Steve’s Genealogy Blog

I wanted to write something for the inaugural edition of the Carnival of Irish Heritage and Culture, but I have no Irish heritage myself. None. At all. That statement belies the fact that my CD collection is full of Celtic music and my favorite radio program is The Thistle and Shamrock.

That much said, my family does have Irish connections. One of my uncles married a Irish woman by the name of Mary Louise O’Connor, a stunning beauty in both appearance and demeanor.

However, while talking with my uncle, I learned that the circumstances surrounding the marriage of Mary’s parents were a bit unusual.

Mary Louise O’Connor’s father was Dennis Valentine O’Connor, born in 1897 in Boston, Massachusetts. He was born on Valentine’s Day, hence the middle name.

When Dennis graduated from school, his parents gave him a trip to Ireland as a graduation gift, and so Dennis traveled to the land of his ancestors.

The problem was that, when it was time for Dennis to return to Boston, he didn’t. In Ireland, Dennis met a girl named Hannah Tobin and the two were married. Their daughter, Mary Louise, was born on 15 Jul 1921 in Knocknagashel, County Kerry.

The family eventually came to America. In addition to Mary Louise, Dennis and Hannah had 10 more children and named them Catherine, Joseph, Paul, Daniel, Dorothy, Francis, Gerald, Joseph, Marjorie, and Patricia.

All this because Dennis’ parents gave him a trip to Ireland as a graduation present.

Copyright © 2007 by Stephen J. Danko

Becky at Kinexxions and Schelly at Tracing the Tribe have tagged me for the 161 meme, whereby I’m asked to turn to page 161 of the book I’m currently reading and read the 6th sentence on that page.

I tend read several books simultaneously, and so I’ve selected two of these, one for each tag.

The first book is Armistead Maupin’s More Tales of the City.

Page 161, sentence 6: “I never will.”

This sentence is quite enigmatic when read out of context. Michael is dictating a letter to tell his mother he is gay. The entire passage, with the sixth sentence in context reads:

“There’s not much else I can say, except that I’m the same Michael you’ve always known. You just know me better now. I have never consciously done anything to hurt you. I never will.”

Maupin, Armistead. 1980. More tales of the city. New York: Harper & Row.

The second book is Anna R. Dadlez’ In Time of War Growing Up during the Nazi Occupation and its Aftermath.

Page 161, sentence 6: “Her face, wet with tears, was marked by running mascara and some previous attempts with rouge.”

To set the scene, Violetta has sheltered three members of the Polish Home Army in her beauty salon. A German corporal and his unit, looking for the three men, have arrived at Violetta’s building. In context, the passage reads:

“He was, however, distracted from climbing the steps to the front entrance by the abrupt opening of its very door. In it appeared Violetta in pink overalls and matching turban. Her face, wet with tears, was marked by running mascara and some previous attempts with rouge.”

Dadlez, Anna R. 2006. In time of war growing up during the Nazi occupation and its aftermath. Lublin [Poland]: John Paul II Catholic University of Lublin.

I’d like to hear what the following five people are reading:

• Brenda at Brenda Dougall Merriman
• Brian at Zalewski Family Genealogy
• G at how to survive suburban life
• George Morgan at Along Those Lines…
• Susan at Echo Hill Ancestors

Copyright © 2007 by Stephen J. Danko