Francis Bailey

Francis Bailey

I don't know too much more about Francis Bailey other than that he served in the Civil War in the 152nd Indiana Infantry Co. H.  This company was organized toward the end of the war mustering in March 1865 and mustering out August 1865. I don't know anything of particular note about his service thus far in my research. 

The next piece of information I have is the article that told of Francis Bailey's very horrible death. 

** Viewer Discretion Advised**

Fort Wayne Daily Gazette, July 29, 1869, pg 4

For me, when I found this article, it was one of those moments when I have had an unexpected, visceral, and emotional reaction to a family history discovery. The details of Francis' death were so horrific and must have been so devastating to his family that this article stayed with me for days afterwards. I couldn't stop thinking about what a horrible realization this would have been for Josephine.  

Fort Wayne Daily Gazette, July 30, 1869, pg. 4

In an incredible twist of fate, his son, my 3rd great grandfather, August Bailey was also killed by a train, although the circumstances of that tragedy were very different and that is a story for another day. 

Hanorah O'Donnell Garrity

Hanorah O'Donnell Garrity

I have noticed that I have developed a certain fondness for the family members that gave me the most trouble (in terms of finding them and their stories), this is the case with my 4th great grandmother Hanorah O'Donnell Garrity*.

When I saw that the theme was your favorite Irish ancestor I knew I had to be Hanorah (obviously week 11 was supposed to cover St. Patrick's Day, so I'm still behind).

Tracking down Hanorah and her family was a challenge. Her daughter Lizzie and August's (my 3rd great grandparents') sacramental marriage record listed her parents as John and Anna Gariety and death record listed them as Patrick Gerrity and Katherine O'Donnell.  This was very confusing. I had know idea which was right. It turns out that neither were completely accurate. The best clue that I had was a list of siblings in Lizzie's obituary: Mary Engle, Sarah Wright, Jennie Davitt, Catherine Hennessy, and Joseph Fitzpatrick. The presence of a brother whose last name wasn't Garrity let me know that at some point her mother must have gotten remarried and some of these siblings were half siblings. I began looking for marriage, census and death records that include these siblings. This is how I was able to confirm the family members and timeline for Lizzie's family. Normally I have not collected death records for all siblings in a family, just for my direct ancestors, however, because Lizzie's mother was listed as Honor, Hannah, Anna, Nora, and Hanorah, it was necessary to collect all documents to make sure I was finding the right person. 

I found the above from Roots Ireland. Other than the name spellings, 

all other details are as they should be to match up with 

what I know about Hanorah and Patrick Garrity.

According to the South Mayo Family Research Center, Patrick and Hanorah's wedding would have taken place at the parish church, a picture of the church that was there at the time of their marriage is above. The picture is from circa 1900. The church is no longer there, a new church was built on the site. 

   

The census record above on the left is Patrick and Hannah Garrity with their children, including Lizzie in 1860. The one on the right is Patrick and Hannah Fitzpatrick in 1870 with Hannah's children from Patrick Garrity and their children together. Hanorah and Patrick Fitzpatrick were married in May of 1862, so Patrick Garrity likely died sometime in 1860 or 1861.  

There is still a lot more I'd like to learn about Hanorah and Patrick Garrity. I have no idea how Patrick died, leaving Hanorah with 5 children and I don't know much about her life with second husband Patrick Fitzpatrick except that they had 3 more children together. 

Hanorah passed away on April 17, 1918 from Lobar Pneumonia. She was living with her daughter Sarah (Sadie) Wright in Indianapolis. She was buried in Muncie, Indiana at Beech Grove Cemetery.  

Octave Archambeault

Octave Archambeault

The theme for this week was stormy weather and it reminded me of an interesting little article I found in several regional papers regarding a storm weathered by my third great grandfather, Octave Archambeault.

I don't know much about the ins and outs of Octave's life, I haven't "gotten around" to him yet, at least not a deep dive. I have the basic information, I feel like sometimes I get out as far as I can on a line and then dig in deep further back in the past working my way back to my generation, but that means I haven't really dug into the 2nd and 3rd great grandparents as much.

Anyway, I know that he was the son of French-Canadian immigrants (he being also descended from Jacques Archambault), and that he married a women named Ida McWilliams and settled in a little town called Argos, Indiana. He and his wife had 8 children that I am aware of, my 2nd great grandma Lillian among them.

Octave and Ida, presumably with Lillian and Violet

Left to Right, Margaret, Clarence, Ida, Jack, Lillian, Melvin, Virginia, Octave, and Violet

While searching for Octave in newspapers, I came across this little article that I found interesting. I spend so much time looking for records of the basic life events, but when I find anything out of the ordinary it really sticks with me, even if its something small or mundane or even if its a little unfortunate I still feel lucky to have gotten a little bit of insight into their lives and what happened to them beyond birth, marriage, kids, death. That's how I feel about this little article about Octave Archambeault's farm and a storm...

The Kokomo Tribune, May 29 1947, Pg 13

Octave lived a good long life dying in 1970 at the age of 93. He left behind a large family...76 great grandchildren.... I would love to figure out how many great great great grandchildren he has....

This was emailed to me and I'm not sure what the source is. I imagine it is from the Plymouth paper.