Dublin Woman

 Another mystery photo from the cedar chest of Nell (Johnstone) Borgreen. We'll call her Dublin woman, as the portrait was taken in Dublin, Ireland. I reached out to the photographer's studio, which is now run by his nephew and finally received a reply. It's not much, but the year 1926 can help to weed out a few possible subjects. Lets see where this takes us.

"Hello Jennie, Taken in 1926. No records available of who this person is . The photographer was my uncle .

Regards

Edmund Ross

+44 7510 915542

+353 1 568 6569

restoreoldphotographs.co.uk "

A Case Study in Photos

Way back in January of 2011, I received 4 portraits from my mother. She had received them from her mother, many years before, and had no idea who the people were. I have since solved the mystery of the identity of two of the people. I had affectionately called them Liverpool Man and Liverpool Woman. Below is the original blog post about the portraits.

These photographs were found in the cedar chest of my grandma, Ellen "Nell" Johnstone Borgreen. She had no recollection of who these people might be. The two Burrell and Hardman portraits, which I've affectionately dubbed Liverpool Man and Woman, might be identifiable and I've made efforts to contact the curators of their collection. I'm just waiting to hear back. The two older framed portraits are much more a mystery to me. The woman's portrait says "Ellen" on the back. I don't think the name "Ellen" refers to Grandma though. Grandma's godmother's name was Ellen, according to her baptismal certificate. I'm hoping and wondering if this might be the godmother, Ellen Coleman, who I suspect was the sister of Grandma's mother, Mary Alice Coleman Johnstone. The man has a familiar family resemblance. When I first saw this portrait I thought he looked like one of Grandma's brothers. Grandma's godfather's name was Thomas Coleman. I've long suspected that he might be Mary Alice's brother. But I have no proof. The fact that these portraits were found together, similarly framed and the same size would lead me to think they might be related, somehow. Such a mystery. So much fun to try to figure out. 

http://theycametomontana.blogspot.com/2011/01/mystery-mondaywho-have-we-here.html

 The following is a Facebook post from 8 Apr 2019

"So the mystery of two of these folks has been solved. Today I got an envelope from Uncle Johnny. In it was an old letter and a funeral card. The large portraits are of John J. Murphy and his wife Ellen "Nellie" Coleman Murphy. I still need a few supporting documents, but I believe she is Mary Alice Coleman Johnstone's sister. Huge thanks to Uncle Johnny, for sending it to me. There was a bit of shrieking and jumping in my house, today."

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AuptrorehSfipoln 8o,Sed

John J. Murphy Funeral Card

Letter to Ellen Johnstone Borgreen from her aunt, Ellen Coleman Murphy 7 Mar 1951

23 Mount Merrion Ave.

Blackrock

Co. Dublin

March 7, 1951

My Dear Nellie,

I can't tell you how I felt when I got your letter, telling me of your mother death. I just had to put on my hat and coat and go into Maureen and I stayed nearly a week. I am in a flat. It is a great change for me. I needn't tell you and at times I get so lonely. I just don't know what to do with myself. Uncle Jack died two years ago on the 24 Feb. He was ill two years and most of the time he was in a nursing home and for the rest of the time I had two nurses in the house. It was a terrible time and the Allenswood was sold and everything in it. I stayed with Maureen for a time and then I got this place. It is some distant from the city. The girls were very upset about your mother R.I.P. I will have some masses said. Maureen has four children and Annette has two and they will write you. Are all the family still in Great Falls. I did not tell the girls what your mother died of and if they write you need not say what is was as it might only worrie [sic] them. I did not tell her age. I thought I would mention it in case they might ask you. I don't know how many times I was going to write to your mother but I was so upset I couldn't seem to do it and by the way I sent you quite a lot of photoes [sic] Annette wedding and Maureen's and I never heard whether you ever got them or not and I would like to know. My brother in law was here from Cork this week and we all had lunch in the hotel. He was very ill after Uncle Jack died. I think it was shock and his sister died a few months before Uncle Jack so that is the third in two years. Is Kathleen still in Great Falls. 

I think this is all I have to tell you for this time and I hope to hear from you again soon. I am taking your address in to Maureen and Annette tomorrow so you will hear from them. 

So for the present good by--Nellie and remember me to all the rest of the family.

With fondest love,

Aunty

16 Aug 2021I was completely satisfied with this information but things just got better. Yesterday, I went to a family memorial service and while in that town, I stopped in to visit with Uncle Johnny. Completely unexpectedly, he handed me a little gift bag. In it were a series of old portraits, snapshots and a post card. I turned over the largest portrait of two young girls and saw my grandmother's handwriting on the back. In blue ink it says "Cousins in Ireland Annette and Maureen Murphy" and in black ink the date "1935". All the items in the gift bag had the date "1935" written in black ink and the identifying information written in blue ink. The photo captions are as they appear on the back of each photo. All the photos can not be from 1935 as there is a photo of Ellen Coleman Murphy and her daughter, Maureen who appears to be about 2 years old. Then there are photos showing Maureen at approximately 12 years old but also marked "1935". I wonder if this collection of photos didn't arrive in Montana in 1935. 

Cousins in Ireland Annette and Maureen Murphy "1935"

(I believe Maureen is the older girl)

Auntie Nell and Maureen in Ireland "1935"

(I believe that Maureen was born around 1920)

Auntie Nell, Ireland

Taylor Photo Company

Aug 29, 1935

This photo was developed just 5 days after the New York post card was mailed. Was Ellen Coleman Murphy in New York when this photo was taken?

Auntie Nell, Maureen and Annette in Ireland "1935"

Aunt Nell, Maureen and Annette Ireland, Mom's sister, Murphy "1935"

Uncle Jack, Auntie Nell's Home Ireland "1935"

In another's handwriting

Front of Achnacarry

sending large one later

Uncle Jack, Dublin Ireland "1935"

Post Mark New York, N. Y. 24 Aug 1935

To: Mrs. W. H. Johnstone, 1701 11th Ave. South, Great Falls, Montana, U. S. A.

Saturday, Hope you got the wire alright. ? will get word from the bank about Monday. I sent on your Return fare and I learned that the top sleeper was cheaper than the lower one. Will expect a wire when you leave Great Falls and I hope you enjoy the trip. Love from all here.

(this handwriting matches the writing on the letter sent in 1951. It appears to be from Ellen Coleman Murphy to her sister, Mary Alice Coleman Johnstone)

Woolworth Building, New York

What I know, so far, Ellen Coleman is the sister of Mary Alice Coleman, my great grandmother. Their parents were Stephen Coleman (1850-1908) and Mary Carberry (1856-1932). Ellen Coleman married John Joseph Murphy in the late 19 teens or early 1920's. They had two daughters, Maureen the elder who's birth and death information is unknown and Annette the younger daughter. Annette was born in 1926 in Co. Dublin, Ireland. She married Timothy Lynch and they had 9 children. Annette died in 2002 in Dublin, Ireland. The search for information regarding Maureen continues. In the 1951 letter, Ellen Coleman Murphy mentions that Maureen had 4 children and Annette had 2. I will search for birth, marriage and death information on Maureen to try to locate cousins who may be living. 

So much has happened

Stonehenge 2018

In April of 2018 I visited England. I spent most of my two weeks in Cornwall with Paul, my son-in-law's father. We've become good friends and he's visited us 4 times, already. He showed me all around Cornwall and then to London for two days. I saw places I'd only dreamed of and hope that someday I'll go back. I need to go to Liverpool, the place of my people. I've gotten Paul interested in genealogy and he's made some wonderful discoveries in the past two years. He's met close relatives that he didn't even know existed. Its very gratifying to help, in some small way, to reunite families. 

I've spend the past year and a half volunteering at the local Family History Center on Thursday evenings. I'm able to help folks with their research in a one-on-one environment. I find this both fulfilling and educational for me. I'm learning, even as I teach. 

I belong to the Western Montana Genealogy Society and have attended several state conferences. My goodness, what a wealth of information there is at any one of the conferences. I've had the pleasure of listening to some of the finest minds in genealogy, share their wisdom with us. 

I've had great success with DNA testing. I've been able to connect with distant relatives and even very close, previously unknown relatives. The biggest discovery is a 1/2 aunt on my paternal line. She was adopted and didn't know her family history. We've connected on facebook and I find myself wanting to meet her in person. She lives in FL, so not sure if/when a meeting will happen but I've opened my door to her, if she can find her way here. I had Mom, Dad, Thom and Paul take DNA tests. Mom's test results have helped me narrow down my maternal matches. Dad's results have been no surprise but its been fun to add people to his line of the tree. Thom, poor Thom. It seems that DNA is not a thing among the Asian populations yet. He was on match that is a 4-6 cousin. He as lots of very distant matches but none that offer any insight into his line of the tree, YET. I have faith that the day will come. Paul's DNA has led to many new relatives, as I mentioned, and he's met one in person already. Such a joy, for me to see.

So the search continues and I find myself more and more in love with the process. 

Coming full circle

Edd and Sarah at the OR coast June 2016

We are wedding planning. Our daughter, Sarah is engaged to be married to Edd. Edd is from the U.K., so our family connection is coming full circle. The Johnstones and Colemans came from U.K. We've had Edd and his father, Paul here for Christmas and have got on like old friends. Paul keeps saying "when you come to Cornwall....." So it looks like I might be going to Cornwall in the near future. Better get the passport updated. Now, if we could marry a kid off to someone from Sweden or Hong Kong, we'd be in business.

Growing a new branch on the family tree

Anna Gah Li

Our family grew in August. We welcomed our 3rd grandchild into the world. Miss Anna Gah Li W. born to our daughter Brittney and her partner Marcus. Her middle name is Chinese, in keeping with her Chinese Grandpa's ethnicity. She is perfect and healthy and absolutely charming. She's a good eater and sleeps through the night and is growing like the proverbial weed. We love her, just a little bit. Welcome to the family, Anna.

Things I need to write about

Anna Johnson and the mystery of the lost ashes
followed by Anna Johnson medical records and pending return home

Maria Bell and the book being written about the folks from her village in Finland
including her long lost siblings names

‪#‎52questions‬, Week #3

‪#‎52questions‬, Week #3

1. What kind of work did your parents do (farmer, salesman, manager, seamstress, nurse, stay-at-home mom, professional, laborer, and so on)?

My dad worked for Con Agra for years. He was a feed and fertilizer salesman. He traveled many days per week and I remember when he passed his Million Mile mark. Before my parents married, my mom was a telephone operator. After marrying she was primarily a stay-at-home mom. She volunteered a lot. She was a Camp Fire leader, a CCD teacher, a pink lady at the hospital. I'm sure she volunteered for other organizations that I'm not remembering right now. When I was in High School she began working at the same Doctor's office I worked at after school. 

2. Have any of your family members died? If so, explain what they died from and what you remember of their death; the circumstances of their death?

My 14 year old son, Alex, died in 2014. I do remember every detail of his death but am not ready to share that information right now.

‪#‎52questions‬, Week #2

‪#‎52questions‬, Week #2

1. What memories do you have of your father (his name, birth date, birthplace, parents, and so on)?

well, I'll keep his name and birthdate private since he's still living. He was born in Great Falls, MT to Edward and Marie M. Dad is hardworking, rather quiet and serious but he tells you he loves you by fixing or building things for you. He loves to tease little kids by saying "Are you wearing clean underwear?" or "I'm going to put my stinky feet in your bed." He loved to sit in his chair and catch the little kids in the "trap" between his knees.

2.What memories do you have of your mother (her name, birth date, birthplace, parents, and so on)? Mom is also living. She was born in Great Falls MT to Carl and Ellen B. Mom is little and fierce. She stands a scant 4'8" but is a pretty tough cookie. I used to have to give her three kisses before I left for school or went out to play. She broke many a paddle on us kids and resorted to a 2x4 that she kept beside her place at the dinner table. We hid it on top of the standing freezer in the basement years ago. Not sure if she ever found it. 

52 questions in 52 weeks Week #1

I'm embarking on a new challenge.52 questions in 52 weeks to write my life story. I'm hosting this project on the FB page I run for a group of fellow genealogists, too. Should be fun. We're starting with 2 questions a week until we catch up on the calendar.

1. What is your full name? My name is Jennie Lyn   Explain why your parents gave you that name. My mom wanted to name me Heidi but Grandma Nell didn't like that name. I was named Jennie for my gt. grandma, Johanna "Jennie" Felt Borgreen. There was also mention of the Swedish Nightengale, Jennie Lind being an inspiration for my name.      
2. When and where were you born? I was born in Kalispell MT on 28 Mar 1964. Describe your home, your neighborhood, and the town you grew up in.  I lived in several different places through my childhood. I have no memories of any homes until we moved into the blue house at 3005 7th Ave. South in Great Falls, MT after Mom and Dad (Gary Marxer) married. I was 4 when they married in the living room of that little house. My bedroom was upstairs when we first moved in but I moved to a basement bedroom after Carl was born. Lincoln Elementary School was about 3 blocks away, Lions Park was just a couple blocks too. It was a nice neighborhood with similar homes and families like ours. We had a big back yard and Mom's childhood playhouse (built by my grandpa, Carl Borgreen) sat in the back next to the dog kennel for my little dog, Sammy. Great Falls is a nice town with a small college and an air base. After Great Falls we moved to Belgrade MT when I was going into 3rd grade and lived on Custer Ave, which was a little dirt road. The doctor's office was across the road and the dentist had his practice in a mobile home next door. I shared a room with Ellen, upstairs, until Dad finished the basement and then my room was downstairs again. I had red shag carpet in my room. We moved to Lewistown when I was starting 8th grade. We lived at 121 Hawthorne Ave. My parents still live there today (Feb 2016). My room was on the main floor and had yellow shag carpet and one wall was papered with huge white, yellow and orange flowers. It had a built in desk and windows on three sides as this was an extension off the back of the house. I lived in this house until going to Great Falls to attend the Vo Tech after High School graduation. Lewistown is a charming little town of about 6000 people. Its located in the geographic center of Montana about an hour and a half from Great Falls. 

Barbara (Stevens) Marxer obituary

July 29, 2015 12:00 am

MISSOULA – Barbara Lynn (Stevens) Marxer, 67, of Missoula, passed away peacefully on Saturday, July 25, 2015, at home surrounded by her family after a lengthy battle with breast cancer.

She was born on March 18, 1948, in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, to Frederick J. and Dorothy A. Stevens. As a young girl, Barbara accompanied her Air Force family to seven different stations over 21 years, ending in Great Falls. She graduated in 1966 from Custer County High School in Miles City. She then went on to graduate with a bachelor’s of science in nursing from Montana State University in 1970. She was blessed to meet the love of her life, Neal Marxer, while attending MSU.

On June 13, 1970, she married Neal Marxer, of Missoula in Great Falls. The couple immediately moved to Missoula, where Neal was employed at the Frenchtown paper mill. Barbara worked in Missoula as a nurse until starting her family in 1973 with the birth of her first daughter, Noel. A second daughter, Joanna, soon followed in 1977. She remained devoted to her family as a stay at home mother, and was very active in Holy Family Catholic Church, Christian Women’s Club of Missoula, and the Cursillo Movement. Barbara earned her second bachelor’s degree from the University of Montana in 1992, with a double major in social work and psychology.

After graduation, she joined the Missoula City-County Health Department and began her public health nursing career. At the health department, she advocated for underserved populations and retired in 2011. During this time, she also served as the parish nurse for Holy Family.

Barbara was blessed with her first granddaughter, Ryann Osterman, in 2005. Ryann’s brother Parker followed in 2007, and the family welcomed a second granddaughter, Lily Goodman, in 2010. She adored all her grandchildren with her entire heart, and spent her retirement caring for them and planning fun new activities each time they visited her. She also enjoyed creating a beautiful flower garden at her home, and scrapbooking.

Barbara and Neal joined St. Anthony Parish, and Barbara was instrumental in starting Family Promise of Missoula there, providing service to homeless families in Missoula. She had a generous heart, and a real spirit for helping those in need. During her career and volunteer work, she helped unwed and low-income mothers, HIV positive individuals, the poor and the homeless. She was an influential mentor, and inspired several women in their nursing careers including her sister Kim, her daughter Joanna, and several young mothers she met while working in public health.

Survivors include her husband, Neal of Missoula; daughter Noel (Darin) Osterman of Belt; daughter Joanna (Chuck) Goodman of Missoula; four sisters and their families, Kathy (John) Zeeck of Helena, Colleen Ryan of Phoenix, Lisa (Dean) Blomquist of Ryegate and Kim (Tom) Drynan of Vancouver, Washington, as well as her mother Dorothy A. Stevens of Vancouver; many nieces, nephews, cousins and three grandchildren.

A rosary vigil is scheduled at St. Anthony Catholic Church on Sunday, Aug. 2, at 7 p.m. in Missoula. A funeral Mass will follow on Monday, Aug. 3, at 11 a.m. at St. Anthony. Burial will follow Tuesday, Aug. 4, at 11 a.m. in Great Falls at Mount Olivet Cemetery.

Garden City Funeral Home is assisting the family.

The family sincerely thanks Hospice of Missoula for the loving care they provided during the months prior to her death.

In lieu of flowers, memorials can be made in Barbara’s name to: Hospice of Missoula, 800 Kensington Ave. No. 204, Missoula, MT 59801; Missoula Family Promise, PO Box 5882, Missoula, MT 59806.

Barbara Lynn (Stevens) Marxer obituary

A Goodbye. Jimmy's memorial slide show

A Goodbye. Jim Borgreen memorial slideshow

Jim Borgreen obituary

Jim Borgreen Obituarty

Obituary: James “Jim” Carl Borgreen

By: Schnider Funeral Home

 

Jim was born in Great Falls on December 25, 1949, to Carl and Ellen (Johnstone) Borgreen.

• OBITUARIES

• Obituary: Karoline “Karola” Grunenwald

• Obituary: Wayne Howard Chattin

• Obituary: Caleb Daniel Schendel

• Obituary: Stanley W. Johnston

• Obituary: Joe “Big Joe” Tony Laverdure
  

James “Jim” Carl Borgreen, 65, of Lewistown, died on June 28, 2015, near his family cabin in Monarch.

Jim was born in Great Falls on December 25, 1949, to Carl and Ellen (Johnstone) Borgreen. He was proud of his education in Great Falls, and graduated from Great Falls High School in 1968.

From childhood, Jim displayed a rare talent for wildlife art, and he continued his education at Montana State University-Bozeman. He graduated in 1972 with his Bachelor’s degree in Art Education. He later completed his Masters degree through Montana State University Northern. 

Jim married Pat Mausehund, in 1974. They were married 25 years, and together raised their two children, Molly and Mike. 

Jim taught at Fergus High School in Lewistown, where he had a profound, yet steady and lasting influence on 34 years worth of high school students.

In 2003, he married longtime friend, LaVonne Emerson. They enjoyed 12 years of camping and fishing together. Since his retirement in 2010, Jim has been prolific as an artist and an activist in wildlife conservation issues. 

Jim’s last words, recorded in the log book of his family cabin, relayed his excitement of finally drawing a moose permit in that area. While on a scouting trip for this hunt, he died suddenly of a cardiac event.  Jim died doing what he loved, in a place he cherished. For that his family is grateful.

A memorial service will be held Monday, July 6, 2015 at 1:00 p.m. at the Fergus High School Performing Art Center in Lewistown, Montana.

To read the complete obituary and share condolences, visit the Schnider Funeral Home website.

Great Falls Tribune, Lewistown Artist Teacher dies in Monarch crash

The victim of a fatal crash that happened Sunday morning near Monarch has been identified. Jim Borgreen, 65, died early Sunday when the pick-up he was driving left the Hughesville Road east of Monarch and crashed into a tree

Borgreen was a well-known teacher in Fergus County, where he taught art to generations of students during his 34-year career in the Lewistown School District. Outside his role as a respected educator, Borgeen established himself as an accomplished wildlife artist.

His achievements include a three-time winner of the Montana State Duck Stamp Contest as well as three first-place awards at the Audubon Wildlife Show. Borgreen was a member of the Western Heritage Artist Group for 20 years and a frequent exhibitor at The Russell art show in Great Falls, as well as illustrating two books on bird identification and hunting.

According to a news release from the Cascade County Sheriff's/Coroner's Office, Borgreen was staying at his cabin in the Hughesville area prior to the fatal crash.

Montana Highway Patrol Trooper Daniel Arnold said alcohol is not suspected as contributing factor to the crash, which remains under investigation.

"Evidence at the scene seems to indicate that the driver might have had a medical episode which led up to the crash," Arnold said.

Big Finds in Sweden

ANDERSSON_Jonus_HHex_Södra-Ljunga-AI-9-1844-1850-Image-99-page-87(2)

Here we have some of the Swedish records that tell the tale of the life and death of Christina Jonasdotter, mother of Johan August "Gust" Johansson Berggren/BORGREEN.

Birth 20 Feb 1826 in Ljunga, Kronoberg, Sweden

Death 21 Sep 1898 in Ljunga, Kronoberg, Sweden

Parents were Jonas Andersson and Lisa Nilsdotter

Married to Johan Peter Nilsson Wilander 1830-1859

He died of drunkenness, autopsied, doomed to be quietly buried.

Christina's son Axel was born of this marriage but "Gust" was born 5 years after the death of Christina's husband, Johan Peter. "Gust" is recorded as illegitimate, in all Swedish church records.

ANDERSSON_Jonus_HHex_Södra-Ljunga-AI-9-1844-1850-Image-99-page-87

JONASDOTTER_Christina_Birth_20Feb1826_Swedish Church Records

JONASDOTTER_Christina_Birth_Södra-Ljunga-C-5-1814-1850-Image-136

JONASDOTTER_Christina_HHex_Death_Södra-Ljunga-AI-16-1892-1899-Image-48-page-33(2)

JONASDOTTER_Christina_HHex_Death_Södra-Ljunga-AI-16-1892-1899-Image-48-page-33(3)

JONASDOTTER_Christina_HHex_DeathSödra-Ljunga-AI-16-1892-1899-Image-48-page-33

Genealogy home decor

I received this folding screen from a friend and knew that it was perfect for my ancestor project. I only wish I had photos of more ancestors. I'm missing a gt gt grandpa and a gt gt grandma and the earlier generations after that. 

Always look before you take that first step.....

John "Racehorse" Johnson

30 May 1940, Ronan Pioneer

Maria Johanna Waara

Maria Waara Johnson driving sleigh
from the Sandy Johnson Barker collection

"Racehorse" Johnson

John "Racehorse" Johnson
 photo from the Sandy Johnson Barker collection

This is only the second photo I've ever seen of John "Racehorse" Johnson. Sandy has lots of stories about the Johnson family. With her permission, I'll be sharing some of them here in the future.

Meeting that distant cousin

Quite some time ago I began emailing with a cousin from the Johnson line of my tree. She has done tons of research over the years and has lots to share. Recently I was speaking at a little town near Helena and she and her husband were in the audience. We had such a nice chat afterward and then we talked by phone over the weekend. She has sent many more pictures, family stories and shared a family mystery with me. This has to be one of the best parts of my research. The connections with distant relatives. So. Much. Fun.

You've got your cousin's face

How's this for a family resemblance? Sven Fält was the brother of Johanna "Jennie" (Fält) Borgreen. Carl Borgreen was the son of Johanna. Sadly, these folks never met and I'm not sure they even knew of each other. But the family resemblance is undeniable.