Happy 30th Birthday in Heaven

James Anthony Fiume

August 25, 1987 - December 14, 1987

Grandma Pickard Update!

Circa 1948 Bridget Reilly Pickard and Nancy Donnelly Turner

For years,  Bridget Reilly Pickard, AKA Grandma Pickard was a brick wall.  A GIGANTIC brick wall.   All I knew about her was on her death certificate.  She was born in March 1863 in Ireland and her father's name was Thomas Reilly.

Thanks to the power of my mother's DNA and a kind, kind cousin, Craig.  I know more about her.  He was able to compare strands of DNA and determine that it was the Reilly surname.  His Reilly's are from Lurgan Parish, Co. Cavan, Ireland.  He suggested that I check baptismal records for Lurgan Parish.

Within a few minutes, I struck gold.  Bridget Reilly was baptized on 27 April 1863 to a Thomas Reilly and Rose Brady.  This matched the year of birth and name of father.  Here is the record:  http://registers.nli.ie/pages/vtls000634887_100

I shared my find with Craig and he took the ball and ran with it.  Finding siblings and a marriage record for Thomas Reilly and Rose Brady.  He also very eloquently pieced together both Thomas and Rose's parents. Thomas' parents were Thomas Reilly and Bridget Curran.  This Thomas is brother to Craig's direct ancestor Ann.  Thomas and Ann's parents were Phillip Reilly and Judith, our common ancestors making us 7th Cousins. 

This branch was bare before his correspondence.  Now we know so much more than just her father's name.  This branch has now blossomed!

I can't wait to find out more about her siblings and research further on her mother's side.

Thank you Craig for connecting the limbs of our family tree and thank you mom for making the DNA investment!