Way back when, I picked up a Brooklyn Death Certificate for George Oakley Yerks from the New York City Archives.  He was the  great x2 grandfather to Colleen Yerks Hayes, my wife.  The Death Certificate disrupted everything I thought I knew about George Oakley Yerks and his parents.  According to his Death Certificate, his parents

One hundred and fifty years ago... today.... Henry William Lewis, an immigrant from Wales, was on board a ship that was fired upon by the canon batteries at Morris Island, marking the beginning of the Civil War. https://hayesfamily.us/index.php/2008/10/28/226/ Jeremiah D Sheehan prepared to join the war as a private in Company C of 3rd Infantry

Note: The following Hayes Family Genealogy Treasure was found by Jerry Hayes, grandson of Harry and Isabelle Lewis.  His write up about it first appeared in his personal blog, “Finding A Voice For My Thoughts” on March 26, 2011. In one or two other posts here I have mentioned this box of stuff I found

After months looking for the final resting place of William Yerks (b. 1801) and his wife Maria (b. 1803), I decided to pursue a lead that I had dismissed long ago because I just couldn’t see how it could be related. Several years ago, I came across a record at the Find-A-Grave website that listed

This is a story that Philip Jr. wrote (and Daddy typed) for a school project. The Speedy Little Munchkin By Philip L Hayes Jr., age 8 My Cousin Ann was over to my house for a sleep over. After a long day of playing, we fell quickly to sleep. (Poke. Poke) Stop. (Poke, Poke) Stop

The following is a biography of Nathaniel Cutler Sr. (b. 1 Jan 1808, d. 12 Apr 1886).  Nathaniel is Colleen Yerks’ great x4 grandfather .  He lived in Mount Kisco, New York for most of his life, but may have been born in North Castle. He married Sally Ann Weeks in 1829 and had several children.

Ralph Yerks was the third and youngest son of George Oakley Yerks and Annie Cutler.  According to his draft registration card filed on June 5, 1917, Ralph was single, living in Rye and was working as a plumbers helper.  His two brothers, Leroy (later known as James Leroy) and William Benjamin also registered for the draft

On Sunday, May 19, 1897, the published an article titled “Saw Lincoln Shot”. In it, was an interview of Henry William Lewis, age 62, and the great, great grandfather of Philip Hayes Sr. Henry Lewis told The Sun the reporter of two very interesting stories related to the civil war.  Below is a copy of

TAUNTON–Andrea M. (Hayes) Brady, 84 years old, died on Saturday morning January 8, 2011 in Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston after becoming ill on Christmas Day. Born in Manchester, NH, daughter of the late Jeremiah and Margaret (Sheehan) Hayes. Andrea was a graduate of Mt. Saint Charles School in Providence. For a few years after her

Jean L. Condos Yerks,  of Port Chester, died peacefully at age 67 on December 4 after a brief illness.  She was born in Stamford on March 31, 1943.  She is survived by her mother, Patricia Barnes, brother Rick Barnes, son James Yerks, daughter Colleen Hayes and her husband Philip and grandchildren Samantha Yerks, Philip and

Yesterday, I decided to revisit beta.familysearch.org to look for any possible new records they may have added to their database.  My first query was for the “Kelty” surname in Manchester, England.  The Kelty surname is on my fathers side.  Bingo!  I quickly found some new related birth records.  Since I was not really prepared to

Today, I found another true treasure in my Moms keepsakes. This one comes to us from Ada Hunter of  Swansea, Wales. According to a note written by my grandfather on the envelope protecting the postcard, he received the card from his first cousin, once removed circa 1897.  That would make my grandfather just 5 years