3,000-year-old butter found in Kildare bog

AN OAK barrel, full of butter, estimated to be roughly 3,000 years old has been found in Gilltown bog, between Timahoe and Staplestown.

The amazing discovery of the barrel, which is being described by archaeology experts in the National Museum as a "really fine example" was found by two Bord na Mona workers.

The pair, John Fitzharris and Martin Lane, were harrowing the bog one day in late May when they noticed a distinctive white streak in the peat.

"We got down to have a look. We knelt down and felt something hard and started to dig it out with out bare hands," John explained.

Read more here.

MFH: 14 August

Today is the 143rd anniversary of the marriage of my great-great-grandparents, Andrew Holden and Catherine Anne Highland. Andrew and Catherine were married on 14 August 1865 in Marietta, Washington County, Ohio.

Andrew was born 01 June 1839 in King's County (now County Offaly), Ireland. He immigrated to the USA in June 1853 and became a naturalized citizen of the USA on 08 October 1860. On 11 October 1861, he enlisted as a Private in Company F of the 73rd Ohio Volunteer Infantry, 11th Army Corp. on 18 March 1862, Andrew was promoted to Corporal; on 04 July 1863, at Gettysburg, he was promoted to Sergeant; and on 28 March 1865, he received his final promotion to First Sergeant. He was mustered out of the Army on 20 July 1865 at Louisville, Kentucky.

The naturalization certificate for Andrew Holden (photo courtesy of my cousin, Pat Walsh).

Catherine was born on 21 March 1838 in County Mayo, Ireland. She immigrated to the USA in 1853. Andrew and Catherine had five children of their own and raised their nephew, Willie, son of Andrew's brother John. Andrew died at the Holden Farm at Tunnel, Warren Township, Washington County, Ohio on 24 March 1895. Catherine died there on 21 March 1909.

The weathered building in the background is the old Holden farm house in Tunnel, Warren Township, Washington County, Ohio (photo courtesy of my cousin, Pat Walsh).

My descent from Andrew and Catherine is:
Andrew Holden + Catherine Anne Highland
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Catherine Regina Holden + Owen Francis Roddy
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Benedict Aloysius Roddy + Mary Eileen Hayes
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My Mother + My Father
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Me

MFH: June

There are three family history events in the month of June for which I do not know the exact dates.

This June is the 394th anniversary of my 9th great-grandfather, Obadiah Seely (also spelled Seeley, Sealy, and Sealey). Obadiah was born in June 1614 in Birmingham, England. He is my earliest ancestor to come to North America, arriving in the 1630's. By approximately 1647 he was married to Mary Angell in Stamford, Fairfield, Connecticut, USA. Obadiah died on 25 August 1657 in Stamford, Fairfield, Connecticut, USA. My descent from Obadiah is as follows:

Obadiah Seely + Mary Angell
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Jonas Seely + Mary Wicks
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Ebenezer Seely + Mercy Dean
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Jonas Seely + Sarah Bartlett
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Joseph Seely + Elizabeth Haines
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William Gedney Seely + Hannah Ferris
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Joseph Seely + Caroline S. Richards
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Adda R. Seely + Lewis C. Hayes
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Harriett Hayes + Thomas Francis Hayes
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Mary Eileen Hayes + Benedict Aloysius Roddy
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My Mother + My Father
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Me

This June marks the 341st anniversary of the birth of my 8th great-grandfather, Hanß Nickel Molter. Hanß Nickel was born in June 1667 in Dittweiler, Kusel, Rheinland-Pfalz, Germany. On 03 November 1693, Hanß Nickel married Anna Margaretha Becker in Altenkirchen, Kusel, Rheinland-Pfalz, Germany. He died there in April 1747. My descent from Hanß Nickel is as follows:

Hanß Nickel Molter + Anna Margaretha Becker
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Johann Theobald Molter + Anna Margaretha Angelica Pfaff
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Elisabetha Barbara Molter + Johann Adam Becker
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Johann Jacob Becker + Maria Catharina Mehl
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Catharina Barbara Becker + Johann Theobald Bender
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Margaretha Bender + Johannes Schoen
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Frederick August Schoen + Margaret Anna "Marianne" Kress
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John Charles Schoen + Helena Loretta Ruppel
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Harry Frederick Schoen + Freda Irene Needs
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My Father + My Mother
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Me

Lastly, June marks the 178th anniversary of the birth of my great-great-grandmother, Hannah (Kelly) Roddy. Hannah was born in Ireland in June of 1830. She immigrated to the USA in 1847. Hannah died 05 June 1902 in Parkersburg, Wood, West Virginia, USA. My descent from Hannah is as follows:

Hannah Kelly + John Roddy
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Owen Francis Roddy + Catherine Regina Holden
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Benedict Aloysius Roddy + Mary Eileen Roddy
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My Mother + My Father
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Me