Gender
Male
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Gender
Male
Location
La Mesa, CA
Birthday:
March 6
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Yes
Please provide your known Parker names, dates, places, events, etc.,, to start your research
My mother's grandfather was adopted by the Neil McKay family of Meadville PA in about 1847 and she always talked about her Irish heritage, but had a fascination with the English, not living long enough to find out that English is her predominant heritage. In a McKay Family History compiled by an aunt in the 1950's, I had a chance to read the story. It revealed the name of her grandfather's biological father, Ledyard Parker, in a tiny footnote at the bottom of main page. I was intrigued by this, because I wanted to know about my true ancestry. In 1977, just three years after my mother’s death and, with the help of a wonderful woman who did genealogy research at the Meadville County Courthouse, I found out more than I ever expected. Her grandfather was indeed known in the area, with his name sometimes spelled Ledger) Parker, and was documented in official court records in Meadville on a list of "Town Drunks and Lunatics," which only intrigued me more. With this lead, I was able to reach many McKay and Parker family members over the years and know now that he was an alcoholic and likely suffered from bipolar disorder (formerly manic depression) because both conditions are prevalent in this branch of my family. I was proud to learn that, after two failed marriages and eight children Ledyard, at age 44, finally got his life together and joined the Pennsylvania cavalry to join the Union forces in the Civil War. He died less than four months later, a war hero from wounds suffered in the Siege of Petersburg (VA), and is buried at City Point National Cemetery in Hopewell VA. I later learned through research on Ancestry.com that his full name is John Ledyard Parker. It was this information that helped me discover my oldest Parker ancestor, Abraham Parker, born 1544 in Wiltshire, Sussex, England. There are now 353 Parker members in my own family genealogy. It was just recently that I learned that another Parker family member with the exact name, John Ledyard Parker (1892 – 1966) was also from Spring Township in Pennsylvania. The search seems never to end and keeps me on my toes each and every day of my life.
Please estimate your level of genealogy research expertise: Beginner, Intermediate, Expert
Intermediate
How did you hear about Parker Heritage?
Yes
What is your research interest in the Parker family?
Email from Darrrell Parker
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