Honoring Irish Ancestors

My Irish born ancestors were part of the "famine immigrants", and I'm just beginning to delve into their histories. So far I've identified James Langan, (born abt 1805), whose daughter Catherine married my ggGrandfather Frederick Berge and Lawrence McNally (born abt 1828) and Bridget Heron (born abt 1830), whose daughter Mary Teresa married my great grandfather Charles D. Sanders.

Catherine Langan is listed on the 1850 federal census as a 6 year old, born in Pennsylvania and living with her father James, a coal miner, 14 year sister Mary, born in Ireland, 11 year old Thomas, 10 year old Bridget, 7 year old James and 5 year old Ann, all listed as born in Pennsylvania. I have not yet identified James' wife and the mother of the children.

If the census records are accurate, then Mary was born in Ireland in 1836, and Thomas born in Pennsylvania in 1838, that narrows the year of arrival. If all children had the same mother, she was alive in 1845 when Ann was born, but not listed on the 1850 census. Did she die in that five year period, if not, where might she have been?

The Langan family was living in Luzerne County, PA in 1850-1860, so my next search will be for the baptismal records for the children, in an attempt to determine the name of the mother of this family. Hopefully this additional information will assist me in determining the exact date of immigration and ultimately the area of origin in Ireland.

My other Irish immigrant also lived in Luzerne County, PA and spent his life working there as a coal miner. I have a bit more clues about Lawrence McNally to help me in my search for more details about he and his family. I believe Bridget Heron was the mother not only of my ancestor Mary, but also, Sarah, Ann, Thomas, Patrick, William, John and Charles. Bridget, born in Ireland shows up as a widow, living with her middle-aged children Ann and William in the 1900 and 1910 census records. Lots of clues here to keep me busy researching for the foreseeable future.

I hope to make a trip to Ireland some day and knowing the specific areas that these ancestors walked will make the trip especially meaningful.

Playing with family photos

Civil War ancestors

Frederick William Berge

My great great grandfather, Frederick Berge was born in Hesse-Kassel in 1838; at 17 years old, he immigrated to the United States, settling in Scranton, Pennsylvania.

When Fort Sumpter was shelled by Confederate forces, and fell in early April, 1861, the new president Abraham Lincoln asked the states to call up volunteers for 90 days. On the 27th of April, Frederick Berge, not yet a citizen, enlisted as a musician in Company C, 15th Regiment, Pennsylvania Volunteer Infantry. On August 7, 1861 on expiration of his term, he was honorably discharged.

Less, than a week later, he reenlisted in Company M. 4th Regiment Penna. Volunteer Cavalry to serve for 3 years as Bugler under Captain A. Dart and Cols. J. H. Childs and G. H. Covode. The regiment was on provost duty in Washington, D.C. until May of 1862, when they were assigned to the Cavalry Division, Army of the Potomac. They fought in Virginia for almost a year, then returned to Pennsylvania to participate in the Battle of Gettysburg, July 1-3. 1863. After being honorably discharged Jan. 4. 1864, he reenlisted as a veteran for 3 years more or the duration of the war in same Company and Regiment.

The regiment was at Appomattox to witness Lee's Surrender on April 9, 1865. After the surrender, they were sent on an expedition after "Extra Billy Smith" the oldest Confederate General and Governor of Virginia. Finally after four years of war, Frederick Berge was honorably discharged July 1, 1865 at Lynchburg Va.

Charles Sanders

My great grandfather, Charles D. Sanders, lived in Pleasant Valley (later named Avoca), Pennsylvania at the beginning of the Civil War. He enlisted on August 20, 1862, as a Private in Company M, Pennsylvania Volunteers, Heavy Artillery. During the war, he served as division wagon master. In the spring of 1864, his regiment participated in the Wilderness campaign, fighting at Spottsylvania and Cold Harbor.

The 2nd battalion shared in the charge at Petersburg, VA. on June 18, by which ground was gained that became the front line of the army. In Jan., 1865 the regiment joined in last charges upon the enemy's works, afterward entering the city.

Charles Sanders was discharged on 20 January, 1865.

A Fulmer Civil War ancestor?

I found this photo last month and like so many others, it was not identified. It was with other photographs that belonged to my father, so I suspect it is a member of the Fulmer family.

Another genealogy puzzle that hopefully will be solved someday.

Finding Family Photos

I've been taking a short break from winter in Anchorage with a visit to family in Pennsylvania. This past Saturday I spent time with an aunt and uncle in New Jersey and enjoyed hearing stories of their memories of WWII. My aunt spent some of the war in Hawaii with her parents and sister, when her father worked at Pearl Harbor. She related the story of traveling there with a destroyer escort. My uncle, as a marine spent the war in the Pacific as well; a few years after the war they met when he took a job in her home town of York, PA.

Sunday, while having brunch with cousins, the idea of a family reunion was floated and more family stories were related. After I returned to PA, I was pleasantly surprised to receive a group of photos that my cousin scanned and emailed to me. (Thanks again Jane!) The photo above is of Anna (Kirkhuff) Berge, Florence Ann Berge, and William Henry Berge. Flossie, born October 30, 1890, was my mother's mother.