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

Wedding Announcement: Frederick William Selker & Eleanor E. Herman

Frederick William Selker, the son of Joseph William Selker and Frances Philomena Guth, married Eleanor E. Herman on 19 June 1933 in Clarion, Clarion County, Pennsylvania at the Immaculate Conception Church.

The wedding announcement for the couple was published in The Clarion Democrat on Thursday, June 22, 1933 - Page 1:

The Clarion Democrat
Thursday, June 22, 1933 - Page 1

Herman - Selker

One of the prettiest weddings held in Clarion this month was that solemnized at the Church of the Immaculate Conception on Monday morning, June 19, at 7 o'clock, when Miss Jeanne Eleanor Herman and  Mr. Frederic William Selker, both of Clarion, were joined in holy wedlock. Rev. Fr. A. A. Fisher performing the ceremony and reciting a Holy Nuptial Mass.

The attendants of the couple were Mr. Ambrose Selker, brother of the groom, and Miss Naomi Herman, sister of the bride.

The bride, who is a daughter of Mt. and Mrs. Paul Herman, of Eight Avenue Clarion, was attired in white satin gown with white net veil and carried a shower bouquet of white roses and lillies of the valley. Her bridesmaid, Miss Naomi Herman, wore a gown of pink net with white hat and accessories and carried a bouquet of pink roses and blue delphiniums. 

A very enjoyable wedding breakfast was served to 24 guests at the Greenawalt Inn, after which the bride and groom started on an eastern trip and will be home after July first at 620 Wood Street.

Their many friends and well-wishers in Clarion extend congratulations and best wishes for their future. 


A photograph of the wedding party was shared by a cousin. View the post Wedding Photos: Frederick William Selker & Eleanor E. Herman to learn more about the wedding and view other photographs taken that day.

Frederick William Selker & Eleanor E. Herman 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

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 and Ambrose John Selker are my 2nd Great Uncles. Frederick and Ambrose are the brothersof Frances Philomena Selker my great grandmother. My paternal grandmother, Mary Eugenia McDonald, is the daughter of Frances Philomena Selker.

 References:

1. Newspapers.com. The Clarion Democrat (Clarion, Pennsylvania). Thu, Nov 22, 1933 · Page 1. Image: https://www.newspapers.com/image/325158281 Downloaded on Sept 21, 2018.

Wedding Photos: Mary Selker & Bernard Martin Browsky

Mary Selker, daughter of Joseph William Selker and Frances Philomena Guth, was born August 15, 1902 in Clarion, Clarion County, Pennsylvania. She married Bernard Martin Browsky on October 24, 1932. Bernard Martin Browsky was born February 23, 1897.  The wedding took place at the Immaculate Conception Church in Clarion, Clarion County, Pennsylvania at 6:30 am. The officiant for the wedding was Rev. A. A. Fisher.

Mary Selker was attended by two of her siblings. Her sister Anna Gertrude Selker was the Matron of Honor. Anna Gertrude, the youngest daughter, was born August 11, 1907 in Clarion, Clarion County, Pennsylvania. Anna married Francis Thomas Shannon on August 21, 1928.

Mary's brother Frederick William Selker served as best man. Frederick William Selker was born October 15, 1896 in Clarion, Clarion County, Pennsylvania. He married Eleanor E. Herman on June 19, 1933.

When photographed Mary Selker was 30 years old and Bernard Martin Browsky was 35 years old. Matron of Honor Anna Gertrude Selker was 25 years old and  Best Man Frederick William Selker was 36 years old.

To view the wedding announcement for the couple visit the post Wedding Announcement: Mary Selker & Bernard Martin Browsky.

Wedding of Mary Selker & Bernard 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.

Wedding Snapshot
Selker Siblings: Frederick William Selker and Anna Gertrude Selker
The back of the photograph is stamped "Carl and Don Clarion, PA"

These photographs were included in the Frances Philomena Selker Collection. Frances Philomena Guth appears to have passed the photographs down to her daughter Frances Philomena Selker. Frances' daughter Mary Eugenia 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.

Frederick William Selker is my 2nd Great Uncle. Mary Selker and Anna Gertrude Selker are my 2nd Great Aunts. Frederick, Mary and Anna are the siblings of Frances Philomena Selker my great grandmother. My paternal grandmother, Mary Eugenia McDonald, is the daughter of Frances Philomena Selker.

Wedding Announcement: Mary Selker & Bernard Martin Browsky

Mary Selker, the daughter of Joseph William Selker and Frances Philomena Guth, married Bernard Martin Browsky on 24 October 1932 in Clarion, Clarion County, Pennsylvania at the Immaculate Conception Church.

The wedding announcement for the couple was published in The News-Harold (Franklin, Pennsylvania) on Monday, October 24, 1932- Page 9:

The News-Harold
Monday, October 24, 1932 - Page 9

Matrimonial
Browsky-Selker

A wedding of interest in Oil City took place at 6:30 o'clock this morning in the Church of the Immaculate Conception in Clarion, where Miss Mary Selker, daughter of Mrs. Frances Selker, became the bride of Bernard Browsky, of this city, son of Mrs. Eva Browsky, of 414 Bissell avenue. 

Rev. A.A. Fisher, pastor of the church, celebrated the nuptial mass. 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. 

The bride's gown was fashioned of white satin, and her veil of net was trimmed with lace and a cap of pearls. She carried a bridal bouquet of Calla lilies.

Her matron of honor wore satin in a pastel blue shade, with a short velvet jacket in a darker shade of blue. Her turban and slippers were in a corresponding shade. 

A wedding breakfast was served at the Anderson Hotel in Clarion after the ceremony, with covers laid for 24 at the bride's table. The table decorations for the breakfast were pink roses and ferns and placements of small blue and white baskets filled with nuts and mints. 

Mr. and Mrs. Browsky left later in the day for a motor trip to eastern cities, and on their return will reside at 230 Hoffman avenue. 

The bride is a graduate of the Immaculate Conception High School in Clarion, class of 1918. Mr. Browsky is employed by the National Pump and Machine Company in this city.

The guests from Oil City who attended the party were: Mrs. Eva Browsky, Mr. and Mrs. J.G. Nasky, Mr. and Mrs. C.P. Seimbida, Mr. and Mrs. C.A. Staab, and Mr. and Mrs. Joseph Browsky. Other out-of-town guests were Mr. and Mrs. Charles Lehman of Titusville, Mrs. Leonard Rabuse, of Brooklyn, N.Y., Mrs. Ann Shannon of Brookville; Mr. and Mrs. L.A. McDonald and family of Erie; Mr. and Mrs. Edward Selker of Arthursburg, N.Y.

The formal wedding portrait below was only partially identified. The Selker siblings Anna Gertrude Selker and Frederick William Selker were identified but the bride and groom remained unknown. The newspaper article for the wedding of Mary Selker & Bernard Martin Browsky mentioned the attendants by name. The description of the wedding dress and flowers from the article also aligns with the formal portrait.

Wedding of Mary Selker & Bernard 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.

Joseph William Selker and Frances Philomena Guth are my 2nd Great Grandparents. Their daughter Frances Philomena Selker is my great grandmother. Frances Philomena Selker is the mother of my paternal grandmother Mary Eugenia McDonald. Frederick William Selker is my 2nd Great Uncle. Mary Selker and Anna Gertrude Selker are my 2nd Great Aunts. 

 References:

1. Newspapers.com. The News-Herald (Franklin, Pennsylvania). Mon, Oct 24, 1932 · Page 9. Image: https://www.newspapers.com/image/81105496  Downloaded on Sept 21, 2018.. 

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.

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

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.

Wedding Portrait: Frances W. McDonald & Anthony Fromknecht

Frances Winifred McDonald and Anthony A. Fromknecht were married on September 14, 1946. The wedding took place in Erie, Erie County, Pennsylvania.  When the couple married Frances was 26 years old and Anthony was 31 years old.

Formal Wedding Portrait
Frances Winifred McDonald and Anthony A. Fromknecht
(L-R)  Unknown (Groomsman), Unknown (Groomsman), 
Mary Eugenia McDonald (seated Matron of Honor and Sister of the Bride), 
Anthony Fromknecht (Groom),  Frances Winifred McDonald (Bride), 
Loraine Anthony McDonald (Father of the Bride), 
Kathryn Joan McDonald (Bridesmaid and Sister of the Bride), Unknown (Groomsman),
Winifred O. Fromknecht (Bridesmaid and Sister of the Groom)

One interesting fact is that Kathryn Joan McDonald was the only unmarried attendant. May Eugenia McDonald, the sister of the bride, married Arthur Murosky on August 9, 1941. Winifred O. Fromknecht, the sister of the groom, married Homer H. Heberle on November 14, 193.

The couple applied for their marriage license on August 31, 1946 in Erie, Erie County, Pennsylvania. Their marriage license was issued on September 3, 1946.  The couple's marriage was recorded on September 14, 1946. The duplicate was returned September 16, 1946.

The application for marriage license offers some interesting details about the Anthony and Frances' life in 1946. The first page in the file is the Application for Marriage License.

Application for Marriage License for 
Anthony A. Fromknecht and Frances W. McDonald

Anthony was born January 23, 1915 in Erie, Erie County Pennsylvania. His father Joseph J. Fromknecht  was born in Erie, Erie County, Pennsylvania. His mother Mary Loesch was also born in Erie, Erie County, Pennsylvania. The marriage license application indicates that Anthony was working as switchboard installer. He was living at 3221 Old French Rd. Joseph J. Fromknecht was recorded as a laborer and Mary Loesch was recorded as a housewife.

Frances was born March 18, 1920 in Clarion, Clarion County, Pennsylvania. Her father Loraine Anthony McDonald Vowinkle, Clarion County, Pennsylvania. Her mother Frances Philomena Selker was born in Clarion, Clarion County, Pennsylvania. Loraine and Frances relocated to Erie, Erie County, Pennsylvania in the 1920's in search of work. The marriage license application indicates that Frances was working as a secretary. She was living in her parents home at 317 East 27th Street. Loraine Anthony McDonald was recorded as a laborer and Frances Selker was recorded as a housewife.

There are some known details about how Frances and Anthony met. Frances was friends with Anthony's sister Winifred O. Fromknecht. Winifred introduced her close friend to her brother.

The original copy of the wedding portrait is in the care of Janet Fromknecht the daughter of Frances W. McDonald and Anthony A. Fromknecht. From the Frances Winifred McDonald Collection. The photograph is shared with permission.  Photographer Unknown. Editing and digital restoration by Michelle M. Murosky.

Loraine Anthony McDonald and Frances Philomena Selker are my great grandparents. Frances W. McDonald and Kathryn Joan McDonald are my great-aunts. They are the the sisters of Mary Eugenia McDonald my paternal grandmother.

References:

1. "Pennsylvania, County Marriages, 1885-1950," database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/pal:/MM9.3.1/TH-1-159363-19641-74?cc=1589502 : 24 June 2016), 004480664 > image 634 of 834; county courthouses, Pennsylvania.
2. "Pennsylvania, County Marriages, 1885-1950", database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:VF73-L11 : 24 June 2016), Arthur J. Murosky and Mary Eugenia Mcdonald, 1941.
3. "Pennsylvania, County Marriages, 1885-1950", database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:KMC2-H39 : 24 June 2016), Homer H Heberle and Winifred O Fromknecht, 1943.

Wedding Photos: Harry A. Murosky & Ann Marie Edens

The wedding of Harry Anthony Murosky & Ann Marie Edens was held 12 May 1946 at St. Francis de Sales Catholic Church in Lumberton, Robeson County, North Carolina. The couple married after Harry returned from his service in the Army during WWII.

Harry Anthony Murosky was born 21 March 1921 in Erie, Erie County, Pennsylvania. He was the son of Anthony Harry Murosky, Jr. and Helen Tillie Bukowski. Ann Marie Edens, the daughter of Allen C. Edens and Hattie M. Allen, was born 12 May 1924 in Lumberton, Robeson County, North Carolina.

Wedding Snapshot
(Left to Right) Ann Marie Edens, Harry Anthony Murosky,
Hattie M. Allen (Ann's Mother), unknown woman.

Wedding Snapshot
(Left to Right )Helen Tillie Bukowski (Harry's mother), Ann Marie Edens, Harry Anthony Murosky, Hattie M. Allen (Ann's Mother), Allen C. Edens (Ann's Father).

The original photographs are in the care of Ann Marie Edens. The photographs have been shared with permission. Photographer Unknown. Editing and digital restoration by Michelle M. Murosky.

Helen Tillie Bukowski is my great grandmother. Harry Anthony Murosky is my Great Uncle. Harry's brother Arthur is my paternal grandfather. 

Wedding Snapshot: Rita Ann Murosky & Walter E. Niemi

A snapshot from the wedding of Rita Ann Murosky & Walter E. Niemi. The wedding was held October 4, 1947 in Erie, Erie County Pennsylvania. 

Rita Ann Murosky & Walter E. Niemi

Rita Ann Murosky is the daughter of Anthony Harry Murosky, Jr. and Helen Tillie Bukowski. Walter E. Niemi is the son of Matthew Niemi and Selma Wirtala.

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

Rita Ann Murosky is my great aunt. She is the sister of my paternal grandfather Arthur Murosky.

Anna Gertrude Selker - Wedding Attendant

November 9, 2018 Post Correction. The formal wedding portrait has been identified. For details on how the portrait was identified see the post Wedding Announcement: Mary Selker & Bernard Martin Browsky. The bride is Mary Selker and the Groom is Bernard Martin Browsky. The officiant is Rev. A.A. Fisher. 

April 28, 2018 Post Correction. The man in the second photograph has been identified. The post was updated to include his name. The man is Frederick William Selker the brother of Anna Anna Gertrude Selker.  Another Selker descendant had a copy of the photograph with the two siblings that was labeled. The Bride and Groom are still unknown.

Mary Selker, a daughter of Joseph William Selker and Frances Philomena Guth, was born August 15, 1902 in Clarion, Clarion County, Pennsylvania. She married Bernard Martin Browsky on October 24, 1932.

Frederick William Selker, a son of Joseph William Selker and Frances Philomena Guth, was born October 15, 1896 in Clarion, Clarion County, Pennsylvania. He married Eleanor E. Herman on June 19, 1933.

Anna Gertrude Selker, the youngest daughter of Joseph William Selker and Frances Philomena Guth, was born August 11, 1907 in Clarion, Clarion County, Pennsylvania. At age 21, she married Francis Thomas Shannon Sr. on August 21, 1928.

Anna is included in a series of unknown wedding photographs as a wedding attendant. The other individuals in the photographs are currently not identified. The back of one of the photographs is stamped "Carl and Don Clarion, Pa". The portrait has been identified as the wedding of Mary Selker and Bernard Martin Browsky.

Wedding of Mary Selker & Bernard 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.

Wedding Snapshot
Selker Siblings: Frederick William Selker and Anna Gertrude Selker
The back of the photograph is stamped "Carl and Don Clarion, PA"

These photographs were included in the Frances Philomena Selker Collection. Frances Philomena Guth appears to have passed the photographs down to her daughter Frances Philomena Selker. Frances' daughter Mary Eugenia 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.

Frederick William Selker is my 2nd Great Uncle. Mary Selker and Anna Gertrude Selker are my 2nd Great Aunts. Frederick, Mary and Anna are the siblings of Frances Philomena Selker my great grandmother. My paternal grandmother, Mary Eugenia McDonald, is the daughter of Frances Philomena Selker.

1942 - Wedding of Raymond H. Bukowski & Veronica A. Karpinski

Raymond H. Bukowski and Veronica A. Karpinski photographed on their wedding day. They were married June 6, 1942 in Erie, Erie County, Pennsylvania.

Raymond H. Bukowski, the son of John Frank Bukowski and Theresa Filipkowski, was born February 28, 1920 in Erie, Erie County, Pennsylvania. Veronica A. Karpinski, the daughter of Walter Karpinski and Veronica Smolenski, was born May 8, 1921 in Erie, Erie County, Pennsylvania.

Raymond and Veronica photographed on their wedding day

Their marriage license  application was filed on May 8, 1942 in Erie, Erie County Pennsylvania. The license was issued on May 11, 1942. Raymond was working as a welder was living at 629 East 21st Street. Raymond's father John Bukowski was also working as a welder. His mother Theresa is recorded as a housewife. Her maiden name is recorded as Filipowski. The marriage license indicates Raymond's parents were born in Erie, Erie County, Pennsylvania.

Veronica was living at 615 East 3rd Street. Her father Walter was recorded as a drill press operator. Her mother Veronica was recorded as a housewife. Her maiden name is recorded as Smolenski. The marriage license indicates Veronica's parents were born in Poland.

The couple were married June 6, 1942 and the duplicate record was returned June 8, 1942.

Application for Marriage License for
Raymond H. Bukowski and Veronica A. Karpinski 

The wedding 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.

Raymond H. Bukowski is my 1st cousin 2x. His father John Frank Bukowski is my 2nd great uncle. John Frank Bukowski is the brother of Helen Tillie Bukowski. Helen Tillie Bukowski is my great grandmother. 

References:

1. "Pennsylvania, County Marriages, 1885-1950," database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:VF7M-JQ8 : accessed 13 February 2016), Raymond H. Bukowski and Veronica A. Karpinski, 06 Jun 1942; citing Marriage, Pennsylvania, county courthouses, Pennsylvania; FHL microfilm 2,260,336.