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.