Contagious Genealogy: A Pandemic

  AUGUST 15, 2021 In the early 1800s, my 4th great grandfather, George Huey/Hoey, made the courageous trip overseas from Ireland to Pennsylvania. It’s unknown when he met his life-long mate, Mary Jane McMullin, but the two lived out their lives in the city of Pittsburgh. Week 32: In the City Life in a bustling town was probably never dull, but I doubt my ancestor was a fan of all the chaos that could ensue living in such close quarters to others. As an example, the Pittsburgh Gazette reported on a massive blaze that ripped through several buildings, destroying much in its path in July of 1862. It’s not known for certain, but the Mr. Huey mentioned in the article is likely Mr. Thomas Huey who was a driver living at 206 Third Avenue. I don’t know if he knew George or was related, but it’s always possible, considering their neighborhoods were quite close, George residing in the 19th ward on Ross Street. George made a steady and honest living as a shoemaker throughout his years in Pitt...

  MAY 02, 2021 As far as I know, there is only one ancestor in my direct line that has had a major run-in with the law, and it was quite a shameful event, so I’d rather focus on my 2nd great granduncle’s brush with the prison system. Week 18: Crime and Punishment The eldest son of my 3rd great grandmother, Margaret (O’Keeffe) Boyce was first only known to me as William T. Boyce. Other than being aware that he was born circa 1864 by the 1870 and 1880 US censuses that he appeared on, I didn’t really have any other info on him. It wasn’t until this past year that I took note of the fact that William was born several years prior to any of his siblings, and more importantly, even though he held the Boyce surname on the censuses, his birthdate appeared to have fallen previous to his parents’ marriage date in 1868. I knew his mother, Margaret, had been married once before to a papermaker in Wheeling, West Virginia. Originally, I believed her 1st marriage to have ended quickly and before a...

  APRIL 22, 2021 My maternal line has always been quite proud of their Diamond ancestors. And just like the rock itself, the name also spurs a feeling of strength and richness. So, it was a tad disheartening to learn we may not be true Diamonds, after all. Week 16: DNA One of the most fascinating family heirlooms on display at my mother's house is the Diamond-Williams Family Bible. I also remember it from my childhood in my grandparents' house splayed open. It's an oversized bible with embellished lettering and full page illustrations. It also interestingly has singed edges, having survived a house fire. The personal touch is that it contains a record of births and ages of family members, as well as a record for the marriage of my 2nd great grandparents, Emma Virginia Diamond and Benjamin Franklin Williams in January 1900. Diamond-Williams family bible record of ages. Diamond-Williams family bible record of births. But, was Emma truly a Diamond? The bible certainly claimed ...