My IRISH Connection

I have really been interested in Genealogy since about 2003---and have spent many hours researching my own Family History. I only wish I had have been interested years ago when my mother and father were living (and I could have gotten much more information from them). But---I was too busy then! SO---with the help of Ancestry.com and alot of hard work and help from cousins who have done Family History, I have put together quite a bit of history especially on my mother's side of the family.

My mother always told me that we were "Scotch-Irish"---so I knew I had relatives from both Scotland and Ireland. Here's my Irish connection:
-My mother was Edith Marguerite Ballard.
-My grandparents (Mom's parents) were Ida Elizabeth Bruce and James Franklin Ballard.
-My great grandparents (Ida's parents) were Daniel Hoge Bruce and Martha Matilda Carr.
- My great-great grandparents (Daniel's parents) were Joshua Henderson Bruce and Margaret Anderson Hoge.
-My great-great-great grandparents (Margaret's parents) were Daniel Hoge and Nancy Ann Stafford. Nancy Stafford was born Sept. 9, 1783 in IRELAND. She died on Feb. 7, 1853 in Montgomery County, VA. (Daniel Hoge was born and died in VA).
-My four-great grandparents (Nancy Ann's parents) were James Stafford and Nancy Eaton. James was born about 1752 in Tyrone Co., IRELAND, and died on Jan. 19, 1830 in Giles Co, VA. Nancy Eaton was born in 1750 in Tyrone Co, IRELAND. She died in VA. James and Nancy were married in 1768 in County Fermanagh, IRELAND.

That is as far as I have been able to trace the Irish side---but I have traced the Scotland side (the Bruce side of my family) all the way back to Robert de Bruce , who died in 1245. He was the grandfather of King Robert "THE" Bruce who became King of Scotland at Scone in March of 1306. King Robert was not in my 'direct' line---but was the half-brother of my direct descendent, John Bruce (born in 1290). Interesting stuff, isn't it???? It's hard to find the correct information especially when you go back THIS far.

Genealogy is LOTS of fun --but it takes TIME and someone who is interested in DETAILS.. I LOVE it---but I have so many interests that I never have enough time to do everything I want to do. I also have a Thomas Jefferson connection in my family --which I will share sometime. As I said, it's an interesting hobby!

Here are some pictures of some of my family members. Above is my great grandfather, Daniel Hoge Bruce (1846-1915). Below are others.





This is my great great grandparents, Joshua Henderson Bruce (1825-1904) and Margaret Anderson Hoge (1825-1870). These were Daniel Hoge Bruce's parents. They had seven children.




This is my grandmother and grandfather, Ida Elizabeth Bruce (1874-1904) and James Franklin Ballard (1861-1936). These were my mother's parents.




The quality is not good --but I love this photo of my grandmother, Ida Elizabeth Bruce. Don't you just love that HUGE hat????? ha




These are my wonderful parents. Mom was 42 and Dad was 53 when I was born--a BIG surprise I'm sure!!!!! Mom was Edith Marguerite Ballard (1900-1991) and Dad was Simon Edgar Banks (1889-1969).




This is a really neat picture of my mother --taken in 1904 when she was about 4 yrs. old.




Finally, here is a picture of some chubby little girl, born Elizabeth Bruce Banks, in 1942.. Wonder who that could be?????? Tee Hee!!!

Happy St. Patrick's Day to all of you---especially all of you who are IRISH! Wear your green today--so you won't get pinched!!!
Hugs,