Since I was a teen, I've had a fascination with my family history.  A cousin of my mother's, Elna Horan Newall, was our family's genealogist.  She gifted me with a huge piece of brown butcher paper that outlined at least four generations on my mother's mother's side of the family.  

When Alex Haley's TV show 'Roots' came out in 1977, it built on my fascination with finding my own roots and my own stories.  I spent the next years on and off working on the tree, building wherever I could.  I'd work on it and put it away, sometimes for years.  It seemed there was always something else going on that wouldn't let me devout the time and energy to the search. 

In my later 40s when I was married for the final time and somewhat stable for the first time in my life and had a computer I could actually call my own and use, I purchased a program and managed to put all of my work into it.  I also managed to publish it to some site.  At this point, I wasn't as in tune or familiar with the need to source.  That would come later.

The marriage failed.  That computer was no longer mine.  I tried to back things up but it was all discs then.  I thought everything was lost.  Years later, I had a note from the ex asking me if I wanted these binders I had created.  I said yes, gave him my address and he was kind enough to ship them to me.  I had my research again!  Simultaneously, my parents had died and items that had been long buried such as documents and photos came out and I was able to piece some of the story together from that.

The internet gave me the largest breakthroughs.  I started to look at the various genealogical websites and would type in the names and dates that I had.  I had some inkling of the need to source my finds, so that got better.  I was focused on my mother's mother's family because that's what I had the most of to work with.  There was also a family legend that one of my ancestors fought in the Revolutionary War.  I was also looking for the ancestor that had arrived in this country.  I found a lot more Dutch in my line then I had ever imagined and found all of that fascinating.

This year, my daughter had a project at school about her ancestors.  I bought a 23 and Me test for her thinking we could do that and get more information about her grandfather's side of the family.  The instructions seemed to indicate that the test was not meant for kids, so I didn't administer it to her.  Instead, it sat on a wall shelf for months.  I kept looking at it wondering when I was going to do something with it.  I finally moved.

The test was not a shock because I had already heard of some of our ancestry from my elders.  What was a bit shocking was the amount of Scots.  I had always thought I was mostly Irish, and while that's in there, so much more was Scots.  I'm basically 99% European ancestry. 

After the test, I started looking at YouTube videos and how to use genealogy sites.  There were so many that required a membership or a fee and that didn't make sense to me right now when I'm still committed to working full time and raising two little girls.  I found FamilySearch.org and started entering my data.

That's when the surprises came out.  I truly had no idea.  My father's side of the family, the Currys, had been told they were Orange Irish probably from Cork. I had found nothing to confirm or deny this.  I put in the Curry info that I had from my Grandmother Leona Curry.  That got me to Henry W.  Curry.  From there, FamilySearch already had the branches up and running.  They went on and on and on.

William Curry the III had married a Beatrix Campbell.  She turned out to be a noblewoman and that's where the shock came.  Following her mother's line, Lady Mary Graham, it turned out that I am a direct descendant of the Kings and Queens of Scotland.  My ancestors made history.  I am even distantly related to the current British royalty through all of these varied connections.  

I thought my family of origin would be more interested in these findings.  I've been a bit disappointed in the lack of interest.  It seems like such an amazing thing to me, so I'm going to write about it.

I think what I find amazing is that my ancestry is so illustrious and I'm so regular and plain.  I have done nothing to make history, nor will I ever be remembered for anything I've done or tried to do.  I'm another leaf on the branch of this tree that will not be known in two generations.  I struggle to make a living to support my family even though I'm educated and relatively intelligent, and I haven't made the best choices in romantic relationships in my life.  In that manner, I'm very much like my 13th great-grandmother, Margaret Tudor, Queen of Scotland.  

There are so many stories to tell in this family history, and I hope I am around long enough to uncover them and bring them to life.  

Ancestral documents

How often do you actually get to hold a piece of paper that contains the handwriting of your ancestor?  It gives me goosebumps.  It's a way of connecting across the time and space.

I never knew Irma Nelson, my mother's mother.  I met her one time when she was in a nursing home in Florida.  I was a brat of a sixteen-year-old and couldn't have cared less about meeting her.  I was being taken away from my boyfriend at the time.  I wish I would have had more sense then and realized how fortunate I was to meet her, but alas, that didn't happen.

This first receipt is dated May 15, 1919, and she puts the place in the date line - Friendship, Wis.  The amount is $450.00 which appears to be about $11,000 plus in 2017 dollars.  It is received from James F. Horan, who would have been her brother-in-law, and he is listed as the administrator of the McConick estate.  Interesting that her parents left him in charge of the estate instead of her.  I can only imagine that it was sexism at play.  Women wouldn't have handled much in those days.  My understanding though is that my grandmother was different.  She had a real estate business at one point, and my mom always mentioned that she drove her own car.  I assume that was also unusual in those days.

Grandma Nelson also had the nerve to divorce Mr. Nelson not once but twice.  That's a story for another chapter.

The rest of the receipt says 'Four Hundred Fifty and No/100 dollars.  Money record from C.H. ______, B. M____yard, and R. _______ (looks like proper names) for rec (receipts) for sale of abstract office of the McConick Estate.  She signs her name.  And it's numbered 1.

The next looks like a promissory note.  It has two four cent stamps on it, and it initialed 'McC 8/4/16'.  This says:  Friendship Wisconsin August 4th 1916.  Three years after the date for value received we promise to pay to Hattie Lawson or bearer the sum of Three hundred six Dollars, together with interest at the rate of six percent per annum, payable annually and if the interest is not paid when due it is to draw interest at the same rate as the principal until paid.  With the privilege of keeping the said sum of money for a term of five years, if wanted, there being no arrears of interest.  This note is secured by a mortgage on real estate bearing even____ herewith.  It is signed Frank McConick and Minnie J. McConick.

They paid it off. There is a stamp in purple ink that says 'Paid February 6, 1920'.  The stamp says 'The Neceda Bank, Necedah, Wisconsin.'  I wonder why they had such a formal agreement with someone who I assume was a relative?  And what did they use the money for?  More mysteries.  It's just fascinating to have these documents with the signatures.

Edna McConick Horan is the reason I have a lot of these things

Edna was my great-aunt, the sister of my grandmother, Irma McConick Nelson.

She was born in 1880, and died in 1909.  This photograph is a smaller version of one that I had framed years ago and carried around with me from move to move to move until I finally gave up and let it go to one of my sisters.  I'm not even sure they still have it.

The back of the photo is labeled as follows:

  "This is Edna's new photo taken at the studio in Mankato, while at college Feb. 1903.  To mama.

Other handwriting on the bottom of the photo says:  "Edna McConick, later, Horan.  Given to Elna Horan, in summer of 1923 by Grandma McConick.

I wonder if what college she may have attended and what she might have studied?  There are no other records that I'm aware of or a way to easily obtain this information.  Perhaps it will show up down the road.

This woman gave birth to a baby girl, and five years after she was married, she fell down the stairs in her home, broke her neck and died.  What a sad ending to what seemed like a promising life.

Edna seemed to have the family gene that is missing from my grandmother.  She passed things to her daughter that were important to her who in turn passed them to my mother who passed them to me.  I don't like to see Edna's story end, and maybe it won't, but just due to time constraints, I feel like I need to continue the research into my direct bloodline.  I like to fill in the missing pieces with these other people because they are still family, still ancestors, but focus needs to take priority over quantity.

One of the cool things about this photo is the eyes.  If you cover the face right below the eyes, it's like looking into the eyes of my middle sister, Sue.  It's uncanny.  I find it interesting that certain features remain in families and then others are lost.

A Saint Patrick's Day card and a house fire

The card is vintage.  It has a little girl dressed in the emeralds holding an umbrella and looking up with the big eyes.  It says:  "A daintier maiden never was seen, Than this dear little, sweet little, Irish Colleen.  She is making for you a courtesy so gay Because she is happy on St. Patrick's Day."  The back of the card has a postage stamp worth two cents.  It's dated Burlington Flats, New York, May 17, 1919 a.m.  It's addressed to Miss Elna Horan, Friendship, Wisconsin.  

It says:  "Dear Elna:  Hope this still finds you all well.  We are all over the flue now and hope you will not get it how is your father i am looking for  Hughs(?) people here next week it is a long way to move.  Wish you were coming.  With love from grandma."

I don't have any context for this postcard.  I am assuming it is Jim's mother since it originates in Burlington Flats, but I don't have any desire to dig into that side of the family since it's not my bloodline.  I'm trying to stay with the direct line as much as I can.  Yes, these other lines give me clues to the family of origin, so that's why I'm including these tidbits.  Perhaps future genealogists will take a different approach.

The next postcard is an extensive house fire.  The house looks like a classic design, and it's definitely not a poor person's home.  There is a buggy sitting out front and you can see the water shooting out of the hose.  There are lots of people trying to put out the blaze.

The card has a one cent stamp and is dated Burlington Flats, New York, August 23, 1909, 11 A.M.  It is addressed to James Horan, Friendship, Wisconsin.  It says:  "Friend Jim, This is a photo of our recent fire.  Was very sorry to hear of the death of Edna.  Are you going to stay where you are?  Your friend, I.D.H."  

I have no idea who this person is but he mentions the death and shares a personal photo on a postcard.  Who says there wasn't social media?  

Again, I can only surmise that Jim Horan was some person of means.

The marriage of Edna McConick to James Horan

Edna was my great-aunt on my mother's side.  Many of the materials I have are because of her daughter, Elna Newell.  Elna was a great friend to my mother in addition to being her cousin.  They lived together for a time when my mother first arrived in Wisconsin from Florida.  My mother spent many years visiting Elna as she aged and grew more frail.  I think she hoped Elna would leave her something from her estate, but to my knowledge, that didn't happen.

There are two newspaper articles about the marriage.  The skinny one says the following:
"Married.  Horan - McConick.  A quiet, home wedding took pace at the home of the bride's parents, Mr. and Mrs. D. Frank McConick on Wednesday, September 21st, 1904, at 5 o'clock p.m., when their eldest daughter, Miss Edna Orville and Mr. James F. Horan of Burlington Flats, N.Y., were joined in the holy bonds of matrimony.  Only relatives and avery few intimate of the contracting parties were present.  Mr. and Mrs. Wm. Sweet acted as matron of honor and best man.

The bride and matron of honor were attired in costumes of white silk, and the gentlemen in the conventional black.

The ceremony took place under a beautiful archway of autumn-tinted leaves, fees and wild flowers, Rev. A.H. Smith officiating.  After the ceremony the happy couple were congratulated by all present, after which the were ushered in the the adjoining parlor where the many beautiful wedding presents were displayed.  Following this the company adjourned to the dining room, where the wedding dinner was served.  One pretty incident, was the wearing by the bride of a beautiful, heavily embroidered, white silk shawl, which was worn by her great-aunt upon her wedding day.

The bride is a Friendship girl, most of her life having been passed in the village.  She has many friends among her former schoolmates and people of the village, and is a bright, amiable young lady. The groom is to be congratulated upon winning so fair a bride.

Mr. Horan is a stranger here coming just a few days before the ceremony, but is of a gentlemanly and pleasing appearance, and has favorably impressed the people who have had the pleasure of meeting him.

The young couple will make their future home here, and the PRESS joins their many friends in extending congratulations and best wishes.

The next article is longer and I hope I can piece it together because it's beginning to fall apart.  It is over 100 years old.  The date is September 21, 1904.  This article says:

Married.  McConick-Horan.  A quiet wedding took place at the home of the bride's parents, Mr. and Mrs. Frank McConick, Wednesday evening of last week, at five o'clock p.m. when Miss Edna McConick and Mr. J. F. Horan were united in marriage.  Only relatives and a very few intimate friends being invited.  Mr. and Mrs. Sweet acted as matron of honor and best man to the young couple.

The ladies were attired in costs of white silk while the gentlemen ______ (word there is gone) the conventional black  The ceremony took place beneath a beautiful arch of autumn tinted ferns, leaves and wild flowers, the Rev. A.H. Smith speaking the words that made them forever one.  Congratulations were then t_ ____red (tendered?) by all present and the united _____ (couple?) were ushered into the adjoining parlor to view the many beautiful gifts presented.  They were next led to the dining room _______ take of the sumptuous dinner ________ there spread.

The bride is one of the popular among women of the village with many friends.  She has lived here from childhood and is graduate of our high school.  She possesses the qualities requisite to _____ a happy home, the plan where woman is queen.  The groom is a native of New York state having been morn at _____r.  (?)  He now come from Burlington Flats N.Y. where is has lived many years.  He is a stranger in these parts but comes well recommended as a man of good character and business ability.

The list of presents were as follows:  A.F. Hill, check for $25; G.H. Campbell, check for $5, J.R. Vroman (this would be my great-great-grandfather) check for $5, Mrs. J.R. Vroman (my great-great-grandmother) table cloth and one dozen napping; Miss Holm and Mr. and Mrs. E.E. Smith, fine center table; Mr. and mrs. Sweet, silver mounted carving set; Mr. and Mrs. M. H. Clark, Chicago, silver pie knife, meat fork and gold lined berry spoon; Mr. and Mrs. Clifford Stafford, silver mounted crumb tray and brush; Mr. and Mrs. E. Stafford, silver pickle fork; Mrs. O.E. toilette, Delton, Wis., china fruit dish; Mr. and Mrs. Rev. Smith, china cracker jar; Mr. and Mrs. J.K. Osgood, silver nut picks and cracker; Miss Irma McConick (my grandmother), silver cake basket; Mr. and Mrs. W.A. Whiting, Portage, Wis., pair fancy linen towels; Miss Mary Girling, pair fancy towels; Mr. and Mrs. F. McConick silver gold lined set of teapot creamer, spoon holder and sugar bowl, 1 doz. silver knives and forks, 1 doz. silver teaspoons 1 doz. silver dessert spoons, 1 doz. silver tablespoons, 1 silver butter knife, 1 silver sugar spoon; Mrs. F. McConick, wash bowl and pitcher, 1 table cloth and 1 doz. napkins, 1 doz. linen towels and bed linens, furniture and household goods to numerous to mention.

The young couple will make their home in the village.  The REPORTER _________ in wishing them all kinds of joy and a long life.

There are so many interesting things here.  It sounds like the family had a modicum of wealth. I wonder what happened?  It certainly didn't pass to us.  I wonder where all these items ended up?

Unfortunately, these two did not have a long life.  Edna was born in 1880 and she died in July 9, 1909 so she only had five years in her marriage.  My family lore says that she fell down the stairs at home and broke her neck.  She was 29 years old and left behind a small baby girl, Elna Horan Newall.  Edna died in 1973, and thanks to her, I have all these wonderful treasures.  Thank you, cousin.

Great-Aunt Edna's Reward of Merit

This card was with other documents from my mother's side of the family.  It was a 'Reward of Merit.'  The back says 'Minnie' who would have been Edna's mother, and 'Edna'.  There is something written in pencil but I can't decipher it.  I'll have to get a magnifying glass to see it.

This website talks about these cards.  https://ancestorville.com/blogs/articles/rewards-of-merit

"During the Victorian Era, school children were given paper ephemeral rewards for good behavior, called a Reward of Merit. The top of the card usually reads "Reward of Merit," with the well behaved students name written below, followed by the signature of the teacher who issued the reward. A family may have saved these tokens of merit and recognition throughout the years. "

A birth announcement and a Christmas card from Grandma and Aunt Nancy

Birth announcements in local papers were something very common in the small Midwestern town where I grew up.  So were engagements and deaths.  I believe they were our way of marking the milestones of our lives, finding a way to matter and before social media, it was the way you could notify your family and friends of your big events.  

The Christmas card is from my Grandmother Curry and her daughter, my Aunt Nancy.  It was in 1995 and my grandmother was starting to decline.  She had moved to Reedsburg to be closer to Aunt Nancy who had the responsibility for her care.  Grandma writes:  "Kimberly, The days are slipping away --- still have cards to write.  On my birthday, Bob and Pam came and took us out to lunch --- enjoyed that.  Then group I play cards with called today to come and play bridge but I didn't go.  Had a fall in house last night so was sort of lame.  Didn't think I broke any bones but I was lucky.  Don't know how it happened either --must have caught my shoes on my slacks or something."  She signs it 'Grandmother Curry.'  I wish I would have appreciated these efforts more when they were occurring.  I'm so grateful I still have the cards.  They are precious.  I think about my grandmother, health failing, falling in the house and hurting herself, yet she still took the time to sit down and write to me, her granddaughter.  That's love.