Tag Archives: Family: Garrison

Week 28 Prompt: Reunion This week’s 52 Ancestors theme is”Reunion.” My initial reaction to this prompt was family reunions. One of my family lines held annual reunions in the past, but I’ve already blogged about it. So, thinking outside the box, I decided to write about my great-grandparents and their two marriages. For some strange reason, unknown to me, John Ward McMahon and Emma Jane Garrison married twice—once in 1923 and again in 1936. At first I thought maybe it was a vow renewal, but I’m pretty sure they wouldn’t […]

Week 10 Prompt: Bachelor Uncle This week’s 52 Ancestors theme is “Bachelor Uncle.” My great-granduncle Joseph Webster Garrison holds a special place in my heart. Even though I didn’t know him, it was because of him that I learned about my eligibility for the Daughters of the American Revolution, as he was a member of the Sons of the American Revolution. I am fortunate to have an SAR membership card for him among my family papers. With that in hand, I was able to get a copy of his SAR […]

James MULLIGAN is third great-grandfather. He was born on 7 December 1812 in Dublin, Ireland. By 1850, he is living in the United States. According to a genealogy compiled by my family, his daughter, Sarah Jane, was named Jane after James’ sister. He may also have had a brother, Joseph, who was listed as living with James in the 1850 census, born in Ireland, and the right age to be a sibling. Also, according to the compiled genealogy, there is a note that reads: “James Mulligan’s father kept a tavern […]

My WARD line is one of my more challenging lines.  The earliest known ancestor is my third great-grandfather, James WARD and I don’t know much about him.  He was apparently married prior to marrying my third great-grandmother, Bridget, but I have no information about his first wife.  The only clues come from the 1880 census, which shows James with three additional children, all born before James and Bridget married. And, for the longest time, I though Bridget’s maiden name was Shevlin/Shevlan, but after some digging and a closer look at […]

My earliest known GARRISON is James Manly GARRISON, who was born in Ontario, Canada, in 1861. I’m still trying to determine, with some level of certainty, who his parents are. I know his mother’s name was Susan, and I suspect that she herself was a GARRISON, but I need to do some more digging to learn the truth. James and his mother relocated to Detroit, Wayne, Michigan about 1871, and James later moved to Chicago, Cook, Illinois.

My McMAHON line apparently comes from somewhere in County Tipperary, Ireland. Timothy MCMAHON, my third great-grandfather, it the earliest known/proven ancestor in that line. Timothy left Ireland around 1864 and settled in Chicago, Cook, Illinois.

Back in 2010, in honor of Women’s History Month, Lisa Alzo created a list of writing prompts for each day during the month of March.  I didn’t participate in 2010, so I’m going to take the opportunity to participate this year, since Lisa was kind enough to resurrect her prompts for 2012. Share a favorite recipe from your mother or grandmother’s kitchen. Why is this dish your favorite? If you don’t have one that’s been passed down, describe a favorite holiday or other meal you shared with your family.

Back in 2010, in honor of Women’s History Month, Lisa Alzo created a list of writing prompts for each day during the month of March.  I didn’t participate in 2010, so I’m going to take the opportunity to participate this year, since Lisa was kind enough to resurrect her prompts for 2012. Do you have a favorite female ancestor? One you are drawn to or want to learn more about? Write down some key facts you have already learned or what you would like to learn and outline your goals […]