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…
In previous posts, I wrote about my great grandmother Mae Arla (King) McKenzie and the letters she wrote to her daughter Cora. As in everything, timing and context are important when analyzing the lives of our ancestors. To catch up on the life of Mae and her family thus far, take a moment…
In previous posts, I wrote about my great grandmother Mae Arla (King) McKenzie and the letters she wrote to her daughter Cora. As in everything, timing and context are important when analyzing the lives of our ancestors. To catch up on the life of Mae and her family thus far, take a moment…
In a previous post, Letters From Home: Mae McKenzie I wrote about my great grandmother Mae Arla (King) McKenzie and the letters she wrote to her daughter Cora. As in everything, timing and context are important when analyzing the lives of our ancestors. To catch up on the life of…
My great grandmother, Mae Arla (King) McKenzie would have been 116 years old today. In celebration of her birthday, I would like to share a letter written by her to her daughter Cora. Several of these letters, as well as cards and photos, were given to me a couple of…
This picture is of my great grandfather Orlie Charles McKenzie, with an unknown friend, very proudly displaying a bear that one of them had shot. The photo was most likely taken in Montmorency County, Michigan, and was given to me by my grandmother Edna Jean (Burt) McKenzie. Orlie Charles McKenzie…
Orlie Charles McKenzie – WW1 Military Photo Friday, April 7th, 2017, was the 100th anniversary of the U.S. entry into World War 1. This got me to thinking about my great grandfather Orlie Charles McKenzie, who served in the 330th Field Artillery, Battery C, which was a part of the 85th…
If you grew up in Northern Michigan during the winter, as I did, you are more than familiar with the blustery conditions that we endure during the months of November thru March. I recently found a small notice in the Detroit Free Press about my 2nd great grandfather William Hawley…
In an earlier blog post called Road Trip Through Our Family History, I mentioned some photos that I found labeled as Faught Lake. If you remember the photos also suggested that this lake was named after my 2nd great grandmother Mary Anna Faught. Since I found these photos and wrote the previous…
George Faught, my 3rd great grandfather, was born on July 12, 1837, in New York, the youngest child of Lawrence Faught and Bridget Fogarty. By June 11, 1860, George was living with his mother Bridgette and two older siblings William and Ann in Lexington, Sanilac, Michigan. George’s father Lawrence had passed…
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…
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 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….
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…
