Mary Jane Warner (1860-1932)

Mary Jane Warner (1860-1932)

"Home Sweet Home" 

Home means different things to each of us.  Memories of a home with traditions for generations is one meaning and living with your family in various homes is another. Traditions are build either way and for my great-grandmother the latter is true.  She was born 11 of Sept, 1869 in Greenport, L.I., NY,   to William H Warner (1840-1889) and Louisa W Jackson (1846-1924).

Several Places Mary Called Home

 Home in 1910 is at 78 Blackhall St, New London, CT

 1920, New London, CT

She married Frank J McCail at a young age and had a son with him in NY, Nathan McCail, born in 1887.  She is first  found in New London, Connecticut in 1892 where she lived until her death in 1932.  This city will remain her "Home Sweet Home", a place where memories are gathered, family bonds are close and most times 3 generations lived together.  

Home Sweet Home: Mary Jane Warner’s Life in New London, Connecticut

In the early 1900s, the waterfront town of New London, Connecticut, was a lively place to call home. The salty air carried the echoes of foghorns, ship bells, and the constant hum of industry. Nestled among the narrow streets and ever-changing addresses was Mary Jane Warner who became a McCail, a Lawrence, and finally a Squires—She was a woman who made a home wherever she landed, often with a full house of children, extended family, and the occasional mystery to solve.

First Known New London, CT Home Location
Photo Courtesy Barbara Fueston Grandon, 2022

Mary’s story reads like a whirlwind tour of marriage, motherhood, and movement. Her first marriage to Frank McCail in New York, resulted in her son Nathan. Mary had relocated to New London, CT in 1893.  Her move came after she was widowed from McCail and had married to become Mrs.Lewis Lawrence.  After their first daughter, Constance L Lawrence (1892-1960) arrives, they move to New London, CT.  They are first documented on Willits which was an empty lot in 2022 when we visited the property.Very different then a 3 generation home back in 1893 when they lived there.  Louisa Davis, Mary's mother is living with them.

By 1910, Mary had nicely grounded and settled in New London, Connecticut, with her mother Louisa, who, like her daughter, was also widowed. Together, they navigated life along the wharf, a place filled with dockworkers, fishermen, and the steady hustle of a maritime economy. If there was one thing Mary knew how to do, it was adapt. The 1910s and 1920s saw her moving from house to house, but always within the heart of the city, close to her support network of family and friends. According to her obituary, she was active in the local Episcopal church, where she must have found both solace and a little comic relief—because, let’s be honest, a woman raising the eight children she would eventually have, while constantly relocating probably had a few stories to tell.

Mary’s third and final marriage was to John F Squires (1874-1907) resulted in four more children, bringing her total to eight. Combine that with her brother Samuel David Davis's children, and it’s safe to say there was never a dull moment in the Davis,Squires combined household. One can only imagine the noise level—children running underfoot, pots clanging in the kitchen, and the occasional "where are my shoes" floating through the air.  

Despite the financial challenges of single motherhood and the uncertainties of life along the wharf, Mary created a sense of Home Sweet Home where ever they landed and presumably filled it with love, resilience, and community. Whether she was baking bread for a full table, gathering with neighbors at church, or simply making sure all her children had matching shoes (or at least a left and a right), she embodied the true spirit of home.

Research Plan: Filling in the Missing Pieces

Mary’s story is compelling, but some details remain elusive. Here’s a plan to uncover more about her first two husbands and how she supported her family:

1. Frank McCail (First Husband)
• Search marriage records in New York for their union.
• Look for birth records of Nathan McCail to pinpoint father’s details.
• Investigate New York City directories and census records to track Frank and Mary's whereabouts.
2. Lawrence Oscanyon-Lawrence (Second Husband)
• Determine if “Oscanyon” was a middle name or a surname.
• Search marriage records for Mary and Lawrence in  New York.
• Order Birth Certificate for their daughter Constance L Lawrence to verify parents
• Check military or immigration records in case he was transient or foreign-born.
• Follow up on indication she was awarded a Pension in 1899 per The Day newspaper.
3. How Mary Earned a Living
• Review city directories for employment listings.
• Check census occupations for Mary and Louisa

And That's a Wrap

Keeping Family Story Alive

Next weeks prompt: Week #13 Language

Barbara

Historical Event

Historical Event I chose to write about took place in 2024 while we were researching historical events at the Library of Congress and National Archives. 

Library of Congress 2024

It was the trip of a lifetime—a pilgrimage, really. Not to some distant land, but to the Library of Congress and the National Archives, where my sweet hubby and I would lay our hands on actual historical documents. Civil War pension files, crumbling with age and authority, waiting for us to whisper over them in awe. If history had a scent, I imagined it smelled like a mix of old leather, parchment, and a faint whiff of bureaucracy.

Of course, before we could bask in the glory of primary sources, we had to get there. And that, dear reader, was its own battle. Washington, D.C., in all its historical majesty, is also a labyrinth of traffic, unexpected detours, and sidewalks that seem determined to test one’s commitment to research. We set out from our hotel armed with enthusiasm, Google Maps, and the kind of naïve optimism that only tourists possess. We walked—because surely, it couldn’t be that far, right? Oh, how wrong we were, but we made it.

The journey to the Library of Congress became an unintentional history tour, complete with wrong turns, awe-inspiring architecture, and a growing appreciation for just how much walking our ancestors must have done. By the time we arrived, slightly winded but triumphant, the very air felt weighty with wisdom. My husband and I exchanged giddy glances. We were here. We had made it. We were touching history! And then we were immediately reminded of the rules. No pens, no bags unless the absolute right size (and they measured my bag to be sure I didn't exceed the requirements), no liquids, and for heaven’s sake, do not sneeze on the documents. Noted.

Library of Congress 2024

Hours passed in what felt like mere minutes. We were knee-deep in research, completely immersed, until a grumbling stomach reminded us that even dedicated historians need lunch. Emerging from the Archives, blinking into the daylight, we realized we had just spent the better part of a day on a journey through history. It had been thrilling, overwhelming, and slightly chaotic, but absolutely perfect.

Library of Congress 2024

Excited to finally reach the research area 

Our Library Cards to access Library of Congress

At the National Archives, the experience took on a reverent tone. Holding a Civil War pension file that had once passed through the hands of clerks, widows, and weary veterans felt like a privilege. My heart skipped a beat as I traced my ancestor’s name, written in a long-ago hand. It was a connection across time, a thread binding us to the past.  To touch these records and see the stains and smell the ink is an event we'll not soon forget. 

National Archives Records

                                                                          National Archive Records

And then we did it all over again the next day. Because one day of historical deep-diving wasn’t enough, and we needed to reimburse ourselves for any details we may have missed. Another day of walking, another day of awe, and another day of standing in silent reverence as we connected with our past. Our trip to D.C. wasn’t just a research mission—it was an adventure. One filled with historical wonders, aching feet, and the deep joy of touching our own family’s past. And if anyone needs advice on the best places to stop for coffee between the Library of Congress and NARA, I now consider myself a novice.  

AND we will go back again in 2025 God willing.  

That's a wrap for this weeks prompt: Historical Event

Next week #13: Home Sweet Home

Keeping family stories alive

Barbara 

Brick Wall

Who was Dora before marrying Robert C Fueston in 1898

 Dora M Haskins (1881-1936)

Breaking Down the Brick Wall: The Mystery of Dora M. Haskins

Every family historian has faced it—that seemingly impenetrable brick wall that halts progress and leaves questions unanswered. For me, that wall stands firm in the form of Dora M. Haskins, born in 1881 in Holden, Missouri. Despite tracing her life through three marriages, four sons, and a final resting place in San Francisco, the identities of her parents remain a stubborn mystery.

Determined to uncover Dora’s origins, I’ve crafted a research plan to chip away at this wall, brick by brick. From birth records and census data to probate files and DNA matches, this checklist is my map for navigating the gaps and shadows in Dora’s story. With each clue, I hope to turn this brick wall into a doorway, leading back to the generations before her.

The following checklist outlines the steps I’ll be taking to reveal the roots of Dora M. Haskins—because every wall, no matter how solid, has a weak spot waiting to be found and thread to be attached to the quilt of the family story. 

Research Plan for Brick Wall Dora Haskins

1. Re-examine Key Records for Clues

Goal: Identify overlooked details or errors in existing records.

• Birth Records:
• Search Missouri Birth and Christening Records for Holden, Johnson County, around 1881.
• Check for variations of the surname (Haskins, Hoskins, Haskin, Haskens) and given name (Dora, Dorothy, Dorie).
• Marriage Records:
• Revisit the 1898 marriage record to Robert Clemens Fueston for information about Dora’s parents, witnesses, or any clues about her maiden name.
• Investigate Missouri's marriage applications, which might list her parents’ names or places of origin.
• Death Records:
• Obtain a full copy of Dora’s California death certificate for parental information  sadly, no parents named other than father "Haskins"
• Search funeral home records to find details of who purchased plot and to see if parents names listed at all. 
• Search obituaries in San Francisco newspapers around March 11, 1936, for potential family names or locations.

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2. Investigate the Haskins (or Variant) Families in Johnson County, Missouri

Goal: Identify possible parents or relatives.

• Census Records:
• Search the 1880 and 1900 federal censuses for Haskins families in Johnson and surrounding counties (Lafayette, Henry, Pettis).
• Look for households with a female child matching Dora's age or a possible widow with children in 1900.
• Land and Tax Records:
• Check land ownership or tax records for Haskins in Johnson County between 1860–1900.
• Local Histories and Directories:
• Explore county histories or directories for mentions of the Haskins family.
• Investigate church or cemetery records in Holden for potential family burials.
• Family Search:
• Do full Text Search for Haskins, Hoskins, in Johnson and surround counties. 

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3. DNA Testing and Analysis

Goal: Use genetic connections to identify Dora’s parents.

• Test Recommendations:
•  AncestryDNA or 23andMe for a broad match pool recheck and search.
• Analysis Strategy: Learn how to isolate and cluster. 
• Focus on shared matches with known Fueston descendants to isolate Haskins-specific matches.
• Create a DNA cluster to identify groups of matches potentially linked to Dora’s parents.

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4. Newspaper Research for Clues and Context

Goal: Find mentions of Dora or Haskins family in local news.

• Newspapers.com and Chronicling America:
• Search for birth announcements, marriage notices, obituaries, and social columns mentioning Haskins in Holden or nearby towns.
• Investigate articles from Spokane during her time there, particularly around 1916.
• Key Search Terms:
• “Dora Haskins,” “D. Haskins,” “Haskins Holden Missouri,” “Haskins Johnson County.”

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5. Church and Cemetery Records

Goal: Identify religious affiliations and burial sites for clues about family ties.

• Local Churches in Holden:
• Methodist, Baptist, or Presbyterian records (baptism, marriage, membership lists).
• Contact local historical societies for archived church books.
• Cemetery Records:
• Examine Find a Grave,  local cemetery databases for Haskins funeral home records
• Check for family plots that might include her parents, probably not San Francisco where she is buried

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6. Explore Alternative Surname Theories

Goal: Address the “Smith” and “Makins” surname confusion.

• Birth Certificate Insight:
• Investigate why Glen Millard Fueston's birth certificate suggests “Makins.”
• Search for Missouri families with similar surnames (Makins, Mackins, Hoskins) in census and land records.
• Smith Surname:
• Review census and probate records for Smiths in Johnson County to rule in/out a connection.
• reach out to cousin Lehman to see why /where she found Smith Connection

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7. Collaborative Research and Message Boards

Goal: Leverage other researchers' knowledge.

• Genealogy Forums:
• Post inquiries on Ancestry.com, RootsWeb, and Reddit’s r/Genealogy about Haskins in Johnson County.
• Facebook Groups:
• Join Missouri-specific genealogy groups to connect with local researchers.
• Local Historical Societies:
• Contact the Johnson County Historical Society for unpublished resources or knowledgeable volunteers.

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8. Document and Reassess Regularly

Goal: Organize findings systematically to spot new patterns.

• Research Log:
• Create a log detailing sources checked, findings, and next steps.
• Reevaluate Annually:
• Revisit brick wall strategies every year as new databases and DNA matches become available.

"And That's a Wrap

Keeping our family story alive one 

thread at a time."

Barbara 

next week #12 prompt: Historic Event

Siblings Marry Siblings and then......

Siblings marry siblings, and then the discoveries of more marriages and babies galore 

What started out as siblings marrying siblings, "Fueston's marry Pilgrims", morphs into "Six Brothers for Six Brides", and expands to "Twenty Two Babies Born in Missouri".  Ursley, the mother and grandmother of this brood of Fueston's must have been busy planning weddings and changing diapers!

After the many family tragedies of the early 1890’s, the mid-1890’s brings hope.  The family unit had migrated to Missouri and with the move there are  marriages and babies a plenty. While researching Fueston’s marrying Pilgrim’s I realized there was many more happenings in Missouri.  

My research started out simple and turned into a big surprise!  Not only was there the double-knot ties: when the Fueston’s met Pilgrim’s marrying—not once but twice, but a review of notes proved that before a Fueston ever married a Pilgrim, there was already enough romance in Missouri to rival a Broadway musical.  

Picture this: It’s the late 1800s in Missouri,  the Fueston brothers are on a roll—six of them, to be precise, each finding a bride in quick succession. The weddings happened with almost military precision: two brothers in 1895 (just a day apart, probably to save on cake), then one in 1898, 1899, 1900, and 1901. They didn’t quite make it to seven brides, but hey, six out of seven isn’t bad—especially without the singing lumberjacks.

But the real twist in this story came in 1905, when the next generation of Fuestons took things up a notch with a little family crossover.

• May 31, 1905: Henry Leroy Fueston married Lucinda May Pilgrim in Clinton, Missouri.

• October 4, 1905: Malinda M. Fueston married James Walter Pilgrim in the same town.

It was a matchmaking coup so efficient, you’d think Aunt Emma was behind it with a seating chart and a not-so-subtle nudge at every family gathering. Maybe the Fueston’s just liked keeping things simple: one family tree, minimal branching.

Keeping it all in the family

Despite losing their parents young, Henry and Malinda stayed close to their Fueston roots, wrapping themselves tighter into the family quilt with each marriage including theirs and the seven other matrimonies that took place in the state of Missouri. 

Fueston weddings in Missouri, it’s a wonder they didn’t just build an extension on the church and call it the Fueston-Wing.  Perhaps Missouri considered a ward in the hospital named after the Fueston Family paid for by the 22 Fueston births in Missouri. 

In the end, the Fueston saga is a story of love about families, baby showers and wedding guest lists that must have been reused over and over again in the years the Fueston’s settled in Missouri. 

Here is a quick summary of the vitals that occurred in Missouri:

Marriages

1895 July 2        James Wallace Fueston marries Elizabeth Ann Hyden
1895 July 3        Marshal Franklin Fueston marries Clarinda (his second marriage)
1898                   Robert Clemens Fueston marries Dora M Haskins
1899                   Gaines Travis Fueston marries Stella Seward 
1900                   George McClure Fueston marries  Edith Trent
1901                   Jethro Franklin Fueston marries Harriett Land

Niece and nephew marriages

1905                   Henry Leroy  Fueston and Lucinda Pilgrim 
1905                   Melinda Fueston and James Walter Pilgrim 
1907                   James Porter Fueston (son of Robert Clemmons) married Tressie Driver

Babies Born

1891 Marshal Fueston, birth of daughter Liddie L Fueston (mother Barbara Luster?)
1893 or 94  Henry Irvin Fueston birth of son Samuel E [Feuston] 
1895 Sarah Fueston-Francis, birth of son Leslie Loring Francis
1895 James Wallace Fueston has daughter Anna Bell
1896 Marshal Clovis Fueston birth of daughter Pearl Katherine Fueston
1897 Sarah Fueston-Francis, Noah Elmer Francis
1898 James Wallace Fueston has son Ernest Fueston
1901 George McClure Fueston has son Archie McClure 
1901 Gaines Travis Fueston birth of daughter Evelyn
1902 Gaines Travis Fueston birth of daughter Ursley C
1902 James Wallace Fueston has a daughter Mary Clematine 
1903 James Wallace Fueston has a daughter Bertha Harrettia
1903 Robert Clemens Fueston: birth of son Leonard
1904 Gaines Travis Fueston birth of daughter Thelma
1905 Malinda Fueston/Pilgrim, has son John Pilgrim
1905 James Wallace Fueston has a daughter Hazel 
1906 Robert Clemens Fueston: birth of son Cecil Ellsworth
1907 Gaines Travis Fueston birth of daughter Bula R
1907 Henry Leroy Fueston m Pilgrim: had son Clarence Leroy 
1908 James Porter Fueston birth of son Everet J Fueston
1908 James Wallace Fueston has a set of twins Charles LeRoi and William James

"And That's a Wrap

Keeping our family story alive one 

thread at a time."

Barbara 

next week #11 prompt: Brick Wall