Tom Orlando McKenzie (February 13, 1960 – November 6, 2014) Every Father’s Day is special. A day to show your father how much you care. This year is very tough for me because this is the first Father’s Day that my dad Tom McKenzie will be spending in heaven. There…
We have all probably heard that we look just like…. (fill in the blank with a member of you family). One of the things I find so interesting in my genealogy research is old photos and especially, finding the similarities between living members of my family and those that have…
I referenced a photo I found of a lilac bush, in a previous blog post called Road Trip Through Our Family History. In today’s blog post, I will share with you the beautiful and sad story about the planting of this bush and the continued impact that it has had on…
Newspaper article about Vera Royer I come from a line of very strong and determined ancestors, of that I have no doubt. So, in honor of June being the month for graduations and to honor these members of my family, today I would like to share their graduation stories! All…
I referenced a photo I found of an old water pump that sits on the original of the McKenzie Schoolhouse, in a previous blog post called Road Trip Through Our Family History. In today’s blog post, I will provide additional details about the McKenzie Schoolhouse and it’s wonderful history and connection to my McKenzie family. Jeremiah McKenzie and…
I referenced a photo I found of my grandmother Edna Jean (Burt) McKenzie standing next to a sign for “The Witness Tree”, in a previous blog post called Road Trip Through Our Family History. In today’s blog post, I will provide additional details about William Burt and explore a possible family connection. First,…
Sylvester P. Mason was born on about 1815 in Danube, Herkimer, New York. His father’s name was George Mason.On June 23, 1834, at the age of 19, Sylvester enlisted in the U.S. Army in Albany New York. Sylvester P. Mason enlists in the U.S. Army on June 23, 1834, in Albany, New…
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…
I remember a trip took when I was young, 1988 based on the photos, with my parents and grandparents (Alexander and Edna McKenzie). We often took long drives, sometimes to find that “perfect garage sale”, sometimes just to drive. On this trip, we visited several places in and near Montmorency County, Michigan….
I had my DNA tested through Ancestry.com in 2014. As I think most genealogist would agree, the possibility of finding family connections based on shared DNA is an exciting prospect. On the other hand, staring at a list of almost 3,000 DNA matches ranging from my paternal uncle to a…
Mary Anna Faught was born in Bridgehampton, Sanilac, Michigan on January 18, 1870, the first and only child of George Faught and Elizabeth Miller. The family was enumerated on the 1870 census living in Bridgehampton. George is a farmer and Elizabeth is at home keeping house and taking care of her…
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)…
Donald McKenzie (1787 – 1874) Donald McKenzie, my 4th great grandfather was born in Scotland in 1787. He married Mary Catherine Clunas on May 30, 1812. That same year Donald and Mary, immigrated from their home in Scotland to New York and lived there for a short time. Donald and his wife…
Margaret “Maggie” McKenzie was born on April 23, 1849, in Ontario Canada the eldest daughter of Donald S. McKenzie and Sarah Maria (Biggar) McKenzie. On December 18, 1873, she married David Clark in Blenheim, Kent, Ontario, Canada. Between 1874 and 1889, Maggie and David had seven children: Garnet Wolsley Clark born August 20,…
Michael King was my paternal 6th great grandfather. Born in Philadelphia, York County, Pennsylvania to Philip and Catherine King in 1741. I think every genealogist dreams of finding an ancestor that was alive during such a historically significant event as the Revolutionary War (1775 – 1782). I haven’t yet found…
