I have been searching for a long time for my four Grand Uncles 'across the water' who being Irish are of course named John Hurley, and Patrick, Martin and John Sheehan! The good news is that I have found one of them. My uncle John Hurley was in Chicago, and I was searching in Boston. A familiar story for anyone who has tried to trace their family tree, that's for sure. Sadly Uncle John died many years ago but I have now made contact with his family. I can't tell you how much it means to me to have re-established contact after all these years. This feels like a restoration in my family, a healing event. I think it is something my Granny would have liked. How I wish she was here to see it unfold!
On a more practical level, I learned a lot about tracing family. I followed Megan Smolenyak's advice. She says that when we hit a brick wall following the male line to move over to the female line. In my research, I discovered that Uncle John's wife, Hannah Courtney came from Castlegregory, on the road between Tralee and Dingle. I asked my cousins if they knew anyone in the family. I was given a name. After gathering my courage, I rang the phone number. I explained who I was and that I was looking for uncle John's family. Three phone calls later I was given an address. Now I am in contact with my mother's first cousin. I was also given this photo of Jack and Hannah on their wedding day in Chicago in 1937. I have been told that Hannah was a lovely gentle woman. How apt it is then that I should name one of my daughters' Hannah without even knowing this at the time of her birth.
So thank you Megan and thank you to my lovely cousins through marriage without whom none of this would have been possible.
PS Respecting family privacy I cannot disclose the names of living cousins.
On a more practical level, I learned a lot about tracing family. I followed Megan Smolenyak's advice. She says that when we hit a brick wall following the male line to move over to the female line. In my research, I discovered that Uncle John's wife, Hannah Courtney came from Castlegregory, on the road between Tralee and Dingle. I asked my cousins if they knew anyone in the family. I was given a name. After gathering my courage, I rang the phone number. I explained who I was and that I was looking for uncle John's family. Three phone calls later I was given an address. Now I am in contact with my mother's first cousin. I was also given this photo of Jack and Hannah on their wedding day in Chicago in 1937. I have been told that Hannah was a lovely gentle woman. How apt it is then that I should name one of my daughters' Hannah without even knowing this at the time of her birth.
So thank you Megan and thank you to my lovely cousins through marriage without whom none of this would have been possible.
PS Respecting family privacy I cannot disclose the names of living cousins.
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