Portraits of a Life

Old family photos are a treasure – the images have the ability to transport us to the moment in time when the photos were taken. We can learn so much - what our ancestors looked like, what they wore and how our families lived. Sometimes the emotions shine through – joy and sadness.  Sometimes we recognize similarities that pass down through several generations.

My family is very fortunate that we have a large collection of formal family portraits and snapshots.  When I was in college my grandfather entrusted his mother’s photo collection to me. My great grandmother Helen Tillie Bukowski was the original family historian. She took many photos of her children, her parents, her husband’s parents, her siblings, her husbands, her nieces and her nephews. There are hundreds of photos ranging from the early 1900’s through the 1950’s.  She also recorded the names and dates on many of the images. Her record keeping was impeccable and has assisted with identifying individuals in the unlabeled photos. In addition to several large albums there were also many loose photos, newspaper clippings and post cards.  She left so many clues – a roadmap to assembling our family history. An amazing perspective of their lifetime.

My Great Grandmother - Helen Tillie Bukowski - the original family historian

In 2011 I worked digitized the images.  A portion of these photos were published in Our Ancestors The Book: Volume I: The Murosky and Bukowski Family History. The book dedicated to my paternal grandfather, who was 92 at the time,is a 276 hard backed book featuring collection of family tree research, historical records and family photographs for the ancestral lines on the paternal side of the Murosky family. The Bukowski and Murosky families are featured. The book also features a collection of family recipes. A few samples from the book are shown below. To browse the book please view this 
link.

Earlier this spring I acquired another large collection of family photos. These include additional previously unknown photos from my great grandmother Helen Tillie Bukowski’s collection. My great grandmother Frances Philomena Selker’s photo collection was also included. Frances Philomena Selker was my paternal grandmother's mother. It was previously thought that almost no photos existed from this side of the family. Included are photos of her ancestors – the Selker, Guth and Loll families. There are also photos of her children – my grandmother’s generation and my father’s generation. This collection also includes several hundred photos.

I am starting a project called “Portraits of a Life."  The goal of this project is to digitize, archive, restore and share the large collection family photos. This will include the remaining photos from my great Grandmother Helen Bukowski's collection. This will also include the Frances Philomena Selker photo collection.

Family photos belong to all of the descendants - history is meant to be shared. To keep family updated on this project I will be providing regular blog updates with the leading title “Portraits of a Life”. Working to digitize the images is one of the most ambitious and complex projects I have undertaken.

As the caretaker my role is to preserve and share our family history for future generations.  Preserving our family history and allowing the legacy of my great grandmothers to live on is one of the more important things I have ever done in my life. I feel honored to have this role.

Philip Selker - Battle of Normandy Veteran

Special thanks to Leo Selker for contributions to this blog post. 

Philip Selker was born April 25, 1907 in Montabauer, Westerwald, Germany.  He was the son of Karl Friedrich Selker.  Philip became a tailor by trade.  The custom in Germany was for the oldest son to carry on the trade of the father.  Philip had to take on the trade of tailor when his older brother died. 

Philip was old enough to vote for German President Paul von Hindenburg in the 1925 election.  At age 21 Philip made the decision to leave Germany and immigrate to the United States. Philip explained that he made the decision to come to the United States because it offered a better life and opportunities than Germany had to offer at the time. On February 8, 1929 the vessel S.S. Hamburg set sail from Hamburg, Germany.

The S.S. Hamburg was a German Ocean liner built by the Blohm & Voss Shipbuilders and owned by the Hamburg America Line. The ocean liner was 21,132 gross register tons and 635 feet long. The ship had space for 222 first class passengers, 471 second class passengers and 456 third class passengers. 



S.S. Hamburg 

On February 19, 1929 Philip arrived at Ellis Island in New York aboard the ship Hamburg.  He said the ocean voyage was terrible.  He shared a cabin for four.  He was terribly seasick and the weather was quite stormy.  The ships manifest recorded Philip as age 21, occupation of tailor. His birth location and last residence are recorded as Montabaur, Germany.  A brochure advertising the ships service in 1938 is available at this link. 

After being processed at Ellis Island Philip Stopped in Clarion, Pennsylvania where he had family. His uncle Joseph William Selker was living in Clarion with his family. He was the owner of J.W. Selker & Cigar.  On July 5, 1906 Joseph returned to his home town of Fuersteanau, Germany. He took his son Frederick William Selker with him. On his return he brought two of his nieces back with him. One was Philomena Selker, daughter of  Gerhardt Selker and Mary Agnes Rakers, the other was Johanna Anna Selker, daughter of Karl Friedrich Selker and Margarita Wolf.

The meeting in Clarion was the first between brother and sister. Johanna arrived  July 5, 1906  before Philip was born.  After spending some time in Clarion Philip went on to Chicago, IL

 In Chicago he lived with a cousin who had immigrated in 1923.  Philip worked as a tailor for Marshall Fields for several years and eventually rising to the status of master tailor.  Philip became a naturalized citizen on March 4, 1936 at the U.S. District Court in Chicago, IL.

On January 25, 1944 Philip enlisted in the United States Army. He was assigned to the Infantry. He landed at Omaha Beach on June 7, 1944 on the second day of the invasion of the Allied Forces.  The following reading is recommend to provide perspective on what it must have been like to arrive on June 7.  Omaha Beach was still in a critical state. The men arriving in the second wave were faced with the causalities of the day before.

From the Daily Chronicle of the Battle for Normandy:

“At Omaha Beach, the situation of the 1st and 29th American divisions, having landed at dawn of the previous day, is more critical. By June 7th, these divisions control only a small amount of territory; as such, the risk of being pushed off the beaches from German counter attack remains high. To the east, at Sword, Juno and Gold, the British and Canadians, while their landings were also difficult, are having an easier time of things. The Canadians remain in control of Anisy and Cainet, having fought off a major counter attack by the 21st Pz Division the day before. By end of day, the 6th Airborne Division have managed to take bridges on the Orne river and have linked up with elements of the British 3rd Infantry Division at Sword Beach.”

From Normandy After D-Day: June 7-30, 1944 

“At Omaha, too, reinforcements began coming in to the beach before the sun rose above the horizon. Twenty-year-old Lt. Charles Stockell, a forward observer in the 1st Division, was one of the first to go ashore that day. Stockell kept a diary. He recorded that he came in below Vierville, that the skipper of the LCI (Landing Craft Infantry) feared the underwater beach obstacles and mines and thus forced him to get off in chest-deep water, that he saw equipment littering the beach, and then "The first dead Americans I see are two GIs, one with both feet blown off, arms wrapped about each other in a comradely death embrace." He was struck by the thought that "dead men everywhere look pathetic and lonely. You feel as if you would like them to be alive and the war over."

Stockell didn't get very far inland that morning. The front line, in fact, was less than a quarter of a mile from the edge of the bluff, running along a series of hedgerows outside Colleville. That was as far inland as Capt. Joseph Dawson, CO of G Company, 16th Regiment, 1st Division, had gotten on D-Day -- and Dawson had been the first American to reach the top of the bluff at Omaha. On June 7, he was fighting to secure his position outside Colleville, discovering in the process that he had a whole lot to learn about hedgerows.

The 175th Regiment of the 29th Division came in on schedule at 0630, June 7. But it landed two kilometers east of its intended target, the Vierville exit. Orders came to march to the exit. In a loose formation, the regiment began to march, through the debris of the previous day's battle. To Capt. Robert Miller, the beach "looked like something out of Dante's Inferno."

Sniper fire continued to zing down. "But even worse," according to Lt. J. Milnor Roberts, an aide to the corps commander, "they were stepping over the bodies of the guys who had been killed the day before and these guys were wearing that 29th Division patch; the other fellows, brand-new, were walking over the dead bodies. By the time they got down where they were to go inland, they were really spooked."

Philip saw action in France, Belgium, and Germany.  He was injured during the Bulge when his troop train was hit with artillery or rockets. Philip jumped clear of the train but the concussion from the blast blew out his ear drums. He lost all hearing on one side and suffered partial hearing loss in the other ear. Many men from his unit did not make it of the train. After recovering he later served in the Pacific Theater.

If another American soldier questioned Philip’s loyalty he was ready to fist fight with them.  One challenge for Philip during the war was his proximity to his hometown of Montabauer. He did not know the status of his German family. Were they safe? Were they injured?  He was also not permitted to have contact with them. Philip also had cousins who were fighting for the German Army. 

On December 7, 1945 Philip was released from his service.  He returned to Chicago, IL. In 1947 he opened his own tailor shop in northeast Chicago. He operated his shop until 1987. At age 83 he was still working in his shop 11 hours a day 6 days a week. Philip was a founding member of the Rheinischer Gesangverein Chicago (RGV).  The society was founded in 1933.  He has received the Deutscher Sangerbund Award and the Gold Pin in recognition of his continuous attendance and valued participation for 60 years of service.  He was known by the RGV as a loyal and vigorous member. He is remembered as one of the liveliest and most active singers.

Philip passed away on September 25, 2006 at age 99.  

References:

1. Ancestry.com. New York, Passenger Lists, 1820-1957 [database on-line]. Provo, UT, USA: Ancestry.com Operations, Inc., 2010. Year: 1929; Arrival: New York, New York; Microfilm Serial: T715, 1897-1957; Microfilm Roll: Roll 4433; Line: 4; Page Number: 209.
2. Ancestry.com. Passenger Ships and Images [database on-line]. Provo, UT, USA: Ancestry.com Operations Inc, 2007.
3. National Archives and Records Administration (NARA); Washington, D.C.; Soundex Index to Naturalization Petitions for the United States District and Circuit Courts, Northern District of Illinois and Immigration and Naturalization Service District 9, 1840-1950 (M1285); Microfilm Serial: M1285; Microfilm Roll: 158.
4. Ancestry.com. Cook County, Illinois Marriage Index, 1930-1960 [database on-line]. Provo, UT, USA: Ancestry.com Operations Inc, 2008.
5. Ancestry.com. U.S. Public Records Index, Volume 1 [database on-line]. Provo, UT, USA: Ancestry.com Operations, Inc., 2010.
6. Ancestry.com. U.S., Department of Veterans Affairs BIRLS Death File, 1850-2010 [database on-line]. Provo, UT, USA: Ancestry.com Operations, Inc., 2011.
7. Ancestry.com. U.S., Social Security Death Index, 1935-Current [database on-line]. Provo, UT, USA: Ancestry.com Operations Inc, 2011.
8. Individual - Sr. Janet Staub
9. Individual - Leo Selker

Bridge to the Past - DNA Testing Our Oldest Living Family Member

This spring my paternal grandfather had a milestone birthday – 95 years old. All four of his grandparents were immigrants who arrived in the United States in the 1890s.  His paternal grandparents, Anthony Murosky, Sr. and Eva Zielinski, arrived separately from Lithuania. The couple met in Forest City, Pennsylvania and were married.

His maternal grandparents, Vincent Bukowski and Franciska Kwiatkowski, came from Poland with three young children. These four individuals are currently the oldest known ancestors on his side of the family. These families unfortunately did not leave many clues behind. At this time there are no definitive information on what cities they were living in before departing for the United States.

The Test

In attempt to learn more about these families I tested my grandfather with the AncestryDNA kit. This DNA test looks at an individuals’ autosomal DNA. The autosomal DNA provides an understanding of the individual’s inheritance as it will show DNA inherited from their mother and father. 

My grandfather is the oldest living person in the family on his paternal and maternal sides. He is the closest link to the oldest known ancestors. When evaluating his results there are only four starting variables - making it plausible to learn more about each of the four lines he descends from.

The AncestryDNA test kit arrived shortly after ordering by mail. The instructions are easy to follow. The kit arrives with a bar code, which needs to be activated online. A saliva sample is collected from the test individual. The sample is then placed in the pre-paid mailer provided in the kit. Simply place the sample in the mailer and take it to the post office to send it in. The test lab uses the activated bar code and never knows the name of the individual tested .  The bar code system is one of the methods AncestryDNA uses to protect the identity of individuals tested.  To learn more about the AncestryDNA privacy policies please visit this link. Once the sample is received at the laboratory for processing Ancestry.com (Ancestry) will send you a notification.

The Process

Ancestry has developed 26 ethnicity regions.  Each of these regions has a DNA reference panel. Ancestry sequences the DNA sample and runs numerous separate analyses to compare the sample to reference panels for each of the 26 regions. The goal of the analysis is to identify how the sample compares to the typical person living in the regions. The results determine which combination of the ethnicity regions makes up the DNA of the test individual.

The Results

The results indicate that my grandfather is 100% Eastern European. A 100% match to one region is rare but occasionally occurs. The results suggest that his ancestors lived in the same location for several generations.

The countries in the Ancestry Eastern European Group include:  Poland, Slovakia, Czech Republic, Austria, Russia, Hungary, Slovenia, Romania, Serbia, Ukraine, Belarus, Moldova, Lithuania, Latvia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Croatia.

Linking Family

After DNA for an individual is tested, AncestryDNA begins to search the DNA database (which grows each day) to identify other individuals with similar genetic markers. These individuals may be parents, grandparents or cousins. The process used will attempt to predict the relationship between the individual tested and the DNA match.

It is highly recommended that the DNA sample be linked to an individual in a family tree. Using data from the family trees it is possible to identify the common ancestor between the individual tested and the match. In some cases the common ancestor may be unknown. Working together the researcher and match may be able to identify the ancestral line and/or the common ancestor that links the two individuals together.

Making Connections

After reviewing the results the next step is to begin to review the AncestryDNA matches to determine if it is possible to identify the ancestral line and/or the common ancestor between the tested individual and the match. What is very exciting is my grandfather has several matches – meaning he shares a common ancestor with other individuals that have been tested.

2nd cousins

In my grandfather's results the first grouping of matches identifies 2nd cousins. The current results have identified two second cousin's with my grandfather. In this example Vincent Bukowski and Franciska Kwiatkowski are the common ancestors. The two cousins are descendants of Catherine Bukowski - my grandfather's aunt.

4th cousins

The next grouping of matches in my grandfather's results identifies potential 4th cousins. This grouping is very interesting as it identifies a relationship between one of my grandfather's unknown ancestors and the individual with the match.  The common ancestor could be my grandfather's 3rd great grandparent or 4th great grandparents who was most likely in Lithuania or Poland (but could also have been living in one of the other countries in the Eastern European group).

This example of a 4th cousin match is best illustrated by the graphic below. The green boxes represent known information:  my grandfather, his parents and his grandparents. The white boxes represent my grandfather’s unknown ancestor’s line. The red box represents the ancestor that is the link between the test individual and the match.  The grey boxes represent the connections between the common ancestor and the match. The blue box represents the match. In some cases the match may know the names of the individual who populate the grey boxes and possibly the red box. In other cases they may not.

 

I am currently working with some of these 4th cousin matches in attempt determine which of the four lines the match occurs on. These matches may provide some insight into what regions the families may be from. In time these matches could also uncover additional ancestors.

It should also be noted that the match could be another variation which places the test individual and the match the same number of degrees away from each other. Fourth cousins are 10 degrees apart. What do the degrees mean? The degrees compared to the graphic above are listed below.

• Individual Tested - 0 degrees
• Parent - 1 degree
• Grandparent - 2 degrees
• Great-grandparent - 3 degrees
• Great-great grandparent - 4 degrees
• Great-great-great-grandparent - 5 degrees [The common ancestor]
• Great-great grand (Aunt or Uncle) - 6 degrees
• 1st cousin (3x removed) - 7 degrees
• 2nd cousin (2x removed) - 8 degrees
• 3rd cousin (1x removed) - 9 degrees
• The Match - 10 degrees.

Other relationship types that are 10 degrees apart include: 3rd cousin (2x removed) and 2nd cousin (4x removed). The match could also be to a 5th cousin. To lean more about cousin relationships view the blog post First Cousin 2x Removed, Second Cousin - What does it mean?

Distant cousins

The third grouping is for matches that may be 5th cousins or greater. For individuals with tree details for several generations it might be possible to identify the common ancestor. In my grandfather's case, with limited knowledge, it may be difficult to understand the common ancestor or line.

To learn more about the Ancestry.com DNA test works please visit this link.

Michael McDonald & Anna Haggerty - Golden Wedding Celebration

The joy of family tree research is meeting wonderful researchers who are so kind as to share their findings. The findings enrich the perspectives we have of our ancestors.

Recently I had this experience. I connected with another researcher, Mr. Cary Christopher, who has been so kind as to share his research on the McDonald line.  I am so grateful that he was willing to share his findings. We all owe him a debt of gratitude.

The following sequence of photos were taken at the Golden Wedding anniversary of Michael McDonald and Anna Haggerty.  Some family members traveled Vowinckel to attend the celebration. The photos are taken in  front of Michael McDonald and Anna Haggerty's home in Vowinckel, Clarion County, Pennsylvania. One of the photos contains a caption which indicates Summer 1916.


Michael McDonald and Anna Haggerty with 10 of their 15 children. This photo includes a description which named the individuals.

Back row: Ambrose Aloysius McDonald, Robert Alphonsus McDonald (my 2^nd great grandfather), Leo Benedict McDonald, Jerome McDonald, Patrick J. McDonald
Middle: Clara Loretta McDonald, Sister Alfrida [Mary Elizabeth McDonald], Mary Rebecca McDonald, John McDonald, Michael Burke McDonald
Front: Michael McDonald and Anna Haggerty



Using the known names from the photo above I have attempted to identify some of the individuals in the photo. Their first names are recorded above. More details are listed below.

John McDonald is to the far left (the tallest) with the bow tie below the window.
Michael McDonald is in the center of the photo with the hat, beard and cane
Anna Haggerty is to the right of Michael.
Jerome McDonald is standing to the lower left of Michael.
Robert A. McDonald is standing to the upper right of Michael looking down.
Winifred Agnes O'Neill, the wife of Robert A. McDonald may possible be standing to the back behind Anna.
Sr. Alfrieda [Mary Elizabeth McDonald] is to the right of Anna Haggerty.
Mary Rebecca appears to be standing in the back behind Sr. Alfrida.
Ambrose A. McDonald is holding a baby - his wife Gertrude O'Neill may be next to him. the baby is likely Helen McDonald, Ambrose's daughter.
Patrick J. McDonald is seated to the far left.
Michael Burke McDonald is seated at the front with the mustache just below the children.
Leo Benedict McDonald is seated to the right of Michael Burke.
Clara Loretta McDonald is seated to the right of Leo Benedict McDonald.






























The final photo contains may people. Michael McDonald and Anna Haggerty are seated at the front of the photo. Michael McDonald can be identified with his beard and cane. Anna Haggerty is to his right.

Virginia McDonald believes she is the small girl wearing the headband at the front of the photo. John McDonald's daughter may be to the left of Anna Haggerty. Ambrose McDonald is barely visible behind baby Helen at the front of the photo.

Virginia recalled attending the party as a small child when her sister Helen McDonald was a baby. Sr. Alfrieda traveled to the party with a companion, Sr. Dorothy is included in the photo.

Murosky Family - New Relatives Discovered

Recently the Ancestry.com databases were updated to include the more than 2 million Pennsylvania Death Certificates from 1906-1924. The database included information on several Bukowski family members I knew of. The database included information on several Bukowski relatives that were previously not known. Tragically, many of these were children who died young.

Existing family members with new information:

George Murosky was the son of my great grandparents Helen Tillie Bukowski and Anthony Harry Murosky, Jr. George was born June 1, 1918 and died June 2, 1918. The cause of death indicates he was premature. Helen would have been 17 when George was born. He was buried in Trinity Cemetery, Erie, Erie County, Pennsylvania.

On George's death certificate his name is recorded as George Moraswki. His father signed the death certificate as Antoni Morawski.

Florence Murosky was daughter of my great grandparents Helen Tillie Bukowski and Anthony Harry Murosky, Jr. Florence was born March 28, 1922 and died June 6, 1922. The cause of death indicates she was premature at 7 months gestation.. She was buried in Trinity Cemetery, Erie, Erie County, Pennsylvania.

On Florence's death certificate her name is recorded as Florentina Murawski. The father's name indicates Antoni Murawski but is signed by Anthony as Anthony Muroski - a shift in spelling closer to what we see today. Note the handwriting between the recordings of the two names is different.

Both of Helen's children do not have a tombstone because my great grandparents did not have the money to purchase a stone for their graves. Helen's daughter Rita indicated her mother went often to see the graves of her deceased children.


New Relatives Discovered:

Frank Murosky is a previously unknown child to my 2nd great grandparents Anthony Murosky Sr. and Eva Zielinski. Frank was born June 18, 1907 and died October 26, 1907.  The cause of hisdeath is listed as intestinal obstruction. He was buried at St. Agnes Cemetery, Forest City, Susquehanna County, Pennsylvania.

Frank's name is recorded as Frank Moroski. His fathers name is recorded as Anthony Moroski. His death certificate is significant as it is the first recorded instance of Eva's surname. The birth certificate indicates the family was from Russia, in 1907 Lithuania was part of Russia.

Raymond Chanis is a previously unknown child to John Chanis and Margaret Murosky, my 2nd great aunt. Raymond was born November 4, 1917 and died August 10, 1918. The cause of death indicates he died from Gastroenteritis. He was buried in St. Anthony Cemetery, Forest City, Susquehanna County, Pennsylvania.

On Raymond's death certificate Margaret's name is recorded as Margaret Muraski.

References:

1. Ancestry.com. Pennsylvania, Death Certificates, 1906-1924 [database on-line]. Provo, UT, USA: Ancestry.com Operations, Inc., 2014.

Bukowski Family - New Relatives Discovered

Recently the Ancestry.com databases were updated to include the more than 2 million Pennsylvania Death Certificates from 1906-1924. The database included information on several Bukowski family members I knew of. The database included information on several Bukowski relatives that were previously not known. Tragically, many of these were children who died young.

Existing family members with new information:

Teo Fila Bukowski, my 2nd great aunt, was the oldest sister of my great grandmother Helen Tillie Bukowski. We always knew that she died after giving birth to her last child. Her death date was previously unknown. Her death certificate was included in the data base, she died on January 22, 1915. She died due to complications from her pregnancy. Her baby, listed as Baby Gaczkowski,  boy died the day after he was born January 18, 1915. The death certificate indicates the baby was born prematurely. Both mother and son were buried at Trinity Cemetery, Erie, Erie County, Pennsylvania.

Richard Pietrzak was the son of my 2nd great aunt Clara T. Bukowski and her husband Stanley Pietrzak. Clara T. Bukowski was the great grandmother Helen Tillie Bukowski's younger sister. Richard was 5 months old when he died from colitis and meningitis. He was buried October 4, 1924 in Trinity Cemetery, Erie, Erie County, Pennsylvania

On Richard's death certificate Clara is recorded as Clara Bukowska, using the Polish form of the surname.

New Relatives Discovered:

Josefa Bukowski is a previously unknown child to my 2nd great grandparents Vincinety Frank Bukowski and Franciska Kwiatkowski. Josefa was born July 29, 1908 and died January 11, 1909. The cause of her death is listed as acute indigestion. She was buried at Trinity Cemetery, Erie, Erie County, Pennsylvania.

Edward Bukowski is a previously unknown child to my 2nd great grandparents Vincinety Frank Bukowski and Franciska Kwiatkowski. Edward was born February 11, 1911 and died February 12, 1911. Edward was 9 days old when he died of gastroenteritis and bronchitis. He was buried at Trinity Cemetery, Erie, Erie County, Pennsylvania.

What is most significant about both death certificates for these previously unknown children is it lists the surname for Franciska. Previously the name Kwiatkowski had not been located in any historical records

Baby Bukowski, was born to Gustave Joseph Bukowski and Elsie Gaczkowski. Gustave was my 2nd great uncle and the brother of my great grandmother Helen Tillie Bukowski. Baby Bukowski was a female born stillborn January 10, 1924. She was buried at Trinity Cemetery, Erie, Erie County, Pennsylvania. Her death certificate provided the surname of her mother, Elsie, which was previously unknown.

Note some of these death certificates indicate the deceased were buried at the Old Polish Cemetery. The Old Polish Cemetery was originally the cemetery for St. Stanislaus Church. The cemetery is known today as Trinity Cemetery.

References:

1. Ancestry.com. Pennsylvania, Death Certificates, 1906-1924 [database on-line]. Provo, UT, USA: Ancestry.com Operations, Inc., 2014.

Military Veterans - World War II

To properly honor the military veterans in the family the original post has been relocated to the Military Veterans page.  

Family Photo: Robert A. McDonald & Winifred A. O'Neill 50th Wedding Anniversary

These photos were taken at their 50th wedding anniversary celebration in 1945. The couple was married June 23, 1895. Robert Alphonsus McDonald was 77 years old and Winifred Agnes O'Neill was 70 years old on their wedding anniversary.

Robert was born September 27, 1867 the son of Michael McDonald and Anna Haggerty. Winifred was born September 3, 1874 the daughter of two Irish immigrants - Michael O'Neill and Ellen Cunningham.

 My 2nd great grandparents, Robert Alphonsus McDonald and Winifred Agnes O'Neill are on the right side of the photo between the two members of clergy. The woman to the right with the hat ruffled shirt is Caroline Loretta O'Neill.

The back row: Caroline Loretta O'Neill, Eleanor Monica O'Neill,  Gertrude Anna O'Neill, Alice Grace O'Neill, Ambrose Aloysius McDonald
The front row: Sr. Alfrieda (Anna Elizabeth McDonald), Robert Alphonsus McDonald, Winifred Agnes O'Neill, one of Robert & Winifred's granddaughters.

Sr. Aldfrieda (Anna Elizabeth McDonald), Robert Alphonsus McDonald,  Ambrose Aloysius McDonald, Gertrude Anna O'Neill

The women are listed with their maiden names.

Caroline Loretta O'Neill, Winfred O'Neill's youngest sister and my 3rd great aunt. Caroline affectionately known as "Aunt Carrie" to family members. Caroline would have been 57 in this photo. Caroline never married.

Eleanor Monica O'Neill was Winifred O'Neill's sister and my 3rd great aunt. She married James M. Mullen.

Gertrude Anna O'Neill was Winifred O'Neill's sister and my 3rd great aunt. She married Robert McDonalds's brother Ambrose Aloysius McDonald. Gertrude O'Neill and Ambrose McDonald are the parents of Virginia McDonald. Learn more about Virginia.

Sr. Alfrieda (Anna Elizabeth McDonald) was the sister of Robert McDonald and Ambrose. McDonald She was also my 3rd great Aunt.

The History of Butler County Pennsylvania - R.C. Brown & Co. Publishers

Thomas Haggerty, my 5th great grandfather, and his family are included in the The History of Butler County Pennsylvania by R.C. Brown & Co. Publishers published in 1895. The excerpts featuring the family faced are included below.

Chapter IV: The Pioneers, Page 48

Taxables of 1803 Butler Township:
Thomas Haggerty
300 acres, 1 cow, 2 horses,  $171 Valuation, $52 Tax

Chapter V: Pioneer Reminiscences, Page 71

From the beginning of 1800 to December 2, 1803, the sum of $494.03 was paid out on wolf orders. From April 5, 1825, to May 10, 1831, there were only $412.97 paid out on warrants for wolf scalps. The names of the recipients of this money are given as follows: Philip Ililliard, David Say, John Ekas, John Pollock, Elisha Baker and John Woods, in 1825; Neal Strawick and William Thompson in 1826; David Cypher in 1827; Robert Sloan in 1828; Jacob Ekas and Elisha Milliard in 1829 : George W. Smith, William Thompson and William McQuistion in 1830, and Thomas Hagerty, Jr., in 1831.

Thomas Hagerty, Jr. is the son of Thomas Haggerty.

Chapter XLIL: Donegal Township, Page 506

Most of the pioneers, as the names given indicate, were either natives of Ireland, or the descendants of Irishmen, the majority of them coming from Donegal county, Ireland. They embraced, besides those already named, such well-known families as the Dugans, McCues, O'Donnells, Boyles, McFaddens, Blacks, Haggertys, Stewarts. Malonevs, McClungs, Breadens and Hunters.

Chapter XLIL: Donegal Township, Page 509

The following roll shows the heads of families belonging to St. Patrick's congregation, all residents of Butler county in 1803: Patrick Bovle, Archibald Black, Eleanor Coyle, John Coyle, Matthias Cypher, Mary Ann Cypher, Michael Carvan, Peter Croosiks, James Denny, Hugh Dugan, Michael Dugan, Thomas Dugan, Denis Dugan, Neil Dugan, Andrew Dugan, John Durneigh or Durney, George Dougherty, John Duffv, John Empich, Edward Ferry, John Forquer, John Gillespie, Hugh Gillespie. John Gallagher, Peter Gallagher, Hugh Gallagher, Robert Hanlen, William Hanlen, Sr., Moses Hanlen (buried in the old city cemetery at Butler) , Robert Harkins, William Hanlen. Jr., Charles Hunter, Jacob Harshman, Thomas Hagerty, Xoble Hunter, Patrick Lafferty, John McGinley, Patrick McBride, Charles McCue, Patrick McLaughlin, Neil Murray, Daniel McCue, Hugh McElroy (a friend of Washington). Neil McLafferty. Manus McFadden, John McGee, Dominick O'Cull, Patrick O'Farren, Connell and Dennis O'Donnell, Arthur O'Donnell, Connell Rogers, Charles Sweeney, Jeremiah Callahan, Patrick Fitzsimmons, John O'Hara. David Boyle, Francis Boyle, Edward Burns, James Burns, Charles Duffy (who lived on the Donegal-Clearrield line), Daniel Dougherty, John Green, Philip Hartman (a soldier of the Revolution), Bernard Hagen, Bernard McGee, Hugh McGee, Jr.. Edward Quinn, John Quinn, Joseph Bleakney. William Collins. John Conley, James Hagerty, Patrick McAnally, Daniel McDade, Hugh Murrin, James Murrin, William McLaughlin, and, it is said. John Slator, a soldier of the Revolution.

The great majority of these pioneers resided within the original township of Donegal ; but, as its territory was reduced by the establishment of new townships, so was the number of the resident Catholics in Donegal—the two churches of Butler, the three of Oakland, St. John's of Clearfield, St. Mary's of Summit, the church at Millerstown, that at Petrolia and that at Murrinsville. with other churches in adjoining counties, claiming many of the grand-children of the pioneers.

James Hagerty is the son of Thomas Hagerty.

Chapter LXXIL: Biographical Sketches, Page 961

Mr. Brownfield was married November 20, 1868, to Mrs. Ellen Jane Griffin, a daughter of Thomas and Catherine Haggerty.

Thomas Hagerty, Jr. is the son of Thomas Haggerty.

Reference:

1. Brown, R. C. & Co. Publishers (1805). History of Butler County, Pennsylvania. Link: https://archive.org/details/historyofbutlerc00inbrow

November 1881 Diphtheria Outbreak Farmington Pennsylvania

November 29, 2015. The children of Thomas Haggerty have been updated. Daughter Ann L. was previously included in the deaths. 

This article was prepared by guest author Benjamin Patrick Norris a great grandson of James Hagerty.

By the time of late autumn 1881, Farmington Township, Clarion County, Pennsylvania the land that had been the Wilderness was becoming tamed by the constant labor of the earlier settlers including the Haggerty and McDonald families. Successful crops had been planted, horses and cattle were surviving, a permanent church building had been built, and most important children were born and surviving.

James Hagerty had married Mary Kerr and they now had four children. His brother Thomas C. Hagerty and wife Bridget McDonald had seven, with three healthy teen age sons who could help their father with clearing the first growth timber which still dominated the landscape, planting and harvesting the crops. James’ sister Anna Haggerty and her husband Michael McDonald had numerous children and were successfully running newly cut timber down the Clarion River.

Tragedy struck this extended family in the late autumn of 1881in the form of diphtheria. None knew what was the cause of this malady. The previously healthy children would develop symptom of sore throat, nasal congestion and fever. Within a few hours a membrane would develop that prevented the patient from breathing, causing a slow and painful strangulation. In addition, toxin developed in the sufferer’s system that caused organ failure.

In that era nothing could be done to aid the sufferer.  The diphtheria bacterium was first identified in the 1880’s around the time of this outbreak. Medicine had no idea what caused the spread of the disease. In France Louis Pasteur advance the “germ” theory of communicable disease, But this was largely dismissed by the medical establishment.

Thomas Haggerty’s family suffered the worse. Of his seven children, four died - John B. Haggerty died at age 15, Rebecca died at age 9, Mary E. age 6 and Thomas C. Haggerty died at age 5. Only three children survived. His wife Bridget McDonald went into a state of despair, spending her days sitting on a box in the cemetery, mourning her lost children who had been buried in mass grave at St. Mary’s cemetery.

Anna Haggerty and Michael McDonald lost two sons. Their oldest son Andrew McDonald age 19 and James Augustine McDonald age 10.

Jeremiah Haggerty’s family was also devastated. Several children - Jane C. died at age 8, Thomas L. died at age 2, and tragically Fredrick died as an infant in 1882. Jeremiah died as well leaving behind his wife Magdalena "Lena" Bostaph and four young children. Jeremiah lived in Farmington Township, Clarion County, Pennsylvania. It is plausible that Jeremiah Haggerty may be related to Robert Haggerty (the father of James, Anna and Thomas C.) but at this point a family connection has not been identified.

Between the Haggerty and McDonald a total of ten family members died.

Only James Haggerty's family was spared. Why?? James tended the sick, buried the dead, and took care of the farm animals. He isolated his family from all contact with the community. He alone went out. When he returned home he would go to the barn, strip and place his clothing in boiling water and bathe himself before returning to the house.

How did James know to do this when the medical establishment did not understand the simple rules of decontamination which we practice today. We have no idea. Did he have an understanding of disease that was ahead of his time? Was he following a ritualistic purification procedure whose origin we do not understand? Or was it just pre common sense. Unfortunately, we will never know. Nevertheless, his whole family was spared the ravages of diphtheria.

Note:

1. James Hagerty opted to spell the name Hagerty and opposed to Haggerty using one “G”. All other descents of Robert Haggerty spelled the name with two "G's".

2. For more information about Jeremiah Haggerty and his descendants: http://freepages.genealogy.rootsweb.ancestry.com/~bajclark/Jeremiah.html

References:

1. Saint Marys Cemetery - Crown, Pennsylvania.  http://findagrave.com/cgi-bin/fg.cgi?page=cr&CRid=366360&CScn=Saint+Marys+Cemetery+&CScntry=4&CSst=40&CSsr=21&
2. Hagerty Family Stories passed down to Benjamin Norris

Wedding Portraits: Anthony Harry Murosky, Jr. & Helen Tillie Bukowski

My great grandparents, Anthony Harry Murosky, Jr. and Helen Tillie Bukowski on their wedding day September 3, 1917. The couple was married at St. Stanislaus Church in Erie, Erie County, Pennsylvania. Helen was 16 and Anthony was 22.


 

 

Anthony the son of a Lithuanian immigrant father was born October 11, 1895 in Forest City, Susquehanna County, Pennsylvania. He traveled to Erie, Pennsylvania in search of work where he met Helen, the daughter of Polish immigrants.

For their honeymoon the couple traveled to Forest City by train to spend time with Anthony's family. The young couple lived in the attic of Helen's parents house when they were first married.

Photos: Anthony Murosky, Sr. & the Coal Mines of Forest City, Pennsylvania

My 2nd great grandfather, the Lithuanian immigrant Anthony Murosky, Sr., worked in the coal mines of Forest City, Pennsylvania. We are extremely fortunate to have a few photos that were taken of the men working in the 1920's. To learn more about Anthony Murosky, Sr. read the blog post The First Father - Anthony Murosky, Sr. 

My 2nd great grandfather - the Lithuanian immigrant Anthony Murosky, Sr. worked in the coal mines of Forest City, Pennsylvania.

My 2nd great grandfather on the left- the Lithuanian immigrant Anthony Murosky, Sr. worked in the coal mines of Forest City, Pennsylvania. The other individuals are unknown. The handwriting is my great grandmother Helen's - Gerald may have been a friend or an extended relative.

Workers at the coal mines in Forest City, Pennsylvania. My 2nd great grandfather the Lithuanian immigrant Anthony Murosky, Sr. stands along on the bottom row.

My great grandfather - Anthony Harry Murosky, Jr. as a child worked with his father Anthony Murosky, Sr. in the coal mines of Forest City, Pennsylvania. The following link has an image of Anthony Harry Murosky, Jr. as an adult. Photo: Anthony Harry Murosky, Jr.

St. Mary's Cemetery: Crown, PA - McDonald Direct & Indirect Ancestors

On July 2, 2012 I visited the St. Mary's Cemetery in Crown, PA with my father and my aunt.  The Cemetery is adjacent to St. Mary's Church. On July 9, 2013 I visited the cemetery a second time with my Benjamin Norris, my 3rd cousin 2x removed. Benjamin was an excellent tour guide - providing family stories and history during our tour.

St. Mary's Cemetery is the final resting place for many direct ancestors, their siblings and their children. The older section of the cemetery is directly behind the church, to the left in the above photo.

The final resting place of my third great uncle, James McDonald. James served as a Corporal in the Civil War. Learn more about his military service in this blog post Military Veterans and Civil War Veterans.

The final resting place of my 3rd great grandparents, Michael McDonald and Anna Haggerty. Anna was the daughter of Robert H. Haggerty and Rebecca M. Easly. You can read Michael's obituary at this blog post: Michael McDonald Obituary

The final resting place of my third great uncle, Andrew McDonald. Andrew served as a in the Civil War. Learn more about his military service in this blog post Military Veterans and Civil War Veterans.

Michael McDonald and Anna Haggerty tragically lost two sons during the diphtheria outbreak of 1881. Andrew McDonald was 16 and James Augustine McDonald was age 10. Michael's sister Bridget McDonald who married Anna Haggerty's brother Thomas C. Haggerty also lost two sons - John B. Haggerty age 15 and Thomas C. Haggerty age 5.

James McDonald son of Peter McDonald and Mary Ann McAvoy died on December 26, 1876 at age 4. This small child is an example of a family member that was only discovered by visiting the cemetery. He was born and died between census years. Peter McDonald is my 3rd great grand uncle and is the brother of Michael McDonald my 4rd great grandfather.

St. Mary's Cemetery: Crown, PA - Haggerty Direct & Indirect Ancestors

On July 2, 2012 I visited the St. Mary's Cemetery in Crown, PA with my father and my aunt.  The Cemetery is adjacent to St. Mary's Church. On July 9, 2013 I visited the cemetery a second time with my Benjamin Norris, my 3rd cousin 2x removed. Benjamin was an excellent tour guide - providing family stories and history during our tour.

St. Mary's Cemetery is the final resting place for many direct ancestors, their siblings and their children. The older section of the cemetery is directly behind the church, to the left in the above photo.

The final resting place of my 4th great grandfather Robert H. Haggerty.

The final resting place of my 4th great grand mother Rebecca M. Easly. She is buried adjacent to her husband Robert H. Haggerty.

The name Hagerty is displayed on a very large tombstone. The large tombstone was purchased by Robert Aloysius Haggerty for his mother and his siblings. Robert Aloysius Haggerty was the son of James Haggerty and Mary Kerr, grandson of Robert H. Haggerty and Rebecca M. Easly. He opted to spell the Haggerty name as Hagerty, using only one G.