Thomas Gaffney – Many Branches, One Tree

Sentimental Sunday: Not About to Let Her Get Away

Benita (McGinnis) McCormick (1889 – 1984) Phillip C. McCormick (1892 – 1981) Phil McCormick had found someone special in Benita McGinnis, and he was not about to let her get away. On June 20, 1921, he went downtown to a diamond importer, August Rassweiler, where he selected a diamond engagement and wedding ring for … Continue reading

Thankful Thursday: The End of the Breadcrumb Trail

Thomas Charles Gaffney (1874 – 1937) Cora Alice (Terrill) Gaffney (1879 – 1951) Agnes Evelyn (Gaffney) Johnson (1902 – 1977) Ernest F.W. Johnson (1900 – 1958) Last of a four part series Agnes Evelyn Gaffney Unlike her parents Thomas and Cora (Terrill) Gaffney, Agnes Evelyn (Gaffney) Johnson seems to have enjoyed a loving and stable marriage with … Continue reading

Wishful Wednesday: Happy and Not So Happy Endings

Thomas Charles Gaffney (1874 – 1937) Cora Alice (Terrill) Gaffney (1879 – 1951) Agnes Evelyn (Gaffney) Johnson (1902 – 1977) Third of a four part series I have copies of two photographs of my grand aunt and grand uncle, Benita (McGinnis) and Phillip C. McCormick on their engagement day in 1921. The pictures, taken in the back … Continue reading

What the Records Can and Can’t Tell Us

Thomas Charles Gaffney (1874 – 1937) Cora Alice (Terrill) Gaffney (1879 – 1951) Agnes Evelyn (Gaffney) Johnson (1902 – 1977) Second of a four part series When we examine the lives of our ancestors, we depend on records to give us the facts about them and shed some light on why things turned out the way they … Continue reading

Mystery Monday: More than Meets the Eye

Thomas Charles Gaffney (1874 – 1937) First of a four part series Thomas Charles Gaffney, circa 1910 – 1920 As we conclude our study of the family of the ten children of Bridget (Quinn) and John Francis Gaffney, there seem to be more questions than answers about their son, Thomas. I had planned … Continue reading

Wisdom Wednesday: Wise and Loving Matriarch

Mary Jane (Gaffney) McGinnis: (1858 – 1940) Friends and sometimes complete strangers often dropped by Mary Jane (Gaffney) McGinnis’ home during the 1920s and 30s, hungry for a meal or even advice. Janie gave both quietly and generously, never asking for anything in return. She was a fervent follower of the Golden Rule: Do … Continue reading