The Names Joseph and Julia Orshoski Appear Many Times in My Family Tree

On my father's side of the family, there are many times in which a male has the name Joseph Orshoski, and a female has the name of Julia Orshoski. My oldest ancestor named Joseph Orshoski (1859-1940) was my 2 times great grandfather. He was born and died in Hungary. He came to the U.S. with his son, my great grandfather of the same name. He did not wish to remain in America, and he returned to Hungary. Below is an excerpt of the ship manifest from the ship Bulgaria in 1901. You can see the names Josef Orsoczky ages 42 and 16 on the manifest, which I found on the Ellis Island website.

My great grandfather Joseph Orshoski (1885-1976) is pictured below with his second wife, named Julia, nee Szmolya. These are the great grandparents I knew and loved, They lived in Bay Bridge, where Grandpa Joe worked many years at the Medusa Cement plant. 

Another Joseph Orshoski (1907-1954) was the son of Joseph Orshoski (1885-1976) and his first wife Julia Orshoski, nee Herzog. This Julia (mother of Joe Jr.) died in 1919, leaving Grandpa Joe with six sons. Joseph Orshoski , Jr. who died in 1954 passed away from injuries during a tragic trailer fire in Bay Bridge. His final resting place was near his mother, at the Castalia Cemetery.

Yet another Joseph Orshoski is my nephew, the son of my brother Matthew  S. Orshoski. He is alive and well!

The oldest Julia Orshoski in my family tree was my great grandmother, who died in 1919. A scene from her funeral service at St. Mary's Church in Sandusky is pictured below. Many friends and relatives from Bay Bridge were at the service.

My great grandpa Joseph Orshoski married secondly, Julia Orshoski, nee Szmolya. She was a wonderful cook and babysitter, and she saw to it that Grandpa Joe's glass for his beer was always chilled in the refrigerator. A favorite treat she made were special cookies with a walnut filling and covered in powdered sugar. Below is a clipping of  Joseph and Jula Orshoski on the occasion of their 50th wedding anniversary. 

Two more young ladies, named Julia Orshoski, both great granddaughters of Joseph Orshoski (1885-1976), came along in future generations. They are all grown up now. The names of Joseph and Julia Orshoski are well known by all our extended family. They taught us to work hard, and to love your family heritage!

The MIddle Names of Ada and Alpha Steen

My great grandmother Ada Steen and her identical twin sister Alpha Steen were born to Charles and Sarah Milner Steen on February 3, 1880. They were close to each other throughout all their lives.

One day I go to wondering about the middle names of these precious twin girls. It turns out that the names of the twins were Alpha Huldah Steen and Ada Lorinda Steen.

You can see their full names in this copy from the Milner Family Bible, now in the collections of the Family Bibles at the R.B. Hayes Presidential Library.

 

A fuller view of this page from the Family Bible is:

 

Alpha's middle name was after her maternal grandmother, Huldah Milner Steen. Ada's middle name was after her paternal grandmother Lorinda Stevens Steen.

Below is a chart showing the parents and grandparents of Ada and Alpha Steen.

 

My mom told me so many stories about Great Grandma Ada Steen Parker! Charles and Sarah Steen truly loved those twins, along with their brothers Rollin and Harry, who sadly died young. 

The Tragic Life of Virginia Hutchinson Kelley Newberry

 

Virginia Hutchinson Kelley was born in 1890 to Herman and Florence Kelley. She was a descendant of Datus Kelley, who had long been connected with the development of Kelleys Island. Virginia was a graduate of Vassar College, and after graduation, she spent three years abroad. She worked with her mother in social work, with special focus on helping the blind. Virginia Hutchinson Kelley married Arthur Cleveland Newberry on June 18, 1914. At that time of the wedding all knew that Virginia was suffering from spinal meningitis. Sadly, on June 28, 1914, Virginia died from her illness, only ten days after her wedding.

Virginia's husband, Arthur Cleveland Newberry, was a chemist at the Sandusky Portland Cement Company in Bay Bridge, Ohio. His father, Spencer Baird Newberry, had been one of the founders of the company, which was later known as Medusa Portland Cement Company.

Both Virginia Hutchinson Kelley Newberry and Arthur Cleveland Newberry, are buried at Lake View Cemetery in Cleveland, Ohio.

If you have ever driven by Bay Bridge, in Erie County, you may see Newberry Avenue, which was named after the  Newberry family.

Obituaries for Mrs. Virginia Hutchinson Kelley Newberry appeared in the June 29, 1914 and June 30, 1914 issues of the Sandusky Register, and in the Cleveland Plain Dealer of  June 29, 1914. She was beloved by her family and husband. May she rest in peace.

Halley Monument at St. Joseph's Cemetery

This tall monument at St. Joseph’s Cemetery in Sandusky, Ohio, honors the memory of several members of the Halley family. Laurence and Anastasia Halley were natives of Ireland, and emigrated to Sandusky, Ohio. By 1860, Laurence Halley had died, and Anastasia was living in Sandusky with several children. Anastasia Halley died in 1860. The Halley monument also honors the memory of sons James Halley, who died in 1862, and Morris Halley, who died in 1926.

In the 1880 U.S. Census, brothers John, Patrick, Nicholas, and Morris Halley were all residing in Toledo, Ohio. They worked as fish dealers, while their sister Mary Halley was listed as a house keeper.

Martin Halley moved to Dayton, Ohio, where he was a day laborer. William Halley, also known as William Holley, was in the 1870 U.S. Census with his wife Margaret, and two small children. By 1880, he was connected with the Union Pacific Railway. He died in 1886. William and Margaret named two of their children Lawrence and Anastasia, after William’s parents.

 Though several members of the Halley family moved away from Sandusky, they spent their younger years in Sandusky, Ohio, where they attended the Catholic Church.

 

How Joyce Emada Parker Orshoski Got Her Middle Name

 

When my mother was born in 1931, her parents, Steen Parker and Doris Wheeler Parker named her Joyce Emada Parker. "Emada" was a combination of the first names of  Doris’s stepmother Emma Larkins, and Steen’s mother Ada ParkerThrough the years, Mom really did not her middle name. When some of our Orshoski cousins lived next door, they called her “Aunt Joyce Tomato.” This made my mom like her middle name even less!

As time goes by, I appreciate Mom’s middle name more and more! Emma Larkins helped to raise my grandma Doris, and Grandma Ada was there for everyone, with her cooking and baking, and wisdom.

While I do not have a picture of Grandma Emma Larkins, I do have a picture of Grandma Ada with me as an infant, along with our pet dog Rusty. If you have questions about the names of your ancestors, be sure to ask your parents and grandparents questions about those names!

Sorting Out Two Peter Dalys in Sandusky, Ohio

Two individuals, both named Peter Daly, are buried At St. Joseph's Cemetery in Sandusky, Ohio. Both were of  Irish descent, and of the Catholic faith, and only ten years apart in age. The tombstone below honors the memory of Peter Daly who died in 1903.

This Peter Daly had resided on Madison Street in Sandusky, Ohio, and his children were Joseph, Michael, Patrick, Bernard, and Mrs. A. Herring. His wife was Catherine Daly.

Another Peter Daly buried at St. Joseph's Cemetery does not have an individual stone, but a tombstone for Bernard indicates that Peter and Rose Daly were the parents of Bernard who died in 1884. The other children of Peter and Rose Daly were: Michael, Catherine, Jane "Jennie" and James.They resided on McDonough Street in Sandusky, Ohio.

Records on file at FamilySearch.org from the Diocese of Toledo helped to sort out when each of the Peter Dalys died. A brief death record for each Peter Daly indicated that they were buried at St. Joseph's Cemetery, from Saints Peter and Paul Church.

If you have ancestors from Erie County, Ohio who were of the Catholic faith, visit FamilySearch.org to view records of baptisms, deaths, and marriages from the Toledo Diocese. It is free to access these records, but registration is required.

It still is uncertain if these two Peter Dalys were related, but it is most likely that they knew each other. It was not an easy life for Irish immigrants in the U.S. They faced hard work, and often dealt with prejudice from others in the community. The Dalys were just some of the many families in Erie County, Ohio, who helped to make up the "melting pot" of these  United States.

Photo Credits: Diane at Find a Grave, top image

                        J. Mazza, bottom image

John and Elizabeth Murphy, from Ireland to Sandusky

John Murphy and his wife, the former Elizabeth Daly, were both natives of Ireland. They emigrated from Ireland to Sandusky, Ohio prior to 1868.  In 1868, John Murphy married Elizabeth Daly (sometimes spelled Daily) in Erie County, Ohio. Judge A.W. Hendry signed the application for marriage license.

In the 1880 U.S. Census, John and Lizzie Murphy were residing on Tiffin Avenue, with their children: Ellen (also known as Nellie), age 9; Peter age 7; and infant Sallie, also known as Sarah. John Murphy was employed by a handle factory. The Murphys were neighbors to several member of  the Daly family, who were most likely related to Elizabeth Murphy.  The area in Tiffin Avenue where John and Elizabeth resided was known as the "Western Liberties." It was in close proximity to Holy Angels Church.

Elizabeth Murphy died on June 19, 1890. She was buried at St. Joseph's Cemetery in Sandusky, Ohio. Her husband John Murphy died in 1907. At the time of his death, he was a resident of Chicago, Illinois. His remains were brought back to Sandusky for burial in Section C at St. Joseph's Cemetery.

The tombstone of John and Elizabeth Murphy was made by Conrad Keim, a well known Sandusky monument maker. An inscription at the base of the stone reads:

Erected by Mrs. Nellie Seger

Rest in peace John and Elizabeth Murphy.

Photo credit: J. Mazza

 

Robertson Family Lot at St. Joseph's Cemetery

The Robertson family lot is located in Section D, Lot 21 at St. Joseph's Cemetery in Sandusky, Ohio. The many stones in this lot honor the memory of several of the extended family members of William Robertson, who was an early Sandusky grocer. The Robertson grocery was at what is now 149 East Water Street in Sandusky. Mr. Robertson resided on Columbus Avenue in a building which still stands. After William Robertson retired, his sons carried on in the family business.

Tombstones, from left to right, the tombstones in the Robertson lot honor the memory of:

Elizabeth Robertson, a child who died in 1880

Ellen Robertson, a child who died in 1891

Child Robertson, who died in 1864

Frances Robertson, who died in 1865

Unknown Robertson family member

Francis Robertson, age died in 1865

William  Robertson, a child who died in 1864

Joseph Robertson, a child who died in 1874

Details about the burials of these individuals, and many other former area residents of the Catholic faith are found in the St. Joseph's Interment Records, a notebook housed  in the genealogy section of the Sandusky Library. 

Most of the tombstones in the Robertson lot represent the lives of children whose lives were cut short, and all were descendants of William Robertson.  A walk through any cemetery will give you the opportunity to discover history, art, and family connections.

Wood National Cemetery

According to the National Cemetery Administration, Wood National Cemetery is located on the grounds of a former Soldiers Home that today is called the Clement J. Zablocki VA Medical Center, Milwaukee, Wisconsin.

From 1867 until 1871, the home buried its soldiers in private cemeteries in the Milwaukee area. In 1871, a cemetery opened on the grounds. Originally known only as Soldiers Home Cemetery, it wasn't until 1937 the name was changed to honor Gen. George Wood, a longtime member of the Soldiers' Home's Board of Managers. It became a national cemetery in 1973.

The cemetery is part of the Northwestern Branch-National Home for Disabled Volunteer Soldiers National Historic Landmark district, designated on June 6, 2011.

Several Medal of Honor recipients are buried at the Wood National Cemetery, including Boatswain's Mate Michael McCormick  who died in 1865. He received the Medal of Honor while serving in the U.S. Navy, on board the USS Signal for actions in battle on the Red River, Louisiana, May 5, 1864.

Thank you to my brother for taking these photographs.

Photo credit. T.J. Orshoski

FamilySearch Alerted Me that I Have Many Ancestors Buried at the Perkins Cemetery

Below are screenshots of images of my relatives buried at Perkins Cemetery in Erie County, Ohio.  A total of 25 of my close relatives are buried at Perkins Cemetery, including my 4th great grandfather Julius House, who with his wife and several other friends and family, settled in Perkins Township in 1815, in an oxen train led by John Beatty, an abolitionist and one time Mayor of Sandusky, Ohio. Thank you FamilySearch.org for being so creative in your applications for family history!

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McKenna Monument at St. Joseph's Cemetery

In Section D, Lot 6, at St. Joseph's Cemetery in Sandusky, Ohio is a monument honoring Thomas McKenna and his family. Thomas McKenna was born in Sandusky in 1850, to Thomas McKenna and his wife, the former Mary Ann Rowland. An article which appeared in the December 16, 1893 issue of the Sandusky Register provides  us with details about his life.

Thomas McKenna was a member of the A.O.H., the Ancient Order of Hibernians, which is the oldest Irish Catholic fraternal organization in the United States. The group seeks to aid newly arrived Irish both socially and economically. In 1879, Thomas McKenna married Anna Dullighan. Rev. R.A. Sidley officiated at the marriage ceremony. 

Anna Dullighan McKenna died in 1913, and Thomas McKenna died in 1918. Below is an obituary for Thomas McKenna, from the 1918 Obituary Notebook at Sandusky Library

Thomas and Anna McKenna were buried at St. Joseph's Cemetery. Three of their children were also buried in the family lot with their parents. Clara McKenna died at the age of 10 in 1893. Theodore McKenna died in Toledo, Ohio in 1920. Leo McKenna died in 1940. At Find a Grave, you can see a photograph of the McKenna monument at St. Joseph's Cemetery. In this picture, the names on the tombstone are clearly legible. Over the years, weathering has made the names on the McKenna monument currently difficult to read. Thank you to all the volunteers at Find a Grave for documenting tombstones all over the U.S. and across the world. As time goes by, stones continue to deteriorate, and photographs taken  of tombstones now will be helpful to family researchers in the future.

 

Johanna Willmoth

Johanna Willmoth was the youngest child of Thomas and Bridget Willmoth, who were both natives of Ireland. Johanna was born in 1884, and she died in January of 1901,  at age 16 years and 4 months, from consumption. Funeral services for Johanna were held at Saints Peter and Paul Church, and a beautiful monument honors her memory at St. Joseph’s Cemetery in Sandusky, Ohio, Rest in peace Johanna!