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." !!