In the ongoing drama over who is related to my 3rd great uncle, Patrick Dolan, I have a new puzzle piece. You may remember from my previous posts that Patrick’s will was filed in 1906, but lost in the San Francisco earthquake. It was refiled after the dust settled. I originally thought that because of…
Category: California Genealogy
Grandma’s Mandolin: She Never Played For Us
Growing up, I was intrigued by the musical instrument that sat on a shelf in our hall closet. It had a short neck, a round body, and beautiful wood patterns. I was told it was a mandolin. But, where did it come from? I imagined it was one of those things my dad acquired. He…
52 Ancestors, Week 28: 24 Miles was a Journey
[This is my entry for 52 Ancestors Week 28: Road Trips] Today, a trip from Oakland, California to Centerville and Fremont, California is but a hop, skip, and a jump. If traffic isn’t bad, you can drive there in less than 30 minutes. This view of Fremont Central Park gives an idea of what the…
52 Ancestors Week 26: John and Mary Jane, I Hardly Know You
I have made it half way through the 52 Ancestors in 52 Weeks challenge. Woo Hoo! Usually I’ve given up by this point because life interferes. I’m behind a week, as usual, but at least I am still here! It is the halfway mark, so I’ll write about an ancestor I’ve researched only half way. …
52 Ancestors Week 25: Finding the Jackson House
This weeks theme for 52 Ancestors in 52 Weeks is the Old Homestead. I’ve only seen one of my ancestral homes in person. I really wanted to locate the house my grandmother, Anna (Jackson) Shellabarger grew up in Oakland, California. I used Google Maps and the Oakland Interactive Planning database to fulfill my mission. My…