Week 27, 2026 - A Record I Read Differently Now - Bill Porter in WWII

 Many years ago, my mom showed me Dad’s DD214 papers from his time in WWII.  I was excited to see it, had copies made and made sure the original was given back to her. I quickly added his list of battles and ribbons awarded to his genealogy profile. And then I moved on.

Recently, I was looking for something else and veered off to look at his papers again. Down the rabbit hole I went. Just like any other family genealogist.

Before, it was just dates and cities and countries. But I read that document differently that day. Suddenly, I could almost picture him in a tent, a rifle at hand, on alert constantly. Defending our country from the enemy. I could feel the heat, the sweat, the inner fear of the unknown. It made me want to know more about the timeline of him being in Australia. This isn’t a complete synopsis of his time in the South Pacific, just a small part of his story.

Bill Porter - Australia

Upon arrival in late December 1941, the 147th South Dakota Field Artillery was one of the first U.S. units to land in Australia after the attack on Pearl Harbor.  The Provisional Field Artillery Brigade, under Major General Julian F. Barnes, established the first U.S. headquarters in Brisbane, Australia following the assault.

On February 19, 1942, a Japanese naval carrier bombing raid devastated Darwin and the harbor fleet. The 147th’s artillery positions were part of the coastal defense network, and the unit’s presence was critical in repelling the attack. While a Japanese invasion of Australia never materialized, the 147th’s role in defending Darwin was vital.

They spent the next two years building a defense against the Japanese in Brisbane working to maintain control of many of their ports. During that time, the 147th also spent time in the Dutch East Indies (modern day Indonesia). Their presence was critical in reinforcing Allied defenses in the Pacific during the early, chaotic months of the war.

Then, while General Douglas MacArthur was leading an advance along the northern coast of New Guinea the first US troops landed on the island of Wakde-Sair in the south Pacific. On May 18,1944, soldiers came ashore from their landing crafts on the south-western side of the island. They were followed at five-minute intervals by another five waves. Shortly after landing, the U.S. troops came under heavy fire from concealed positions. The fire, however, was predominantly aimed at the landing craft gunboats and ultimately the Americans reached the beach with only light casualties. By 9:25, the invasion force was ashore with two tanks which the Americans used to secure the beach head, despite heavy fire from Japanese defenders which killed one of the company commanders. Close air support was provided by a squadron of attack aircraft. Within three days, we had taken control of the island.

The 147^th regrouped, rested and 71 days later they advanced to Noemfoor Island and clashed with the Japanese from July 2 – August 31, 1944

During the battle, Allied forces landed on the island to capture Japanese bases as part of their advance through the Pacific towards the Philippines. The initial landing was largely unopposed, and the Japanese defenders withdrew inland as the US troops came ashore. Sporadic fighting took place over the course of two months as the Allies secured the three airfields on the island.

Four months later the 147^th was then sent to Luzon in the Philippines. The fighting lasted from Jan 9 – Aug 15, 1945, and was the largest and longest battle in the Pacific Theater, resulting in the liberation of the Philippines from Japanese occupation. Although the land battle was a victory for the Allies, pockets of Japanese resistance held out in the mountains until the unconditional surrender of Japan in September 1945.

Large star is Darwin - smaller stars are battles

Dad was demobilized on December 19, 1944, and arrived back state-side on January 21, 1945 after 36 straight months in the South Pacific. His official separation (discharge) was June 16, 1945. Reading about the battles that the 147^th was involved in helped me to understand that dad had been in the thick of things quite often and how those challenges changed him.

It also made me realize that you should always revisit the documents you have in your possession and be aware that sometimes you need to read them differently the second time around.

Barbie

Week 26, 2026 - A Hard Choice - Porter

 Heading into the fall of 1950, there was worry in the air in the town of Midland, Michigan. Polio had reared its ugly head across the country and now the dreaded virus was becoming prevalent in many towns across the state of Michigan.

The virus did not discriminate. Young or old; rich or poor. Community pools were closed during the summer; extra-curricular activities were cancelled or postponed. Always on high alert. People were suddenly aware of symptoms of Polio. Fever, sore throat, sudden fatigue, loss of appetite, stiffness in arms and legs. A fussy baby suddenly became suspect. You hoped and prayed for it to be teething or just the common cold.

Then if it spread into the second phase: neck or back stiffness, sensitivity to touch and muscle weakness meant it was time to head for the nearest hospital or doctor's office.

My sister Mickie was born in 1948 and in late September of 1950 she became one of Midland's child victims of Polio. My mom told me that she had become irritable, had a slight fever, was fussy, didn't want to eat - not even a three-minute egg. Her favorite food. She took her to the Doctor and asked could it be the dreaded disease? The Doctor said he felt it was just teething or a cold. 

A few days later, Mom went to get her from her crib and her left arm hung lifeless and she couldn't stand on her one leg. Taking her to the Emergency Room on October 9, 1950, she was diagnosed with Polio.  The nearest clinic was in Saginaw. But an acquaintance of our dad's said to not go there. Take her further south. 

So, they made an extremely hard choice to take her to Sister Kenny's Polio Clinic in Pontiac, Michigan. Today, it is the Pontiac General Hospital. Sister Elizabeth Kenny promoted the use of hot, moist wool or flannel wraps, retraining damaged muscles and whirlpool baths. Previously, the standard treatment was to use casts and immobilization.

There were other circumstances to be thought about. There was an older sister to be considered. There was only one car, and Mickie would have to be left there. Without mom or dad or anyone familiar. How would she react? As a mother how do you drive away? Knowing it would be days or weeks before you would get back to visit. Back then the trip would have taken about 2 1/2 hours to travel the 103 miles as there wasn't the highway system we know today. They left the next day, October 10th (dad's birthday) for Pontiac.

Mickie was able to come home for Christmas for a few days but had to be taken back to the clinic. A decision that would allow her to finish her therapy sessions. Finally, in February 1951 she was able to come home for good. She had a long road ahead of her still. Physical therapy would continue locally, she had a leg brace and had to learn to be right-handed. She had tended to be left-handed when she became sick. 

September 1952

Midland Hospital

Mom made another hard choice to make sure that Mickie would be able to navigate the world around her. She was treated the same as the rest of us sisters. She washed and dried dishes, swept the floor (she tucked the handle of the broom under her chin), learned to iron and play tennis and even mastered bowling. Marriage, family, jobs were all a part of her life. Today she is happily retired.

My mom was a special person. When asked how she had handled all of the trials and worries during that time she said, 'I didn't do anything out of the ordinary - we just dealt with it'.

Barbie

Week 25, 2026- the Ancestor Who Stays With Me - Kate O'Brien Sheridan

 

Through years of researching my family history, one figure has haunted me more than any other: young Kate O'Brien. Her story has stayed with me, compelling me again and again to search the past and give voice to a life nearly lost to time.

Catherine "Kate" O'Brien was born March 8, 1852, in Boston, Massachusetts. She was the daughter of Thomas and Katherine (Connors) O'Brien. Both of her parents were born in Ireland and were new immigrants to America. 

Kate along with her sister Mariah and their parents lived in Hudson, Lenawee County, Michigan at the time of Kate's marriage to James Dennis Sheridan on May 25, 1874. James was a clerk in his half-brother Michael's general store in downtown Brooklyn, Michigan.

James D Sheridan and Catherine O'Brien

Michigan, U.S., Marriage Records, 1867-1952

James Sheridan was the half-brother to our 2x great grandfather Patrick Sheridan. A twist to the family story is that Kate's sister Mariah was married to our Patrick's full brother Michael Sheridan. Oh, what a tangled web we weave! 

Kate and James were married just over a year when their first son Paul Henry Sheridan was born July 7, 1875, in Columbia, Jackson County, Michigan. Paul grew up in Brooklyn, Michigan and married Beulah Besse in 1903 in New Jersey and spent his lifetime between New Jersey and Pennsylvania. He died April 29, 1930, in Pennsylvania. Both Paul and his wife Beulah are buried in Highland Cemetery in Brooklyn, Jackson County, Michigan.

Twins William and Joseph were born February 11, 1877, and unfortunately, William died at birth and Joseph survived less than twenty-four hours. 

Emmett Francis Sheridan was born November 24, 1879, and went on to marry Georgia Reist and they had one son Emmett, Jr. Not much is found about either Emmett. He and Georgia divorced in May 1936 in Atlantic City, New Jersey. 

Agnes Sheridan was born September 13, 1882, and twelve days later, passed away on September 25th. Peter Eclestine was born May 19, 1884, and passed away eleven days later on May 30th. 

Unfortunately, his mother Kate died three days before young Peter on the 27th of May 1884, from childbirth fever. Just two days after her 10th wedding anniversary. 

Catherine 'Kate' O'Brien Sheridan

St. Joseph Catholic Church & Shrine

Brooklyn, MI

She had birthed six children in nine years and four of them did not survive. I have records of their deaths, but there are no markers for any of them. My heart aches for her to have loved and dreamed of their futures to only have those dreams fade away.

Barbie

Week 24, 2026 - Possibilities - James Harris

Distinguishing between two men named James Harris and researching the correct ancestral line has proven to be a bit of a challenge. The possibilities are endless. I have gone searching for a Revolutionary War connection and my Harris line is a probable association based on location and dates/ages.

Back in my early research days, when sources weren't as readily available, I researched this Harris family line:

Pauline Prince Sheridan>Lillian Harris Prince>Ebenezer Harris>Eseck Harris>James Harris>Ebenezer Harris>Asa Harris>Asaph Harris

I collaborated with my mom's cousin Suzanne via snail-mail back in the late 1990's, and I accepted a lot of what she sent, although over the years I have documented sources for much of what she shared and what I already had.

In 2001, I corresponded with another researcher from the same line and he had:

Pauline Prince Sheridan>Lillian Harris Prince>Ebenezer Harris>Eseck Harris>James Harris....but then he had:  Joseph Harris>Amaziah Harris>Richard Harris>Thomas Harris>Thomas Harris.

So, we connected perfectly until it came to James's father. Is it Ebenezer or is it Joseph? My research records and notes show both men married to Experience Cook. Obviously, there is an issue with this. 

Ebenezer born December 3, 1741, in Saybrook, Connecticut and died June 18, 1810, in Glastonbury, Connecticut probably would not have had a son born and raised in Stamford, Vermont. There is more work to be done obviously. 

And did I mention there is another James Harris during the same time period and living in New York? I'm not feeling that he is a connection, but in the world of genealogy, you never ignore a possible link.

Maybe I will move on to the Pratt line - they also connect to the Revolutionary War era.

Barbie

Week 23 2026 - A Place That Matters - Table

 

Growing up in a large family (five daughters and Mom and Dad), we filled every spot at the dining room table. Right down to the youngest in a highchair placed at the corner next to Mom. You learned to eat what was served, say please and thank you and always asked to be excused when you were finished. And don't forget to take your empty plate to the kitchen to be scraped and where you and your sisters would wash and dry it when everyone was finished.

When I got up in the morning, I would find my mom sitting at her place at the table with a cup of black coffee and often a cigarette smoking in a square turquoise colored ashtray. She always smiled; made you feel like you were the most important person at that point in time. 

During the day it was a gathering place. Aunt Aggie would come for lunch while working at the local A&P grocery. There would be no knowing she was coming, she would just pull up out front and mom would find something to eat.  When friends came to call, everyone found a seat. If there was a craft project being worked on it was done at the table. Reading through a Hollywood gossip magazine or the latest TV Guide and dunking Chips Ahoy cookies in a glass of milk was done at that spot. Homework was a frequent visitor also.

(l-r) Carolyn, friends Madge & Lloyd, Dad, Mom, Barbie

There were secrets shared there, planning dates and what to wear, the excitement of organizing weddings and baby showers, and the sadness of funerals. When sisters would come home to visit, it was where we gathered. To laugh and talk about the happenings in our everyday lives. Where we would gather to play cards and my brother-in-law Dick would break out in his big booming laugh. 

That white and gray swirled Formica table was where I listened to Mom, Aunt Aggie and Auntie Al talk about their lives growing up, where I asked questions about my grandparents and where I caught 'the genealogy bug' back about 1970.

Whether you call it a dining room table or kitchen table that is the one place in the house that carried the most memories and where those that mattered the most would gather.  And come 6:00 pm dinner would again be put on that table, and those that weren't working or at a school gathering would quickly find their seat.

Barbie