This and That

I am going to miss the mornings here at the shore. We are closing the house this weekend . We do not plan to be back until we return from a wedding in Florida next April.

I am responsible for planning the desserts for the baby shower next month. I have a coworker who makes delicious cupcakes creatively decorated so I asked her if she would be interested in making 48 for the shower. In addition to the cake & cupcakes, I am unsure what else I plan to have. All I know is excitement is in the air as the time approaches. The pregnancy has been going well thus far. Lynee has been visiting the doctor weekly since she discovered she was pregnant. Despite being high risk, she has been doing well. Josh & Lynee decided not to name the baby Isabella. As of the other day, the baby's name was Aubree Clare Marie. Aubree because they like the name. Clare for Lynee's mother and Marie for me. A few years ago, they lost a baby in utero whom was to be named Isabella Marie. We have all been cautiously optimistic since this new baby's announcement and now that Lynee has passed 28 weeks we can plan a shower. The hall has been reserved and each of us is responsible for a part in the shower as Lynee has sisters who are supportive as well as a 19 year old daughter .

As a genealogist I am thrilled ancestry updated Pennsylvania's death certificates up to 1963 which means I now have access to my paternal grandparents certificates in 1945 & 1956 respectively. I now know for sure that Marie Schroeder Weleski died of a stroke. I heard stories referring to that fact however what I did not know was she had  a  left Subarachnoid Hemorrhage which is bleeding in the area between the brain and thin tissues that cover the brain. I knew she died two days after giving birth however I now know she died exactly 36 hours after the birth of my Uncle John. Subarachnoid Hemorrhages are very rare and only comprise between 1% to 7% of all strokes. Subarachnoid Hemorrhages are the result of a head trauma or cerebral aneurysm. The aneurysm could be congenital therefore it could have been present in Marie's brain since birth and perhaps pregnancy combined with possible high blood pressure could have been the catalyst. Marie gave birth and died at Lankenau Hospital. Once I get all the certificates organized I will be posting them to this site.

My paternal grandfather John Joseph Weleski appears to have been one shady fellow as the death certificate lists three possible names; John Wisloski, John Weleski and John Fleming. I had heard stories about him too. Wisloski was the birth name. Weleski is the name he changed it to between the births of my father and uncle. Fleming was his boxing name. (Buck Fleming) Whereas my paternal grandmother Marie was sweet, quiet and very compassionate, my paternal grandfather John was a bully. Marie was well liked in the community. John was loathed  in the community.  John had a severe alcohol problem which probably along with hypertension lead to a Cerebral Hemorrhage shortly before his 52nd birthday in 1956. The certificate provided another piece of information I was not aware of. He was in the Navy from March 1919 to July 1919 and he was just 15 years old. I wonder if his discharge from the Navy was the result of his age being discovered. Lots of young men lied about their ages when joining the service during the earlier wars before we had proper proof of Identification. To be fair, John did not have an easy life. He grew up without his father in a home where his mother never spoke English and died in 1932 followed by the sudden deaths of his brothers in 1938. John died in the home of his daughter Lillian.

I also found my maternal great grandmother's death certificate. Mary Keller Gallagher died at Roxborough Memorial Hospital in 1959 from heart failure as the result of breast cancer. Mary had a breast removed four years prior to her death.

My grandmother's maternal aunt Kate died at Roxborough Memorial in 1958. My paternal great grandfather Charles Schroeder died of Kidney Disease in 1945. More details to follow all several of my ancestors. Folklore travels down the generations so it is amazing to find proof.

James Malervy

James Malervy was the father of Daniel Malervy. Daniel was the husband of Catherine Boland. James Malervy died at the age of 66 years old from Heart Disease on June 19, 1925 and was interred at St. John the Baptist Cemetery on June 23, 1925. Within ten years, Daniel would also die from heart disease. What is interesting about this certificate is it names the parents of James. Staying with Irish custom, James named his first born son after his own father not self.  I just noticed that James Malervy's occupation was listed as a "Gentleman". Upon further research, I came to the conclusion that this particular part of the family were of independent means which explains a lot as my grandmother was raised by Daniel & Catherine after the death of her mother. Grandmom always said she was from the "Irish Lace Curtain" side of the family. Photographs of my grandmother as a child further explained the financial means of this family as all my grandmother's clothes were of high quality and the furniture in the home was also of high quality. Interesting how facts come together.

Anna Malervy

Catherine Boland Malervy gave birth to a still born daughter on February 21, 1914 whom she named Anna. Anna was interred in Holy Cross Cemetery on February 27, 1914. Anna's father was Daniel Malervy.

Baby Anna Malervy

Stillborn daughter of Daniel and Catherine Boland Malervy on February 21, 1914. Anna was interred on February 27, 1914 either at Westminster Cemetery (which appears crossed out) to Holy Cross (which is called St Mary's Cemetery) off of Spruce Street. Address at time of birth/death was 110 Canarroe Street and the funeral director was Charles McIvaine located at 4208 Ridge Ave,

Anna Malervy

Name:
Anna Malervey
Birth Date:
1914
Birth Place:
PA
Death Date:
21 Feb 1914
Death Place:
Philadelphia, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Burial Date:
27 Feb 1914
Burial Place:
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Gender:
Female
Race:
White
Residence:
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Father:
Danial Malervey
Father's Birth Place:
Ireland
Mother:
Catharine Boland
Mother's Birth Place:
Ireland
FHL Film Number:
1429020

Child of Daniel and Katherine Boland Malervy

Name: Anna Malervey
Death Date: 21 Feb 1914
Death Place: Philadelphia, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Gender: Female
Race: white
Death Age:
Estimated Birth Year:
Birth Death: 21 Feb 1914
Birthplace: Pa.
Marital Status:
Spouse's Name:
Father's Name: Danial Malervey
Father's Birthplace: Ireland
Mother's Name: Catharine Boland
Mother's Birthplace: Ireland
Occupation:
Street Address:
Place of Residence: Philadelphia, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Cemetery:
Burial Place: Philadelphia, Pa.
Burial Date: 27 Feb 1914
Additional Relatives:
Film Number: 1429020
Digital Folder Number: 4009350
Image Number: 320
Reference Number: cn 5278
Collection: Pennsylvania, Philadelphia City Death Certificates, 1803-1915

A Great Prize

Bill came across an old book written in 1918 called "The History of the Church of St John the Baptist" located in Manayunk known as the Grand Souveuir 41,ooo dollar campaign.

According to the book, in 1918 the church was in debt, and they organized a fundraiser with the expectation of collecting 30,000 dollars, half of the total debt the church owed its creditors. In the end, the parishers gave Father Murphy 41,000 dollars to help cover the costs incurred in building a new church, church hall and school between 1894 & 1906.

What was interesting about this particular fundraiser was the amounts of money those who belonged to the church gave. Yes, there was a list of who gave & how much. Yes again, if you wondered if any of our relatives were on that list in this book dated 1918.

Grace Silverthorn & Sally Keller gave a total of 50.00 dollars. Address of residence listed in the book was 3886 Terrace Street, which was the home of James & Grace Gallagher Silverthorn. John & Sally Gallagher Keller lived with Grace & James at the time. Daniel & Katherine Boland Malervy gave 5.00 dollars and they resided at 17 Osborne Street at the time. George & Mary Gallagher Cannon gave 10.00 dollars and resided at 137 Kalos Street at the time. William & Mary Keller gave 10.00 dollars and resided at 143 Seville Street at the time.

To donate 50, 10 or even 5 dollars to the church in 1918 was a lot of money for a Manayunk factory and/or Iron worker. Again, it says a lot about our ancestors' character and their devotion to church and community. The above residences were not houses our ancestors' own but houses they rented. It would be several more years, before they own their homes.

Bill discovered this little treasure in an used book store near a train station located in Mt. Airy. I guess you never know what you can come across at any given time. My husband, the flea market/yard sale/used book store junky.

More Family Found At Westminster Cemetery

Malervy-Nicholson Update

Daniel Joseph Malervy was born in Ireland on December 24, 1892 and immigrated to the United States in 1907. Currently the exact date, ship and who he immigrated with are all unknown. There are several variations of the name's spelling and I have not been able to verify which spelling the family used in Ireland.

I located the World War I record of Daniel and this record gave me the date of birth listed above. It is interesting to note that on Daniel's Head Stone at Westminster Cemetery the year of his birth was listed as 1895.

However, since the military record was dated and signed by Daniel himself, I can only assume the 1892 date is correct. According to the World War I record, Daniel lived at 17 Osborne Street on June 5, 1917 at the time of his registration. He was married to Catherine Boland and they had one child, Helen. Daniel was listed as being of medium height and built with brown hair and blue eyes. He was listed in 1917 as working at Holts & Sons as a Mill Hand. His employer was on Main Street in Manayunk. It should also be noted that Daniel signed his name Melervy on this document and not as Malervy even though the Malervy spelling was used on other records.

According to the 1920 Census Records, Daniel and his family were still listed as living in the 17 Osborne house but now he was listed as employed at the Chemical Works as a laborer. At some point, the Malervy's would move to 3827 Terrace Street in Manayunk.

Daniel was the eldest of four sons in his family. Brothers were James, John and Michael.

As noted in an earlier post, Daniel died in 1934 whereas his wife Catherine died in 1959. Both are interred in Holy Sepulchre Cemetery.

Helen Malervy, daughter of Daniel & Catherine, married Mahlon Nicholson. Mahlon & Helen resided on Manayunk Avenue in Manayunk and had two daughters, Helen and Regina. Mahlon died in 1972 whereas Helen died in 1988. Both are interred in Westminster Cemetery.

Helen Nicholson, eldest daughter of Mahlon & Helen was born October 27, 1938. Her sister, Regina was born August 2, 1940 and died December 19, 2005. Helen & Regina never married and lived also in Manayunk.

Regina Nicholson is interred in Westminster Cemetery.

If you want to read the history of the mill in Manayunk where Daniel worked in 1917, click here http://www.workshopoftheworld.com/manayunk/blantyre.html

I want to note that today this building is an apartment complex.

Ship "Merion" Left Queenstown April 18th, 1907, Arrived Philadelphia April 30th, 1907

Katherine (Kate) Boland, sister of Bridget Boland came to Philadelphia from Ireland with another of Bernard Cafferty's sisters, Margaret Cafferty. Kate was listed as being born in Killala while Margaret was listed as being born in Ballina. Click to enlarge.

Holy Sepulchre Burial Records

CAFFERTY

Section 41
Range 1
Lot 135 & 136
Family Plot
4 Double Plots (graves)
Contains 8 bodies & 3 cremains

Mary C. Cafferty
4024 Ridge Avenue
age 67
interred on 8/3/1950
grave #3 back

Bernard Cafferty
4219 Ridge Avenue
age 85
interred on 2/13/1962
grave #2 back

Margaret (Cafferty) Dilts
350 Manor Avenue
age 85
interred on 9/24/1997
grave #2 front
cremains

Lester H. Dilts
4030 Ridge avenue
age 72
interred on 2/7/1976
grave #2 front

Margaret (Siejna) Wood
no address listed
age 48
interred on 12/10/1988
grave #3 front
cremains

Baby Charlotte Wood
1948 W. Bristol Street
age 6 weeks
interred on 9/30/1960
grave #3 front

Helen (Cafferty) Martin
Langhorne Pa.
age 89
interred on 8/11/2003
grave #4 back
cremains

Frank J. Martin
3204 W. Allegheny Avenue
age 61
interred on 4/28/1966
grave #4 back

Anna (Cafferty) Siejna
4239 Ridge Avenue
age 66
interred on 5/10/1973
grave #4 front

Karl J. Siejna
1906 W. Bristol Street
age 57
interred on 4/30/1961
grave #4 front

Vincent J. Francisco
5994 Henry Avenue
age 59
interred on 7/16/1973
grave #1 back

MALERVY

Section 5
Range 12
Lot 13
Grave 2

Daniel J. Malervy
3827 Terrace Street
age 39
interred on 7/3/1934

Katherine (Boland) Malervy
3827 Terrace Street
age 69
interred on 9/21/1959

CANNON

Section 22
Range 11
Lot 1
Grave 1

George F. Cannon
119 Dawson Street
age 76
interred on 9/8/1954

Mary (aunt Mame) (Gallagher) Cannon
119 Dawson Street
age 77
interred on 9/23/1959

Holy Sepulchre Cemetery "Malervy"

Mother of Helen (Malervy) Nicholson. Daughter of John & Ella (Doherty) Boland. Sister of Bridget (Boland) McCaffery. Aunt of my grandmother Anna Marie (McCaffery) Gallagher.

Westminster Cemetery "Nicholson"

Daughter of Daniel & Katherine (Boland) Malvery

Nicholson

I went over to Westminster Cemetery to obtain burial information and pictures of the Nicholson grave site. In addition, I took another series of photographs which I will share later of the cemetery in general which included some more Keller and Ritter grave sites which may or may not be related to us. After I research the various names, I will be able to tell you whether or not there is any family connection.

Nicholson is the married name of grandmom, Anna Marie (McCaffery) Gallagher's first cousin on her mother's side. Helen (Malervy) Nicholson was the daughter of Daniel and Katherine (Aunt Kate) (Boland) Malvery. Aunt Kate was the sister of Bridget (Boland) McCaffery and the woman who took grandmom into her home after her own grandmother Ellen (Doherty) Boland died sometime in 1920. Bridget McCaffery died in 1915.

Because Helen and my grandmother were raised together, this was the closest of any sibling grandmom would ever know. Both girls were only children.

Helen E. Malvery married Mahon Nicholson and they resided on Manayunk Avenue their entire married lives. Mahon Nicholson (1914) died November 14the, 1972. Helen (1915), his wife died May 2nd, 1988. Just recently on December 22nd, 2005 their daughter Regina (Jean) died. She left one sister also named Helen. Both Nicholson sisters never married and lived at the same Manayunk address as their parents. Helen still lives in that house today.

About one year before Regina (Jean) passed away, I had the great opportunity to speak with her and she was instrumental in providing me much needed background information on the Boland family. As a matter of fact, if it was not for her I would have never known that John and Ellen (Doherty) Boland lived in Lower Merion Township (once West Manayunk) in the year 1910. It was this informational tip that lead me into the correct research direction. I only wished she survived long enough for me to have provided her the missing links, she so desired of her parents' past.

Mahon, Helen and Regina Nicholson are interred in Lot 89, Grave E 1/2 number 2 in Section "Barmouth". The Barmouth Section of Westminster Cemetery overlooks Belmont Avenue. Mahon and Helen have a headstone. As of today's date, there is no headstone for Regina.

In a post note, I also revisited Bethany German Lutheran Cemetery and took more pictures of the grave-stones. I also photographed the old Bethany German Lutheran Church where our Keller, Voigt and Ritter relatives once worshipped at. All pictures will be posted at a later date.

One Plus One Equals Two

Ellen (Doherty) Boland born 1858 in Farrah Cobrayo Ireland was grandmother to my grandmother Anna Marie McCaffery Gallagher.

Records show that Ellen came to Philadelphia from Killala, Ireland on September 6, 1908. She arrived on the ship "Friesland" with her husband John (1858), daughter Ellen (1892), son John (1895) and a grandson Michael Cafferty (1905).

What I found interesting in these ship records was the name Michael Doherty who was listed as one of the people already in Philadelphia which the above family were to meet. Michael Doherty was listed as "step-brother" to Ellen Doherty Boland. At the time, I did not have any clue to what, who or where this Michael Doherty came from, was related too. However, I found him in the 1910 Census Records as living on 3741 Sharp Street (near the 3700 block of Cresson) as a boarder who came to Philadelphia from Ireland in 1908, worked as a Laborer in a Foundry and had listed as a fellow boarder Daniel Melvery.

Guess who Daniel Melvery was? Katherine Boland's future husband. Katherine or better known as Aunt Kate was the daughter of John & Ellen (Doherty) Boland, sister to Bridget Boland McCaffery and Aunt to my grandmother.

Ahhh, family connections and why XYZ married XYZ. Daniel Melvery (1895) came to Philadelphia from Ireland in 1907. Guess who else came to Philadelphia from Ireland in 1907?
Yes, you guess it, Katherine Boland.

This all makes me think that the Boland, Doherty, Cafferty and Melvery Families all knew each other before they even immigranted to America. Fantastic. Really.

Anyway, there was one other name listed as the original contact person here in Philadelphia for Bernard & Mary (Boland) Cafferty when they came to America from Ireland on April 30, 1906. The contact person listed was John Boland's brother Martin Boland who at the time resided at 186 Calumet Street in the East Falls Section. I researched Martin Boland's immigration records and it appeared Martin Boland has been in this country since 1888. He was born in 1863.

Daniel and Catherine (Boland) Melervy

There is not information known about the Melervy family other then Catherine Boland daughter of John and Ella (Doherty) Boland and sister to Agnes Bridget (Boland) McCaffery married Daniel Melervy on April 30th, 1913 and together they had two daughters Helen and a child who died at birth.

According to the 1920 Census records, Daniel was born in Ireland and emigrated to America in 1907. In 1920, Daniel and Catherine lived with their four year old daughter Helen in a rented house on 17 Osborne Street located in the Manayunk section of Philadelphia. The 1920 Census records listed Daniel as being a "chemical worker".

I found a little more information about Daniel Melervy when I looked up the draft records for World War I. Daniel was listed as being born December 24th, 1895. He had at least one brother John Joseph Melervy who also was listed on the draft records for World War I. I also saw that his father's first name was James. Catherine (Boland) Melervy, Daniel's wife was one of the children of John and Ella (Doherty) Boland who came to this country in 1907. One of her sisters, Agnes Bridget (Boland) McCaffery is the mother of my grandmother Anna Marie (McCaffery) Gallagher.

When Anna's mother died in 1915, Anna was sent to live with her maternal grandparents. When her grandmother Ella died, she was then sent to live with her Aunt and Godmother Catherine (Boland) Melervy also known as "Aunt Kate". I do not know the exact year Anna went to live with Aunt Kate but it had to be after the 1920 Census because Anna was not listed as living in that household.

The above photograph was taken in 1916 of Catherine (Boland) Melervy holding baby Helen sitting next to her husband Daniel Melervy.

Daniel and Catherine (Boland) Malervy

3827 Terrace Street Phidelphia PA 19127

This is the house where Daniel and Catherine (known as Aunt Kate) lived with their daughter Helen and niece (Anna Marie McCaffery). The next paragraph is taken from "A Journey into the Past".

Life with Aunt Kate was nothing less than cruel. Discipline was swift, fierce and physical. I remember having many conversations with grandmom (Anna) about her life with Aunt Kate. Her memories were very painful. She told me about a house that to the outside world looked perfect. The house on 3827 Terrace was always neat and clean with its polished table tops and fine Irish linen. Family portraits decorated the living areas. All appeared very normal. There was the father and mother and the two girls, Anna and her younger cousin Helen. They attended Catholic school. They attended Sunday Mass. But what the outside world could not possibly know is the cruelty that went on behind closed doors. Aunt Kate had severe mood swings. She also liked to have a drink and the story goes that when prohibition went into effect, Aunt Kate was known to hide her alcohol in the backyard. Whether Aunt Kate had a problem with alcohol or whether she was manic depressive, we will never know for sure but what we do know for sure it that Aunt Kate beat Anna. Most of the time the beatings took place in the basement of the house. Sometimes Anna was tied to a chair. The beatings occurred when Anna did not perform her chores to Aunt Kate’s satisfaction such as the tables were not polished correctly or there was lint on the floor.

Anna endured these beatings for the next eight years until the day she came home from school and an angry and out of control Aunt Kate grabbed Anna as she walked in the door. She beat Anna until she was covered in blood. Anna ran out the door and to a neighbor’s house. Hurt and crying she was brought into the house. From that point on, Anna lived at 3902 Terrace in the care of the Gallagher family.

Burial Records at St. John the Baptist Church

St John the Baptist Catholic Church & Cemetery in 1907
(located center of this photo)



Family History Update
June 14th, 2005


I recently traveled over to St John’s and reviewed once again in great detail the church’s burial records. Listed below are some details of our family burial records that are currently recorded in St John’s books.

Grace R Silverthorn
Died March 20th, 1930
Buried March 24th, 1930 and interred in St John the Baptist Churchyard
Age at Death “49”
Grace Silverthorn was the daughter of Patrick and Hannah Gallagher, the sister of William Gallagher I and the wife of James Silverthorn.

Charles E Silverthorn
Died October 8th, 1954
Buried October 12th, 1954 and interred in Holy Sepulchre Cemetery
Age at Death “19”
Cause of Death “Leukemia”
Address at Time of Death was 646 Wagner Ave Lafayette Hills, PA.

Raymond J Silverthorn
Died December 22nd, 1966
Buried December 27th, 1966 and interred in Holy Sepulchre Cemetery
Age at Death “64”
Cause of Death “Cardiac Arrest”
Address at Time of Death was 4333 Pechin Street, Philadelphia PA.
Raymond Silverthorn was the son of James and Grace Silverthorn.

Mary Silverthorn
Died October 22nd, 1970
Buried October 26th, 1970 and interred at Holy Sepulchre Cemetery
Age at Death “64”
Address at Time of Death was 4333 Pechin Street, Philadelphia PA.
Mary Silverthorn was the wife of Raymond Silverthorn.


As you know the Silverthorns were not only related to the Gallaghers but were good friends with the Gallagher family so it is no surprise that one such Silverthorn would stand as godparent to a Gallagher baby. Raymond Silverthorn was the son of James Silverthorn and Grace Gallagher. He was also a very good friend of William Gallagher II. Therefore, when William and Anna Gallagher’s third child was born, Raymond Silverthorn stood as godfather to that child who was known as Colum Eugene Gallagher. (Uncle Gene)

There were a few other burial records I came across in the books of St John’s that also may be of interest to those of us who love family history. I came across Katherine E Malervy’s burial record and that of her son in law Mahlon Nicholson. They are as followed.

Katherine E Malervy
Died September 17th, 1959
Buried September 22nd, 1959 and interred at Holy Sepulchre Cemetery
Age at Death “69”
Cause of Death “Heart Failure”
Address at Time of Death was 3827 Terrace Street, Philadelphia PA.

Katherine E Malervy was the daughter of John and Ella Boland, the sister of Agnes McCaffery, aunt of Anna Marie Gallagher, wife of Daniel Malervy and mother of Helen Nicholson.

Mahlon Nicholson
Died November 10th, 1972
Buried November 14th, 1972 and interred at Westminster Cemetery
Age at Death “58”
Cause of Death “Cancer”
Address at Time of Death was 3871 Manayunk AVE, Philadelphia PA.

Mahlon Nicholson was the husband of Helen Nicholson and father of Helen and Regina Nicholson.


Another burial record I came across at St John’s was of John G Keller. John was the son of John and Elisabeth Keller and the husband of Sally Gallagher Keller. Sally was the youngest of Patrick and Hannah Gallagher’s four children.

John G Keller
Died May 29th, 1947
Buried June 2nd, 1947 and interred at St John the Baptist Churchyard
Age at Death “65”
Cause of Death “Heart Disease”
Address at Time of Death was 3799 Cresson Street, Philadelphia PA


For those of you who are from the Weleski/Schroeder sides of the family, there were several burial records I came across at St John’s also.

Eva Bednarski
Died October 12th, 1945
Buried October 17th, 1945 and interred at Westminster Cemetery
Age at Death “64”
Cause of Death “Cerebral Hemorrhage”
Address at Time of Death was 136 East Street, Philadelphia PA


Peter Bednarski
Died December 12th, 1945
Buried December 17th, 1945 and interred at Westminster Cemetery
Age at Death “60”
Cause of Death “Heart Disease”
Address at Time of Death was 3763 Cresson Street, Philadelphia PA

Mary Lowry
Died February 14th, 1968
Buried February 17th, 1968 and interred at Westminster Cemetery
Age at Death “66”
Address at Time of Death was 4334 Boone Street, Philadelphia PA


It is difficult to locate individual family members buried at St John the Baptist Churchyard for two reasons; St John’s cemetery records only list the Family Name and the Name of the Lot Holder. The records give the location of the graves and indicate whether or not a Headstone was placed upon the grave but the records do not list who may be in those graves. This fact can really frustrate a family genealogist. For example, when Mary Keller Gallagher purchased the lot to bury her brother John Keller, the cemetery record listed Mary as the Lot holder and Keller as the family name on the grave. However, no where does it list who may be in that grave. If the person buried in that churchyard happened to be a member of that church and had a funeral mass then the burial records would list where they were interred whether it would be St John’s or any other cemetery. The problem occurs when the person interred in St John’s was from another parish.

Family stories and legends passed down through the generations may be the only clues to where some of our family is interred. Keller may be the family name listed on the grave at St John’s but who is in that grave? We know John G Keller is interred in that grave because the lot was purchased when he died. What about his wife? Is Sally Gallagher Keller really interred in that grave with her husband? What about the nephew who died when he was 18 months old and was interred with them? Do we really know for a fact that Buddy McCaffery’s infant son was interred in the grave of John and Sally Keller as legend tells us? John and Sally Keller spent their lives praying for a child of their own but fate did not grant them that dream so the story passed down from our family tells of a little boy not yet two years old who comes down with a deadly virus and dies. The child is buried with his Great Uncle and Aunt in the church’s cemetery and the legend tells us that what John and Sally never had in life they were granted in death.

In the case of John and Ella Boland, legend has it they too are interred at St John’s. But there are no records of their burial there. However, that does not mean they are not there. There is a lot holder by the name Malervy that lists two lots were purchased but the records do not list who is in the grave. Malervy is the married name of Katherine, John and Ella Boland’s daughter. I believe the only way I will ever find out where John and Ella Boland are interred is by the process of elimination. If they are not listed in the graves of Daniel and Katherine Malervy in Holy Sepulchre Cemetery then it is very possible that they are indeed interred at St John’s. I reviewed Westminster Cemetery records in the past and although there is a John Boland interred there, the name Ella was not. The question I asked myself is why St John’s and not Holy Sepulchre in the first place. We already know John and Ella Boland’s other daughter is interred in Holy Sepulchre and those records indicate John Boland purchased the grave. Agnes Boland McCaffery died in 1915. Ella Boland died four years later.

My next family history stop is St Bridget’s Church in the East Falls section of Philadelphia and Holy Family Church in the Roxborough section of Philadelphia. I will also make a point to go out to Holy Sepulchre one more time to locate the cemetery records of the Malervy family. Hopefully, I will get more answers to these questions.