Finding Frederick Schmidt - Part II

As noted in my post - http://weekendgenealogy.blogspot.com/2014/01/finding-frederick-schmidt-part-1.html ,  My dear Great-Aunt, Martha FOX nee SCHMIDT (1924-2008) (named after her grandmother, Martha SCHMIDT nee TOLLNER from Lehe, Bremerhaven, Bremen, Germany) passed in 2008.  She was the 'family historian' and was apparently in touch with many 'cousins' I hadn't heard of.  On a visit to my Aunt Terry's, I was perusing her address book when I notice a name for [Pat H].  I recalled from my Aunt Terry's stories that [Pat H] was the daughter of my great-grandfather's brother. (Albert Herman SCHMIDT was my great-grandfather, August Frederick SCHMIDT was my great-great-uncle). 

I've never talked to Pat, and wasn't even sure if she was the right person.  I decided to reach out with a "out of the blue" letter to her.  In the letter I talked about who I was, my family history project, and what I knew about her history.

A week after sending the letter, I received a call from Pat.  I had the right person.  Game on.  I've had a great phone call with her so far, and am plannning on sending her a questionaire via snailmail.  Given she's 74, she even has email, which is often a bit of a problem for rapid communications with those in their 70s.

To date I've sent out two "blind letters" to folks.  One to a Stephen L in Seattle, and one to Pat.  I'm 50% on responses, which is good in baseball I guess.

TECHNIQUE - MINE any old address books you find.  If you have an address don't be afraid to try sending a letter to it.  It might be the person you are looking for.  If they don't write back you've put 0.49 cents into some nice postal workers retirement fund.  If you receive a response, you may find a goldmine of information you might not know exists.  

Has anyone else had a great success with blind letters? Pop a response in here if you like.

Fathers of My Father

My dad is still living, so we won't list him here.  Suffice it to say J. Healy.  He's been a great help with some aspects.  He doesn't remember a ton.  So we sit, and once I get a vodka or two in him (bad joe), out comes a story here or there.  So here's what I think are the names in my father's tree.


J. HEALY
- Joseph Anthony HEALY( b Bronx 1916, d Bethpage, NY 2002 )
---- Denis HEALY ( b Kilgarvan, Kerry, Ireland 1884, d Bronx, NY 1952 )
-------- ( SEE HEALY TREE BELOW, ITS A BIGGIE )
---- Nellie Agnes CASEY ( b NY or Ireland 1886, d Bethpage, NY 1973 )
-------- Michael CASEY ( b abt 1860 Ireland, d before 1910 NYC )
---------------- ? Denis CASEY Ireland
-------- Ellen O'DONOHUE ( b 1863 Kerry Ireland, d after 1940 )
---------------- John O'DONOGHOE - assumedly Kerry Ireland
---------------- Mary O'ODONOGHOE - assumedly Kerry Ireland
- Mary SCHMIDT ( b Ohio 1924, d NY 2002 )
---- Albert Herman SCHMIDT  ( b Brooklyn 1894, d Bronx 1954 )
-------- Albert Frederick SCHMIDT ( ?? Lehe, Bremerhaven, Bremen, Germany - dates unknown )
-------- Martha TOLLNER / TURNER ( ?? ?? Lehe, Bremerhaven, Bremen, Germany - dates unknown  )
---- Theresa Mary J DELANY ( b 1898 Dublin Ireland, d 1978 Bethpage NY )
-------- Andrew DELANY ( b 1864 ?Dublin Ireland, d 1904 Dublin Ireland )
-------- Katherine (Kate) Bryan / O'Brien ( b 1878 Ireland, d 1948 Brooklyn NY )
---------------- Michael O'BRIEN ( Ireland )
---------------- Ellen KELLY / KIELY ( Ireland )

---- Denis HEALY ( b Kilgarvan, Kerry, Ireland 1884, d Bronx, NY 1952 )
-------- Daniel "DanDan" HEALY ( b 1848 Kilgarvan Kerry Ireland, d 1935 )
---------------- Timothy "Tadghna Rae" HEALY ( b 1815 Kilgarvan kerry Ireland d Cork Ireland )
---------------- Julia DOYLE ( b 1818 Kilgarvan Kerry Ireland )
-------------------------------- Thomas DOYLE
-------------------------------- Honora COOPER SULLIVAN
-------- Mary McCann SULLIVAN ( b 1872 Kilgarvan Kerry Irealnd, d ??? )
---------------- Daniel SULLIVAN ( b 1824 Kenmare Kerry Ireland d ??? )
-------------------------------- Murtagh SULLIVAN
-------------------------------- Mary MOORE
---------------- Mary SULLIVAN ( b 1825 Kenmare Kerry Ireland d ??? )
-------------------------------- Daniel SULLIVAN

Looks like I'm heading to County Kerry on my next trip to Ireland.  Maybe some of ya'll are looking for some of these names?  If so reach out...  From the Irish/German side how about a pint of Guiness with some saurbraten to satisfy my german side.  Next up my mother's tree.  Pure Lithuanian!