Some time in the not too distant future I would like to take a trip to Ireland and visit the places my ancestors lived. I have visited Ireland before with breaks in Dublin and Cork. Great trips but no family connections. To be honest, the last time I visited Ireland I had no idea about … Continue reading An Ancestral Road Trip
Helferty
An Easy Mistake To Make – Finding Sarah Helferty
The only one of my grandparents I got to meet was my Granny Brawley, my mum's mum. I knew that her father was called Patrick Cosgrove and her mother was Sarah Helferty. I knew that she was born in Glasgow in 1900. Prior to starting my research that was pretty much it. My granny died … Continue reading An Easy Mistake To Make – Finding Sarah Helferty
My Granny’s Other Dad – Edward Cooper 1862-1939
My maternal grandmother Catherine Cosgrove was just 7 months old when she lost her father. Patrick Cosgrove was just 38 years old when he died of smallpox in Belvedere Hospital in Glasgow. Patrick and his wife, Sarah Helferty were married in 1888 and Catherine was their only child. Sarah remarried and her second husband was … Continue reading My Granny’s Other Dad – Edward Cooper 1862-1939
Bernard Helferty 1884-1916
There are some branches of the family that I have researched way less than others. I recently realised that I knew very little about the family of my great, great grandfather Arthur Helferty. He was my maternal grandmother's maternal grandfather. I have never found a birth record for Arthur but I know that he was … Continue reading Bernard Helferty 1884-1916
A Less Than Perfect Ancestor
There are times when it is hard not to feel a bit disappointed in your ancestors. I have written about my great grandfather Patrick Cosgrove before. He died when my granny was just a baby so she never got to know him and so none of the family ever knew much about him. I've learned … Continue reading A Less Than Perfect Ancestor
Family History Field Trip
I spent this weekend in Dundee. The main purpose of the trip was not family history but since we were there anyway it was much too good an opportunity to miss. I don't have strong family connections to Dundee in that none of my family were born or raised there but it is in Dundee, … Continue reading Family History Field Trip
Shaking The Branches 