Raymond Abraham Duprey - Obituary

Raymond Abraham Duprey (1904-1920)

Adirondack Record
November 19, 1920

Obituary

After an illness of only four days, Raymond Duprey, youngest son of Elmer Duprey, died at his home in Swastika Nov. 12. His death was caused from diabetes, the result of the “flu” three years ago.

He was apparently as well as usual until Saturday morning when he said he was very weak.  Medical aid was obtained at once but the physicians gave no hopes for his recovery. Although only sixteen years old he was a very popular young man.

He is survived by his father, five brothers, Orril of Au Sable Forks, Wilfred, Wilbur, Edward and Chester of Swastika, and three sisters, Miss Addie of Newport, R.I., and the Misses Florence and Valedia, who reside at home. His mother died eight years ago. He was buried in the family plot at Black Brook. The pall bearers were Peter LaDuke, Leo Douglass, Joseph and Edward Carmel, Mose and John Betters, all friends of the young man.

Mr. Duprey and family have the sympathy of the entire community. They extend thanks to all who so kindly assisted them in their recent bereavement.

____________________________________________________

Raymond was my first cousin twice removed. He was also a fellow Pisces having a birth date of 13 March 1904.  He was only 16 years old when he died. 

Tech Tuesday - Maple Stars and Strips Podcast and Website

Maple Stars and Stripes

By Flanker
Via Wikimedia Commons

If you have French-Canadian roots, I highly recommend the new podcast by Sandra Goodwin called Maple Stars and Stripes. She not only examines the types of records we encounter with our French-Canadian research but also language tips. Her language tips alone have given me ideas of where to go next with my brickwall maternal 2^nd great grandmother, Delia Pacquette/Pockett Sharrow.  Check out her website, www.maplestarsandstripes.com , for the show notes.  You won’t be disappointed!!

Heartless Husband - 1914 Style

For today's Newspaper Nugget we have a candidate for Husband of the Year!

Plattsburgh Daily Press
October 3, 1914

HEARTLESS HUSBAND

________

Sold Furniture and Allowed Wife to go to Poor House

_________

ABLE TO WORK YET BEGGED ON STREETS

________

JOSEPH LABOMBARD SENTENCED TO THE ALBANY PENITENTIARY FOR THIS ACTS

_____

     Joseph LaBombard, who has spend much of his time during the past few years in the county jail for public intoxication and whose recent acts have stamped him as absolutely heartless, was yesterday sentenced by City Judge Barnard to the Albany Penitentiary for a period of sixty days.
     LaBombard is an able-bodied man, fit to perform any kind of labor, yet spends all of his time drinking booze, which he pays for with money begged from persons on the streets. A few days ago he sold what little furniture there was in his home, and his wife, who is an invalid, was obliged to go to a neighbor's for a place to sleep. This matter was brought to the attention of Commissioner of Charities Utting and he made a thorough investigation of the case. The commissioner and Humane Officer Hennessey then brought the matter before the city court and the same day LaBombard was picked up by a police officer on a charge of begging.
     When brought into court yesterday forenoon, LaBombard made a number of excuses for his conduct and offered any number of promises for the future in his effort to escape the ride to Albany, but Judge Barnard had heard the same excuses and promises on several previous occasions and paid no attention to them but imposed the sentence of two months in the "pen" and the worthless specimen of manhood was led back to jail to prepare for his unwilling trip down the road.
_____________________________________________________

I laughed when I first read this! The last part "and the worthless specimen of manhood was led back to jail to prepare for his unwilling trip down the road" had me rolling! In today's politically correct media this would never fly but it is so fun to read!!

The city in question is Plattsburgh, Clinton County, New York. I did a quick search to see what happened to Joseph but unfortunately it is a common name in the northern New York area and without knowing a few more details, I was unable to narrow him down.

I hope he learned his lesson and straightened out his life!!

Name Your Car Day

Today, October 2nd, is Name Your Car Day. As a family, we have had many cars over the years. I don't remember any names per se given to those cars. It was always "the Packard" or "the Charger". For me, my first beloved car was "the Cuda".  A 1966 Plymouth Barracuda with a glass back window.  I LOVED that car!! I wrote briefly about her in Cars - 52 Weeks of Personal Genealogy & History. Here's a photo:

1966 Plymouth Barracuda

My current car is a 1997 Nissan Sentra. Not the same mystique as my Cuda but it's MINE! I have nicknamed her "Lily" since it is supposedly a white car. Right now she's "Dirty Lily". I like to say that it's not dirt on her but a "protective coating"!! I guess before it gets cold here I should give her a bath! Here's a photo of the car during one of our lovely snow falls.  Can you see her?

1997 Nissan Sentra

The 4th Quarter Begins

Well today is the start of the 4^th and last quarter of 2014. I cannot believe how fast this year as gone by. I had so many plans for this year. Most are still waiting to either get started or finished. So far I have taken 3 trips home to Charleston to see my sister, nephew and niece (and brother-n-law). Normally I get down 1-2 times a year but when the airlines have sales I can’t pass up then I HAVE to go right? J I also got to see my godson get married. Talk about time flying! But I was so glad I was able to share the joy of his special day with my best friends and friends I had not seen in years.

So what are my goals for the last quarter of 2014? I have one more trip to see my sister and her family. This time we meet up in my brother-in-law’s hometown in southwest Virginia for a quick visit. Still any visit is a good visit when you can’t get home as often as you want!

I also have to finish a project I started LAST year for my local genealogical society. Our membership roster and surname list have not been updated in years. I ran into more problems than I anticipated so I am basically starting over. Going to use Access to reenter all that information. Had hoped to this project finished by now but life happens.....

One of the things that has delayed this project is my moving of apartments. Had been thinking about moving but nothing serious until a conversation with the old apartment manager. My father always liked to say “What are you willing to put up with?” Well after a conversation I had with the old manager….not much. So I moved. I have always wanted to move to the Frederick Maryland area but didn’t want to do the commute. But I decided why not, you only live once and if it becomes too much I can always move again J

I can’t believe how much STUFF I have! I had it hidden well in my old smaller apartment. But this move is forcing me to go thru things I should have done years ago. I have found some things that I knew I had seen but was beginning to think I dreamed them! Like a picture of my one of my elementary group pictures. I found another box of photos too. Once my computer/office area is set up I have lots of scanning to do!

The theme of this quarter will be fall clean up. I broke down and got a laptop computer for my longer commute. My reasoning is that with the extra time I can work on my blog and my genealogy. I am writing this blog post from the commuter bus. I have to figure out which are the better seats so I can see the computer more clearly. But live and learn….bets the alternative!

So what are your goals for the final quarter of 2014? Here’s hoping we ALL make our goals!

52 Ancestors: #11 Bridget Agnes Williams Coughlin

I am up to #11 in my "52 Ancestors in 52 Weeks" challenge.  I'm pacing myself .... yeah, that's it!!

This edition features my paternal great grandmother, Bridget Agnes Williams Coughlin (1883-1973).  She used Bridget or Agnes interchangeably it seems throughout the years but it is Agnes on her tombstone.  Agnes was the daughter of John Williams (1849-1928) and Mary Dewan (1854-1916).  She had 4 siblings that I have found. Born December 20, 1883 at Palmer Hill, Jay, Essex County, New York and raised in Black Brook, Clinton County, New York. Agnes married Daniel Joseph Coughlin (1877-1953) on August 22, 1905 in Lake Placid, Essex County, New York.  They had 6 children:  Bernard (1907-1980), David (1909-1984), Ann (1913-2000), Daniel (1915-1977), Mary Elizabeth aka "Betty" (1917-1998) and Thomas (1921-1945).

From the Census Summary Sheets, I was able to find Agnes in all but the 1900 Federal and 1905 New York State censuses.  As you can see she was listed as Bridget or Agnes.  She is also the reason I have started to search those hard to find relatives by their middle names (when known).  You just never know!!

Bridget Agnes Williams Coughlin
Census Summary Sheet (1880-1940)

It's the Coughlin side of the family where I lack lots of photos.  I do have this picture of Agnes and Daniel from about 1940 at the farm in Palmer Hill, Jay, Essex County, New York.

Daniel & Agnes Coughlin
1940

It's Grama T's Birthday!

Today is the birthday of my (step) paternal great grandmother and a wonderful woman, Elizabeth Ann "Bess" Madden Torrance (1888-1985).  I am behind in my research but I do know her parents were Thomas and Margaret Hurley Madden. She was born in Jay, Essex County, New York.  She had 4 children, 3 of whom made it to adulthood including my grandmother, Helen Marguerite Torrance Coughlin (1910-1995).

Here is a cute picture from 1971 with "Grama T" and a friend of my father, Thomas Raymond Coughlin (1944-1998), along with Grandma Helen's note!

Note:

I just love this picture! It shows that poor Grama T had to put up with so much from my father and yet still had a smile on her face!!

Happy Birthday Grama T!! We love and miss you!!

Helen Torrance Coughlin - Birthday Girl!

Today is the birthday of my paternal (step) grandmother, Helen Torrance Coughlin.  She was born on May 15, 1910 to Elizabeth Madden and Walter Torrance in Upper Jay, Essex County, New York.

I recently found this birthday of "Grandma C" at her 75th birthday gathering in 1985.  I can only imagine she was on the phone with one of her children!

Happy Birthday Grandma C!!!

52 Ancestors: #10 Daniel Joseph Coughlin

And the roll call of ancestors continues! This entry in the "52 Ancestors in 52 Weeks Challenge" is my paternal great grandfather, Daniel Joseph Coughlin (1877-1953).

Dan was the 5th son and 7th child of Daniel Coughlin (1837-1911) and Anna/Annie McDonough (1845-1893) born in the Palmer Hill area of Black Brook, Clinton County, New York. In 1905 he married Bridget Agnes Williams (1883-1973) in Lake Placid, Essex County, New York.  They had 6 children, 4 boys and 2 girls. He died from fracturing his neck in a farming accident on June 12, 1953 in Montreal, Quebec, Canada.

I do have a picture of him working the farm at Palmer Hill, Black Brook, Clinton County, New York in the 1930's.

I have been tinkering with a census tracking form. So I used Grandpa Dan as my "test subject".  The only census I have been unable to locate him in is the 1900 Federal Census. He would have been 23 years old in 1900 and I am not sure where he may have been as he did various jobs before he took over the family farm after the death of his father in 1911. It was interested as I reviewed the censuses I have from him and saw the many variations of "Coughlin". Most I have seen on my personal correspondence but a few I had not seen so they have been added to my Names Variations chart!

Why Blog? - Motivation Monday

Why blog?

Image Courtesy of LEOL30
Flicker
https://flic.kr/p/hopRjP

I get this question all the time from non-genie friends and family members (and a few genie friends as well). Why did you start? If you haven't received a lot of feedback or my favorite, if you haven't found all your relatives, why continue to blog?

So why do I blog? Well it comes back to podcasts, websites and blogs! I listen to a LOT of podcasts on my daily commute.  There are also a lot of websites and bloggers I follow on a regular basis.  There was a period where ALL mediums were talking about creating your own blog to share information and if you are lucky you will have people share with you. I always kept in the back of my mind but always had "something" else to do.  Finally, I just DID it. I went online and a few clicks later....blog created!!

I do not blog on a regular basis.  I usually have great ideas and then when I finally get to "pen and paper" so to speak, I draw a blank.  But I am trying to get better and one day I will finally get into the routine.  We all have something we should strive for daily!! (I also hope to redesign and/or add more to the blog.  It's on my list :) )

And to answer my friends about what I get from the blog.  Some of my family members read this blog and have made comments about not knowing something or thanking me for sharing information.  So that is good. Currently I have been contacted by a few previously unknown distant cousins, some more helpful than others.  One helpful distant cousin in particular is trying to break through our common Coughlin brick wall.....where in Ireland did brothers Daniel and Thomas Coughlin really come from???? We have emailed and spoken on the telephone (so 20th century I know but it works too!!) and I am confident that one day, ONE DAY, we will be successful!!

I also get the satisfaction of sharing what I may or may not know about my relatives.  I have TONS of photos that I am continually in the process of scanning and labeling with the hopes of putting them online so I can share what I have with family and friends.  I hope they are enjoying them as much as I am.

I also want to give credit and much thanks to the following folks, podcasts, websites who inspired me (aka gave me that nudge) to finally create a blog.  In no particular order they are:

• Dear Myrtle
• Lisa Louise Cooke's Genealogy Gems
• The Genealogy Guys Podcast
• Thomas MacEntee's Geneabloggers

I say if you have ever thought about starting a blog, genealogy related or not, JUST DO IT! Check out the folks I mentioned and I know you will come away with some inspiration. 

The one piece of advise I would give is do what feels right for you.  Some blog daily and others, like me, when the spirit hits you! You can always tweak your blog as you get more comfortable with it.  The blog is how YOU want it to be not how anyone else wants it...just you.

52 Ancestors: #9 Ella Johnson Hall

I had planned on just doing the obituary of my paternal 2nd great grandmother, Ella Johnson Hall (1858-1925) but then I thought this would be a great time to do my next entry in the "52 Ancestors in 52 Weeks Challenge" (especially since I have no photos of her!!)

Here is the LONG obituary (please note the 3rd, 4th and 5th paragraphs):

The Record-Post

Thursday, April 9, 1925

Ella (Johnson) Hall

Mrs. Ella (Johnson) Hall, whose serious illness was reported in the last issue of The Record-Post, passed peacefully away at her home just south of the village last Saturday forenoon at 11:30 o'clock, in the 68th year of her age. Deceased was born in Clintonville March 20, 1858. While still a young lady she married Ira Hall and had, previous to coming here, resided at Tarrytown, in Moriah and at Plattsburg.

Mr. and Mrs. Hall and four children came to Elizabethtown to reside in the spring of 1897, just about 28 years ago, since when {then} they have lived continuously a short distance south of this village, excepting the summer of 1899 when they were located in "the old house" on Durand Farm.

To those of us who knew her well Mrs. Hall's life was so pure and humble, kind and true, through pleasant and through cloudy weather, that we may say that today, though her mortal form shares the stillness of the tomb, her spirit, in triumph, goes marching on. Life to this kindly woman was like an ever swinging pendulum between a smile and a tear.  So faithful and so patient, however, so true to real Christian teachings was this good woman that those near and dear to her fell that the memory of this worth-while character will remain to encourage, indeed that her commendable example will continue to cast shadows ahead, witnessing the sunrises and sunsets of coming years.

Mrs. Hall was of the Methodist persuasion and those of that faith who worked with her here and elsewhere admired and respected her for her quiet, abiding faith and wholesomeness.  She will be missed in the church circles where she was so highly esteemed.  However, it is in the family circle where this true hearted and ever faithful wife and mother will be most missed. To the members of the sorrow stricken family bereft of the companionship and advise of this rare woman the sincere sympathy of this community is extended.

It may well be said of Mrs. Hall: She has fought a good fight; she has kept the faith; She has earned the right to rest from earthly labors. What more can be said of mortal?

Deceased is survived by her husband, three sons, Earl of Keene Valley, Jesse and Loren of Elizabethtown and one daughter, Miss Beatrice Hall, also of this place. One brother, George Johnson of Ticonderoga and a sister, Mrs. Olive Kee, widow of Alexander Kee, of Los Angeles, Cal., also survive. A daughter, Miss Blanche Hall, born in Elizabethtown in 1897, died in the Champlain Valley Hospital, Plattsburg, in September, 1917.

Funeral services for Mrs. Hall were held at her late home Monday afternoon at 2 o'clock, Rev. D.C. Abbott officiating.  Interment in Riverside cemetery.
___________________________________________________________________

I remember reading this before for the biographical information and had forgotten about what I call an eulogy in the middle of the obituary! Gotta love the verbous writing of yesteryear!  But now I have a few more places to check!

She sounds like she was quite a lady!!

Happy Birthday Uncle Tom Willis!

Today is the birthday of my maternal great uncle by marriage, Thomas Willis (1893-1976).  Uncle Tom was married to my great aunt, Mamie Duprey Willis (1895-1978).

I found this photo during my January non-stop scanning session.  Aunt Mamie wrote on the back "Poor Tom fell asleep"!

Thomas Willis-1950s

So Happy 121st Birthday Uncle Tom!!

Happy Birthday Chief Petty Officers!

Today is the birthday of the US Navy's Chief Petty Officer! And I did not know!! Here's a link to the "Chief Petty Officers Celebrate 121 Years of Excellence". 

I found a picture from November 1981 of my dad, Thomas Raymond Coughlin (1944-1998), in his dress uniform.

Thomas R. Coughlin
November 1981

 

And one with Dad and Grandpa, David Francis Coughlin (1909-1984):

David F. and Thomas R. Coughlin
November 1981

Happy Birthday to all CPO's....current, retired and in charge!!

52 Ancestors: #8 Melinda Sharrow Duprey

My next entry in the “52 Ancestors in 52 Weeks” Challenge also known to me as “52 Weeks in Whenever” is my maternal great grandmother, Melinda Sharrow Duprey (1875 -1937). 

I am starting to get into ancestors that I know little about or have yet to fully research.  I know Melinda was born 16 April 1875 to Alex Sharrow (1835-1882) and Delia Paquette/Pockett (1849-1923) in Au Sable Forks, Clinton County, New York.  Her known siblings include John, Lydia, Louis, George and Elizabeth “Lizzie”.

She married Eugene Duprey (1862-1936) on 31 December 1891 at St Matthew’s Catholic Church in Black Brook, Clinton County, New York.  They had six children, Philip, Mamie, Anna, George, Leah and Eulalia (my grandmother).

I know she was a crafter.  According to my mother that is where my grandmother and aunts learned to do various needlepoint crafts as well as making rugs on looms. My mother was great at crafts.  I did not get that gene :)

Melinda Sharrow Duprey

52 Ancestors: #7 Eugene Duprey

This post is my latest contribution to the “52 Ancestors in 52 Weeks” or in my case, "52 Ancestors Whenever"! Entry #7 is Eugene Duprey (1862-1946), my maternal great grandfather.

Eugene or “Etienne” was born 25 January 1862 in St Hyancinthe, Quebec to Charles Duprey and Mary Jarvis (Marie Gervais).  I know of 4 siblings, Elmer, Agnes, Ellen and Charles. The family moved from Quebec to the Black Brook, Clinton County, New York area in the late 1860’s-early 1870’s.  I am still trying determine the exact date of immigration for the family.

Eugene married Melinda Sharrow (1875-1937) on 31 December 1891 in Black Brook at St Matthew’s Catholic Church.  They had 6 children: Philip, Mamie, Anna, George, Leah and Eulalia (my grandmother).

I know he was a farmer and also did some logging.  He also owned a few properties based on the deeds in my possession

My to-do list for Eugene include:

• add name to my order death certificate list
• verify baptismal entry as the given name is not matching known information
• if...no WHEN...I make my research trip to the area, research all properties owned

I am lucky to have several pictures of Eugene and here is one with his granddaughter, Constance Anne Jacobson Fisher (1941-1998):

Eugene Duprey and
Constance Anne Jacobson Fisher
1942

Happy Birthday - David Coughlin

My paternal grandfather, David Francis Coughlin (1909-1984), would be celebrating his 105th birthday today!! He was born the second son of Daniel Joseph Coughlin (1877-1953) and Bridget Agnes Williams Coughlin (1883-1973) in Lake Placid, Essex County, New York.

I always knew my grandfather as a man who was "follically challenged" shall we say.  So when I found this picture of Grandpa as a child WITH hair....I knew I had to post it :)

David Francis Coughlin
1910s

Happy Birthday Grandpa!! Don't worry your grandchildren and a few great grands will raise one up for you!!

52 Ancestors: #6 Eulalia Mary Duprey Senecal

Well, I am STILL a "bit" behind in my entries for Amy Johnson Crow's "52 Ancestors Challenge" but that's life!!

My number 6 entry is my maternal grandmother, Eulalia Mary Duprey Senecal. She was the youngest of 6 children born to Eugene Duprey (1862-1946) and Melinda Sharrow Duprey (1873-1937) in Black Brook, Clinton County, New York.  She married Ernest "Red" Senecal on June 1935 (see Wedding Wednesday-Maternal Grandparents) and had one child, my mother Sharyn Ann Senecal Coughlin (1945-1992). Grandma Eulalia worked for many years at the local paper mill, J & J Rogers Company, Au Sable Forks, NY.

I have a few memories of my grandmother but do remember the Sunday phone calls and of course birthday and Christmas cards with a few bucks in them. Boy always thought I was rich getting a few bucks back then!!

I also remember her name.  Her first name was a tongue twister when I was young.  She was baptized "Lilla Marie" but was also known as "Eulalia Mary". Her sister, Mamie Duprey Willis (1895-1978), refers to her as "Lily" and "Lilla" in some of the notes I have of hers.  But she will always be "Grandma Senecal" to me!!

Here's a photo she sent to my mother in January 1972. I would love to know the story behind her note on the back, "This is your old lady. Believe it or not." !!

52 Ancestors: #5 Eugene John "Red" Senecal

I am a bit behind in my posting in Amy Johnson Crow's "52 Ancestors in 52 Weeks Challenge" but I will be catching up soon!!

This entry is for my maternal grandfather, Ernest John "Red" Senecal (1905-1967).

"Red" was the second son (first to survive) of John Senecal Jr (1872-1952) and Georgiana Yelle (1876-1946) born in Jay, Essex County, New York on December 23, 1905 and baptized at Saint Matthew's Catholic Church, Black Brook, Clinton County, New York.  He grew up in the Jersey section of Au Sable Forks/Jay.  He was known for playing baseball and basketball in local leagues. He worked for J & J Rogers Company (paper mill) for almost 40 years.  He served in the Army during World War II with the 94th Infantry. Red married Eulalia Mary Duprey (1911-1979) on June 23, 1935 (see Wedding Wednesday-Maternal Grandparents).  He died on February 17, 1967 shortly before my birth.

This challenge has caused me to review what I do and do not have for each person.  For Grandma Red I do not have his death certificate or the marriage license for the wedding.  I also still want to go through the commutative books he had of the 94th Infantry.

My mother always said we got our love of sports from Grandpa Red.  So as my favorite sports season is about to begin (BASEBALL!!), I say "thank you" to Grandpa Red!!

Wordless Wednesday - Work Party

Eulalia Duprey Senecal
Christmas Party 1950's

"X" is my maternal grandmother, Eulalia Mary Duprey Senecal (1911-1979). I am thinking this is a Christmas work party probably in the 1950's.  She, my maternal grandfather and many other relatives worked at J & J Rogers Company, a paper mill, in Au Sable Forks, Clinton County, New York.

Don't know who the others are but would love to hear from folks who recognizes anyone!!

52 Ancestors: #4 Constance Ann Hall Coughlin

Timing is everything.  I had meant to schedule this post about my paternal grandmother, Constance Ann Hall Coughlin (1908-1946) while I was away.  But I had hoped to find a picture of a nurse's hat to add to the post since I had no pictures of my "Grandma Connie".  Then my 3 year old nephew and I were using my Flip-Pal (LOVE IT!!!) and we found a picture of Grandma Connie!!!

Connie Hall
Keene Valley, NY
Chandler Car - 1929

While there are some things I do know about her, there are many things I do not. I know her birth year of 1908 but not her birth date. I know she was born in Keene Valley, Essex County, New York to Earl Hall (1885-1950) and Sarah "Sadie" Otis (1878-1922).  I know of 2 sisters and 1 brother. I know she studied to be a nurse but I do not know if or how long she worked as a nurse. I do know her death date, 24 January 1946 in Worcester, Worcester County, Massachusetts. 

I know Grandma Connie was 14 years old when her mother died and my father was 1 1/2 years old when she died. 

I have not done much research on this line of my family but finding this picture and a few more like these are getting my excited about researching and connecting with this side of my family!

52 Ancestors: #3 David Francis Coughlin

In this week's installment of "52 Ancestors in 52 Weeks Challenge" I am focusing on my paternal grandfather, David Francis Coughlin (1909-1984).

"Dave" was the second son of Daniel Joseph Coughlin (1877-1953) and Bridget Agnes Williams (1883-1973) born on March 20, 1909 in Lake Placid, Essex County, New York.  He grew up in the Palmer Hill section of AuSable Forks, Clinton County, New York. He married twice. First to Constance Ann Hall (1908-1946) and then to Helen Marguerite Torrance (1910-1995).  With "Grandma Connie" he had six children.  He worked in a defense plant during World War II in Worcester, Worcester County, Massachusetts. He also served on the AuSable Forks Board of Education and a former member of the Jay Fire Department.

I have many happy memories of Grandpa as he, Grandma Helen and "Grandma T" (aka Elizabeth Ann Madden Torrance 1888-1985) would come down for the winters.  Grandma Helen would say it was to see me and my sister. Grandpa would say it was for the golfing!! He loved to golf. I took it up for a few years but just didn't have the same passion for it as he did.  Today several of his grandchildren and great grandchildren continue to play the game he loved!

52 Ancestors: #2 Thomas Raymond Coughlin

I figured since I started out with my mother in the "52 Ancestors in 52 Weeks Challenge" issued by Amy Johnson Crow of No Story Too Small, I would follow up with my father, Thomas Raymond Coughlin (1944-1998).

"Tom", "Tommy" or "Dad" was the 5th child and second son of David Francis Coughlin (1909-1984) and Constance Hall (1908-1946) born in Worcester, Worcester County, Massachusetts while my grandfather and several of his brothers were working there during World War II. After my grandmother's death, the family moved back to Jay, Essex County, New York.  My grandfather remarried in 1947 to Helen Marguerite Torrance (1910-1995).

My father loved working on cars.  As long as I can remember, he was always working on cars. But since my first car was one of his rescues, I can't complain! I blogged about it in one of my very first blog posts, Cars-52 Weeks of Personal Genealogy & History.

Here's Dad working on my 1966 Plymouth Barracuda in May 1987 along with Mom's dog, Tippy.  Tippy could be a topic for another blog post!!

52 Weeks of Sharing Memories - Kindergarten Days

The first Challenge in Lorine McGinnis Schulze's of Olive Tree Genealogy "52 Weeks of Sharing Memories" is "Kindergarten Days".

I went to a private school kindergarten at Deer Park Baptist School in North Charleston, Charleston County, South Carolina.  At the time kindergarten was optional so not all public schools had a kindergarten class.  The nearest public kindergarten to us was in a not so great part of town so private school for me.  I only went there for one year.

I remember that the school was attached to the church and we entered on the right side.  We had several school plays.  I remember one for Thanksgiving and found this picture.

I also remember that we had a "graduation" and my father wore a tie.  My father never wore ties so I knew it was a special occasion!  And see, I graduated!!!

52 Ancestors: #1 Sharyn Senecal Coughlin

For my first entry in Amy Johnson Crow's of No Story Too Small "52 Ancestors in 52 Weeks Challenge", I have chosen my mother, Sharyn Ann Senecal Coughlin (1945-1992).

The beginning of January always reminds me of my mother as her birthday is January 4 and her death was on January 3, a day before her 47th birthday.  Always a roller coaster of emotions for me but I am proud to call her "Mom".

Mom was the only child of Ernest John Senecal and Eulalia Mary Duprey.  As is always the case for me lately, I recently found her birth certificate while looking for something else.  I also found her death certificate and noticed we misspelled Grandma's name!!

One of my favorite memories of my Mom and her crafts. She was always knitting, crocheting and just making stuff! On this bitterly cold day, I am wearing a scarf my Mom made for me in high school. Let's just say this scarf is older than a few folks in our suite!!

2014 The Year of Challenges and Basics

It's 2014 already.  Where did 2013 go!!

I have decided to accept the "Challenge" of Amy Johnson Crow of No Story Too Small and blog about an ancestor a week.  In her post Challenge: 52 Ancestors in 52 Weeks, Amy (like the rest of us!) wants to blog more and regularly so she is challenging everyone to write (blog, journal, email) about a specific ancestor. It can be stories, photos, research problems but focus on one ancestor.

Lorine McGinnis Schulze of Olive Tree Genealogy also a challenge for us.  She is embarking on Challenge: 52 Weeks of Writing Our Memories.  This week is "Kindergarten Days".  So she wants us to dig deep into memory banks to see if we can remember the who, what, where, how of those innocent days.

I have decided on 2 mantras this year: "Challenge" and "Basics". This is the year I want to simplify my life in all areas.  I hope that by accepting the first challenge that I will then move on the next one! Also, I need to get back to the basics. So time to review what's in my life and what's going!

So 2014....here I come!!

Image Courtesy of  Stuart Miles
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