Tombstone Tuesday - Caroline Lee

A very special thank you to Richard Boyer for permission
to post his photo

I haven't posted on my Lees since August. I haven't really had time since school started up again. When I got a notification from FindAGrave that a photo request had been filled and the kind man gave me permission to post his photo I had to take time out of school to get this post up.

I don't know much about Caroline "Carrie" Lee. She never married and I've posted clippings before of her visiting my Quirk/Lee family in eastern Pennsylvania. Carrie is part of the Pittsburgh Lees that I still haven't been able to fully figure out where they belong in my tree. The best I can make out is that Carrie and her siblings were cousins to the Quirks (grandchildren of Edward Lee). Carrie's father was Thomas Lee, but I have yet to figure out how he relates to my Edward.

Caroline was born on September 11, 1856 in Pennsylvania. She died on October 12, 1922 and is buried in Calvary Cemetery in Pittsburgh. Her tombstone looks very similar to those of her parents. I'm guessing that they are buried nearby, but I don't know for certain. Carrie died of pneumonia.

Still, I know that they're related somehow. I just haven't unearthed that special bit of information that will solidify the connection. They visited. My family saved an obituary clipping of one of Carrie's siblings. Perhaps a Pittsburgh Lee will find this blog and be able to fill in the blanks. Maybe something else will turn up. Maybe. Maybe. It's best to cling to hope when you're still hitting that brick wall. If you keep hitting it eventually you'll win.

Mystery Monday - Figuring Out my Lees

I previously posted the obituary for Gertrude Menges nee Lee. I said that I knew she had to be a relation...a cousin...because the clipping was in a family scrapbook. Not the strongest way to make a connection, but I was able to discover more on newspapers.com when I searched the Hazleton papers for Quirk and Lee.

The Plain Speaker, 05SEP1903, pg 6

 "Miss Lee, of Pittsburg, is visiting the Quirk family at Jeanesville. Miss Lee has been spending her vacation at Atlantic City."

So I know that one of the Lees, Grace or Carrie, were visiting my relatives. Edward Lee was still alive at this point as well and living with the William Quirk family in Jeanesville. Although I'm sure her main purpose was to have fun with the girls! I did find it amusing that the Hazleton paper also mentioned that she had been vacationing in Atlantic City. I don't know that would have been relevant to anyone reading it, but it does make the blurb a bit longer.

The Plain Speaker, 02OCT1903, pg 6

"Miss Carrie Lee, of Pittsburg, and Miss Katherine Quirk, of Jeanesville, are the guests of friends at Harwood."

Another short and sweet clipping, but I know that Carrie Lee and one of my Quirk relations are visiting someone together. Harwood wasn't really that far away so I'm not sure why this was in the paper. My great grandfather lived in Jeanesville and worked in the Harwood mines so they were close. I'm guessing it made the news because of Carrie Lee being out from Pittsburgh and they included Katherine. Either way it helps me to firm up that connection.

Something else I was curious about after seeing this clipping was that the date was barely a month after the previous. Was Carrie the person visiting in the first clipping and it was just a rather long visit or was is a separate visit? It doesn't matter too much but I was surprised at not even a month passing between the two.

The Plain Speaker, 18SEP1903, pg 6

"The following Jeanesville young people at a party held in Jeanesville last night had their photographs taken by Photographer Heiser, of Hazleton: James Collier, Philip Coll, John Dougherty, Robert Brennan James Martin, Jetta Coll, Katie, Ella, Bessie and Mary Quirk, Katie and Margaret Brennan and Anna Martin and Carrie Lee, of Pittsburgh."

Another page six clipping from The Plain Speaker! I'm beginning to think that this was one long visit by Carrie Lee. I don't know who Anna Martin is though. Perhaps Carrie was vacationing with a friend. I mean a vacation alone isn't all that fun and she was in Atlantic City during this trip. Staying with the Quirks that long or visiting that frequently if it wasn't a long stay does help solidify a connection. It doesn't tell me where to place them in my tree, but it does reinforce that they belong...somewhere.

Give me time. I'll figure out where!

Wednesday's Child - Ann Brown

Ann Brown is buried with her grandparents in St. Gabriel's Cemetery, Hazleton, PA

My mother, aunt, and uncle knew that they had a sibling named Ann who died in 1950 and was buried with their grandparents, Edward and Alice Quirk nee Blanchfield. Still seeing the details in a death certificate can also make you realize just how lucky the mother was to have survived the birth. A premature breech delivery isn't optimal even today and Mary's mother died shortly after childbirth so I'm sure that was a concern. In fact my mother tells me this Mary (her mother) was obsessively worried about childbirth. When my mother had her first child they deliberately didn't let her mom know she was in labor so she didn't freak out.

You can see that Ann was not stillborn. She was born on November 20th, 1950 and lived for 2-1/2 hours. It had to have been heart-breaking. How could it not be?

Ann Brown, child of Edward and Mary Brown nee Quirk

I can't make out all the details in the cause of death, but I'm curious. If anyone else can make it out or even has an idea, please comment below. This is all I can make out and some may very well be wrong:

"Premature (8 mos) breech - (unknown) - spontaneous pressure on chord - utra uterine (unknown) to (unknown) resperatory (sic) movements no bronchial obstruction"

Ann Brown - Cause of death

It's always heart-breaking when a little life is cut short. I take today to remember my Aunt Ann. She will never be forgotten by our family.

Sunday's Obituary - Alice Quirk nee Blanchfield

Another casualty of either my 43-year-old-going-on-103-year-old-brain, disorganization in tracking my posts, crappy blog-search skills, or a combination of all three. Take your pick. Either way it's time to share and if it turns out that it was previously shared, well then I'll just conclude with she's that darned important.

Hazleton area news clipping from a family album

"Laid to Rest.

Many sorrowing friends assembled for the funeral of the late Mrs. Edward Quirk, of Park View, whose remains were laid to rest in St. Gabriel's cemetery, Hazleton, this morning. The funeral was attended by residents from the entire region, and was evidence of the esteem in which the deceased was held. The cortege moved to McAdoo, where a rquiem (sic) mass was offered up in St. Patrick's church, after which the funeral proceeded to Hazleton by trolley.

Handwritten: Died Sept 23, 1915 buried Sept. 27."

I was surprised that the mass was held at St. Patrick's in McAdoo and not St. Gabriel's in Hazleton, but I'm told that McAdoo would have been closer to Park View where they lived. Perhaps this was where they attended mass regularly. It does make me wonder if my grandmother, Mary Quirk, was baptized in St. Patrick's or St. Gabriel's. I'm pleased they didn't bury her in St. Patrick's Cemetery though because it's now closed off and many tombstones have gone missing including one for another Quirk family member. Perhaps the cemetery was closed to burials by 1915. Either way I'm just happy that I can still visit her grave in Saint Gabriel's when I'm in Pennsylvania.

It is disappointing that Alice's first name or maiden name wasn't mentioned in the article. Perhaps it was in her obituary. As I've previously mentioned in blog posts 1915 microfilm for the Hazleton newspapers is MIA from the Hazleton Public Library and so far not on Newspapers.com. I know that the Pennsylvania Archives and the Standard Speaker itself has rolls that are not included in the library's collection. I will have to check to see if September 1915 is held by the archives and check for an earlier article.

Alice died from complications from the birth of her second daughter, compounded with hemophilia as a preexisting condition. I can only imagine that having been diagnosed with hemophilia for 20 years that childbirth was not looked upon as exactly good for her health. I know that her family wasn't happy with Edward after her death. Even blamed him for it. Things aren't fair when emotions run high, but I have no doubt he was heart-broken over her loss and the child's. My grandmother was doted on and spoiled by her aunts, uncles, and father. This shows me how much love there was.

Rest in peace, great grandma. You will always be remembered and you live on in us.

Wednesday's Child - Edward and Alice Quirk's Second Daughter

I swear that I posted this before, but I couldn't find it. Senility at 43? Either way it's important enough to share. Alice and Edward were my great grandparents. They were only married for three years when Alice died after the birth of their second daughter. The little girl apparently also died, but so far I can't find her in the Pennsylvania Death Certificates. As far as we can tell she wasn't stillborn:

News clipping from a family scrapbook

"A Baby Girl.

A baby girl has arrived at the home of Mr. and Mrs. Edward Quirk, of Park View. Mrs. Quirk is reported to be in a serious condition."

I tried various searches in the Pennsylvania Death Certificates and still could not find anything. I removed bits of information, used wildcards, and even misspelled Quirk as Zuirk because sometimes people that transcribe seem to forget what an old-cursive "Q" looks like. Nothing worked, but I was able to submit a transcription correction for someone that spelled another Quirk with a "Z". I also noticed that there were death certificates for stillborns so there should be one for this little girl.

I can't look in the local Hazleton newspapers either. 1915 falls into the abyss of missing microfilmed newspapers. Luckily I have some newspaper clippings that I scanned from a family photo album. No dates on them, but that's OK. I know they're local Hazleton papers and this was obviously from September 1915. If they can find missing Doctor Who episodes behind filing cabinets throughout the world I can hold hope for Hazleton newspapers.

I will have to contact Annunciation Parish/St. Gabriel's Church and see if they know anything. The little one deserves to be remembered which is why this post is so important. All the better to remember her with a name as well.

Wedding Wednesday - Dugan-Quirk Wedding

I've blogged about Bessie Quirk and Dennis Dugan before, but it wasn't until I started talking to one of Dennis' descendants and going through my Dugan files that I realized I had never shared the newspaper clipping for their wedding. There's some good information there including where Dennis was originally from, Bessie's relocation to Bethlehem with her husband, and where Dennis was working.

The newspaper was the local Hazleton paper. The date is the beginning of October 1917 and in October 1917 The Daily Standard was replaced by the Standard-Sentinel. There was also The Plain Speaker at that time. Which one it was will most likely remain a mystery since the papers from this time period are not included in the Hazleton Public Library's holdings. I only have a copy because it was glued to the inside of an old family album.

I may not have any cousins through their line, but they will always hold a place in my heart.

"Oct 2 1917 (handwritten)

Dugan-Quirk.

Miss Bessie Quirk, of Jeanesville, and Dennis Dugan, of Bethlehem were united in marriage in St. Gabriel's church, this city, at 9:15 o'clock yesterday morning by Rev. Father Fagan.  The young couple were attended by Miss Mary Quirk, a sister of the bride, ad (sic) John Dugan, a brother of the groom. Miss Mary Lynch, of this city, played the wedding march, and Prof. Peter McKernan, of St. Gabriel's church choir, rendered several solos during the ceremony.

A dinner was tendered the wedding party and a number of guests at the home of the bride, after which the newly married couple departed on a honeymoon trip of the East. Upon their return they will reside in Bethlehem.

The bride is one of this region's accomplished young women, and is a graduate of the Hazle township high school. For the past several years she has been postmistress at Jeanesville. The groom is a former resident of Beaver Brook. Since locating in Bethlehem he has won several promotions in the plant of the Bethlehem Steel Co., where he now fills a responsible position."

Sympathy Saturday - Hopes Dashed

I've posted several times about my 2nd great aunt, Bessie Dugan. She died shortly after giving birth to her daughter, Elizabeth "Betty," by c-section in 1918. I was obsessed about finding out what happened to her daughter. Why? Bessie's parents, William and Mary Quirk nee Lee, had 9 children...only 2 of them married and had children of their own. My great grandfather, Edward Quirk, was one of them. Bessie Dugan nee Quirk was the other. I was in disbelief that so few had gotten married.

At first I had assumed that Betty had died near the time that Bessie did, but then I found her in a 1920 census with her dad. I won't go into too much detail. I've already done so in other posts which I will link to at the bottom if you'd like to read more. The point is I've been searching (and hoping) not just that I'd figure out what happened to her, but that I'd hear that she lived and that she had children and that there are other branches to my Quirk family to get in touch with.

Hopes dashed.

Pennsylvania Death Certificate - Elizabeth Dugan child of Dennis and Elizabeth nee Quirk

Mystery solved. Betty didn't reach her fourth year of life. She died from diphtheria in 1922. How absolutely heart-broken her father must have been to lose them both. How heart-breaking it was to find that death certificate and have it confirmed that my Quirk line is the only one that lives on.

In her death certificate her place of burial was listed as "Hazleton Catholic Cemetery." Yeah...thanks. No cemetery by that name. Bessie is buried in my family cemetery, St. Gabriel's, in Hazleton. So is Betty. I contact the church (now Holy Annunciation) and they have little Betty in their death register for 1922. Sadly they don't have a plot number for her. Their assumption is the same as mine...that she is buried in the same plot as her mother. I'll be looking for that obituary when I go back to Pennsylvania next summer. Hopefully, it's not on one of the Standard Speaker's many missing rolls of microfilm. If it is I'll have to go and seek out an obituary in Bethlehem.  The bottom line is that I want them remembered though. Always.

Ambiguous cemetery listed for burial

I'm grateful for the advances of modern medicine. Diphtheria isn't a concern anymore. We have a vaccination to protect against it. I'm amazed that Bessie died of c-section complications and not the influenza pandemic that was peaking at the time of little Betty's birth. Perhaps that was a contributing factor, but it's not in her certificate that way. I'm equally amazed that little Betty was able to avoid the flu and then die just before her fourth birthday from diphtheria. Diphtheria was certainly a killer of children, but to live through a terrible pandemic to die a few years later is desperately sad. The odds were not in her favor.

Dugan posts:
Wisdom Wednesday - I Live For These Moments
Amanuensis Monday - Two Steps Forward and One Step Back
Amanuensis Monday - The Long Lost Dennis Dugan
Tombstone Tuesday - Another Brick in the Wall
Amanuensis Monday - Always Searching for Bessie

Amanuensis Monday - Patrons of the Church, Part 2

Lobby of Saint Gabriel's Church, Hazleton, PA

Last Monday I transcribed the names off of the plaque on the left in this picture at Saint Gabriel's Roman Catholic Church (now Holy Annunciation Parish).  This week I'm transcribing the plaque on the right.  There were many familiar names on both, but I was excited to see the names of 2 family members this week.  My 2nd great aunt Ella Quirk was a donor to the Organ Fund and my 2nd great uncle William Quirk was a pew donor.  Neither Ella nor William married so it's always nice to see them remembered.

Right plaque remembering the 1931 patrons

"This plaque is erected in memory of Rt. Rev. Monsignor J.S. Fagan and in honor of the following donors

Donations to organ fund

Miss Annie Mulherin

Mrs. E.J. McKernan

Miss Winifred Brown

Mrs. Thomas Burkhart

Mrs. Stephen Curry

Mrs. John Baker

Mrs. Charles Barnes

Miss B.T. Boyle

Mrs. John J. Boyle

Mrs. P.A. Boyle

Mrs. Thomas Bonner

Mrs. Thomas Brennan

Miss Annie Brislin

Mrs. John P. Burns

Mrs. Mary Byrne

Mrs. H.L. Campbell

Miss Laurette Cannon

Miss Nellie Cannon

Miss Nora D. Carr

Commercial Class St. G. 1927

Mrs. John J. Corrigan

Mrs. Lawrence Corrigan

Mrs. Norbert Corrigan

Council of Catholic Women

Mrs. James Crossin

Miss Mary Dever

Mrs. Catherine Dougherty, deceased

Mrs. James Durkin

Miss Marie Feeley

Misses Agnes and Mary Fitzpatrick

Miss Margaret Flynn

Mrs. August Gabrielis

Miss Mary Gallagher

Miss Rose Gallagher

Miss Jane Gorman

Mrs. James P. Gorman

Miss Margaret Gormley

Mrs. Mary Halsey

P.J. Heaney Family

Mrs. William Joyce, deceased

Mrs. George Kellner

Mrs. Charles Kelly

Mrs. Andrew Kennedy

Miss Theresa Kennedy

Miss Catherine Martin

Mrs. Frank Mooney

Mrs. P.J. Murphy

Mrs. John McBride

Mrs. Cormac McGee

Mrs. Edward McGee

Miss Sarah McGee

Mrs. D.J. McGeehin

Mrs. J.C. McGrory

Mrs. E.t. McHale

Mrs. Andrew McKelvey

Mrs. Patrick McKelvey

Mrs. Patrick McKenna

Miss Bridget McKiernan

Mrs. James J. O'Donnell

Miss Kate A. O'Donnell

Mrs. John Quinn

Miss Ella Quirk

Mrs. P.J. Reilly

Mrs. M.A. Ryan

Mrs. E.J. Sweetland

Miss Veronica Thompson

Miss Bridget Walsh, deceased

Mrs. Susan Uthe

Mrs. W.J. Ward

Mrs. T.J. Whittaker

Miss Mary Lynch

Donors of Pews

Charles Cannon

Mr. and Mrs. James Boney

John Bonner

P.J. Bonner, deceased

Edward Boyle

James Boyle

P.A. Boyle

Fr. J. Brennan

James Brennan

Thomas Brennan

P.J. Breslin

Thomas Brislin

John Burns

John and Elizabeth Burke

Patrick Burke, Chestnut St

Patrick Burke, S. Wyoming

James Calder

Mr. and Mrs. Leonard Campanell

H.L. Campbell

H.J. Campbell

James Carpenter

John J. Carr

John Cawley

James A. Collins

Michael Conahan

James Connors

Dr. James A Corrigan

Dr. John J. Corrigan

Dr. Lawrence Corrigan

Norbert Corrigan

Dr. W.V. Coyle

John Dailey Family

Dr. A.J. Dougherty

F.J. Dougherty

J.C. Dougherty

Michael and Rosanna Dougherty

Zoltan Drosdick

E.J. Duffy, deceased

Dr. P.E. Fagan

Paul Ferry

Michael Flynn

James Fox

Charles J. Gallagher

E. Joseph Gallagher

Mrs. Mary Gallagher

John C. Gallagher

Att'y Fr. Gaughan

Dr. Robert Gaughan

D. Genetti Family

Patrick Givens

Paul Glubshinsky

James A. Gorman

James P. Gorman, deceased

 Thomas Gormley

P.J. Heaney

Charles Helferty

John Helferty, Sr.

John Helferty, Jr.

Thomas Jacobs

P.D. Kelley

James Kennedy

Patrick Kennedy

John Lannon

Joseph A. Lannon

Matthew Leib

Patrick Maloney

Peter Matthews

Joseph Meiers

John J. Monahan

Frank Mooney

James J. Moran

John Moran, Jr.

Patrick Mulherin

Thomas mcAndrews

John McBride

Michael McCall

Peter MacDermott

J.B. McGeady

L.V. McGee

P.J. McGeehin

John J. McGill

James McGinley

William McGlynn

Luke McGraw

John J. McGroarty

Austin McHale

John C. McHugh

D.T. McKelvery

Patrick McKelvey

Patrick McKenna

James McKenna

E.J. McKernan

John McNally

E.J. McNelis

James P. McNelis

P.J. McNelis, deceased

B.C. North

Charles O'Donnell

John J. O'Donnell

William O'Donnell, N. Laurel

William O'Donnell, Locust

William Quirk

James Reilly

Peter Reilly

P.J. Reilly

James J. Ryan

Ma. A. Ryan

Clarence Sasso

John Sergeant

Howard Slattery

Daniel J. Stone

Patrick Sweeney

L.J. Sweetland

Joseph Trently

Michael Welsh

William J. Ward

William J. Weber

Thomas J. Whittake

Joseph A. Zogby

John P. Burns

1931"

Sunday's Obituary - Catherine Quirk

Mary and Catherine "Kay" Quirk

I posted Aunt Kay's Funeral Card this past Friday and realized that I had never posted her obituary.  Strange, but true.  I seem to get sidetracked by so many other lines and neat things I find that far too often I find that I've neglected those members of my family tree that should have been blogged about earlier on.  So today, I'm going to share her passing.

Standard Sentinel 24JAN1961, pg 6

"Miss Catherine Quirk

Miss Catherine Quirk, 572 West Green street, this city, died yesterday morning at 10 o'clock at her home following an illness of two months.

Born in Jeanesville, she was a daughter of the late William and Mary Ann (Lee) Quirk.  She had resided in this city for the past 19 years.

She was a member of St. Gabriel's Church and the Altar and Rosary Society of the parish.

Surviving are a sister, Mary Quirk, and a niece, Mrs. Edward Brown, both of this city.

The funeral will be held from the Boyle Funeral Home at a time to be announced.  Friends may call Wednesday from 7 to 10 p.m. and Thursday from 2 to 4 and 7 to 10 p.m."

Standard Sentinel 26JAN1961, pg10

"QUIRK - At Hazleton, January 23rd Miss Catherine Quirk, of 572 W. Green street.  Funeral from the Boyle Funeral Home, 100 S. Wyoming street, Friday at 9 a.m. Solemn high mass of requiem in St. Gabriel's Church at 9:30.  Interment in St. Gabriel's Cemetery.  Friends may call today from 2 to 4 and 7 to 10.  John J. Boyle Sons, funeral directors."

Standard Sentinel 28JAN1961, pg12

"Miss Catherine Quirk, 572 West Green street, who died Monday, was buried yesterday from the Boyle Funeral Home.

Rev. Joseph Akulonis was celebrant of the solemn high mass of requiem in St. Gabriel's Church.  Rev. Edward Haggerty was deason, and Rev. Paul Purcell, sub-deacon.  Interment was in the parish cemetery, where Rev. Haggerty gave the blessing at the grave.

Pallbearers were Edward Brown Jr., James Moran, Thomas Sacco, John Boyle; James Flynn and Edward O'Donnell."

Funeral Card Friday - Catherine Quirk

I've posted about Catherine Quirk a little before...or Aunt Kay as family called her.  My mom, aunt and uncle always spoke fondly of Aunt Kay.  Sadly, Catherine died 11 years before I was born.

Catherine (Katherine) was born on 24JUL1878 to William and Mary Quirk nee Lee.  She was the sixth of nine children, three of which died before reaching adulthood.  She never married, but lived most of her life with her parents and siblings.  She helped to raise my grandmother Mary A. Brown nee Quirk after her mother, Alice Quirk nee Blanchfield, died in 1915.

Even though my grandmother lost her mom when she was only 2 years old (was she really old enough to remember her?), it's heartening to know that her life was filled with love from her mother's Blanchfield side as well as from her father's Quirk side.  Catherine may not have had children of her own, but I'm sure she looked at her niece with the love and affection of a mother.

Rest in peace, Aunt Kay.

Sunday's Obituary - Edward Lee

Image has been adjusted to remove yellowing

"Edward Lee Passes Away.

Rope Breaks, Car Comes Down - St. Patrick's Day Parade.

(Handwritten - Jan. 19 - 1904)

Edward Lee, aged 81 years, one of the oldest and best known citizens on this side, died at the home of his daughter, Mrs. William Quirk, at Jeanesville last night about 7 o'clock.  The deceased was in perfect health up to Monday.  He partook of his Monday dinner as usual, but shortly after while lying on a couch he was stricken suddenly ill with what looked like paralysis and he was unable to utter a word from the time he was taken ill until he died.  Mr.  Lee was born in county Cabin (sic), Ireland, and emigrated to America about fifty-seven years ago.  He resided in New York and Nesquehoning previous to locating in Jeanesville.  His wife preceded him in death about sixteen years ago.  He was a man who was well liked by every person.  He was very active notwithstanding his advanced age and was a great lover of base ball.  During all of last season he witnessed every game that was played at Park View and was first among the spectators on the ground.  He was a great favorite of the children and often he could be seen with a crowd of little ones about him as they listened to the tales he used to relate.  He enjoyed a large circle of friends and all will be sorry to hear of his death.  He is survived by one daughter, Mrs. William Quirk, with whom he resided for the past number of years."

For those of you that have done Irish genealogy research or are familiar with Ireland, you'll know that there is no County Cabin, but County Cavan.  In Irish Cavan is spelled Cabhán.  You don't really hear the "b" in the pronunciation, but perhaps there was some miscommunication when relaying the information for the obit.  Edward, given the time of his birth in Ireland, would have most likely known Irish.  Spelling wasn't necessarily as important as it became over time and who knows how well Edward was educated.  I could hypothesize for hours, but the bottom line is they got that bit wrong in the obit.  I have no proof that Edward was from County Cavan, but this does give me a starting point when trying to continue his line.

The obituary also gives me an approximation for when he came to America, although still trying to find an immigrant by the name of Edward Lee is no small task.  Knowing that he lived in New York and Nesquehoning before Jeanesville will help as well.  A bit disappointing that no mention of his parents were made or any other brothers and sisters in America or Ireland.  Disappointing, but not surprising.  Almost as equally disappointing is that his grandchildren were not mentioned in his obituary.  They were adults and many were living together.  I blogged about the individual children of William and Mary Quirk nee Lee here.

Image has been adjusted to remove yellowing

This clipping was regarding Edward's burial in Saint Gabriel's cemetery.  It was in a scrapbook (see note below) and was obviously torn.  Not too surprising since it was clipped in 1904.    Not much information here except where he was buried and a bit about the funeral.  Still, it would be nice to have an untorn copy.  Sadly, the local newspapers from this period are gone.  At least in microfilm.  The local library has an enormous gap...which covers almost 2 decades of family members that I really want to know more about.  Next step is to contact the local newspaper and see if they have copies.  Sadly the local paper was bought out a few years ago by a larger non-local company.  Hopefully, they will be as helpful as they had in previous years. Fingers crossed there.

Edward Lee.  One of the first people that I learned about when starting out on my genealogy research over a decade ago, and I never posted his obit.  Shame, shame on me, but better late than never.  Rest in peace to my 3rd great grandpa.

NOTE:  Attached to the inside cover of an old family photo album that was passed on to me were newspaper clippings.  None of the clippings had the name of the paper that they were taken from, but it's safe to say that they most likely came from the local Hazleton area papers (The Standard Sentinel, The Plain Speaker, or the Standard-Speaker).

Sunday's Obituary - Discovering Nana through Maurice Blum's Obituary

What a handsom man he was!

I never had the pleasure of meeting Maurice Blum and he's not a relative of mine, but I wanted to share his obituary because he is special to me and my family.  How you might ask?  His wife, Hazel Blum nee Hill, was all I ever knew of a grandmother.  My paternal grandmother, Florence Tabor nee Bronsavage, died a decade before I was born and my maternal grandmother, Mary Ann Brown nee Quirk, died 2 years before I was born.  I love both of them, but I never had them in my life.  Hazel was my surrogate grandmother.

I've mentioned Hazel in previous posts, but nothing really concrete.  I never really knew much about my "Nana".  She taught my sisters and I how to knit and crochet.  She loved watching soap operas while she did her yarn-work.  She embroidered and cross-stitched and even reupholstered the covers on some dining room chairs with her needlework.  She lived in the house next door to us.  It was a house that she grew up in and lived her entire life.  It was the house she eventually shared with her husband, Maurice Blum.

I had always wanted to find out more about Nana, but like many things, I procrastinated and never followed through until I got a lovely email and phone call from a sweetheart named, Debbie, that came across one of my posts on Nana.  I'm not going to tell Debbie's story here.  She's going to be writing a book about it and when it's out I'll let you all know so you can see for yourself, but Debbie asked for some information on my Nana and I was so disappointed to admit that I knew little of value about a woman I loved dearly...so I started some research.  Research for me to find out more about the woman that meant so much to me and research for Debbie because I was touched by the connection her family had with Hazel and Maurice Blum.

So having just returned from a trip to Pennsylvania I'm going to share the information I found starting with Maurice's obituary today.  Maurice died a year before I was born, but Nana mentioned her husband frequently.  Like a typical 11 to 14 year old, the information just never really made and impression and apart from his name and a couple other details I can remember nothing.  It's really a shame because, as you'll see, he was an extremely impressive man.  So much so that his death made the front page of the Hazleton Standard Speaker.

Hazleton Standard Speaker, 21MAY1971, pg 1

"Dr. M.L. Blum, Prominent Civic Worker, Is Dead

Dr. Maurice L. Blum, local optometrist and one of the community's most active civic workers and leader in veteran affairs, died at 11 a.m. yesterday in the Hazleton State General Hospital following a lengthy illness.

Dr. Blum, who resided at 701 W. Diamond Ave., was a veteran of World War One, and was a charter member of American Legion Post 76, which he served as commander in 1928, and for many years as chaplain of the veterans' organization.

Dr. Blum served for 22 years as head of the National Firm's Division for the annual campaigns of the Hazleton Chapter of the American Red Cross.

He also served as general chairman of the United Fund Campaign, and headed divisions in other years.

Dr. Blum served as chairman of the Salvation Army Advisory Board, was a past president of the Hazleton Lions Club and served in various capacities with the Hazleton Tuberculosis and Health Society, the Anthracite Council of the Boy Scouts of America (now part of the Penn Mountain Council), and other local organizations.


Arranged Programs

21MAY1971, pg 14

For many years he arranged programs for patients in the White Haven State Sanitarium and continued the service for the White Haven State School and Hospital.

He was also one of the organizers and an active member, until his illness, of the committee of veterans in the Greater Hazleton Area who visited hospitalized veterans in St. Joseph and the State General Hospitals.

In July 1965, Dr. Blum was selected to a life membership in the American Optometric Association, and prior to that honor was awarded life membership in the state organization and in the Anthracite Optometric Association in 1960.  He aided in the organization of the anthracite group in September 1929, and served as its secretary-treasurer for 25 years.

State Chairman

In October, 1931, he was general chairman of the State Optometric Association Convention, which was held in Hazleton, at which time he was selected to serve a two-year term as secretary of the state organization.

In May, 1954, the Regional Association held a special dinner marking Dr. Blum's 25 years of service as secretary-treasurer, during which he was awarded a plaque for that service.

He has been the recipient of numerous local awards, among which were the designation of "Outstanding Citizen" by the Greater Hazleton Jaycees in 1957.  He was also recognized by the American Legion, the Boy Scouts of America, Salvation Army, Heart Association, White Haven State School and Hospital, Greater Hazleton Veterans' Association; Unico Club and the Community Chest.

American Legion Post 76, in April 1969, awarded Dr. Blum a life membership for his outstanding service to the organization [sic].

Dr. Blum is survived by his wife, the former Hazel Hill, and ane [sic] sister, residing in Tel Aviv, Israel.

Services Sunday

Services will be held at 10:30 a.m. Sunday from the Temple Beth Israel, with Rabbi Abraham Ruderman, spiritual leader of the Temple officiating.  Interment will be in Beth Israel Cemetery.

Viewing will be from 7 to 9 p.m. Saturday at the Joseph and Mary Fierro Funeral Home.

Pallbearers, all members of the Hazleton Lions Club, will be President David Schwarz; Third Vice President Louis Fierro, and Past Presidents Carl Ambrosio, Edward Scarp, Angelo Sist and Peter Forliano."

I read this and all I could think was, "WOW".  I never imagined that Nana was married to such a man.  She was so quiet and reserved...shy even.  I could hardly picture her at his side at these events, but perhaps that wasn't expected at the time.  I read this obituary and realized that Nana's life must have been so different than what I imagined...or was it?  I wish I had paid attention to all her stories.  She and Maurice never had children so who is there to remember them now?

FOLLOW UP - It didn't take long after posting this that something occurred to me...there's no age or date of birth for Maurice.  All that great information and it isn't mentioned.  It's not impossible to find clues to a birth for him (military records, burial, SSDI) but it was just plain surprising that with all the great information in there nothing on his birth.  Heck...very little on his family in general!

Travel Tuesday - The ICBU Convention

I blogged briefly in an Amanuensis Monday post on the Irish Catholic Benevolent Union (ICBU).  There really isn't a lot of literature out there concerning this organization and that's a shame because I know that it was a part of my Pennsylvania ancestors' lives.

In a photo album that I scanned from my aunt there were several pictures over 2 pages that were labeled "I.C.B.U. convention, Kingston, Aug. 19th/13"  I can't find out which "Kingston" this was and I haven't (yet) been able to find out where the ICBU convention was held in 1913.  One of the pictures was also labeled "Saint Patrick's Hall," but that didn't yield anything either.  Kingston is a popular city name and Saint Patrick...well...Irish patron saint...need I say more?

The only book I was able to find so far on the ICBU was a 1953 print dissertation by Sister Joan Marie Donohoe, S.N.D., M.A. from the Congregation of Notre Dame de Namur of Belmont, California.  It was submitted to the Catholic University of America as a requirement for her doctor of philosophy degree.  One of the books I need to dive into after I return my newest pile of library books.  Hopefully, it will help me better understand the pictures in this family album from my Quirk ancestors.

The very bottom picture was particularly interesting.  My Irish ancestors at an Irish Catholic convention of some sorts (and by looking at several of the pictures a parade was held) and there's a British flag.  Knowing the tension between the Irish Catholics and the British Protestants I can only suppose that someone was looking for conflict.

If anyone has any ideas about these pictures, I'd love to hear them!

This photo wasn't labeled ICBU, but was on the same page

A British flag at the ICBU convention?  I guess these two groups just couldn't resist the confrontation.

Tombstone Tuesday - Alice and Edward Quirk

I've talked about Edward and Alice Quirk nee Blanchfield before, but I realized that I never posted a picture of their tombstone.  I'll have to take another picture when I go back to Pennsylvania this summer.  I'm a bit of a perfectionist and I can't believe that I cut off part of the stone.  There's no information there, but still!

Alice died in 1915.  That's 45 years before her husband.  I thought that I had blogged Alice's obit previously, but I'm not seeing it on my blog.  I'll have to look again when this flu bug gets out of my system and if it turns out I didn't, then I'll have to rectify that.  It's a very sad story (as death usually is), but I will only touch on it today and save the details for when I'm more coherent.

Alice died shortly after giving birth to their second child.  The child also passed soon after birth.  My grandmother, Mary Alice Quirk, was their first-born.  Edward never remarried and he and his daughter lived with his brother and sisters.  Her aunts and uncle raised her like their own daughter and she had a good childhood.

The year Edward passed away, my grandparents lost their fourth child, a daughter, Ann.  She is buried with Alice and Edward.  Their tombstone is located in Saint Gabriel's Roman Catholic Cemetery in Hazleton, Pennsylvania.

I like sharing information about Alice.  I don't have a lot of it, but when I first began my genealogy research and I ran across others researching the Blanchfields, there were more often than not family trees that had Alice married to someone besides Edward or not married at all.  I felt like I was actually able to help fit some pieces together for some people conducting their research.  I know I always appreciate it.

I feel a special connection with Alice.  I don't know why.  Perhaps it's because I feel for my grandmother having lost her mother when she was tiny and it makes me realize how lucky I am to have my mother even as an adult.

Until next time, have fun tending those roots!

Amanuensis Monday - Always Searching for Bessie

Saint Gabriel's Roman Catholic Cemetery, Hazleton, PA

I always come back to Bessie.  She's more than just a brick wall she's an obsession at times.  Bessie isn't a direct line ancestor.  She's my 2nd great aunt, but of all the children that her parents had, she and my great grandfather (Edward Quirk) were the only ones to marry and the only ones to have children.  It's like the Quirks were dying out...


Edward had 2 children.  The first was my grandmother and the second child died...along with his wife/my great grandmother Alice Quirk nee Blanchfield.

Bessie's one child (that she died shortly after giving birth to) disappeared.  She most likely died.  I've posted previously about my efforts to track down Bessie's child (turns out her name is Betty...another Elizabeth.  I suppose her husband, Dennis, name the child after her when she died).  I want to know what happened to her.  To be certain of what happened to her and if she has died, where is she?  Her story needs to be told.

I've got a couple leads, but I think that I'll be trying to track her grave down in Bethlehem when I head home to Pennsylvania someday.  See if she's buried in the same cemetery as her father.  It may be a long shot, but it also may be the only shot I've got.

"Mrs. Dennis Dugan.

Unk Hazleton newspaper

Mr. (sic) Dennis Dugan of Bethlehem, died at the state hospital, this city, on Saturday at 11:25 o'clock, following a Caesarian operation for the birth of a daughter who is alive and well.

The deceased, prior to her marriage a year ago last September, was Miss Bessie Quirk, of Jeanesville.  She held the position of postmistress of that town for several years and was one of the Hazleton region's most estimable young women.  After her marriage, the deceased located at Bethlehem, where her husband has been located for some time.  Besides her husband, the deceased is survived by the following brothers and sisters:  Edward, William, Ella, a Hazle township school teacher, Catherine and Mary, all of Jeanesville.

The funeral will take place from the family home in Jeanesville on Tuesday afternoon at 2 o'clock, with interment private in St. Gabriel's cemetery."

[There are two dates hand-written in on the obituary, December 17 and December 14, 1918.  The 17th would be the date of burial and the 14th the date of death]

Wordless Wednesday - Aunt Mary and Aunt Kay Quirk

Mary and Catherine "Kay" Quirk.

The Unknown Collection - The Final Class Photo

At least it's the final class photo in my collection.  Who knows what may be uncovered years from now. Again, I know little except that it's from my Quirk family of the Hazleton, PA area.  Again, I don't recognize anyone in the photo, but I maintain that keeping a class photo has some significance.  Sure you keep portraits of friends and family, but you don't usually keep random class photos of some friend's kid or even another relative.  I think it was someone from the immediate family, but who?

I'm rotten at dating photos too, so if anyone has any ideas about around when it looks like it was taken, I'd love the input!

The Unknown Collection Continues...

Another photo to share from my album of unknowns that was passed onto me through the Quirk side of my family from the Hazleton, Pennsylvania area.  Last week I posted a photo that I'm sure has a Quirk ancestor in it.  Call it more of a feeling than anything else since some from my Quirk line were teachers, or perhaps it was one of the children in the photo...either way, I see little reason to keep a class photo unless there is someone in it you know!  The teacher looks different in the photo here as does the school.

Still waiting hoping for someone to come along and solve the mystery of some of these photos!

The Unknown Collection Continues...

Unlike most of the other pictures I've post from this "Unknown Quirk Family Album" this isn't a typical card photo (portrait in a studio, although it was on card paper) or tin type.  It is also different in that it's a class photo.  Could one of my Quirk ancestors be a child in the photo?  Were one of my Quirk great aunts the teacher in the photo.  I come from teachers and coal miners so I feel sure that there must be one of my Quirks in this photo.  The other thing that I'm fairly certain about is that they went to public school (and were public school teachers) in the Hazleton, Pennsylvania area.

The Unknown Collection Continues...

Nice mustache!

This is another photo from my Quirk family album from the Hazleton, Pennsylvania area.  There is no information about the photo, but the person here wouldn't necessarily be from the Hazleton area. Hopefully someday someone with a name may come across my blog post!