tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32026430207093953982024-03-20T02:30:04.376-07:00The Nerney Family Blogtech_supporthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05485567416980482769noreply@blogger.comBlogger30125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3202643020709395398.post-13314157661319265012016-11-20T17:57:00.000-08:002016-11-20T17:57:03.031-08:00Article about Uncle Frank's service during WWII<div style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 18px; line-height: normal; min-height: 22px;">
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Shepherds of the North Sea © </div>
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by Dennis Michael Nerney </div>
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For those of you who did not see Mike’s tribute to Uncle Frank’s service in the U.S. Amy Air Force in World War II which was published as the cover story in the April 2016 Edition of "Air Classics Magazine," copy the following link into your web browser </div>
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(https://drive.google.com/file/d/0Bwvy2drh14fDT2U3WkM4V3VoT1k/view)</div>
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Here is a second link with almost the same material from the Autumn/Winter edition of the "Catalina News":</div>
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(https://drive.google.com/open?id=0Bwvy2drh14fDSHB0dVd0TzVXbFU)</div>
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Blog Supporthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04507150293273986177noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3202643020709395398.post-3121680703891006122011-04-25T21:46:00.000-07:002011-04-25T21:47:11.031-07:00JAMES CLARE NERNEY-HIS MATERNAL SIDE<p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 16.0px 0.0px; font: 16.0px Georgia">On July 28, 1863, Mary Hester married a Dennis Nerney is Stockton on Tees in the county of Durham & York, England. The ceremony was at St. Mary's Chapel[Catholic]. No knowledge exists if any of her relatives attended, though we know from the wedding certificate[if you want a copy, let me know] that Dennis' brother,John, and sister,Ann, were there as they were witnesses. This certificate shows Mary's age[ 20] and names her father as Michael Hester, a farm laborer still alive. From other records we know her mothers name was Mary Stanton Both her parents were Irish as was Mary.</p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 16.0px Georgia; min-height: 19.0px"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px"></span><br /></p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 16.0px Georgia; min-height: 19.0px"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px"></span><br /></p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 16.0px 0.0px; font: 16.0px Georgia"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px">That sums up all that has been yet discovered about her early life. Family lore says that the Hesters were from County Clare and that was why their first born male child was named James Clare. Yet my research in the Griffith Valuation of Irish property[1852 -1858] showing renters and landlords and the Tithe Applotment Index of property tax rates [~1825] have no Hester names in County Clare. Closer to County Roscommon where we think the Nerneys originated is County Galway. This has a large district[correct term is Barony] called Clare but no Hester surnames in any of the indices, but there are Hesters living in Co.Roscommon. I have another theory about the name Clare, an explanation will be given on the paternal side of James Nerney.</span></p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 16.0px Georgia; min-height: 19.0px"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px"></span><br /></p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 16.0px 0.0px; font: 16.0px Georgia"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px">The UK census of 1861, just prior to the wedding, provides no help. Michael Hester and his wife, Mary Stanton, are not working in England. Did they stay back in Ireland and allowed their 18-year-old daughter to depart Ireland seeking work? They would not be the first family to do so. I have found in the same 1861 census three Mary Hesters. One is with her brother Michael and they are working in a cotton mill and living with a Teddy and his wife, Ann Hester and a 16 year old daughter. They could be her aunt and uncle, but they are living on the west side of England! Another Mary is living in Preston where she is a lodger in a home and works as a cotton weaver. Both of these Mary's are about a 100 miles from the wedding site, but a third Mary is within 20 miles of the Chapel. She is living in Ellerton, Yorkshire. She is working on the 250 acre Knapton farm as a dairy maid. Maybe this is our young lady because Mary Hester Nerney did the same thing in Oakland ,California before and after she was divorced by Dennis. She had two milk cows, sold milk and raised pigs and chickens. She did this for over a decade at least. My guess this is our Mary.</span></p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 16.0px Georgia; min-height: 19.0px"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px"></span><br /></p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 16.0px 0.0px; font: 16.0px Georgia"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px">When does she and Dennis leave England and come to the USA? I have searched fruitlessly for New York and Boston arrivals from 1863 to October ,1866 when Dennis and John become naturalized citizens in Rutland, Vermont. There is supposed to be a three year waiting time. Did they or their sponsors ignore this law? No answer as of yet. Then Dennis and Mary are in California at Vallejo were there first born ,Emma, arrives in 1869. When and how they arrived, by the new transcontinental railroad, or sooner, is not known. By 1871 they are in New York where the her second child is born, Martha. They are still in New York when James Clare is born in 1874. Then they are back in Oakland where the following are born, John {1877], Ester [1879] and Robert [1882]. The latter has a twin sister who dies young.</span></p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 16.0px Georgia; min-height: 19.0px"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px"></span><br /></p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 16.0px 0.0px; font: 16.0px Georgia"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px">By 1879 the family is living on the southeast corner in Oakland at fifth and Oak Streets. "...The land is running in an easterly direction toward the estuary...". Today as you drive south on freeway 880 ,and with Jack London Square on your right, you would cross over this land. Sadly the marriage is falling apart. Christmas 1881, Dennis brings home a pet dog and the dog promptly kills a chicken. Mary hits her husband with a baseball bat, Her son,James, testifies to this in court later. Dennis moves out of the house and in December ,1882 ,he takes James[8], John [5] and Ester[3] and sails from San Francisco to Tacoma in the Territory of Washington. A year of residency will allow Dennis to divorce Mary who is raising Emma, Martha and Robert by selling milk, pigs and chickens.</span></p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 16.0px Georgia; min-height: 19.0px"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px"></span><br /></p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 16.0px 0.0px; font: 16.0px Georgia"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px">Dennis is granted by the court a divorce on the grounds his wife is habitually drunk and given legal custody of all six children. Of course, Mary can't defend herself in California! He returns to Oakland in the 1884 and turns over to Mary, John and Ester, but keeps James and moves to San Francisco. Mary, in January 1885, she then sues Dennis for financial support but does she get any? By now,all the older girls are working at various jobs in a jute mill , box factory or as seamstresses. Mary works also but continues her dairy. About 1886 Dennis with James leaves for New York. He will soon find a young lady, Kate[19], marry her and and they will have their first child, Margaret, in 1889. Two years later Emmett is born.</span></p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 16.0px Georgia; min-height: 19.0px"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px"></span><br /></p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 16.0px 0.0px; font: 16.0px Georgia"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px">Another blow hits Mary as she is dispossessed of her land. The Adams Brothers in November, 1891, claim that they have title to the fifth and Oak Street property.They claim that Mary is a squatter and on Thanksgiving Day have Mary and her family evicted. She is the forced to sell her animals and pay to the brothers $100 to remove some of her improvements on the property. Later, 1908, she and her son ,John, sue the Adam Brothers unsuccessfully to regain the said property.</span></p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 16.0px Georgia; min-height: 19.0px"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px"></span><br /></p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 16.0px 0.0px; font: 16.0px Georgia"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px">Somehow Mary manages! Are the girls and sons supporting her and for how long does that last? At some time ,Martha and Ester will go back east to begin their stage careers. When does Emma get married? Robert at the beginning of the Spanish-American war will enlist in the Navy, claiming he is 18 years old. Mary signs the enlistment document for her 16 year old son. We find John will be living close to his mom for the rest of her life and will provide a lot of emotional and financial support I'm sure.</span></p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 16.0px Georgia; min-height: 19.0px"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px"></span><br /></p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 16.0px 0.0px; font: 16.0px Georgia"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px">In the late 1890's Mary and John are living at 830 Fallon St., Oakland. John is working on the railroad and Mary has reestablished her dairy. For a least a dozen years nothing seems to have changed. Then the death at Soldiers Home in Los Angeles County, California of Robert E.Nerney(32] of tuberculosis on March 5, 1915, allows us to catch up on Mary's family. She petitions for Robert' s pension and claims that of her five children, only John H. has ever contributed to her support. All she owns is 25 foot lot at 612 Fallon St. and at 614 Fallon St., Oakland on each is situated a cottage. One cottage is rented at $12 per month and the other one is vacant. At that moment she is boarding with John in another family's house at 1259 12th St., Oakland, CA. Her petition also brings us up to date on her other children;</span></p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 16.0px Georgia; min-height: 19.0px"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px"></span><br /></p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 16.0px 0.0px; font: 16.0px Georgia"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px">1. Emma has married a Henry von Crombruggne and is living in Marin County, California. She has two children, Wilbur and Mabel. Will be living in Berkeley, California when Mary dies.</span></p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 16.0px Georgia; min-height: 19.0px"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px"></span><br /></p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 16.0px 0.0px; font: 16.0px Georgia"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px">2. Martha is widowed from a Mr. Morgan. She had a stage career singing in vaudeville and was called Donna Morgan. In 1915, she is living in Fairview, Nevada and in 1923 will live with her daughter, Alice, in San Francisco ,California.</span></p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 16.0px Georgia; min-height: 19.0px"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px"></span><br /></p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 16.0px 0.0px; font: 16.0px Georgia"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px">3. James Clare Nerney is living in New York City in the Woodlawn district and he is a New York City police Lieut.</span></p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 16.0px Georgia; min-height: 19.0px"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px"></span><br /></p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 16.0px 0.0px; font: 16.0px Georgia"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px">4. Ester has remarried a Mr. Thigpen after ending an eight-year marriage to the famed soft shoe dancer, George Primrose. Her residence is in Los Gatos California and that is the reason why James and Helen Nerney settle here for the birth of Lucy in January, 1918. By 1923, Ester has become Mrs. Gilbert Haldane, living in New York City.</span></p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 16.0px Georgia; min-height: 19.0px"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px"></span><br /></p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 16.0px 0.0px; font: 16.0px Georgia"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px">I assume that Mary got the pension and she and John now occupied one of their cottages on Fallon street before the year is over. No mention of a dairy at this time, but John has jobs as a company clerk, a craneman and a Southern Pacific conductor. In 1922, they moved to1222 8th Avenue, Oakland where she will spend her last 12 months. She dies on March 3, 1923 at home of Influenza. The death certificate gives her of birth as February 12, 1845, contradicting her wedding certificate in 1863 saying she was 20.What to believe!</span></p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 16.0px Georgia; min-height: 19.0px"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px"></span><br /></p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 16.0px 0.0px; font: 16.0px Georgia"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px">A requiem mass was held at St. Anthony's Church, Oakland and internment was at St. Mary's Cemetery, Howe Street, Oakland in lot T. 26-16. No word I have heard says who attended the services but with four of her children living near by, i.e. Emma, Martha, James and John. Did Ester come from New York City? About five years later John marries for the first time when he is 50. His bride, Maybelle McKean, this is her second marriage and she is around 40. Unfortunately she dies in 1937,ending a 10 yr. marriage. John inters her in his mom's plot. John soon retires from SP and lives another 15 years, dying on October 14, 1952. He left an insurance policy to James' first born, Helen Pat Stack. Was it fair, where feelings hurt and did others receive anything.?Some emotions were felt by the family but I was just inducted into the U.S. Army that day Uncle Jack died and only heard stories. John was buried close to his loved ones in plot Q.22-8.</span></p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 16.0px Georgia; min-height: 19.0px"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px"></span><br /></p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 16.0px 0.0px; font: 16.0px Georgia"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px">The fate of Mary's three daughters is not researched. Evidently there were strong feelings about James deserting his family and going east with his dad, leaving behind family that had to struggle. Did a 12-year-old boy have much choice in the matter? But growing up in the 1930s and early 40s only Uncle Jack was in the picture. What contact did James have with his siblings? I remember Alice Morgan and her husband, Frank Hindshaw, in San Francisco. Frank Nerney carries his name and my mother inherited some of the Morgan furniture.. But what about Emma and Ester, they never seem to be in contact with the family.I never saw any member of this family in all my years at the ranch or at Baden Street. Having experienced a close and loving family, I know that Nerney siblings were nowhere near being called a tight knit group.</span></p>Jack Stackhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12248910466055298578noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3202643020709395398.post-71712129945242296612011-04-25T21:44:00.000-07:002011-04-25T21:46:09.079-07:00JAMES CLARE NERNEY-HIS PATERNAL SIDE<p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 16.0px 0.0px; font: 16.0px Georgia">The name,Nerney, is derived from an Irish Catholic Church title given to caretakers or land stewards running the estate owned by a monastery or church. In the Middle Ages , this stewardship was a religious figure, but over time it became a civil job and one that could be passed on through hereditary lines. This became the norm after the English successful wars against Catholic Ireland in the 16th & 17th Centuries.Therefore,Nerneys from one locale to another were not related. The spelling of the name,Nerney ,differed from one region to another. A good example of this is in County Clare where the name was a variation of MacInerkney and in County Roscommon the name Nerney had over a half dozen varieties, i.e. Neary, Nearny, Nehrenty, Nehreny, Nertney and Narney. Our own James C. Nerney's father used Narney when he married[1863], used Nerney as he obtained US citizenship[1866] and Nearney in 1870 US census. By the 1880s all of the US Nerneys were keeping to the spelling we use today..</p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 16.0px Georgia; min-height: 19.0px"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px"></span><br /></p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 16.0px Georgia; min-height: 19.0px"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px"></span><br /></p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 16.0px 0.0px; font: 16.0px Georgia"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px">Family lore has it that the Nerneys came from Strokestown, County Roscommon <b>in</b> Ireland. James C. Nerney's half sister, Margaret ,[Dennis' 2nd family] said that the family owned a general store in Strokestown, no proof of <b>this</b> fact can be found. I have asked[July 09] Roscommon Heritage Society for help and they have found no Nerneys in the city or in the Catholic parishes that cover this city. They can find no record of James and Margaret Gannon Nerney's wedding certificate or the birth record of Dennis and his siblings. A big blank as far as any specific record but we know the family is using the County Roscommon spelling of the name. The encouraging fact about finding the Nerneys is that there are over two dozen families in the area with the same name. This is not true in neighboring counties Clare and Galway. Also there is a James Nerney in the 1851 Griffith Valuation being in Roxborough, Kilbride, South Ballintober, just north of Roscommon City. Today, there is a James Nerney[met him in 09] in the locale at Doughil, near the site of the old Dominican monastery at Cloontuskert[remember stewards were called Nerney]. The latter has no knowledge of his family history, but is sending me his brother's e-mail who could know something.</span></p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 16.0px Georgia; min-height: 19.0px"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px"></span><br /></p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 16.0px Georgia; min-height: 19.0px"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px"></span><br /></p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 16.0px 0.0px; font: 16.0px Georgia"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px">So this was a dead-end trying to find our roots. North of Strokestown, near an old monastery at Elphin, was a cluster of Nerney thatched, farm cottages & stables called Culleen(Killeen) West. The local historian, John P.Nerney, a rancher and farmer is active in his family history. He has helped others in the United States, Australia and Alaska in their family research. He does not think that there were any James Nerneys from this area. Usually, parents name their first-born male after their's fathers, James is not a given name here. James, Dennis's father, is listed as a boilermaker at the wedding, not as a farmer. Who needs a boilermaker in a rural area? Boilermakers are associated with the industrial revolution in railroading. So is Dennis' father a local man or part of the burgeoning railroad system coming through County Roscommon. There is more to be learnt before we know our past.</span></p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 16.0px Georgia; min-height: 19.0px"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px"></span><br /></p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 16.0px Georgia; min-height: 19.0px"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px"></span><br /></p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 16.0px 0.0px; font: 16.0px Georgia"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px">Our grandfather's name has a Clare in it and 1 of his kids and 2 of his grandchildren are given the name Clare. The story is that the Hesters are from Clare but this should be doubted. There are no surnames, Hester, in the County Clare tax rolls from 1826 through 1858. In nearby County Galway there is a district called Clare, but no Hesters are listed, yet many are residing in County Roscommon. What gives? Hard to discount family lore but no proof exists on the origin of the name Clare. Another possibility is that the Gannon's came from Clare in County Galway because their name exists in that locale.An interesting possibility is that it could be a local name because a small group of cottages south of Strokestown is called Clare! Around this site were located Nerney families and in the local graveyard are Nerney plots.Maybe yes?</span></p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 16.0px Georgia; min-height: 19.0px"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px"></span><br /></p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 16.0px Georgia; min-height: 19.0px"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px"></span><br /></p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 16.0px 0.0px; font: 16.0px Georgia"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px">If we don't know all about our past, we have come a long way since I talked to Nana in 1978 concerning her husband's ancestors. Then she knew so little about any other Nerneys related to her husband. Much has been learnt in the last 10 years due the use of the Internet and the research by Mike and Paul. Death certificates now show at least that Dennis Nerney had two brothers, John and Michael, and a sister, Ann. All were born to a James and Margaret Gannon Nerney. John lived from about 1836- 1899, Ann from about 1839 to 1890 , Michael from about 1841-unk. and our Dennis about 1842 - 1893. Probably there were other children but until we have certificates that state who their parents were, we can only wonder if any of the Nerneys living close to John and Ann are related. Since birth registries were not mandated in Ireland un- til 1864, it would be a miracle to find any earlier birth or baptismal records. The same is true about marriage and death records.</span></p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 16.0px Georgia; min-height: 19.0px"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px"></span><br /></p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 16.0px Georgia; min-height: 19.0px"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px"></span><br /></p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 16.0px 0.0px; font: 16.0px Georgia"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px">Some things are known about this family. James dies helping a neighbor when a bale of hay falls on him. We know the family leaves Ireland and goes to England, ending up on the east coast. We don't know when James is killed or in what country. One of the children of Ann tells her family that the Nerneys emigrate in 1847. This implies that the family's kids were quite young and probably James dies in England. Dennis' daughter in his second family,Margaret, tells a different story. She says that the widowed wife remarries and that the step father is mean to her four kids. The kids when they grow up turn around and thrash the step dad and flee the country. This implies that James died in Ireland and the emigration would have been in the late '50s or early '60s. It is hard to reconcile these accoumts.</span></p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 16.0px Georgia; min-height: 19.0px"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px"></span><br /></p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 16.0px Georgia; min-height: 19.0px"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px"></span><br /></p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 16.0px 0.0px; font: 16.0px Georgia"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px">My research into Irish emigration into England and into the UK Census of 1861 comes up empty, even though we know that John has married and his first four children were born in England(1870 US census records). We also know that his sister, Ann ,has married an Irishman, John Quinn, and they have their first child born(1859) in Pennsylvania and another in ( 1861), When and where John and Ann left Ireland is not known but they are back in England when her brother, Dennis, is married. On July 28, 1863, we are given the following facts; James is not alive, John and Ann are signed witnesses and the married couple are 20 years of age. Consider it unusual for the day and age to see three members of one family get married at such a young age. So many marriages of the day see men in there mid-to-late 30's finally getting wed. Does this say something about their family life at home.</span></p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 16.0px Georgia; min-height: 19.0px"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px"></span><br /></p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 16.0px Georgia; min-height: 19.0px"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px"></span><br /></p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 16.0px 0.0px; font: 16.0px Georgia"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px">Now the Nerney clan leaves England and heads to the USA. What happens to their mother? Did she attend the 1863 wedding or was she back in Ireland? What causes the family to emigrate and why the four will end up the Rutland,VT? A strong Irish contingent exists here and one of it's leading citizens[John Hanley), will be a sponsor for John Nerney's citizenship application. John ,with his brother Dennis, on October 4, 1866 ,become naturalized US citizens. How and why are they allowed citizenship if they have not resided during the last five years in the USA? Another of John's sponsors is his brother-in-law, John Quinn(Ann), and evidently one does not have to provide proof of residency. John and Ann must not have stayed too long in England after the 1863 wedding because she has a third child, James, born in Rutland, Vermont, in January, 1865. John is still in England in 1864 where his wife, Annie, has their fourth child.As for Dennis and Mary I don't know the arrival year, nor do I know when brother, Michael, comes. But the fact is the that the known siblings are in the USA by 1866.</span></p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 16.0px Georgia; min-height: 19.0px"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px"></span><br /></p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 16.0px Georgia; min-height: 19.0px"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px"></span><br /></p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 16.0px 0.0px; font: 16.0px Georgia"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px">John and Annie move to Albany, New York, in about 1867 where there fifth child, Dennis, is born. Annie will bear three more children, the last of her eight, in 1875. In the 1880 Census John is working a pedlar. He will live until August 8, 1899, in Albany, New York and is buried in the Calvary Cemetery in nearby Glenmont. Annie stays in Albany and lives with her unwed children till she dies on March 13, 1913 and is buried alongside her husband. We have their family tree but won't included it here. Ann and John temp0rarily move to Albany in order to live close to her brother, John, but after a year or so they return to Rutland, Vermont. John will work in the quarries till he dies in about 1884. During that time Annie will bear her last of eight children in 1879. The latter child is called Elizabeth and it is she that tells the story of the Nerneys leaving Ireland in 1847. In October, 1890 ,Ann dies of suspicious circumstances. Was she poisoned even if the death certificate states heart disease? I am not including her family tree in this recap. We know from the 1880 US census that her brother, Michael, is boarding with the Quinns and is working as a laborer, nothing else is known about him except he is the son of James and Margaret Nerney. I know of two other Nerney families living in Vermont, a Michael and Robert. But until we see a death certificate naming their parents, we don't know if there is a relationship.</span></p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 16.0px Georgia; min-height: 19.0px"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px"></span><br /></p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 16.0px Georgia; min-height: 19.0px"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px"></span><br /></p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 16.0px 0.0px; font: 16.0px Georgia"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px">For Dennis, his life after citizenship, is much different than his siblings. He is on the move, traveling cross country several times and raising two families. It doesn't seem that he will ever live close to his brothers and sister. Why? Is it because he has a special trade, boilermaker, that gives him better employment opportunities or what? When he wants to divorce his wife later on, he can take a ship to the Washington territory. He almost always seems to have money to finance his endeavors. He tells the divorce court later he is always employed at over a hundred dollars a month. This is his life with Mary in the USA. Starting in 1870 .they are in Vallejo, California, maybe working at the Mare Island shipyard, with their first daughter, Emma, born in 1869. By 1871, Martha is born and in 1874, James, and named after his grandfather, is born, both in New York. Back in Oakland, California, John (1877), Ester(1879) and, in the 1882, the twins are born, only Robert E. survives. After complaining about Mary's drinking problem and her hitting him with a baseball bat(1881),in December, 1882, he leaves San Francisco with three of his kids and sails t0 Tacoma area and probably stays for a while on Vashon Island until a years residency is up and moves into Tacoma to file the divorce papers. After receiving full custody of all his children, he returns to Oakland in 1884 and quickly turns over to Mary his 2 children, giving her all five, keeping James. He moves to San Francisco and starts working at the Union Ironworks, eventually working on the first steel ship built on the West Coast. In the mean time ,Mary is suing Dennis for child support. He soon leaves to go East leaving 5 kids and Mary ( did she ever collect a cent).. He will never see his family again. James ,by his dad, is forced to leave his mother and siblings. That hurt will not be forgotten by those left behind.</span></p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 16.0px Georgia; min-height: 19.0px"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px"></span><br /></p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 16.0px Georgia; min-height: 19.0px"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px"></span><br /></p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 16.0px 0.0px; font: 16.0px Georgia"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px">But why go East, he doesn't move close to his siblings in upstate New York or in Western Vermont. He has not lived near them in almost 20 years, so why does he go into New York city area.No familial closeness here! He could have had a job offering or enough cash to find a job Whatever, he meets a young Irish immigrant, Catherine Morrison(~19), 26 years his junior and they marry. The US Census of 1900 states that she was born in England of Irish parents, in February 1868 and emigrated in 1886. Soon Catherine(Kate)has a daughter ,Margaret, born in New York City in 1888 and three years later, Robert Emmett, is born. Their their marriage is cut short by Dennis his untimely death on July 30, 1893 in Clarkston ,Rockland County, just north of New York City. Frank Nerney, relating what Nana has told him, writes me that the death was an accident and he died of sewer gas. The death certificate states he had cerebal apoplexy and an intermitten fever. Evidently, Kate tells the cor0ner that he is 42 years of age. Obviously this is wrong and it means that Dennis ,in order to marry a young lady, made himself nine years younger. He was at least 51 years old at the time of death.</span></p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 16.0px Georgia; min-height: 19.0px"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px"></span><br /></p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 16.0px Georgia; min-height: 19.0px"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px"></span><br /></p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 16.0px 0.0px; font: 16.0px Georgia"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px">James has been forgotten for a moment ,only because Dennis has made him an apprentice to a pharmacist after coming East. When it started, I'm not sure but a pharmacy license is in the possession now of James C.Nerney,3rd(Fred) and might give us a date of completion.James will be 19 when his dad dies and how he earns a living is not recounted(pharmacy?). How does Kate(25) and her babies survive after Dennis' death? Again an unknown. But what is a fact is that James, in November ,1896 ,becomes a member of the New York Police department and I think he must have been helping out his young step-mom. The 1900 US census supports this theory because James is listed at 355 58th St.NYC as the head of a household with his sister, Kate, and her two children. She is keeping house and the kids are going to school while James works as a police officer. This could not have lasted forever since James gets married to Margaret Helena O'Shea on August 15, 1905. I have not researched Kate's life after this but I am aware of some of the history of her two children, ie. Dennis' second family.</span></p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 16.0px Georgia; min-height: 19.0px"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px"></span><br /></p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 16.0px Georgia; min-height: 19.0px"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px"></span><br /></p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 16.0px 0.0px; font: 16.0px Georgia"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px">Kate raises her two children in the New York City area as Catholics and ardent Irish nationalists. Margaret had natural musical abilities and always thanked her brother, James, for giving her piano and organ lessons. She becomes a Catholic nun. In 1907, we find her in Burlington ,Vermont at the Mount St. Mary's Chapel. While in the convent she earns PhD's, one in theology and the other in Gregorian Art(the source of the information is Jerry Stack). After about 25 years she leaves the convent, moves Dublin, Pennsylvania and marries a Mr. Fleming. She is teaching on the piano and organ and exhibiting her oil paintings. About 1961, she is not married and is invited to live with her niece,Renee and her husband Paul Coates, their three teenagers and her brother, Emmett. All this is in Southern California, probably Studio City. While there she meets Jerry Stack, working as a dance instructor with his brother, Jim. After some type of family dispute, she joins Jerry in Pacifica, California and she stays with him for about a year. In the meantime, you might have seen her up at the ranch visiting Nana. Within a year she is living in the Sacramento area. "The old redhead---" as she called herself dies December 5, 1981.</span></p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 16.0px Georgia; min-height: 19.0px"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px"></span><br /></p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 16.0px Georgia; min-height: 19.0px"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px"></span><br /></p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 16.0px 0.0px; font: 16.0px Georgia"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px">About 1910, Emmett is 19 or so marries a French Canadian lady by the name of Raquel La Duc. Two years later ,Renee Margaret Augustin is born in Montréal ,Canada.When she is an infant, the family moves to Allentown ,Pennsylvania and Emmett is working at Bethlehem Steel.</span></p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 16.0px Georgia; min-height: 19.0px"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px"></span><br /></p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 16.0px 0.0px; font: 16.0px Georgia"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px">In 1918, during World War I, he enlists in the U.S. Army as a wagoneer. The war ends and after 15 months service he is discharged on June ,1919, at Fort Dix, New Jersey. Roughly the same time Renee is being schooled at Emmett sister's school in Vermont. How long this last is not known, but Emmett has become a toolmaker at Westinghouse Corp. in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania. By about 1926 the couple are divorced and Renée, temporarily goes back to Margaret's convent. But soon, with her mom, she moves to the Los Angeles area and continues her dance and music lessons. She auditions for a musical chorus line at the Hollywood Music Box at a Tony DeMarco production. Later, she becomes his dance partner and their fame crosses the United States into Western Europe. Dancing before royalty and the wealthy they become celebrities. There careers last about nine years, For most of those years they were married, but the partnership goes on after their divorce, breaking up with the advent of WWII. Renee moves back to the West Coast, remarries and has her first child, a girl called Joel. Later, a there is a third marriage to a young journalist, Paul Coates. She will bear him two boys, Kevin(1947) and Tim(1948). Paul's career takes off like a rocket, a local journalist, then a LA area TV star and, finally, a nationally known TV host. Emmett has retired and is invited to join his daughter and his grandkids and live with the Coates. For a short time, his sister is with them, but moved north to the Sacramento area. On November 12, 1968, Emmett dies of emphysema at the age of 77. Five days later, Paul Coates has a major heart attack and dies at home, leaving Renée with three-20+year-old kids. She lives to about 2004, 92 years old.. Two of her children are still in Southern California and one is in the surfing industry in Hawaii.</span></p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 16.0px Georgia; min-height: 19.0px"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px"></span><br /></p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 16.0px Georgia; min-height: 19.0px"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px"></span><br /></p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 16.0px 0.0px; font: 16.0px Georgia"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px">Hopefully, I have touched upon the major lines of James Clare Nerney and his wife, Margaret Helena's, lineage. May this recap be of use to their two surviving children, Frank and Nancy. This is also dedicated to all of my cousins. We have enjoyed our heritage and now much of what I know about it, is before you. Will you download this and pass it on to your heirs? This is who we are. God bless Jack Stack (4/17/10)</span></p>Jack Stackhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12248910466055298578noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3202643020709395398.post-40090677683222035112010-06-02T08:14:00.000-07:002010-06-02T08:16:22.042-07:00Once upon a time in Ben LomondGood day, and once upon a time, long, long, ago there was a house in the mountains.......... <br /> <br />Summertime in the late 50's and early 60's, and Steve and I would be driven by Papa. He picked us up at 1499 San Jose Ave., and from 741 Cottonwood, and we would be whisked away to Ben Lomond, Ca., and then head up Alba Road. It was a magic place that is still there but I am not the same, and someone else owns the land, and I am sure the old house is gone and a modern house has taken it's place. It's more comfortable now, and the furniture is newer, and the appliances work, all the time!<br /> <br />It was Nana, back in the 60's she was only about seventy years old, and she talked a lot and she cooked a lot, and we visited. She'd talk about New York City, and she talked about Baden Street in San Francisco where they lived in a three story house on a hill that overlooked the city. Her children lived there as did her retired husband, formerly a Sergeant with the New York PD, and formerly a postal employee in San Francisco. My father grew up there, and he'd spend the summers at the property in the Santa Cruz Mountains. <br /> <br />Steve and I swam in the old pool, and we hiked up the hill, and up to the first, and the second spring. There were pipes that went from both springs to the house, and the pool, and we drank and swam in that clear, fresh, cold water. We'd play catch with the baseball, and throw the football around. Dad would cook hamburgers, and Nana would make spaghetti at night, and there were afternoon naps, during the heat of the day. At night there was TV, and the reception was terrible, and it was still wonderful to watch the same shows we saw at home in the "big city". Going to bed on the porch, that faced down the mountain, and had worn out screens that kept no bug outside but welcomed them in-but the air was so fresh! I remember waking up in the morning and watching the fog recede down the hill; it seemed to walk slowly, and then the morning light would shine on the redwoods, and the bushes, and we'd hear the dogs that lived up and down that hill. It got so dark, when we slept in Dad's room, the house would be so incredibly black and putting one's hand in front of your face was a useless practice; we did it to prove to ourselves that it was the blackest place on earth (it really wasn't; once I was in the Oregon Caves, and when they turned out those lights now that was black). It was magic, it was our land, and it was our woods, and it was our grandmother and father that made the magic, and of course that old pool. The rocks would cut into your feet if you weren't careful of the loose pieces, and if you dragged your foot it would happen only once, and the lesson was learned.<br /> <br />We stayed up very late one night, or it seemed that way to me. We laid down on the roof, and looked up at the sky. There was no light from neighbors, and the ranch house lights were off, and there were uncountable stars that hung in the air and as I'd stare into one area for a long time there would come the occasional "shooting star", and the night had become so unique, and we had a telescope. Dad got it for Steve, my brother, the budding scientist. I looked through it at the moon, and the stars, and thought I was very blessed to take part in the discovery, and of course, I was. We played "hearts" a card game and we would fight to be the winner, and most of the time the older and perhaps luckier, or maybe more skilled Steve and dad would treat me like the black sheep and destroy me! Perhaps there is still a little hurt feelings going on, and yet, yes I think they actually cheated me, and laughed full throated at my discomfort.<br /> <br />Today I watched baseball, golf, did dishes, and spent time with my family. We, Lynnette and Jennifer and Liz, all went to the ranch many years ago, and Lynnette remembers the ranch and Nana, and we occasionally discuss the old days. Today I spend time with this woman and these people and I am happy. Yesterday was remarkable and today seems like a dream. Walking hand in hand through life with people that only make you happy, not a bad thing to happen to somebody who has walked a "fer piece" and seen a few things. I'm having more fun today then back then. But some memories only cause me to smile. The bruises, and scratches and hurt feelings aren't remembered. Just the magic remains, and the memory of a younger man who loved his Dad, and his brother, and still does today.<br /> <br />Have fun, and always remember tomorrow is a bright thing, and there can be magic even in the future.<br /> <br />Love, and hugs,<br />Larrytech_supporthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05485567416980482769noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3202643020709395398.post-27917041251242138902010-04-02T16:55:00.000-07:002010-04-02T16:57:29.812-07:00This introduction and recognition was omitted from the Nerney & O’Shea ancestors history<br />So far I have published a family tree and issued it to Nana’s heirs in 1992.1 have updated and will lend copies to any who will want to Xerox it and return it back. Contact me! About 2 years ago I digitalized Nerney documents, deeds. Photos. letters and 1940’s film, plus Jimmy Nerney’s camcorder tapes (1980’s) INTRO A 2 PART dvd disc that 8 of you helped me to partly finance. If you want a free copy, ask me or one of your cousins. Will I complete my trilogy by publishing all I know about the ancestral history of JAMES C NERNEY and MARGARET H 0’ SHEA, I don’t know. I need to do for my STACK kin what I have done for my mom’s parents<br />But in the ensuing months I will recap the research highlights of both of our g’parents lineage. Also let me acknowledge the contributions of MIKE NERNEY & PAUL ROGERS Whether it was the use of the internet, letters to governmental agencies, searching directories, etc ... .their efforts have vastly increased our family history. So the recap is a shared venture, words and errors are mine. Contact me about mistakes, omissions or new info.<br />Done Dec. 2009 but for some mistake was not included on my 1 postings and neither was NANA’S Maternal side, Part I<br />MARGERET HELENA O’SHEA’s Maternal Side, PART 1<br />Ann Spratt marries Philip Sherlock about 1 857.The guess is in Penn. because Lucy is born there (June14 1859 says family bible).<br />Aug.11 1860 US Census states that Ann(25) &Phillip(27) are Irish born and Lucy(l) born in Penn. Philip has a farm at Manchester, Wayne Co., Penn<br />Dec.3, 1862, Mary Alice Sherlock (Nana’s mom) is born.<br />History of The Spratt’s and Sherlock’s<br />The 1850 US Census shows no Sherlock’s in Penn., but some in nearby New York. Ship immigration records on July14, 1850 show the ‘Jacob A Westervelt’ arriving in NYC from Liverpool,IJK carrying a Phillip Sherlock (25) and 3 sisters, ages 23-24. It is highly likely that this is our Phillip!<br />Spratts have been here prior to the 1 census of 1790, but we do not find them in NE Penn until 1820/30’s close to Wayne Co. In the 1840’s 3 fanning couples from Ireland are working the land in Manchester, Penn they have kids born in Penn, but no one named Ann. Then the ship”Perserverance’ arrives in NYC with Mrs. Spratt(45),Michael(l6),Miss Spratt(19) and a Miss Spratt(I6) TillS JIBES WITH WHAT Nana told me about her great g’mother,Mary Alice Stapleton Spratt having 2 girls close in age and this lady came to the USA and died in or near NJ /NY. Also having a Michael in the group adds weight to the thinking that this our family Also the ship leaves from Dublin, Ire. and that is where Nana said was the town from which the Spratts came<br />Early 1860’s Ann has a Lizzie (Nana said)<br />Then disaster strikes the Nation-April 1861 the Civil War starts and immediately Michael<br />Spratt enlists in the 6th Reg’t,Penn. Reserve Infantry(35th Volunteers), joining 10 other<br />Spratts from Penn.<br />Second disaster is personal Under 2 mo’s pregnant Ann learns her spouse ,Phillip, has<br />drowned while going from Equinunk, PA to Lordville,NY, while crossing the Delaware<br />R..On Dec.3, 1862, her 3 child is born-Mary Alice SherlockJack Stackhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12248910466055298578noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3202643020709395398.post-14154846088476171612010-02-16T10:22:00.000-08:002010-02-16T10:33:41.706-08:00<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKzNODI-ASo3dsVHKSmfWVam0lrukQerwuYeaYeElpw8qbn14IgHX1lhXchZYTPxZYdyaJASB6LO_QPhvO7jQuPzMOksStdhomehK2Go1kSZeByYklBSLAL_sfz3aK8_GL1qiuyzx11vA/s1600-h/20091228+christmas+126_crop.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 199px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKzNODI-ASo3dsVHKSmfWVam0lrukQerwuYeaYeElpw8qbn14IgHX1lhXchZYTPxZYdyaJASB6LO_QPhvO7jQuPzMOksStdhomehK2Go1kSZeByYklBSLAL_sfz3aK8_GL1qiuyzx11vA/s400/20091228+christmas+126_crop.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5438909293244367074" /></a><div style="text-align: center;">Here is most of Fred and Mary's family this past Christmas.<br /></div><div><br /></div>Jimhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08577885480843523152noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3202643020709395398.post-64697978721440152572010-01-31T21:20:00.000-08:002010-01-31T21:23:38.953-08:00Happy Birthday NanaI think of her every year on this day...and many other days as well. She gave me so much. My character, faith, optimism, love of people. I am fortunate that Uncle Frank reminds me of her wisdom and humor. I am grateful to God for being her granddaughter, and for my heritage, legacy, family. May the Lord bless each of you.Laurahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08646754896185522825noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3202643020709395398.post-33753081538953756472010-01-18T09:45:00.001-08:002010-01-18T09:45:55.998-08:00Margaret Helena Nerney (cont.) Her Maternal side<br /><br />Mike Spratt served 3 years in the 6th Reg’t, Penn. Reserve Infantry[35th Volunteers] from May 1861 to May 1864. He was wounded in the leg and shoulder, but survived and gets married to Cecilia - ? shortly afterwards. The 1870 Census in Wayne, Co, in Penn. shows he is a farmer with a wife and 3 kids. By 1890 Cecilia is listed as a widow in the Census. Michael seems to have died about 1887-89, leaving behind at least 9 children, one of whom is Louella and we have a photo of her.<br /><br />Ann Spratt Sherlock’s story from 1862 birth of Nana’s grandmother, Mary Alice, till 1900 is not perfectly clear. What is obvious is that she could not keep her 3 kids with her. Though there is an 1870 Census of New York’s Cayuga Co. showing an Ann Sherlock with a Mary Alice but as part of a household with an older male and 1 month old baby – a coincidence or 2 separate families? Yet Nana had told me specifically that Ann had married a Fottrell, a widower, who was also a brother-in-law of Ann. They had at least one child. Nana called her” Aunt Maggie and Maggie married a David J Walsh” and just the other day I have found a record of the event. On 25 November 1896 in Manhattan, NYC, New York a Marguerite Fattrell married David J Walsh and her parents names are Ann and Matthew Fattrell.After a 20 year search I finally had found the missing couple, yet they don’t exist in any of the censuses from1870 to 1900. But the newlyweds would reside in Weehawken, Hudson Co. New Jersey and their census records from 1900 through 1930 can be found.<br /><br />But only 1 event has surfaced in Ann and Matthew’s life. No records have been found in Penn., New Jersey or New York. When did they marry? Where did they live? How many offspring and when did they die{ Nana thought New Jersey}? What happened to Lucy and John T? The only evidence I have is the Mary Alice’s wedding certificate of her marriage to Richard O’Shea in 1884. The two signed witnesses to the event are her older siblings, Lucy Sherlock and John T. Sherlock. Otherwise from 1860 to 1900 they are lost. yet, suddenly Lucy appears in the next four federal censuses as a spinster living with David and Maggie (her half sister) Walsh. Nana’s maternal side definitely involved four families – Sherlock, Spratt, Fottrell and Walsh. This interweaving is noticed in the 1930 New Jersey census where 2 widowed sisters share an apartment; Olive Spratt and Mary Fottrell, living in the same city as the Walshes.<br /><br />Conclusion: We think of and have heard about the lonely life of Margaret Helena O’Shea playing the piano, sequestered in the flat by Richard. But this does not mean social inactivity. She had a job downtown at “The Women’s Home Companion” She lived close to aunts and uncles in New York, New Jersey and Pennsylvania the latter had to be a vacation spot with lots of cousins in a farming region. After she got married at age 20 these same relatives became a part of her new life, helping to raise her growing family as her health during the mid 1910’s became a major issue Her relatives took turns taking care of her 6 kids. Her 7th pregnancy brought matters to a head. James had to resign his lieutenancy in the NY Police Force, sell the home and make a new life in California. Knowing Nana and her letter writing ability you would expect letters galore going back and forth to hear eastern family. In 1939 she was given a train trip to New York to visit some of her kin and to reminisce. One or two of them returned the favor and maybe some of us cousins have met them at the Ben Lomond Ranch. Madge Heinzmann (Walsh) ,who was Nana’s flower girl, and Aunt Margaret from Penn.were visitors. While company was nice, the second half of her life,as we know, she had more than enough to do with her husband and 12 kids On that would be added soon over 30 grand children By the time she died[1989] great g’ kids were crawling about .WHAT A GREAT LIFE1 WHAT A GREAT PERSON1 WE WERE BLESSED TO BE A PART OF HER AND RECEIVE HER LOVE1Jack Stackhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12248910466055298578noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3202643020709395398.post-30512804532248561902009-12-29T14:53:00.001-08:002010-01-18T09:45:05.338-08:00Nana's Paternal side -THE O'SHEASAbout 1821 in Ireland were born Patrick O'Shea and Catherine Healy They married circa 1850 and had 13 kids.Don't know where they married but it seems the births were in London,Eng. The first in 1852and the second, Richard Joseph, was born on Dec. 2,1853at St. Clements Danes in London. Interestingly this was 4 years earlier than Nana and her mother were told by Ricchard. Patrick was a tailor by trade and many of the kids did the same.Patrick lived till1903[82?] and Catherine till 1905[84], many of the kids died young , T.B. seems to have run in the family.<br /><br /><br /><br /><br />Oct. 7,1874 Richard marries Susannah Eliz. Bennett in London their only boy , Richard,Jr., dies at an early age[Nana said there were 3 kids] Soon the pair emigrate to USA, leaving parents& sibs behind They arrive on the SS CANADA Nov. 1880, Susan dies soon after. Why??<br /><br /><br /><br />April 20, 1884 Richard marries Mary Alice Sherlock[21] at St. Michael's, 383 9th Ave.,NYC. The witnesses are her brother John T & sister Lucy Sherlock.Nana describes her mom as5'7" auburn hair and blue eyes with an easy going personality<br /><br /><br /><br />Jan. 31,1885 Margeret Helena O'Shea is born NYC She is named after Richard's grandmother and his older sis The baby will hear many names during her life-Helen, Nellie ,Mom &Nana. A baby brother is born in 1899,William,dies in days.<br /><br /><br /><br />For the O'Shea life had to be hard Being a tailor was almost a seasonal job Allie had started at 9 sewing buttonholes and now worked as a seamstress to help out After graduation Helen was an office clerk atWomen's Home Companion The family lived in rental apts. in NYC during this time,but 1900 US Census finds them living in N.Adams, Mass with Richard finding tailor work during a slow period -summertime<br /><br /><br /><br />Aug 15 ,1905Margaret Helena[20] marries James Clare Nerney[31]They had met a year ago at a church dance . Richard was against the union as he wanted Helen to work and help support his<br /><br />family Nana said he was a demanding person,hard on his family SO HE DID NOT ATTEND THE WEDDING!<br /><br /><br /><br />Aug 9 1908 Richard dies of "general paralysis, exhaustion" in Manhattan State Hosp.and was buried at Calvary Cemet.,Queens Boro,NYC He had soften enough to see his 2 young g'kids- Helen and baby JimJack Stackhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12248910466055298578noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3202643020709395398.post-39182548892309114482009-10-21T15:35:00.000-07:002009-10-21T15:47:10.344-07:00Barbara Suzanne Nerney 1959-2009It has been a sad season since losing Suzanne this past August. She died quite suddenly. My sister Mary and I went to Florida where she lived, to be with her husband and two children. The disease of addiction / alcoholism is a killer, make no mistake. I would rather keep the rest of the details private. Suzanne's life was meaningful; we have so many good memories. She will live inside of me and our other sisters, as well as her children. We had a memorial service for her this past Sunday am in Trinidad on the coast. (5hrs north of Santa Rosa) So can we post pictures on this blog? I am new at this. I send my love to all of you. I wish more of my cousins were involved in this family blog. LauraLaurahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08646754896185522825noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3202643020709395398.post-66117069831667238212009-07-14T10:05:00.000-07:002009-07-14T10:06:25.613-07:00Seeing Frank NerneySubject: Papasita, himself, Francois Nerney<br /><br />Good day, to you and yours,<br /> <br />We are doing well for a couple of graduates from South City High. Lynnette is soon to make the eggs, and bacon, and of course, potatoes, and we will eat like the famished hordes that we are.<br /> <br />Yesterday I called up dad, I call on most weekends, and he further expounded upon his possible anemia. What happened is that the blood test that he had taken was going to take two to three weeks, and one of the things they were going to be checking out is if he had anemia. The results came back and no, he has no anemia. (I was under the impression that they thought he had anemia, and there was further testing to do-not the case).<br /> <br />All is well in his neck of the woods, and I checked further regarding something he told me in the passed few years. He has had his name in the queue for a retirement community home. He heard that the date for him to make that change is drawing closer. Two people that were friends of his, and had already lived there have been called to their great reward. It's an interesting development that as someone dies your home gets closer to a reality. He likes the landlady where he is now very much, and the living accommodations, but he does want this further flexibility.<br /> <br />Mr. Nerney advised that his other son, the one in Colorado, the one with the degrees, and the fine attitude, and the plaudits from his fellow man, is having him stay at his house from 8/5 thru 8/19. It was further stated that one of Steve's sons is also flying in from Ohio on the day that dad arrives.<br /> <br />Papa is looking forward to music, visiting time, eating time, and the hikes that they go on. I applaud the Colorado branch of the family for there usual hospitality, and wish all of you well.<br /> <br />I will also send email that I will request Francis H., himself, to answer about the goings on. Otherwise I will have to call him upon his return, and that would actually cost me money (something I try to avoid).<br /> <br />To all, have fun with family, and friends, and still seek for justice in this world; it is an empty search, but I need company.<br /> <br />Love and hugs, and ttfn,<br />Larrytech_supporthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05485567416980482769noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3202643020709395398.post-800606769388658342009-06-21T20:10:00.000-07:002009-06-21T20:16:56.560-07:00Happy Father's DayI just joined this blog...finally. This post will be short. I just filled out all sorts of info on a profile, thinking it would be to share with all of you, my family. Somehow I think I just did it for countless numbers of google readers. Who knows. It was all real and nothing I need to be private. Not at my age and not anymore. My life is what it is. And I am at peace. I miss my Dad today...and some of your dads as well, my cousins. I hope all is well in your world this day. I wish each of you love. Let's send our loving thoughts, prayers, and reach out when we can. I am thinking of Aunt Lucy's children most of all today. The ones I saw last Sunday: Clare, John, and Kevin. What wonderful people and I am related to them. It was a beautiful experience at the memorial last Sunday. One that I am still thinking about and feeling. May God bless each of you, and may our paths cross again soon. Love,Cousin LauraLaurahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08646754896185522825noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3202643020709395398.post-44591340340116961842009-06-16T16:22:00.000-07:002009-06-16T16:26:06.596-07:00Our Celebration of Lucy's lifeGood evening,<br /> <br />Jack Stack mentioned to me as he and his brother Jerry were leaving that he would expect an "update" on Monday---I allowed that judging by the past it seemed to be a good possibility.<br /> <br />Lucy Thompson (nee Nerney) left behind three loving children, Clare, Johnny and Kevin. The celebration was at Clare's house, on the water in San Rafael. The weather was perfect, with a slight breeze, and wispy clouds. We walked inside the house, said howdy, grabbed food, walked out onto the back porch and watched the ducks. As I am always hungry there was more than one walk to the food table. As it was a pot-luck we brought my ladies Spinach Dip (capitalized, as it is Lynnette's Spinach Dip), and Jennifer provided a fruit salad (I referred to it as compote, and Jennifer said that she did not believe that compoteing of fruit would be a good thing).<br /> <br />Jeff, Jim, Mike (Nerney's all) were there as well as Mike's wife Mary Alice. Mary Alice is one of those people that everybody likes, and when you first greet her it's like you are one of her closest friends, no matter how much time has passed. Nancy, and her daughter Norah, and her husband were there, as well as Nancy's son Terry. Terry and his son used the community pool, and came to the party late, as his son was not willing to go for a dip, but rather a marathon.<br /> <br />There was barbecued chicken, potato salad, other types of salad, and after awhile the lasagna came out. I spotted the lasagna and made sure that I would not show up for the last table spoon full. Later on, much later on, the spaghetti was put out and I had made the fatal mistake of already being full. I noticed others relish it so I assume it tasted as good as it looked. There was an apple pie, which again I had allowed no room for, and was again miffed, knickered off, and upset.<br /> <br />As we entered the house the photo album table was just prior to the living room, and kitchen. I looked through a couple of them, and happened on Jerry Stack's collection. I had not seen these photos before, and there were the three brothers, their sister, and their mom, all together. Jack/Jerry/Jimmy and Joanie, and mom Pat. Pat was the first born of the Nerney children and Jack Stack mentioned that it's not every day the nephew is older than his aunt. Jack knows the right way to say things and he put it that he was 80, and that Nancy would be having a rather momentous birthday later this year.<br /> <br />Jack lead off the sharing side of the celebration and gave us some of the history of Lucy in the Nerney family from of old, and Nancy talked about sharing a room with her older sister. When Lucy was about 20, and Nancy about 9, she would watch Lucy as she brushed her beautiful strawberry blonde hair and hum, melodiously, as she went about with her business. Nancy liked to watch and listen as her beautiful older sister put on her make-up. We talked of the home on Baden in SF, and of the walking down three levels to get to the site of the street car/bus, and of how when Lucy would go to catch that bus the corner store coffee shop owner would hand Lucy her cup. Jack mentioned that there were no Starbuck's in those days, and Peet's wasn't even thought of as yet.<br /> <br />Jack talked of the eventful sea voyage when James Clare and Margaret Helena (Nana) traveled from the East Coast (New York) and nana was over 8 months pregnant; the voyage made Nana seasick and the pregnancy was a difficult one, and then Lucy was born on dry land, in Los Gatos, Ca. Clare told us of her mother's knowledge of, and love for, St. Augustine, and that even though she was not a regular attendee at Catholic Mass that she slept with a rosary under her pillow. Someone mentioned that we all had Nana's example, and that she and her husband said prayers at their bedside, on their knees every night, and when there was a church nearby they attended. Laura (Allen's oldest daughter) talked of the time that she was searching for spiritual guidance and Lucy provided her with an attentive ear, and a warm heart to discuss things with.<br /> <br />In the albums of photographs my father appeared, and Lucy, and all of his brothers and sisters, and parents. We all discussed things large and small, and enjoyed each other. My cousins were my friends when we were young, and they have stayed as such in my heart. We do not meet often, and they are sometimes sad occasions, but today was not one of those, as most are not. Lucy was a Christian, and her parents went before her to be in the Lord's presence. Nana lived to 104, and died the next day. Her funeral, life's celebration in Santa Cruz was full of laugher, and there were no tears. Why cry when one of the Queen's of this world passes on and you know without a doubt that God, any God, but especially the Christian God has welcomed her and the need to cry is gone.<br /> <br />It was a fun day, an interesting day, and an informative day. As Jack said, I am predictable. As I said to Jack when he left, have a safe journey home and it was good to visit with him. It was good to visit with all of them. Lynnette made spinach dip, Jennifer the salad and Mary Ann and I smiled, and ate what there was. I drove, and that was my contribution; that and the ladies that came, and smiled and talked.<br /> <br />Until the next reunion, for whatever purpose, have fun, and thanks again for being my family,<br /> <br /> <br />Love and hugs, Larrytech_supporthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05485567416980482769noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3202643020709395398.post-23928406438813616362009-06-06T14:14:00.000-07:002009-06-06T14:30:31.938-07:00Sad NewsIt is with a heavy heart that I pass on the news of Aunt Lucy's passing. Aunt Lucy passed on the morning of May 31. Clare will be hosting a memorial service at her home on Sunday June 14 @ 12:00 pm. This will be a potluck so a entree, salad or desert would be a great contribution for the day. If you have any pictures or stories of Aunt Lucy I'm sure Clare, John and Kevin would appreciate them. For more information please contact Clare. Clare's contact information is listed below.<br /><br />We do not have all the family's telephone numbers or email addreses so if you could pass on this information to anyone in the family you have contact it would be much appreciated. Thanks and hope to see at the services.<br /><br />Love, Norah<br /><br />Clare Thompson <a href="mailto:claret@ebeancounters.com">claret@ebeancounters.com</a><br />165 Baypoint Drive, San Rafael<br />415-256-9409Norahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00086357299883948139noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3202643020709395398.post-33925653540780627632009-05-14T20:06:00.000-07:002009-05-14T20:09:12.311-07:00Frank's 85th BirthdayGood evening, (posting written on May 3rd)<br /> <br />We had a great visit with the family at Dad's 85th birthday. Susan Schumann (Jack's oldest daughter) hosted the party at her boyfriend's Ed's house, in Los Altos. Susan and Ed met at a widow/widower's gathering, and have become good friends. Susan's two daughters, Lori and Melanie were there, as well as two sons Paul, and Andrew. Andrew went by "Drew" once upon a time, and was a model. He is now on the other side of the lens in SF, and has his own shop. Susan has told me that she got very close to dad when he came over when her father Jack was dying. Susan was able to go out and have a life when dad would visit.<br /> <br />Laura Nerney, Alan's oldest, came to the shindig, and she said that dad made it easier for her to get over the death of her dad, just cause dad was always close to Alan's kids. It made me very proud to hear these things. Something that Steve and I always had was a mother that loved us and who we lived with, and a father, who came and made a difference in our lives. One of the neatest things in my life has been how both my sisters feel about him, and how much he loves them. Each time that we visit he always asks what I have heard from Shelley, Sue, and of course what's his name (Steven Francis).<br /> <br />Jack and Jerry Stack came, and I had fun visiting with them. Pat Stack was the oldest of the Nerney children, the first born daughter, and they had a brother, Jimmy, who died in his forties. <br /> <br />Clare Thompson (Lucy's daughter) was there, and so was Norah, and her mom Nancy (Kryst-Nerney) the youngest of Nana's children.<br /> <br />Jack Stack told us a story, several in fact, but the one that I retained is that Nana's real name was Margaret Helena O'Shea Nerney. This was the first that I ever heard that; he went on to say that a couple of Nana's relatives were named Helena. I have seen her name as, "Helen Margaret, or Margaret Helen", but never Margaret Helena. Well, live and learn.<br /> <br />Terry Kryst came (Norah's brother, another of Nancy's kids). He and I visited, and we talked about the Nerney family reunion of 08 that Liz and kids came to, as well as Lynnette, Jennifer, and Joey, and I. <br /> <br />There were others who came, and I am about done with names.<br /> <br />Susan had a great buffet, consisting of salad, sandwich rolls, and ham, and cheeses. There was wine (that we bought), and soft drinks, and Martinelli's. Susan bought a cake that had a baseball mitt, and a ball (sculpted in icing) on top of the "HAPPY Birthday cake".<br /> <br />Dad had a good time, and was smiling, and reminiscing and laughing. He was his happy charming self.<br /> <br />He said to Susan Jean that he hopes she was not seriously injured in her fall, and that he loves her. He thanked me for the "booklet" I put together of photos of Shelley and family, and my family, and especially the greetings from Fred Keil, Shelley, and Rich Panelli.<br /> <br />He had a great time, and I had a great time, and Miss Mary Ann, and all the others had fun, and it was a great day.<br /> <br />Love and hugs, and you are all in his thoughts, as he now is wending his way back to Aptos.<br /> <br /> <br />Larrytech_supporthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05485567416980482769noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3202643020709395398.post-43333895690997535082009-05-14T19:56:00.000-07:002009-05-14T20:04:16.367-07:00Family Reunion Pictures<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiignwRWHvwvDGzVfCCY8dFrwx1kFBZHutFQzgAhyphenhyphen0-XVcbk54jB-gTEAp16c9khPwZnwY99M0Qs8F1m81sunx8-l85nnUb6HBwp7qqyA_fxxYFWYZsk8lvClY5f0pUzjRSs25R1rTHhxI/s1600-h/064.JPG"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiignwRWHvwvDGzVfCCY8dFrwx1kFBZHutFQzgAhyphenhyphen0-XVcbk54jB-gTEAp16c9khPwZnwY99M0Qs8F1m81sunx8-l85nnUb6HBwp7qqyA_fxxYFWYZsk8lvClY5f0pUzjRSs25R1rTHhxI/s200/064.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5335880790769006146" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWoidgfFWu1oYs4lD7UNkg9K9y7v90ZPSR3AdWfXAVTg0e7BqXaZVv-7OF3o_J6H1OQ4nF4NyaXbUwdc3h1bge2A3UtrofQ683fMFtEYP5LWr9-eObZgPjP6odH4H5TY2wa81drcLqyzY/s1600-h/065.JPG"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWoidgfFWu1oYs4lD7UNkg9K9y7v90ZPSR3AdWfXAVTg0e7BqXaZVv-7OF3o_J6H1OQ4nF4NyaXbUwdc3h1bge2A3UtrofQ683fMFtEYP5LWr9-eObZgPjP6odH4H5TY2wa81drcLqyzY/s200/065.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5335880790635506450" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDNhMyIlla8rqPKbEGkDlA3TWoYCyVw-7NxW5nRTYcW690jJ5PZIuVH7lfZQ5LKzpJfiyQVcOJvroCGKrUJ21ko_8ZyoNTi7v7qnNDdpDGlXHhSuF5Rs6D6j3DazXIlVYSz3iR_TESXmc/s1600-h/048.JPG"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDNhMyIlla8rqPKbEGkDlA3TWoYCyVw-7NxW5nRTYcW690jJ5PZIuVH7lfZQ5LKzpJfiyQVcOJvroCGKrUJ21ko_8ZyoNTi7v7qnNDdpDGlXHhSuF5Rs6D6j3DazXIlVYSz3iR_TESXmc/s200/048.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5335880791754444466" /></a><br />These were taken at the Nerney family reunion in the summer of 08, held at the Kryst's on the ranch property, above Ben Lomond. Cousin Jim and I talking, Cousin Laura (Alan's oldest daughter) talking to cousin Jim Nerney (Fred's son), Dad with his mouth wide open, Lynnette, Elizabeth, and Mary Ann in the background, and some of the "kids".<br /><br />Larrytech_supporthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05485567416980482769noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3202643020709395398.post-21413394344096322052009-04-18T10:32:00.000-07:002009-04-18T10:36:21.710-07:00Pictures of Fred and Mary Nerney<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7AtJw-TUl60b0f2dsIHOhBZ5EsPpeQzNba4t1v_pZOk14aRa5hlO5SbVyUiEyh2lNLrkcc20PVP-nDZsfbgCXjMDLl8LF8Q49leUlyPZVB-5sVbjDpHgbjIOuxSUpQy2hUOE8aPRlv0A/s1600-h/FredAndMaryNerney.jpg"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 248px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7AtJw-TUl60b0f2dsIHOhBZ5EsPpeQzNba4t1v_pZOk14aRa5hlO5SbVyUiEyh2lNLrkcc20PVP-nDZsfbgCXjMDLl8LF8Q49leUlyPZVB-5sVbjDpHgbjIOuxSUpQy2hUOE8aPRlv0A/s320/FredAndMaryNerney.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5326086449360072930" /></a><br />Here is a picture of Fred and Mary (made sometime in the 1980's?)<div>Anyone have any pictures from their wedding?</div><div>Jim III</div><div><br /></div>Jimhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08577885480843523152noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3202643020709395398.post-65903492107666871782009-04-16T20:43:00.000-07:002009-04-16T20:48:07.670-07:00Jack Stack to County RoscommonCousin Jack Stack is going to be researching the Nerney clan when he visits Strokestown in County Roscommon from July 3 to July 7. If anyone can provide leads on our ancestry/lineage, please let Jack know by either telephone (925-939-1842) or e-mail (carjack@jps.net).tech_supporthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05485567416980482769noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3202643020709395398.post-59380749498184109962009-03-17T21:56:00.000-07:002009-03-17T21:57:13.306-07:00Happy St. Patrick's DayGood day to all the lads and lassies at your various homes, and domiciles,<br /> <br />"Top o' the morning to ya (and your reply, me darling ones, "and the balance of the day to you".<br /> <br />We are all back to normal, as normal as I can be, in any event. We are awash in the mighty joy of living in this most favoured of places.I am reminded of my sainted grandmothers, one Norwegian, and one the Irish Catholic Queen of the Nerney clan, formerly of Ireland, and forever in my heart.<br /> <br />She was to have twelve children, and I was blessed to be one of her grandchildren. It is a matter of pride for me that she is my grandmother, on my father's side, and I am honored to be Mabel Irene Quam Green's grandson on my mother's side.<br /> <br />Nana (Helen Margaret O'Shea Nerney) was the matriarch of her family, and she lives in all of our hearts. Irish Catholic and then some, and always smiling, and always willing and able to play the piano. She played it at her 90th birthday party at the recreation hall in Millbrae, and she played it at her 102nd birthday party at TLC in Felton California, and she played it at the ranch house at p.o.box 2805 in Ben Lomond, California (I don't remember the street address, but the mail box on Alba Road was 2.805 miles up Alba Road and that was what I saw when I would drive onto the ranch property).<br /> <br />When she was born it was in New York City, and she worked for a magazine. The name of it and her title I do not recall. She was married to Officer James Clare Nerney (of the New York police department) at the age of 20, and James was 31 years old. He lived until 1955 and I was at his bedside within the last two weeks of his life on the ranch property, and I recall saying goodbye. That is my only memory of him, and then I was to bask in the glow of my love for Nana until her passing in 1989 (her age of 104 years casting a huge shadow over my life).<br /> <br />I would visit dad and she and I would sit at the old table in the kitchen when dad was at work, and she and I would talk. Some of my most treasured memories are of her at that table learning about her life, and her joy of life was just wonderful. We would watch the Lawrence Welk Show and she would sit at the old piano in the living room, and play the music by ear that we had been listening to. She always loved to play lively music, and she always loved to sit and talk. My friends came up and were enchanted by her. Steve and his friends would come up and me and my buddies, and she would cook us dinner, and occasionally dad would be the cook. We all enjoyed spending time with her. I have had many family members die on me through the years, and my father's brothers were among them. Jim, and Jack and Allen, and Fred, were the uncles that I spent the most time with. Especially Jim (named for his father, also sharing the same middle name) and I spent time together in Millbrae at he and his wife Viola's house on Landing Lane.<br /> <br />Jim and I would sit in his den and he would play his 78's with his favorite jazz musicians, and big band music, and I would talk to him of the old days. Jim and I would talk of Nana, and we would talk of Steve and my sisters, and I would discuss the Post Office (Jim had worked at the Post Office, and his father was also a former postal employee). We talked of the civil service and how it was a great job to have during the Great Depression. Jim and his brother Jack both wore the map of Ireland on their faces, and they were great story tellers. Dad told me of how Jim's job in the depression helped several families, and that Jim and Vi had been very generous with those in the family who had had especially hard times during that era.<br /> <br />I have never been to Ireland, but Jack and Jim went, as well as Dennis Michael Nerney, and Jack's older daughter Susan. They brought back photographs of the "old sod" and they told me stories of their travels. <br /> <br />I would like someday to be there in the land of my ancestors and trod upon that green land. The "troubles" are mainly behind, a thing of the past, though now and then a policeman, or a soldier will lose his life. For their families the "troubles" are today, and last week. The world knows not of what it means to be Irish. I have these shining examples of Irish Catholic nobility in my family. I am the black sheep, a "Protestant" and they sometimes cast their eyes as they roll them at me. Still and all they talk politely to my face, and as to what they say behind my back, I have no knowledge.<br /> <br />Actually the Nerney's and the Stack's, and the Roger's, and all the others that count themselves among the children, and grandchildren and great grandchildren of Helen Margaret O'shea have a love for all of her descendants. She was a fine, fine, woman, and a great story teller and my heart will always be filled with her and her children.<br /> <br />So, the old Irish toast I raise, "May the Good Lord take a liking to you, may the road always rise to meet your feet, and may the devil not know your dead for at least a fortnight, upon your passing".<br /> <br />Hear, hear, and pass the Guinness,<br /> <br />Love and hugs, and begosh and begorrah,<br /> <br />Larrytech_supporthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05485567416980482769noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3202643020709395398.post-82875404791828244852009-03-17T14:53:00.000-07:002009-03-17T14:54:41.794-07:00Happy St. Patrick's Day...a little early!Paddy was driving down the street in a sweat because he had an important meeting and couldn't find a parking place. Looking up to heaven he said, 'Lord take pity on me. If you find me a parking place I will go to Mass every Sunday for the rest of me life and give up me Irish Whiskey!'<br /><br />Miraculously, a parking place appeared.<br /><br />Paddy looked up again and said, 'Never mind, I found one.'<br /><br /> ------------------------<br /><br /> Father Murphy walks into a pub in Donegal, and says to the first man he meets, 'Do you want to go to heaven?'<br /><br />The man said, 'I do, Father.'<br /><br />The priest said, 'Then stand over there against the wall.'<br /><br />Then the priest asked the second man, 'Do you want to go to heaven?'<br /><br />'Certainly, Father,' was the man's reply.<br /><br />'Then stand over there against the wall,' said the priest.<br /><br />Then Father Murphy walked up to O'Toole and said, 'Do you want to go to heaven?'<br /><br />O'Toole said, 'No, I don't Father.'<br /><br />The priest said, 'I don't believe this. You mean to tell me that when you die you don't want to go to heaven?'<br /><br />O'Toole said, 'Oh, when I die, yes. I thought you were getting a group together to go right now.'<br /><br /> ------------------------<br /><br />Paddy was in New York. He was patiently waiting and watching the traffic cop on a busy street crossing. The cop stopped the flow of traffic and shouted, 'Okay, pedestrians.' Then he'd allow the traffic to pass.<br /><br />He'd done this several times, and Paddy still stood on the sidewalk.<br /><br />After the cop had shouted, 'Pedestrians!' for the tenth time, Paddy went over to him and said, 'Is it not about time ye let the Catholics across?'<br /><br /> ------------------------<br /><br />Gallagher opened the morning newspaper and was dumbfounded to read in the obituary column that he had died. He quickly phoned his best friend, Finney.<br /><br />'Did you see the paper?' asked Gallagher. 'They say I died!!'<br /><br />'Yes, I saw it!' replied Finney. 'Where are ye callin' from?'<br /><br /> ------------------------<br /><br />An Irish priest is driving down to New York and gets stopped for speeding in Connecticut The state trooper smells alcohol on the priest's breath and then sees an empty wine bottle on the floor of the car.<br /><br />He says, 'Sir, have you been drinking?'<br /><br />'Just water,' says the priest.<br /><br />The trooper says, 'Then why do I smell wine?'<br /><br />The priest looks at the bottle and says, 'Good Lord! He's done it again!'<br /><br /> ------------------------<br /><br />Walking into the bar, Mike said to Charlie the bartender, 'Pour me a stiff one - just had another fight with the little woman..'<br /><br />'Oh yeah?' said Charlie, 'And how did this one end?'<br /><br />'When it was over,' Mike replied, 'She came to me on her hands and knees.<br /><br />'Really,' said Charles, 'Now that's a switch! What did she say?'<br /><br />She said, 'Come out from under the bed, you little chicken.'<br /><br /> ------------------------<br /><br />Flynn staggered home very late after another evening with his drinking buddy, Paddy. He took off his shoes to avoid waking his wife, Mary.<br /><br />He tiptoed as quietly as he could toward the stairs leading to their upstairs bedroom, but misjudged the bottom step. As he caught himself by grabbing the banister, his body swung around and he landed heavily on his rump. A whiskey bottle in each back pocket broke and made the landing especially painful.<br /><br />Managing not to yell, Flynn sprung up, pulled down his pants, and looked in the hall mirror to see that his butt cheeks were cut and bleeding. He managed to quietly find a full box of Band-Aids and began putting a Band-Aid as best he could on each place he saw blood.<br /><br />He then hid the now almost empty Band-Aid box and shuffled and stumbled his way to bed.<br /><br />In the morning, Flynn woke up with searing pain in both his head and butt and Mary staring at him from across the room.<br /><br />She said, 'You were drunk again last night weren't you?'<br /><br />Flynn said, 'Why you say such a mean thing?'<br /><br />'Well,' Mary said, 'it could be the open front door, it could be the broken glass at the bottom of the stairs, it could be the drops of blood trailing through the house, it could be your bloodshot eyes, but mostly.....it's all those Band-Aids stuck on the hall mirror.<br /><br />Cousin Larrytech_supporthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05485567416980482769noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3202643020709395398.post-13529984461920845712009-03-07T16:21:00.000-08:002009-03-07T16:22:19.124-08:00TEST2BOO TO THE NON-NERNEY WORLDUnknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3202643020709395398.post-88228231661263514012009-03-07T16:19:00.000-08:002009-03-07T16:20:15.281-08:00testHELLO NERNEY WORLDUnknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3202643020709395398.post-40217467872053476602009-02-15T11:27:00.001-08:002009-02-15T11:27:47.775-08:00Happy Sunday, and another day to follow in honor of our PresidentsGood morning and a fabulous day to us all,<br /> <br />We have the wind, and we have the rain, and we have the beating, breaking, breath-taking waves crashing and swirling. My house, during the wee hours of the morning and up until noon is being buffeted with high winds. Our siding, that was once guaranteed to stay in place is now all over the place (on the Western side: on the largest area per side of siding) on the side of the house, and the pieces of Styrofoam insulation are all over the place. I went out, into the wind, and rain, to pick them up and pile them in the backyard. The siding is still guaranteed, however, the siding company is not returning calls, and not responding to emails, and we do not want the legal profession to take what little money is left over after daily needs, and taxes, and well, you know, food.<br /> <br />So we will soldier on and in the next few weeks we will have Lynnette's handyman remove the rest of the siding from the offending side of the house, and take out the nails, and it will be painted the same color of the siding that will remain on the other three sides. There will be no more buffeting to remove siding, and we will pay to have it repainted as time and tide, and sun and rain take the color out of it. Oh well, the siding wars, and the business that should be standing behind their product have won the contest. Again, I bow my head and ask for justice, and the ages roll and the time and tide continue and again, there is NO JUSTICE. Still, we will continue and we will shake our fists at corporate America and watch the rich and the CEO's continue to prosper as they have the lawyers and they have the wealth and they will continue to laugh up their sleeves at the rest of us (see the bankers, the Mortgage lenders, the former US Steel executives as they laze and count their filthy lucre, and again I say; you dirty bad dudes!!!!).<br /> <br />Dr. Stanley, before I braved the storm and straightened out the detritus of the morning wind, told us about the Grace of Jesus, and how that affects the Christian. Before I knew the extent of the evil in the world, Dr. Stanley tells us that all works out for those that Love God and obey Him. I accept the words, and I accept the Good News, and yet I still cleaned up in the rain, while the wind still blows. God's Grace, as St. Paul said, is sufficient in all situations. My house is still standing, both figuratively, and literally, and the Grace of Jesus, by the Will of the Father, by the Power of the Holy Spirit still rules the world. Again the Grace comes by the Word, and the Word by listening, and the Grace of Jesus was given on the cross, and by His holy, sinless, perfect life and the sacrifice that takes my place, and the rest of humanities. Even in the midst of Paul's stoning, ship wrecks, and loneliness, and storm tossed existence he stated that the Grace of Jesus was sufficient to meet all his needs. I have my little gripes, and I sometimes wonder why things are not better, and then I remember my part is to Obey, and I think back and that has not always been my response to the words. So I will continue to try, and think on Paul.<br /> <br />Tomorrow is the Monday that we celebrate the combined birthdays of both Abraham Lincoln, and George Washington. They represent all of the Presidents, and I say; thanks for my wife not needing to go to work tomorrow. Thanks, oh former, dead Presidents for being good enough to cause us to pause and reflect upon the founding fathers, and upon the 16th man to hold the office. Both great men, obviously, and Washington was the one who became the model, and chose to serve only two terms, when he could have served until his death. Abraham Lincoln knew that only as one country could we survive, and that it was going to take the death of many for that to happen, and still he soldiered on.<br /> <br />So with the siding, I say, oh well, and I laugh at the storm (from INSIDE the house). We will enjoy our three day weekend, and may you all do the same.<br /> <br />The siding will be buffeted again, and still the house will stand. That's enough for me.<br /> <br />Have fun, and soldier on with your siding, and the storms of life,<br /> <br />Love and hugs, Larrytech_supporthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05485567416980482769noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3202643020709395398.post-70363148017223244302009-02-03T09:19:00.000-08:002009-02-03T09:20:48.517-08:00Nana's Birthday (January 31)I am remembering Nana with so much love and appreciation on this day, January 31, 2009, her birthday. What a wonderful grandmother and role model she was for me. I am sending love to all of you my cousins. <br />Lauratech_supporthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05485567416980482769noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3202643020709395398.post-67760795349312800042008-12-03T21:53:00.000-08:002008-12-03T21:54:43.491-08:00Fw: Happy Friday, of for some, a four day weekend. (ps: ttfn=ta ta for now!!!!)Good afternoon, and it is over, for another year.<br /> <br />I drove to Aptos, under a cloudy sky on Wednesday. It rained, and the wind blew and the ocean was agitated. I listened to my music and had the window open and listened to the roar of the ocean between songs. My lady was at home and she had started the slow-cook-crock-pot, and I would be happy upon my return to our home, and the aromas wafting around the place.<br /> <br />I got to dads, the traffic was horrible once I got within the Santa Cruz City Limits. I inched along and made it to his bivouac above the Aptos Harbor where lies the "cement-boat". Time and tide have not been good and nobody will sail upon her concrete hide again. We visited in the kitchen while I walked around to get the feeling back in my legs and ankles from the 2 hour ride. He looked well and was all packed and ready to go. We left, what else was there to do?<br /> <br />The rain was intermittent going North and the wind still blew. We had an informative friendly chat and listened occasionally to some music and the miles passed. We arrived at home and Joey was there as I had picked him up at about 9:30 in the morning prior to getting my butt to Aptos. We had a good visit and then he high-tailed it down the stairs into the bowels of our house where he lied upon the Aero-Bed and rested. Joey had told me about 2 weeks ago that he wanted the other "poppy" to come as it didn't seem like Thanksgiving or Christmas without him. To say the least I was tickled and told Lynnette and that's when we decided that our grandson should be made to feel that it was indeed "that festive" time of the year. Dad liked that little interplay that I related to him. As I told Lynnette at the time my Joey makes life a lot more fun.<br /> <br />We did eat the beef stew that my lady, lefty, had concocted. It was delicious, filling, and I liked it. I decided to call Shelley while dad was over and they had a very nice conversation. Yesterday was the day of the week that we had arrived at with great anticipation of "Buon Gusto" and lefty did not disappoint. Lynnette, herself, had watched one of the cooking shows-probably on the Food Network-and we had a new way of preparation of the noble bird. She put sage below the skin and basted it in olive oil, and then added the standard salt (sea salt) and pepper (ground from our grinder of course). Well I had not had it cooked that way before and I say that I have not tasted better, and probably I will request it again. I will probably not get my way as she will have watched a new episode around a year from now and the latest version will again be a home run.<br /> <br />Thursday morning my sister, the brilliant chanteuse, Susan Jean, called to wish our house-hold a Happy Thanksgiving. I inquired as to her plans and they were going to Fred's sister Barbara's for the feast and were bringing some stuff with them. I suggested that she talk to Francis Nerney, himself, and she agreed and they had a fine conversation. My father was a very happy man, having talked to two women that he loves. I went and picked up Ms. Mary Ann 2'ish, as that is always the correct time to bring her over. It is written in the stars that shortly after 2 pm is when the visitor is supposed to show up-and so it was. We had those savory snack thingies that are mouth-watering and I had my fill as well as Joey, Dad, and the rest of the usual suspects. Dinner was legendary and I ate as if it were to be my last meal and the Governor had not said that I was to be spared. I did not even have a piece of one of two fine pies that Mary Ann had brought to us from Marie Callendar's. Marie may or may not wonder where they were-they are mostly gone as of this moment, and I have yet to eat even a slice.<br /> <br />Today I drove home the visitor from the south, and he sends his best to all and sundry. As do I, and as do all who speak well of you.<br /> <br />So until the next time, love and hugs, and ttfn,<br /> <br />Larrytech_supporthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05485567416980482769noreply@blogger.com0