Wordless Wednesday - Parade

Parade - estimated 1950's
Au Sable Forks, Clinton County, New York

WOW...it's been longer than I thought for blogging! Going to reenter the blogosphere with an easy one...#WordlessWednesday!

Not sure if that's my mom on the "throne" or not. Do know it's in Au Sable Forks, Clinton County, New York. Thinking 1950's.

Wedding Wednesday - Coughlin-Senecal

Today would have been my parents 52nd wedding anniversary. Thomas Raymond Coughlin (1944-1998) and Sharyn Ann Coughlin (1945-1992) were married on April 18, 1966 at Holy Name Roman Catholic Church, Au Sable Forks, Clinton County, New York. The wedding reception was held at the Rendezvous Restaurant, Route 9 North, Au Sable Forks, Clinton County, New York.  Here is a great photo from the reception!

Coughlin - Senecal - Wedding Announcement

Today my parents would have been married 51 years. They married on a Monday and until their deaths "Monday, Monday" by the Mamas and Papas was one of their favorite songs. Always think of them when I hear it!!

Here's the wedding announcement in the Adirondack Record-Elizabethtown Post from April 28, 1966:

Adirondack Record-Elizabethtown Post
April 28, 1966

Coughlin-Senecal

Thomas R. Coughlin, son of Mr. and Mrs. David Coughlin of Jay and Sharyn A. Senecal, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Ernest Senecal of Au Sable Forks, were united in marriage at a nuptial mass on Monday, April 19 at 11 A.M. in Holy Name Church. Rev. John Downs officiated at the ceremony. The attendants were Allen Strong and Jessie Hoey.

The bride wore a white suit with rose accessories and the maid of honor wore a pale blue suit with beige accessories. Both Mr. Coughlin and Mr. Strong, members of the U.S. Navy, were their uniforms.

A reception was held immediately after the ceremony at the Rendezvous Diner, where a delicious dinner was enjoyed by all present.

Out of town guests included Mr. and Mrs. Donald Carte of Keeseville, Mrs. R. Plumadore of Saranac; Mr. and Mrs. Gerald Nugent of Jay; Mr. and Mrs. Henry Gilbo and Mrs. Grace Denton of Port Henry.

After their honeymoon, the couple left for Charleston, South Carolina, where Mr. Coughlin, a member of the U.S. Navy, is presently stationed. They will make their home at the Isle of Palms, near Charleston.

=======================================
First, the wedding was actually on April 18th not the 19th. My father was not the greatest when it came to dates. He had a watch with dates and names in it. It was always fun to watch him try to remember a date and he realized he had a different watch on!! When Dad was retiring from the Navy and filling out forms, he called me and asked if Mom was home. I said no. He said "great. What's our wedding anniversary?" I said "what no watch?". I can't give the answer he gave me but suffice it to say he did get his answer. And of course like many times before and after this he said, "and don't tell Mom"!!!

I recognize most of the names except for Grace Denton. Not sure of any connection. I know Henry and Mildred Gilbo were also from Port Henry. Mildred was my father's aunt through his mother, Constance Hall Coughlin, who died when he was 2 years old.

In my recent move, I found the scrapbook Mom kept from their honeymoon. I need to photograph it soon.

Happy Anniversary Mom & Dad! We love and miss you both!! 💒

V-E Day 1945 - Au Sable Forks NY

The Adirondack Record-Elizabethtown Post
Au Sable Forks, NY
Thursday, May 10, 1945

V-E Day (Tuesday) was quietly observed here, with practically all stores and offices closed. The schools remained in session. If there was any spirit of celebration in evidence it was invisible as few people were in the streets and all the bars were closed. And that was just as well since our nation is still at war and with a people who are even tougher than the Germans. It is the concensus of many that we have a long hard war ahead of us with the Japanese. The mill whistles joined with the town siren in heralding the Presidential proclamation of Victory in Europe Day. Only a small number of men was employed at the mills Tuesday, which seemed more like Sunday hereabouts than a weekday.

____________________________________________________

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

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!!

Senecal-Votraw Wedding - 1936

Well September is turning out to be the WEDDING month for my family!! Here is the wedding announcement for my paternal great aunt and her husband:

The Adirondack Record
Au Sable Forks, NY
Thursday, October 1, 1936

Votraw-Senecal

During the celebration of a nuptial mass by Rev. James J. Gainor at Holy Name church Monday morning at 6 o’clock Miss Doris Senecal, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. John Senecal, became the bride of Morris Votraw, son of Mr. and Mrs. Charles Votraw.  The bride was attended by Miss Catherine Votraw, a sister of the groom, as bridesmaid, while the groom had as his best man Raymond Senecal, a brother of the bride.  Both the bride and groom are well known in Au Sable Forks and are extremely popular.  After a short bridal tour the young couple will make their home in this village.

___________________________________________________________________________________________

Doris Senecal Votraw (1909-1981) was my grandfather's only sister.  She and her husband, Morris Votraw (1896-1979) were married for 43 years. 

Happy Anniversary!!

Duprey-Willis Wedding - 1922

From the pages of The Adirondack Record-Elizabethtown Post dated Friday, September 22, 1922:

The Record-Post
Friday, Sept. 22, 1922

Thomas Willis, son of Mr. and Mrs. John Willis, sr., [sic] and Miss Mamie Duprey, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Eugene Duprey of Swastika, were married at the Church of the Holy Name at 6:15 o’clock Tuesday morning of this week, Rev. Clarence A. Kitts officiating.  They were attended by Miss Grace Dukett of Saranac Lake and James Willis, brother of the groom.  The bride was attractively gowned in a blue suit with hat to match and carried a boquet [sic] of carnations.  Immediately after the ceremony they left for a short honeymoon which will be spent in the northern part of the state, after which they will return to Au Sable Forks.  Both Mr. and Mrs. Willis are extremely popular here and have the best wishes of many friends for a long life of happiness and prosperity.

________________________________________________________________________________________

And here is one of my favorite pictures of the happy couple who married on September 19, 1922:

Mamie Duprey Willis (1895-1978), my maternal great aunt, with her husband of 54 years, Thomas Willis (1893-1976).

Of course I had to laugh when I saw that they honeymooned in "the northern part of the state"....they were already in the northern part of the state!!!

Happy Anniversary Aunt Mamie and Uncle Tom!!

50th Anniversary of Dad's Accident and THAT Tree

From the front pages of the Adirondack Record-Elizabethtown Post on Thursday, August 29, 1963:

Jay Youth Hurt In Car Accident

Thomas Coughlin, 19, son of Mr. and Mrs. David Coughlin of Jay, is resting comfortably at the Champlain Valley Hospital, recovering from injuries sustained in a single car accident Sunday night on the curve on the Jay-AuSable Forks highway near the residence of Henry Lincoln, while he was driving to his home from AuSable Forks.

He fell asleep at the wheel and was alone at the time of the accident, the car leaving the highway and hitting a tree head-on.

Young Coughlin sustained a slight back injury, scalp wound, laceration of shoulder, elbow and hand. His condition at the hospital was described as good Tuesday.  He was taken to the hospital in the Zaumetzer-Sprague ambulance.

The car was a complete wreck and towed to the premises of Sid's service station at AuSable Forks.

_________________________________________________________________________________

Where to begin.  First, this "da#%^" tree.  When I visited in 1992, I heard about this tree from EVERYBODY.  Everybody. My talkative aunt, her quiet husband (at least compared to the Coughlins!!) and people I didn't know. It was hilarious!!  I have no idea if this poor tree is still standing as the area was hit hard by Hurricane Irene in August 2011 but if it is, I know several people who would still be able to point it out!!!

The ambulance company...also the local funeral home.  Didn't know they had an ambulance at one time!

Let's just say this was a wake up call of sorts for my father as he joined the Navy shortly thereafter. I heard a couple of good versions from my father, grandmother and uncle but there are still statues of limitations in place on family stories :)

Here are some photos.  I know Daddy said at one point these were from one of his car wrecks.  Not sure if these are from this accident but here they are anyway:

When I first started in genealogy I thought the fact my parents were from small towns in northern New York that I would find a lot of information.  Thanks to power of the internet and online newspapers (see Website Wednesday for my love of this!!), I am finding out all sorts of little details about my parents and relatives that I never thought I would!!

Au Sable Forks High School Baseball Team 1920-21

I always love it when I am looking for something and find something that relates to what I either just blogged about or that I am researching.  

I present to you the 1920-21 Au Sable Forks High School Baseball Team:

And the Lineup included:

1920-21 AFHS Baseball Team Lineup

1.  Ernest J. Senecal     Second Base

2.  Emmett Ryan              Right Field

3.  Daniell T. Manning      Catcher

4.  Clarence Votraw        Third Base

5.  Chauncey Kinney       First Base

6.  Riley Hamilton            Left Field

7.  Francis Murphy          Center Field

8.  Thomas Manning        Short Stop

9.  Chapell Rhino             Pitcher

10. Julius Tellier               Pitcher

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Ernest "Red" Senecal (1905-1967) was my maternal grandfather. A summer filled with baseball....what could be better!!

Au Sable Forks Cresents - Baseball

Another "Newspaper Nugget" from the pages of the Adirondack Record, August 5, 1921:

A baseball team has recently been organized by a number of the younger Babe Ruths of the village and is known as the Crescents. The boys have played six games of which they have lost but two.  On Saturday of last week they defeated the Wilmington team by the score of 8 to 9 and on Sunday again won, their opponents being a team from Keeseville. The was 6 to 5. Following is the lineup: Dan Manning, catcher; Chauncey Kinney, 1st Base; Red Senecal, 2d base; Riley Hamilton, short stop; Clarence Votraw, 3d base; Chester Rhino, right field; Wolcott Gilmore, center field; Aubin, left field; Tellier and Chap Rhino, pitchers. A game will be played on the local field this week Saturday.

Au Sable Forks Professional Basketball Team 1927-28

In honor of "March Madness", here is a photo of the Au Sable Forks Stars 1927-28 featuring my grandfather, Ernest "Red" Senecal.

I also found this write up on the beginning of the season:

Record-Post, November 2, 1927

TOWN BASKETBALL 5 WOULD JOIN LEAGUE

Think Ad’k Circuit Should Be Success—Maurice Votraw to Coach Again This Season

Believing that an Adirondack basketball league of professionals could be a success because it would naturally create a friendly spirit of rivalry and keenest interest between the several towns in the circuit, the professional basketball quintet of Au Sable Forks expressed itself favorably inclined to the movement at a recent meeting of the member and that it would willingly join a league embracing the following:  Plattsburg, Port Henry, Plattsburg Barracks, Lake Placid, Lyon Mountain and other nearby places.

Local basketball fans feel that Au Sable Forks has still a better chance this season than last for the team has the same line-up.  This means better team-work as each player is thoroughly familiar with one and the other’s manner of playing.  The quintet should move with the perfection and smoothness that come with years of playing together for all of them are former high school stars who have fought side by side, year after year, as professionals, ever since their high school days.

The local courtsters await with much interest what action, if any, promoters of professional basketball will take on the foregoing suggestion anent the formation of an Adirondack basketball league.  What say you?

Maurice Votraw was unanimously elected captain and coach at the aforesaid meeting, an indiction of the players’ confidence in Mr. Votraw’s abilities and their own determination to uphold the proud name of Au Sable Forks in Northern New York basketball circles, knowing that the coaching of Mr. Votraw, will be an asset not to be considered lightly while his leadership, they feel, will bring the team to heights of enviable success for the season of 1927-28.

The line-up is practically the same as last year, and is as follows:

James Murphy, center

“Red” Senecal, right guard

Ray Senecal, left guard

Albert “Nip” Votraw, left forward

Francis Pattno, right forward

The team has two new members, Howard Kemp and M.J. “Pete” Robert, who are modestly content to shine as substitutes.

Last year the town team won ten out of sixteen games played, a record to be proud of. Practice will begin shortly and the players expect to be in good condition for their first game probably the latter part of this month.

______________________________________________________________________________________________

I know Albert "Nip" Votraw is on the right, first row, kneeling and my paternal grandfather, Ernest "Red" Senecal is right back him.  Those are the only ones I can positively identify. (Hopeful others will be able to identify the rest!!)

I have seen "Maurice Votraw" also listed as "Morris Votraw" in some write-ups.  If it's "Morris Votraw" then he is the husband of my maternal grand aunt, Doris Senecal Votraw, sister of "Red" and Ray Senecal. 

Thomas Coughlin - The Uncle

The Adirondack Record-Elizabethtown Post
Thursday, April 5, 1945, Page 1

PVT. THOS. COUGHLIN,

A FORMER RESIDENT,

IS KILLED IN ACTION

Pvt. Thomas Coughlin, former resident of Au Sable Forks, was reported killed in action in Germany March 15, according to a telegram received Thursday by his widow, Mrs. Constance Coughlin of Worcester, Mass., who notified his parents, Mrs. and Mrs. Daniel Coughlin of Palmer Hill.  The Record was unable to obtain definite particulars concerning Pvt. Coughlin’s army career except that he was serving in the American Rangers, an organization similar to the British Commandos, and that he enlisted or was drafted about two years ago.  He was about 23 years old.

Pvt. Coughlin was born on Palmer Hill and attended Au Sable Forks high school.  He was well known and popular with all.  He left here about two years ago to work in Worcester, Mass., in a defense plant and was married in that city about a year ago.  He served in this country about a year before being shipped overseas.

Besides his widow and parents, he is survived by three brothers, Bernard, David and Daniel Coughlin, Jr., of Worcester, Mass., and two sisters, Miss Elizabeth Coughlin of Au Sable Forks and Mrs. Gerald Thompson of Troy and also by several nephews and nieces.

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This Thomas Coughlin is my paternal grand uncle and my father's namesake.  There is supposed to be a memorial in the town of Au Sable Forks, New York with the names of the war dead on it.  My dad said it was always funny to pass it and see "his" name on it!  

I do not know what happened to his wife, Constance Fleming Coughlin. I found a few leads but nothing concrete.....yet.

I do know he was living in Worcester, Massachusetts when he joined the Army.  And from the American Battle Monuments Commission I know he is buried in the Lorraine American Cemetery, St Avold, France, Plot F, Row 10, Grave 8.  If you have not had the chance to check out the American Battle Monuments Commission website for overseas internments, I highly recommend it.

Au Sable Forks Basketball Team 1921-22

Life has been crazy since the start of the year (and before!!) but I am slowly getting back to my scanning project.

Here is a front and back of the 1921-22 Au Sable Forks High School Basketball team that my maternal grandfather, Ernest "Red" Senecal, played on.  I love labeled photos!!

1921-22 A.F.H.S. Basket Ball team

Lineup
Chauncey Kinney   R.F.
Ernest J. Senecal   L.F.
Louis Robare   C
Clarence Votrow   (Votraw)   R.G.
Caralyle Hoyt   L.G.
Paul Ormsby   Sub.

I only know that Grandpa Red is on the last row to the left of the coach.  Not sure what happened to the rest of the team.

Happy Birthday Mom!

Today would have been the 68th birthday of my mother, Sharyn Senecal Coughlin.

I found this "note" in the "Au Sable Forks" news section (or as I like to call it "the local gossip") of The Adirondack Record-Post of January 14, 1954:

Miss Sharyn Senecal, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Ernest Senecal, celebrated her ninth birthday on Monday, January 4th with the following guests in attendance:  Lucy and Sheila Rhino, Sandy Herberts, Jennifer Votraw, Karen Nolette, Lynn and Wanda Merrifield. Games were played and delicious refreshments served.





Here is a birthday photo that may (or may not) be from above birthday party!!

It was a party weekend in the old Forks that weekend as Karen Nolette also had a party the day before:

Karen Nolette celebrated her 11th birthday Sunday afternoon with nine of her friends.  Games were played and birthday cake and ice cream were served.  Those present were: Sara Richards, Sharyn Senecal, Virginia Dubay, Mae Signor, Jennifer Votraw, Lucy Rhino, Nancy Sprague, Goldia Ferris and Jeanne Coolidge.





So to my Mom and all other Capricorns out there, Happy Birthday!!

Eugene Duprey - Picture

Today I participated in the August 2012 Scanfest at Miriam Robbins' blog, AnceStories: The Stories of My Ancestors.  I was able to scan a few pictures that I hope will be blog posts.  Here's the first one!

This is my maternal great grandfather, Eugene Duprey (1862-1946) with his team hauling lumber.  I know the picture was taken in Au Sable Forks, New York but I was hoping to find the street.

In the right corner you can see an early model car.  My father was a car nut (classic and muscle car) so I estimated the car to be in the mid-1910's time frame.

Then, in the upper left corner you can see the letter "W. Scott" "Dentist".  I did some digging around on my FAVORITE website, Northern New York Historical Newspapers (see my post Website Wednesday) and found that there was a Dr. Joseph W. Scott, Dentist, who began his practice in 1911.  According to an article in The Adirondack Record-Elizabethtown Post on March 23, 1961 celebrating Dr. Scott's 50th anniversary as a dentist, he had offices over the Meconi's store and Lois P. Meconi, Esq. and then over the second floor of the R.E. Morhouse block over the McCann's Drug Store. So I am thinking Main Street, Au Sable Forks, New York.  I could be wrong the street but not the town!!

Bank of Au Sable Forks - Advertisement

I had to laugh at this advertisement from April 1926 in The Adirondack Record:

An Account of Her Own

The feeling of financial independence that comes to a woman having a Bank Account of her own is shown in her keener interest in life.  She can feel more certain of her plans for enjoying the smaller pleasures without being dependent upon her husband for the mony. [sic}

Bank of Au Sable Forks

Au Sable Forks, New York

SECURITY-SAFETY-RELIABILITY

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I did some research and found that the Bank opened on September 10, 1910 and closed on September 27, 1941.  The Bank was absorbed by the Plattsburgh National Bank, Plattsburgh, New York.

Now the building is home to the Tahawus Lodge Center .

Newspaper Nugget

I thought of all my friends who have common surnames and had to laugh a little at this "nugget" I came across:

The Record-Post
Au Sable Forks, NY
Thursday, June 8, 1944

16,000 Men in Navy Answer Name Smith

     There are 16,000 sailors named Smith and 300 of them have the same first name and middle initial-so the Office of War Information has suggested that home folks spell out all middle names when addressing letters to navy men.
     An estimate that 15 per cent of overseas mail is carelessly or insufficiently addressed was made in the OWI's report on why letters from the United States take detours before reaching the boys over there.
     The Veterans' Administration joined in the plea, asking that dependents who write to that agency concerning veterans identify carefully the serviceman they are writing about.
     The master index of the Veterans' Administration now carries the names of 19 million veterans of all wars, living and dead.  They include more 100,000 Browns, 92,000 Williamses, and 88,000 Joneses.

Elizabeth "Lizzie" (Sharrow) LaHart - Obituary

Mrs. Elizabeth LaHart

     Solemn requiem high mass services for Mrs. Elizabeth LaHart were held last Thursday morning at St. Matthew's church, Black Brook.  The mass was celebrated by the Rev. Father Bellville, assisted by Rev. Father J.E. Doyle as deacon; Rev. Father George Brisson, sub-deacon; Rev.    Father J.J. Kelly, master of ceremonies; Rev. Father H.J. Brisson and Rev. Father Boulerice.

     Miss Mary Bean was the organist with the choir from Holy Name church consisting of Mary Meconi, Mary Deloria, Marie Lyon and Thomas Nugent.

    Pallbearers were Bert Mousseau, Mose Douglass, Earl Sharrow, August Sharrow, Ben Betters and Henry LaHart.  Internment was in the Black Brook cemetery.

   

    Born November 11, 1881 at Swastika, the daughter of the late Napoleon and Delia Sharrow. Mrs. LaHart had been a lifelong resident of the North Country.  Before her marriage to Oncio LaHart on April 29, 1905,

she had worked for many years at Paul Smith's Hotel and at Loon Lake.  For many years she and her husband had conducted a tourist home at Forestdale, many out-of-town guests patronising them year after year.  Mrs. LaHart had always been a hard-worker and was held in high esteem by all who knew her.

     A shadow of gloom was spread over the hamlet of Forestdale when word was spread of her death on Tuesday, June 9, after a prolonged illness of two years.  During all theat time she had never been heard to complain and conscious to the last made all arrangements for her funeral.

     Among the out-of-town residents who attended the funeral services were Miss Josie Sicotte, Sherrington, Quebec; Mrs. Richard Worrell, Rochester; William Ellis, Lake Placid Club; Mrs. Peter LaFountatin, Indian Orchard, Maine; Augustine and August Sharrow, Brooklyn; Mr. and Mrs. Earl Sharrow, Rutland, Vt., and many other relatives and friends.

Published in The Record-Post, Au Sable Forks, NY, Thursday, June 13, 1942

"Lizzie" was my maternal 3rd great aunt.

The obituary states her father is "Napoleon" Sharrow but it was actually Alex Sharrow.  Napoleon PINE was Delia (Paquette/Pockett/Pacquette) Sharrow's second husband.  

Newspaper Nugget

I have confessed my love for the Northern New York Historical Newspapers in Website Wednesday.  That love has not diminished but has increased by leaps and bounds!! Not only am I finding information about my family but what was going on in their times.  I also love the difference in writing--not so politically correct!!

So when I see something interesting (or at least I think is interesting) I will post it under my new category "Newspaper Nugget".

In honor of my father's Navy career (but not a Seabee) and for his friends (many of whom were Seabees), here is my first one that I noticed in the June 4, 1942 edition of The Record-Post, Au Sable Forks, New York:

Seabees Chosen Name For New Naval Unit

"Seabees" is the new name chosen to designate the new Naval Construction Regiments, the Navy Department announced recently.  With the name an insignia has been adopted-a flying bee, fighting mad.  On its head it sports a sailor hat.  In its forehand or leg it clutches a spitting "Tommy gun;" in its amidship hand, a wrench, and in its aft hand, a carpenter's hammer.

For more information on the Seabees check out U. S. Naval Construction Force.  Go Navy!!