During the 1950's the O'Leary sisters was a popular Country & Western singing duo. The duo consisted of Mae O'Leary and her sister Theresa. Mae played acoustic guitar and Theresa played the double bass and they both sang. It should be noted that Theresa was quite short and the bass was about a foot taller than she was.
They appeared on a weekly radio programme called the Hayloft Hoedown on CKEY radio in Toronto. The actor Lorne Greene was a radio announcer at the station and took quite a shine to the sisters, especially Mae. They performed on WWVA radio in Wheeling, West Virginia on the Wheeling Jamboree. They also performed in Chicago on the National Barn Dance. They were offered a 15 minute weekly radio program in Chicago and were told the next stop would be Nashville, but they turned it down. Here's a recording of Mae and Theresa as the O'leary Sisters
My father James Meehan used to brag that he was related to the O'Leary Sisters. His aunt had married an O'Leary and he claimed the O'Leary's as kith and kin.
My great aunt Theresa Brigid Meehan (1886 - 1946) was born in Belleville Ontario. The family moved to Toronto between 1896 and 1901. She is recorded on the 1901 Census living with her parents George Meehan and Emma (Howson) Meehan at 373 Queen Street East.
Theresa married Norman Dunn(e) O'Leary in Toronto in 1909. Norman's parents were John O'Leary and Maria Dunn(e). Norman was born in Lindsay, Ontario in 1886.
In the 1960's we moved to Silverbirch Avenue and guess who also lived on the street? The O'Leary Sisters plus some of the rest of the family. The sisters came from a large family, I believe there were 12 brothers and sisters. I became friends with 2 of their nieces as we were all the same age.
We've tried to find a connection to the O'Leary's but we can find none so far. The parents of the O'Leary Sisters were John Joseph O'Leary born 1890 in Toronto and Charlotte Lawrence. They lived in the east end of Toronto as did Norman and Theresa O'Leary. The families were both Roman Catholic and at some point both lived on Caroline Avenue in Toronto. But that's as close as we've come to connecting the families. My two friends and I still jokingly refer to us being related.
I think the connection is tenuous at best. Once we moved to Silverbirch Avenue, I didn't hear my dad mention the connection again.
Wednesday, 13 June 2012
Monday, 4 June 2012
ICE BOAT TRAGEDY
Belvie Meehan was my aunt. She died of dyptheria when she was just 18 years old, in 1926. I never knew the details of her death until a few years ago. But I did know it cast a shadow on the family for many many years.
A couple of years ago, my cousin mentioned that Belvie had been in an ice boat and the boat hit open water. Belvie and her friends fell in the icy water. She contracted dyptheria and died a month after the accident.
I decided to do some research and see if I could find her obituary and any details that might have been published at the time. The story was reported in both the Toronto Star and Globe & Mail Newspapers. It was front page news.
The headline from the Toronto Star, Front Page on Thursday February 18, 1926 reads:
ICE- BOAT CARRYING FOUR GLIDES INTO OPEN WATER ONE OF PARTY DROWNED.
According to the article 2 young men and 2 young ladies borrowed a friend's ice-boat and went sailing on Toronto Bay. They made a semi circle around the bay looking for "fast" ice, but they hit open water instead. The boat tipped over and they all went into the frigid February water of Lake Ontario. One of the men Reginald Helston drowned. The other man Carl Crockett got the two girls, Belvie Meehan and Mabel Hescott back in the boat. They shouted for help, but there was no one to hear them. Carl Crockett then got himself on solid ice and went for help. Land was about a mile away. He managed to get to the Dominion Sugar warehouse at the foot of Bay Street to get help. Police and ambulance services were then called.
This took well over 45 minutes before the girls could be rescued and a search for Reginald Helston could be started.
Belvie and the other 2 were taken to hospital. The two girls were released and Mr. Crockett was kept for several days with pneumonia.
Belvie developed dyptheria and never recovered, she died March 19, 1926. There was a private funeral and she is buried in Mount Hope Cemetery, in Toronto.
A couple of years ago, my cousin mentioned that Belvie had been in an ice boat and the boat hit open water. Belvie and her friends fell in the icy water. She contracted dyptheria and died a month after the accident.
I decided to do some research and see if I could find her obituary and any details that might have been published at the time. The story was reported in both the Toronto Star and Globe & Mail Newspapers. It was front page news.
The headline from the Toronto Star, Front Page on Thursday February 18, 1926 reads:
ICE- BOAT CARRYING FOUR GLIDES INTO OPEN WATER ONE OF PARTY DROWNED.
According to the article 2 young men and 2 young ladies borrowed a friend's ice-boat and went sailing on Toronto Bay. They made a semi circle around the bay looking for "fast" ice, but they hit open water instead. The boat tipped over and they all went into the frigid February water of Lake Ontario. One of the men Reginald Helston drowned. The other man Carl Crockett got the two girls, Belvie Meehan and Mabel Hescott back in the boat. They shouted for help, but there was no one to hear them. Carl Crockett then got himself on solid ice and went for help. Land was about a mile away. He managed to get to the Dominion Sugar warehouse at the foot of Bay Street to get help. Police and ambulance services were then called.
This took well over 45 minutes before the girls could be rescued and a search for Reginald Helston could be started.
Belvie and the other 2 were taken to hospital. The two girls were released and Mr. Crockett was kept for several days with pneumonia.
Belvie developed dyptheria and never recovered, she died March 19, 1926. There was a private funeral and she is buried in Mount Hope Cemetery, in Toronto.
Wednesday, 30 May 2012
MEEHAN & COMPANY - Men's Clothing Store
In my last post I mentioned that my grandfather George Meehan (1882-1960) worked in the haberdashery trade. He is listed in various census and directories as: salesman, merchant, owner, of "men's furnishings".
In the 1913 Toronto Directory he is listed twice, once at 257-259 Yonge Street and 415 1/2 Yonge Street. I'm not sure which address is his business.
I also found an Edward J. Meehan in the directory, living at 191 Avenue Road. He is listed as a salesman for the Meehan & Co. men's clothing store. At this point I thought I had found a match to my Meehan family starting with great-great grandfather Patrick Meehan (1806-1886), born in Donegal Ireland.
The directory also listed several other Meehans living at 191 Avenue Road: Mary ( widow of Francis), Mary and Frank J. This information started me on a search for this family, hoping that there was a relationship.
Here's what I found from the 1901 Census, Toronto City, Ward 3:
Alas, I didn't find any connection. However, Edward and Frank are about the same age as my grandfather George. Could he have hired family members to work at his store? I know that my father worked in his father's store in the late 1930's. Perhaps Edward and Frank are cousins. It seems too much of a coincidence that they would have the same surname and not be related.
My research came to a stand-still at Dennis Meehan. For now they will remain the "other" Meehan family.
In the 1913 Toronto Directory he is listed twice, once at 257-259 Yonge Street and 415 1/2 Yonge Street. I'm not sure which address is his business.
I also found an Edward J. Meehan in the directory, living at 191 Avenue Road. He is listed as a salesman for the Meehan & Co. men's clothing store. At this point I thought I had found a match to my Meehan family starting with great-great grandfather Patrick Meehan (1806-1886), born in Donegal Ireland.
The directory also listed several other Meehans living at 191 Avenue Road: Mary ( widow of Francis), Mary and Frank J. This information started me on a search for this family, hoping that there was a relationship.
Here's what I found from the 1901 Census, Toronto City, Ward 3:
- Francis Meehan, born Ontario abt 1855, occupation Motorman
- Mary Elizabeth McGuiness, wife, born Ontario abt 1858
- Edward John Meehan, son, born Ontario abt 1889
- Ann Mary Meehan, daughter, born Ontario abt 1891
- Frank Joseph Meehan, son, born Ontario abt 1893
- Mary Meehan, daughter, born Ontario abt 1895
- Teresa Meehan, daughter, born Ontario abt 1897
- Helen Meehan, daughter, born Ontario abt 1901
Alas, I didn't find any connection. However, Edward and Frank are about the same age as my grandfather George. Could he have hired family members to work at his store? I know that my father worked in his father's store in the late 1930's. Perhaps Edward and Frank are cousins. It seems too much of a coincidence that they would have the same surname and not be related.
My research came to a stand-still at Dennis Meehan. For now they will remain the "other" Meehan family.
Tuesday, 15 May 2012
MEEHAN FAMILY - PART 2
George Meehan was my grandfather but I don't remember meeting him, even though he died after I was born. He was born in Belleville, Ontario in 1882 and died in Toronto in 1960. He married Isabel Faulkner in Toronto in 1907 in Toronto. Isabel Faulkner was born in 1885 in Galt, Ontario and died in Toronto in 1959.
They seemed to have married twice. They married in Toronto in November 1907, but on two of the birth registrations of their children Isobel and George, Buffalo is listed as their place of marriage. On Isobel's registration the date of May 1907 is listed.
George and Isabel had 6 children:
George Meehan was a merchant, salesman and store owner in men's clothing. The 1911 Toronto directory shows George Meehan as the owner of Meehan & Co. a haberdashery store located at 34 Caroline Avenue. By 1913 the store is listed as George Meehan & Co., with 257-259 Yonge Street as the address. Other directories list him as a salesman for men's clothing.
I don't think it was a happy marriage and the couple lived separately for many years, but did not divorce. My grandmother Isabel is listed several times in the Toronto City directory as: Mrs G. Meehan, widow. I think this was very common when divorce was not an every day occurrence. George and Isabel are buried at Holy Cross Cemetery in Thornhill, Ontario.
They seemed to have married twice. They married in Toronto in November 1907, but on two of the birth registrations of their children Isobel and George, Buffalo is listed as their place of marriage. On Isobel's registration the date of May 1907 is listed.
George and Isabel had 6 children:
- Mary "Belvie" 1908 - 1926
- Dorothy 1909 -1910
- Isobel Theresa 1910 - 1973
- George Faulkner 1912 - 1985
- James Arthur 1914 1969
- Lenore Patricia 1923 - 2007
George Meehan was a merchant, salesman and store owner in men's clothing. The 1911 Toronto directory shows George Meehan as the owner of Meehan & Co. a haberdashery store located at 34 Caroline Avenue. By 1913 the store is listed as George Meehan & Co., with 257-259 Yonge Street as the address. Other directories list him as a salesman for men's clothing.
I don't think it was a happy marriage and the couple lived separately for many years, but did not divorce. My grandmother Isabel is listed several times in the Toronto City directory as: Mrs G. Meehan, widow. I think this was very common when divorce was not an every day occurrence. George and Isabel are buried at Holy Cross Cemetery in Thornhill, Ontario.
Wednesday, 9 May 2012
FAULKNER FAMILY - PART 3
Ford Faulkner was my great grandfather he was born about 1847 in Ontario. According to his death certificate he was born in Toronto, Ontario. There is a written notation in the family bible that suggests he may have been born in 1849. The family were Methodists but to date I have only found one Methodist baptism record. Unfortunately not for Ford, but for his brother William Joseph who was born 01 July 1850 in Tecumseth, Simcoe County and baptised in Bradford, Ontario.
Ford married Sarah Ann Newton in Fordwich, Huron County in 1879. Sarah Ann's parents were Robert Newton and Isabella McKnight. Sarah was born in 1860 in Wallace, Perth Ontario.
By 1851 Ford Faulkner's family were living in Simcoe County. At some point before 1879, he and some of his family moved to Huron County. The 1881 Census shows the family living in Howick, Huron County along with Sarah's brother Edward Newton. At this time some of the other Newton family had moved to Manitoba, where Edward was to join them.
The 1891 census shows the now growing family had moved to Toronto, St. Thomas Ward. They are listed as lodgers with a Joseph and Ellen Kearney. In 1901 they are living at 50 Blair Avenue in Toronto.
Ford and Sarah Ann had at least 8 children:
There are many names and dates in the bible, which have been very helpful in my research. I'm not sure whose hand writing appears in the book or if the dates were written as they occurred or after the fact. Never the less, it's a wonderful artifact.
Ford Faulkner died in 1929 and Sara Ann died in 1933. They are buried in St. John's Norway Cemetery in Toronto.
Ford married Sarah Ann Newton in Fordwich, Huron County in 1879. Sarah Ann's parents were Robert Newton and Isabella McKnight. Sarah was born in 1860 in Wallace, Perth Ontario.
By 1851 Ford Faulkner's family were living in Simcoe County. At some point before 1879, he and some of his family moved to Huron County. The 1881 Census shows the family living in Howick, Huron County along with Sarah's brother Edward Newton. At this time some of the other Newton family had moved to Manitoba, where Edward was to join them.
The 1891 census shows the now growing family had moved to Toronto, St. Thomas Ward. They are listed as lodgers with a Joseph and Ellen Kearney. In 1901 they are living at 50 Blair Avenue in Toronto.
Ford and Sarah Ann had at least 8 children:
- William Robert 1880-1938
- Ford Crosby 1882 - 1920
- Bella May "Isabel" 1885 - 1959
- Stewart Clement 1887 -
- Edna (Twin) 1893 - 1893
- Gilbert (Twin) 1893 - 1893
- Herbert Russell 1894 - 1895
- Clifford Carlyle 1900 - 1942
There are many names and dates in the bible, which have been very helpful in my research. I'm not sure whose hand writing appears in the book or if the dates were written as they occurred or after the fact. Never the less, it's a wonderful artifact.
Ford Faulkner died in 1929 and Sara Ann died in 1933. They are buried in St. John's Norway Cemetery in Toronto.
Saturday, 14 April 2012
MEEHAN FAMILY - PART 1
My great grandfather George Thomas Meehan was born in Kingston, Ontario in 1851 and died in Toronto in 1919. He is the son of Patrick Meehan of Donegal Ireland and Elizabeth "Bessie" Magee also of Ireland. Between 1851 and 1861 the family moved from Kingston to Belleville.
George married Emma Teresa Howson in 1874 in Belleville. Emma is the daughter of George Howson of England and Bridget O'Neill of Ireland. Emma was baptised at St. Michael's Roman Catholic Church, Belleville in 1851. Emma died in Toronto in 1913. Both George and Emma are buried in Mount Hope Cemetery in Toronto.
George and Emma had at least 7 children all born in Belleville:
George married Emma Teresa Howson in 1874 in Belleville. Emma is the daughter of George Howson of England and Bridget O'Neill of Ireland. Emma was baptised at St. Michael's Roman Catholic Church, Belleville in 1851. Emma died in Toronto in 1913. Both George and Emma are buried in Mount Hope Cemetery in Toronto.
George and Emma had at least 7 children all born in Belleville:
- Bessie (1874 - 1876)
- Margaret Jane (1876 - 1953)
- Mary Ann (1878 - )
- James (1880 - 1950)
- George (1882 - 1960)
- Teresa Brigid (1886 - 1946)
- John Thomas (1891 - 1894?)
Wednesday, 11 April 2012
FAULKNER FAMILY - PART 2
John Crosby Faulkner, is the oldest son of William Faulkner and Annie Jane (Hanna) Crosby. John Crosby Faulkner was born in Dublin Ireland around 1844 and died in Sundridge Ontario in 1932. He was a photographer working in Toronto and later in Sundridge.
John married Jennie Stewart in 1874 in Toronto at St. James Cathedral. Her parents were John and Frances Stewart. Jennie Faulkner died in 1918 in Sundridge. Both John and Jennie Faulkner are buried in the Strong Cemetery in Sundridge.
John and Jennie had no children, but adopted a girl Lily Agnes Faulkner born about 1888 who was also a photographer in Sundridge. According to Northern Ontario Vintage Postcards site,
Lily was the daughter of John's younger brother William. However to date there is no proof of this.
John Crosby Faulkner is listed in the book The Ontario Photographers List by Glen C. Phillips.
In 1881 John & Jennie Faulkner are listed as living in the St. David's Ward, in Toronto. By 1891 the Census shows the couple living in Joly Strong - Sundridge, in the Muskoka and Parry Sound area of Ontario. John's address on the 1911 Census is 5 Main Street, Sundridge.
The photograph used in this blog was taken by John Crosby Faulkner. It is a picture of his brother Ford Faulkner, his wife and children. It was taken around 1910 in Toronto.
John married Jennie Stewart in 1874 in Toronto at St. James Cathedral. Her parents were John and Frances Stewart. Jennie Faulkner died in 1918 in Sundridge. Both John and Jennie Faulkner are buried in the Strong Cemetery in Sundridge.
John and Jennie had no children, but adopted a girl Lily Agnes Faulkner born about 1888 who was also a photographer in Sundridge. According to Northern Ontario Vintage Postcards site,
Lily was the daughter of John's younger brother William. However to date there is no proof of this.
John Crosby Faulkner is listed in the book The Ontario Photographers List by Glen C. Phillips.
- Faulkner, J. C., photographer 1887 - 1892 - Toronto
- Faulkner, J. C., photographer 1892 - 1900 - Sundridge
- Faulkner, J. C. 1901 - 1907 Sundridge
- Faulkner, John C. 1914 - 1920 Sundridge
In 1881 John & Jennie Faulkner are listed as living in the St. David's Ward, in Toronto. By 1891 the Census shows the couple living in Joly Strong - Sundridge, in the Muskoka and Parry Sound area of Ontario. John's address on the 1911 Census is 5 Main Street, Sundridge.
The photograph used in this blog was taken by John Crosby Faulkner. It is a picture of his brother Ford Faulkner, his wife and children. It was taken around 1910 in Toronto.
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