10 Questions About…

Today, if I heard correctly, 6 generations of Treacy, Mahling, Furnstahl descendants of Stephen Treacy and Mary McCarthy met in Randall Minnesota thanks to some heavy lifting of the most dedicated progeny. Stephen was born in Doon, County Limerick; Mary was from Cleveland, Le Sueur County MN. They were married in 1888. They had eight children: Mary Leone (Sister Leone), Charles Timothy, Catherine Bridget, Margaret (Nell), James William, Florence Irene, William Joseph (my grandpa) and John Patrick (Uncle Jack).

Mary died days after Uncle Jack was born. One of the photos included here, is Sr Leone’s memory of his death. She was the oldest at the time at 12. Somehow they managed to not get separated but rather my grant grandpa became a single father and the oldest (Sister Leone) kept everyone together. Someone mentioned that the key was that everyone did their part and everyone remained close. Pat Furnstahl actually wrote a book about the whole genealogy and history of this corner Irish-Minnesota history. It is a labor of love lasting years of research and it’s fun to have.

Today we drove by the family farm. I call it that and I remember going there (or many some other farm) as a kid but apparently, they didn’t really have a legit house-type structure on the land until my grandpa was 14. We also saw the post office where Nell worked. Much of the family still lives in the areas and many have moved to the Twin Cities, Chicago Kalamazoo, other locations and I think my daughter Kate (in Ireland) and Katie’s Molly (in New Zealand) might get farthest afield award.

I definitely know my first cousins and some were there today. Always fun to catch up! (The Calabreses were missed!) And I know a few of my second (maybe once removed maybe not) cousins and fun to see them too. But it’s very fun to be at an event of 140 family members where even if you don’t know them – people look familiar. Lots of blue eyes. A few serious red heads. A lot of sunscreen on the tables. A lot of Bills, Steves, Marys and Anns.

People are nice and friendly. They tell stories about people who you maybe met or at least know by reputation. There are a lot of smart cookies and hard workers. Hats off to the planners who had intricately coded name tags, set us up with a community center, pavilion, tables and chairs as well as so much good food. And double thanks for moving the dinner up an hour when we all looked hungry. Not just everyone can rush a meal for 140 like that. The last big reunion was in 1982 at the convent (St Bede) in Eau Claire Wisconsin where Sister Leone lived. I remember playing move volleyball that year.

Pictures from Today:

Old Pictures:

Publications and posterboards: