The Tree of Me

The Week 4 prompt for Amy Johnson Crow's  "52 Ancestors in 52 Weeks"  blogging challenge is “Invite to Dinner”. Who to invite to dinner? As usual there are so many choices but I have decided that I would like to invite one of my gggg grandmothers - Hanora Flynn (Connor). I have managed to discover many things about Hanora but there are still so many unanswered questions. What do I know? I know that Hanora married Patrick Flynn on 26th February 1811 at Shandrum, Cork, Ireland. 1. At least three children were born in Ireland, Ann, Mary and Thomas. In March 1821 Patrick was arrested in Wexford County and sentenced to transportation for life.  I know that her husband Patrick applied for Hanora and their three children to be sent out to the colony at the expense of the crown. The Rev. J.J. Therry recommended the application. Hanora lived in the parish of Liscarroll and was known to the Rev Malachy Sheehan, Parish Priest and William Purcell Esq. J.P. of t...

The Week 2 prompt for Amy Johnson Crow's  "52 Ancestors in 52 Weeks"  blogging challenge is longevity. Going through Reunion , the genealogy program I use I decided to check out the longevity of my family. The following are the top 10 in my extended family. There may be others but these are the family members for which I have verified data. I have included the most common recent ancestor I have with them. 1.  105 years        Mary Selina FORD (1C3R)                           24 Apr 1880 – 15 Aug 1985                    James MERCHANT and Sarah NEAL 2.  102 years         Maud Eileen SEABROOK (2C2R)                19 Feb 1901 – 28 Sep 2003                     Henry SEABROOK and Sarah WHITE 3. ...

The Week 2 prompt for Amy Johnson Crow's  "52 Ancestors in 52 Weeks"  blogging challenge is "Favourite Photo." I really can't think of a favourite photo. I've agonised over which one to share. I have been fortunate to have been given many photographs from both my sides of my husband's and my family. Many are portraits in huge decorative frames. I can see eight now; there are many others in boxes and old suitcases. However, I won't share one of those. I have another unknown family group which is a favourite because the caption on the back reads, "From all of us to all of you." Thanks. However, I’ve decided to share one of my very small photographs. I have five photographs that are in little cases with delicate clasps. I am certain that two of them are  daguerreotypes as the images can only be seen in certain positions or angles which can be very frustrating. Daguerreotypes and possible ambrotypes- one is missing its cover  ...

I am attempting to take part in Amy Johnson Crow's "52 Ancestors in 52 Weeks" blogging challenge. I have begun a few long term blogging challenges over the years but have never managed to complete any of them. My record is 17 weeks. Perhaps this one may be more successful. The challenge for Week 1 is "Start." One of Amy's prompts was the home person in your family tree. The 1 ID in my Reunion data is my great, great, grandfather Dr William Lee Dawson. He was the subject of my first and several other blog posts. I'll link to earlier posts about William Lee Dawson but will also add an image that very few people have seen. I am very fortunate to have in my possession a photo album which belonged to his daughter,  Louisa Annie Spinks (Dawson). It was given to me by her grandson Charles Roussac. Over the years many family members have visited his grave in Franklin, Tasmania, Australia. Each time I go to Tasmania I make sure I take a trip to Frank...