Kathy's Genealogy Blog

Remembering Mom

2010-12-09T00:02:00.001-06:00

In honor of her birthday, here is a photo of my mom, Ann (Skrobul) Brady.

My mom liked having a December birthday. And she loved Christmas--the decorations, the music, baking cookies and visiting with relatives. She loved plants, so for many years I bought her a pointsetta plant for her birthday.

Happy Birthday Mom!

Happy Anniversary Mom and Dad!

2010-04-24T22:50:00.004-05:00

Here is a picture of my parents, Edwin F. Brady and Ann Skrobul on their wedding day, April 24, 1954.

Happy Birthday Mom!

2009-12-09T13:13:00.002-06:00

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

2009-09-05T10:47:00.004-05:00

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

2009-08-12T05:28:00.000-05:00

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

2009-08-11T05:15:00.001-05:00

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

2009-08-08T16:39:00.002-05:00

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

2009-07-29T06:34:00.003-05:00

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

2009-07-27T05:28:00.001-05:00

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

2009-07-25T06:22:00.001-05:00

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

2009-07-23T05:16:00.001-05:00

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

2009-07-21T05:54:00.004-05:00

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

2009-07-19T05:46:00.001-05:00

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

2009-07-18T05:24:00.002-05:00

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

2009-07-17T17:19:00.001-05:00

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

2009-07-16T05:08:00.001-05:00

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

2009-07-14T05:31:00.001-05:00

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

2009-07-13T05:56:00.000-05:00

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

2009-07-12T11:26:00.004-05:00

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

2009-06-26T06:04:00.001-05:00

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

2009-06-23T20:22:00.005-05:00

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

2009-06-22T05:56:00.001-05:00

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

2009-06-21T05:53:00.003-05:00

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

2009-06-14T09:46:00.002-05:00

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

2009-06-10T07:27:00.004-05:00

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

2009-06-07T06:19:00.001-05:00

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

2009-06-04T21:46:00.005-05:00

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

2009-05-31T09:30:00.005-05:00

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

2009-05-29T06:59:00.003-05:00

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

2009-05-23T20:49:00.007-05:00

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"

2009-05-17T07:14:00.001-05:00

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

2009-05-14T07:03:00.002-05:00

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

2009-05-13T06:45:00.001-05:00

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

2009-05-12T08:25:00.000-05:00

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

2009-05-09T13:54:00.003-05:00

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

2009-05-08T08:13:00.005-05:00

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

2009-05-01T05:53:00.002-05:00

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

2009-04-29T05:04:00.003-05:00

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

2009-04-27T11:48:00.004-05:00

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

2009-04-25T05:03:00.000-05:00

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!

2009-04-24T21:44:00.005-05:00

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

2009-04-21T05:23:00.001-05:00

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

2009-04-20T10:45:00.003-05:00

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

2009-04-14T21:46:00.004-05:00

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

2009-04-13T13:00:00.000-05:00

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

2009-04-13T09:38:00.000-05:00

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

2009-04-08T06:00:00.002-05:00

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?

2009-04-06T11:51:00.003-05:00

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

2009-04-02T05:12:00.002-05:00

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

April Fools!

2009-04-01T05:00:00.000-05:00

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

2009-03-31T21:19:00.003-05:00

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

2009-03-30T05:00:00.003-05:00

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

2009-03-29T09:00:00.001-05:00

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

2009-03-28T05:00:00.001-05:00

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

2009-03-27T19:03:00.005-05:00

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

2009-03-26T10:00:00.002-05:00

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

2009-03-25T05:00:00.001-05:00

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

Miners Headstones

2009-03-24T05:35:00.000-05:00

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...”

2009-03-23T05:00:00.000-05:00

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

2009-03-22T08:00:00.000-05:00

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

2009-03-21T13:32:00.004-05:00

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.

Diary Excerpts from Ratoath, Ireland

2009-03-19T09:00:00.002-05:00

"6 March 1847 Mary Rooney sailed for America deeply regretted by Pat Anderson."

The above quote was taken from the article by Peter Mulvany titled "Extracts from a Ratoath Diary 1804-1898." It was published in Vol. VI, No. 1 (1975) of Riocht na Midhe, the journal of the Meath Archaeological and Historical Society.

Here are a few more excerpts.

May 1848. The Magranes and Tom Bryant went to America and on 3 August the Lynams.
25 July 1848. Martial law proclaimed in Ratoath.
May 1849. James McCabe, John Bruton, and several others went to America and Pat Magrane on 6 June.
June 1849. Mary left Ramsey a broken heart.
Aug. 1849. Kit Foy died of cholera.

The article mentions many other deaths, emigrations, legal matters and other events. This article shows one of the reasons I love Irish genealogical periodicals: they contain information that is not readily available anywhere else. They also provide insight into the social history of Ireland.

To see if there is a journal published for your Irish locations of interest, follow this link, Archaeological and Historical Journals.

I have inquired about the present location of the original diary that the excerpts are taken from, but I haven't yet located it. I hope to find the diary, or at least a complete transcription of it someday. If you have any information about the diary, please let me know.

The Big Wind

2009-03-18T12:02:00.004-05:00

My ancestor, Catherine Markey, told her granddaughter, Rita Brady, that she was one year old in the year of the Big Wind. I have learned that the Big Wind was a hurricane which struck Ireland on the evening of 6 January 1839. Catherine also told her granddaughter that she was from "County Meath near the River Boyne, 5 miles from the sea." According to A Topographical Dictionary of Ireland by Nicolas Carlisle (originally published in 1810, republished by Heritage books on cd-rom in 2001)this location is St. Mary's Parish in Drogheda.

Here is a description of what the residents of Drogheda experienced on the night of the Big Wind:

"As the hurricane hit Drogheda, many families fled in mortal terror for their lives as the wind thundered through their shaking homes. The nightmare atmosphere was further raised as slates and chimney pots crashed down into the streets in the darkness. Frightened horses bolted wildly about adding to the general terror and confusion. Some families made their way to the safety of the Tholsel and the Watch House. Others quit the town to spend the night huddled together in the freezing rain, under the hedgerows of the open fields.

As daylight broke on Monday morning the streets of the town were seen to be blocked with debris of every type and description. Very few houses had escaped the night undamaged. But the greatest loss and suffering was felt amongst the poor of the town. A large number of their cabins were demolished, two or three were burned to the ground, and the remainder were stripped of their thatch roofing.

Remarkably in all this destruction, not one single life was lost, nor were any serious injuries reported in the vicinity of Drogheda." -quoted from the Journal of the Old Drogheda Society, 1990 no. 7.

A Tour of Ireland

2009-03-17T05:17:00.003-05:00

In honor of St. Patrick's Day, here is a short tour of some of my favorite places in Ireland.

St. Laurence Gate, Drogheda

Ha'Penny Bridge, Dublin

Galrus Oratory, Dingle Peninsula

The Cliffs of Moher

St. Patrick’s Day in Chicago

2009-03-16T05:00:00.001-05:00

Long before they started dyeing the Chicago River green, the Irish in Chicago were celebrating the patron saint of their homeland. Below is a transcript of an article published in the Chicago Democrat on March 31, 1843.

CELEBRATION OF ST. PATRICK’S DAY.
Friday last was celebrated in a very becoming manner by the friends of Ireland as the anniversary of the birth of its patron saint, the great and good St. Patrick. The Montgomery Guards, under Capt. Kelly, with the Chicago Band, came out in full uniform, making a splendid appearance. The Catholic Temperance Society also came out with its banner and badges. As also did the Repeal association. These joined in one procession under the very appropriate direction of John Davlin, Esq. paraded through our streets from the Saloon to the Catholic Church, where a very able and interesting sermon was preached by the Rev. Mr. St. Pallais in explanation of the history and virtues of St. Patrick. Mass was then celebrated in the most solemn and affecting manner and with the best sacred music we have ever heard in our city. In speaking of the music of the Catholic Church heretofore, we wrongfully attributed it to the Chicago Band, when it should have been to the Catholic Choir alone, under the direction of Rev. Mr. Fisher with Mrs. Strangman upon the organ. After the services were closed, the procession again formed and proceeded to the Saloon, where a very learned and eloquent address was delivered by Dr. W. B. Egan the President of the Chicago Repeal Association and founder of that institution, upon Ireland and her wrongs, eliciting loud, frequent and protracted applause from an overflowing house. The company then dispersed and the remainder of the day passed off in quiet, as if there had been no display and no gathering of the people. The whole celebration, from beginning to end, was admirably conducted, and the most fastidious could find no fault with the order preserved throughout the day; and, whilst it reflected honor upon all concerned in it, and upon all Irishmen as a class, it had a tendency to awaken a spirit of enquiry into the history of Ireland in the minds of hundreds and in very many the deepest sympathies for her home population now peacibly struggling for freedom from oppression the most cruel.

If there are any native Americans in our city, whose minds are prejudiced against old country men, let them reflect that the only uniformed company in our city is solely composed of Irishmen; and, furthermore, that this same St. Patrick, worshipped as the patron Saint of Ireland, was not himself an Irishman but a Frenchman carried to Ireland as a slave. We hope the custom of celebrating this day will be kept up hereafter and that much good will result therefrom in wakening American sympathies for the suffering countrymen of Emmet, O’Connell and Mathew.

-#-

Ellen McSorley

2009-03-15T11:17:00.004-05:00

In honor of Women’s History Month, I am posting a mini-biography about my 2nd-great-grandmother, Ellen McSorley.

Ellen was born in County Tyrone, Ireland, in about 1815. Nothing is known of her childhood years. She immigrated to the United States, and settled in Newark, New Jersey. Ellen was 18 years old at the time of her marriage to Timothy Bestick, an Irish immigrant from County Longford. They married at St. John’s Catholic Church in Newark on 7 January 1833.

The names of Ellen’s parents are unknown, but it is certain that Ellen did not leave all her family behind in Ireland. Several McSorleys are found in Newark records associated with Ellen. In particular, Susan McSorley was enumerated immediately after Timothy Bestick in the 1840 census. Susan was the head of a household of 6 persons. Other McSorleys are found in the records of St. John’s Church, including Rosanna McSorley who was the baptismal sponsor to Ellen’s son James.

In the 1850s and 1860s, Ellen cared for her three children and the boarders who lived with the Bestick family. She was also a business woman. Ellen is listed in several Newark city directories as a milliner. It appears that her career as a milliner enabled her to purchase real estate. On 14 June 1864, Ellen purchased property on Academy Street in Newark from Thomas Paulin and his wife for $2,100.00. The deed mentions that Ellen is the wife of Timothy Bestick, but he was not a party to the agreement.

Ellen was 59 years old at the time of her death due to old age on 4 September 1872. Her funeral was held at St. Patrick's Pro-Cathedral, Newark. Ellen was buried at Holy Sepulchre Cemetery, East Orange, in a plot owned by James Cox, who is believed to be her nephew. It is noteworthy that Ellen was buried in the same cemetery, but not in the same plot as her husband and children. The reason for this remains a mystery.

In keeping with the month of March being National Women's History Month, the topic for the 68th edition of the Carnival of Genealogy will once again be: A Tribute to Women. To find tributes to other women, look for this carnival on Jasia's Creative Gene blog.

Patrick Whelan Cemetery Record

2009-03-15T05:00:00.000-05:00

Patrick Whelan, the brother of my ancestor Timothy, was buried in Calvary Cemetery, Evanston, IL, along with several members of his family. In fact, I count 26 names listed as buried in this 3 grave plot. Many of them were children and infants. I have seen other plot cards from Calvary with 10 or more people in a 3 grave plot. But I guess 26 was the limit. The staff typed "NO ROOM FOR FUTURE INTERMENTS" on the card in 2 places.

This plot was used by the family for over 100 years. The first burial was Mary Whelan on 11/30/1861. The last burial was Mary Whalen on 11/21/1964.

Other points of interest:
1. The surname Whelan is spelled 3 ways on this card: Whalan, Whalen, and Whelan.

2. Other surnames on the card are Martin, Landy, Reardon, and Maloney. The first 3 surnames include known in-laws of Patrick Whelan.

3. There are 6 Mary Whelans buried in this plot.

I'm looking forward to finding obituaries and/or death certificates for some of those buried here.

My Favorite Thing about Irish Genealogy

2009-03-14T16:54:00.004-05:00

This is my entry to the 12th edition of the Carnival of Irish Heritage & Culture. This edition is open to anything and everything about Irish heritage, genealogy and culture. To learn more about the carnival and find links to other posts, visit the Carnival of Irish Heritage & Culture.

There are many things I love about doing Irish genealogy. My favorite thing about Irish research is being able to go to Ireland to do it. I’ve only been to Ireland twice, and I enjoyed it both times. I’d go back every year if I could!

My last trip was in 2006. We called it the “Library Tour of Ireland” although it was the “Playground Tour of Ireland” for my kids. I only visited 3 libraries, for less than 8 hours each, but it was great!

In Dublin, I visited the National Library of Ireland. I had a consultation with a member of the Genealogy Service staff. I also looked at church records on microfilm.

In Longford, I visited the county library. I looked at periodicals and a local history collection that is not available elsewhere. I found an interesting clue about the Bestick family of Longford: a mother’s name on a headstone transcription, which was no longer visible on the headstone itself.

I visited the Meath County Library in Navan. I looked at newspapers on the microfilm reader. (I could read old newspapers for hours!) I also looked at books and periodicals in the local history section.

(I have to admit, I also used the computers at the county libraries to check my email. I wonder if they will have wifi by the time I make my next visit.)

I’ve already been making plans for my next trip to Ireland, although I don’t yet know when it will be. 1) I plan to visit PRONI (the Public Record Office of Northern Ireland) to search for my McSorleys from County Tyrone. I also want to look at estate papers in their collection that might relate to ancestors from other parts of Ireland. 2) I’d like to visit the Louth County Library and the Louth County Archives. I have ancestors who were from the parish of St. Mary’s-Drogheda, and many records and local history sources for Drogheda are at the County Louth facilities. 3) I can’t go to Ireland without a visit to Dublin. There are several facilities in Dublin that I’d like to visit. I will decide where to do my research depending on how much time I’ll have for research and where I am with my research at that point. But the National Archives of Ireland is calling to me, so I have a feeling I’ll be stopping there. I can’t resist a good manuscript collection.

As David Rencher and David Ouimette tell the students in their Irish Research courses: It isn’t that you have to go to Ireland to do research, it’s that you get to go to Ireland to do research.

Happy St. Patrick’s Day!

My Favorite Photo of Dad

2009-03-11T12:19:00.000-05:00

This is my favorite photo of my dad, Edwin F. Brady. It isn't really a very good picture of him--you can't even see his face. But it shows him enjoying himself. He was on vacation in Colorado, feeding a chipmunk. My dad liked to travel in his younger days, and he always loved animals and nature. So this photo represents him very well.

My 100th Post

2009-03-10T22:49:00.005-05:00

I began my blog on October 6th, 2008. Here I am, just over 5 months later, writing my 100th post. So, here's a look back, and then a look ahead at what's to come.

Blogging has been a great experience! Some of the good points of blogging: It has gotten me to write about some of my ancestors that I had never written about before. Blogging has helped me start to organize my genealogy research and the family photos I've received from my mom and my Aunt Rita. I've discovered that I had duplicates of some of the old photos, sometimes in assorted sizes. And sometimes with different information written on the back of the different copies.

Blogging helped me begin to solve one of my brickwall problems that I've had since I started researching my family history over 30 years ago.

I've met some neat people who are fellow genealogy bloggers. Some I've only met online, and others I've met in person.

I've connected to other researchers who are interested in the same surnames I'm researching. I've gotten help from people who have read my blog, and I've been able to help some of my readers too.

Blogging is great fun. I wish I had more time to spend on it. There are topics I've planned to blog about that I haven't gotten around to yet. And I have many more photos to post--I haven't even started on the ones we got from my husband's Grandma Betty.

Looking ahead, this month is my Mainly Irish Month. I'll be posting photos and other items related to my Irish ancestors, Irish research and other things Irish. I'll also be devoting a week to my Lithuanian ancestors who worked in coal mines in Illinois and elsewhere.

For the remainder of the year, I will be posting more Civil War documents related to my ancestors. I will post information from some probate and land records of my Chicago Whelans. I have documents and photos to post about my Lithuanian ancestors. I'll continue to participate in various Blog Carnivals, and post new discoveries.

The blog is hungry! I must keep feeding the blog!

Mom and Her Siblings

2009-03-10T09:07:00.008-05:00

My mom, Ann Skrobul, was one of 8 children. And from what I saw of them, they all got along well. I know my mom loved them all, and felt loved by them. The photo above shows my mom goofing around with her 2 brothers, Stan and Putt (aka Tony).

I have alot of photos of my mom with 1 or more of her siblings. In the photo below are Stella and my mom standing, with their oldest sister Josephine seated. The photo was taken in April, 1957. My mom is standing behind Aunt Jo because she was a little bit pregnant at the time.

The next picture shows Veronica, Ann and Jule Skrobul standing in front of the family home in Beckemeyer, Illinois.

Here is one more photo of my mom and some of her siblings. From left to right, Stella, Veronica and Ann are shown spending a quiet evening together knitting.

I only have one photo of my mom with her siblings when they were children. It is a picture of the 5 sisters that I have posted here. I have no picures of the sixth sister, Maria, who died as an infant.

My mom was very lucky to have grown up with so many great brothers and sisters, and to have stayed close to them as adults.

To see more photos and comments about brothers and sisters, look at the 11th edition of Smile For the Camera, posted by the footnoteMaven.

Dad and Friends

2009-03-08T10:38:00.002-05:00

Here is another photo of my dad and some friends from his young adult years. From left to right are Wayne Swonk, Ed Brady and Jim Collins. This picture is mounted to a cardboard frame, taped to it with very yellowed cellophane tape. It was then wrapped in tissue paper, which is also looking a bit yellowed. The names of the 3 men in the photo are written on the top layer of tissue paper in the handwriting of my aunt Rita Brady (Ed's sister.) The photo is a bit blurry, but it is the only one I have found so far of Wayne. I do not know where or when it was taken. Since dad was born in 1907, I think the photo was probably taken after 1927.

Ed Brady and Richard Spencer

2009-03-06T09:28:00.004-06:00

Here they are: my dad, Ed Brady, and his friend, Richard Spencer. I do not know when or where this photo was taken. The guys appear to be in their 20s to me. Since Dad was born in 1907, the picture was probably taken between 1927 and 1937, probably towards the earlier end of that range.

Catherine Whelan's Deposition

2009-03-03T08:28:00.003-06:00

This deposition was given by my great-grandmother, Catherine (Markey) Whelan. It was given in support of the claim for a widow's pension by Catherine's sister-in-law, Mary J. Whelan.

For the sake of consistency, I use the spelling "Whelan" when writing about this family. This was the spelling I have found most often in Irish records. However, Patrick's family used the spelling "Whalin" consistently in these pension documents, although not in other documents I have found. The transcription below reflects the spelling of words as given in the original documents.

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

On this 18 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 Catherine Whalin, 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 65 years of age, am the widow of Timothy Whalin and reside at 166 Chestnut in Chicago Ill.

I first knew this claimant ever since after she was married. About 5 months before she was married. She was then a young unmarried girl. I was not present at the church when they were married, but I was at the house that evening where the wedding festivities were held. My husband stood up with her when she was married. She was married in December, 35 or 36 years ago. The first I knew her husband, Patrick Whalin, was when he came from the war. He was then a single man, & had never been married, & I am sure his first marriage was to claimant. They lived together as man & wife until he died, & she has not remarried since. I know they were living together on Columbia St. at the time of his death.

She has been very poor since her husband died, has had no property & no income aside from her own labor.

I am not interested in her claim, above has been read to me & is correct.

Attest her X mark
Fannie Reardon Catherine Whalin
[?] Kenny

Deming Place Then and Now

2009-03-02T05:15:00.001-06:00

The photo above is dated December 1944. On the back, it is labeled "We lived here Ann, Estelle & Stella" in the handwriting of my mom, Ann Skrobul.

This photo is labeled "1981, 632 Deming Pl. previous residence of Ann Skrobul Brady" in my handwriting. It looks like I found the correct building when I went looking for it in 1981. I just loved the look of these old stone houses.

Recently, I looked for this address on the Cook County Assessor's website, and I found this image labeled 2006:

This didn't look like a good development for the old house. I hoped it was just a major remodeling and not a tear down. I decided to look on Google Earth and see if it showed a more recent image. Google Earth showed this image:

The house appears to be still standing and seems to be looking better again. But now I want to satisfy my curiosity. I'll just have to drive by and see the house in person on my next trip to the north side of Chicago. And I'll probably take a few pictures of the building while I'm there, to add to my collection.

The McGoldricks and The Bradys

2009-03-01T01:43:00.002-06:00

This is a picture of my parents and another couple. On the left are John and Dorothy McGoldrick. On the right, my parents, Ann (Skrobul) and Edwin F. Brady. The photo was most likely taken in Chicago in the early 1950s.

The Yedinak Sisters?

2009-02-28T08:00:00.000-06:00

This is a picture of Florence Yedinak, a friend of my mom, Ann Skrobul. Other photos of Florence can be seen here.

This photo is labeled Helen Yedinak. I don't know if Florence and Helen were sisters, but it seems to me that there is a family resemblance.

I believe these photos were taken in Chicago in the 1940s. If you recognize Florence or Helen Yedinak, I'd be happy to hear from you and share photos.

Pierce Landy's Deposition

2009-02-24T08:40:00.003-06:00

This is one of my favorite documents from the Mary J. Whalin pension file. (Click on the labels related to Patrick Whelan for additional information about this pension file.) This deposition gives several clues for me to follow up on. It also provides details of what life was like in those days and some of the challenges faced by my relatives.

Misspellings and other mistakes are transcribed as they appear in the document.

Deposition G
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 Pierce Landy, 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 about 70 years old. I do not know my age. I reside at 181 Milton Ave Chicago Ill.

I knew this claimant before she married Pat Whalin. When I first knew her, she was a young unmarried girl. I do not believe I was at their wedding, because I was on night watch at the time, but I knew all about it, & my wife attended the wedding & saw them married.

I know they lived together from that time until he died, except for the time he was in the soldier’s House, but they were never divorced or legally separated, & she has not remarried since he died.

I knew Pat Whalin long before he went a soldiering, several years before the war, and he was then a young unmarried man. His first marriage was to this woman Mary. My first wife was his sister. When I first knew him he was a drayman here, & several years before the war he bought a lot on Siegel Street, & built a house on it, and lived there with his mother & sister, and he was living there with his mother at the time he married claimant and he afterwards lost the place on a mortgage. The first house was burned In the big fire (1871) & then[?] he borrowed money to build a two story house & that he lost. I think he was some older than me but not much.

The only property he left was the house where he lived, & I don’t know as that belonged to him. Claimant has been very poor since, and has to work as a scrub woman.

The affidavit [?] [?] B. J. [?], was signed by me.
I am not interested in this claim. The above has been read to me & is correct.
P. Landy
Deponent.

Sworn to and subscribed before me this 19 day of May 1903, and I certify that the contents were fully made known to deponent before signing.
[?]
Special Examiner.

*********
Interesting points from this deposition:
1. Pierce Landy's first wife was the sister of Patrick Whelan and my ancestor, Timothy Whelan. Unfortuntely her first name is not given. I hope to find her in censuses and other records, but I'll need to be sure I find the first wife, and not a later one.

2. The mother of Patrick and Timothy Whelan lived in Chicago before Patrick went a soldiering! This is great news, since Timothy was one of my "space alien" ancestors who seemed to materialize in Chicago without any relatives. I will be trying to find out more about the mother (such as her first name) through censuses, cemetery records and other sources.

3. Patrick worked as a drayman (wagon driver) and lived on Siegel Street before the Civil War. This informtion will help me idenify him in city directories.

4. Patrick lived in a soldiers' home for a time. I will try to find out which one, and see if any records are available that might relate to Patrick.

5. Patrick owned property in Chicago. I'll want to look at any deeds, mortgages, or other records about the property.

6. Pierce Landy believes Patrick was older than him, but not by very much. Pierce wasn't sure of his own age, but believed he was about 70 years old in 1903. Therefore Patrick was probably born before 1833, at least according to Pierce.

I wll continue to post additional depositions and discoveries as I find them.

Ann and Florence in Montana

2009-02-23T10:04:00.005-06:00

This is a photo of Florence Yedinak and my mom, Ann Skrobul, visiting my mom's relatives in Montana. I believe the photo was taken in the early 1940s.

Here are Florence and Ann waiting at the Miles City station for the train that would take them back to Chicago. They packed light! I had more luggage than both of them put together when I visited Montana in 1975.

Ann, Tony and Friends

2009-02-21T11:15:00.001-06:00

This is a photo of my mom, one of her brothers, and two of their friends. Standing are Bob Kahroff, my mom Ann Skrobul, and Tony Kannell. Kneeling is Tony Skrobul, also known as Uncle Putt. Uncle Putt was a fun guy. It looks as if Tony Kannell and Uncle Putt are ready to go hunting. I believe this picture was taken in Beckemeyer, Illinois in front of the Skrobul home.

Uncle Theo's Obituary

2009-02-18T09:38:00.007-06:00

This is an obituary for my great-uncle. It appeared in the Gary Post-Tribune on 5 July 1955. I never met Theo--he died before I was born. I always thought of him as "Uncle Theo." However, as a Lithuanian immigrant, there were many versions of his first and last names. His baptism record shows his name as Teofilis Norvaisa. I've seen his first name given as Teofil, Theofil, and Theo. His last name is given as Norvich, Norwich, or Norvaisis. On his Declaration of Intent in 1912, he signed his name as Teofil Norwich.

Theo has always been a bit of a mystery to me. No one talked about him much. His death certificate indicated he was divorced, but I don't know anything about any wives or children he may have had. At one time, Theo worked as a coal miner in southern Illinois, and lived in Beckemeyer, IL near the family of his brother-in-law, Anton Skrobul. Later, he moved to Gary, Indiana where he remained until his death.

I hope to gather more information about Theo in the future. For now, I'm glad to have a copy of his obituary with such interesting details. It gives me several possibilities for further research, beginning with the cemetery, funeral home, Lithuanian Workers Society and LDS 81.

Happy Valentines Day!

2009-02-14T09:07:00.001-06:00

In honor of Valentines Day, here is a photo of my mom, Ann Skrobul, and my dad, Edwin F. Brady, together. I believe this photo was taken in the early 1950s. I wonder if this was a work-related party, since they are both wearing i.d. badges. My parents met when they were both working at the Veterans Administration offices in Chicago.

Ed Brady and Friends

2009-02-13T23:20:00.001-06:00

Here is a photo of my dad, Edwin Brady, and his friends on vacation in Colorado, probably in the early 1930s. From left to right: Edwin Brady, Don Hayes, Jim Collins.

Mary J. Whalin, Widow

2009-02-12T19:00:00.005-06:00

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

******

Deposition E
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 Peter Lynch, 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 78 years of age, and reside at 540 Burling St Chicago Ill. I have known this claimant since she was a child in Ireland.
I came to this country in 1844, & was back & forth to Ireland after that. I saw claimant in Buffalo N.Y. in 1865 or 66, and when she came to Chicago. She came to live in my family. She was then a young unmarried girl.
I knew her husband, Patrick Whalin from 1857. I landed in Chicago in 1856, got acquainted with him in 1857, and knew him well from that time on. He was my wifes brother and a part of the time lived with me.
I knew positively he was not married until he married this claimant. I was at their wedding and saw them married, and I knew they lived together from that time until he died, never were divorced or legally separated. They were living together at the time of his death, and she has not remarried since. She has no property of any kind. The house in which she lives belongs to her crippled son, and she has no income, but supports herself as a scrub woman. I could not give the date of marriage, but it must have been about 1867. I knew she was here in Chicago but a short [?] when she was married. Her husband served in the 90th Ill. That was the only service he ever endured[?] in either the army or Navy that I knew or heard of. He was there[?] until he was wounded.
The affidavit B. J. [?] [?] was signed by me & the facts stated therein are correct.
I am not interested in this claim. The above has been read to me & is correct.
Peter Lynch
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.
[?]
Special Examiner.

*********

Patrick Whalin was my great grandfather's brother, which I discovered from documents in this pension file.

Interesting points contained in this affidavit:

The witness, Peter Lynch, was the brother-in-law of Patrick Whalin. Peter's wife (who isn't named) was the sister of Patrick.

Patrick Whalin was in Chicago by 1857.

The witness, Peter Lynch, traveled a bit. He arrived in the U.S. in 1844, arrived in Chicago in 1856, and was in Buffalo, New York in about 1865. He also indicated that he traveled back and forth between the U.S. and Ireland.

New questions based on this affidavit:

What was the name of Patrick's sister who was Peter's wife?

Why did Peter Lynch travel so much? Did he have a job that involved travel? Did he bring friends or relatives to the U.S.?

Peter Lynch knew Mary J. Whalin when she was a child in Ireland. Where in Ireland did Peter and Mary come from?

I'm hoping that other documents in this pension file will help me find the answers to these and other questions I have about Patrick Whalin and his associates.

Thomas Whelan Headstone

2009-02-12T13:13:00.006-06:00

Here are photos of the headstone of Thomas Whelan who was buried at Calvary Cemetery, Evanston, Illinois on 8 November 1905. His wife, Delia (Della on the headstone) was buried in the same lot on 26 February 1919.

Here is a transcription of the headstone:

WHALEN
THOMAS F. WHALEN
DIED NOV. 5, 1905
DELLA WHALEN
DIED FEB. 22, 1919

This is an image of the plot card, showing 7 people buried in the plot.

Another Picture of Mom

2009-02-11T11:35:00.003-06:00

This is a picture of my mom, Ann Skrobul, dressed up in her Sunday best. I believe it was taken at the time of her confirmation.

Some images of records from St. Anthony's church (my mom's parish) in Beckemeyer, IL are on the FamilySearch pilot site. Who'd of thought? The images include listings for my mom and some of her siblings and cousins. I found alot of familiar names as I was browsing these records. A link to these records is here. (That's mom on image 32, line 14.) I am looking forward to seeing this entire record group posted online someday.

Smile For the Camera Circa 1900

2009-02-09T09:57:00.004-06:00

The subject for the 10th Edition of Smile For The Camera is: Costume. No, not as in Halloween. Costume as in dress in general; especially the distinctive style of dress of a people, class, or period.

This photo shows my great-aunt, Frances Whelan, in what appears to be the typical costume for a working woman in the early 1900s. Frances worked as a school teacher at that time. She was born in 1874, so she was in her mid-20s at this time.

For examples of costumes from this timeperiod, see Clues to American Dress by E. F. Hartley and Dating Old Photographs 1840-1929 edited by Halvor Moorshead.

Florence Yedinak in Miles City

2009-02-07T06:00:00.001-06:00

I love this picture of my mom's friend Florence. I look at it and think that somewhere there is a relative of Florence who has looked at her copy of this photo and wondered "Miles City? Where is that? Do we have relatives there?" Well, I can answer her questions: Miles City is in Montana. You probably don't have relatives there, but I do.

My mom had cousins in Miles City, Montana, and she visited there when she was a young woman. I also visited Montana in 1975. I remember there being alot of open country as I drove with my cousins to the family's ranch. For me who grew up in Chicago, I looked around and wondered why it was called Miles City. It looked like the opposite of a city to me. I had a great time on that visit--I rode a horse for the first time, flew in a small private plane, visited the family ranch, and met more cousins and my great aunt Stella. I'm sure Florence and my mom enjoyed their visit too.

Did Timothy Whelan have siblings in Chicago?

2009-02-05T11:15:00.005-06:00

That has been one of my biggest questions ever since I started doing genealogy research, over 30 years ago. I asked my dad, my aunt, and others, but no one knew the answer. My aunt told me that Timothy Whelan was from County Kilkenny, but that was all she knew. Well, this week I got the answer--a great big YES!

The answer was in copies I received this week from Civil War pension files. I had requested copies of pension files and service records for two possible siblings of my ancestor that I had identified through city directories. As I mentioned here there were actually two Patrick Whelans from Kilkenny who lived in Chicago and fought in the Civil War. Well, the genealogy gods were smiling on me this week: only one of the Patricks had a pension file, and he was a sibling of my ancestor Timothy Whelan. (Time for the happy dance!)

The files I received included an invalid pension for Patrick Whelan, and a widow's pension for his wife Mary. The files are awesome! I am still busy transcribing them and looking at the additional research possibilities they open up. But a few of the highlights I have found so far include:

1. Patrick Whelan lived with Timothy at 166 Chestnut at times. This confirms that it is my Timothy, since that address is well documented in my files.

2. Timothy stood up to Patrick's wedding in 1867.

3. Timothy's widow, Catherine (Markey) Whelan gave an affidavit which was included in the widow's pension file. Catherine testified that, "I was not present at the church when they were married, but I was at the house that evening where the wedding festivities were held." It must have been a memorable party, since it was mentioned in several affidavits.

4. Not only do the files confirm that Timothy and Patrick were brothers, but they also had two sisters and THEIR MOTHER living in Chicago at one time. (Of course, no first names are given for the women. Humbug!)

So, if you haven't done it yet, I recommend that you look into the possibility of pension files for any Civil War ancestors that you may have. And don't limit yourself to direct ancestors. Go for the siblings, possible ancestors and siblings, in-laws, and the guys who served with your soldier. You never know what you may find.

Rita Brady

2009-02-04T10:25:00.004-06:00

Here is a photo of my aunt, Rita Brady, on another wintry day in Chicago.

The McSorleys of Newark, NJ

2009-02-02T11:04:00.000-06:00

I am related to the McSorleys who lived in Newark, NJ. (Well, maybe not all the McSorleys, but at least some of them.) My McSorley relatives lived in Newark in the 1830s and 1840s. My ancestor, Ellen (aka Helen) McSorley married Timothy Bestick at St. John's Church in 1833. Here are some other records from St. John's that include McSorleys. These were extracted from FHL microfilm no. 1398540.

Baptisms
25 Feb 1838 Mary Ann Bestick dau of Timothy Bestick and Ellen McSoley, sponsors Francis Bestick and Mary Wall

24 Feb 1838 James Francis Murphy son of Francis D. Murphy and Mary McSoley, sponsors Rev. Roderick Ryder and Bridget Fallen

16 Apr 1838 Julia Fogarty dau of John Fogarty and Isabella Brown, sponsors Bernard Kearney and Rosanna McSaley

16 Dec 1838 Catharine Bergen dau of Edward Bergen and Ann Smyth, sponsors James Delany and Catharine McSoley

25 Apr 1841 Catharine Cox dau of Patrick G. Cox and Rosanna McSorley, sponsors John H. Kernan and Catharine McSorley

19 July 1841 Eleanor McSorley dau of John McSorley and Rebecca Mackey, sponsors Patrick G. Cox and Rosanna McSorley

5 Sept 1841 James Robert Bestick son of Timothy Bestick and Helen McSorley, sponsors James Dooner and Rosanna McSorley

27 Oct 1841 Teresa Murphy dau of Francis D. Murphy and Mary McSorley, sponsors Daniel G. Durning and Anne Ward

Marriage
18 Apr 1844 William Carolin and Catherine McSorley, witnesses Patrick Carolin and Margaret Kearny

The families of Catherine, Ellen, John and Rosanna McSorley are all connected as baptism sponsors to each others' children. However, the family of Mary McSorley and her husband Francis D. Murphy were not connected to the other McSorleys by church records during this time period. I hope to discover the place of origin for my McSorleys. I also hope to discover if Mary or any other McSorleys in the U.S. were related to mine.

The Genealogy Happy Dance

2009-02-01T23:17:00.001-06:00

My happy dances are all about reconnecting with long lost relatives. I can think of 2 major happy dance events. The most recent was connecting to cousins in Lithuania. I've written about that here.

My best previous happy dance was about connecting with relatives on my dad's side, through the Chicago Genealogical Society's "Chicago Genealogy Finder." A long lost cousin wrote a letter to me after seeing me listed with our common ancestor, Timothy Whelan. Unfortunately, the address listed was over 10 years old, and I had moved from San Diego back to the Chicago area by then. My distant cousin is a librarian, and a very resourceful person. When her letter was returned, she found my current address in more recent membership lists, and tried again. We connected, exchanged packets of information and had some nice get-togethers including her mom and my Aunt Rita. Both sides of the family knew my great aunt Frances Whelan (also known as Sister Delphine.) I also have an autograph book that belonged to my grandmother Jennie Whelan, which was signed by Jennie's half sister Mary, the great grandmother of my long lost cousin.

Taking a Second Look at Things

2009-02-01T10:34:00.001-06:00

I have found over the years that it is a good idea to take a second look at what I already have. Sometimes it can lead to major discoveries, and sometimes just to interesting details. One example comes from my research on my Skrobul family.

My grandpa was Anton Skrobul (Antanas Skrabulis.) He and his 3 brothers, William, Stanley and Joseph, all came to the United States.

Discovering their parents' names, and the many spellings of them, has been a challenge. On Anton's marriage certificate, his parents are given as Wm Skrobul and Ella Rinch[?]. On Anton's death certificate, his father's name is given as John, mother's name unknown.

I expanded my search to Anton's siblings. On the death certificate of Anton's brother William, the deceased brother's name is given as Vincent and the parents' names are Vincent Skrobulis and Elizebeth Sorokowa. (The Lithuanian name Vincas is translated as either William or Vincent in English.) I've also seen the mother's name given as Syrak or Soroka on other documents.

So, I was a bit confused about Anton's mother's surname. None of the possible surnames I'd seen sounded Lithuanian to me. In Lithuanian, a married woman's name generally ends in -iene and an unmarried woman's name ends in -aite or -yte. So I felt I still hadn't found the Lithuanian version of the mother's surname. In fact, I thought Sorokowa sounded more Japanese than Lithuanian. (I admit, I'm not knowledgeable about Eastern European or Japanese names.)

My confusion was solved by a visit from a Lithuanian cousin. He told me that Sorokowa was a Polish version of Soroka, and that the Lithuanian version for a single woman was Sorokaite. Both he and another Lithuanian cousin mentioned that the Soroka name was common in the area that our Skrobul ancestors were from, and that the Sorokas were cousins (somehow) of the Skrobuls.

So now, I come to my second look. I have found passenger lists for some of my Lithuanian relatives, including grandpa's brother William (indexed on Ancestry.com as Vizenty Scro??.) William traveled from Bremen, Germany to Baltimore aboard the Hannover. He arrived in June, 1905. According to the passenger list, William was going to Munson, PA to join his brother Josef Skrobul. This made sense to me. I had been told that grandpa and his brothers lived in Pennsylvania for a few years. And grandpa's passenger list from 1904 indicated he was going to join Josef in Munson Station.

When I looked at William's passenger list again recently, I noticed that listed on the line above him was Thomas Soroka, from the same town (possibly Maceviciai)in the Suwalki region of Lithuania. Thomas is going to join his brother, Josef Soroka, in Munson, PA.

So, this isn't a major discovery that will take me back 3 generations or add 1000 more names to my database. But I find it kind of neat to know that my great uncle William Skrobul traveled to America with a Soroka cousin, and that they were going to Pennsylvania together to join their brothers. It is always good to have family and not to be alone.

Stella and Estelle

2009-01-31T13:08:00.004-06:00

Here is a picture of Stella (Koch) Gordon and Estelle Hunley, two friends of my mom, Ann Skrobul Brady. Stella and Estelle seem to be dressed warm for Chicago weather, in warm coats and matching scarves. This photo was probably taken in Chicago in the 1940s.

Emilija Skrabulyte, 1916-1979

2009-01-28T07:32:00.001-06:00

This is a photo of Emilija Skrabulyte (aka Emily Skrobul). Emily was born in Kapciamiestis, Lithuania, the daughter of Stanislovas Skrabulis and Ona Jauciulyte. Emily came to the United States and married Ballis Steponis. They lived in Cleveland, and Emily died there in 1979.

Emily was a first cousin of my mom, Ann (Skrobul) Brady. This photo of Emily helped to reconnect 2 branches of the Skrobul family who had lost touch with each other. A cousin brought this photo, and others, to Lithuania on a visit. A cousin he met there recognized the photos.

Vernie, Bob and Ann

2009-01-24T10:15:00.005-06:00

Here is a photo of my mom, her sister and a friend of theirs. From left to right: Veronica (Skrobul) Mensing (aka Aunt Vernie), Bob Kahroff (a friend) and Ann (Skrobul) Brady (my mom). I believe the photo was taken in Beckemeyer, Illinois in the early 1940s.

Bob appears to be wearing a uniform of some type, but I do not recognize it. I'd like to hear from anybody who knew Bob or recognizes his uniform.

My Newest Quest: Patrick Whelan

2009-01-23T11:48:00.001-06:00

I am searching for two Patrick Whelans of Chicago who served in the Civil War and were both born in Kilkenny. Here is the information I've gathered from the Illinois Secretary of State's website.

Patrick Whalen, Rank Private, Company G, 23rd Illinois Infantry. He was 35 years old, 5' 8", brown hair, gray eyes, unmarried. He was a moulder.

Patrick Whalan, Rank Private, Company G, 90th Illinois Infantry. He was 26 years old, 5' 4", brown hair, blue eyes, unmarried. He was a drayman.

The reason I am so interested in these 2 soldiers, is that my ancestor, Timothy Whelan, was also from Kilkenny. And I found Timothy and a Patrick Whelan together in Chicago in 1857. The city directory listing for them from the 1857 Gager’s Chicago City Directory was:

Whaling Patrick, drayman, Hinsdale bet Franklin and N Market Ire 7 y
Whaling Timothy laborer, Hinsdale bet Franklin and N Market Ire 7 y

The "Ire 7 y" indicated they both came to Chicago from Ireland 7 years earlier.

Bailey’s 1864-5 Chicago City Directory listed the following:
Whelan Patrick, soldier, h. 36 Hinsdale

My ancestor Timothy lived at 34 W. Hinsdale for many years. So I believe that my Timothy may have been related to at least one of these Patrick Whelans. I hope that the pension files and service records for these 2 soldiers will provide information that will help me determine how (and if) they were related to Timothy, and where in County Kilkenny they came from.

The Joseph Brady Family

2009-01-21T07:00:00.002-06:00

This is a photograph of some of my Newark, New Jersey relatives. The photo is labeled in the handwriting of my aunt Rita Brady as "Lizzie's sister, Aunt Lizzie, Cousin Joe, Uncle Joe Brady, New Jersey." "Uncle Joe" was the son of my great grandparents, Garret Brady and Mary Ann Bestick.

In the 1900 census, Joseph Sr, his wife Elizabeth and son Joseph were living with Elizabeth's mother Margaret Hampson, a widow, and Margaret's daughters Emma and Maggie at 145 Academy St. in Newark, New Jersey.

My Keys to Ireland

2009-01-18T21:13:00.007-06:00

I am participating in the Carnival of Irish Heritage & Culture. The focus of this edition is "My key to Ireland." It is dedicated to the stories of genealogists tracing their Irish family trees.

My ancestors came from several different counties in Ireland: Kilkenny, Longford, Meath, Tyrone and possibly Mayo. I learned of these places of origin from a variety of sources. And I am still gathering evidence on some of them.

I found the birthplaces of my 2nd great grandparents, Timothy Bestick and Ellen McSorley in their 1833 church marriage record from Newark, New Jersey. I've written about that discovery here. I have found additional records of Timothy and his parents in Longford church records. I haven't been as successful with Ellen. McSorley is a common name in Tyrone, and it will take more digging in U.S. records of Ellen and her siblings in order to find their place of origin in County Tyrone.

I was told by my aunt, Rita Brady, that her grandfather Timothy Whelan was from Kilkenny. Since then I have found some evidence supporting that. The Whelan surname and the surname of Timothy Whelan's first wife, Mary Sinnott, are both common in Kilkenny. I am still gathering information about other Whelans from Kilkenny who settled in Chicago, to see if any of them are related to Timothy.

Aunt Rita also told me that Timothy Whelan's second wife, Catherine Markey, was from County Meath. According to Rita, Catherine and her mother came to the U.S. from "County Meath near the River Boyne, 5 miles from the sea." This exact wording was also used by a distant cousin who was descended from Catherine's aunt Bridget Ratty Crawley. The wording was so specific that it sounded like a quote from a travel brochure. I later found that wording in a gazeteer of Ireland.

My Aunt Rita told me that her grandfather, Garret Brady, was from County Mayo. I haven't found any supporting evidence of this in obituaries or other sources. And Brady is not a common name in County Mayo. But Aunt Rita's information has been pretty reliable about our other ancestors, so for now I am taking her word for it and hoping to find records of Garret that will lead me to his place of origin in Ireland.

Frances Whelan, 1874-1960

2009-01-14T07:00:00.001-06:00

This is a copy of an obituary that has been handed down in my family. It is for Sister Delphine, previously known as Frances Whelan. She was the daughter of Timothy Whelan and Catherine Markey, and was my dad's favorite aunt.

Frances was born 20 October 1874, and was baptized at Holy Name Cathedral, Chicago, on 1 November 1874. Her godfather was James Whelan. His relationship to the family is not known, but I hope to find that out someday.

According to the 1902 Chicago city directory, Frances was a teacher who lived at 1140 Jackson. I've been told that she delayed joining the convent in order to help her widowed mother.

Information from the Sinsinawa Dominican's archives indicates that Frances taught Latin. She also served as a superior of a convent on two occasions. The archives also provided a copy of Frances' grades from her days as a student at Saint Clara Academy. Her lowest grade was a 75 in Bookkeeping, and her highest was a 96 in Latin 2.

I don't remember Sister Delphine, who died when I was very young. I have heard from family members that she was alot of fun. Once her relatives, including Tim Furey, were visiting and Tim asked what he could bring her besides stationery. She told him beer would be good. He had some delivered from the Pabst brewery.

Here is a photo of Sister Delphine labeled "Sr Delphine Summer 1949 Oak Park."