Welcome to our McKeown Family Tree on the web! This program represents years of research by my father, *Michael Jerry McKeown into the genealogy of our family. While always an interest, this project became a more urgent necessity following the death of his father, *Joseph William in 1988. Lucky, his mother was long-lived, and in her remaining nine years a multitude of names, relationships, dates, stories, real names and photographs were identified and recorded. With the growing availability of the home computer, Family Tree Maker became the software program of choice to keep the record of our family as it continues to expand and evolve.
While compiling the many pages of data and entering the information into the computer I was struck by the many different directions and seemingly "lost" individuals who have come to life for us through this program as all the while current members pass on and new members are born. To see in one place the passage of time has struck me as a rare glimpse into not only what is going on in the lives of all of us but that we are all too busy to notice; that what we often dismiss as just living are the are the very things that connect us, that describe us, and that will be repeated in ways different yet familiar - for we are a family.
There have been occasions that I have attended a family wedding or a funeral and been introduced to an elderly person only to realize that I have "met" them before, as a young person in a wedding photograph from long ago, one that I had scanned and attached to this program. The thought that we all have connections beyond the daily work-a-day world is both a humbling and comforting realization.
The information in this program is by no means complete, and for this reason we need your help to keep it current as well as to fill in as many holes as possible. Please contact me by email if you have any additions or corrections that need to be made (updated photographs especially). Please check back from time to time as this website will be updated often and without notice.Also, be aware that no phone numbers or addresses are included on this website in order to protect some semblance of privacy.If you are interested in more detail than we feel comfortable publishing at this time, please feel free to contact me directly.
But also, do take a moment to enjoy as well as reflect upon the people behind the dates and places.We hope that you are heartened by the memories and lives of the many, many, members of our family. Together, we shall see to it that none are forgotten.
Shannon McKeown
October 16, 2004
* Michael Jerry and Joseph William are their actual, given names.
|
- From Bessie Newton-McKeown's Family Bible. (46 KB)
This is another photo from Bessie's family bible, and therefore from her side of the family. No one knows who this is, but perhaps it is Ralph Fleming, who died at age 14 following a tonsillectomy.It would explain why the photograph was saved. - The McKeown Family Farm:Ontario, Canada (188 KB)
This was the McKeown family farm, located in Kinkora, Perth County, Ellice Township, Ontario, Canada. - Little Joan Belle and puppies (38 KB)
You've all seen this one before - little Joan McKeown playing with puppies. But did you know that this was taken at a Wilson Family Reunion Picnic at Lake Emily in the early 1930's?A photographer saw little Joan Belle with the puppies and immortalized the moment.It's still a beautiful portrait, after all these years. - William J. McKeown's occupations, in his own hand. (689 KB)
This colorful list was compiled by Bill and is in his own handwriting. Note,"preacher" because he was once asked to give a few words in absence of minister at a burial in the north (probably in his lumberjack years), and "last but by no means least husband and father."Sounds just like him, doesn't it! - Baby from Grandma McKeown's family bible (28 KB)
This unknown baby is from a small, darkened photographed from Bessie Newton-McKeown's family bible.This child was likely from her side of the family.The photograph was restored using modern computer technology, and shows a color picture of a baby held up by adult hands for the photographer. - New baby in the family! (31 KB)
Tim and Jennifer (McKeown) Schmidt had baby Gabriella in 2005.This is their Christmas card family portrait. Congratulations! - From Bessie Newton-McKeown's Family Bible (48 KB)
This is a photograph of Robert and Dolly (Warren) Wilson with their daughter, Myrtle. - Bessie's 90th Birthday -December, 1989. (110 KB)
L-R: Mike McKeown, Claire Randa McKeown, Theresa Patko McKeown, Patrick N. McKeown, Joan McKeown Wendelberger, Jerry McKeown.Bessie Newton McKeown, front (white hair). NOTE: the camera flash failed, and the only light was from the candles and outside lights, which gave it a nice glow, but obscured much of the color. This photo was recently restored on the computer, and by combining it with another taken at the same time we are now able to see everyone's face as they sing happy birthday! (Shannon McKeown) - "Great Grandma" from Bessie's family bible (36 KB)
The clue is "Great Grandma" written in pencil on the back of this photo.We are sure that this woman is Caroline Fleming.Compare this older view to the photo of Caroline on her individual page. - Bert Wilson, from Bessie's family bible (59 KB)
We know who this is, Bessie's uncle Albert Wilson. Doesn't he look like Bessie's son, Jerry? - The McKeown Brothers,1800's (167 KB)
Top L-R: Joseph, Edward, Henry. Bottom L-R: Arthur(John), Daniel. Compare the younger brothers to Michael P. McKeown and his sons, to see the family resemblance. - From Bessie Newton-McKeown's Family Bible, unknown (28 KB)
Who knows who this soldier was, but the original tin-type was very dark and damaged. Certainly no living person has ever seen this photograph before, restored only yesterday, October 18, 2004.Note the roguish grin.He appears to be a civil war soldier.Perhaps this was Ruben Wilson, who died within days of returning home from duty in the Civil War. - Natale Claire Yorulmazoglu (101 KB)
Our youngest and newest family member!Natale Claire is the great-grand daughter of Bessie Newton and J. William McKeown, and is named after her mother, Claire McKeown Yorulmazoglu, and her grandmother, Claire Randa McKeown. This is one beautiful baby - congratulations to the new Mom and Dad, Claire and Idil! - Wilson Family Reunion, 1930's (185 KB)
This is a photo of the Wilson Family Reunion in the 1930's at Lake Emily.Note Bill and Bessie McKeown: Bessie's mother was Mabel Wilson Newton - From Bessie Newton-McKeown's Family Bible, unknown (23 KB)
Another from Bessie's side of the family. I believe this is one of the VanSkivers. - From Bessie Newton-McKeown's Family Bible, unknown (31 KB)
Another from Bessie's family bible. I am very sure that this is another VanSkiver. - Wilson Family Reunion Picnic, 1920's (75 KB)
The Wilson Family Reunion Picnic was always held at Lake Emily.Note Bill and Bessie McKeown and Bessie's mother, Mabel Wilson Newton
|