Family History

How I Introduce Myself to the Current Residents of an Ancestral Home

How I Introduce Myself to the Current Residents of an Ancestral Home

I finally stood in front of the Hanley homestead in Atlantic Mine, a house I’d heard about all my life. Instead of knocking, I left a letter — though not before giving in to the temptation of the doorbell. This is the story of that visit, the family lore tied to the house, and what it meant to leave something behind.

"Her Heart Was as Big as a Mountain"

"Her Heart Was as Big as a Mountain"

This is the only first hand account I have ever heard about my 2nd great grandmother, Clara Rachel (Miles) (Myers) Sears (1875-1934).

Presidential Letters and a Trip to the White House: Michael John Hanley Jr. (1924-2015)

Presidential Letters and a Trip to the White House: Michael John Hanley Jr. (1924-2015)

My grandfather, Michael John Hanley Jr. (1924-2015), received letters from U.S. Presidents Richard Nixon, Gerald Ford, and Ronald Reagan. He also attended a White House reception hosted by President Ford on April 8, 1975.

James J. Harrington (1892-1942) of Butte, Montana

James J. Harrington (1892-1942) of Butte, Montana

James J. Harrington (1892-1942) is my 1st cousin 3x removed. He was a life long resident of Butte, Montana. His parents came from the Beara Peninsula in County Cork, Ireland. 

Epaminondas Tsardoulias (Born 1863) and Family of Samos, Greece

Epaminondas Tsardoulias (Born 1863) and Family of Samos, Greece

This is my 1st cousin 4 times removed, Epaminondas Tsardoulias (born 1863), and his wife Marianthe Mavrogeorgou Tsardoulias (1883-1960). They were married in 1902 on the island of Samos, Greece perhaps in the village of Mytilinioi.

Emil Muenzel (1866-1939) of Donken, Michigan

Emil Muenzel (1866-1939) of Donken, Michigan

Emil Muenzel (1866-1939), a German immigrant who settled in Donken, Michigan in the Upper Peninsula, was married to my 1st cousin 4x removed, Martha Zenner Muenzel (1868-1960).

Henriette Gundlach "Hen Gun" (1906-1973) of Houghton, Michigan

Henriette Gundlach "Hen Gun" (1906-1973) of Houghton, Michigan

Henriette M. Gundlach (1906-1973) is my 2nd cousin 3x removed. In 1923 she attended Houghton High School in Houghton, Michigan where she was an active well regarded by her peers. Here is just a bit of her story.

Hanley Family Reminiscences of Atlantic Mine, Michigan

Hanley Family Reminiscences of Atlantic Mine, Michigan

This interview was recorded around 2005 on a road trip up to Atlantic Mine, in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula, where my great grandfather, Michael John Hanley (1890-1964) was born. Two of his daughters (my great aunts) share their reminiscences about their travels to visit family there in the 1930s and 40s.

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Oliver E. Myers (1873-1935) Expires At Home From Paralysis

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Oliver E. Myers (1873-1935) Expires At Home From Paralysis

After years of searching, of and on, I somehow just now stumbled upon the obituary of my 2nd great grandfather, Oliver Edgar Myers (1873-1935).

President of the Lake Superior Beagle Club - Eugene Timothy Hanley (1896-1958)

President of the Lake Superior Beagle Club - Eugene Timothy Hanley (1896-1958)

My 2nd great uncle, Eugene Timothy Hanley (1896-1958), raised beagles and in 1938 was the president of the Lake Superior Beagle Club. Here he is with some of his dogs.

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The Tragic Motorcycle Death of Germain W. Rhoads (1906-1940)

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The Tragic Motorcycle Death of Germain W. Rhoads (1906-1940)

My 1st cousin 2x removed, Germain W. Rhoads (1906-1940), died after the motorcycle he was driving struck a car in Mt. Morris, Michigan on June 15th, 1940. This is his story.

Say Uncle: What Every Niece and Nephew Needs

Say Uncle: What Every Niece and Nephew Needs

On the main branch of the Au Sable River, about ten miles east of Grayling, Michigan, I learned everything I know about fly fishing, most of it from Uncle Bill. The importance of having (and being) an awesome uncle has been under-appreciated. Here are some tips.

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Home From War, A Soldier Visits His In-laws (1944)

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Home From War, A Soldier Visits His In-laws (1944)

This is an interesting grouping of men in my family tree. My grandfather, James William Halvangis (1920-1973) stands with his father in-law, two brothers in-law, and two nephews some time between 1943 and 1945. Photo was colorized by Okkama Colorizations at The Psychogenealogist (2019).

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Sweethearts Wed on Soggy Flint Michigan Day (1946)

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Sweethearts Wed on Soggy Flint Michigan Day (1946)

It was a cool and wet Saturday afternoon at the corner of 5th Avenue and Saginaw Street in Flint, Michigan. On Saturday, May 4th, 1946, high school sweethearts, Betty Grace Sears (1924-1981) and Michael John Hanley Jr. (1924-2015), were married at St. Michael Catholic Church.

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Mystery Marriage or Record Keeping Mistake? Maria Chardoulias Halvangis (1894-1951)

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Mystery Marriage or Record Keeping Mistake? Maria Chardoulias Halvangis (1894-1951)

A mystery is brewing on the Halvangis/Chardoulias branch of my family tree. Was my great grandmother married once BEFORE she married my great grandfather or is this a records keeping mistake? Here is what I know.

Peter Heinrich Ratz (1867-1934), Kingdom of Württemberg, Renounces German Citizenship

Peter Heinrich Ratz (1867-1934), Kingdom of Württemberg, Renounces German Citizenship

This document pertains to my 2nd great grandfather, Peter Heinrich “Henry” Ratz (1867-1934). He renounced his German Citizenship in 1883 so he could emigrate to America. This is part of his story.

From Greece to Detroit: A Brief History of the Karatzis Family

From Greece to Detroit: A Brief History of the Karatzis Family

From Greece to Detroit: A Brief History of the Karatzis (Karr) Family.

German Birth and Baptismal Record of Peter Heinrich Ratz (1867-1935)

German Birth and Baptismal Record of Peter Heinrich Ratz (1867-1935)

Every once in awhile I stumble into an amazing genealogical find. This one pertains to my 2nd great grandfather from Germany, Peter Heinrich Ratz (1867-1934).

My Grandfather and the Greenlandic Inuit During WWII

My Grandfather and the Greenlandic Inuit During WWII

In May of 1943 my grandfather, James William Halvangis (1920-1973), made his way to Greenland as a member of the U.S. Army Air Forces during World War II. There he met some of the indigenous people of the island, The Greenlandic Inuit. Here are some of his amazing photographs.

Mystery Reel of 1980s Home Movie Film Revealed (Part II)

Mystery Reel of 1980s Home Movie Film Revealed (Part II)

A mystery reel of 1980s undeveloped home movie film is found in my parent’s basement. The contents are revealed here!