Colleen's Memories

The Irish and the Jack O'Lantern

2010-10-24T15:55:00.001-04:00

The story of the Jack O'Lantern comes from Irish folklore.

Jack was a crafty farmer who tricked the devil into climbing a tall tree. When the devil reached the highest branch, Jack carved a large cross in the trunk making it impossible for the devil to climb down. In exchange for help getting out of the tree, the devil promised never to tempt Jack with evil again. When Jack died, he was turned away from heaven for his sins and turned away from hell because of his trickery. Condemned to wander the earth without rest, Jack carved out one of his turnips, took an ember from the devil, and used it for a lantern to light his way. He became known as "Jack of the Lantern".

Colleen Degnan Johnson

Tooa and Dooraa in County Monaghan

2010-08-18T15:33:00.002-04:00

HUGE discovery for me and I'm excited.

A couple of years ago I uncovered the ship record for my great grandfather, Patrick Finnegan. I never even knew what county my maternal Finnegan's came from until this ship record. Listed on the record was County Monaghan and beside it was Castleblayney. I was thrilled. The other thrilling moment came when I noted that he was travelling from Ireland to the United States to meet his sister, Mary Finnegan. I never even knew he had siblings.

I have searched and searched Castleblayney to no avail. I did have Patrick's birthdate and the name of his parents, Peter Finnegan and Mary Boyle. There were no marriage/birth records in Castleblayney. I dropped this search then. I was so frustrated especially with the spelling switching back and forth from Finegan to Finnegan.

Within the past year, I started to explore this side of the family again but I have been busy and not really concentrating on genealogy. I did uncover that Patrick Finnegan's sister Mary married his Larkin brother-in-law. So, how did this side of the family go missing to my side of the family when we had two connections now??? So puzzling!

Thank you to the Irish Archives. They have completed their scan project and the 1901 and 1911 Census records are online now. I jumped on last night and within hours I had my answers and my family's townland, as well as more siblings and Boyle uncles.

Was my great grandfather incorrect when he put Castleblayney as his last residence on the ship record? No. He just happened to list the name of the Poor Law Union he resided in which was Castleblayney.

He actually lived in Tooa, Ballytrain, County Monaghan in the Aughnamullen Parish. Yahoo! I found Peter and Mary Boyle, his parents. His siblings: Peter, Catherine and John along with himself, Patrick. In the 1911 Census records, Catherine and John were still living on the family farm with their uncle, Francis Boyle. Now, when I went backwards for Francis into the 1901 Census records, I found another brother, Hugh Boyle.

Where was the Boyles family farm? It was in Dooraa, Ballytrain, County Monaghan within the same Aughnamullen Parish.

If you still had family living in Ireland during 1901 and 1911, the Irish Archives is a great resource. Check it out: http://www.census.nationalarchives.ie

Colleen Degnan Johnson

Brown Family Vacation 1931 NH

2010-05-14T15:37:00.005-04:00

This is my paternal great grandmother's family, the Brown family. They originated in Digby, Nova Scotia, Canada before immigrating to Boston, Massachusetts, USA. I owe this picture find and some others to a distant relative uncovered on Ancestry.com.

L to R front row: Mr. Ridlon, Jeanetta Taylor Brown (my great-great grandma), Charlotte Brown Ridlon, Lillian Brown Degnan (my great grandma).

L to R back row: Leo "Tony" Degnan (my grandpa), Ruth Degnan Robbins (Leo's baby sister), and Charles "Charlie" Brown.

This photo was taken in the White Mountains of New Hampshire, August 1931.

Colleen Degnan Johnson

An Irish Clune Family Photo

2010-03-17T09:05:00.003-04:00

This is a family photo that was sent to my maternal grandmother once she arrived in the U.S. It's set on the family farm in Tierlaheen, Co. Clare, Ireland, around 1930.

This is a group shot of her siblings that remained in Ireland.

L to R: Patrick "Pat" Clune, Mary "May" Clune Hogan, Bridget Clune O'Looney, and Margaret "Gretta" Clune Rynne. I do not know the dogs name....sorry.

Happy St. Patrick's Day 2010!

Colleen Degnan Johnson

Our Lady of LaSallette

2010-03-16T22:00:00.000-04:00

http://www.fatima.org/thirdsecret/lasallette01.asp

Enjoy the read.

Colleen Degnan Johnson

Ennistymon on the Inagh

2010-03-03T22:22:00.003-05:00

Ennistymon on the Inagh

Le Tadhg O hEagráin

I’m no poet, I’ve no pen, but my story I’ll relate,

Concerning my childhood, sure I know ‘tis my fate,

In a town in a valley, I was brought up with care,

Ennistymon on the Inagh, On the West Coast of Clare.

The waters of Inagh, come tumbling down,

‘Neath the bridge o’er the falls, quite close to the town,

Stand and look if you’re passing, any bet I will dare,

To equal my cradle, on the West Coast of Clare.

From the East and the West, from the world all around,

The tourist come flocking, our sights they abound,

But there’s none so lovely, so happy or fair,

As my dear little village, on the West Coast of Clare.

There are places of fancy, of fame and renown,

But my choice is my birth place, my own little town,

Snuggly nestled and happy, no trouble or care,

In my dear little village, on the West Coast of Clare.

Come ye back our dear exiles, to the green hills of Clare,

To your home in the valley, your cradle lies there,

All your loved ones and neighbours, your joy they will share,

With a Cead mile failte, to the West Coast of Clare.

Sure we all will assemble, in our own little town,

Our birth place is calling, we can’t let it down,

We’ll fly or hitch hike it, or go by shanks mare,

To that town in the valley on the West Coast of Clare.

There’s a grave near the village, up on Moughanna hill,

Sure it’s the finest that ever you’ve seen,

Won’t you bury me decent, and lay me down there,

On the hill oe’r the village, on the West Coast of Clare.

---------------------------

Brother Michael F. O’Conchuir of Woodmount, Ennistymon

Colleen Degnan Johnson

Margaret Donahue Maher Bench Uncovered

2010-01-27T09:55:00.006-05:00

Did I say, "Uncovered"?

Well, almost.

I truly did not have much when I began researching my paternal great grandmother several years ago. I had her first name from Massachusetts census records along with her married name: Margaret Bench.

I cannot even say that I received a 'free bonus' from these records as they conflicted with each other. Her first name and birth years were different on the census records. I know that's part of genealogy; but honestly, this is the silly stuff that makes me bang my head several times over.

I was very happy when my grandmother's birth certificate provided Margaret's maiden name as Donahue. Correct spelling??? Not so sure about that fact. The same birth certificate states that my great grandfather was from Biminham. Where??? LOL

He was originally from Birmingham, England. A little off on that fact they were and places the accuracy of the maiden name in serious doubt (spelling wise).

The Cambridge Library came in handy as I located her death announcement. This gave me her death date which lead me to the Cambridge Cemetary and death certificate. These little beauties provided the following information: death date, age at death, burial information, and father's name. My great great grandfather's name was a treasure to me and also confirmed the Donahue name. One small difference was the spelling of Donahue. It was listed as Donaghue.

Margaret's wedding certificate provided a different name. Out of St. Elizabeth's in Chicago, IL, came the fact that her name at the time of her marriage was Margaret Maher. So, this was her second marriage. She was approaching 40 at that time (1913) and it wouldn't surprise me if she were widowed as my great grandfather had been. It must have been a shocker to both when my grandmother happened along in May of 1914. She was their only child together. I still haven't uncovered her first marriage or any children from that marriage. My great grandfather did have children from his previous marriage and we are still quite friendly with those family members.

My great grandfather's naturalization records provided me with my remaining details. Of course, he was elderly at the time of his naturalization and most details were left unanswered. One important detail for me was my great grandmother's place of birth. He listed it as County Mayo, Ireland. Thank you for that gold nugget great grandpa.

Prior to Christmas 2009, I began to search through the County Mayo records. I lucked out. There were not a lot of Donahue's to look through. There were even less to go through when I plugged the father's name into the mix.

Margaret Donohoe
born 11/24/1867 Kilmaine RC Parish
Cong, County Mayo, Ireland

Father: John Donohoe
Mother: Julia Cullinane
Sponsor: Malachy Donahue

What was awesome about discovering this information was that the Civil and Baptism records misspelled the names also. The Civil record used Donahue and the Baptism record used Donohoe. The Civil record shows the mother's maiden name as Cullinan and the Baptism record uses Cullinane.

Several things add up to make this my record. Of course, not without a question or two. I'm still not a 100% sure but I'm 95% positive.

The names do add up. Father and daughter names check out. I cannot go by the birth year as her age changed throughout history. The fluctuation fits with my paternal great grandmother. It appears that my grandmother, Julia, was named after her grandmother, Julia Cullinane. It's in County Mayo and it's a Roman Catholic Parish.

In the search for my great grandmother, I not only received her info but have gained a County, great great grandparents and a great great grand uncle. What also tickled my funny bone? Cong, Co. Mayo is where my favorite movie was filmed: The Quiet Man. Good stuff.

Colleen Degnan Johnson

New Discovery

2010-01-17T23:24:00.002-05:00

Just before the holidays I had a major discovery regarding my paternal great grandmother. She's been a missing link. With some tweaking of the last name, I believe that I finally uncovered her past.

Of course, I am still not a 100% sure of this discovery; however, I am about 95% dancing a jig.

I will unveil her in my next post. Stay tuned.

Colleen Degnan Johnson

Ireland's 1911 and 1901 Census Records

2009-10-27T08:57:00.003-04:00

I'm finally getting back into my genealogy research. I've been viewing the 1911 Census records. I really don't get much out of them as I have all of my family information from this time. Both my grandparents are listed. It is kind of neat to view them though.

I'm really looking forward to the 1901 Census records. They are due to be digitized in late 2009 through mid 2010. I cannot wait.

My Finegan's were still in Co. Monaghan at this time and I really don't have much on them. They came to America between 1904 and 1911. So, I have my fingers crossed that once these records are up that I will uncover some more family facts.

View records and info here: http://www.census.nationalarchives.ie/about/index.html

Colleen Degnan Johnson

Irish Heritage & Culture Stories Needed

2009-10-22T11:00:00.003-04:00

So far behind but I wanted to pass along Lisa's next Carnival deadline.

http://irishheritagecarnival.blogspot.com/2009/09/upcoming-16th-edition-irish-portraits_05.html

Start writing your family stories for the next Carnival of Irish Heritage & Culture. I better get going too.

Colleen Degnan Johnson

www.fantasyfacepainting.net

Finegan and Larkin Discovery

2009-08-31T16:56:00.003-04:00

I've been away from my genealogy research this summer establishing my face painting business, Fantasy Face Painting. It's taking off but I recently felt that old tug. So, I got down to business and started to look at my family chart once again.

I decided to concentrate on Patrick Finegan, my maternal great grandfather. From his wedding and death records, I know the names of his parents (Peter Finegan and Mary Boyle). One thing to keep in mind, is that the name keeps flip flopping in records from Finegan to Finnegan.

About a year or so ago, I did uncover Patrick Finegan's ship record. Within this record, I gained 2 gold nuggets. One was his origin (Castleblayney, Co. Monaghan, Ireland) and the other was a sibling (his sister, Mary Finegan). Until the ship record, I didn't know either fact. I didn't know of any siblings.

My quest was to find out more regarding Patrick's sister, Mary Finegan. A very interesting quest indeed.

Come to find out, Ms. Mary Finegan decided to marry her sister-in laws' elder brother. Not just any sister-in law. She married the brother of Patrick's wife, Margaret Larkin Finegan! Can you believe that I didn't know this gem? So, Patrick's sister, Mary Finegan, married Margaret Larkin Finegan's brother, Michael Larkin. Are you confused? LOL

They also lived within spitting distance of my great grandparents and their children were the same ages of my grandfather and his siblings. So, where did they go? They didn't go anywhere. They all lived and worked in RI. There must have been a fight somewhere along the line because none of us know them. They would be/and are my mother's second cousins. For heavens sake, I know my second cousins and they live an ocean away still in Ireland.

Well, I'm just happy to have uncovered a missing part of the family for now. I don't have all the facts but I do have some.

Michael Larkin born Jan. 3, 1884, Co. Longford, Ireland (haven't found death record yet)
Mary Finegan Larkin born Sep. 24, 1884, Co. Monaghan, Ireland and died Apr. 1974, Prov., RI

Children:
John F. Larkin born 1911, RI
Mary T. Larkin born 1913, RI
Rosella H. Larkin born 1915, RI
Harold J. Larkin born 1917, RI
Michael T. Larkin born 1919, RI died prior to 1930
Thomas J. Larkin born 1921, RI
Raymond P. Larkin born 1923, RI
Vincent P. Larkin born 1925, RI

I'll keep looking and see if I can't find more about this family.

Colleen Degnan Johnson

The Carnival of Irish Heritage & Culture, 14th Edition, Vacations

2009-07-31T16:15:00.000-04:00

This edition focuses on vacations whether you've travelled to the emerald isle or just dream of the special day when you can. I'm honored that Lisa has asked me to host this edition. I hope that I do the Carnival justice. Thank you Lisa for this privilege.

So, let us start our trip to Ireland.....

Our first obstacle for travelling to Ireland is how we all must get there. Bill West describes his fears and dreams over at his blog, West in New England. I truly hope you overcome your fears and see the many shades of green Bill.

Once you conquer your travelling fears, you can enjoy your trip just as Donna Moughty discovered recently. Follow her adventure researching genealogy, visiting cousins and taking beautiful photos over at Donna's Genealogy Blog. There are several entries. I chose to link her whole blog and not just one specific journey. Incredible shots and information Donna!

The Beara Peninsula is calling to Janet Iles from Ireland's distant shores. See why Janet would like to visit this area which also includes a great link in her post at Janet the Researcher. Thank you for taking the challenge Janet and I hope you get to Co. Cork soon.

Susi Pentico has written a lovely little poem over at Susi's Chatty Performances on Genealogy. Definitely worth a lyrical read.

Over at Little Bytes of Life, Elizabeth shares how she's teased by her hubby and dreams of a big green airplane. Is wool really necessary? Yes, according to Elizabeth it is and she wants the whole package.

Although I've been to Ireland several times, I do have a very special dream vacation posted at CMJ Office. I sure hope dreams do come true.

Well, all good things must come to an end and so must our vacations and dreams of vacations. I hope everyone enjoyed reading.

Next up: Lisa will be posting the 15th Edition of the Carnival of Irish Heritage & Culture at the Small-Leaved Shamrock on September 2nd. The theme for this next edition is 'The 2nd Annual Small-Leaved Shamrock Summer Reading Challenge'. Send your posts in by August 30th to Lisa. See you there.

Colleen Degnan Johnson
CMJ Office
Fantasy Face Painting

One More Day

2009-07-30T14:52:00.002-04:00

I'm waiting one more day until I post the Carnival of Irish Heritage & Culture, 14th Edition.

Blog posts are slow during the summer months. Enough reminders are out and about now.

If you'd like your Irish vacation or Irish dream vacation blog post included, please send it on over to me. Thanks.

Colleen Degnan Johnson

My Irish Dream Vacation

2009-07-27T18:46:00.004-04:00

14th Edition of the Carnival of Irish Heritage & Culture: Vacations

I've written previously about my love of western Ireland specifically the Cliffs of Moher. You can read it again along with viewing an awesome video clip here: http://cmjoffice.com/blog/2008/03/03/the-clune-family-from-tierlaheen-county-clare/.

For this edition, I am writing about my desired vacation to Ireland.

Yes, I have been to Ireland several times. However, I've always travelled to and stayed with my cousins on the farm that my grandmother was raised on. My dream vacation is to be able one day to travel to Ireland with my husband and three children. I want to show my children Ireland especially where their ancestors once walked.

I have a couple of places in mind:

1. The Cliffs of Moher (of course)
2. Ennistymon (Tierlaheen - my Clune, Larkin, Hogan, and O'Loughlin families)
3. The Burren
4. The Knock Shrine, County Mayo (my Donahue family)
5. Longford County (my Larkin, Reilly, McWade and Degnan families)
6. Monaghan County (my Finnegan and Boyle families)
7. Rock of Cashel

Above represents the absolute 'musts' for my family dream trip to Ireland. Of course, along the way I plan to see the green, eat the chips, take in some hay, get some perfume in the Burren, say some prayers in Knock, visit with friends and family, do some Finnegan research, and watch my kids enjoy themselves! Someday this trip will come true. I can't wait.

Colleen Degnan Johnson

Irish Vacations - 14th Edition of the Carnival of Irish Heritage and Culture

2009-07-09T16:10:00.003-04:00

The 14th edition of the Carnival of Irish Heritage & Culture will feature Irish vacations.

Here are the details:

Summer is the time for vacations – going on adventures and visiting new places. The upcoming edition of the Carnival of Irish Heritage & Culture will focus on Irish vacations. Share with us vacation spots you’ve visited (in Ireland or places with an Irish flavor) and your photos and memories from those vacations. If you don’t have a particular vacation you’d like to share, tell us about the Irish place where you would like to go if you had the chance.

Deadline for submissions (http://blogcarnival.com/bc/submit_2848.html) to the Irish Vacations edition of the carnival is July 26, 2009. This edition will be published by me right here on my blog, CMJ Office, on July 29, 2009. If you'd prefer, you can submit your articles directly to me at: Colleen@CMJOffice.com.

Colleen Degnan Johnson
CMJ Office
Fantasy Face Painting

Ernest Leroy Whitney continued....

2009-06-26T07:50:00.001-04:00

(story continued....)

Ernest was the oldest of a family of three boys: Ernest, Arthur and William - and of three girls: Hatie, Luela and Eula. Ernest and his brother, Arthur "Art", were the only family members to travel west.

Arthur and his wife Mamie returned to Vermont when their eldest son, Arthur Jr., was full grown. Arthur Jr. remained in Kansas and worked for his uncle Ernest.

When WWI broke out, Arthur Jr. joined the Army and went overseas. He returned to America, mustered out and started for home. He disappeared somewhere enroute. Family members never heard from him again. (I did a little research and found Arthur. He was living in Colorado in 1920 as a laborer. In 1930, he was living in Michigan. In 1932, he was living in a WI home for disabled soldiers with a residence of Chicago, IL. His social security death index lists his death as June 1966 in Pueblo, Colorado. I'm not sure why the family never heard from him again.)

About 1920, Ernest traded a team of young horses for an old Chevy touring car. He did not get much pleasure out of it as they had no paved highways in that part of the country at that time. He was not a very good mud driver. On a trip to Topeka to the State Fair, they met a herd of cows in the road. They were forced into a ditch. Ernest had to get a team of horses to pull the car out.

One year, Leon (Ernest's son) drove Ernest to the annual Melvern picnic in Ernest's chevy. On the return trip, Ernest told Lee he would get out and open the gate for the cows to be corraled to get milked. Ernest stepped off of the car before it had come to a complete stop and was thrown on his back. The next day Ernest began to bloat and never recovered. Ernest had to quit the farm and move to town (Melvern).

Ernest passed away he following spring in 1922. They diagnosed his illness as cancer of the liver. He was 67.

Colleen Degnan Johnson
CMJ Office
Fantasy Face Painting

Ernest Leroy Whitney

2009-06-24T15:23:00.003-04:00

Ernest Leroy Whitney
January 23, 1855 Vermont
1922 Kansas

Ernest was born in a small town, Rochester, Vermont, near the green mountains to William and Arvilla Whitney. He was the oldest of six children, three boys and three girls. While they were growing up on the farm, they learned to fish, hunt, trap and sail boats on the beautiful lakes.

In the year 1863, William (the father) joined the Union Army and went to war. Fortunately, at the end of the Civil War, he returned home with no serious wounds. Ernest was then about ten years old. He soon became a good hand to help with the chores and farm work. In the winter, he and his father hunted and trapped together for furs and meat for the table.

At age 20, Ernest attended the National Centennial Exposition in Philadelphia, PA. He bought several mementos and sent them home to his youngest sister, Eula. Some of these are still in the family.

As Ernest grew older he began to experience a desire to go west and see the great plains of Illinois, Iowa, Nebraska and Kansas. One morning, he climbed aboard a train pulled by a coal burning engine with a big smoke stack and headed for Williamsburg, Kansas. This is where an old neighbor, Jerry Hussey, had homesteaded a quarter section of farm land. Ernest went to work for Mr. Hussey on the farm. He stayed a year or more before returning to Vermont.

After visiting a short time with his folks and old friends and neighbors, Ernest returned to the Hussey farm. During the winter, they worked in the woods clearing the timber and brush so they could cultivate it. The logs were used to build houses, barns and fences. The limbs and small branches were used for heating and cooking fuel. He also mined coal out of the hills on Tequa Creek, which flowed through that part of the country.

Ernest soon met and married Ellen Patrick. She was a neighbor girl who had recently come to Kansas from Indiana with her widowed mother and large family of brothers and sisters. Ernest built a log cabin on the Hussey farm. The couple proceeded to raise a family of five boys and two girls: Lloyd Leroy, Ershel Ray, Clifford Claude, Orion Glen, Leon Kenneth, Anna Arvilla and Laura Calista. They all lived to be grown and have families of their own.

(story to be continued.....)

Colleen Degnan Johnson
CMJ Office
Fantasy Face Painting

Some Unknown Facts About the Civil War

2009-06-13T22:12:00.003-04:00

An interesting article was just published on CNN and I wanted to share it with everyone.

A few of these I knew, but others I did not. It's a good read. Enjoy!

http://www.cnn.com/2009/LIVING/06/12/mf.civil.war/index.html

I'm not too sure that I'd pull a Mulan. I'm too much of a chicken to fight.

Colleen Degnan Johnson
CMJ Office
Fantasy Face Painting

The Life of Clifford Claude Whitney

2009-06-12T13:06:00.003-04:00

This is my husband's paternal great grandfather. The following is a story from Ershel R. Whitney, Cliff's brother.

"Clifford was born January 30, 1888. He and I (Ershel) grew up together and became very close. We played together, fished, hunted, trapped, fought for each other and became inseparable. Clifford remained on the farm for several years after I went to work in Kansas City. After he and his girlfriend had an argument of some kind, he sold his stock, came to Kansas City, and went to work in the car repair department for the Milwaukee Railroad.

After Cliff had worked on the "Rip Track" for a few months, the foreman told him the company was going to send some men to the main office in Milwaukee to take examinations for Firemen. He wondered if Cliff would like to go? Like most youngsters, Cliff thought it was the fulfillment of a boyhood dream. However, for some reason, he quit the "Firing" job after a few months. He and a friend went to work for a farmer near Nortonville, Kansas, a short distance north of Kansas City.

He had been there only a short time when a country doctor from that community called me by telephone and informed me that Cliff had appendicitis. He asked me to come and see him. I caught the first train. After talking a few minutes with the doctor, we decided that I should bring him to Kansas City with me. Our M.D. did not agree with the diagnosis and gave him an enema. In a few days, he went home with dad, Ernest Leroy Whitney, who had come to the city to be with him. In a short time, he had recovered completely. (Sounds like he had an appendicital stone which Brian just went through.)

Cliff later fell in love with a young girl, Mae Rogers. He married her and went to work on the section for the Santa Fe Railroad at Lyndon, Kansas. They later moved to the farm adjoining the Old Home Place where they reared a family of three girls: Hazel, Frances (grandma), and Freda.

After feeding cattle for several years, Cliff decided to go into the dairy business and bought a herd of Guernsey cows. For this purpose, he borrowed money from the Melvern State Bank. He gave them a mortgage on the herd for security. During the depression, the bank took bankruptcy and he lost the herd. He continued to work the farm for several years.

Cliff was the kind of guy who would neglect his own welfare to help someone who needed assistance. During the last illness of uncle Judd, his mother's brother, who was about 90 years old, he left his job and went to help Mitta take care of him. Mitta was uncle Judd's only child. He didn't leave until after the funeral.

When WWII broke out, I (Ershel) was having trouble keeping clerks in the store. I wrote him and suggested that if he could come and help me out, I would put him on the payroll. He came and stayed with me until I retired in 1956.

Some time later, Cliff decided to go to the Kansas Masonic Home in Wichita where he was very happy. He stayed until his death on January 6, 1963. He was 74 just shy of 75."

I have more stories from great uncle Ert. I'll be posting them soon.

Colleen Degnan Johnson
CMJ Office
Fantasy Face Painting

1911 UK Census Info

2009-06-11T12:24:00.002-04:00

I am sooo far behind with my blogging. Here is some info that I just received from the 1911 UK Census Team from their newsletter.

All Welsh counties now available.

We are pleased to announce that all 13 Welsh counties are now available on 1911census.co.uk:

Anglesey
Brecknockshire
Carnarvonshire
Cardiganshire
Carmarthenshire
Denbighshire
Flintshire
Glamorgan
Merionethshire
Montgomeryshire
Monmouthshire
Pembrokeshire
Radnorshire

These records contain a total of over 2.4 million individuals, and over a million households.

Search for your Welsh ancestors on the 1911 census now

As the 1911 census is the first where household schedules were preserved, you will find that some of the census returns are printed and completed entirely in Welsh, while some are written in a mixture of Welsh and English. To help those who are not native Welsh speakers, we have added a site section of useful tips, and have provided translation tables to help you translate the most common Welsh census terms into English.

The tips will also help you narrow down your search results if you happen to have an ancestor with one of the most frequently occuring names, such as Jones or Evans, or one who worked in one of the dominant industries such as farming or coal mining.

Our profound thanks to Geoff Riggs and the members of the Association of Family History Societies of Wales who have supplied the Welsh translations. We are very grateful for their time and effort, and are sure that users of the site will benefit greatly.

Good luck with your Welsh research.

I hope this new info helps all those researching their past in Wales.

Colleen Degnan Johnson
CMJ Office
Fantasy Face Painting

Easy Vegetable and Rice Soup

2009-05-27T11:51:00.003-04:00

I usually don't have recipes on here unless they relate to my ancestry. I have to make an exception with this soup.

I'm not the most creative person in the kitchen but I think this creation is pretty good. Give it a try if you like. It only takes 30 minutes.

Here's what you need:

1 Birds Eye Steamfresh Southwestern Style Rice
1 Del Monte can of Diced Tomatoes with Garlic and Onion
1 Can of Corn
1 Can of Green Beans
1 Summer Squash
1 Onion
1 Can of Campbells Condensed Tomato Soup

Here's what you do with those ingredients:

In a stock pot, add the tomato soup and then fill the can up two more times with hot water adding that to the pot also. Turn the burner on high. Dice up and add the onion and squash. Steam the bag of rice in the microwave (takes 5 minutes). Dump the corn, green beans and diced tomatoes into the pot. Stir. Now add the bag of rice to the soup. Stir again. Make sure the soup is boiling. Once it's boiling, turn the heat to low (simmer) and cover for 20 minutes.

You're done and it tastes great!

Colleen Degnan Johnson
CMJ Office
Fantasy Face Painting

County Clare Video

2009-05-26T13:56:00.003-04:00

Here's a great video of County Clare. Blackie does a great tour even passing through Ennistymon. It's the town a couple of miles down the road from grandmother's farm.

Check it out here.

Colleen Degnan Johnson
CMJ Office
Fantasy Face Painting

Germany's Remains

2009-05-22T06:15:00.000-04:00

My great uncle, William Degnan, served in WWII. This photo is a recent discovery for me.

He sent some pictures home to his older brother, my grandfather, from Germany after the fighting was over.

As you can see, he wrote notes around the edge of the photo. From the left, he states the he is in the photo (next to second column from the left in a shadow). You can barely make him out.

His next statement is: "This picture gives you some idea of what Germany looks like now."

Doesn't look like we left much standing over there. What a mess!

To all those that served and are serving, thank you and Happy Memorial Day!!! Let's not forget them and their families.

Colleen Degnan Johnson

CMJ Office

Fantasy Face Painting

The Names of My Ancestors

2009-05-18T06:43:00.006-04:00

Post for the 13th Edition, Carnival of Irish Heritage and Culture.

A list of Irish names with my family: Degnan, Finnegan, Clune, Donahue, Larkin, O'Loughlin, Hogan, McWade, Galvin, Conway and Boyle.

Yes, I've got quite of bit of Irish in me. I can tell you that most of my family followed the Irish tradition of naming the first born children after their grandparents until my parents' generation.

The family has a fair share of the following first names: Patrick, Thomas, Michael, John, Peter, Matthew, Mary, Margaret, Ann, Bridget and Rose.

Degnan: A byname from dubh ‘black’ + ceann ‘head’, ‘chief’. Now, there is an absolutely fabulous site regarding my maiden name, Degnan, that is out on the web via Siobhan-Duignan Burke. So, instead of rewriting the history of the O'Duibhgeannains, I will just link to it here. It describes quite a bit regarding the Degnan family as they were the scribes of Irish history. My Degnan's come from County Longford.

Clune: Anglicized form of Gaelic Mac Glúin, a patronymic from the personal name Glún. This is either a byname meaning ‘knee’, or else a short form of various Old Irish compound personal names such as Glúnfhionn meaning ‘fair-kneed’ or Glúniairn ‘iron-kneed’. My Clune family is from County Clare.

Finegan/Finnegan: A shortened Americanized form of Irish Ó Fionnagáin ‘descendant of Fionnagán’. Anglicized form of Gaelic Ó Finn ‘descendant of Fionn’, a byname meaning ‘white’ or ‘fair-haired’. This name is borne by several families in the west of Ireland where my Finegan's originated - County Monaghan. My Finegan's came to this country in 1905 as Finegan's with one 'N'. Once my grandfather was born in 1907, the name was switched to Finnegan with two 'N's. No one knows why this change occured.

Larkin: Anglicized form of Gaelic Ó Lorcáin ‘descendant of Lorcán’, a personal name from a diminutive of lorc ‘fierce’, ‘cruel’, which was sometimes used as an equivalent to Lawrence. My Larkin's come from County Longford.

Donahue: Anglicized form of Gaelic Ó Donnchadha ‘descendant of Donnchadh’, a personal name (sometimes Anglicized as Duncan in Scotland), composed of the elements donn ‘brown-haired man’ or ‘chieftain’ + cath ‘battle’. My Donahue's come from County Mayo and I'm sad to say that I don't know much about them.

O'Loughlin: Irish (Ulster and County Clare): Anglicized form of Gaelic Ó Lochlainn ‘descendant of Lochlann’. A personal name meaning ‘stranger’, originally a term denoting Scandinavia (a compound of loch ‘lake’, ‘fjord’ + lann ‘land’). Many Irish bearers of the name claim descent from Lochlann, a 10th century lord of Corcomroe, County Clare. This is where my family comes from - County Clare.

Hogan: Anglicized form of Gaelic Ó hÓgáin ‘descendant of Ógán’, a personal name from a diminutive of óg ‘young’, also ‘young warrior’. In the south, some bearers claim descent from an uncle of Brian Boru. My Hogan's come from County Clare.

Glavin: Anglicized form of Gaelic Ó Gláimhin, from a diminutive of glámh ‘satirist’. My Glavin's are from County Cork.

Boyle: Anglicized form of Gaelic Ó Baoithghill ‘descendant of Baoithgheall’, a personal name of uncertain meaning, perhaps from baoth ‘rash’ + geall ‘pledge’. My Boyle's are from County Monaghan.

McWade/McQuade: Anglicized form of Gaelic Mac Uaid ‘son of Uad’, Gaelic form of the personal name Wat. My McWade family is from County Longford.

Conway: Anglicized form of various Gaelic names, such as Mac Conmidhe; Ó Connmhaigh or Mac Connmhaigh (‘descendant (or son) of Connmhach’, a personal name derived from connmach ‘head-smashing’), also Anglicized as Conoo; and Ó Conbhuide (‘descendant of Cú Bhuidhe’, a personal name composed of the elements cú ‘hound’ + buidhe ‘yellow’). My Conway family is from County Clare.

These definitions were obtained from Ancestry. They, in turn, get them from the Dictionary of American Family Names, Oxford University Press, ISBN 0-19-508137-4.

Colleen Degnan Johnson
CMJ Office
Fantasy Face Painting

Discovered Ticket to America

2009-05-14T05:43:00.000-04:00

Completely AWESOME find. My great grandfather's Inspection Card that he received upon entry to America from England.

You can see his name listed: Richard Bench.

Date of departure: 24 November, 1909.

Port of departure: Liverpool.

Name of ship: Friesland.

Last residence: Smethwick, England.

I absolutely love this find. I cannot believe that it has survived this long in an old photo album. Pretty cool to think this was handed to him over a hundred years ago and to see what immigrants were handed as they entered into the country.

Colleen Johnson
CMJ Office
Fantasy Face Painting