Where We Need Help

Brownlee Johnston

Who were Brownlee’s parents, when did Brownlee die and where is Brownlee buried?

Brownlee was born in around 1812, in Pittsburgh (possibly Ohio). His name is variously written as Brown Lee or Brown L. and the “t” is sometimes dropped in Johnston. His mother’s name was likely Elizabeth, who was born about 1773 in Maryland. Brownlee married Eliza Ray and they had five children: Elizabeth (b. 1840), Henry H. (b. 1842), John (b. 1847), Robert M. (b. 1854), Franklin (b. July 18, 1860). Brownlee was a carpenter. In 1870, Brownlee and Eliza lived at 106 Fremont Avenue in Allegheny City, or what is now the Northside of Pittsburgh. Brownlee appears to have lived on in Allegheny City (the Northside) for many years. By 1876, his wife Elizabeth was a widow, so John likely died before 1876.

All of the foregoing is known. Three important questions are: who were Brownlee’s parents, when did Brownlee die and where is Brownlee buried? Brownlee must be buried in the Northside area, although he is not on record as being buried at Union Dale or Highview Cemeteries. Possible avenues to explore are cemeteries in the Northside area, obituaries between 1872 and 1876, land records, etc.

Elizabeth (Eliza) Ray

Who were Eliza’s parents, when did Eliza die and where is Eliza buried?

Brownlee was born around 1820 in Pittsburgh. Eliza married Brownlee Johnston and they had five children: Elizabeth (b. 1840), Henry H. (b. 1842), John (b. 1847), Robert M. (b. 1854), Franklin (b. July 18, 1860). Brownlee was a carpenter. In 1870, Eliza and Brownlee lived at 106 Fremont Avenue in Allegheny City, or what is now the Northside of Pittsburgh. Eliza appears to have lived on in Allegheny City (the Northside) for many years. By 1876, his wife Elizabeth was a widow, so John likely died before 1876. Elizabeth was alive

All of the foregoing is known. Three important questions are: who were Eliza’s parents, when did Eliza die and where is Eliza buried? Eliza must be buried in the Northside area, although she is not on record as being buried at Union Dale or Highview Cemeteries. Possible avenues to explore are cemeteries in the Northside area, obituaries after 1880, land records, census records for the name Ray, etc.

Martha Jane Gohn

Who were Martha Jane’s parents?

Martha Jane Gohn was born on June 5, 1837 and died on May 20, 1920. She is buried in Union Dale Cemetery in Pittsburgh. Martha Jane married John Ashcom after 1874. They had five children: Ray, George (b. 1864), Benjamin Franklin (b. April 26, 1866), Frank (b. 1868) and Mary E. (b. September 7, 1875). John was a butcher. They were all living in New Florence in 1880. Martha Jane appears to have previously been married to a man named Stumbaugh. In 1870, Martha Jane Stumbaugh live in New Florence Borough, Westmoreland County, Pennsylvania, with her two sons, John W., age 8, and Frank, age 3. According to the 1880 Census, John Ashcom lived in New Florence, Westmoreland County, Pennsylvania with his wife Jane, age 40, and children Frank, age 12, and Mary, age 5. The 1880 Census record also shows two children named Stumbaugh living in the household: a William, age 18, and George, age 16. The differences in the names of here children are not easily explained.

All of the foregoing is known. One important question is: who were Martha Jane’s parents? Possible avenues to explore are census records for the name Gohn in Cambria, Somerset and Westmoreland Counties, marriage records for the name Stumbaugh, etc. There is an extensive amount of information available about the Gohn Family, so if Martha Jane’s parents can be identified, we may be able to identify many of her ancestors.

John Ashcom

Who was John’s father and where is John buried?

John is believed to have been born on November 11, 1821 in Pennsylvania. Early in life, he may have gone by Askum. He married to Sarah Smelker in about 1841 and they had two children: William S. (b. 1843) and Charles Lewis (b. August 16, 1847). John and Sarah divorced in 1874, certainly a rare event at the time. John then married Martha Jane Gohn, a widower living in New Florence Borough, Westmoreland County, Pennsylvania with her two children (whose last name was Stumbaugh). John and Martha Jane had five children: Ray, George (b. 1864), Benjamin Franklin (b. April 26, 1866), Frank (b. 1868) and Mary E. (b. September 7, 1875). John was a butcher. They were all living in New Florence in 1880. Sarah Smelker’s obituary says that John died in 1898 in New Florence. John lived in the Conemaugh-New Florence area for many years.

All of the foregoing is known. Two important questions are: who was John’s father and where is John buried? Possible avenues to explore are cemeteries and funeral home records in the Conemaugh-New Florence-Ligonier areas, etc.

Michael Fogarty

Where was Michael born and who were Michael’s parents?

Michael was born in March 1851 in Ireland. Family lore says he was from County Tipperary. He immigrated to America in 1869. Michael’s mother may have been name Alice. Michael married Mary C. Murphy and they had two sons: John (b. August 24, 1880) and Michael Francis (Frank) (b. September 27, 1884). They may have had a third son name Martin, who died young. Michael was a laborer. Mary died on March 11, 1899. In 1900, Michael was living at 740 West Carson Street, in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania with his two sons--John and Frank. In 1910, Michael was living at No. 25 Stueben Street, in the West End of Pittsburgh. John was a policeman for the City of Pittsburgh. Michael attended St. James Catholic Church in the West End of Pittsburgh. He died on July 30, 1913. Michael is buried in Calvary Cemetery, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.

All of the foregoing is known. Two important questions are: where was Michael born and who were Michael’s parents? Possible avenues to explore are Tipperary church records, immigration records, etc.

Mary C. Murphy

Where was Mary born and who were Mary’s parents?

Mary was born about 1856 in Ireland. Family lore says she was from County Tipperary. Mary married Michael Fogarty and they had two sons: John (b. August 24, 1880) and Michael Francis (Frank) (b. September 27, 1884). They may have had a third son name Martin, who died young. Mary attended St. James Catholic Church in the West End of Pittsburgh. Michael was a laborer. Mary died on March 11, 1899. She is buried in Calvary Cemetery, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.

All of the foregoing is known. Two important questions are: where was Mary and who were Mary’s parents? Possible avenues to explore are Tipperary church records, immigration records, census records for the name Murphy, etc.

Dorothea Louise Kuhlman

Where was Dorothea born and who were Dorothea’s parents?

Dorothea Louise was born on July 29, 1841 in Germany. Dorothea immigrated to the United States in 1860. She married Friedrich Wilhelm August Stolte and they had eight children: Dorothea Marie (b. July 4, 1865), Wilhelmine Caroline (b. August 13, 1867), Caroline Sophia ("Lena") (b. December 6, 1869), Louisa Sophia (b. October 21, 1872), Sophia (b. March 5, 1875), Frederick (b. March 5, 1875), Ludwig (b. June 29, 1877) and Heinrich (b. June 16, 1879). August and his wife Dorothea owned a farm on Willet Road in Baldwin Township, Allegheny County, Pennsylvania. Louise died on June 23, 1913 and is buried in Zion Cemetery in Whitehall, Allegheny County, Pennsylvania.

All of the foregoing is known. Two important questions are: where was Dorothea born and who were Dorothea’s parents? Possible avenues to explore are Zion Lutheran Church, Whitehall, Pennsylvania records, census records for the name Kuhlman, etc.