Unlocking the Past

I'm American but identity myself as being Irish American but the truth is I'm a mutt. Irish is just a small part of my heritage. I'm also Scottish, Welsh and Cherokee.

Dad's family (Dillon)  came to Appalachia from Ireland in 1847. In Ireland ,my Dad's family had a Family Crest. Why did they leave Ireland? Until my Grandfather's birth in 1889 the history is unknown.  My grandfather's surname was around close to 1000 years ago. It's very common in Ireland today.

My Paternal Great- Grandmother's (Grandfather's side)  maiden name was "Baker". My Grandmother's maiden name was Meek . My Great-Grandmother's maiden name was Jenkins (Grandmother's side).

Both of my Dad's parents were orphaned . My Grandfather (b. 1889) was an only child and was raised by his Uncle Hiriam (sp?)  Baker. My Grandmother (born 1895)  was raised by the Jenkins side , grandma had a sister named Pearl.

My grandparents married and had 12 children, 6 of which were born still or died shortly after birth. My Dad was born in 1939, the last of their children. Sadly there is very little information available about dad's siblings that died, since all died at home. There is no photos or written record except for Ester Mae's death record, she lived 8 hours. Dad had a sister drown in the River on Labor Day, she was 16. Of the 5 children who survived to adulthood only 3 had children.

There is only 3 left now. My uncle who will be 80 next month, an Aunt who is 77 and my 73 year old dad. Only 3 male Dillon left to carry on family name.

There's big holes in my family history I would love to fill one day, piece together the past for the future generations. Other than a few pieces of information very little is known about Dad's side of the family. Dad's grandmother was born in 1866 and died 1892, when my grandfather was 3.  It seems ridiculous and far fetched to say my Great Grandmother Alta was born shortly after the civil war when I'm only 42. But my grandfather was 50 when dad was born, and 82 when I was born.

Another interesting tidbit of information is my Dad's eldest brother served during WW2 , my dad wasn't born until 1939. My Grandfather served in WW1 and his sons served during WW2, Korea and Vietnam.