Happy Father's Day, Dad!

Today I'm remembering my Dad, Edwin F. Brady. Here is a photo of us on my high school graduation day. Miss you, Dad.

Timothy Bestick Seeking Brother Edward

This is my favorite discovery from my research trip to Salt Lake City last month. It is an ad in the New Orleans Times-Picayune dated August 11, 1883. The ad was placed by my ancestor, Timothy Bestick, seeking information about his brother Edward. Timothy lived in Newark, NJ and must have lost touch with his brother before Edward died in 1860.

McManus Wedding

This is a photograph of the wedding of my aunt and uncle, Stella Skrobul and William McManus. From left to right are James Mc Manus, Veronica (Skrobul) Mensing (sister of the bride), Stella Skrobul and William McManus. 

Mom and Dad's Wedding Photo

Here is the only formal portrait from my parents' wedding on April 24, 1954. This portrait is in a cardboard frame from the "Swiss Chalet, Bismark Hotel, Chicago". From left to right are Clarence and Margaret Sharp, and Edwin and Ann (Skrobul) Brady.

Happy Valentine's Day!

Welcome to Couples Week on Kathy's Genealogy Blog! Over the next few days I will be posting photos of some of the couples on my family tree. I'm beginning today with a picture of my mom and dad, Ann (Skrobul) and Edwin Brady. This photo was taken in 1955. I like this photo because it shows them relaxing, rather than in a formal pose.

For a more formal couple's photo, I've included a picture of me and my husband, Patrick Blake, from our wedding.

Happy Valentine's Day!

Remembering Mom

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!

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

Happy Birthday Mom!

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

Last Days of Summer

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

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

Irish Fest 2009

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

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

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

Owen Gary Affidavit

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

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

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

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

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

Owen Gary

Fannie Lynch Deposition 2

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

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

Class of 1925, Part 15

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

Class of 1925, Part 14

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

Class of 1925, Part 13

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

Class of 1925, Part 12

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

Class of 1925, Part 11

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

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

Class of 1925, Part 10

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

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

Class of 1925, Part 9

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

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

Ann's Friends at the Beach

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