A New Years Resolution: Find out what happened to my grand uncle, Eddie Stephan McCullen. Family legend, passed down by family historian Judy Herbert, has it that he was murdered in the streets of Manhattan on August 18, 1953. A very high level of probability is attached to this lore. Eddie’s uncle, Judge Edward J. McCullen, apparently sealed the court records surrounding the homicide. […]
Young Margaret Wigmore Sued the Railroad — and Won
On July 22, 1900, John Wigmore jumped on a trolley car at Flushing headed for Far Rockaway. The 20-year-old, who lived in a New York City tenement and caned chairs for a living, according to the U.S. Census, was thrown off the car by either the conductor or the motorman after he refused to pay an […]
Genealogist Shines Light on Simmers Past
When it comes to the Simmers side of the family, it’s no easy task separating fact from fiction. Spirited recollections made around holiday dinner tables, memories shared over coffee or scotch were taken as gospel. Little paperwork was left behind to substantiate oral tradition. Then along comes intrepid family genealogist Judy Herbert , who, based on her postings in message boards […]