This is a picture of Samuel Shirk (1824 - 1903)and his wife Catherine Klingaman Shirk (1831 - 1913).

These are Larry's great great grandparents, parents of his great grandfather Jacob Shirk.

© Crill's Studio

Here's another picture of Samuel Shirk (1824 - 1903), his wife Catherine Klingaman Shirk (1831 - 1913), and their daughter Mary Shirk (1870 - 1941) at their home in North Manchester, Indiana. We're not certain which is Mary, or who the other female in the photograph is.

© Crill's Studio

Eugenia (Jennie) Cartier. She was Larry's great grandmother, grandmother of Marie Vourron; mother of Marie's mother Amanda Shirk. She was born August 11, 1858 and died June 11, 1901. She first married Jacob Shirk (and had three children) and then married Isaiah Johnson (and had another three children).

Eugenia Cartier married Jacob K. Shirk on June 10, 1875. They were found in the 1880 census living in South Bend, Indiana, so when we took a trip there we made sure to visit Bremen, Indiana, where Jacob is buried. He died in October, 1881. (June 24, 2004)

© Carolyn S. Murray 2004

The cemetery in Bremen is a very large, very well maintained cemetery. The people there were very helpful in assisting us in locating graves. (June 24, 2004)

© Carolyn S. Murray 2004

We were in Indiana for a car show, which is why we happened to be driving our 1957 Cadillac. Jacob Shirk's grave is located in the old section of the cemetery, just a couple of rows from this cannon. (June 24, 2004)

© Carolyn S. Murray 2004

Bremen (Indiana) Town Hall (June 24, 2004)

© Carolyn S. Murray 2004

While in town we stopped and had lunch at a cafe in downtown Bremen and enjoyed looking at the architecture of this neat, old Indiana town. (June 24, 2004)

© Carolyn S. Murray 2004

When the 1880 census was taken, Larry's grandmother was 2 years old and she, her parents and siblings were found living on Marion Street in South Bend. Imagine our surprise when we learned that our hotel was only a few blocks away. We don't know exactly where on Marion Street the Shirk family resided, but it was neat for Larry to be able to walk along the street, knowing his great-grandparents and grandmother had also once walked along those very streets. (June 24, 2004)

© Carolyn S. Murray 2004

Jennie Cartier Shirk Johnson was seated second from the left in this photo.