Chris Braun

A photo of Charles William Braun and Mary Catherine Lellis - Wedding Day, St Agnes Catholic Church

A photo of Mary Catherine Lellis and Charles William Braun Wedding Day, St. Agnes R. C. Church, September 17, 1944

I've "rescued" an old photograph of Louise BALLWEG BLOCK which was taken sometime in the 1880's. The photograph was taken at the Arcade Gallery Studio in Peoria, IL with Louise appearing to be in her early teens at the time. In addition to her name someone has written "Aunt Lou" and "Nana's Sister" and "born about 1873" on the back of the photograph. Based on limited research I was able to find the following information:

Louisa BALLWEG was b. 18 Nov 1868 in Minnesota to parents Charles BALLWEG (1843-1919) and Minnie MASTENBROOK (1844-1910). Louisa was one of 6 children born to this couple including, Louisa; Helena Catherine “Minnie”; William Charles; Charles Edward; Frank Joseph; and Clara Agnes BALLWEG, all born between 1868 and 1884. Louisa married Charles W. BLOCK (b. 1870) and she died in Napa, CA on 29 Oct 1947.

I am hoping to be able to return the photograph to her family. If you are a member of this family, or you know someone who might be, please contact me.

Thanks,
Shelley

A photo of Herman Webster Mudgett, better known as H. H. Holmes, who was the first known serial killer in the US. He confessed to 27 murders but only 9 could be confirmed. He was also a con man and a bigamist.

His crime spree went on for years even though he died at just age 34 - killings, arson, insurance fraud, bigamy - until the Pinkerton Agency tracked him down in Boston on November 17, 1894. He was held on a horse theft charge from Texas. In October of 1895, Holmes was convicted of the murder of one man and sentenced to death. It was after the trial that he confessed to 27 murders - he was paid $7,500 (worth $216,000 today) by the Hearst newspapers in exchange for his confession so, of course, the confession was suspect.

On May 7, 1896, he was hung in Philadelphia - twitching for over 15 minutes before being pronounced dead 20 minutes after the trap had been sprung. Movies, books, and tv shows about Holmes continue to be made - all of them speculative because of Holmes' lack of ability to tell the truth.

A photo of Bridget Mary Lynch's, my grandmother's, official Irish birth Certificate.

A photo of the birthplace of Bridget Mary Lynch - 30 Jan 1873. Bridget Lynch was my grandmother on my father's side. Address is 3 Hillgrove Lane, Cork City, Ireland.