Author: joelowry1982

Photo of the Day – January 10, 2015

joelowry1982 1940s, Maternal, POTD
The only thing I know about this photo are the subjects. My grandmother Barb Wolford (Viti) is on the left with her sister Betty Wolford (Thomas) on the right. I need to ask grandma for some details. Sounds like a project for the evening…

Update!
My grandma responded that the photo was taken on June 14, 1950 in her backyard in Topeka, Kansas. It was the day before my great aunt Betty’s wedding to Walter Thomas. They had turned 18 the previous October and had graduated from high school just four days prior. Betty and Walter were married for 62 years before he passed away in 2011. One of their girlfriends took the picture. The car belonged to their dad, my great grandfather Ray. Any car buffs out there know the make and model?

Source:
Barbara Jean Wolford (1931-) and Betty Jane Wolford (1931-), photograph, taken in the back yard of  the Wolford family home on Madison Avenue, on June 14, 1950; digital image, photocopy of original, scanned in 2013 by Joseph Lowry; privately held by Marie Dockry, [address for private use], Austintown, Ohio. Two woman standing in backyard with car in background. Provenance is believed to be Barbara Wolford Viti to Marie Dockry to Joseph Lowry.

Photo of the Day – January 9, 2015

joelowry1982 1940s, Groucutt, Paternal, POTD, Wedding Wednesday
According to news reports, gladioli and larkspur graced the altar for the wedding of my great-aunt Kathleen Groucutt and Bob Sullivan on 13 Jul 1946. Kathleen’s sister, my grandmother Jean (Lowry), was maid of honor. Bob’s friend Phil Welsh served as best man. Kathleen and Bob were married at Saint Columba Cathedral by Rev. James Malone. Fr. Malone would become bishop of the Diocese of Youngstown in 1968.

(Not So) Wordless Wednesday – Charles’ First Communion, Maybe?

joelowry1982 1930s, Bahle, Lowry, Paternal, Pepperney, Wordless Wednesday
My parents and I believe this photo was taken the day my grandfather Chuck Lowry celebrated his First Communion. His grandparents George and Mary Bahle Pepperney made the drive up from Leetonia to Youngstown to celebrate. The photo was probably taken in front of 106 Thornton Avenue, where grandpa lived as a kid. 
I believe his First Communion occurred at Saint Columba Church around 1931. Saint Columba would become a cathedral upon the creation of the Diocese of Youngstown in 1943.

Photo of the Day – January 6, 2015

joelowry1982 1980s, Maternal, Porubsky, POTD
My great grandmother Caroline Porubsky Wolford had the gift of the gab, a traditionally Irish phrase, but one that applies nonetheless to this Volga German lady. From her home in Topeka, she made regular phone calls back east to her daughter Barb and granddaughters Julie, Marie and Becky in Youngstown. I’m guessing this snapshot was taken sometime in the 1980’s while great grandma made one of those calls.

Military Monday – In the Army

joelowry1982 Lowry, Military, Paternal
My great grand uncle Edward Martin Lowry served in the United States Army for nine months during World War I. His 1917 draft registration card indicate that he was living at home with his parents at 184 W. Main Street in Leetonia, Ohio.
Ed served in the Ordnance Department, which was “charged with supplying the Army with arms, equipment, and ammunition…establishing and maintaining arsenals and depots for the manufacture, repair, and safe-keeping of ordnance, and provide horse equipments and field outfits for Soldiers, such as canteens, tin cups, knives, forks, and spoons.” Ed was inducted on 13 Aug 1918 and discharged on 27 Mar 1919. He remained a Private through his brief service.
Note: This photo previously appeared on the blog here.

Sources:
Moss, James (1917). Officers’ manual. George Banta Publishing Company. p. 79.

Top 5 Posts of 2014

joelowry1982 A message from the blogger..., Maternal, Paternal

2014 was a great year for my genealogy research. I made some fantastic discoveries, both personally and professionally, that will continue to enhance my search for ancestors. This website has been a great resource to help me connect with newly-located cousins and share facts and stories with known relatives. The past year saw the creation of a custom URL – http://www.lowrygenealogy.com – and almost 70 posts to share information and photos. Thanks to all of you who enjoy what I put together, whether it is by visiting the site or subscribing to the e-mail digest. As I look back, thanks to some Google stat magic, these were the top five posts of 2014…

5. New URL, Same Great Content – The blog has a new home and I am so happy to share it.

4. Treasure Chest Thursday – Pennsylvania Death Certificates, 1906 – 1924 – You have no idea how hard it is to prove someone is dead. Until you have their death certificate, that is.

3. (Not So) Wordless Wednesday – A look at the new baby Lowry! – A little genealogy trickery…

2. Military Monday – The Crew of the ‘Rum Pot II’ – A very cool crew photo of a World War II bomber.

and last but not least…
*Drumroll, Please!*
1. Those Places Thursday – A Geography of the North Side – The most popular item on the blog in 2014 is not even something I wrote. My uncle Chuck Lowry wrote up a few stories of life on Youngstown’s North Side; they are shared here with permission.