AnnunciationB.V.M.Cemetery
ShenandoahHeights, WestMahanoyTownship, Schuylkill, PA
Note from the recorder, Andy Ulicny:
Index of Sections as listed on Cemetery Plot Map… Not perfectly exact but very close
Intro:1-3 Section E: 4-60Section E: inside the loop 43-60
Section C: 61-110 Section A:110-136Section B: 136-149
Section H: 149-154 Section F:154-191Section D: 191-221
Section G:221-245 Flagpole: 245-248
I wish to note for you, the researcher, some of my idiosyncrasies in order to assist the user of this file. I worked using a laptop computer and a nice lawn chair, enjoying the cooler hours of the morning and evenings in the summer 2008. It was a daunting task, about two hours a day for six weeks.
I did not create an index, I have no computer program to do so. But, it is not needed since this is an electronic file. The Find function on your computer will facilitate searches for ancestors much more readily. Once you become familiar with the “Find” function (on the computer’s top menu bar usually under the “Edit” tab or with a binocular icon on its own) you will realize that you will more quickly locate names.
The Find Functionactually has advantages over any index. Due to spelling variations, you may choose to find mere parts of names, wildcards or even sound alike variations rather than full spellings which may not match. For example, an index may show 75 Barrett’s and 25 Barett’s; with the Find Function you can enter “rett, Jam” to find James Barrett much more readily than perusing all 100 entries of surnames. I made every attempt to maintain a Lastname, Firstname format with perfect spacing and comma use in my enumeration so that such partial searches can be done.
Be very aware of the variety of spellings! Remember, it is irrelevant how you spell your name today. In family plots, I have seen 3 distinct variations of the same name through the three generations. I have made every attempt to record the name’s exact spelling as listed on each tombstone, both first name and surname. Obviously typos will occur. When a spelling seems uniquely odd to me, I will attempt to underline it to show I recognize it as an odd combination…rather than you believing it is a typo on my part.
I enumerated tombstones in sections,but I did not list rows or feel a need to attempt to enumerate in straight lines row by row. I felt this would be too time consuming and it was more important to cover more graves and more cemeteries. I’m generally attempting to enumerate in a flowing pattern in each area. Generally I’m movingalong attempting to do two rows at a time and then wending back with the next two. But, I often will jump ahead to the next row if I am in easy position to see a tombstone, or if the adjacent plot seems related to the one I’m currently recording. Often when I did hit the end of arow, I opted to mark the new start with a short line of asterisks ********* while this is convenient when it is done, please realize this cue sadly is not consistent throughout.
About half way through this work, I was presented with a plot map of the cemetery. I became more aware of attempting to list row by row…but I found it to be slowing me down tremendously. I therefore stopped carrying the maps and attempting to keep my enumeration in line with it. But I did cut and paste the maps into the enumeration as I’d approach each new area. I also went back and attempted to place maps in the general areas of my previous work. You, the researcher, may examine the maps to see relationships of each plot. Often with the researcher’s awareness of surname relationships, plots in adjacent rows prove even more enlightening than side by side plots. In fact, in this cemetery I have found tombstones with one family name on one side in one row, and the back side of the tombstone served as the Family for a related surname in the opposite row!
Note: my enumeration is solely of the tombstones, there was no use of church records, or plot map to really aid the recording. Occasionally with an illegible stone, I would refer to the map to see if it would aid me in deciphering the name. The attached plot maps are a separate reference;many plots have no stones and therefore are not included in my specific listing. Kay Zagrosky who works at the Annunciation Rectory and is also a genealogy enthusiast is to be thanked for this wonderful plot map record. She recreated this map from original sources as an excel file. I was able to cut and past the relevant sections as I enumerated the stones.
I do note when I start a new major section. This record was created as an electronic source; precise genealogists and family historians may desire to check and see the exact stoneor maybe get a photograph. Understanding my approach will provide you with a general area, but you’ll have to look around a bit, sorry.
As for stones in the same plot, I have tried to keep all the stones in one plot together since these people were most likely related. *Realize, it was not always possible to know if stones in the same proximity were of one family plot or if they were broken into a series of small plots. So, occasionally a nearby relative may not be included in my guess. On other occasions I’ll have a stranger included in the family’s plot. Researchers, I recommend you investigate on your own here. I have made my most educated guesses…look for yourself and make your educated guess.
I generally attempt to indicate stones in one plot by not skipping lines; however I found that it was difficult to remain consistent to this plan. If many names are on one stone, I usually tried to avoid repeating the surname and merely indenting the first names on the stone. However, if thesurname itself has changed, or if was intentionally restated on the stone, I show that.
If other stones are in the same plot,my plan was to retype the surname but not skip a line. On many occassions I was forced to vary from the plan as it seemed to keep family units within a large clan more visible. I figured that you the researcher would recognize this.
As for individuals in each plot or on one stone, I have made an attempt to list the individual’s names from the eldest generation toward the most recent if it is apparent. At times, with double names on stones, I do not even know which name matches the surnames. Researchers should be able to sort this out in the census records. When I am in doubt as to matching surname to individual, I will note this with a “?” under the “Family Stone” heading.
I usually will begin with the male, not for chauvinistic reasons, but due to the fact the female changed to this family name in marriage. I was very happy to see many maiden names listed. Occasionally a listing of a maiden name without further explanation creates some confusion. I indicate when I am confused as to surname vs. maiden name.
Anything in italicsis my personal addition, not something specifically written on the stone. If ages were listed with a death date, I would first list the age. Upon calculating theto find the birthdates, I would list it in parentheses and in italics(6.16.1892). Often, by the seeing the way items are presented on the stone, a strong hypothesis may be made, again, since it is not the perfectly objective evidence listed on the stone, my supposition would be in italics.
I am somewhat familiar with some of these families from my research and although I do not wish for this to be an annotated record, when I could list some obvious factual relationships that I knew, I did.Again these will appear in italics. On rare occasion I may have even done some genealogical research to attempt to clarify the surnames of people on these stones. But, this obviously would be a never ending project of its own and I would never have finished the cemetery transcription.
You will occasionally note the use of “?” with dates and names.
If the stone was worn, or oddly scripted and I was unsure of information… I used a “?” aside of my best guess. Check the stone yourself and you too hazard your own approximation.
I am sure that I am guilty of some typographical errors and a few missed stones; however, I know that accuracy in recording is imperative. Many of these older, immigrant names are a bit off from the typical contemporary names we see in English used today.
I was particularly attentive with the more unique names to accurately show the spelling on the stone.
For facility in typing I have used numbers for months and the more computer-friendly style of recording dates using periods. When capable I have, for the most part,translated months listed in other languages. In my listings, the month is always listed first in the standard American manner of recording. I am aware there are other genealogical standards, but this proved to be easiest for me as that was how I was seeing it on the stones. I also will prove easiest for most individuals who are beginning to research their family trees.
I have also, on occasion, included some added prayers, or sentiments recorded on the stone, but this is not complete. For speed in recording, I have chosen to be rather abbreviated with recording military service. Listing a fuller account has proven to be very time consuming.
When amilitary footstone provided more exact detail than the headstone (such as full exact birth and death dates) I obviously have recorded that. I made every attempt to show every individual’s military service. Realize however, this is not always available or accurate. I noted Civil War flag holders on graves for people who were born after the Civil War was fought. If the individual served in WWI or earlier conflicts I have also transcribed whatever data was also available on the stone such as Company and Regiment.
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This is an extremely large cemetery.
Annunciation, on their plot map, views the separate sections as …
Three large front Sections. From left to right A – C – E
Six newer rear sections: B, D, F, G, H, I
One of these, “I”, is an unused section with no burials.
The cemetery is separated front and back by a cemetery road that runs parallel the Raven Run Highway. As a generality, the front sections are the older sections and will be recorded first, the back sections, while holding some very old stone are typically more recent.
The front is separated, by interior cemetery roads, into 3long parallel sections. I note these, as one looks into the cemetery as :
E. Front Right (bordering St. Michael’s Cemetery)
C. Front Middle
A. Front Left.
The back, behind the road running horizontal to the highway, is split into thirds with a left, middle, and right sides as you look from the central traffic circle toward Weston Place beyond the back cemetery fence.
Annunciation also breaks the deepest areas as new sections as well.
AnnunciationCemeterydoes possess a map which lists owners of plots.
Below is from an Excel representation of the map in the section in which I will begin. The top of this map borders St.Michael’s Cemetery to the north.
Mylisting of tombstone transcriptions follows beneath this chart.
I do not follow in exact row by row order.
I will, however, begin at the bottom of the first chart with plot 1-1. Buried here is one of the finest ladies I’ve ever known, Mrs. Mary Downey nee Brennan who serendipitously happens to be buried as one first walks into this upper entrance. Seems her parents, many relations, and all of her siblings except for Cardinal Francis Brennan are buried in this general area.I dedicate this work to her.
ANNUNCIATION CEMETERY SECTION E - 1Range 5
/ 4 / 3 / 2 / 1
16
15
14
13
12
Mircoke a / 11
10 / Casula Mahoney b / Rochira 1 Ames Stang / Altiero b / 10
9 / Whalen cd Brennan ab / Daley / Lattone Nahas / Bowman / 9
5 / 4 / 3 / 2 / 1
8 / Fry / Decker / Conigo / Abdo bd Corriagn Shistle / 8
7 / Martin / Rafter bd McCole ac / Rock cd Awad ab / Laffey / 7
6 / Keogh / Garrity- Dixon Cavanaugh / McGrail- Jennings / McDonald Gaughan Gallagher / 6
5 / Pappert bd Cuff ac / Salukas / Lawler / Higgins - Costello - McCormick / 5
4 / Walsh bd / Gastin / McCaughey b Meluskey / Bailey - Buchanan / 4
3 / Bradigan / Dietrick / Coogan / McGuire / Dr. Naysh Brennan / 3
2 / Brown / AJ Brennan Brown / Schmidt- Palitis / Ringheiser / Dr. John Brennan / 2
1 / Lowery Earley / Brennan / Schmidt / Ludes / Downey 6 gr / 1
Range 5 / 4 / 3 / 2 / 1
Transcription begins in Front Right Section, the very front prior to loop road. Entrance is one gate up from Schuylkill Avenue intersection.
NameBirthDeath
Downey, Mary nee Brennan1911(2.221911)xx (5.2000)
Last Manager of Hotel Shenandoah
English teacher Shenandoah HS
Downey, John J.1909 (3.7.1909)1970 (2.19.1970) Shenandoah Superintendent of Schools
Brennan – Massive Cross
Brennan, Dr. Jas. J. 1863(2.29.1862)1923(5.30.1923)
Margaret T. nee Connor1867(4.7.1867)1941
Brennan, Dr. Thos. C. 1895(11.16.1895)1923 (5.30.1923)Veteran
Med.Res. Corp
Brennan, Dr. Naysh C. 18981984
Brennan, Catherine A. 19061956
Siedlarz, Catherine nee Brennan 19421998
Schmidt, William A., M.D18951974
Josephine M. 18991989
Schmidt, William A. Jr. 19251925
Schmidt/Palitis stone:
Palitis, Alex J. 19031930
Brennan, A. J. Stone:
Brennan, Andrew J./Father 18831926
Phoenix Fire Co.
Brennan, Anna M. /Mother 18911974
Brennan, Helene M. 19182005
Jenkins, Elmer D.19101977
Hale, Theodore E. 19121972
Brown, Raphael D. /Father 19011936
Brown, Helena M. / Mother18931960
Brown, Catherine C. 18691929
Bradigan, Harry M. no datesno dates
Margaret I. no datesno dates
Terrence F. no datesno dates
Bradigan, Agnes M. /daughter 18891926
Walsh, Catherine/ Motherxx1926
Richard/ Brother xx1926
John / Brother xx1945
William/Brother xx1947
Gastin, Shickery A./Father xx1948of Syria
Mary A. / Mother xx1926
Albert A. / Husbandxx1995
Mary T. / Wifexx1983
Josephine/ sister19052001 school teacher
McGuire, Patrick J./Father xx1937
McGuire, Elizabeth /Motherxx1931
Elliot, John T./Father 19141983
Claire C. nee Herrity/Mother19141997
Elliot, Katherine M. 12.12. 198612.21.1986
Bailey-Buchanan stone:
? Mary A.18801958
? Grace C.19051963
McCaughey/Meluskey stone:
McCaughey, John J./Father18941967
McCaughey, Eva/Mother 18961963
Meluskey, Matthew19181995
Hannah (Honora)19182003
Herman, AnnaT.19202006
Kathy T.1942xx
H. Patricia19441994
Coogan,
Isabella and Kathleenno datesno dates
Dietrick, Isaac G. 18791854
Mary V.18841971
Dietrick, Emma M./daughter19051926
Smith, Thomas L. 19131980WWII
Smith, Elizabeth/ daughter 19161988
Footstone/Kneeler says “Ludes”
Reese, Connie F. 19201998
Earley, Thomas W. xx1957
Margaret I. xx1963
McQuade, Margaret A. 19431989
Lowrey?, Thomas 8.3.18341.8.1906
Brennan, Dr. John F.1.12.190710.19.1992 WWII
Captain US Army
Mary A. 19141979
Miller, Roy R. 18961982
Miller, Mary 28951993
Ringheiser, Lillianxx1927
Peterxx1945
Margaretxx1953
Sophiaxx1962
Joseph xx1966
Higgins/Costello/McCormick stoneno datesno dates
DeStefano, Vincent S.19432001
Ellen K. 1943xx
Lawlor stone:
Lawlor, James J. xx5.23.1932WWI
Lawlor, George T. 8.16.18977.14.1965WWI
Lawlor, Regina C. Nurse7.19.18948.13.1972WWI
Bogden, Joseph F. (Blackie)19081977WWII
Bertha M. (Bert)19092000
Salukas, Eva A./ Mother 18661934
Salukas, Anthony M./ son18991926
Salukas, Adam C. 18981978
Mary V. 19061989
Pappert, Harry F. xx9.28.1966
Francesxx11.17.1942
Pappert, Harry F. 19271938
Cuff, Henry no datesno dates
Phoenix Fire Co.
Keogh stone: no namesno datesno dates
Kepp, Charles A. 18941965
Mary E. 18961981
Garrity, Michael 18661926
Alice18691929
John 18901953
Dixon, Patrick T. 18882.26.1934
Dixon, Ellen C. 18884.17.1953
Cavanaugh, John J. 18881940
Catherine 18901981
McGrail, James B./Father 18701930
McGrail, Catherine nee Jennings 18761927
Mother
McGrail, Joseph E. 19101961WWII
Jennings, Mary I. / Aunt18821962
McGrail, James B./son19071976WWII
Jennings, Kathryn M. /Cousin19162003
McGrail, Gerald, M. 19121984WWII
McGrail, Dr. Austin M. 19041982WWII
McDonald/ Gaughan/Gallagher:
McDonald, George 18621931
McDonald, Sydney18671946
McDonald, Alexander 12.17.18907.29.1961WWI
Gaughan, Thomas 18871917
Gaughan, Elizabeth 18881936
Gallagher, Cornelius18871942
Gallagher, Cecelia V.18991964
Gallagher, Joseph F.19191989WWII
Gallagher, Mary 19191995
Cemetery road here loops up… most stones will now face the other direction.
**********
Martin stone - no namesno datesno dates
McCole, Daniel V.18861964
Winifred18961976
McCole, James B.2.13.190512.25.1971 WWII
Rafter, William F. Jr./Father18931929
Jennie18931968
Rafter, Bertha F. 19171954
Awad stone:
Awad, William A./ Father 1.18.19107.14.1963WWII
Awad, Catherine T./wife & mother 4.22.19112.8.1997
Awad, Albert / no datesndnd
Phoenix Fire Company.
Rock, Anthony18951971
Theresa19021994
Rock, Lawrence(small stone) 2.?.19313.7.1931?
Laffey Family- stone:
Laffey, Joseph E. 19101945WWII
Shistel, Thomas1.14.19126.26.1923
Old Marble rounded slab
Corrigan, Thomasxx2.15.1935 Veteran
Mary xx10.5.1933
Ellenxx4.20.1940
Abdo, Joseph/ Father 18801933
Naum/ Mother18801945
Romaine19151970
Amelia19121969
Tofie19071980WWII
Joseph 19401986
Jacobs, Franklin19081998WWII
Stone engraved with a Locomotive
Bowman stone:
Muffler, Allen J. 19151990WWII
Keiser, M. 18651932
Bowman, James H. /Father 18771948
Rose A./Mother18891978
Bowman, Clarence W.19111970
Bowman, Paul R. 19211976WWII
? James J. / Son19191932
Lattouf, Joseph 18951933
Nellie19021963
Nahas, stone:
Nahas, Joseph 18781932
Julia18831966
Michael 19161973
Anne (atop surname)19511989
Nahas, Edward J. 19021970
Agnes E. 19111994
Nahas, George/ Father 1913xx
Eleanor/ Mother19131996
Appollo, Frank M./Father19141995WWII
Florence/ Mother19181998
Congiu, Lawrence18861963
Teresa18931963
Corll, Edward19162000
Corll, Angela A.3.3.192010.4.1999 WWII
Congiu, Tony A. 8.2.19227.18.1986WWII
Congiu, Rose A.19262008
Congiu, Lawrence Jr. 19321945
Congiu, Palma Eileen19311985
Decker, George J. / Father 18691930
Louise S./Mother 18721962
Anna L./Daughter19081934
Daley, Luke/ Father 18781960
Margaret L./Mother 18821958
Morris, Mary/ Daughter19071930
Ames, Charles S.18881930WWI
Stang, Mildred19051931
Stang, August / son9.3.19247.6.1930
Mahoney, Daniel J. 18741933
Michael Whalen Family stone:
Whalen, Joseph Thomas11.14.19113.18.1984WWII
Whalen, Anna K. nee Folk12.18.19131.5.1998
Brennan stone- no names no datesno dates
In this area, the next map seems to take over:
Annunciation Section E-2 Moving up the far right side Cemetery.
11Reichert / Domenico 4
Ranauro 1 Morziotto 1 Coleribo 2 Scarpino 1 / (singles d) Draugell McGuinness Yurgal / Hassen Schmidt bd / Suskie Fritz 9 / Marawy a
Meglie d Cairo Mirarchi b Whalen / M. C. Giblon / Murphy / N _ _ _ 4 Ackell 4 Swagler ab / Bator Thompson ab / Corrigan McHale d / 9
Jones Leary / M _ _ _ _cd Malloy ab / Cantlin Bellezza-Pricopia / King Fogarty / Garrity Boran Larkin / O'Brein cd Desantis Ervante a / 8
11 / 10 / 9 / 8 / 7 / 6
Brennan Roche O'Brein ac Devitt / Flanagan Goff Dougherty / O'Neill Byrne 1 Cirillo 1 / Miles Conway / Noonan / Heaton Barry Walsh bd Spor / 7
11 / 10 / 9 / 8 / 7 / 6
*Note: northernmost areain this grid, with Italian names, will be enumerated separately later.
McHale, Thomas J. xx2.19?. 1925 WWI
Military Marble slab
McHale, James H. 18871945WWI
Military footstone
Corrigan, Annie xx11.23.1919
Muldoon, Michaelxx6.22.1917
Bator, Mother/ no name18621926
Mary/ Infant no datesno dates
Marawy, Charles 18781932
Rose 18891956
Thompson stone:
Tompson, John (age 17)(1901)4.5?. 1918
W. J. O’Brien stone:
O’Brien, William J. 18571916
Susan 18631938
Michael F. 18931945
Keller, Mary E. 19001980
Walsh, Patrick F.18731944
Ann A. 18731916
Frank P. 18991933
Spor, Nicholas/ Husband xx3.11.1916
Heaton, Own F./ Dad7.8.19148.28.1967
Barry, Johnxx3.19.1916
DeSantis, Rosina 4.10.188710.17.1916
Ervante, Anna E. 9. ?. 19118.22.1922
Age 11