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.

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!

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.

Class of 1925

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


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


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

The Bridal Party

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

Happy Anniversary!

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

Edwin F. Brady, 1907-1977

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

Happy Birthday Dad!

Willie Pax Tavern

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

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

My Favorite Photo of Dad

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.

Dad and Friends

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

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.

The McGoldricks and The Bradys

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.

Happy Valentines Day!

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

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.

Holiday Party Photos

In honor of the holiday season, here are some photos from holiday parties past. These are pictures of employees of the Chicago office of the Veterans Administration. They don't seem too jolly, but the hats and ties are rather festive.


My parents, Edwin F. Brady and Ann Skrobul, worked at the Veteran's Administration. My mom started there in about 1943 and worked there until about 1955. I'm not sure when Edwin began working at the VA, but in 1977 he retired from there.

This is a photo of Mr. Chadwick, my mom's boss when she worked in the Personnel Department. Unfortunately, none of the other people in these photos are identified. If you think you recognize someone, I'd like to hear from you.

Enjoy this holiday season!

Armistice Day

Today is the 90th anniversary of the first Armistice Day--the day the armistice was signed in 1918 to bring an end to World War I. Here is a photo of my grandmother, Jennie Whelan Brady, and her co-workers on the first Armistice Day. The photo was taken outside the factory where they worked, on the north side of Chicago. I don't know the name or location of the factory. If you recognize a relative in the group, or know the company's name or location, please let me know.




Today is now known as Veterans Day, to honor those who have fought for their country. I'll be posting photos of some of the veterans in my family tree this week, beginning with my dad, Edwin F. Brady, a veteran of World War II.

Calvary Cemetery Photos

In honor of Halloween, I will be posting some cemetery photos this week. This first photo is of my mom and dad’s headstone. They are buried in Calvary Cemetery, Evanston, Cook County, Illinois. Calvary is a large Catholic Cemetery in the Archdiocese of Chicago. It was founded in 1859, and was popular with the north side Irish (if a cemetery can ever be called popular.) I’ve seen many obituaries from the late 1800s that contained the words “thence by carriage to Calvary.”

The second photo shows the statue of St. Patrick near the front entrance to Calvary Cemetery. My parents’ grave is near the statue. In the background is Chicago Avenue, and the Chicago “L” tracks that go through Evanston and end in Wilmette.




Here is a link to the Catholic Cemeteries Archdiocese of Chicago website. It contains information about the consecration date, location and current contact information for the 43 Catholic Cemeteries in Cook and Lake counties, Illinois.