Month's Mind

Well done good and faithful servant!

I can't believe it is a month since, our beloved uncle, Fr. Bob Reed passed away.  Well here is a story to share. It is taken from The Poster the Cursillo Newsletter where some of the groups members shared some of their memories, they published a special edition in memory of Fr. Bob.  Here is a classic story.

Father's dry sense of humor....
    Many years ago, Father Reed was behind me in a registration line for a workshop sponsored by our diocesan financial office.  He was in exceptionally good humor that day.
    I have to smile when I remember him saying, "All of my priesthood, I've been trying to care for the sheep; today, I'm going to learn how to  fleece them." Can't you hear him say that line and picture the smile on his face?  -- Mary Ann Hammer

Paydirt!

Well, I finally found something about Anne Magennis (Mcgennis) at the Lehigh County Historic Society yesterday!  Here is a transcription of her obit.....Not a whole lot of info, but it helped.

                           DEATH OF MRS. BRYAN O'NEILL. -- Mrs. Bryan O'Neill 

                           a lady of decided culture and refinement, wife of Bryan O'Neill,

                           the well known contractor, died at her husband's home, No. 221

                           Gordon street, this city [Allentown], on Friday morning last. She

                           was a native of Ireland, and in her youth was a teacher at Montreal, 

                           Canada, and subsequently pursued the same vocation in South 

                           Wales, England, where she first met her future husband, Mr. O'Neill. 

                           They were married in London in 1869 [ 25 Oct 1856], and husband 

                           and wife [and 2 ten yr old boys] shortly after came to the United 

                           States, and resided in our city since. She is survived by her husband,

                           two sons, Henry J., the well known lawyer here, and Bryan P., the 

                           photographer. Mrs. O'Neill was a lady of most admirable qualities,

                           and a devoted wife and mother. The family have the sympathy of 

                           the community in their bereavement.

                             --- Allentown Democrat 25 Aug 1897

                                   she passed away on 20 Aug 1897

Can you imagine!!! She must have gone to Canada sometime during the potato famine in Ireland about 1850, then went to South Wales. I guess I get my wanderlust from both the Reed and the Magennis side of the family.  I have a feeling that the picture does not do her justice.  Besides being a teacher some of the information I have about her indicates that she also played the organ at her local Church.  She is the one who lived near the "gherkin" in London.  

Wales

From London we went to Wales, and Tudy says, we used every form of transportation on the trip except helicopter and submarine!  Wales was so beautiful! Unfortunately we didn't even get to see the seacoast.  We loved Cardiff Castle, the owner during the time the O'Neil's were in Wales was the Marquis of Bute who was a member of the Oxford Movement and did the major renovations of the castle. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cardiff_Castle Wikipedia has some good pictures.  One thing I did accomplish was getting to the Cefn Coed cemetery to take a pictures of the monument for Thomas and Mary O'Neill Owens (our great great grandfather Bryan's sister).  It took two days because of a little misinformation and lots of rain!  But I have Vaughn Williams and some of the cemetery crew to thank for helping me find it.

For more pics https://picasaweb.google.com/TravelingCRE/IrelandEnglandWales

To Let or Toilet

Stratford-Upon-the -Avon

As you can see blogging took second and third place when we were traveling.  Maggie, Tudy and I went from Dublin and caught the ferry to Holyhead then on to Stratford-Upon-the-Avon, learning that we needed an English translator some of the time, and often looking for Toilets, wc's and other facilities.  We loved Stratford-Upon-the Avon, such a quaint town.

"Gherkin" and St. Ethelburga Church

We then took off to see London and unfortunately the showers followed us.  I found that where my great great grandparents lived before they were married was very close to the "gherkin."  I don't have any idea of what it is really called but it is in the financial district of London.  They lived in the block across the street from the small church in the picture. The block was demolished for newer office buildings.

Previously Pea Hen Court Bishopsgate

St. Mary Mooresfield 

 Unfortunately I could not get into the church where Bryan O'Neil and Anne Magennis were married, St. Mary Mooresfield but I have a picture of the outside of the church. The architect designed the Church so that it fit in with the shops that were on the block.

Day One: Sun &Showers

Tudy and I arrived in Dublin after a quick half and 5 hour fight to sun and Tudy loving the showers.We seemed to be a little off balance though every where we went , the make up store in He airport(boy, they were glad when I left), the airport restaurant in the airport, and the dessert cafe.Barb got my reading card for the National archives!

THE EXCITEMENT BUILDS

Eleven more days!!

Getting our Kicks on Rt 66

Military Archive St. Louis, MO

Last Saturday, another beautiful wild Irish woman, Mary Kate got married to Dan O'Brien.  It was a fantastic time, and we are thrilled to have Dan in the family.  Afterwards Jibbsey and I started a road trip to some of the nearby family spots, some of which just happen to be along Route 66.  Jibbsey isn't too thrilled when I pull over to take a picture of a street sign.  We went to St. Louis and had dinner with Mary Kate's bro Michael and did some sightseeing.  We made an appointment to visit the National Military Archives in St. Louis.  Unfortunately Brigadier General C. T. O'Neill's file had been burned in the fire in 1973, but they were able to recreate some of it for us.  It gave us some information on where he served here in the US before his company left for Europe during WWI.  I am still hoping they will come up with some information on his service in the Spanish American War and the Mexican dispute.

Isabell McKay

Last week my daughter and I spent some time with our 2 cousins Michelle and John in downtown NYC.  Looking at some of John's beautiful pictures, and sharing some memories.  John has a fantastic collection of photos from the McIntyre family.  So now we can put some names with faces.  Here is the first of those pictures, Isabelle McKay.  I know she was born in Scotland and married James McIntyre (don't know where).  She and James had my great, great grandfather Robert J. McIntyre in Glasgow.  They lived in New York, Richmond Va., and for a while on Howertown Rd. in Catasauqua, PA.  I am not sure where Isabelle died, but James died in Brooklyn.  More mysteries to solve.

Memorial Day

Holy Savior Cemetery, Bethlehem PA

Today, Barb (another wild O'Neill woman) and I went to Holy Savior Cemetery in Bethlehem and put a Spanish American war marker on General O'Neill's grave.  I went stomping around cemeteries the other day and didn't see a one.  Now CT, has one along with his WWI marker.  Many thanks to all who served our country!  Bob, he needs a Knights marker too. (Thanks to brother Bob and his friend Viola at the Lehigh County Veterans' Affairs office for the marker)

Mary Francis "Mame" O'Neill

My Aunt Mary and Cousin Greg are allowing me to scan the photo's from my grandmother's album that Anne put together.  The first page consists of 2 pictures of Anne's mom, Mame McIntyre O'Neill and one of Mame's father, Robert J. McIntyre.  This may be a type of cabinet card of Mame that may date between 1890 and 1905. I think she may have been between 20 and 35 in this photo.  I am really lousy at guessing people's ages.  Mame's brother-in-law Bryan took the photo.  The address on the back of the card is his photo studio.
(I will post the other photos later)

It is a beautiful picture isn't it.  The story is that Henry J. O'Neill saw her at Mass at St. Lawrence Church in Catasauqua, PA and said I'm going to marry that woman.  Love at first sight.  Every morning he brought her tea in bed and got the kids moving, from what I understand an Irish custom.  So how many of our Irish male relatives bring their wives coffee or tea in bed each morning?

In the beginning.....

Several years ago...at least 40, my grandmother, Anne I. O'Neill Reed, planted the seed and I became an amateur genealogist.  She told me the stories of the Wild Irish Women and the God-fearing men who loved them.  I knew some of these eccentric and lovable men and women, and I am getting to know them better.  I am hoping that others who are interested in our family history will be able to get some insight into these delightful Irish ancestors.