The Story of John McCarry-The 6th Child

A few weeks ago I wrote about The Story of Miss Mary McCarry. In that story I mentioned that Mary was the second child of Irish immigrants Patrick and Margaret(O'Connell) McCarry. I knew from the 1900 census that they had 6 children but only 4 were living at that time. When I wrote about Mary I said that I had only accounted for 5 of the children. Yesterday I found information about John.
The 1880 Census found the family living in Lenox, Madison, New York with 4 children. They had another child, Margaret, still living in NY in 1881. City Directories had them back in the Manayunk section of Philadelphia, PA before 1894. This was where their family was. I just did not know when they did return or when or where this 6th child had been born and what his story was. Yesterday I found his death certificate. According to this certificate he was born in 1884. And he was born in Manayunk. So the family had come back to Philadelphia by 1884. But this was a death certificate and I knew that he was not still alive in 1900. So the rest of the information was sad but expected. John died 19 May 1894 at 10 years old. Cause of Death was peritonitis from appendicitis. But something not expected, when he died at 10 years old he had an occupation listed as a mill hand. How different "childhood" was for our ancestors.

Wedding Wednesday-Wedding Breakfast

Another photo from my parents' wedding album. This was their Wedding Breakfast in my grandparents' livingroom. I guess the wedding cake was transported again to the reception after being the centerpiece here.

Back to The 1950's

First Communion May, 1958

I was just looking at this photo and thinking how June Cleaverish my Mother was looking. Here she is with her apron and pearls and a camera over her shoulder. My sister, Terry and family friend, Joe(he sent me the photo) looking on. Not sure what my Mother is doing, I thought maybe fixing my veil. This was taken on our front patio.

Not So Wordless Wednesday-Steel Pier

This is one of those pictures that I love but I have no idea who they are. I know it is my mother's family, but that's all. But they are enjoying a day in Atlantic City, NJ(long before the casinos came). And they stopped to have their picture taken on Steel Pier. I really love her hat!

Amanuensis Monday-The George Letter

The letter was written to my Father, George O'Donnell by his maternal Grandfather, George VanBilliard. I never knew about this letter until after my Dad died in 2007 and I found it in his keepsakes. I wish I had the letter that 7 year old George had written to his Grandfather. According to the 1930 Census, George VanBilliard was living as a border in New Hope, PA. He was a Foreman for the Telegraph Co. The Mackay Postal Telegraph-Cable Company was merged later with it's largest competitor, Western Union. I found in the Western Union archives that the company was in New Hope, PA at that time laying new cable.