

Ambrose Aloysus McDonald
Formal Portrait

Ambrose lived to be 80 years old. He died on 15 September 1970 in Bay Village, Cuyahoga County, Ohio. He is buried at Calvary Cemetery in Cleveland, Cuyahoga County, Ohio.

Virginia McDonald Geary is my 1st cousin 3x removed. She is the daughter of Ambrose Aloysius McDonald, my 2nd great uncle and Gertrude Anna O'Neill, my 2nd great aunt. My relationship with Virginia McDonald Geary  is unique in that we are double 1st cousins 3x removed. We share two sets of common ancestors. Our common McDonald grandparents are Michael McDonald and Anna Haggerty. Our common O'Neill grandparents are Michael O'Neill and Ellen Cunningham. Winifred Agnes O'Neill is my 2nd Great Grandmother  Robert Alphonsus McDonald is my 2nd Great Grandfather.

References:

1. Pennsylvania, Allegheny County, Orphan's Court. McDonld, Ambrose & O'Neill, Gertrude A. Marriage License.
2. Ohio, Deaths, 1908-1932, 1938-2007. Ambrose A. McDonald. 
3. Find A Grave. Memorial Number 172106233.
4. Vintage Dancer. 1920s Mens Shirts and Collars History