The first known owner of this simple hammer was my great grandfather, Michael John Hanley (1890-1964), though it is possible an ancestor owned it before him.
Michael John Hanley (1890-1964)
Michael John Haney (1890-1964)
It was then used by my grandfather, Michael John Hanley Jr. (1924-2015).
Michael John Hanley Jr. (1924-2015)
Michael John Hanley Jr. (1924-2015)
My father, a woodworker, now keeps it on his workbench and uses it often. About it he said:
“I think of them when I pick it up. I often wonder how they used it. What were they making, repairing, or working on?”
It highlights for me how a simple object can connect us to our history. Perhaps one day this hammer will end up on the workbench that my father, Patrick Hanley, built for my son, his grandson. We’ve hung my dad’s senior high school portrait above that workbench in our basement.
Thanks for taking a look at the Family History Artifact of the Day Challenge! Every day in May I will be posting a family artifact or heirloom. I hope you’ll join!
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In May of 2020 I challenged myself and others to write every day for a month about a family heirloom or artifact. Here are 10 lessons I learned from this genealogy writing experience.