52 Ancestors in 52 Weeks
52 Ancestors in 52 Weeks is a series of weekly prompts to get you to think about an ancestor and share something about them. The weekly prompt is provided by www.amyjohnsoncrow.com. The prompt for the week of December 5 is “Homemade." |
| Cropped image from an undated, original photo in the collection of ©Virginia E. Summers Olsen |
Anna Marie Gillen was the fifth of seven children born to Frederick and Mary Kraher Gillen. She was born November 12, 1886 in Jersey City, NJ. She was their third daughter, but the only one to have survived to adulthood. My great, grandfather, Edward Gillen, was born next in 1888.
When Anna was 19, she married Edward Colwell on December 23, 1905.
 |
| Anna Marie Gillen and Edward Colwell, circa 1930. Enhanced and cropped image of a scanned photo from the collection of ©Virginia E. Summers Olsen. |
On September 24, 1910 Edward Gillen married Caroline Schmitz in New York City. And they soon started their family when Anna Marie Gillen (my grandmother) was born on July 6, 1911. Obviously Edward and Caroline named her after Edward’s sister. And Anna and Edward Colwell were named as her Godparents.
 |
| Anna Marie Gillen, undated image, but estimated about 1911-1912. Scanned image from original photo in the collection of ©Virginia E. Summers Olsen |
This ends Part 1 of this story. Part 2 will cover the journey of the chair through the generations and will be continued in our family’s private Facebook group.
How I'm related to Anna Marie Gillen:
Frederick Gillen = Mary Kraher
|
———————————————————————————-—————
| |
Anna Marie Gillen = Edward Colwell Edward Gillen = Caroline Schmitz
|
Anna Marie Gillen = Charles (SOLTIS) Summers
|
Mom = Dad
|
ME
Family heirlooms are some of the best gifts there is! Haha, I was confused about Anna being your grandmother, when I had first read she wass your great great aunt, until it was explained. :) Did you get to sit in the chair when you were young?
ReplyDeleteI’m sure I did when it was at my grandparent’s house, but we don’t have any pictures. My kids also got to sit in it too when it was at my parent’s house.
DeleteAnna Marie Gillen photo is striking...how did they get her to sit still long enough? Lovely dress!
ReplyDeleteI thought that was a wonderful photo to, and in such good condiiton for it’s age!
DeleteIf they staged the picture like we did when we took pictures with my small kids someone is holding her up and hiding under the blanket.
The chair is beautiful. Such craftsmanship. You are fortunate to have the wonderful pictures too.
ReplyDelete