2018 Family History Highlights

Happy New Year!

As was head into 2019 – I wanted to pause and highlight some of my favorite family history experiences from my family history journey over the last year.

MB Boutiques Family History Consulting Services

Last fall I had the opportunity to provide family history consulting services for an adopted individual. Using DNA results, the individual's non-identifying adoption paperwork and traditional research methods I identified the individual’s birth parents. It was a very rewarding experience to help someone learn more about their family history. I really enjoyed working on this project and currently have openings to take on new family history research, genetic genealogy and adoption clients in 2019.

Vising Florida for Christmas

In December my husband and I stayed in New Smyrna, Beach Florida for a few weeks before heading to Davenport, Florida to spend Christmas with my father. Families are often spread far and wide in our modern world - so it was really nice to spend time with family members we don't get to see very often.

New Smyrna Beach, Florida
Photo Credit: Bob Davis, MB Boutiques

It was a lovely vacation – the ocean is one of my favorite places to visit. If you would like to view the other amazing photographs my husband took in New Smyrna Beach you can visit the MB Boutiques New Smyrna Beach photo gallery.

While in Florida, we also had the opportunity to visit with my Great Aunt Dorothy Elizabeth McDonald Davies and Great Uncle William Loraine McDonald - the siblings of my paternal grandmother Mary Eugenia McDonald. We had a wonderful visit and took several photographs to highlight the occasion!

McDonald Siblings William Loraine McDonald & Dorothy Elizabeth McDonald Davies
Photo Credit: Bob Davis, MB Boutiques

McDonald Siblings William Loraine McDonald & Dorothy Elizabeth McDonald Davies 
photographed with their nephew David Anthony Murosky
Photo Credit: Bob Davis, MB Boutiques

McDonald Siblings William Loraine McDonald & Dorothy Elizabeth McDonald Davies 
photographed with their great niece Michelle Marie Murosky
Photo Credit: Bob Davis, MB Boutiques

Dorothy Elizabeth McDonald Davies photographed with her great niece Michelle Marie Murosky 
and her daughter Kerri Davies 
Photo Credit: Bob Davis, MB Boutiques

Dorothy Elizabeth McDonald Davies photographed with her daughter Kerri Davies 
Photo Credit: Bob Davis, MB Boutiques

Research highlights from 2018: 

There were twenty five articles posted at the research site last year. Many of these articles were wedding announcements located for members of the Selker family. There were also old family photographs shared and other research articles.

Guth Research Update: Anton Guth & Theresia Rösch Family 

The third post in the Guth Research Update Series was shared last year. The series is focused on the ancestors of two German born brothers – Francis Xavier and Leopold Guth who settled in Clarion County, Pennsylvania in the mid 1800's. Over a two year period the family was extensively researched with the assistance of Ute Brandenburg the owner of German Script Experts. I am thrilled to finally share the validation of the original research completed by Jr. Janet Staab many years ago. The Guth Research Update Series will also feature previously unknown Guth family members.

Wedding Announcement: Joseph William Selker & Frances Philomena Guth 

The wedding announcement for the couple was published in The Clarion Democrat on Thursday, November 6, 1890 - Page 5:

The Clarion Democrat
Thursday, November 6, 1890 - Page 5

Wedding Photos: Frederick William Selker & Eleanor E. Herman 

A cousin graciously shared a photograph from the wedding of Frederick William Selker & Eleanor E. Herman. This photograph helped to identify a previously an unknown wedding snapshot that was also from the wedding of Frederick William Selker & Eleanor E. Herman.

1933 - Wedding of  Frederick William Selker & Eleanor E. Herman
Left to Right: Ambrose John Selker (Best Man, Brother of the Groom), Naomi Herman (Maid of Honor, Sister of the Bride), Frederick William Selker (Groom) and Eleanor E. Herman (Bride).

1945 - McDonald Family Gathering

The photographs from a McDonald family gathering in 1945 are some of my favorites. The photographs feature three generations of the McDonald family.

1945 - The McDonald Family
(Left to Right): Kathryn Joan McDonald, Mary Eugenia McDonald holding her son James Arthur Murosky, Barbara Jean Murosky, Charles Eugene McDonald, Eleanor Lucille McDonald holding Mary Helen Murosky.

Wedding Snapshots: Arthur Murosky & Mary Eugenia McDonald

My grandparents Arthur Murosky and Mary Eugenia McDonald were married on August 9, 1941. In addition to the formal portraits taken to commemorate the event - family members took snapshots the day of the wedding. The grouping of snapshots includes individuals from both sides of the family.

Flower Girls Marian Elaine Murosky and Dorothy Elizabeth McDonald

Wedding Portrait: Mary Selker & Bernard Martin Browsky

The formal wedding portrait of Mary Selker & Bernard Martin Browsky was an unknown portrait for several years. The portrait was from the Frances Philomena Selker Collection and the original is 8x10 – so I suspected this portrait was most likely a family member of Frances Philomena Selker.

The Matron of Honor, Anna Gertrude Selker, was the first individual identified. Last summer the Best Man, Frederick William Selker, was also identified. Last fall the wedding announcement for Mary Selker & Bernard Martin Browsky was located. From the wedding announcement: The bride was attended by her sister, Mrs. Ann Shannon of Brookville, and her brother, Frederick Selker, of Clarion, was Mr. Browsky's best man.

1932 - Wedding of Mary Selker & ernard Martin Browsky
Left to Right: Bernard Martin Browsky (Groom), Frederick William Selker (Best Man), Rev. A.A. Fisher, Anna Gertrude Selker (Matron of Honor). The Bride, Mary Selker, is seated.

Locating the wedding announcement solved the mystery of who the bride and groom were in the mystery wedding portrait and offered context to why Frances Philomena Selker had a copy of the portrait  – Mary Selker is her sister.

Unknown Photo Gallery - Additional Photographs Added 

The unknown Photo Gallery was updated with additional images. Each image has a caption that can be viewed in the individual page view. The caption will include any known details about the image. There are navigation arrows to the far left and right in the individual page view. When viewed from a computer - each image has a unique website address. That website address can be used to share a direct link to the image.

A sampling of photographs from the Unknown Collection:

Unknown Child
Cabinet Card

Unknown Girls
Photo may have been taken in Clarion, Clarion County, Pennsylvania

Unknown Girls Formal Portrait 
Weber Studios - Erie, PA

Unknown Couple
Label on Back: "This picture was taken in Meyersdale"

Unknown Girl

The family history research site has surpassed 125,000 page views! Thank you so much for Reading!

-Michelle

1930's - Frederick William Selker & Eleanor E. Herman

One of my favorite aspects of family history is connecting with cousins. A cousin I connected with earlier this year had this lovely snapshot in her care. She gave me permission to share the snapshot so that other Selker descendants may also enjoy the photograph. 

A snapshot of Frederick William Selker and Eleanor E. Herman most likely taken in the 1930's. The location of the photograph is unknown.

Frederick William Selker was born 15 October 1896 in Clarion, Clarion County, Pennsylvania. He was the son of Joseph William Selker and Frances Philomena Guth. Eleanor E. Herman was born 13 February 1910 in Clarion, Clarion County, Pennsylvania.

Frederick William Selker & Eleanor E. Herman

The photograph is from the Frederick William Selker Collection. Photographs in this collection were originally owned by the sisters Naomi Herman and Eleanor E. Herman. Today these photographs are in the care of a descendant of Frederick William Selker and Eleanor E. Herman. The photograph is shared with permission. Photographer Unknown. Editing and digital restoration by Michelle M. Murosky.

Joseph William Selker and Frances Philomena Guth are my 2nd great grandparents. Frederick William Selker is my 2nd Great Uncles. His sister Frances Philomena Selker is my great grandmother. Her daughter Mary Eugenia McDonald my paternal grandmother.

1933 - Frederick William Selker & Eleanor E. Herman

One of my favorite aspects of family history is connecting with cousins. A newly found cousin had this lovely snapshot in her care. She gave me permission to share the snapshot so that other Selker descendants may also enjoy it. 

A snapshot of Frederick William Selker and Eleanor E. Herman shortly after their wedding. The couple married  19 June 1933 in Clarion, Clarion County, Pennsylvania at the Immaculate Conception Church.

Frederick William Selker was born 15 October 1896 in Clarion, Clarion County, Pennsylvania. He was the son of Joseph William Selker and Frances Philomena Guth. Eleanor E. Herman was born 13 February 1910 in Clarion, Clarion County, Pennsylvania.

Frederick William Selker & Eleanor E. Herman

The photograph is from the Frederick William Selker Collection. Photographs in this collection were originally owned by the sisters Naomi Herman and Eleanor E. Herman. Today these photographs are in the care of a descendant of Frederick William Selker and Eleanor E. Herman. The photograph is shared with permission. Photographer Unknown. Editing and digital restoration by Michelle M. Murosky.

Joseph William Selker and Frances Philomena Guth are my 2nd great grandparents. Frederick William Selker is my 2nd Great Uncles. His sister Frances Philomena Selker is my great grandmother. Her daughter Mary Eugenia McDonald my paternal grandmother.

Wedding Photos: Frederick William Selker & Eleanor E. Herman

The wedding of Frederick William Selker and Eleanor E. Herman was held 19 June 1933 in Clarion, Clarion County, Pennsylvania at the Immaculate Conception Church.

Frederick William Selker was born 15 October 1896 in Clarion, Clarion County, Pennsylvania. He was the son of Joseph William Selker and Frances Philomena Guth. Eleanor E. Herman was born 13 February 1910 in Clarion, Clarion County, Pennsylvania.

Recently I had the opportunity to connect with some more Selker Cousins. The cousin, a descendant of Frederick William Selker and the Eleanor E. Herman, had a labeled copy of the wedding photograph below.

Wedding Party
Ambrose John Selker (Best Man, Brother of the Groom), Naomi Herman (Maid of Honor, Sister of the Bride), 
Frederick William Selker (Groom) and Eleanor E. Herman (Bride).
From the Frederick William Selker Collection

Using the known photograph from the wedding the photograph below was identified. The photograph was previously housed in the Unknown Photograph Collection. In addition to identifying the unknown wedding party - these are the first known photographs to exist of Ambrose John Selker.

Wedding Party

Ambrose John Selker (Best Man, Brother of the Groom), Naomi Herman (Maid of Honor, Sister of the Bride), 

Frederick William Selker (Groom), Eleanor E. Herman (Bride) Unknown Clergy, Unknown Clergy.

From the Frances Philomena Selker Collection

The top photograph is from the Frederick William Selker Collection. Photographs in this collection were originally owned by the sisters Naomi Herman and Eleanor E. Herman. Today these photographs are in the care of a descendant of Frederick William Selker and Eleanor E. Herman. The photograph is shared with permission. Photographer Unknown. Editing and digital restoration by Michelle M. Murosky.

The bottom photograph is from Frances Philomena Selker Collection. Frances Philomena Guth appears to have passed the photographs down to her daughter Frances Philomena Selker. Frances' daughter Mary Eugina McDonald ended up with her mother's photo collections which is time were handed down to me. Photographer Unknown. Editing and digital restoration by Michelle M. Murosky.

Joseph William Selker and Frances Philomena Guth are my 2nd great grandparents. Frederick William Selker and Ambrose John Selker are my 2nd Great Uncles. Their sister Frances Philomena Selker is my great grandmother. Her daughter Mary Eugenia McDonald my paternal grandmother