Family History at a Wedding Reception

Photo by K. Kenniston

At the wedding reception of my niece Katie to Ryan last weekend, they displayed wedding pictures of their parents and grandparents. What a beautiful expression of family history! Congratulations to Katie and Ryan!

The bride and groom took time out to get a picture with Katie's father and all of his siblings.

Photo by K. Kenniston

Our mom, Joyce Parker Orshoski, often said that though she was not rich or famous, her contribution to the world was her six kids. She took pictures of us all together at every major family event. In her memory, the tradition continues. Miss you Mom!

Sentimental Sunday: Historical Marker Honoring Good Samaritan Hospital

Now a part of Firelands Regional Medical Center, Sandusky's Good Samaritan Hospital was established in 1876. All of the six children of my parents, Paul and Joyce (Parker) Orshoski, were born in Sandusky at Good Samaritan Hospital. Most of the babies were delivered by our beloved family doctor, Dr. Watson Day Parker. Dr. Watson (we called him that to distinguish him from his brother, Dr. Lester Parker) said that delivering a baby in our family was like running a printing press, because we all looked alike!

We visited the hospital SO many times! To see someone who had just had surgery, or take one of the boys to the emergency room, or to have yet another set of tonsils removed. My dad lived his final days in Good Samaritan Hospital. He was racked with pain from lung cancer, and he got to know all his caregivers there. After Good Samaritan Hospital became a part of the Firelands Regional Medical Center, my mom worked at the information desk. She got to know doctors, nurses, visitors, and even the dietary staff and the cleaning crew! She said she enjoyed "telling people where to go."

After Mom's death, the flag at Firelands Regional Medical Center was at half staff, in memory of Mom. Such a fitting tribute! Good Samaritan Hospital and Firelands Regional Medical Center have played an important part in the lives of so many of my family members.

Sentimental Sunday: City of Sandusky's Founding Honored on a Manhole Cover

Embedded in the sidewalk near the lovely Schade-Mylander Plaza, this manhole cover honors the founding of the city of Sandusky in 1818. A waterfront scene shows a vessel, waves on Sandusky Bay, seagulls, and a structure near the dock, causing us to recall the importance of Sandusky's natural harbor, which enabled the early transporting of necessary goods in and out of our fair city. Click here to read an article entitled "Sandusky, Pioneer Link Between Rail and Sail," by Leola Stewart. This article is archived on the website of the Ohio History Connection. The city of Sandusky will be celebrating its Bicentennial in 2018!

Treasure Chest Thursday: Baptism Record of Patrick Larkin/Larkins

Listed on Number 21 on the image above is the baptism record of Patrick Larkin, who was the son of Daniel Larkin and Johanna Skehan of County Tipperary, Ireland. Patrick was baptized on March 21, 1827. These records are from the Killenaule parish. His baptismal sponsors were Patrick and Sally Graham. Thank you Malcolm for sharing this precious piece of family history with me!  "It's a long, long way to Tipperary," but with the computer age, this record finally found its way to me! Patrick Larkin/Larkins is my three times great grandfather. He came to the U.S. about 1830, and made his way to Sandusky, Ohio where he worked on the Mad River and Lake Erie Railroad, and later at Hubbard's lumber yard. Patrick and many of my Larkin/Larkins ancestors found their final resting place at St. Joseph Catholic Cemetery in Sandusky, Ohio.

I am so thrilled to learn this piece of the puzzle of my Irish ancestry!

Tuesday's Tip: Get to Know the Historic Graves Website

An exciting online project is found at historicgraves.com.  Primarily devoted to gravestones of Ireland and the United Kingdom, the project aims to digitally record and publish historic graveyard surveys and stories. This slideshare presentation tells more about the project:

http://historicgraves.com/graveyardsmap

Once you are at the Historic Graves site, you can do a "family search" under the search tab. You can limit the search by surname, keyword, and by a specific graveyard.

To read even more about the Historic Graves community based project, see:

HistoricGraves 2012: the Project

While I was unable to locate any of my own Irish ancestors at Historic Graves, it was wonderful to be able to see the graves and epitaphs, and learn more about the cemeteries throughout Ireland. I encourage you to take some time exploring this excellent site!

Julius House used Hibbard's Family Pills in 1836

In a recent search at the Fulton History website, which features thousands of historical newspapers from the state of New York, I found this fascinating testimonial from my ancestor, Julius House:

Perkins, Huron Co., July 4, 1836

I have used Hibbard’s Family Pills in my family, and do not hesitate to

give them the preference to any we ever used. They are much esteemed

by all who have tried them in our neighborhood.

Julius House

This article is found underneath an advertisement for Hibbard's Pills in the Troy New York Daily Whig newspaper in 1837.  It was amazing to find such a small piece of information about an ancestor of mine who lived in the Firelands area so long, long ago!

Julius House was an early settler to Erie County (then Huron County) and he died in 1871, and was buried in the Perkins Cemetery.

Rev. Frank A.Seidel, Early Lutheran Minister in Sandusky, Ohio

Rev. Frank Anton Seidel was born October 17, 1831 at Koprieben, in Pommerania. He studied at the University of Halle. In 1855, F.A. Seidel was appointed the vicar of Zion Evangelical Lutheran Church in Sandusky, Ohio. In 1856, he was called to the pastorate of the congregation. According to a history of Zion Lutheran Church, housed at the Sandusky Library, Rev. Seidel was "a man of fine, energetic Christian character and of splendid mental and oratorical gifts." He was a good leader, and the church had the highest hopes and expectations. In February of 1856, Rev. Seidel became sick, and he died on March 7, 1856. He was laid to rest at Sandusky's Oakland Cemetery. His flat tombstone is in Block 17 of the cemetery.