52 Ancestors No.3: Thomas and Elizabeth Conlon

This is the third of 52 blog posts for the 2015 edition of the 52 Ancestors challenge. I have been blogging my family history for the #52Ancestors challenge since it began in 2014.

#52Ancestors asks bloggers to "have one blog post each week devoted to a specific ancestor. It could be a story, a biography, a photograph, an outline of a research problem — anything that focuses on one ancestor.”

This week's blog post is about Thomas and Elizabeth (Greer) Conlon who are the parents of my husband's paternal grandmother Margaret Veronica (Conlon) Foreman (spouse of Donald Jennings Foreman).

Donald Jennings and Margaret (Rita) (Conlon) Foreman in 1912

I was excited to have a number of breakthroughs on this family tree with thanks to two descendants who shared obituaries, photographs and anecdotal information that led to more breakthroughs!

That's the fun part about genealogy. One thing inevitably leads to another.

The first great gift was the obituary for Rita (Conlon) Foreman that was sent to me by a Conlon descendant.

The Sunday Star
11 October 1981

Where Were 

Thomas Conlon and Elizabeth Greer Born?

The second lead came in the form of a death certificate for Rita's brother Thomas (born in 1870 Ireland - April 26, 1928 York, Ontario). The details in the death registration answered the question about where Thomas Conlon and Elizabeth Greer were born?

1928 Death certificate for Thomas Conlon showing
Mother Elizabeth Greer was born in Scotland
Father Thoams Conlon was born in Ireland

We also know from this information that the family was living in Ireland around 1870 (when Thomas was born)

The third great breakthrough this weekend was the discovery of three wonderful photographs sent to me from a Foreman descendant of the Conlon family. Photographs really enhace a family history and are so important to the story of our ancestors. I am so thankful for these (the two below and the one above).

Thomas and Elizabeth (Greer) Conlon
Mother and father of Margaret Veronica (Conlon) Foreman

The Conlon Clan

From this very basic information (obituaries, death records, oral histories, photographs etc)  that were shared and located over the weekend (thanks to two Foreman and Conlon descendants) many more interesting leads will be followed and much more research lays ahead!

This is what makes genealogy so exciting!

Now why did Margaret Veronica (Conlon) Foreman fondly recall Hadrian's Wall in her childhood reminiscences?