February’s Theme and Week 5: Influencer (52 Ancestors in 52 Weeks – 2024 Version)

The theme for Week 5 is "Influencer." Although the word "influencer" has been watered down because of social media, all of us have had people who have influenced our lives. This week, write about that person or perhaps someone you know who influenced someone else in your family. Maybe you have a relative who would have been described as an influencer in their community. Don't let me influence how you interpret this prompt! Click here to check out all the 2024 prompts.

I decided to write about who the influencer of my genealogy was. It was three small children, who lived and died over a hundred years before I was born. 

One day my father asked me if I wanted to visit some relatives. I said sure. We went to his sister’s house and she led us to a small cemetery in Elba, Columbia County, Wisconsin, USA. We found this small gravestone, which was laying broken on the ground. Since then, someone repaired it by standing it up. The stone has lost the very bottom portion of the stone, however on that day, I wrote down the information on that stone and I have the missing information at the bottom, which was his age of 2 years and 19 days and thus, I could calculate his birthdate. 

This gravestone started my many genealogy questions. Did the parents have any other children? Did they have to start their family over from scratch? I can’t image having to bury two children in less than two months apart. What did they die from? 

Many years later, I was able to answer some questions. The parents, my 2nd great grandparents did have other children, they had seven more children. These three children were their first born. Eliza being the oldest, Ann the second born and Patrick the youngest. I believe Patrick was name after James’ father. 

My 2nd great grandmother, Mary Ann McMahon was pregnant with her fourth child, my great grandfather, David who was born May 15, 1864, less than 2 months after Patrick died. The death of their first three children wasn’t the end of the parents outliving their children. Their daughter Rose, died during childbirth at the tender age of 24 in 1890. Their daughter Mary, died at the age of 17 in 1896. In 1899, Mary Ann died and left her husband a widow and raising their motherless granddaughter, Rose who was named after her mother.

Their youngest son, James died at the age of 28 in 1909. Finally, their daughter, Jane died in 1918, the mother of eleven children at the age of 46. 

James died in 1923 at the age of 91. 

Remember to have fun and Just Do Genealogy!

 

Week 4: Witness to History (52 Ancestors in 52 Weeks – 2024 Version)

The theme for Week 4 is "Witness to History." What historical events did your ancestor witness or live through? Don't forget that local history is just as important as world history! Click here to see all the themes from 2024. 

I decided to look at my Great Grandfather, David Crinion. He was born on May 15, 1864 in Fountain Prairie, Columbia County, Wisconsin, USA. Thus, he was born during the US Civil War which didn’t official end until April 9, 1965.

He might had been too young to understand the war, but he grew up being the oldest, since his three older siblings all died before he was born, most likely from small pox or scarlet fever. 

During David’s life he saw the United States expand with the addition of 13 states to the union, starting with Nevada on October 31, 1964 and ending with Arizona on Feb 14, 1912. 

David also had 14 different US Presidents during his lifetime. Starting with Abraham Lincoln and ending with Harry S Truman. How, ironic that his great-great grandson, my son served on the Aircraft Carrier the USS Harry S Truman. 

In 1871, not only did the Great Chicago Fire occurred in his neighboring state, but Wisconsin on this same day experienced the Peshtigo Fire that burned 1.2 million acres and killed between 1500 and 2500 people which is five times the number of people who died in the Great Chicago Fire. In addition to Peshtigo, 16 other communities were destroyed in the fire.

In 1878, the first Morgan Silver Dollars were minted, I wondered if he ever had any, or if he ever collected them.

In 1881, the gunfight at the O.K. Corral in Tombstone, Arizona territory happened. I wonder if he read about it in the papers what he thought of Wyatt Earp and his brothers.

In 1883 the Brooklyn Bridge Open, in 1884 the Washington Monument was completed while in 1886 the Statue of Liberty was dedicated.

David most likely read about the Johnstown Flood also known as the Great Flood of 1889 that was caused by the catastrophic failure of the South Fork Dam located on the south fork of the Little Conemaugh River, 14 miles upstream of the town, Johnstown, Pennsylvania.   

In the Panic of 1893, David probably experienced the economic depression in the United States that didn’t end until 1897.

In 1895, he married his wife, Amelia Gadow in Beaver Dam, Dodge County, Wisconsin.

In 1900, David most likely heard about the Galveston Hurricane that leave an estimated 6, 000 to 8,000 dead. 

In 1903, the Wright brothers make the first control flight.

1906 was the San Francisco earthquake that leaves 500 dead or missing and destroys about 4 square miles of the city.

In 1917 the U.S. enters World War I by declaring war on Germany. Armistice ending World War I is singed on Nov 11, 1918.

1918 saw the worldwide influenza epidemic strike and by 1920, nearly 20 million are dead with the U.S. having as many as 500,000 who perish. David’s sister, Jane Crinion Spooner died on Apr 12, 1918. Was it the from the influenza?

In 1924, he and Ameila divorce.

While Charles Lindbergh makes the first solo nonstop transatlantic flight in 1927, did David listen to the events unfold on the Radio?

David experienced his second economic depression in his life during the 1930’s.

In 1931, he saw that the Star-Spangled Banner was adopted as the national anthem. As a violinist, did he learn this new song?

In 1936, he remarries his first wife, Amelia. 

On December 7, 1942, on the radio he probably heard about the Bombing at Pearl Harbor and later listen the President talk and declare the U.S. entered World War II.

He buried his wife, Amelia in October of 1945.

David died on Mar 9, 1950 in Beaver Dam, Dodge County, Wisconsin. Before the US enters the Korean Conflict.

It’s amazing to see all the events that David saw in his life time. He went from train transportation to air flights. He, like me, lived through two different centuries. 

Remember to have fun and Just Do Genealogy!

Week 3: Favorite Photo (52 Ancestors in 52 Weeks - 2024 Version)

The theme for Week 3 is “Favorite Photo.” This is one of my favorite prompts. Yes, I’ve used it in previous years, but it’s too good to not use again! Tell the story of a favorite photo; Who is in it, when and where it was taken, and why it was taken. (That last part is often left out!). Check out all of the 2024 prompts here.

One of my favorite pictures is of my mother. My mom, Orlien Mary Hafenstein was born On May 2, 1927 in Oshkosh, Winnebago, Wisconsin, USA. I am guessing she is about 2 years old in this picture. It was either taken in Oshkosh or Beaver Dam, Dodge, Wisconsin, USA. I don’t have the original and thus I don’t have the photographer information to determine where it was taken. 

I believe it was taken because my grandparents were married in 1929 and maybe while having their photo taken, they took this photo. Or since she was joining the Hafenstein family, she isn’t the biological child of her mother’s husband, they may have wanted a picture to share with his parents. I don’t know the specifics behind this photo because the first time I ever saw this photo was at my mother’s funeral. My eldest sister had this picture and was sharing it on the photo board.

What is your favorite photo?

Remember to have fun and Just Do Genealogy!

Week 2: Origins (52 Ancestors in 52 Weeks – 2024 Version)

The theme for Week 2 is "Origins." Genealogists often get the question, "Where is your family from?" With this week's theme, you could explore an immigrant ancestor, but you could also think about the origin of other aspects of your family. Who was the first person in your family to settle in a particular town? If you have a long line of people with the same occupation, talent, etc, who was the first person you know who did it? Check out all of the 2024 prompts here.

I know most of my family origins in general terms, such as Irish, English, German. However, I have actually been to the origins of my 2nd great grandfather, James Crinion. James was born on Feb 2, 1832 in Louth, Ireland. 

Many years ago, I started corresponding to a fellow Crinion, (lets call her M) actually she married a Crinion and she lives in Ireland. Anyway, she was working on the family and since this name is not common at all, we believe it was the same Crinion Clan. 

My father, two sisters and I took a trip to Ireland as part of a tour group. We decided to stay a few days later and meet up with M who lives on the original Crinion homestead with her husband and sons. Her brother-in-law actually lived in the big, original home, since he was the eldest and inherited it from his father. This land has been handed down in the family for generations. James’ father, Patrick and their direct ancestor were most likely brothers. Patrick being the 12th or 13th child and their direct ancestor being the eldest brother. Thus, we most likely share 4th great grandparents. 

We arranged to meet M at her home. Then she took us to a local hotel, named the Crinion Hotel. The current owner wasn’t a Crinion nor a descendant, however he claimed he had lots of documents on the Crinion Clan. He didn’t have them on him and sadly, I never did see anything. M then showed us where she thought Patrick, his wife and their children had lived. It was a small building, currently being used as a pole shed. It was hard to think, that Patrick, his wife and the four children I have found were living in this small building.

Lore has it that Patrick and his adult children left Ireland after Patrick’s wife, Ann died. I have never found any trace of Patrick in the United States. However, it appeared that the clan was a tight knit family. They first came to New York State, settling a short while in the Utica area, where many Irish Americans came. James younger sister, Margaret married her husband, Daniel Sullivan about 1861 somewhere in Livingston County, New York. Their first three children were born in Caledonia, Livingston, New York. By 1869, they moved to the Doylestown, Columbia County, Wisconsin area and had 6 more children.

James older sister, Mary, married Hugh Peter McMahon on Sep 2, 1855 at St Patrick’s Church, in Doylestown, Columbia County, Wisconsin. They had 6 children, all born in Columbia County.

James married Mary Ann McMahon, younger sister of his brother-in-law, Hugh Peter McMahon on Jan 7, 1857, most likely in Columbia County, Wisconsin. They had 10 children. Their first three had all died by 1864. 

James’ other younger sister, Anne married his other brother-in-law, Philip H McMahon about 1858, most likely in Columbia County, Wisconsin. Sadly, Anne died during child birth, having a daughter in Feb of 1860. The child survived and had six children of her own.

All these siblings and their spouses except Anne are buried in the St Patrick’s Catholic Cemetery in Dolylestown, Columbia County, Wisconsin.  Anne along with James and Mary’s three oldest children are buried in the Saint Columbkille Catholic Cemetery located in Elba, Dodge County, Wisconsin.  The St Patrick’s Catholic Cemetery was created later after a parishioner donated land next to the church for the cemetery. Thus, earlier burials occurred at the Saint Columbkille Catholic Cemetery.

M's husband and my father, both took the Y-DNA test through FamilyTreeDNA and they do show as relatives, and they have the same Y Haplogroup of G-M201. Thus, I am more confident than ever, that I did walk the land that my ancestors walked.

Remember to have fun and Just Do Genealogy! 

Week 1: Family Lore (52 Ancestors in 52 Weeks – 2024 Version)

It’s a new year and a new start of 52 Ancestors in 52 Weeks by Amy Johnson Crow. This challenge has helped me look at my previous genealogy with a fresh pair of eyes. Plus, there really aren’t any requirements, participate that week or not. Interpret the themes however I like. It’s just a fun challenge. 

The theme for Week 1 is "Family Lore." Many of us have heard stories from our grandparents about incredible feats our ancestors did or a famous person we're related to. What's a tale that has been passed down in your family? Did it end up being true or did it turn out to just be a good story? Check out all of the 2024 prompts here.

I had two major “Family Lore” stories in my family. The first is that we are related to John Wilkes Booth. Yep, that dastardly person who shot President Abraham Lincoln. My mother stated that her great grandmother, Neil Orlien (Booth) Hiltz was a cousin of John Wilkes Booth. In fact, supposedly, she even had his ring because she helped him with his broken leg. 

FACT: NOPE! I was able to research John Wilkes Booth family pretty easy, they came from England and settled in the Maryland area. My mother’s great grandmother wasn’t even Neil Orlien, her name was Wilina Ellen also called Nellie. My mother stated she was named after her great grandmother; my mother’s name is Orlien Mary. Wilina was born in 1854 in West Point, Lee County, Iowa, USA. Very far from Washington, DC. It’s a little over 903 miles. Plus, the President died in 1865 and Wilina would have been only eleven years old. Her father, Amos Booth, fought in the Civil War for the north. Amos’s family came from Elizabethtown, located in Ontario, Canada. My nephew has been able to research and find Amos’s parent, plus other ancestors and there appears to be no recent relationship to John Wilkes Booth or his family.

The second “Family Lore” is of a more recent relative. My great-grandmother’s sister was supposedly the grandmother of Michael Cole of the Mod Squad fame. Michael Cole was born on July 3, 1940 in Madison, Dane County, Wisconsin. I am from Wisconsin, too.  

FACT: Not my relative. My great-grandmother’s sister, Margaret O’Brien born 1883 was married to dentist, Roy Charles Rowley. Their children were born in Wisconsin, however they moved to California. Their daughter, Mary Elizabeth Rowley, born in 1909 married Walter Eugene Anderson Cole. They had two children, Nanci Elizabeth Cole and Dennis E Cole who was born in 1940 in California.

What “Family Lore” is floating around your family. Have you been able to prove or disprove it? It might be disappointing to find out you aren’t related to someone you thought you were related too, but maybe you will find much more exciting stories that are true that you can share with your family.

Remember to have fun and Just Do Genealogy!