Yes, it’s been awhile. I set aside writing my ancestors’ stories in order to spend some time finally writing my own story… and it was a lot longer in the coming than I ever expected. But here it is!! I wrote it mainly for friends and family—that’s YOU—and I guess just for leaving my legacy,…
Bonnie Doon book is in progress – and I need your help!
This is a call-out to my Slattery-descendent cousins and interested friends— I’m finally getting back to my long-awaited book about our Slatterys in Ireland and the Bonnie Doon story–and can use your help! It’s a fascinating story and should be of interest both to our family and to folks in Kilrush. I’m working at crafting…
Dirty Little Secrets — or the hidden 1897 story of the Slattery children in Kilrush
“Okay, it’s time to visit the aunts. Ooh Mom, do I have to go? Yes you do, and change to your white top – I’ve just ironed it.” I grew up in California but when we visited our relatives in Wichita, Kansas, where both my parents were born and raised, and where I was born,…
Ye banks and braes o’ bonnie Doon…
I’m in the midst of researching and pulling together a book about my Slattery family’s history in the town of Kilrush in County Clare, Ireland. But their story is inextricably bound to the tale of their magnificent home, Bonnie Doon, which was built sometime in the 1830s or before by a Scotsman, James Paterson, who…
Our Ancestors In Living Color!
I’ve just discovered a fascinating, fun way to look at our ancestors, through the website MyHeritage.com‘s brand-new colorization process! Of course, nothing beats the beauty of the best of those great old black and white photos, but sometimes the subtle colorization does allow you to see new details in the photos. Take a look and…
Newly-found Grogan cousins!
Ben and I are here in Kilrush, County Clare, to revisit the stories of my Dad’s ancestors. An easy 5am arrival at Shannon on Saturday was followed by a flat tire on our little rental Peugeot within the first 10 minutes of driving, after a close encounter with a curb on a narrow lane! But…
Obsessed with Family History!!!
Since I have a few blog posts in various stages of development and haven’t worked on them recently, thought I’d share with you a little about my family history obsession and the fun, fascination and frustrations I’m having with it. (That’s not even getting into the DNA side of things — since more of my…
“Easy Ed” Millar (1925-2018)
Vegas Jazz DJ and musician “Easy Ed” Millar passes away at 92 My Dad’s cousin Edgar Lee Millar passed away at his Las Vegas home on Sunday, November 18, 2018, two weeks before his 93rd birthday. The only child of Benjamin Harrison Millar (“Uncle Ben” to most of us) and Fannie Luella Gelbach Millar in…
Jack Slattery and the Luck of the Irish (Sweepstakes, that is…)
According to his daughter Sharon Slattery Beach, her Dad Jack Slattery bought an Irish Sweepstakes ticket every year – but in the fall of 1952, his ticket was finally drawn!! “Dad was so excited when he got the news but I think he died before the race. His horse didn’t do well but Mom got…
The Irishman Who Lost His Toes in Wichita… and so Regained his Family Home in Kilrush!
Michael Francis (Uncle Frank) Slattery (1863-1922) My 2nd Great Uncle Frank Slattery was born in the “market” town of Kilrush in County Clare, Ireland and died there in 1922. But in between lies quite a story! He was the sixth of nine children born to Thomas Slattery and Margaret Mulvihill, whose first child, also named…
Jack and Viola 