Laurel Hill Cemetery

Mervine

These Mervine graves were in close proximity of the graves of Charles & Mary (Mervine) Schroeder and John & Marie (Schroeder) Weleski. I wonder why I never noticed this before.

View of the Mervine Graves.

Visiting the grave of my grandparents John & Marie (Schroeder) Weleski with my grandchildren Nikolas and Ava Marie.

The stone on the left is that of Charles & Mary (Mervine) Schroeder along with their 13 yr old son Earl. The stone to the right (where Ava Marie & I are at) is that of John & Marie (Schroeder) Weleski. I hope one day my own granddaughter appreciates the history of her ancestors.

Laurel Hill

We did some genealogy for the first time in months over at Laurel Hill Cemetery and what a difference a few months can make. Not only did I find Mervines interred close to the graves of my Great grandparents Charles & Mary Mervine Schroeder and my grandparents John & Marie Schroeder Weleski, but over at the terrace on the back of the North cemetery, which overlooks the river did I notice Harry Kalas's grave and some major overall improvements on the cemetery grounds. Gone are over grown trees and bushes. Part of the ugly chain link fence that was installed in the 70's to keep vandals out has been replaced with fencing that is more appealing to the eye and does not block the view of the East (Kelly) Drive and River below.

I had forgotten how peaceful it was to walk its 90 something acres. I had forgotten how serene and beautiful its architecture
and how empowering its history could be.

My life has been crazy busy lately with work, school and family that I had not had much time for what truly brings me peace and serenity and that is genealogy.

PhillyBilly

I received a comment on an earlier post I wrote and I hope the gentleman who wrote it contacts me by personal email because I would really like to speak with him about Mt. Vernon since some of my relatives from County Mayo were grave diggers at the cemetery. Here is the comment left to me today.

"Cool Site...I was fascinated to see the list of pastors of St. Bridget's. My great, grandparents were married there in 1889, by the Rev. William Walsh, who was a cousin to the family.Of interest, my great grandfather worked in Mt. Vernon Cemetery, located at the corner of Ridge & Lehigh Ave., adjacent to Laurel Hill Cemetery. His son, my grandfather, served as the caretaker for the cemetery for more than 30 years living in the home on the grounds. Over those years, he hired countless Irish immigrants, many living in the work bunker until they had enough money to rent or buy their first home in America. Most of those men were from the eastern part of County Mayo, or western Sligo...the portion that was eventually transferred to Mayo in 1898.I intend to read your site cover to cover as time permits. Thanks for making it public.All the Best...Bill H. (Rydal, PA)"

Happy Birthday William

May The Luck Of The Irish Be With You Today.

First Sign Of Spring In The Garden

When Some One Loves You

Danny Ullman

DANIEL J., age 49, of Mayfair, suddenly on Feb. 17, 2009. Devoted brother of Raymond J. Ullman (Sharon), loving uncle of Melissa Brill (Steve), Erica Pettigrew (Todd) and Julie Ullman; son of Raymond (Betty) and the late Dolores (nee Schmitt); also survived by 2 half-brothers, one half-sister, aunts, uncles, cousins and many close friends. Relatives, friends and members of Bricklayers Local #1 are invited to attend his Memorial Gathering, Saturday 9 A.M. St. Matthew Church (lower), 3000 Cottman Ave., followed by his Funeral Mass 10 A.M. Interment Private. In lieu of flowers, contributions in his memory may be made to Fr. Judge Athletic Dept., 3301 Solly Ave., Phila. PA 19136.
Published in the Philadelphia Inquirer & Philadelphia Daily News on 2/24/2009 http://www.legacy.com/philly/DeathNotices.asp?Page=LifeStory&PersonID=124563390

Random Photos In Phoenixville

Old Foundry

For more history click on http://www.livingplaces.com/PA/Chester_County/Phoenixville_Borough.html

Limerick Power Plant

A place I would never choose to live near.

The Rodgers Line

Mary Rodgers

David Rodgers

David Rodgers

David Rodgers

Sent to me by Ruth Tavani native of East Falls.

(Pat like I said I don't know if there is a connection, but these pictures were in among my grandmothers stuff. Mary Rodgers married a Gotwols which was my grandmothers maiden name....)

Earliest Memories Of The Ridge Avenue House

• Being in a crib on the third floor bedroom of my grandparents house on Ridge Avenue in the East Falls Section of Philadelphia. I remember my older brother was in the room with me and I also remember being frighten over a noise in the closet. My brother ran downstairs and left me in the crib. I cried but no one heard me.
  
• Watching my grandmother climb out a bedroom window to grab my brother off the second story roof.
  
• Watching my grandmother grab my brother off the back yard fence as he was climbing over it.
  
• Remembering the bed frame breaking in the second story back bedroom of my grandparents' house. I believe it was the bed my Aunt slept in. I also believe my brother was jumping on it.
  
• Sitting on a chair in my grandmother's kitchen watching her roll out dough to bake a pie. I remember she wore a house dress and the front of it was covered in flour.
  
• Watching my grandmother wash clothes using a ringer washer. She told me not to get too close or I could get my arm caught in the ringer. I used to have visions of losing my arm in that ringer.
  
• Sitting on the basement steps watching my grandfather shovel coal into a furnace. I remember the high flames, a result of the hot burning coals.
  
• Spending summer evenings sitting on the front steps of my grandparents' house and looking over to the cemetery (Laurel Hill) across the street and seeing the bats flying out of the trees.
  
• Sometimes the Charles truck would come around and my uncles would buy chips and pretzels and surprise me with cookies.
  
• Sitting on the front steps of my grandparents' house talking with my grandmother or taking a walk up to the drug store on Allegheny Avenue to buy an ice cream with my grandfather.


• Remembering the Avon lady pushing a baby carriage with her products. I believe she was the victim of polio.


• Watching the twilight zone on a television with a little black & white screen and thinking the creature on the television could climb out of the set and get me.


• Watching Uncle Bill & grandmom getting into an argument over a woman Uncle Bill was seeing and witnessing Uncle Bill running down the stairs holding onto the banister on his way out the front door. The argument was about the woman being a divorcee. Uncle Bill would later marry that woman and have two children.

I Never Knew Fish Were So Fascinating

Three Kiddies One Aquarium

They are totally fascinated.

View From New Jersey Overlooking Center City Philadelphia

Shaun (age 7) Nikolas (age 4)

Cuddling With My Eldest Grandchild

On a cold Sunday Morning by the fireplace.

Waiting For Pop Pop To Come Back In

Pasta Princess

Always Feeding The Ducks Down At Valley Green

Even Though The Christmas Holiday Has Past

She still insists on watching Rudolph The Red Nose Reindeer at least five or six times over the course of a weekend.

If He Can Climb Up Or Under He Is Happy

My Father's Wife

Carol Ann Weleski
PELION - Funeral services for Carol Ann Weleski, 70, will be held at 11:00 a.m. Thursday, January 8, 2009, at Caughman-Harman Funeral Home, Lexington Chapel, with interment in Elmwood Cemetery. The family will receive friends one hour prior to the service at the funeral home.

Mrs. Weleski was born September 28, 1938, in Summerville, MA, and passed away Sunday, January 4, 2009. She was a daughter of the late Herman Smith and Alice Halley Smith. Mrs. Weleski attended Corpus Christi Catholic Church. She loved to read and collect stamps.

Mrs. Weleski is survived by her husband, Ronald J. Weleski; sons, Roy, Brian and Robert Currie; daughter, Barbara Weleski; and grandchildren, Daniel and Amber Currie.
www.caughmanharmanfuneralhome.com

Mini Van Mom Mom

I tempted fate, and it laughed right back into my face. Years ago, I swore I would never drive a station wagon, or mini van. Both of these vehicles I equated to being "old & boring" and way too "responsible". Therefore, I never drove either, while raising my three sons. I was not having any "old or boring".

Then all of a sudden, I had three grandchildren who required "car seats"with "seat belts". None of which my little two door black car could accommodate. So it happened. I became a Mini Van Mom Mom, and though I truly hate driving that truck-like vehicle around, which I can't park in any normal size city parking spot, I have to admit, it has lots of room for those little darlings to stretch out, and they love driving around in it.

So I guess I learned one thing, and that is never say never, because fate has this funny way of sneaking up and biting you squarely on the ass.

Saturday Outing With Shaun & Ava

Voigt

Actual scanned copy of text that speaks on the deaths of both Tanner and Voigt at the Battle of Little Big Horn.