Great, Great Grandfather Revealed!!

I have had this picture for several years now, thinking that it was my great, great grandfather, but now it is finally confirmed.  My second cousin, Bill France, found the photo marked in his grandmother Alice O'Neill Mulqueen's photo album.  I guess networking pays off.  Now we have photos of all the great great grandparents.  Many thanks Bill for solving the mystery.

Photos

   Uncle Bob's Photo Album 

 (just click on the words and it will come up)

Uncle Bob O'Neill was somewhat of a historian.  He kept scrapbooks and family albums filled with newspaper clippings, cards and lots of other interesting items.  Throughout the years he sent old family photos to his brothers and sisters for Christmas.  He also transcribed many of the journal entries from Henry Sr.  He was lucky though, his Uncle Bryan P. O'Neill was a photographer and; because of Bryan we are lucky to have so many beautiful photos.  I'll be updating this album as I scan more and more of the photos.

Connecting

It has been quite a while since I last posted, but I have been keeping busy with some great finds and connecting with some "new" cousins.  Just the other day I made this find which would help explain why the McIntyres moved to Catasauqua.  I haven't verified it yet so perhaps some others can help me make the connection.  I found it on the Library of Congress website.

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.