Matrilineal Monday Alta Cheauvront Coleman

This picture is of Alta, John and family.

Matrilineal Monday is the female line of a family. I have the Cheuvront line back to France with Joseph coming over to the United States before the Revolutionary War.

Alta Cheuvront is my great great grandmother on my father's side of the family.

Alta Angeline was born to Lemuel and Mary A (Rouse) Cheuvront on 27 of May 1848 in Four Corners, Knox county, Ohio. She had four siblings may have been a fifth sibling an infant who died but not sure at this moment. Siblings were Sarah Ann, Lourinda, Thomas Jefferson, Catherine A.

Picture is of Lemuel, Mary, with Alta Angeline, Thomas Jefferson and Sarah Ann. Daughter Lourinda was not living at the time of picture being taken.

On the first of July in 1866 Alta married John Henry Coleman. To this marriage five children. Elic Lemuel (1868-1944), Mabel Jane (1872- 1946) my great grandmother, Elmer Coleman 1875 -????, Myrtle Alta (1876- 1939), Mary (1890-????).

The 1880 census has them living in Salt Creek, Cass county, Nebraska. Living with John and Alta are Mabel, Elmer, Myrtle and Mary.

Life was not easy during the 1880's in Nebraska. They had hard winters and storms.

According to Andreas History of the State of Nebraska Cass county.
The winter of 1856 was an unusually severe one, its rigors being felt more keenly in contrast with the pleasant winters preceding it. From 1871 to 1876 came the grasshopper scourge, devastating very much of the West. The severest loss from this was in 1875 with a loss of about one third of the whole crop.In 1871, a hail storm, traversing the northern tier of precincts, cut and damaged the grain badly. In 1875 a tornado swept the country from north to southeast, beating down the grain much of was already ripe.In the winter of 1880 - 1881 was a unusually hard one. The latter part and early spring having a lot of rain. This prevented the farmers from planting their corn until later and by then the ground was cold and damp and much of what they did plant did not grow.

The 1885 census has the family can be found in the suburbs of Hebron Village, Thayer county, Nebraska. Living with John and Alta are children Alexander, Mabel, Elmer, Myrtle and Mary.

The 1900 census has them living in Rockford, Garfield County, Nebraska. Living with them is daughter Mary.

1910 and 1920 census has Alta living in Taylor, Loup county , Nebraska with husband John. The 1920 census daughter Mabel Hall and granddaughter Pearl is living with them. Mabel's husband Arthur Hall had passed away in 1919.

Husband John Coleman passed away September 20, 1922.

1930 Alta is living in Sargent, Custer, Nebraska with daughter Mary Wirsic and son in law John and granddaughter Irma age 21.

Alta passes away 28th of September 1937 in Taylor, Loup county, Nebraska at the age of 89. She lived most of her life in Nebraska as the wife of John. John was a farmer and a carpenter.

Lots of dates known in Alta's life. Want I need to do is find where her and John are buried in Nebraska.

Mystery Family Members Sepia Saturday

This is a great old photo that came out of a scrap book of my mother's so is from the Day side of the family. The family lived in Minnesota around the Mora area. My mom was born in 1923 and I am thinking she may have taken this picture. That is how I am dating it to the 1930's to 1940's.
Problem is there is no names, not sure if family or friends but I will guess family.
The clothing is intersting especially the second child a young girl with what may be a hat. The older gentleman is wearing a thin tie that is stuck into his shirt.
Any one out there have a better idea to the age of photo?
Thanks to all of you that stop by and view my pictures. I hope that you mark me a favorite and visit often... Grace

Time Line Thursday Robert Day of England my 8th Great Grandfather

Tribute to founders of Hartford

Time Line of Robert Day

1603 James V1 of Scotland becomes the king of England

1604 Robert born in Ipswich, Co. Suffolk, England to unknown parents

bef 1634 marries Mary last name unknown in England

1634 April emigrated with Mary from England to Boston aboard the ship Elizabeth.

1635 Buys house on west side of Garden Street, Cambridge, Massachusetts

1634/ 1635 wife Mary dies in Cambridge, Massachusetts

1639 Robert moves to Hartford, Conn where he is one of the original settlers and proprietor of Hartford, his home is on lot #5 .

While Connecticut was first explored by the Dutch , the first permanent settlement were made by English Puritans from Massachusetts, starting in 1633. From the first, Connecticut enjoyed a great measure of political independence, proclaiming in its Fundamental Orders of 1639 a democratic principle of government based on the will of the people. These Fundamental Orders are said to have been the first written Constitution of a democratic government; that’s why Connecticut today is nicknamed "The Constitution State."Agriculture and trade were primary activities of 17th century colonists, but because of limited land Connecticut people quickly turned to manufacturing.

1635 06 May Robert was made a " freeman" which shows he belonged to some church. He was chosen viewer of chimneys and ladders.

1635 Robert marries Editha Stebbins.

1636 son Thomas is born in Hartford

1638 son John is born in Hartford my 7th great grandfather

1640 daughter Sarah is born in Hartford

1642 daughter Mary is born in Hartford. Interesting note on Mary. She is a descendant on my mother's side. Her 3rd husband was John Coleman my 8th great grandfather on my father's side. She is my great aunt 7x on mother's side of family.

Tombstone of daughter Mary Day

1648 September 04 Robert passes away at the age of 44 years.

Thanks for stopping by to visit me on Time Line Thursday. I hope that you stop back real soon. Grace

Treasure Chest Thursday Memories Of My Mom, Kirsten and Marilyn

For Treasure Chest Thursday I am sharing toys that belonged to my mother and hand made treasures from my granddaughters Kirsten.

My mom was born in 1922 so these toys are probably from the late 1920's to early 1930's.

Towards the end of my mother's time with us she would give us a belonging of hers at Christmas time rather than buying something. Those gifts are more priceless than any bought gift.

One year she gave me her old toys, a tin tea set and a old phone. Yes young people phones use to looked like this. At this time the toys sit on a book shelf. At one time I use to have an old lawyer's book case. The kind of book case with glass and you would lift up the front to get inside.

I would place all my treasures inside to protect from hands of my grandchildren. They would love to look inside to see what was there. One rule was look but do not open. If you want to touch something ask me to open.

I have two distinct memories of these treasures and my granddaughters.

One is granddaughter Kirsten looking inside to see the treasures she made me. She was proud of her work and wanted to make sure they were there. Yes they were still there. Part of my treasure collection.
Today they sit on my kitchen window shelf. That way I see them every day. I look out the window I see them. I prepare food on my table there they are. Some of my most priced treasures.


Second memory is of granddaughter Marilyn. She would sit in front of the book case and stare at the pretty treasures in grandma Grace's bookcase.

I turned my back on Marilyn one time and when I turned around She had figured how to open the glass door and was sitting on the floor playing with my mom's tin cups and saucers.

Some day I may have to buy myself another lawyer's bookcase.

Memories of family is what keeps me going some days.

thanks for stopping by for Treasure Chest Thursday... please come again real soon... Grace

Wordless Wednesday My Aunt Alice My Dad's Twin Sister

Wordless Wednesday ... okay almost Wordless... can not be totally quite.

This my aunt Alice Zion Houston 1921 - 1991 . My father's twin sister.

I love this picture. Her smile is so warm and inviting.

When I think of genealogy the picture that comes to my mind is of her. She lived in California while we lived in Minnesota. Every few years she and my uncle Houston would visit us in their motor home. She would share family information and pictures. Oh how I wish she was still with us. She would love the information she could find on the Internet. The census reports, family members, pictures and so much more.

My aunt Alice and Uncle Houston would travel the USA meeting relatives and visiting court houses to get information. She even had a window shade with family trees on it. She could roll it up for traveling in the motor home.

This picture is a 1940 high school picture. She is so pretty and I adored her. Did not see her as often as would of liked. But the memory of her makes me happy and warm.

Rest in peace aunt Alice. So many loved and adored you.

Thanks for visiting me on Wordless Wednesday .. please come again real soon... Grace

Who Do You Think You Are Previewing February 4

" Who Do You Think You Are" premieres Friday, Feb. 4, at 8pm EST on NBC
I am looking forward to seeing the the season.

First time out I did not think I would get hooked.. just a bunch of rich stars .. but that did not last. I was instantly hooked on their family stories and history.

You can read the whole article from genealogy insider about the new season.

Kudrow talked about the value of personalizing history with stories like those featured on the show. You might think history was just something that happened to strangers a long time ago, but when you see how it affected your family, it has so much more impact.
“I hope it’s a history lesson for people, and I hope it inspires them to ask questions,” Williams said.
I love the history part. This is what I would like to put behind my research. Right now I am reading a book on " The Irish Family Album " by Dorothy and Thomas Hoobler.


This book helps me understand the time and the social issues surrounding her and any other Irish family I may have leaving Ireland and coming to America.

I am looking forward to new season of " Who Do You Think You Are " and reading more of my book.

Week 3 Of 52 Weeks Of Personal History and Genealogy .. Cars

Week 3 of 52 Weeks of Personal History and Genealogy.. Cars..

For some reason I was never really interested in getting a car as a young teenager.
I was dating my first husband and he had a great old 1948 Ford Coupe that was fun to drive in. My sister had a cute little Volkswagon that she would drive us around in.
I do not really remember my first car. It would of been bought by my hubby #1 and me.
It would of been used and bought from the car lot that was owned by friend's father.
Now my father loved cars. He had many cars and was always coming home with a new car.



Here are two of his early cars. Bottom car is while they were living in Texas. License plate looks like it has a 194?.
First car is in Duluth and maybe and is a late 1960's Saab.
This is only two of the many cars my dad owned in his life time. Someday would love to see how many I could find photos of and put in an album.

Wisdom Wednesday Tip - Identify Those Pictures

Wisdom Wednesday Tip... Please take time and identify your photos. Don't leave your family with unknown photos.

Here are three wonderful vintage photos in my family photo collection. I have no idea who these people are.

Are they on my mother's side or my father's side. I can not even guess that much for sure.

First picture is probably on my mother's side of the family because it is marked Sparta Wisconsin. My father's mother's family was in Wisconsin but not for long.

I am dating it around 1900 because of the dress and hair. The back is marked.

Richardson Bros Photographers Sparta Wisconsin

Next picture is of an adorable little barefoot girl. I have no idea the time period of this picture. Maybe early 1900's to 1930's.

Last photo is a real photo postcard of mother and child. Sometime between 1907 to 1914 because of divided back of the post card.

I need to put them next to other family photos to see if I can get any hints. I need to learn more about dating photos from the clothing being worn.

Finding 3rd Great Grandmother Sally Grimes In The Census

Last night I wrote about one of my 3rd great grandmother's Sally Grimes. I had found her in the 1840's and 1850's census but not earlier census.
Tonight I decided to work on her father Nathan Grimes at www.ancestry.com and by finding him in the census the hints came up finding her.

In 1840 she is living in Oxford, Grafton County, New Hampshire. Living with her is her five daughters. Three under age 5 and 2 between the ages of 10 to 14. Here two sons George and John Alonzo are not listed with the family. Who are they living with.
I wish this census would tell us her occupation. How did she support herself and her family.

Her father and family are living in the same town at this time. They are on page 9 of 18 while she is on page 7 of 18.

The 1850 census has her living in Royalston, Worchester, Massachusetts with daughter Sally Rebecca who is called Rebecca in this census. Will have to search further who is living near her.

Always another question to think about and another fact to try and figure out. One great hunt after another. That is what makes it alls so intriquing.

Vintage Family Real Photo Postcard Trying To Identifying It

I love old photos and postcards and if they relate to family all the better.

Take a peek at this great Real Photo Postcard. It came out of family papers.

This group of children are standing in front of a black board with writing so they are in school.
Take a peek at their clothing. Young man second child from the right is in a sailor outfit. The hats the bonnets are amazing. There is young boy and girl second row and she is holding on to his arm. Probably her brother.

The back is unused except for a question mark some one wrote. The stamp area is marked by Velox around it with triangles dates it 1909 to 1914.

I noticed a big clue. On back is marked L E Conger Druggist, Mora Minnesota. This tells me it is from my mother's side of the family.

Such an adorable group of children. Wish I knew who they were. Need to study it more.

My grandmother Grace lived in Mora at this time with her family. She would of been 17 so not her but could very well be her younger sister Merle born 1906 or brother Wayne born 1909.

Next step is to see if by chance there are any photos of them as children.

I love a good mystery .. may not be able to solve this positively but think I am on the right track...

Thanks for stopping by.. hope that you come back real soon Grace

Matrilineal Monday -- On This Day Sally Grimes Passes Away in 1873

Matrilineal Monday .. On this day Sally Grimes passed away January 17, 1873 in Evansville, Rock, Wisconsin.

Sally is one of my 3rd grandmother. Sally was born the 18th of November 1800 to Nathan Grimes and Hepsibeth Lovejoy in New Hampshire.

She married John Hall Jr. 10 May 1825. Together they had seven children. Hephizibah 1826, Caroline 1830, George 1832, John Alonzo 1834, Harriet 1835, Mary Eliza 1837, and Sally Rebecca 1838.

Sally her last child was born 18 October 1838 and John her husband died on the 22 of October 1838. Baby Sally was only 4 days old and her mother Sally was left not only with a brand new baby but with 6 other children to raise and take care. At this point they are living in New Hampshire.

I have not found her in the 1840 or 1850 census as of yet. By 1860 Sally is living in Madison Ward, Wisconsin with her daughters Mary 23 who is a teacher, Sally 21 and with them still is Judora Fairbanks. I do not know who this is as of yet. My guess is probably a grand daughter.

The 1870 census has her living still in Wisconsin and she is with her son George, his wife Louisa Marie Reynolds and their six children. George and Marie are my 2nd great grandparents. Judora is still with the family.

Sally passed away on this date in 1873. I find it interesting to think about her and wonder what her life was like taking care of those children. She never married again.

She is buried next to her son George and daughter in law Louisa at the Maple Hill Cemetery at Evansville, Wisconsin.

I will be back to research her another night and to image what her life was like living in the 1800's.

Saturday Night Genealogy Fun - Ancestral Name List Roulette

It's Saturday Night again - time for some more Genealogy Fun over at Randy Seaver's
Join in if you like.

Here is your assignment if you choose to play along (cue the Mission Impossible music, please!):

1) How old is one of your grandfathers now, or how old would he be if he had lived? Divide this number by 4 and round the number off to a whole number. This is your "roulette number."

2) Use your pedigree charts or your family tree genealogy software program to find the person with that number in your ancestral name list (some people call it an "ahnentafel"). Who is that person?

3) Tell us three facts about that person in your ancestral name list with the "roulette number."

My maternal grandfather William Henry Day was born October 1889. He would be 121 years old if he was alive. Divided by 4 gives me a roulette number of 50.

Number 50 in my ahnentafel chart is Levi Anderson. Levi is the son of David Anderson and Elfrieda. He was born in 1810 in Rome New York. He died about 1858 in Rome, New York.
He married Harriet Carpenter about 1837.

Levi is some what of a mystery and I really do not know much about him. His death date is a mystery as of now. One son said he died in 1858, but there was a Levi Anderson of Rome New York who died 03 January 1862. The Rome Citizen had an article of a Levi Anderson being found frozen to death and that alcohol was a factor.
Another mystery is wife Harriet Carpenter Anderson's father dies in 1857 and names Harriet in the will as Harriet Carpenter rather than Anderson. Also he leaves to son David 2 parcels of land one of them being land known as Levi Anderson place.
So we do not know if this means Levi and Harriet separated or divorced about this time.

What I do know about him is
1. He and harriet had 7 children, Monica, Abram, Betsey, Phoebe, William, Fairfax and William.
2. 1850 census has him listed as a farmer
3. Levi and Harriet lived next door to Harriet's father in the 1840 and 1850 census

so you can see I know hardly anything about him.

Harriet is found in the 1860 census living with two children on a small farm and listed as Harriet Anderson.

I need to find a death certificate.
Search census for 1860 to see if I can find a Levi Anderson

Thanks for stopping by ... Grace

Funeral Card Friday My Sweet Uncle Don Day The Reverand

Thomas Kinade photo isn't it beautiful

I loved my uncle Don so much that when he died it was like losing one of my parents. He was my mother's older brother and I was a born on his birthday. We had a contest to see who could call the other first to say " Happy Birthday" . There came a time when he said I could have his birthdays he was old enough. No wonder I aged so fast.

Along with my father he was one of our family ministers. He married all of us girls and tended to most of the funerals in the family. He was a life long Democrat and very involved in politics. He was in small town plays and involved with the church. But most of all he was a family man. He loved his family.

In loving memory of

Rev Donald L Day

born

September 13, 1914

Mora Minnesota

died

September 5, 2006

Duluth, Minnesota

at the age of 91 years

Funeral service

Saturday September 9 2006 11:00 am

Peace United Church of Christ

Duluth, Minnesota

Interment

Forest Hill Cemetery

Duluth Minnesota

The Time Has Come for me

to leave this life. I have fought

the good fight. I have finished the

race. I have kept the faith. Now

there is in store for me the crown

of righteousness which the Lord,

the righteous judge, will award

to me on that day.

Paul's second letter to Timothy

I was living in Houston, Texas area and could not make it to Duluth for his funeral. He is buried next to his sister my Aunt Daisy, my mother and father. A few rows away is their parents, my grandfather and grandmother Day. Next to my father is a spot for me. It is comforting to know I will rest next to my family someday, but I am in no hurry.

Wow he was 91 years old. His mind was in great shape while the body was starting to wear out. When his time was here he went fast without any suffering which is what he wanted.
I visited him as often as I could until we moved to California. When we would make it back to Minnesota to visit family I always stopped to see him and my Aunt Lil.
With a little notice we would visit, have coffee and cookies and visit. He gave me a lot of the family information on that side of the family. I wish I had asked him questions years earlier. He may be gone but will never be forgotten to me. My Aunt Lil is still with us, in her 90's.. I think I had better go and share cookies with her soon.

Thanks for stopping by to visit and listening to me share about my uncle Don .. Grace

On This Day Michael Cassell / Cossel My 4 Great Grandfather Was Born

On this day the 14th of January 1763 my 4th great grandfather Michael Cassell / Cossel was born in Augusta, Virginia . He married Mary Fleenor, together they had eleven children. Son Jonathan is my 3rd great grandfather.

Michael passed away 9th August 1847 in Charleston, Illinois.

This is a picture of his tombstone that I found by searching www.findagrave.com

note name is spelt COSSEL. In the coles County Genealogical Society's publication ,

" The Prairie Sleeps" vol 1 page 39 , there is a note that Michael Cossell /cassell is buried in the Cossell Cemetery, but that his grave marker has been moved to Mound Cemetery, which is actually just about a mile SE of Cossell Cemetery

The last name of this ancestor can be found spelt Cossell ,Cossel, Cassell. Family came from Germany with Michael's father being born in Germany before coming to America with father. There is a lot to learn on this family line.

Thanks for stopping by.. Grace

Wordless Wednesday ( Almost ) Early Pictures Of Me

Here are pictures of me over 40 years ago. Fun to look at the clothing, hair styles and what was happening in my life at that time.

First one is winter of 1966 or 1967. It is probably taken at Christmas time of 1966 and was outside the house of my first in laws Arne and Adeline. I am 18 years old and married just a couple of months. I loved that jacket it was a faux suede and the slacks were wool I think.

Second photo is in October of 1967 and I am living at my parents house while hubby # 1 is serving in the Navy. This is my first son Allen and he is less than a month old. He is looking at me with such adoring eyes. Still is a sweetheart of a son.

Third photo is July 1969 son number #2 Timothy is celebrating his first birthday. Once again we are at my parents house having the party. They had a nice large house that was perfect for any celebration. He was an adorable child and still is a sweetheart of a son.

I am lucky to have two adorable boys.

Thanks for stopping by for Wordless Wednesday... Grace

On This Day 100 Years ago My Grandparents married

Wow exactly 100 years ago today January 12, 1911 my grandfather William H Day and my grandmother Grace C Esler married in Mora Minnesota at the Methodist parsonage.

I grew up very close to them and I know that they adored each other right to the end. They had a total of 5 children with 2 dying at an early age.

Happy anniversary grandma and grandpa. I believe you are together and celebrating this year as you did every year you were with us.

This picture is of girls celebrating some anniversary with them.

Thanks for stopping by to see what happened on this day in my family... Grace

Winter Memories Week 2 of 52 Weeks Of Personal Genealogy and History

Week 2 of 52 Weeks of Personal History and Genealogy. Winter Memories

I grew up in Duluth, Minnesota where winter visits us for months on end. Temperatures can get into the 20 to 30 below zero range and then you have the wind chill factor to deal with.

As a child I loved winter as long as it was not to cold to play outside. My sister I love to go sliding down our little hill or skating on the elementary school ice rink. We would skate when ever possible.

I got a pair of skis one year but never went anywhere with that. Went down a bunny hill once or twice. That was the end of that.

As a young adult the lakes would freeze and we could walk on the small lakes, watch people ice fish and go snow mobiling.

Now I prefer to be in a warm client during the winter. I am now living in Duluth after 22 years.
This is our first winter living north in five years. So far it has not been to bad but I know that will change any day.

Thanks for stopping by as I share my memories in a 52 week series.

New Years Memories Week 1 of 52 Weeks of Personal Genealogy & History

52 Weeks of Personal Genealogy & History Week 1. How did my family celebrate New Years?

There are no memories of New Years as a child. My family was non drinking so there were no parties that they would of attended or had in their home.

As a young adult I would be at home with my own family and I would stay up to watch the Dick Clark New years show.


Later in life hubby # 2 and I spent a few times in Las Vegas for New Years. That is the place to be if you like rowdy fun, people.
If I am not in Las Vegas at New Years I am quietly at home waiting for New Years so I can turn off the light and go to sleep.
thanks for stopping by.. this is a week late but that is me I guess. Grace

Sunday’s Obituary Mrs. William ( Grace ) Day

Entered into Eternal Rest

Friday August 18, 1972

Mrs. William ( Grace ) Day

80, of Skyline Parkway

died Friday in a Duluth hospital.

She was born in Winona, Minn.

and had resided in Duluth for

several years. She is survived

by a son, Donald L. and two

daughters, Miss Daisy Day and

Mrs. Arthur ( Muriel ) Zion, all

of Duluth; a brother, Wayne

Esler, and a sister, Mrs. Albert

( Merle ), five grandchildren and

five great grandchildren

published in the pages of

The Duluth Herald

Aug 21, 1972

This is my sweet grandma on my mother's side. I was named Grace after her

and my middle name is Alta is after father's mother. I feel close to both

of them by having their names.

Project 365

I heard about Project 365 a while ago and thought it was a fun interesting idea. I had heard about something like this about 2003 or 2004 and took pictures every day for awhile but that faded with the cost of having photos printed.

Now with my digtal camera I plan to give it a try again. The idea is a simple one, take and post one picture every day for 365 days.It will become a visual diary of one year of your life.I'm told it makes you a better photographer as you strive to find something interesting to photograph every day. Sounds good to me but will force me to get out of the house to find an intersting photo. Some days that may be a challenge but a good one.

The key to this project is to keep doing it every day. I know there will be days when I'm busy or tired or when I just don't want to be bothered to leave that house.I'm going to try to snap a picture anyway. Whether or not I post every day will be or several in a row will be seen. So if you want to see where life takes me this year just stay tuned here !

And while you are at it check out one of my favorite genealogy bloggers as she now has a new blog up for her 365 project.

Care to join in please leave me a comment with your page on my photo blog site, so I can watch your pictures .

thanks for stopping by.. Grace

Tuesday Tip : Read A History Book

Last night I wrote about my great great grandmother Johanna Riordan Gallagher. My Irish immigrant grandmother. I know so little of her and her life it is sad. No stories told to me by my grandmother. What can I do?

I know that she was born in Ireland and came to America in the 1850's. There is a Joanna Riordan who came on the " Lockwood " in 1852. This could be her. I checked the " Lockwood" list for other Riordans and only other name listed was a Marlin Riordan age 35. Johanna is listed as 18 years old. I was told her father was Dennis Riordan so who is Marlin? Maybe a relative, maybe not. Did young women 18 years old travel by themselves? I have no idea.

My goal is to read more books this year. I have read a fiction thriller already. Of course I started it end of December, but finished it this year. I want to read more non fiction. I want to read books that will give me an idea of what my ancestors went through.

Tonight I plan to start a book I bought several years ago when I visited Ellis Island. I have looked through it but never really read it. It is " The Irish American Family Album " by Dorothy and Thomas Hoobler.

As of now I only have one photo and no stories of my great great grandmother Joanna. I do hold out hope that some where out there I will find more photos of her and her husband Patrick Gallagher. For now I will view photos of other immigrants and hear their stories. Their stories are my ancestor's stories.

Thanks for stopping by.. hope that you come back again.. Grace

Matrilineal Monday Johanna Riordan Gallagher/Gallaher

Matrilineal Monday is the female line of a family. This line can be so much harder to research and ends in brick walls a lot of times.

Joanna Riordan Gallagher/Gallaher is that brick wall.

So many of my ancestors came from England and came over early in our country's history. So many of their stories have been researched and documented. They are recorded in stories of the towns they lived in.

But Joanna and her husband Patrick have to be my difficult family lines. They did not come to the United States till the period of the potato famine in the 1850's. I do not have much on them except the census reports of the time they lived in Wisconsin.

It is so much easier for me to work on the lines that are easy. I hope to attempt to find out more about them and their lives this year. I plan to find articles and books to read about Ireland and the potato famine. I better want to know what it was like for them to cross the ocean hoping for a better life

Because of joining http://www.ancestry.com/ I do know more than a year ago. I have access to census reports from my home computer.

I do know from the census that Joan was born in Ireland. From the little information I have from family members I learnt that her maiden name is Riordan.

There is a passenger list for a Johanna Riordan coming to the New York port arriving the 15th of October 1851. That she embarked from Cork and native country being Great Britain and traveled on the Lockwood. I believe this means her ship departed from Great Britain. She is listed as a work woman.
Now I can not be sure this is her but it is a possibility.

The 1860 census has a Johanna and Patrick Gallagher living in Annsville, Oneida, New York. Patrick is listed as 30 years and Johanna as 26.

By the 1870 census Joanna and Patrick are living in Hamburg, Vernon, Wisconsin with daughters Mary 4, Bridget 2 and son William 7 months. Daughter Katherine my great grandmother was born 1874.

Patrick passed away 3 January 1898 in Lacrosse county, Wisconsin leaving Johanna to reside with her daughter Mary and son William. Johanna lived until the 12 of July 1902. She and Patrick are buried La Crosse Wisconsin.

This is just facts and so much is not known of either her or Patrick. I do know they were Catholic and when my great grandmother got pregnant out of marriage and had my grandmother Grace in July,1893, they were not happy. Story within family is that they turned Katherine's picture to the wall.

In December, 1893 my great grandmother Katherine married another man, Appleton in La Crosse Wisconsin at a Methodist church. By 1900 they were living in Mora Minnesota.

My grandmother never talked about her mother and grandmother to me that I can remember.
I did not know that my grandmother was born out of wedlock until she had passed away and then it was told to me by my mother and aunt and uncle in a whisper.

At that time they showed me a picture of my grandmother's birth father. I am so glad that they shared this information with me. Being born out of wedlock in the 1890's was a much different situation than today.

I plan to travel to La Crosse Wisconsin this spring and find their graves and request there death certificates. Then again I just may have to request them earlier. I am hoping to find out their true birth dates from the death certificate or tombstone.

I hope to link up with other family members through Katherine's sister Bridget and see if they have any letters or stories to share. I have had brief contact but it has not come to any real information

Katherine's sister Mary never married and her brother William passed away accidentally in 1911. Question is was it really an accident but that is unknown and another story.

Thank you for visiting and please return again soon as I try to add depth to my great great grandmother Johanna Riordan Gallagher ..

.. Grace