Happy Birthday Mom!

Things are very busy in my life these days, but I couldn't let today go by without remembering my mom. Happy Birthday Mom!

Last Days of Summer

In honor of Labor Day weekend, the traditional end-of-summer-holiday-weekend, here is a photo of my mom, Ann Skrobul, with some friends at a beach in Chicago. This picture was probably taken in the 1940s.

From left to right: Claire, Ann Skrobul, Stella Gordon, and Alvina.

Irish Fest 2009

Milwaukee’s Irish Fest is this weekend! It is a great festival, with music, shopping and even a genealogy tent. I have been going to Irish Fest every August for many years. I discovered some of my favorite music groups there, including Gaelic Storm and Schooner Fare.

There are more than 10 stages featuring performances of all types of Irish music, Irish dance, and theatre. There are also areas devoted to Irish sports, language, history and culture.

If you are going to be anywhere in the Midwest this weekend, I strongly encourage you to visit Irish Fest. If you can't make it this year, start planning now to attend next year.

Owen Gary Affidavit

Here is a transcript of the affidavit of a neighbor of Patrick Whelan's.

General Affidavit.
State of Illinois}
County of Cook} SS.

In the matter of the Claim for pension of Patrick Whalin late Co. “G”-90 Ill. Vols.

Personally came before me, a Notary Public in and for the County and State aforesaid, Owen Gary aged 60 years, residing at 115 E. Huron St. Chicago Ill. a person of lawful age, who, being duly sworn declares in relation to the aforesaid claim, as follows:

I have been well and intimately acquainted with the above named claimant for the past thirty years. Ever since his discharge from the U.S. service claimant has been troubled with a gun shot wound of left leg, which has disabled him from one half to two thirds of his time for the performance of manual labor. For the past five years he has been getting more and more disabled by reason of said wound, until now he is almost entirely disabled for the performance of manual labor by reason of said wound.
I make this statement from personal knowledge and observation owing to my long and intimate acquaintance with claimant having worked with him frequently and seen him almost daily.

Owen Gary

Fannie Lynch Deposition 2

Here is another deposition in the Civil War pension case of Patrick Whelan. This one provides much of the same information as previous ones did.

In the matter of Mary J. Whalin wid. of Patrick Whalin “G” 90 Ill Inft for Pension
Personally came before me, a Notary Public in and for aforesaid County and State Fannie E. Lynch (Names of Witnesses, two or more.) who, being duly sworn, declares each in relation to aforesaid case, as follows: I am a cousin of above named claimant and have known her since the early part of 1867 and know she was never married prior to her marriage to above named Patrick Whalin and I was present and saw them married and remember it distinctly and know she was never previously married and I have known above named Patrick Whalin all my life and know he was never previously married and know they always lived together as husband & wife from the date of their marriage until the date of his death, and were so reputed in the community in which they resided and were never divorced from each other and she has not remarried since his death. He left only one child surviving him under 16 years of age namely Burton A. Whalin and know he was born May 22, 1890 and that both of his feet have been lost In an accident and he is still living and under the care and maintainance of above named claimant. Said Patrick Whalin did not leave any life insurance or any property of any kind or description except their household furniture which does not exceed the value of $50.00 said claimant does not own any property of any kind or description except as above mentioned and has not since the death of her husband & has no income or pecuniary interest of any kind except her own daily labor and has not since the death of her husband. This deponent has made efforts to ? a public or church record of claimants marriage to soldier, but has been informed that both the public and church records of said marriage were burned in the Chicago Fire.
Fannie E. Lynch

Class of 1925, Part 15

Here is the last section of the Class of 1925 of DePaul University Academy. Shown above are G. G. Lillie and R. J. Mason.

Class of 1925, Part 14

Here is another section of the Class of 1925 of DePaul University Academy. Shown here are F. C. Koller, R. J. Krencius and W. J. Hogan.

Class of 1925, Part 13

Here is another section of the DePaul University Academy Class of 1925. Included are R. D. Flavin, J. Focacci, and H. J. Franzen.

Class of 1925, Part 12

This section of the class photo for the DePaul University Academy Class of 1925 is somewhat damaged. The graduates pictured are E. F. Fergus, J. Flanagan, and A. H. Filion.

Class of 1925, Part 11

Here is another section of the Class of 1925 from DePaul University Academy.

Top row: L. O'Connor, J. F. Thoner, W. J. White, J. J. Wyand
Bottom Row: W. C. King, E. J. Williams, J. Ryan, H. C. Temple

Class of 1925, Part 10

In this section of the class photo for the DePaul University Academy Class of 1925 are:

Top Row: D. C. Gallery, W. J. Cassin, J. J. Patterson, E. L. Biebel
Bottom Row: W. T. Gehr, E. G. Even, A. J. Franzen, C. A. Nichol

Class of 1925, Part 9

In this section of the DePaul University Academy Class of 1925 photo are:

Top row: G. J. Mammoser, C. H. Schell, T. E. Philbin, J. Howe
Bottom row: W. J. Bakewell, J. K. Rowan, C. M. Rohrer, J. G. Poleck

Ann's Friends at the Beach

Here is a picture of 3 friends of my mom, Ann Skrobul, having fun at the beach. The person on the right appears to be mom's friend Stella Gordon. I don't know the names of the other 2. I believe this photo was taken in Chicago in the 1940s. So, that water they are standing in is probably pretty cold. Lake Michigan just doesn't get that warm!

Class of 1925, Part 8

And here is another section of the class photo of DePaul University Academy's Class of 1925.

Top Row: C. T. Jans, C. W. Clines, C. A. Thoma
Bottom Row: D. F. Reardon, E. P. Seiwert, A. J. Lendino

Second Quarter Results

Well, it is a couple of weeks past the end of the second quarter, but things have been a bit busy. So, even though it is a little late, I am taking another look at how I'm doing on my New Year's Resolutions. Here goes:

1. I will share more photos and documents, both online and with my cousins. I’ve received alot of photos from older relatives, and I want to share the wealth. I've continued to do pretty well with the online piece of this. I've posted alot of photos and documents to my blog, and I will continue to do so. I did make copies of some photos and sent them to a cousin. But I've got lots of photos and lots of cousins, so I can definitely do more.

2. I will catch up with my filing and data entry. I know if I do this it will help me with my research. I’m sure I have some fascinating discoveries in those piles! Ha ha! It still sounds like a good idea, but I have very little progress to report.

3. I will write more. I will continue to write for my blog and for local genealogical society quarterlies. I will also submit writing to other genealogy publications. I enjoy writing and I will do more of it in 2009. I've fallen off alot on the writing in the last quarter. Day jobs do take time away from blogging. But the day job is a good thing too. So, I'll need to use my free time better in the next few months in order to fit in writing, which is something I really enjoy.

And here are a few more of my resolutions, by surname:

4. Bestick. For 2009, I will focus on my collateral lines, including John and Robert Bestick, who were possible siblings of my ancestor Timothy. I will also focus on discovering which Bestick played baseball in Brooklyn in 1872. I still haven't done much on this resolution. I hope to focus on the Besticks more during the next few months.

5. Whelan. I will concentrate on the Chicago Whelans, both mine and unrelated ones. I will continue to analyze, summarize and publish the data that I have collected. I hope to eventually document the Irish origins of the Whelans who settled in Chicago in the 1800s. I've continued to do well on this resolution! I have continued posting transcripts of documents from the Whelan pension file. But I have other Whelan info, and so I hope to fit some of the other documents in during the next few months. I still have additional work to do on my Whelans and the other Chicago Whelans.

6. Skrabulis. I will share more of the bits of information that I've collected on my Skrabulis ancestors and related lines. I hope to make more connections and keep in touch with cousins that I have. I've posted a few more photos of my ancestors and relatives on the Skrabulis side. I definitely hope to do more in the next few months.

So, overall, I've made some progress on my resolutions during the last 3 months. I hope I can continue to make progress during the rest of 2009.

Class of 1925, Part 7

Here is another section of the class photo of the DePaul University Academy, Class of 1925.

Top Row: T. J. O'Neil, S. E. Hosler, T. J. McCaffrey, H. J. Ball
Bottom Row: D. Austin, N. Bertrand, F. J. Klein, C. J. Denes

Ann and Stella at the Beach

Time for some beach pictures! Here are mom's friend Stella Gordon and mom, Ann Skrobul. I believe the photo was taken in Chicago in the early 1940s.

Class of 1925, Part 6

Here is another section of the DePaul University Academy, Class of 1925. I will continue posting pictures of groups of graduates over the next few weeks.

In the section above, the top row, from left to right, includes R. I. Prindiville, H. N. Spahn, J. T. Nangle, and J. F. Wulff. The bottom row includes T. Reid, J. D. Z. Lock, M. F. Nangle, and G. Ludes.

Class of 1925, Part 5

This is another part of the DePaul University Academy, Class of 1925. I will continue posting pictures of groups of graduates over the next few weeks.

In the section above, from left to right, are E. Gannon, W. F. Tangney, R. C. Murphy, and F. J. Bogner. In the second row are J. Quinlan, V. Cholewcynski, V.d. Goonan, and W. B. Murphy.

Looking Beyond the Indexes

Have you ever looked at an index and thought, "Well, the name looks close but that can't be my ancestor because the (fill in religion, race, sex, etc.) is wrong"? I used to think that too. But I have found errors in indexes on several occasions. So I've learned that it is always a good idea to look beyond the indexes and view the documents themselves. The document above is my latest example of this lesson.

Ancestry.com has posted and indexed the World War II draft registration cards for Illinois. These are the cards from the fourth registration of World War II, known as the "old man's draft." Those required to register were men between the ages of 45 and 64. I searched for grandpa under the most common spelling of his name and found him indexed as follows:

Name Anton W Skrobul
Birthdate 18 Mar 1884
Birth Place Sany, Lithuania
Residence Beckemeyer, Illinois
Race Negro (Black)

Now if grandpa had a common name and lived in a big city, I might have thought, "This can't be grandpa, he wasn't "Negro"." But, let's face it, how many Anton Skrobuls do you know? So I was pretty sure this was him. And in looking at the image, everything else looked correct.



Page 2 of the document contains more information, including 7 categories to indicate race, such as light, dark, freckled and black. (Note to self: See if any of my Irish relatives were freckled.) The page 2 associated with Anton W. Skrobul indicated he was dark, not black. But apparently an indexer made a mistake and decided "dark" meant "black" which was indexed as Negro. I doubt that Anton identified himself as black, and he looks rather fair-skinned in his photos. So if his skin looked dark the day he registered, it may have been due to coal dust from working in the mine, and not his ethnic heritage.


Here is a photo of Anton with his two sons. From left to right, Anthony, Anton and Stan Skrobul.

Class of 1925, Part 4

This is part of the DePaul University Academy, Class of 1925. I have a class picture hanging on my wall. I will continue posting pictures of groups of graduates over the next few weeks.

In the section above, from left to right, are W. J. Stark, R. L. McWilliams, T. Maloney and J. L. Purcell. In the second row is C. Merlo.

Class of 1925, Part 3

This is another part of the DePaul University Academy, Class of 1925. I have a class picture of the graduating class hanging on my wall. I will continue to post pictures of groups of graduates over the next few weeks.

In the section above, from left to right, are R. T. Shaughnessy, F. E. Ward, B. I Cashion and E. J. Murkowski.

Patrick Whelan's Disability

Here is another affidavit given by Patrick Whelan, concerning the causes of some of his disabilities.

Claimants Affidavit
State of Wisconsin, County of Milwaukee, SS:
In the matter of Patrick Whalin Co. G. 90 Ill. Vol. Inf. clf. 50,355

On this 9 day of March A.D. 1890, personally appeared before me, a Notary Public in and for the aforesaid County, duly authorized to administer oaths, Patrick Whalen aged 78 years, a resident of National House in the County of Milwaukee and State of Wis. whose post-office address is National House Wis. well known to me to be reputable and entitled to credit, and who, being duly sworn, declares in relation to the aforesaid case as follows: I am the claimant above cited and I hereby declare that rupture of right side cause an ? about 12 years ago while working in Chicago Ill. but I can not say what caused it, loss of middle finger left hand was incurred before the War of the rebellion it was caused by blood poisoning my disabilities are not due to any bad or vicious habits, as I am a man of good moral character sober, peaceable and law abiding. I can not furnish eye witnesses to above disabilities, and ask the commissioner of Pensions to accept of the evidence of my 2 comrades as to my sober and peaceable habits I am 78 years old and totally disable.

His Post-office address is National House Wis.

Patrick his X mark Whalen signature of affiant

James Drennen
M. E. Regan

If affiant signs by mark, two witnesses who can write sign here

Class of 1925, Part 2

Here are 4 more members of the DePaul University Academy, Class of 1925. I have a picture of the graduating class, and I will continue to post sections of it here.

In the section above, are from left to right, A. J. Harrison, T. Brangan, and B. F. Brizzolara. In the second row is W. F. Clow.

Catherine Landy's Deposition

Deposition H
Case of Mary J. Whalin, No. 773265

On this 19th day of May, 1903, at Chicago, county of Cook, State of Ill, before me, J. H. Stibbs, a special examiner of the Bureau of Pensions, personally appeared Catherine Landy, who, being by me first duly sworn to answer truly all interrogatories propounded to her during this special examination of aforesaid claim for pension, deposes and says: I am 60 years of age, am the wife of Pierce Landy & reside at 181 Milton Ave, Chicago Ill.

I knew this claimant when she first came to Chicago. She had been living in Buffalo, N.Y. & she came from there with her uncle Peter Lynch who was a Lake Capt, & she went to Lynches house to live & there I got acquainted with her. ? a few months she went out to work, & she & Pat Whalin got acquainted, & they got married. So far as I knew she was a young unmarried woman up to that time.

I did not know Pat Whalin until he came back from the war. He lived with his mother on Siegel St, & it was my understanding that he had never been married.

I was present & saw them married at Church of Immaculate Conception. That was about the 2nd or 3rd year after he came from the war & they always lived together after that, never were divorced or legally separated, & she has not remarried since his death.

I am not interested in her claim.
The above has been read to me & is correct.
attest. Hannah Landy
P. Landy
Catherine her x mark Landy

Class of 1925

This is part of the DePaul University Academy, Class of 1925. I have a class picture of the graduating class hanging on my wall. I will post pictures of groups of graduates over the next few weeks. The class photo is mounted, under glass, and has some stains near the bottom. So the images are not as good as I'd like, but I don't want to try removing the photo from the mounting.
In the section above, from left to right, are W.P. Petersen Vice Pres, J.J. Phelan Pres, and E.F. Brady Sec.


In the section above, from left to right, are H.J.McCormick Sal., R.T. Spencer Val., and L.S. Blanchard Treas.


Congratulations to the graduates of 2009, as I remember my dad, Edwin F. Brady, Class of 1925.

Another Pension Affidavit

Here is another deposition in the pension case of Patrick Whelan. This one is given by John P. Dunne, a former coworker and employer of Patrick. The deposition deals with Patrick's reliability and drinking habits.

Deposition C
Case of Patrick Whalin, No. 50355

On this 17th day of November, 18900, at Chicago, county of Cook, State of Illinois, before me, DS McIntyre, a special examiner of the Bureau of Pensions, personally appeared John P. Dunne, who, being by me first duly sworn to answer truly all interrogatories propounded to him during this special examination of aforesaid claim for pension, deposes and says:

I am 44 years of age; my post-office address is No 2162 N Marshfield Ave Chicago Ills. & I am a plummer. I have known this clt here Patrick Whalin ever since I was a helper – well for 30 years I say any how.

He worked with me at times and since I’ve been in business for myself he has worked for me.

Well sir he would take a drink now and then, but he did not use intoxication liquors to excess or abuse himself with their use.

He has been a good reliable man & I could always depend on him.

He never “soaked” it all.

When he would quit work sometimes he would go and take a drink or two, but he would be right on hands for work all right the next morning.

I never knew him to get on a protracted spree-never.

His looks show he has not been a hard drinker.
I am neither related nor interested

Questions understood and answers correctly recorded

John P. Dunne
Deponent

Family Fun

This is a picture of my mom, uncle and cousin on a family outing. This picture was taken in the early 1950s, probably in southern Illinois. Seated is my uncle, Al Mensing and my mom, Ann Skrobul. Uncle Al is holding his son, Stanley Mensing. The rolled up pant legs are a different look for my mom. I wonder if they were going to do some fishing that day.

"A Candid Old Irishman"

That is how one special examiner described Patrick Whelan after questioning him regarding his pension claim. Here is the examiner's report:

Chicago, Cook Co., Illinois
Novr 17th 1900

Sir

I have the honor to return herewith the papers together with my report in claim under Act of June 27th 1890 under Ctf No 50355 Patrick Whalin Co G 90th Regt Ills Vols Infty. whose PO address is now No 1059 Columbus Street Chicago Ills. The papers were referred to this Division as per slip of the Medical Refaree of date Aug 30th 1899 to determine whether clts habits have been intemperate.

The papers came to me by transfer for the initial examination.

Clt was served with the usual notice & his rights were fully explained.
I insisted on his accompanying me & he was present when the witnesses were examined.

He is a remarkably frank, open faced candid old Irishman for whom every one seems to have a good word.
His looks do not indicate an habitual drinker.
His reputation for truth is good as is also his witnesses, all of whom are business men.
One of the men named by clt is dead.
I did not deem it necessary to look up the other, for the rule was already exceeded--Reference to the Chief of the Board of Review is respectfully recommended.

Very respectfully
DS McIntyre
Special Examiner
Hon H Clay Evans

The Examiner's View of the Whelan Pension Claim

Room 549, Rand-McNally Building
No. 160 Adams Street, Chicago, Ill.
May 20, 1903
The [?] of Pensions,
Washington D.C.

Sir,

I have the honor to return with my report the claim #773265 of Mary J. Whalin, which was referred to me for special examination to determine widowhood, dependence, proper name of minor, and non prior marriage of soldier.

Claimant was duly notified of the examination to be made, and of her rights and priveleges, but she did not wish to be represented by an atty, and has waived notice of any further examination deemed necessary.

This claimant is a worthy good woman of unquestioned good repute, and she is disgracefully poor, dependent beyond question. Her statement as to minors and name of her son Bertrand will, I think, satisfactorily settle that part[?].

From the witnesses whom I have seen, I have learned that soldier
became quite “cranky” during the later years of his life, and seemed to take pleasure in exaggerating his age. His hair became entirely white, and he had the appearance of being older than he really was. Peter Lynch, who is entirely reliable, an Old Lake Captain, told me after signing his deposition, of soldier’s extravagant stories about his age and said that he was younger than his sister-Mrs. Lynch, and that she & Lynch were about the same age. This would have made him about 76 or 77 if he were still living, and this corresponds with [?] estimate; She says he had the appearance of being about 40 at date of marriage.

The death cft, showing that soldier was “widowed” at date of death was unquestionably an error, as the evidence shows conclusively that the parties were living together at date of death.

Claimant was entirely correct in her statement as to the burning of the Church of Immaculate Conception in the great fire of 1871. I have had occasion to verify this repeatedly heretofore. The church records were all destroyed at that time.

I have secured the best evidence attainable, & believing it will meet the requirements of [?] of reference. I submit papers for consideration of Chief of Bd of Review.
I am very respectfully
J.H.Stibbs

Patrick Whelan in His Own Words

This is one of my favorite documents in Patrick Whelan's pension file: Patrick's own deposition. I have retained all spelling and punctuation (or lack thereof) as it appeared in the document itself. I have deleted page numbers, form numbers and other pre-printed wording not relevant to Patrick's story.

Deposition A
Case of Patrick Whalin cft, No. 50355

On this 12th day of November, 18900, at Chicago, County of Cook State of Illinois, before me, DS McIntyre[?] a special examiner of the Bureau of Pensions, personally appeared Patrick Whalin, who, being by me first duly sworn to answer truly all interrogatories propounded to him during this special examination of aforesaid claim for pension, deposes and says: I am 79 years of age; my post=office address is at residence is No 1059 Columbus Street Chicago Ills. I am not able to work. I have been a drayman & laborer.

I served in Co G 90th Regt Ills Infty Vols from Aug 1862 to 1865. I forget the date.
This was my only service in either the US Army or Navy.

I am now pensioned at $6.00 on account of a GSW[gun shot wound] of left leg.
I am claiming additional pension because my leg is worse. I dont know what ails it, whether it is rheumatism or what it is, but my leg gives down on me. & it pains me so much that at night I cant sleep on account of it.
The leg is no good any more.

Another thing I have pains in my breast & I get dizzy and tremble (fall) down.
I guess its my heart.

Another thing I have a rupture I guess it is. It is on my right side.
I have lost the middle finger of my left hand.
I lost it before the war.
My rupture Ive had for 10 or 12 years and may be longer.

I’ve had this heart trouble for 5 or 6 years or may be more.

I cant tell you how long Ive had rheumatism. Guess Ive had it ever since I came out of the Army I don’t know.
Id have a spell of it & then it would go away & then it would “ketch” me again. It began in my wounded leg and next in my right [?] and shoulder.
Have had it for 12 years or more.
I don’t know what brought on my rheumatism, whether it was my wound or sleeping on wet ground or not.
I am totally disabled for work.

Ques. Where have you lived since the war?
Ans. Up to the time of the big fire in 1871 I owned a house & lived in it on Sickles Street, but the fire burned me out & I lost it.
Then I lived in rented houses all In the North Side up to last March when I moved out where I am now.

Ques. What reliable men can you name who are & have been well acquainted with you?
Ans. Daniel Rock. He keeps a plumming shop on North Clark Street. (118 N Clark Directory Spl Exr) Capt John Dunn--a plummer--on N Lincoln Ave--No [number] forgotten—but I can find him. Judge ___ Kasson. Judge at Chicago Ave & Clark Street Station.
He knows me good.
Judge ___ Hammond corner of Clark & Michigan. Knows me well & he is the man who makes out my papers for me.

Ques. Do you get drunk often?
Ans. No sir. Not often. Not more than once in six months.
My sprees never last a day.
I don’t drink between times.
I haven’t drank anything for months.
My way of drinking has been that ever 6 months or so I would get on a spree and may be tight for 2 or 3 hours and then it I’d let liquor alone for months and never touch it.

Yes sir Judge Kasson sent me up once for 30 days for being drunk.

I can be present when my witnesses are seen.

I am married, have never been married but once and my wife is living. We have never been separated or divorced.
My wife’s maiden name was Mary Martin. We were married the fall of 1866 by the Priest Father Butler right here in Chicago &
There was a license & there should be a church record and a County Record.
My wife was never married before our marriage. We have one child under 16 years old-viz Bert Whalin. I cant remember his exact birthday, but he will be 12 years old this coming December.

I have understood your questions and my answers are correctly recorded.
RB Sesh[?] attest
H. C. [?]
Patrick [his X mark] Whalin Deponent.
Sworn to and submitted before me this 12th day of November 18900, and I certify that the contents were fully made known to deponent before signing.
D S McIntyre

Lacey Tombstone

This is a tombstone of the Lacey family. It is located at Calvary Cemetery in Evanston, Illinois.



Mary E. Lacey
Born May 1, 1865
Co. Mayo Ireland
Died June 30, 1913
--
Martin D. Lacey
Born Aug. 26, 1861
Cincinati, Ohio
Died Nov. 8, 1916



Mary Frances
Lacey
Born June 30, 1884
Died Mar. 23, 1895
--
Loretta Lacey
Born Jan. 8, 1887
Died Dec. 8, 1890

Conference Attendance Tips

Here are some tips and reminders for those of you planning to attend the NGS conference in Raleigh next week. I originally compiled this list for the 2006 NGS Conference blog. So here they are, with minor revisions:

1. Dress in layers. Conference centers can be too hot or too cold, and often both at the same time, depending on whom you talk to. So bring a sweater or light jacket. That way your comfort level won’t be dependent on the hotel’s engineering staff.

2. Wear comfortable shoes. You may sit a lot of the time listening to presentations, but you may also walk a bit of a distance to get to sessions, meals, and the exhibit hall.

3. Bring a water bottle or other liquid refreshment. Staying hydrated can help you keep going and stay alert through full days of listening and learning. You might also want to bring candy or a granola bar. Avoid those with noisy wrappers if you plan to sneak it during a session.

4. Arrive early. Give yourself extra time to find a parking space or wait for an elevator. Plan to get to the meeting room a few minutes early for each session, in order to have a better selection of seats - whether you prefer to be up front so you can read the screen or near an exit for a quick escape.

5. Come prepared. Bring paper and pen (or your laptop) in order to take notes, exchange contact information, or share your family tree with other attendees.

6. Look over the syllabus. Use it to make final decisions about how to spend your time. Once you’ve looked at the handouts for a particular session, you may decide that the talk isn’t what you were expecting based on the title. You may see that a talk is at too low or high a level to meet your needs. Perhaps you can gain all of the information that you want from the syllabus material itself, and would rather attend a different lecture. The syllabus material is a great resource to refer to during and after the conference.

7. Network. Talk to people. Nowhere else can you find such a large group of people who share your love of genealogy. You can talk about your ancestors, compare brick walls, and share your latest research success. You may meet people with surnames you are researching or people from the area where your ancestors lived. The person sitting next to you at lunch may volunteer at a research facility that you’ve been meaning to contact. Bring business cards with your name, contact information, and surnames of interest. This makes it easy to exchange information with other researchers. Go ahead and wear that t-shirt with your family tree printed on it. You never know when you might find someone with a common ancestor!

8. Visit the exhibit hall. This is your chance to look at and even try out products before deciding to purchase them. Some vendors offer discounts, hold drawings or raffles, and give free samples. Vendors in the exhibit hall are able to answer questions, provide demonstrations, and even give one-on-one training. Conference vendors have a huge amount of books available for purchase. This allows you to browse through a book before you buy.

9. Volunteer at the conference. It is a great way to give back to the genealogy community and to meet other conference attendees.

10. Most important, have fun! Enjoy yourself, meet new people and return home energized!

I hope to see you in Raleigh!

Moms

This is a picture of my mom, Ann Skrobul, and her mom, Antanina Norvaisaite. They look happy to be together.

I believe this photo was taken in the 1930s, since Mom was born in 1914, and she looks to me to be in her 20s in this picture.

Happy Mothers Day!

Deposition of John Martin

Deposition B
Case of Mary J. Whalin, No. 773265

On this 19th day of May, 1903, at Chicago, county of Cook, State of Illinois, before me, J. H. Stibbs, a special examiner of the Bureau of Pensions, personally appeared John Martin, who, being by me first duly sworn to answer truly all interrogatories propounded to him during this special examination of aforesaid claim for pension, deposes and says: I am 53 years of age, am a packer in Hardware Store, reside at 22 Locust St Chicago Ill.

I am a brother of this claimant. I came to this country in 1872.

I knew positively that my sister was not married before she left Ireland and, from what I learned of the history of her husband Patrick Whalin, after coming here, I am entirely satisfied that neither of them was married prior to their [?] marriage to each other. I know that after I came here in 1872, they lived together as man & wife until he Died, never were divorced or legally separated, & she has not remarried since his death.

She has been very poor since his death & has had no means or property of any kind & no income except from her own labor. She earns $1.00 a day as a scrub woman. The place where she lives belongs to her crippled son, and she not only cares for him, but has her old mother to support.

I am not [?] interested in this claim. The above has been read to me & is correct.

John Martin
Page 10 Deposition B

The Bridal Party

Here is a picture of my parents and their attendants on their wedding day, April 24, 1954. It was a small wedding! From left to right: Clarence and Margaret Sharp; and my parents, Edwin F. Brady and Ann Skrobul.

Bill Waxner

This is a picture of Bill Waxner, a cousin of my mom, Ann Skrobul. Bill's picture was contained in an old photo album of my mom's that I am scanning. There are several photos of Bill and his siblings in the album.

Bill was born in Beckemeyer, Illinois on 8 May 1913. His parents were Walter Wajksner and Antanina Skrobulyte. The family later moved to Lake County, Indiana.

Marie

This is a photo of Marie. I bet you're wondering, "Marie who?" Well, so am I. The picture is from an old photo album that belonged to my mom, Ann Skrobul. I do not know of any relative that this could be a picture of, although the name Marie was found on my Grandpa Skrobul's side of the family. Marie's hairstyle reminds me of photos I've seen of people from the 1920s.

If you recognize this photo of Marie, please contact me to exchange information.

Happy Anniversary!

This is a picture of my mom and dad, Ann Skrobul and Edwin F. Brady, and the priest, on their wedding day, April 24, 1954.

Murphy Tombstone

This is the headstone of Patrick Murphy who is buried at Mt. Olivet Catholic Cemetery in Chicago. Patrick is not a relative of mine. I came across the tombstone while doing some research at the cemetery. I decided to post the photo, since it gave specific information about Patrick's place of origin in Ireland.

Here is a close-up view of the inscription.



The inscription reads:

PATRICK MURPHY
BORN IN THOMASTOWN
CO. KILKENNY, IRELAND
DIED AUG. 4, 1901
AGED 70 YEARS
MAY HE REST IN PEACE

Stella Skrobul

It's time to post another photo. This one is of my Aunt Stella looking stylish. Stella was born in 1917, so I estimate the photo was taken in the 1940s.

Fannie Reardon Deposition

This is a transcription of an affidavit from the widow's pension case file of Mary J. Whalin, the widow of Patrick Whalin.

Deposition C
Case of Mary J. Whalin, No. 773265

On this 18th day of May, 1903, at Chicago, county of Cook, State of Illinois, before me, J. H. Stibbs, a special examiner of the Bureau of Pensions, personally appeared Fannie Rearden, who, being by me first duly sworn to answer truly all interrogatories propounded to her during this special examination of aforesaid claim for pension, deposes and says: I am 32 years of age, am the wife of James Rearden & reside with him at 121 East Huron St Chicago Ill.

I am a daughter of this claimant. From my earliest recollections, my Father & mother lived together as man & wife, until he died, never were divorced or legally separated and she has not remarried since his death.

I was present when my Father died. He died at their home, 1059 Columbia St. I know they were living together at that time.

My Father served in the 90th Ill . Vols. This was the only service he ever endured in the army or Navy, that I knew or heard of.

Since Father’s death, Mother has had no property of any kind, & no income from any source aside from her own labor.

The house where she lives belongs to my crippled brother. This place was paid for with the $2000 which he got from the R.R. Co. I brought the suit for him as his next nearest friend. Mother has not been able to pay the taxes, & I fear they will loose the place. The water has been shut off for two years.

From what I have known of the family history, I feel sure that neither my Father or Mother were married prior to their marriage to each other.

I have understood questions & the above which has been read to me is correct.
Fannie Reardon
Deponent.
Sworn to and subscribed before me this 18th day of May 1903, and I certify that the contents were fully made known to deponent before signing.
J. H. Stibbs
Special Examiner.

Edwin F. Brady, 1907-1977

Today is the 102nd anniversary of the birth of my dad, Edwin F. Brady. Dad once told me that he got his first job when he was 7 years old--riding on a milk wagon and helping to deliver the milk. This picture appears to have been taken around that time period.

Happy Birthday Dad!

Another Mystery Photo

This picture is from an old photo album that belonged to my mother, Ann Skrobul. The people in the photo are unidentified. It was on a page with photos that included Bill Waxner, a cousin of my mom. In fact, the man in this photo could be Bill or a close relative of his. I am not aware of any relatives who were members of a religious order at this time, so the identity of the nun in this picture is a particular mystery.

Jule Skrobul

This is a picture of my aunt, Jule Skrobul, looking quite stylish. I believe that the photo was taken in the 1930s, since Jule was born in 1913.

Where was Patrick Whelan from?

Patrick was the brother of my great-grandfather, Timothy Whelan. They both arrived in Chicago in about 1850. I have never found a document that stated where Timothy was from, although my aunt told me he was from Kilkenny. When I began to discover information about Patrick, I hoped to find proof that they were from Kilkenny. (It’s always nice to prove the family stories are true.) Unfortunately, Patrick was not a very reliable source of information. I have 2 documents that state which county in Ireland he was from. Both are based on statements by Patrick himself, and the documents name 2 different counties—Kilkenny and Kings.

The first source which gave a location for Patrick was a database on the Illinois State Archives website. A search of the Illinois Muster and Descriptive Rolls Database produced an Illinois Civil War Detail Report for Patrick which indicated he was born in Kilkenny, Ireland.

I requested and received a copy of the document that the information in the database came from. It was a Muster and Descriptive Roll, which clearly indicates that Patrick was from Kilkenny—no error in data entry, handwriting interpretation, etc.

I used the information from the Illinois website and from Ancestry.com to request copies from the Civil War pension file of Patrick, and from his widow’s pension file.

I have already posted some material from the widow’s pension file. I have found interesting information in Patrick’s pension file, which I will begin posting as well.

The pension file for Patrick included a deposition made by him on July 1, 1899 which stated,” I am the claimant above cited and I hereby declare that I was born on or about April 14 1821 in Kings County Ireland. We had no family Bible in our House therefore no record of my birth in a Bible. I can neither read or write hence I was unable to make or keep a record of my birth, but I am over 78 years of age and totally disabled for labor of any kind.”

The pension files and the muster roll copies are definitely referring to the same Patrick Whelan. His unit, rank, and occupation are identified in the muster roll and the pension files.

I would like to find additional evidence regarding where Patrick was born. Some sources I’ve tried:
death certificate—Birthplace not stated.
cemetery record—Birthplace not stated.
headstone—None exists.
church marriage record—Birthplace not stated.
civil marriage record—None exists. Destroyed in Chicago Fire of 1871.

There are additional records which I am still looking for that may contain Patrick’s birthplace. These include obituaries, probate files, deeds, and naturalization record. Suggestions of other sources to try are most welcome. Just leave me a comment.

I’ve found clues regarding siblings of Patrick in his widow’s pension file. I hope these clues will lead to additional documentation regarding the place of origin of Patrick Whelan.

I’ve also done a brief survey of Irish sources online. At Irishtimes.com I searched on the surname Whelan in Griffith’s valuation. I found 227 Whelans in Kilkenny and 53 in Offaly (Kings) County. At the Irish Central Signposting Index website, a look at their coverage indicated that it doesn’t include Kilkenny or Kings counties. The Irish Family History Foundation had records of 8 Patrick Whelans born in Kilkenny in 1817-25. I haven’t taken the next step yet of paying to view the records. Kings County is not included in the online index.

So, where were Patrick, Timothy and their siblings from? Well, at this point I’m leaning towards Kilkenny, but the evidence is sparse and conflicting. So, for now I will continue my exhaustive (but enjoyable) research.

Source citations and additional information available upon request.

Ann Skrobul

Here is a photo of my mom, Ann Skrobul. The photo was probably taken in the mid-1930s.

April Fools!

In honor of April Fools Day, I'm posting a silly photo of my mom and a friend. From left to right are my mom, Ann Skrobul, and her friend Mary. After comparing this photo to another one, I believe that Mary's last name was Hayslett. I don't know where or when this picture was taken. My best guess would be in the Chicago area in the mid to late 1930s. Mom was born in 1914 and came to Chicago as a young woman. Old photos of her often show her having alot of fun with friends.

Have a fun day!

First Quarter Results

On December 31, 2008, I posted my New Year's Resolutions. With the first quarter of 2009 ending today, I decided to take another look at my resolutions, and see how I'm doing. Here goes:

1. I will share more photos and documents, both online and with my cousins. I’ve received alot of photos from older relatives, and I want to share the wealth. I've been doing well with the online piece of this. I've posted alot of photos and some documents to my blog.

2. I will catch up with my filing and data entry. I know if I do this it will help me with my research. I’m sure I have some fascinating discoveries in those piles! I have not made alot of progress on this one.

3. I will write more. I will continue to write for my blog and for local genealogical society quarterlies. I will also submit writing to other genealogy publications. I enjoy writing and I will do more of it in 2009. I've done well on this one. I've kept up with my blog, and have submitted articles to other publications.

And here are a few more resolutions, by surname:

4. Bestick. For 2009, I will focus on my collateral lines, including John and Robert Bestick, who were possible siblings of my ancestor Timothy. I will also focus on discovering which Bestick played baseball in Brooklyn in 1872. I haven't done very much work on this resolution. I will be focusing on the Besticks more during the next few months.

5. Whelan. I will concentrate on the Chicago Whelans, both mine and unrelated ones. I will continue to analyze, summarize and publish the data that I have collected. I hope to eventually document the Irish origins of the Whelans who settled in Chicago in the 1800s. I've made great progress on this one! I broke through a brick wall and discovered that besides my ancestor, his brother, 2 sisters, and mother also came from Ireland to Chicago. I still have additional work to do on my Whelans, and more data to post about them and other Chicago Whelans.

6. Skrabulis. I will share more of the bits of information that I've collected on my Skrabulis ancestors and related lines. I hope to make more connections and keep in touch with cousins that I have. I've posted some photos and research, but I need to do more on this one.

So, overall, I've made some progress on my resolutions during the first 3 months of this year. I hope I can make even more progress during the rest of 2009.

NGS Early Registration Deadline March 31

The early registration deadline for the 2009 NGS Conference is TOMORROW! So, don't put it off another minute! Register today!

If you haven't attended a genealogy conference or institute before, I highly recommend them. They are great opportunities to learn, to check out vendors, and to meet people who share your interest in genealogy. I've been to many conferences and institutes in the last few years, and I am glad I attended every one of them. If I won the lottery, I'd attend even more of them!

Why would you want to attend a genealogy conference? Here are Paula Stuart-Warren's reasons for attending them.

I hope to see you at NGS in Raleigh, NC May 13-16.

Fannie Lynch Deposition

The following is a transcription of a deposition given by Fannie Lynch for Mary Whelan, the widow of Patrick Whelan.

Deposition F
Case of Mary J. Whalin, No. 773265

On this 16th day of May, 1903, at Chicago, county of Cook, State of Ill, before me, J. H. Stibbs, a special examiner of the Bureau of Pensions, personally appeared Fannie Lynch, who, being by me first duly sworn to answer truly all interrogatories propounded to her during this special examination of aforesaid claim for pension, deposes and says: I am 45 years of age & reside with my Father Peter Lynch, at 540 Burling St. Chicago Ill.

I have known this claimant since 1867. I was a young girl then, but remember well of her coming to Chicago & coming to live with us, and I remember well of her wedding. I went to the Church & saw her married, and from what I have learned of her & her husband in later years, I feel sure that neither of them had been previously married.

They lived together as man & wife until he died. Never were divorced or legally separated & she has not remarried since his death. I was at her house just after his death & I know they were living together at the time of his death.

I remember my uncle Patrick Whalin, at the time he came from the war. He lived with us. We lived in his house, which he bought before he went to the war. I am sure he was not married before he married claimant.

The affidavit shown me B J [?] was signed by me & the statements werein made are substantively correct.

Claimant has been very poor since her husband died, has no property or income & supports herself working as a scrub woman.

I am not interested in her claim. Above has been read to me & is correct.
Fannie E. Lynch
Deponent.
Sworn to and subscribed before me this 16th day of May 1903, and I certify that the contents were fully made known to deponent before signing.
J. H. Stibbs
Special Examiner.

Centralia Coal Mine Disaster - Links

The following are links to additional information about the Centralia mine disaster.

Public Sector Safety Professionals: Focused on Activity or Results? By Fred Fanning, CSP, M.Ed., M.A.
A summary of the events leading to the explosion, and an analysis of these events from the perspective of a public safety professional.

Centralia Mine Disaster
A short summary of the disaster by the Illinois Labor History Society.

CHS Class of 68 - Centralia No. 5 Mine Disaster
A summary of the disaster posted by the Centralia High School Class of 1968.

Beckemeyer Kids, 1930s

This is a photo of children in Beckemeyer, Illinois. It was taken in the early 1930s. According to my information, the O is above Henry Koch. The X is by my uncle Anthony (aka Putt) Skrobul. The boy at the top right later became Father Feldman. I don't know who the others were, especially the one in the middle in the animal costume.

Miners Deaths on FamilySearch

Records of the death and burial of 5 of the miners who died in the Centralia mine disaster were recorded in the register of the Catholic church which they attended. The funerals of John Placek, Joseph Koch Sr., Antanas Skrabulis, and Roy Alvarez were held on March 31, 1947. John Mazeka's funeral was held on April 1, 1947. The church records include the names and ages of the men, their spouses' names and the cemetery in which they were buried.

Images of these records are posted on the FamilySearch pilot site as part of the collection of Illinois, Diocese of Belleville Catholic Parish Records 1729-1956. The records are for the St. Anthony of Padua Church in Beckemeyer, Clinton County, Illinois, image 45 of 61.

Centralia Mine Disaster Memorial

The above photos of the Centralia Mine Disaster Memorial in Beckemeyer, Illinois were taken by me in December, 1997.

Miners Headstones

These are the headstones of some of the miners who died in the Centralia mining disaster on March 25, 1947.










These headstones are located in St. Anthony's Cemetery, Beckemeyer, Illinois. The photos were taken by me in September, 2004.

“Please save our lives...”

This plea was contained in a letter written to Illinois Governor Dwight H. Green by miners working in the Centralia Coal Mine No. 5. The letter was dated March 3,1946. Three of the four men who signed the letter were killed in the Centralia mine disaster on March 25, 1947.

Below is a transcript of the letter, copied from the minutes of the Senate subcommittee which investigated the mine disaster.

Centralia, Ill.,
March 3, 1946.

Hon. Dwight H. Green,
Governor, State of Illinois,
Springfield, Ill.

Dear Governor Green:
We, the officers of Local Union No. 52, U. M. W. of A., have been instructed by the members of local union No. 52 to write a letter to you in protest against the negligence and unfair practices of your department of mines and minerals. But before we go any further, we want you to know that this is not a protest against Mr. Driscoll Scanlan, the State mine inspector in this district. Mr. Scanlan is the best inspector that ever came to our mine, he is honest, of good character, and a good mining man, he writes his reports just as he finds the mines. But your mining board will not let him enforce the law or take the necessary action to protect our lives and health. This protest is against the men above Mr. Scanlan in your department of mines and minerals.

In fact, Governor Green this is a plea to you, to please save our lives, to please make the department of mines and minerals enforce the laws at the No. 5 mine of the Centralia Coal Co. at Centralia, Ill., at which mine we are employed, before we have a dust explosion at this mine like just happened in Kentucky and West Virginia.

For the last couple of years the policy of the department of mines and minerals toward us has been one of ignoring us; when we write complaints to Springfield it will sometimes be several weeks before we hear from them and then sometimes we have to write the second letter to them before they will answer us.

In December 1945 we preferred charges before the mining board against the mine manager and the superintendent of our mine and requested that their certificates be revoked for operating the mine in violation of the State mining laws and for ignoring the recommendations of the State mine inspector.

A special investigation commission was sent to the mines; they were very unfair toward us; on the commission was Robert Wier, a boss for our coal company. The commission did not inspect all of the mine, they did not stay at the machine that our main complaint was on long enough to fairly see the actual conditions at this machine. They let the superintendent of the mine lead them around the mine. They rode out of the mine in a mine car, so could not see the dirty and dusty and unsafe conditions on the main haulage roads. And they ignored the officers of this local union, they did not talk to us or give us a chance to call their attentions to unsafe conditions or listen to our complaints.

If we understand the law right, the mining board should have held a hearing and we should have been allowed to come before the board and press our charges. After the commission went through our mine we waited several weeks and did not hear from them and we wrote the director a letter. He then wrote us that the commission found insufficient evidence to revoke the certificates of the mine manager and mine superintendent. Then a few days later a report of the commission was posted at the mine making eight recommendations. Any one of these recommendations should be sufficient to revoke the certificates of the manager and superintendent and to remove them from the mine.

For your information as to the conditions at this mine, we are sending you copies of the State mine inspector’s report, also a copy of the report of the investigation commission, which you can check against the State inspector’s report and see the unfairness of the commission. Then please check these reports with the last Federal inspection report of July 1945, which you can get from the director of your department or from our district president, Hugh White. After reading these reports, if you doubt our word and the reports of the State and Federal inspectors, we kindly invite you to make a personal inspection of this mine yourself.

We are writing you Governor Green, because we believe you want to give the people an honest administration and that you do not know how unfair your mining department is toward the men in this mine. Several years ago after a disaster at Gillespie we seen your pictures in the papers going down in the mine to make a personal investigation of the accident. We are giving you a chance to correct the conditions at this mine that may cause a much worse disaster than the one at Gillespie or the one in Kentucky. If your mining board does not enforce the laws at this mine and back the State mine inspector, then we are going to go to the State’s attorney, and to the public and newspapers.

We will appreciate an early personal reply from you, stating your position in regard to the above and the enforcement of the State mining laws.

Very respectfully yours,
Jake Schmidt, President
Wm. E. Rowekamp, Recording Secretary
Thos. Bush,
Elmer Moss,
Committee.

Centralia Coal Mine Disaster

This week marks the 62nd anniversary of the Centralia Coal Mine Disaster, in which 111 miners, including my grandfather Anton Skrobul, were killed.

Willie Pax Tavern

This photo is labeled "Willie Pax Tavern" and it originally belonged to my mom, Ann Skrobul. Willie's looks like it would've been a fine place to celebrate St. Patrick's Day in years past. Although, since my mom's ancestry was Lithuanian, I doubt she celebrated St. Patrick's Day before she met my dad, Edwin Francis Brady. After they were married, mom did celebrate the Irish saint. My mom was a good cook. In honor of her Irish-ancestry-by-marriage, she made great corned beef and cabbage every St. Patrick's Day when I was a kid.

I don't know where or when this photo was taken. My best guess is that it was taken in Chicago in the late 1940s or early 1950s.