A Good Day To Die?

Looks like my maternal Great Grandfather (John A. McConnell) was hit by a train the day before my birthday in 1901. He spent the next day (November 24th) in the hospital, then died 24 hours later. Happy Birthday to me!

Paging Mr. Cock

While Looking through the 1840 Grayson Co, VA Census records I found a person by the name of Valentine Cock. I'm not joking! In the same county I also found Polly Pickle, Louisa Fag, and a guy named Pleasant Perky.

I want to live there.

Thistle, Maple Leaf, Eagle and Shamrock?

Every person who has investigated their family history has gone through the experience in a different way. The process can be enlightening for some and educational for others. Skeletons can be let out of closets, family myths confirmed, and historical connections debunked. I'm sure I'll experience all of these things while learning about my family. It's my hope to chronicle some of my discoveries here in this blog as I delve into my Father's family.

Thistle & Maple Leaf refers to Scotland and Canada. My Paternal Grandmother (Shaw, Main) came to Ellis Island from Airdrie, Scotland when she was 15 years old and eventually settled with her family in Minneapolis, Minnesota. My Grandfather (Pickard) hailed from New Brunswick, Canada and was sent to Minneapolis, at about the same age, after his mother died. Their lives prior to arriving in the United States were very different, yet somehow their paths crossed in Hennepin County.

As far as I know the story of my Mother's family (McConnell, Keyser, Reins, Symonds) has nothing to do with Canada. This cast of characters hails mainly from Germany and Scotland, and maybe even Ireland. Most of them settled in Illinois and Missouri in the early 1800's. I'll delve into that genealogy as well.