Upper Pennisula

How I Introduce Myself to the Current Residents of an Ancestral Home

How I Introduce Myself to the Current Residents of an Ancestral Home

I finally stood in front of the Hanley homestead in Atlantic Mine, a house I’d heard about all my life. Instead of knocking, I left a letter — though not before giving in to the temptation of the doorbell. This is the story of that visit, the family lore tied to the house, and what it meant to leave something behind.

Emil Muenzel (1866-1939) of Donken, Michigan

Emil Muenzel (1866-1939) of Donken, Michigan

Emil Muenzel (1866-1939), a German immigrant who settled in Donken, Michigan in the Upper Peninsula, was married to my 1st cousin 4x removed, Martha Zenner Muenzel (1868-1960).

President of the Lake Superior Beagle Club - Eugene Timothy Hanley (1896-1958)

President of the Lake Superior Beagle Club - Eugene Timothy Hanley (1896-1958)

My 2nd great uncle, Eugene Timothy Hanley (1896-1958), raised beagles and in 1938 was the president of the Lake Superior Beagle Club. Here he is with some of his dogs.

Charles Henry Schmidt (d. 1899), My 3rd Great Grandfather - Family Artifact Challenge (Day 28)

Charles Henry Schmidt (d. 1899), My 3rd Great Grandfather - Family Artifact Challenge (Day 28)

This is the original newspaper clipping of Charles Henry Schmidt (d. 1899), my 3rd great grandfather’s obituary. It was affixed to sturdy paper and laminated. He lived and died near Houghton Michigan, in the Upper Peninsula. It appears that it was clipped from The Mining Gazette.

Professor John M. Harrington (1893-1967) of Michigan Technological University - Family Artifact Challenge (Day 26)

Professor John M. Harrington (1893-1967) of Michigan Technological University - Family Artifact Challenge (Day 26)

Professor John M. Harrington (1893-1967) was my first cousin twice removed. As the obituary states, he was a well known professor at the Michigan Technological University in Houghton, Michigan and a former head of the Department of Mathematics there. By some he was described as, “one of the greatest teachers to serve on the Michigan Tech faculty.”

The Pipe and Rosary of My Hanley 2nd Great Grandparents - Family Artifact Challenge (Day 8)

The Pipe and Rosary of My Hanley 2nd Great Grandparents - Family Artifact Challenge (Day 8)

This is perhaps my most treasured family heirloom. It is a wooden rosary and pipe that belonged to my 2nd great grandparents, Patrick Hanley (1857-1923) and Ellen Sullivan Kelly Hanley (1850-1938). They were both immigrants from the Beara Peninsula in County Cork, Ireland to Atlantic Mine, in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula. Here is their story.

German Birth and Baptismal Record of Peter Heinrich Ratz (1867-1935)

German Birth and Baptismal Record of Peter Heinrich Ratz (1867-1935)

Every once in awhile I stumble into an amazing genealogical find. This one pertains to my 2nd great grandfather from Germany, Peter Heinrich Ratz (1867-1934).

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Alma Ratz Hanley (1894-1979): A Photo Essay

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Alma Ratz Hanley (1894-1979): A Photo Essay

Alma Ratz Hanley (1894-1979) was one of my paternal great grandmothers. She is also the subject of this 49th installment of my 52 Ancestors in 52 Weeks family history blogging challenge. I hope you enjoy this photo essay about her life.

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Albert "Rabbit" Zenner (1886-1964): Woodsman of the Upper Peninsula

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Albert "Rabbit" Zenner (1886-1964): Woodsman of the Upper Peninsula

When you discover a relative in your family tree nicknamed "Rabbit" you obviously have to find and tell his story. Here it is.

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Planes, Shuffleboard, and Hats: The Elegant Lydia Schmidt McNamara (1876-1961)

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Planes, Shuffleboard, and Hats: The Elegant Lydia Schmidt McNamara (1876-1961)

Lydia Schmidt McNamara (1876-1961) was an elegant woman with a fondness for hats, planes, and jewelry. There is photographic evidence that she fancied shuffleboard as well.

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Making Kuchen, Bread, and Wickelklöße With a Smile: Martha Zenner Muenzel (1868-1960)

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Making Kuchen, Bread, and Wickelklöße With a Smile: Martha Zenner Muenzel (1868-1960)

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.   

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From Pew to Bar and Back Again: John "Jack" Hanley (1885-1946)

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From Pew to Bar and Back Again: John "Jack" Hanley (1885-1946)

Whether praying in the pews or tending the family bar, John "Jack" Hanley (1885-1946) was a man of faith and familial duty. This is his story.  

 

The Psychogenealogist Pic of the Week (#62)

The Psychogenealogist Pic of the Week (#62)

A Toast to ye Landlord (postcard 1912) -  "May you always have some money - Left from the money you have spent - To greet your landlord with a sneer - When he comes calling for the rent."

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"Nothing but the choicest meats" - Henry Peter Ratz (1867-1934)

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"Nothing but the choicest meats" - Henry Peter Ratz (1867-1934)

My 2nd great grandfather, Henry Peter Ratz (1867-1934), was a butcher. Though, as you'll learn, perhaps not a very successful one. This is his story.