Genealogical Gems

Setting aside the to do list this #SundayMorning to research my Irish female ancestors, beginning with my great grandmother Catherine #OFlaherty . It is after all #IrishAmericanHeritageMonth and #WomensHistoryMonth Catherine O'Flaherty Catherine was born on 2 August 1880 to Dennis and Martha (Durkan) O'Flaherty in Phoenixville, Chester County, PA. This is confirmed through various records and family members, including my grandmother (her oldest child. Her marriage application however notes she was born on 2 October in 1885. She was the youngest of eight known children. Her siblings (in birth order) are: James - 1868 to 1870. Twin to Mary Theresa. Mary Theresa - 1868 to 1945. Twin to James. Married Patrick Rogers. They had five children. Through Ancestry.com, I have connected with one of her descendents.  Hugh - 1869 to 1947. Married Katherine Dee. They had six children. Michael - 1871 to 1904.Married Margaret McQuade. He died just two years after they married, le...

Today Fearless Females Challenge is: Do you remember your mother’s best friend? How and where did they meet? How long were they friends? What activities did they share?   Although my mom has passed, her best friend is still very much a part of my life. “Aunt” Gloria is my godmother. She and mom met through Girl Scouts, I believe. They became friends as school girls. They also went to Bishop Shanahan High School in West Chester together.       Fearless Females is a daily prompt throughout March celebrating Women’s History Month initiated by Lisa A Alzo of The Accidental Genealogist    © Jeanne Ruczhak-Eckman, 2015

March is Women’s History Month and as such, today’s prompt focuses on my paternal great grandmother, Bessie Matys Hruszczak. The prompt for the Fearless Females Challenge is: Create a timeline for a female ancestor using your favorite software program or an online timeline generator such as  OurTimelines . Post an image of it or link to it.    I am a strong believer in timelines so I thought I would love this one. Not so much. The program asks for a name ad birth and death year. It provides world events. The timeline that OurTimelines created for Bessie is: http://www.ourtimelines.com/cgi-bin/makehist.pl       My simple timeline: 1895 – Bessie is born to Joseph Matys and Olena Vaspleship 1904-1905 – Russian-Japanese War 1912 – Immigrates to America in October (that April the Titanic had sunk); settled in Coatesville 1914-1919 – WWI (US entered in 1917) 1915 – Marries Panko Hruszczak 1916 – 1 st son Theodore born 1918 – 2 nd ...

Oh, Danny Boy … sleep in peace   Today’s Fearless Females prompt was to write a six-word memoir   tribute to one of your female ancestors. My grandmother (Mary Welsh Still) loved this song. She played it all the time.    For years growing up I thought this was an “ Old County ” song. I was probably in my teens before I realized it was not. It was written in 1910 by an Englishman no less! It was written by Frederic Weatherly. The song goes: Oh, Danny Boy, the pipes, the pipes are calling From glen to glen, and down the mountain side. The summer's gone, and all the roses falling, 'Tis you, 'Tis you must go and I must bide. But come ye back when summer's in the meadow, Or when the valley's hushed and white with snow, 'Tis I'll be here in sunshine or in shadow,— Oh, Danny Boy, oh Danny Boy, I love you so! But when ye come, and all the flowers are dying, If I am dead, as dead I well may be, Ye'll come and find the place where I a...

The past week has been pretty busy and stressful so I forgot about the Fearless Females prompt.    Last Saturday’s prompt was to share a favorite recipe from your mother or grandmother’s kitchen. My mom never taught me how to cook. In fact she rarely let me in the kitchen. Sunday’s prompt was to share an entry or excerpt from a female ancestor’s diary or journal. Monday’s prompt was to feature a family document (baptismal certificate, passenger list, naturalization petition, etc.) and write a brief narrative using the information.   Bessie Hruszczak is my great grandmother. I knew her maiden name was Matys and I had an idea when she immigrated and where she came from before I had found this record – a New York Passenger List. This record shows she sailed on the SS Cincinnati from Hamburg , on 16 October 1912. She arrived in New York on 28 October 1912. Her name is listed as Paska (consistent with other records before Americanizing to Bessie) Matys.   ...

Throughout March, in recognition of Women’s History Month, each day will feature a different female ancestor. Today’s prompt is: Describe an heirloom you may have inherited from a female ancestor (wedding ring or other jewelry, china, clothing, etc.) If you don’t have any, then write about a specific object you remember from your mother or grandmother, or aunt (a scarf, a hat, cooking utensil, furniture, etc.)   When my grandmother passed, Daddy gave me her silver. I was the only of the four grandchildren with a family already and I did not have a complete real silverware set. It’s beautiful. She had this greenish box they are kept in. Everything matches!    Sometimes I wonder what I will pass down to my girls. I have three girls. Should I give something to them before I pass? Should I will it to them? Should I let them fight it out when I’m gone? How will they decide who gets what?     Fearless Females is a daily prompt throughout March celeb...

Lisa A Alzo of The Accidental Genealogist started the Fearless Females prompts for Women’s History Month. Throughout March, each day will feature a different female ancestor. Today’s prompt is: How did they meet? You’ve documented marriages, now, go back a bit. Do you know the story of how your parents met? Your grandparents?   My parents met at a local dance. My mom was there with her cousin, “Aunt Denise”. I forget who Daddy went with that day. She introduced them. They hit it off.   I have no clue how mom’s parents met. Daddy’s parents (that's them in the photo circa 1943) actually met when they were in grade school. Baba was a year older and could speak a little English so she helped Gigi learn English.   Fearless Females is a daily prompt throughout March celebrating Women’s History Month   © Jeanne Ruczhak-Eckman, 2015

Lisa A Alzo of The Accidental Genealogist started the Fearless Females prompts for Women’s History Month. Throughout March, each day will feature a different female ancestor. Today’s prompt is: Do you have marriage records for your grandparents or great-grandparents? Write a post about where they were married and when. Any family stories about the wedding day? Post a photo too if you have one.   I have a (very poor) copy of my great grandparents’ marriage record from the Church register. Panko Hruszczak and Bessie Matys married on 24 July 1915 in the Holy Ghost Ukrainian Greek Catholic Church in Coatesville, Chester County . She would have been 20 at the time.   My late cousin Catherine Matys Rothermal was one of the flower girls at the wedding. Catherine would have been seven when Panko and Bessie got married. Bessie had arrived in Coatesville just three years before that, in 1912. Bessie had lived with Catherine’s family before she married.     ...

Lisa A Alzo of The Accidental Genealogist started the Fearless Females prompts for Women’s History Month. Throughout March, each day will feature a different female ancestor. Today’s prompt is: Do you share a first name with one of your female ancestors? Perhaps you were named for your great-grandmother, or your name follows a particular naming pattern. If not, then list the most unique or unusual female first name you’ve come across in your family tree.   To my knowledge, I am the only Jeanne on either side of my family. Mom said she chose my name because it had to smooth the rough sound (her words) of Ruczhak. It also (I was raised Roman Catholic, Latin Rite) had to be the name of a saint or a derivative of one. Jeanne d’Arc was the natural patron saint then. She lived a short life, 1412 – 1431. When I converted to Orthodoxy, I chose St. John Climacus, also known as John of the Ladder. His Icon speaks volumes to me. I have a small one on the wall above my desk.   ...

Lisa A Alzo of The Accidental Genealogist started the Fearless Females prompts for Women’s History Month. Throughout March, each day will feature a different female ancestor. Today’s prompt is: Do you have a favorite female ancestor? One you are drawn to or want to learn more about? Write down some key facts you have already learned or what you would like to learn and outline your goals and potential sources you plan to check.   I’m not sure that Margaret Still is my favorite female ancestor but she is certainly the one I obsess over the most.    Margaret is my 4x great grandmother. She got pregnant out of wedlock and her father, Charles Still, put her out on a farm in Goosetown, East Fallowfield Township , in Chester County . In a nutshell, I want to know who got her pregnant.    What I know: Margaret was born in 1788 to Charles and Margaret Rhoades Still, of Uwchlan Township , Chester County . She has three brothers: Charles, Henry and Jacob...

March is Women's History Month and as such GeneaBloggers' prompt today is: Have you discovered a surprising fact about one of your female ancestors? What was it and how did you learn it? How did you feel when you found out? Over the years, I've had quite a few surprises from the women in my family. I've come to simply accept them. My first surprise - that I recall as a surprise - was the fact that Margaret Still had a child out of wedlock back in 1808. Margaret is my 4th great grandmother. The bigger surprise though with regards to her was the rape charge she filed later against a David Philips who possibly fathered her second child, No clue who fathered my 3rd great grandfather George David Still though. Another surprise was from my Baba & Gigi. My grandparents had two boys - my father and Uncle John. When I had my miscarriage in 1995, they were so sweet and so helpful in me getting through that difficult time. It was then though that they me that Baba had...

March is Women's History Month and as such GeneaBloggers' prompt today is: Social Butterfly. What social organizations or groups did your mother or grandmother belong to? Sewing circle, church group, fraternal benefit society or lodge? Describe her role in the group. Several women on my dad's side of the family belonged to the Sisterhood at church - a woman's organization. My Baba and her mother were members. Gigi's mom was member as well. My Aunt Mary (Gigi's sister-in-law) was a very active member of the Sisterhood. She lived right across the street which helped but she was always at the church. She was always involved with various activities. My oldest daughter and myself are also involved with the Sisterhood. My three girls and I are all involved in the Ukrainian Orthodox League - senior and junior - as well. The women on mom's side of the family were active in church but not - at least that I recall - in any specific organizations.

March is Women's History Month and as such GeneaBloggers' prompt today is: Write a six-word memoir tribute to one of your female ancestors. It is hard to choose just one but ... Anna Kurenda Ruczhak Six word tribute: 1. Baba 2. Classy 3. Beautiful 4. Devoted 5. Family 6. Crochet  

March is Women's History Month and as such GeneaBloggers' prompt today is: Newsmakers? Did you have a female ancestor who made the news? Why? Was she famous or notorious? Did she appear in the social column? My first thought is of my Aunt Helen! I speak of her often here. She was so helpful in my genealogical quests! That's her below here - isn't she beautiful? This was taken in 1990. A little background: Aunt Helen was born Helen Still on 24 August 1903 to Franklin and Sarah Jennie VanHorn in East Fallowfield, Chester County. She was the youngest of six children. On 30 December 1924 she married Elwood James Webster. They had two daughters: Gloria Elaine and Janet Leona. She attended West Chester State Normal School (now West Chester University) to teach in a rural school but she said she hated teaching so she ended up doing odd jobs. She finally got a job at Unionville High School where she remained for 13 years. Everyone loved her - everyone! One year the studen...

March is Women's History Month and as such GeneaBloggers' prompt today is: Moment of Strength: share a story where a female ancestor showed courage or strength in a difficult situation. ... We all show courage and strength at some point during our years however one person comes to mind: Margaret Still. Margaret Still is my (mom, Pops, Pierson, Franklin, George) great-great-great-great grandmother. She was born in 1788 in Chester County to Charles and Margaret Rhoades Still. She was one of four children. She was the only daughter. Her father - and possibly one or two of her brothers - owned a tavern in Uwchlan Township. In 1880, at the age of 20, still being single, she gave birth on 3 May to her first of two children: George David Still. George was born in East Fallowfield Township. Her parents - according to my Aunt Helen who was the youngest child of George's son Franklin - "put her out" on a farm. Aunt Helen said that when Margaret got pregnant, her fa...

March is Women's History Month and as such GeneaBloggers' prompt today is: Working girl: Did your mother or grandmother work outside the home? What did she do? Describe her occupation. All the women in my family - both sides - have worked at some point outside the home. My mom was an accountant with Penn Dairy. A year or two after I was born, she quit to stay home. Daddy worked at the Mill so a second income back then was not as vital as it is now. Mom was always doing something and loved to knit, do ceramics, and make various crafts out of a variety of materials. When I was in seventh or eighth grade (I was still going to school in Coatesville not yet Octorara but I forget when exactly), she finally started her own business. She called it "Stitched With Love." Mom's business was quite successful and soon took over the kitchen, the dining room and finally when a large two car garage was added onto the house, it took that over too. She never did like crowds ...

March is Women's History Month and as such GeneaBloggers' prompt today is: Did you have any female ancestors who died young or from tragic or unexpected circumstances? Describe and how did this affect the family? My aunt Mary Ethel Still passed when she was just 13. She was born 04 Jun 1893 to Franklin and Jennie VanHorn Still. Some personal letters addressed from the school to her father, I learned that she attended the Pennsylvania Training School F. M. C. in Elywyn. It was always abbreviated on the letters and envelopes and the correspondence was all financial records or invoices. A Google search revealed FMC stood for Feeble Minded Children. Her sister - my Aunt Helen Still Webster - had told me that she was sent to the home because she took epileptic fits.   She passed away on 15 Dec 1906. Aunt Helen was three when her sister Ethel passed. She described for me once how she was laid out at home, as was the norm then.

March is Women's History Month and as such GeneaBloggers' prompt today is: What role did religion play in your family? How did your female ancestors practice their faith? If they did not, why didn’t they? Did you have any female ancestors who served their churches in some capacity? Religion played an active role in most of my lines. Daddy's side (here) almost all belonged to the same church I attend now - the Holy Ghost Ukrainian Orthodox Church. My Baba and her mother, Gigi's mom and at least one of his sisters were active in the Sisterhood. My mom's maternal side is Roman Catholic and her father's side is Presbyterian. There are a few more recently who have chosen other religions and several older generations who attended a local Methodist Episcopal Church. They all attended church and I feel safe in saying that religion was a special part of their lives. One aunt wanted to become a nun and was close, I understand, until she met someone so special that ...

March is Women's History Month and as such Geneabloggers' prompt today is: Describe an heirloom you may have inherited from a female ancestor (wedding ring or other jewelry, china, clothing, etc.) If you don’t have any, then write about a specific object you remember from your mother or grandmother, or aunt (a scarf, a hat, cooking utensil, furniture, etc.) To be honest, I would much rather have information (and photos and documents) rather than traditional heirloom items. Hence, photo albums and documents are my most treasured keepsakes. That said, I do have Baba's "good" silverware set. I do not know what time of silver it is or how good/unique/special it is and quite honestly that really does not matter. What matters is that it is a part of her and Gigi and that it is functional.  

March is Women's History Month and as such Geneabloggers' prompt today is: How did they meet? You’ve documented marriages, now, go back a bit. Do you know the story of how your parents met? Your grandparents? My paternal grandparents (Joseph & Anna Kurenda Ruczhak) met at school. Baba was a year older than Gigi and her command of English was better. He spoke only Ukrainian in the home. So, the teacher at the school asked her to help him learn English. I have no clue how my mom's parents met. I'm not sure I ever heard that story. My parents (Joseph & Barbara Still Ruczhak) met at a dance. Mom was there with her cousin Denise O'Flaherty (Coblentz) and Daddy was with some friends. Daddy and Aunt Denise (and her husband Ray Coblentz) went to school together. They attended Horace Scott HS in Coatesville. Daddy saw mom at the dance and asked Aunt (really a cousin btw but she's mom and dad's age so ...) Denise to introduce them!