Truth is better than fiction...

Have you ever wondered what you'd find when you start searching. Or, maybe, scared of what you might find?



Skeletons in the Closet?

One side of my family is from Sicily. When I first started, my grandmother seemed a little reluctant and I always wondered if it was because she was a bit afraid of what I'd find. Well, apparently a bit, but I haven't found anything in that line that may make her concerned.



I have found few interesting items of interest in other lines.

Who needs soaps when you have....



The Young and the Restless

In 1884, Charles Drakeley went to see a young lady in Boston, but when she refused to accompany him, he ripped off his watch and gave it to her, leaving without his hat or coat, was never seen or heard from again. Since the young lady was living nearby the steamboat docks, it was thought he committed suicide by drowning.



All My Children?

In 1885, Adelle Drakeley sued two doctors and a lawyer. According to a few newspaper articles, Adelle claimed to have given birth recently and that she had had abortions two previously. She named lawyer Thomas H Gill as having fathered all three children. He had persuaded her to have the abortions, one performed by Dr. Ward and another by Dr. Harrington. Apparently Mr. Gill had claimed he would marry her but after giving birth, he still would not and thus she brought suit. According to an article in Nov 1885, the charges were dismissed when she failed to appear and it was said she fled to Chicago due to the "lavish" money placed upon her by Mr. Gill.



One Life to Live?

In 1886, Robert Drakeley (Charles' brother), 19, married Margaret Marwick, a divorce 20 years his senior. The pair were quickly known to have many quarrels. Only 5 weeks later, Mr. Drakeley shot his wife through the heart and killing her instantly.

And a little CSI or just plain gory?

A bloody end
In 1863, Jayne Barnes and her husband William Murket had twin and were living 2 or 3 miles below Fall Rivers in Kansas. Jayne's younger sister Sarah was visiting, apparently helping with the twins when they were brutally murdered. The newspaper stated the details were too "shocking to reveal here". Although the twins were spared, one died soon afterwards due to want of nourishment (although some family information refutes that one did die).

A wicked wind
In 1883, a tornado hit Wesson, Mississippi. The newspapers detailed the injuries of the dead and injured. William G Blackburn was amongst those, receiving a 12 inch laceration wound and frontal bone fracture, receiving 22 sutures, but he later died. The newspapers would actually list those who died between the publications.


So, anyone who thinks genealogy is boring, may want to think again. Anyone who is afraid they may find those skeletons....well, you just might!