This is the last of the recent photos that I have for you. This one is a rare one. As far as I know, this is only just the second picture known of our Grandmother, Helen Merial (McLaughlin) Hillanbrand (April 13, 1902 - June 21, 1942). If anyone knows different, please let me know. In this picture, she is standing in front of what appears to be a store front, possibly on Ridge Avenue, in the Falls. She is standing with a young Aunt Dot, circa 1925.

This is the third promised picture of my Great Grandmother, Bridget Agnes (nee McNulty) McLaughlin. She was born on March 3, 1861 in Callow, Killasser, Mayo, Ireland. In 1869, her parents , Thomas and Anne (nee Mulligan) McNulty, moved from their farm in Callow to Doonmaynor, Killasser. This was the next townsland, just west of the McLoughlins in Dromada. After James McLaughlin died in 1908, in Philadelphia, Bridget steadfastly raised her family, by herself. She died March 13, 1944, some 36 years after the death of her husband. In the picture below, Bridget is in the middle, date unknown.

Today's picture is not new, however, it is a better copy. It is of my Great, Grandfather James McLaughlin, born April 3, 1861 to Michael McLoughlin and Mary Meer in Dromada, Killasser, Mayo, Ireland. Dromada is the townsland that he was born, which equates to a set of lots in a block, much like a neighborhood in the states. Lots sometimes do not front a road. James married Bridget McNulty on September 13, 1884 in St. Patrick's Church, in Rochdale, Lancashire, England. I don't know why they chose this church to get married, but I believe that at the time, James was temporarily working in England, as often happens when work was scarce back home. James emigrated to the United States in 1889, with his wife, Bridget and two children, Michael and Anna. The rest of their eight other children were born in Philadelphia. James became a fireman, but succumbed to cancer of the stomach on June 21, 1908, at the age of 47.

Stay tuned for the next four days for some photographs of the McLaughlin family, including an unknown one of our grandmother. In this photograph, taken circa 1901, is my Great, Grandparents, James and Bridget (McNulty) McLaughlin with their children: Michael, Anna, Marie, Catherine, Elizabeth and James. Not pictured is Thomas (born 1889, died 1894), my Grandmother, Helen (born 1902), Agnes (born 1903) and Margaret (born 1907).

Stopped at the old cemetery to pay our respects to my Great, Great Grandparents in Killasser, Mayo, Ireland. Also stopped at Seamus and Sarah McLoughlin’s house to visit the old homestead. Beer, tea and hot scones. Then onto Foxford Whoollen Mills for some shopping.