Blind from a mining accident in Ireland, Padraig Hanley (abt. 1810) was my 4th great grandfather. This is his story.

I am confident, though not certain, that this is my 3rd great uncle Peter Christopher Costlow (1846-1905) and his wife, Matilda. Here is his story and the questions that remain.

In 1907 a mystery person sent a funny postcard to 13 year old Miss Lela Seiler of Mt. Carmel, Illinois. Here is what is known of her story. What is left to learn?

Helen Borowski Nizol left 4 young sons when she died at age 34. Her own mother died when she was only 10. This is her story.

In 1971 my grandparents took a trip to Ireland. Blarney was one of their many stops in County Cork and adjoining areas. I just love this photo of a horse drawn Blarney Romany Caravan they saw along the way.

A vintage 1946 Paul Bunyan postcard sent from Grayling, MI by Bonnie and Max to Flossie Stimer of Jackson. Can you help me find their family?

Several of my Halvangis family are buried at Evergreen Cemetery in Detroit, MI. Here are some videos I took of my recent trip there.

Born around 1810 Denis Uonhi (also Green and O'Sullivan) is my 3rd great grandfather. He made his family home in beautiful Ballydonegan, County Cork, Ireland. This is his story.

The Psychogenealogist Pic of the Week (#77) - Beer Swigs, Oyster Slurps, and The Devil's Bathtub

James Costlow (1822-1904) is one of the more prominent figures in my family tree. In fact, he was written about in in the Biographical and Portrait Cyclopedia of Cambria County, Pennsylvania. This is his story.

Who was Mr. Bert Doyle of Somewhere, Michigan? What is his story? Where is his family?

Quin A. Ryan (1898-1978) is the most famous relative I’ve written about so far. He was a Chicago native and broadcasting legend. He is also my 2nd cousin 2x removed. Here is his story.

The Baker Art Studio was a Detroit photography studio run by Charles Russell Baker (1855-1932). While the man in the photo remains a mystery, here is some information about the photographer who took his picture.

Porter Dean Sears (1906-1935), my 2nd great uncle, married Elnora Florence Cannon on July 9th, 1928. Sixteen months later they were divorced. “Repeated and Extreme Cruelty” was the reason cited (by Porter). This is his story.

“Rosa Lena Hutchison and W.G. White. Father and mother before they were married. Picture taken in Burlington Kansas at Fair.” (1890s)

There is little, if anything, more tragic in life than the death of a child. This is the story Michael Karr (1954-1964) and his life that was cut tragically short in 1964.

Fannie Viola Waters was born in Clarksville, TN in 1916. She would be known by her married name, Viola Bedwell. This is Part 1 of her “Storied Life”.

A photograph of a toddler, smoking a pipe, mowing the lawn. The photo was obtained from John K. King Used & Rare Books in Detroit, MI.

This is my great grandfather, Arthur Bryan Sears (1900-1964), probably around age one. As far as I can tell he was fatherless for his first several years. This is his story.

Just your typical 1920s or 30s photograph of a toddler next to a squirrel munching on some bread. Written on the back is: "Marian and a squirrel". Oh, that and Spanky McFarland from “Our Gang”.

George and Laverne Rhoads Vallance (1899-1962) had four stillborn babies (one set of twins) between 1922 and 1924 in Johnstown, Pennsylvania. These were their only children. Here are their stories.

Is this Henry Hurd Roberts (1853-1914) of Rock Stream, NY? If so, he went on to Cornell University and graduated in 1875. He became a successful teacher. This is his story.

The deep friendship between the Elissavitis and Halvangis families that began in Kokkari in Samos, Greece spanned two countries and many decades. Here is the story of how from friends they became family.

Here is a stunning early 1900s cabinet card photograph of a bespectacled middle aged woman with a confident stare. The photographer was Kuebler of 1210 Chestnut St. in Philadelphia, PA.

The story of my 2nd great uncle, what little I know, from Samos, Greece to Detroit. He travelled on The Themistocles in 1915. Can you help me find the rest of his story?

Ethel Rosemon receives a postcard from the Catskills in 1906. Who is she? What is her story? And what is left to learn?

"Uncle Tom Costlow" was born in turbulent times. He was born the day before the U.S. Civil War ended. His mother died two weeks later. This is his story.

Here's a delightful, smile inducing, Kodachrome photo slide of a toddler enjoying a 1950s summer. Take a look! 

By all accounts Martha Zenner Muenzel (1868-1960) was a wonderful German cook. Some of her specialities were Kucken and Wickelklöße. She was likely my 1st cousin 4x removed. The is her story.