Week 3: Nickname (52 Ancestors in 52 Weeks – 2025 Version)

The theme for Week 3 is “Nickname.” Nicknames can hint to a person’s personality, occupation, or appearance. But be careful to not always take them literally! (Think of all the burly guys nicknamed “Tiny!”) Sometimes they have an “origin story” – like “Coco,” a classmate of mine. She got the nickname because her little brother couldn’t pronounce her real name (Colleen). Which of your ancestors had a nickname? Do you know how they got it? You can find all of the 2025 prompts here.

My grandpa Crinion, my dad and his only brother all had the nickname of “Chick”. I googled to see what might it be a nickname for and it reported Charles. However, none of them are called Charles. My grandpa and uncle have the same first name of John. My uncle also had the nick name of “Jack” too. My dad was Robert, and I found a work name tag with “Chick” Crinion on it along with some of his work jackets often had “Chick” Crinion on them too.

I did try asking my dad many years ago where the nickname came from. Either he told me and I forgot or he avoided giving me the correct answer, which was his normal response. I think he didn’t like us kids knowing all his secrets. 

Below is an ad that has my Uncle Jack “Chick” Crinion listed in his ad.

Just remember to have fun and Just Do Genealogy!

Week 31: End of the Line (52 Ancestors in 52 Weeks – 2024 Version)

The theme for Week 31 is "End of the Line." Do you have an "end of the line" ancestor -- one who you're convinced won't go any further back? What about an ancestor who lived at the end of a street, or one who lived in a small town where the train station literally was the end of the line? Check out all of the 2024 prompts here.

When I think of “End of the Line”, I think don’t think of my ancestors but of their descendants. Lines that end because they have no more descendants. Or what about lines that don’t have anymore sons who carry on the surname down the line. 

In my tree, I looked at my maiden name of Crinion. I have taken this line back to my 3rd great grandfather, Patrick Crinion and his wife Ann Dillon. I have found four of their children, don’t know if they had more. They had one son, my 2nd great grandfather and his three sisters. Thus, the surname only continues through his son.

James and his wife Mary Ann Mahon had 10 children with half being female and the other half being male. Their first three children died young and thus lost one of their sons. Their fourth child, my great grandfather David had two sons. The remaining three sons didn’t have children. Charles did get married but had no children. John, I believe had some sort of disability, such as being Intelligently Disabled, because after his mother died, he went to an Insane Asylum, which is not unusual for the time period for these individuals. Their youngest son, James, died at the age of 28, unmarried.

David’s oldest son Frederick had two children, one daughter and one son. While my grandfather, John Crinion had two sons. However, my father and his older brother only had daughters. Thus, the surname didn’t continue through John’s sons.

Looking at my grand uncle, Frederick and his son Harlan, who had two sons, however one died at three years of age. The youngest son, born in 1959, doesn’t appear to be married. None of Harlan’s daughters appear to be married either and they don’t have children.

Therefore, it might the “End of the Line” for the Crinion surname through Patrick Crinion. However, it isn’t the end of the Crinion surname through other lines. I made contact with someone who married a Crinion in Ireland. His family appears to descend through the older brother of my Patrick. Their line, inherited the family lands, and it goes from oldest son to oldest son. My contact’s husband has one older brother, who didn’t have any children. Sadly, he died and my contact and her husband have inherited the family homestead. They have two sons, who may or may not be married. However, they are at an age to easily be married or get married and have children.

I did a Google search and found a website (https://forebears.io/surnames/crinion) that claims there are approximately 656 people who bear the surname of Crinion. NOTE: you can change out the crinion surname with your desire surname and see results for that surname. I find this very interesting, and wonder what records they used to figure out this number. 

We all have “End of Line” branches to our trees, sometimes, this causes surnames to disappear for future generations. One reason, we can’t always use DNA based on surnames alone, I think we will have more surnames from our female relatives than our male relatives who are carrying on the surnames we recognized.

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 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 40: Longevity (52 Ancestors in 52 Weeks – 2023 Version)

The theme for Week 40 is "Longevity." Longevity doesn't have to be about someone who lived a long time. It could be anything that lasted longer than usual, such as a family business or a marriage Be creative with the prompt! Click here to check out all of the theme for 2023.

My father had two aunts who lived to be over 100 years old. 

Elsie Dorothea Crinion was born on Oct 5, 1898 in Columbia County, Wisconsin, USA. She died Mar 17 1999 at the age of 100. Elsie was married on Apr 29, 1918 in Beaver Dam, Dodge County, Wisconsin to Lawrence William Leech. Lawrence was born on Mar 17, 1896 and died at the age of 46 on Mar 18, 1942. They had three children, Helen born Sep 19, 1922, Ruby born Sep 1 1925 and Lawrence born Oct 19, 1926 all in Beaver Dam, Dodge County, Wisconsin. Lawrence sadly died shortly after birth. Helen died at the age of 88 on Oct 28, 2010 and her sister Ruby died at the age of 81 on Apr 12, 2007. 

Elsie’s sister, Marie Elizabeth Crinion was born Aug 14, 1905 and died Sep 11, 2004 at the age of 101. Marie was married on Aug 15 1931 in Grand Rapids, Kent County, Michigan to Arthur G Dewar. Arthur was born on Nov 20 1902 in Indiana and died July 1957 at the age of 54. They had two children, Susan born about 1936 and John born about 1940, both in Michigan. 

Elsie and Marie’s grandfather, James Crinion lived until he was 91. He was born on Feb 2, 1832 in Ireland and died Feb 25, 1923 in Fountain Prairie, Columbia County, Wisconsin. 

Even though I find that these and others lived well into their 80’s and older, I also found many who died young. Thus, I decided to run a Family Book on James Crinion and his descendants using the plugin Family Book Creator, which has a statistics paragraph.

This document reports the details of 307 individuals, of whom 156 are male and 151 are female. Of the 91 individuals with recorded birth and death dates, the average lifespan was 60.1 years. Of these, 47 males averaged 59.8 years, and 44 females averaged 60.4 years. The longest living male was William Joseph Linder (1915–2010), who died aged 94. The longest living female was Marie Elizabeth Crinion (1903–2004), who died aged 101. 

William Linder is not a blood relative but a spouse of one of my 2nd cousins once removed. Thus, I wish this wasn’t used in the calculation. Plus, I have no way of knowing of those with no death dates, if they are still living, how old are they and wouldn’t this change the average lifespan of the males and females. With the female average lifespan of 60.4 years, it is an eye opener for me, since I just turned 60 this year. YIKES.

Remember to have fun and Just Do Genealogy!

Week 21: Brick Walls (52 Ancestors in 52 Weeks - 2023 Version)

The theme for Week 21 is "Brick Wall." Do you have an ancestor (or 4) who you can't seem to make any progress on in your research? This would be a good week to write about that ancestor and really think about what you know about that ancestor, how you know it, and where you might look to fill in the gaps. Writing is part of the research process! Click here to check out all the themes for 2023.

I am no exception, I have many “Brick Walls” or “Dead Ends” where my research ends and I am unable to get further back. When I look at my tree as a Fan and it is at my 3rd great grandparents where things start to end. I have all my 2nd great grandparents figured out. YEAH! That’s half the battle. 

My 2nd great grandfather, James Crinion (1832-1922) parents might be Patrick Crinion and Ann Dillon. That’s a big might be. I obtained these names many years ago from my great-aunts. Rumor has it that Patrick came to America with four of his children, who all settled in the Columbia County, Wisconsin area. I can’t find anything about Patrick in America. However, I do match a Crinion family in Ireland and the male Crinion and my father do have the same Y-DNA. Thus, his ancestors and my ancestors are most likely the same. I really need to get some more facts from her.

My 2nd great grandfather, William Gadow, (1844-1923) parents might be Gottfried Gadow and Anna Maria Rosenow. These names are suggested names via Ancestry’s Thrulines. To be honest, I just haven’t had the time to research this yet. Having the names is exciting, it gives me something to prove or disprove.

My 2nd great grandmother, Dorothea Wolter (1836-1897) wife of William Gadow, her father might be Johann Wolter. Her father’s name was on her death certificate and supplied by her husband. He might have known him, since they were married in Germany, but I don’t know where to start looking in Germany for more clues. I have no idea who her mother is.

My 2nd great grandfather, Michael McDonald (1827-1910) father might be Edward McDonald. Michael and his wife Catherine Quinn were married in Utica, Oneida County, New York, USA. I don’t know if Edward came to the America’s, or if Michael came with any siblings. Maybe DNA will give me some clues on the subject. I have no idea who his mother is.

My 2nd great grandfather, Seymour Hiltz (1850-1880) was born in Manilius, Onondaga County, New York, USA. I know his father is Lawrence Hilts and his mother is Nancy. I don’t have a maiden name for Nancy. Speculation is that she is also a Hilts because my DNA matches on the Hilts line are very strong, stronger than the relationship should be if using Lawrence’s line. However, if Nancy is a Hilts, then it would explain why we are such a close match to some of these Hiltses.

My 2nd great grandparents Timothy Obrien (1836-1914) and his wife Mary OReilly (1839-1901) father’s might be John O’Brien and James Reilly. This information was given on their death certificates. Tim and Mary were both born in Ireland and were married in Cook County, Illinois. I found their marriage record and it listed a Bridget Reilly as a witness and this might be a sister to Mary. I don’t know enough to make worthwhile searches. However, I have some promising DNA matches to review.  I have no idea who their mothers are.

As you can see, I have lots of dead ends. I am currently working on a different line, on a known 3rd great grandparents’ line, who I don’t know who their parent’s are. I am researching all their descendants for a book I want to publish. I also want to identify which DNA matches belong to this branch of the family. 

In the past, I would bounce from one “Brick Wall” to another, never really accomplishing anything meaningful. I have switch gears this year, I am concentrating on what I can figure out and I want to start creating books for branches of my family. I am getting older, turning 60 this year and I want to start preserving my research. I also want to identify as many DNA matches to those branches. Thus, I will be left with unknown matches that might help me with these “Brick Walls”. I have decided to approach the method a little different. It makes me think of Sherlock Holmes, "When you have eliminated the impossible, whatever remains, however improbable, must be the truth." Thus, I will eliminate the known Matches and whatever remains, hopefully will match the Brick Wall lines.

Remember to have fun and Just do Genealogy!

Week 13: Light a Candle (52 Ancestors in 52 Weeks - 2023 Version)

Candles are often lit in remembrance, in prayer, or when the power goes out for 5 days because of an ice storm. Be creative with this prompt! Click here to check out all the themes for 2023!

Sometimes it’s the young that are often forgotten. Therefore, I want to light a candle for a child that was forgotten. 

In my early days of research, I remember going to the Wisconsin Historical Library and looking up Pre-1907 vital records. I was looking up the children of my Great Grandparents, David Crinion and Amelia Gadow.

I know they had five children who lived to adulthood. However, my father told me that his grandmother often spoke of the baby boy who had died. My dad didn’t know where this baby was buried, so I was hoping to find a death certificate for this little one to see where he might be buried.

David Crinion, the little boy was born on Oct 12, 1897 in Fountain Prairie, Columbia County, Wisconsin and died seven months later on May 17, 1898 in Fountain Prairie. I found a death certificate that listed his burial as the Lutheran Cemetery near Red School House. This description must have meant something to the person reporting it, however, it doesn’t mean anything to me. I asked my dad, and he had no idea where this might be. I am afraid, he might be buried in an unmarked grave and thus I won’t find it anyway.

I did try looking on Find A Grave for his burial, and was surprised to find another young David Crinion, who is buried in the Pine Grove Cemetery located in Wausau, Marathon County, Wisconsin. David W Crinion was the son of Harlan D Crinion and his wife Shirley Paff. He was born in 1955 and died in 1958. David’s father, Harlan is the grandson of the David and Amelia (Gadow) Crinion through their son, Frederick Crinion. 

While at the Wisconsin Historical Library back in my early days, I found another child of David and Amelia who died young. Her name was Adelaide J Crinion. She was born on Dec 29, 1905 in Burnett, Dodge County, Wisconsin. She lived a brief 8 months and died on Sep 25, 1906 in Dodge County, Wisconsin. I told my father about this child and at first, he said I must be wrong. I explained that the death certificate clearly shows that her parents are David and Amelia. He wondered why his grandmother often spoke of the son that died but not the daughter. Of course, I could not explain the grieving process of a mother. Maybe one child died unexpectedly while the other one was sick for a while. I really don’t know. 

Sadly, I don’t have copies of these death certificates. I have source citations and thus I could look them up again and see about getting a copy. However, they just may be in one of the stacks of papers I have collected over the years. Every year, my goal is to attack the stacks. As I get older, the more urgent that project seems to be.

How many children will your research help to be remembered into future generations?

Remember to have fun and Just Do Genealogy!

Week 9: Gone Too Soon (52 Ancestors in 52 Weeks – 2023 Version)

The theme for Week 9 is "Gone Too Soon." How much time is enough? Just a little bit more...  This week is a good time to write about someone who you'd like to have a little (or a lot) more time with. Click here to check out all the themes for 2023.

I think of my grandparents. My maternal grandfather died before I was born, his wife died when I was in 3rd Grade so I was about nine years old. I have fond memories of her. Would I like to have more time with her yes. However, I think of my paternal grandparents who I really don’t have any memories of.

They were John “Jack” Lawrence Crinion and his wife Isabelle McDonald. I was a mere four years old when they died. John died on March 23, 1967 at the age of 67 and his wife Isabelle died from a broken heart, mere weeks later on May 8, 1967 at the age of 73. Grandma was seven years older than grandpa. They had three children, Mary Alyce Crinion Vujnovich (1921-1996); John “Jack” Lawrence Crinion (Jr) (1924-1996) and my dad, Robert Matthew Crinion (1928-2011).

I have only one memory of my grandfather and it was at his funeral. I can still picture the funeral home room, with the casket in the front of the room and the room is filled with chairs. The chairs were empty, so I am guessing this memory is before visiting hours started. I remember that I needed to be on my best behavior and to be quiet because my dad was very sad. I can see my dad in the room, not his face but his body, and I think he is guiding me to a chair to sit and be good. I wish I had a few more years with my grandpa, so I could actually have a memory of the man. My older siblings said he was lots of fun. My mother married my dad as a widow with six children. Therefore, this was their step grandfather and he made a point to tell them that he was their grandfather. My grandpa would come over on Saturday morning and take the kids out of the house, so my parents could sleep in and enjoy some quiet time. My grandpa rode a motorcycle and took his grandkids on rides around the neighborhood. I wish I knew this fun grandpa. 

I have two memories of my grandmother. I remember an elderly lady sitting in the kitchen of my Aunt Mary’s home. I was a little scared of this lady. My mom was sitting across of the table while my Aunt was standing near the sink, stove or counter, I just can’t remember. I was told to leave the room, by whom I am not sure. I just knew that children were supposed to leave adults alone and find something to entertain ourselves, quietly.

My other memory, might be the same day, I don’t know. I remember my grandma sitting on the couch in the living room. I want to say she was choking and my dad carried her to the car. My grandmother used a wheelchair and he put the wheelchair in the car too. I remember being confused and my father was not going to be answering any questions. I don’t have any more memories; I don’t know if I went to my grandmother’s funeral.

Therefore, I wish a had a few more years with my paternal grandparents, so I could tell my children stories of my grandparents. 

Have fun and remember to Just do Genealogy!

Week 1: I’d Like to Meet (52 Ancestors in 52 Weeks – 2023 Version)

The theme for January and for Week 1 is "I’d Like to Meet" Most of us have an ancestor who we'd like to meet (even if it's to ask, "What are your parents' names?") This week, write about that ancestor or why you'd want to meet him or her. Feel free to be creative! Click here to check out all the themes for 2023.

When I think of this theme, all I can say is Who I’d like to meet, let me count the ways. I have so many I would like to meet, not only to ask questions, but to see what they look like and get a feel for their personalities.

My 3rd great grandfather, Amos Booth just appeared in the United States around 1850 as a single 25-year-old who was born in Canada. Even though my nephew has almost certainly figured out who his parents are. I would still like to meet him and confirm this. I want to know what brought him from Eastern Canada to Northern Illinois. What happened to him during the Civil War that caused his estrangement from his wife and children?

My 2nd great grandfather, James Crinion. I want to know who his parents are. I have found three siblings, all sisters, but did he have more siblings? Did any remain in Ireland? Did any siblings not come to Wisconsin? Also, what made him so bitter that he wrote his dead daughter’s children out of his will. He stated he left them nothing because they did nothing for him in his life. WOW! Losing a mother is tragic and perhaps it was their father that kept them from him. I just want to know more about him and this sad family situation.

My 3rd great grandfather Lawrence Hiltz/Hilts. I want to know not only his parents but his grandparents’ names. My tree starts to fall apart around here. Too many Lawrence Hilts and I can’t figure out his lineage back to his immigrant ancestor who came to American in 1710. Also, was his wife Nancy also a Hilts descendant. It would explain why my DNA matches with Hilts descendants seem to have more DNA than expected. Actually, I want to know all about the Hilts clan. Why do some spell their surname as Hiltz while others Hilts? It keeps getting changed back and forth from one generation to the next and even siblings spell it differently. 

Finally, my 2nd great grandparents, Timothy O’Brien and his wife Mary O’Reilly. Not only don’t I know their parents’ names, I don’t know of siblings either. Tim was married twice, what was his first wife’s name. Was the witness at your and Mary’s wedding, Mary’s sister? What happened to her?

I could go on like this for days. As family genealogist know to well, once one question gets answered we have three new questions. This is a never-ending cycle.

Remember to have fun and Just do Genealogy!

 

Week 45: Tombstones (52 Ancestors in 52 Weeks)

Amy Johnson Crow’s Week 45’s theme is one of her favorites: "Tombstones." Cemeteries are near and dear to many of us. Whose tombstone stands out to you? Was it something on the tombstone, the effort to find it, or who was buried there that makes it special to you? Click here to check out all the themes for 2022.

It’s been a while since I have done these weekly posts. It wasn’t because I wasn’t inspired by the themes, because I was inspired. It was because I became busy with life. It’s hard to image life without Genealogy, however sadly it happens to the best of us. 

Anyway, this week’s theme really spoke to me. In fact, it was a Tombstone that got me interested in Genealogy many moons ago. Many of my genealogy friends have heard this story, but I think it is well worth telling again.

When I was about 14 years old, I had been assigned a genealogy project in Junior High School by my social studies teacher. I asked my parents a few questions about their parents who had all died by this point in my life and asked them about their grandparents. I wrote up my report and even though it was very interesting, it was the end. 

Then during the summer, my dad said he was going to take me to visit some relatives. I was excited because my relatives consisted of my father’s sister and my mom’s two sisters. My father had a brother, but we rarely saw him. My dad would swing by the Gas Station “Garage” that his brother owned, that he inherited from their father, to speak to his brother. Their visits were short and I either waited in the car or went to the garage to watch the female mechanic at work. I really wanted to be a female mechanic. 

Anyway, my father picked up his sister and she guided my father, who was driving, through the countryside until we came upon a cemetery. The following stone was found.

This stone pulled at my heartstrings. Three children, all died by 1864 and I wondered about their parents. Did they have any other children still living or did they have to start over with their family. I knew that their parent’s were my ancestors, because my father and aunt told me so, but besides that fact, I didn’t know much. The genealogy bug bite me that summer. We went to another cemetery that day, a larger cemetery located in Doylestown, Columbia County, Wisconsin. The first cemetery was the original cemetery. Later they built a church in Doylestown and added a cemetery next to the church. It was at this church that I found the parent’s graves of the three small children along with some of their other children. 

James Crinion (1832-1823) and Mary Ann McMahon (1839-1899) had a total of ten children. James and Mary were my 2nd great grandparents. Their first child, Eliza was born Jan 2, 1857 and died Feb 3, 1864. Their second child, Ann was born Apr 10, 1860 and died Oct 25, 1861, she was the first one to die. Their third child, Patrick was born Mar 6, 1862 and died Mar 25, 1864. I am guessing their tombstone was created after all three children died, since they are listed on the stone based on their placement in the family and not the order of their deaths. When I first saw the stone, it was lying on the ground and I could read the age of Patrick and thus this is how I calculated the birth date of Patrick. Notice the spelling of Crinion on the stone is Crenien. This is the only time I saw this spelling variation. The spelling of Crinion is in use today in Ireland.

Mary was pregnant with her fourth child, David, who was born May 15, 1864 at the time of Eliza’s and Patrick’s deaths. David was my great grandfather. 

This wasn’t the end of the tragedy for James and Mary. In 1890, their daughter, Rose died during childbirth. James and Mary took care of their grandchild, also named Rose even after Mary passed in 1899. In 1896 their daughter Mary died at the age of 17. Their son James died in 1909 at the age of 28. Their daughter Jane died in 1872 at the age of 42. Jane's son, John Spooner died four days after his grandmother Mary. 

Their son Charles died in 1933 at the age of 60, their son John who might have been intellectually challenged, died in 1946 in an Asylum at the age of 70.  According to family lore, he was sent there after his mother died. My great grandfather was the last sibling to die, at the age of 84 in 1950. I can’t imagine being the oldest and having to watch each of your younger siblings being buried.

Of the ten children, only three had children, David had five, Rose had one and Jane had eleven. I have found about 125 descendants for James and Mary. 

Over the years, I have revisited the Doylestown Cemetery since it appears about 90% of the people buried there are related to me in one way or another. Much of my early research consisted of visiting cemeteries and then looking for their obituaries in local newspapers to find out family relationships. From there, I would visit courthouses to find birth, marriage and/or death records. 

I wonder what my life would be like, if I hadn’t visited that original cemetery, so many moons ago, and saw the tombstone that tugged at my heart strings. I feel as if it was my ancestors who gave me the genealogy bug, so that they would not be forgotten.

Just remember to have fun and Just do Genealogy!

 

Week 12: Joined Together (52 Ancestors in 52 Weeks)

This week’s theme is "Joined Together." Could it be a marriage? Could it be an organization? Could it be a carpenter/mason/builder? It can be whatever you make it out to be! Click here to check out all the themes for 2022.

FYI – I skipped last week’s theme of Flowers. 

Families are joined together in so many ways, in the case of my 2nd great Grandfather James Crinion and his sisters Mary and Anne who all married McMahon siblings, their family ties became even closer plus all their children became double first cousins. 

James Crinion, who was born Feb 2, 1832 in Ireland on Jan 7, 1857 married Mary Ann McMahon, who was born about 1839 in Ireland. She is the daughter of Edward McMahon and his second wife Rose Ann Kirley. Her parents are both buried in Doylestown, Columbia County, Wisconsin, USA 

James and Mary Ann had 10 children. Mary Ann was pregnant with her fourth child, my Great grandfather David when she buried two of her first three children in 1864, Eliza and Patrick. While her second child had died earlier in 1861. Life didn’t get much easier for Mary Ann, she would bury two more of her children before she died on Aug 11, 1899. Her daughter Rose Ann Van Heukelon died during childbirth in 1890, her child, Rose survived and Mary Ann took the child in. Her other daughter, Mary Ann died on May 5, 1896 at the tender age of 17. James was left alone to bury two more children, his son James who died Sep 9, 1909 and his married daughter Jane Adline Spooner who died Apr 12, 1918. Jane gave birth to 11 children and her second child, her son John C Spooner died a few days after Jane’s mother on Aug 15, 1899. James and Mary had three sons who lived into adult hood. My great grandfather David died Mar 9, 1950 at the age of 85. Charles died Aug 3, 1933 at the age of 60 while John died Jul 9, 1946 at the age of 70. My 2nd great grandfather, James died at the age of 91 on Feb 2, 1832. 

Mary Crinion who was born Dec 25, 1824 in Ireland married Hugh Peter McMahon on Sep 2, 1855. Hugh was born Apr 5, 1825 in Ireland. Mary and Hugh had 6 children, all who lived well into adulthood. Hugh died on Apr 4, 1909 and Mary died on Aug 25, 1912.

Ann Crinion who was born in 1835 in Ireland married Philip McMahon somewhere between 1855 and 1860. Phillip was born in 1824 in Ireland. Ann died on Feb 16 1860 shortly after giving birth to her daughter Elizabeth McMahon. Philip remarried and had 7 more children and he died Aug 3, 1910.

Many of the McMahon’s, Crinions, descendants and other relatives are buried in Doylestown, Columbia County, Wisconsin in the St Patrick’s Cemetery. Most of these families were farmers. Many moved into the city as they aged. 

I can’t image how family gatherings were for these double first cousins. Edward McMahon and his wife Rose Ann Kirley had 9 children together, and Edward had two other children with his first wife. Thus, they had about 72 grandchildren and a majority of them lived in Columbia County, Wisconsin area. 

As for the parents of James, Mary and Ann Crinion, it is believed that their mother, possibly Ann Dillon died in Ireland. It is family lore that their father, Patrick Crinion came to America with his four children,  the other daughter being Margaret Crinion born about Aug 1839 in Ireland, in 1861 in New York State married Daniel Sullivan who was born Jun 14, 1835 in Ireland. They moved with their 9 children to the Chicago Area. Margaret died Mar 16, 1890 and Daniel died Jun 4, 1897. 

However, by the time my childhood came around, I don’t remember there being any family reunions. This branch of my family, my maiden name was unknown to me. Both of my Crinion grandparents died by the time I was five. My mother would joke and say that those Crinion's must have lots of secrets because not much was known about them. What I found has been through census records, actual burial plots and some vital records. 

Week 6: Maps (52 Ancestors in 52 Weeks)

They say X marks the spot. I don't know if that's true, but I do know that maps are great resources for our research! Think about a time when a map helped you discover an ancestor. Another way you could approach the theme is think about an ancestor would could have really used a map. Feel free to be creative!

When I started out my genealogy quest 40 years ago, in my late teens, I needed a map of my state, as I was traveling to various courthouses, cemeteries, libraries, etc. or I might have gotten lost. Okay, I did get lost, but having a map meant I wasn’t totally lost.

While visiting one of the many libraries I use to visit, I came across plat maps. I decided to look at one and it blew my mind. It had land owners names and the boundaries of their land. They had schools marked and even cemeteries. It took a while, but I found my family on such a map. In the map below you will find several of my ancestors. 

James Crinion (1832-1923), my paternal 2nd great-grandfather on my surname line. Near him was his son, Charles (Chas) Crinion (1873-1933). To the West is Mrs. M J McDonald, which I believe is my 2nd great-grandmother through my father’s mother’s surname line, Catherine Quinn McDonald (1829-1914) since her husband Michael McDonald (1827-1910) had passed in 1910. They had a son William (1863-1954). Between these two landowners I found Wm Gadow, my 2nd great-grandfather, through my paternal grandfather’s mother’s surname line. William was born on Aug 22, 1844, whom I share my birthday with and died Dec 7, 1923.

I think seeing this map made genealogy more fun for me. I compared the map to a current map and tried to find the land. I realized that the roads did change a little over time. This map was from a time before cars were popular and thus horses probably could go more freely than cars. I know they had some sort of roads for wagons and such. The biggest thing is that I could visually see how close of neighbors my family really was. How a Crinion and Gadow might have met and how a Crinion and McDonald might have met. They were neighbors who probably helped each other out, attended church together, perhaps attended the same one room school house. My family is in the upper right hand quadrant. 

Check out Amy Johnson Crow 52 Ancestors in 52 Weeks: Themes for 2022 to receive a weekly email with ideas for using the prompts or to check out the Themes for 2022.

Week 1 - Foundations

Week 1 of 52 Ancestors in 52 Weeks, 2022 version! By Amy Johnson Crow / Generations Café.

Week 1: Foundations
The theme for January and for Week 1 is "Foundations." Some ways you might interpret this include focusing on the person who sparked your interest in family history, a builder in your family tree, or the person who is the bedrock of your family.

This theme got me thinking on who sparked my family history. It was my father, but it was a gravestone he took me to.

Let me start at the beginning, when I was about 14 years old, I believe I had a family history project I had to do in my Social Studies class. Even though, it was after the project, my father asked me if I wanted to visit some relatives. I said yes. I know we picked up his sister and I am not sure who else was with us, but he drove to the countryside and we ended up at a Cemetery.

My aunt had found this gravestone and I thought about their mother. At this point, I did not know who their parents were. When I saw the stone, it was lying on the ground and I could see Patrick’s age at time of death. I recorded the information that I found.

This tombstone started the questions, I knew I descended from the parents, but who were their parents? Was this all their living children and did they have to start over with their family.

Many years later when I started my research I found that their parents were James Crinion and Mary Ann McMahon. James was born on 2 Feb 1832 in Louth, Ireland and died 25 Feb 1923 in Fountain Prairie, Columbia, Wisconsin. His wife was born in 1839 in Monaghan, Ireland and died 11 Aug 1899 in Doylestown, Columbia, Wisconsin.

This cemetery predates the Cemetery at the St Patrick’s Church in Doylestown, Columbia, Wisconsin where the rest of the family is basically buried.

Eliza, Ann and Patrick were their first three children. Mary Ann was pregnant with her fourth child, my great grandfather, David Crinion who was born 15 May 1864 in Fountain Prairie, Columbia, Wisconsin.

James and Mary Ann had a total of 10 children, Eliza lived 7 years, 1 month and 1 day, Ann lived 1 year, 6 months and 15 days, Patrick lived 2 years and 19 days, David lived 85 years, 9 months and 22 days, Rose lived 24 years, 25 days and died during childbirth, her daughter did survive. Jane lived 45 years, 11 months and 28 days, Charles lived 60 years 7 months and 2 days, John lived 70 years, 7 months and 2 days. John went to an institution after his father’s death; I believe he had some sort of learning disability. Mary lived 17 years, 4 months and 4 days, and James (Jr) lived 28 years, 8 months and 8 days.

Mary had to bury 5 of her children while James buried 7 of his children. Of their 10 children, only David, Rose and Jane had children. Rose as mentioned previously, only had one child, a child that James and Mary raised most of her childhood. The child did finally go live with her father, his wife and her half-siblings. David had 7 children, two who died in infancy, while Jane had 11 children. One of Jane’s sons died 4 days after her mother and she had three children who died before adulthood and four children that I know were deceased by 1982, that I need to do some more research on. Yahoo for this 52 Ancestors in 52 Weeks challenge, otherwise, I might not have realized that I was missing valuable information.

In the Will of James Crinion, I got a little insight into the Irish temper he might have had. “It is my will that the children of my daughter, Jennie (Jane) Spooner, shall take nothing under this my will, for the reason that provision was made for my said daughter in her lifetime, and because my grand-children, being the children of my said daughter Jennie, have never assisted me in any way , and it is also my wish that my grand-daughter, Rose Mary Kannedy, do not receive any part of my estate, she having previously received One Hundred Dollars ($100.00) from me and being in a position to provide for herself.

Rose Mary was the daughter of Rose, this was the grandchild that James and Mary raised from infancy. I also, show that her married name was really Canada.