Week 12: Loss: Fire Devastates the Hawley Family

Not once, but twice the William Hawley family was devastated by fire. The logging industry was a primary industry in Northern Michigan in the late 1800s and early 1900s. William Hawley’s family was no exception. William moved his family from upstate New York to Long Rapids Township, Alpena County, Michigan…

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Week 7: Unusual Source: The Postmaster

The source I chose to talk about this week for the 52 ancestors in 52 weeks theme of “Unusual Source” is called “U.S., Appointments of U. S. Postmasters, 1832-1971”. These records can be found in more than one repository, I found these records on Ancestry.com. I’m not sure if this is…

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Surround Yourself in Green: My Irish Ancestors

In honor of St. Patrick’s Day, I wanted to share the ancestor’s behind my Irish DNA. Based on my Ancestry.com DNA results, I am 31%, Irish and Scottish. To honor my Irish ancestors, let’s start with a traditional Irish blessing ​May the road rise to meet you. May the wind…

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Built on a Strong Foundation: The Women that Came Before Me.

A strong woman is one who can build a firm foundation ​with the bricks used to block her path Every once in a while, I have one of those days that remind me that no matter what I am going through, I come from a long line of very strong women.  I…

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Niergarth School in Rust, Montmorency, Michigan

I referenced a photo I found of the Niergarth schoolhouse, in a previous blog post called Road Trip Through Our Family History. Today’s blog post will provide a little more information about how this country schoolhouse played a part in the life of my Great Grandmother, Lavina Hawley. Lavina May…

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Elusive Ancestor: Sarah Anne Healy

Sarah Ann Healy (1851 – 1919_ Sarah Anne Healy was my second great grandmother. She was born around 1851 in Ireland. Sarah immigrated to the US from Ireland when she was in her late teens in order to avoid being sent to a convent.  This story was told to me by Edna Jean (Burt)…

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When was Mary Ann Hawley Born?

In the 1880 census, Mary “Ann” Hawley is list as the daughter of William Hawley, age 5, born approximately 1875. The family is living in Wilson, Alpena, Michigan. My assumption has always been that Mary Ann Hawley was the third child, second daughter, of William Hawley and Sarah Anne Healy….

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How did they meet?

Sarah Anne (Healy) Hawley, my great-great-grandmother, remarried after her first husband William, my great-great-grandfather passed away in California in 1914. The man she married was Asahel Atherton. They got married on October 30, 1919, in Beaverton, Gladwin, Michigan at the L.D.S. Church. Their marriage was officiated by another member of…

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