Santiago Arcala

November 26, 2018, my husband, Trevor, took me to Tacoma, Washington to visit the grave of my paternal great uncle, Santiago Arcala.  This was an early birthday present to me, one that I will cherish forever.

Santiago Arcala was the first of the Arcala brothers to pass away after emigration to the United States from the U.S. Territory of the Philippine Islands (since 1935 Commonwealth of the Philippines; then on July 4, 1946, The Republic of the Philippines).

He was buried in Calvary Cemetery  at 5212 70th St. W., Tacoma, Pierce County, Washington, U.S.A. 98467.

Me at the grave

I picked these wild flowers in the cemetery and added them to his headstone before I left.

Tacoma Hotel where my great dduncles lived. 

Santiago Arcala's death cwrtificate 

Funeral record

The cemetery pictures are my own. The death and funeral records are from my uncle Barry Arcala.

Florence Evelyn Laurain

Picture courtesy of Stoneseeker.

My grandmother Lenore Evelyn Barron Arcala Hipol Casing, a Laurain descendant (her mother was Susan Laurain), was buried at Michigan Memorial Park in Flatrock, Michigan, USA.

The very first burial at Michigan Memorial Park was a Laurain descendant named Florence Evelyn Laurain.  Florence and my grandmother were second cousins.  Florence's grandfather Jean-Baptiste Laurain was brothers with my grandmother's grandfather Francis Xavier Laurain.

Florence was just 11 years old when she died.  She was accidentally shot by her brother.  Needless to say, Florence Evelyn Laurain made quite a bit of history in Michigan:

1. Being so young at her death
2. The way she died
3. Being the first person buried at the cemetery

Private Francis J. Laurain - Killed in Action

Photo on Findagrave, courtesy of Anita Sedlacek

I found this wonderful headstone of my grandmother Lenore Barron's first cousin.  He was one of her first cousins I did not have a birth and death date for in our family tree.  I hadn't realized he died in World War II and am extremely touched by the bravery this young man and blood relative has done for our country and the world.

There is a slight discrepancy on his headstone versus the synopsis written by the US Government that states he passed on May 31, 1944 while the other says he died on June 1, 1944 in Italy.

The biography on his Findagrave profile reads:
PVT, 135 INF, 34 INF DIV WORLD WAR II
 *Synopsis: The President of the United States takes pride in presenting the Distinguished Service Cross (Posthumously) to Francis J. Laurain (36131186), Private, U.S. Army, for extraordinary heroism in connection with military operations against an armed enemy while serving with Company K, 135th Infantry Regiment, 34th Infantry Division, in action against enemy forces on 31 May 1944. Private Laurain's intrepid actions, personal bravery and zealous devotion to duty at the cost of his life, exemplify the highest traditions of the military forces of the United States and reflect great credit upon himself, the 34th Infantry Division, and the United States Army. Headquarters, Fifth U.S. Army, General Orders No. 175 (1944)

From MilitaryTimes.com:
SYNOPSIS: Private Francis J. Laurain (ASN: 36131186), United States Army, was awarded the Distinguished Service Cross (Posthumously) for extraordinary heroism in connection with military operations against an armed enemy while serving with Company K, 135th Infantry Regiment, 34th Infantry Division, in action against enemy forces on 1 June 1944. Private Laurain's intrepid actions, personal bravery and zealous devotion to duty at the cost of his life, exemplify the highest traditions of the military forces of the United States and reflect great credit upon himself, the 34th Infantry Division, and the United States Army.
General Orders: Headquarters, Fifth U.S. Army, General Orders No. 175 (1944) 
Action Date: 1-Jun-44
Service: Army
 Rank: Private
 Company: Company K
 Regiment: 135th Infantry Regiment
 Division: 34th Infantry Division

From HomeOfHeroes:
*LAURAIN, FRANCIS J. (KIA)
Synopsis: The President of the United States takes pride in presenting the Distinguished Service Cross (Posthumously) to Francis J. Laurain (36131186), Private, U.S. Army, for extraordinary heroism in connection with military operations against an armed enemy while serving with Company K, 135th Infantry Regiment, 34th Infantry Division, in action against enemy forces on 1 June 1944. Private Laurain's intrepid actions, personal bravery and zealous devotion to duty at the cost of his life, exemplify the highest traditions of the military forces of the United States and reflect great credit upon himself, the 34th Infantry Division, and the United States Army.
Headquarters, Fifth U.S. Army, General Orders No. 175 (1944)
Home Town: Carleton, Michigan

From United States World War II Army Enlistment Records:

• Name: Francis J Laurain 
• Name (Original): LAURAIN FRANCIS J
• Event Type: Military Service Event
• Date: 22 Oct 1941
• Event Place: Detroit, Michigan, United States
• Race: White
• Citizenship Status: citizen
• Birth Year: 1920
• Birthplace: MICHIGAN
• Education Level: 1 year of high school
• Civilian Occupation: Semiskilled welders and flame cutters
• Marital Status: Single, without dependents
• Military Rank: Private Army
• Branch: Branch Immaterial - Warrant Officers, USA
• Army Component: Selectees (Enlisted Men)
• Source Reference: Civil Life Serial Number: 36131186
• Affiliate ARC Identifier: 1263923
• Box Film Number: 10375.99
• Affiliate Publication Title: Electronic Army Serial Number Merged File, ca. 1938-1946
• Source: "United States World War II Army Enlistment Records, 1938-1946," index, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/pal:/MM9.1.1/K8PD-ZHM : accessed 27 Oct 2014), Francis J Laurain, enlisted 22 Oct 1941, Detroit, Michigan, United States; citing "Electronic Army Serial Number Merged File, ca. 1938-1946," database, The National Archives: Access to Archival Databases (AAD) (http://aad.archives.gov : National Archives and Records Administration, 2002).

From Wikipedia:
The Distinguished Service Cross is the second highest military award that can be given to a member of the United States Army (and previously, the United States Army Air Forces), for extreme gallantry and risk of life in actual combat with an armed enemy force. Actions that merit the Distinguished Service Cross must be of such a high degree that they are above those required for all other U.S. combat decorations but do not meet the criteria for the Medal of Honor. The Distinguished Service Cross is equivalent to the Navy Cross (Navy and Marine Corps), the Air Force Cross (Air Force), and the Coast Guard Cross (Coast Guard).

Fresen Laurain

Fresen Laurain was my 3rd great-grandmother.  This is a picture of her tombstone.

Photo courtesy of Patricia Ibbotson at Findagrave.

She was born Euphrosine Leduc on October 31, 1825 and died November 28, 1908.  She was the daughter of François-Barthelemi Leduc and Marguerite Boutron dite Major.

Other names she was known by were Frazine and Mary Ann.

This is the census of 1850 in the township of Springwells, Wayne County, Michigan, USA.  Line 1 through 11 is Fresen's household.  On the same Census, on line 24 is Augustin Laurain's household.  Augustin and John Baptist Laurain were brother-in-laws and cousins.  John Baptist Laurain was the sibling of Marguerite Lorrain who was married to Augustin.  They were also cousins.

1850 Census - Springwells Township, Wayne County, Michigan.  Her name was written as Frazine.

From my 4th cousin 1x removed, Matt Laduke's website:

According to the published genealogy “Ancestry of William Leduc of Detroit, Michigan by His daughter Addie Leduc Morton”

Francis Barthelmy and Marguerite lived at Saint-Timothee, Québec, Canada, but moved to Detroit, Michigan, leaving on October 31, 1834 and arriving in May 1835. They came with their six youngest children (Judith Angelique, Toussaint C, Louis, Michel, Josephine, Euphrosine) and the husband of their daughter Angelique, who had married Louis L’Arrive. They left on two sleighs with two teams, but when they got to York, now Kingston, Canada, the snow was gone, so they stopped there, and many of them worked there for awhile and then continued on their journey, arriving in Windsor, Canada, in early 1835. Their eldest daughter Marguerite, who had married Felix Charrbonneau, also came to Detroit soon after with his family to reside in Detroit. Their eldest son, Ambrose had married, and did not leave Canada. We do not know when or where Marguerite (Boutron) Leduc died but think while on a visit back to Canada. Francis Barthelmy Leduc made several visits back to Canada, and died there April 30, 1862, aged 79 years. He is buried at St. Louis, near St. Timothee, Canada.

Lori Ann Behuniak-Haskins

Lori wears a pink ribbon for breast cancer awareness.
Photo courtesy of daughter-in-law, Suzane Pereira

October 16th marks the anniversary of my cousin Lori's homegoing.

Lori Haskins (neé Behuniak) was born March 3, 1961 in Detroit, Wayne County, Michigan, United States to Judith Arcala (daughter of Lenore Evelyn Barron and Mamerto Arcala) and John Behuniak, and raised in Homosassa, Florida. She graduated Crystal River High School in 1979 and finished nursing school at the Community College of Rhode Island, in Warren, Rhode Island.  Her grandchildren referred to her as "Mimi."  She passed away at home on October 16, 2011 with her family by her side, after a long battle with cancer.

Lori and I were first cousins that had never met in person due to time and distance.  She reached out to me. to get to know me better, through the internet and that's where our friendship began.  I learned of Lori's cancer in 2009.  On May 4, 2010, I congratulated her as I heard she was cancer-free. However, that was not the case.  Her cancer was there, with a vengeance.  On November 11, 2010, she updated her Facebook account to mention she was undergoing chemotherapy and feeling great.

On November 24, 2010, Lori made sure to remind us all to be thankful with this:

 "Happy Thanksgiving to all my Family and Friends, my [sic] you take this time to say thanks for all the ones who have come into your life for good and bad... we learn something form [sic] everyone who passes our path."

Relax In Paradise, Lori.

Frank Roe's Death Record

Frank Roe was my 2nd great-grandmother Sarah Roe's brother.  He died at 16 years old by drowning in June 1876 in Brownstone, Wayne County, Michigan, USA.

On this register, he's the 5th one from the bottom. This register was initially on 2 separate images. I put them on one image for easier viewing.

Source:

"Michigan, Deaths, 1867-1897," index and images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/pal:/MM9.1.1/N3NQ-BF4 : accessed 02 Oct 2013), Isadore Roe in entry for Frank Roe, Jun 1876.

Thomas Roe Death Record

This is a death registry for people who died in Michigan between 1867 and 1897.  Thomas Roe was my second great-grandmother, Sarah Roe's, brother.  He was 2 when he passed away from Measles, October 12, 1872.

On this register, he's the 3rd one from the bottom.
This register was initially on 2 separate images.  I put them on one image for easier viewing.

Source:
"Michigan, Deaths, 1867-1897," index and images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/pal:/MM9.1.1/N36D-73D : accessed 02 Oct 2013), Isadore Roe in entry for Thomas Roe, 12 Oct 1872.

Pedro "Pete" Arcala's Headstone

This is the headstone for my great-Uncle Pedro Arribas Arcala (formerly known as Hilarion Arcala).  He was born October 19, 1893 in Vigan, Ilocos Sur, Philippines to Bartolome Arcala and Narcisa Arribas and died October 23, 1955 in Detroit, Wayne County, Michigan, USA.  He is buried at Holy Cross Cemetery in Detroit, Wayne County, Michigan, USA.

He was a teacher.

This headstone was purchased by my uncle Barry Arcala.  The photo was given to me by a volunteer researcher for Findagrave.com.

Please view Santiago Arcala's memorial at Findagrave.com by clicking here.

Santiago Arcala's Headstone

This is my great-uncle Santiago Arcala's headstone.  Santiago Arcala was born in 1896 in Vigan, Ilocos Sur, Philippines to Bartolome Arcala and Narcisa Arribas and died July 2, 1925 in Tacoma, Pierce County, Washington, USA.

He is buried at Calvary Cemetery in Tacoma, Pierce County, Washington, USA.

The picture was kindly taken by a volunteer researcher named Kathy Stroope Veasey for Findagrave.com.  Another kind volunteer named Liane gave me the profile to curate over.  Please click here to view Santiago Arcala's Findagrave Memorial.

Mamerto "Jimmy" Agan Arcala's Headstone

This is my grandfather's headstone, located at Holy Cross Catholic Cemetery in Detroit, Wayne County, Michigan, USA.  My uncle Barry Arcala purchased this headstone for him.

This image was kindly given to me from a volunteer researcher at Findagrave.com.

Click here, to visit Mamerto's Findagrave memorial.

Taylor Man Shot Half-Brother In Self-Defense

This is a screenshot from the Heritage Sunday news site.
Posted in April 2000.

Taylor man shot half-brother in self-defense By Kristi Gutowski, Staff Writer

TAYLOR A man who shot his half-brother to death acted in self-defense, according to the Wayne County Prosecutor's Office.

Thomas J. Arcala, 58, feared for his life when he shot his half-brother, Michael Hipol, 38, of Canton Township, police said.

Hipol was killed April 19 at the house Arcala rented from him in the 5000 block of Banner.

The shooting occurred the second time Hipol went to the residence that day over a dispute about plumbing.

Police first were called to the home at about noon because of the dispute between the half-brothers.

Although Hipol left the first time shortly after police arrived, he returned to the Banner Street home later that night.

According to police, Arcala rented the home from Hipol and had refused to pay the rent because a plumbing problem had not been taken care of.

The dispute continued when Hipol returned to the home shortly after 11 p.m. He was shot by Arcala after he threw a concrete birdbath through the window of the house.

When officers arrived at about 11:15 p.m., Arcala told them that Hipol had called from his Canton home and told him he was coming over to "do some damage."

Arcala was inside the home when Hipol threw the birdbath through the window. Fearing for his life, Arcala shot Hipol.

Arcala was arrested by police that night, but was released pending issuance of a warrant from the prosecutor's office.

The warrant was denied on Thursday.

Detective Richard Todd said the report of the police investigation was submitted to the prosecutor's office, which decides if any charges will be filed.

Staff Writer Kristi Gutowski can be reached by e-mail at kgutowski@heritage.com or by calling 1-734-246-0856.

Google Maps Screenshot of 5931 Banner St, Taylor, MI
My uncle died below the front window, just right of the steps, (the one that is blurred).

Thomas James Arcala Sr. Death Certificate

This is my father, Thomas James Arcala Sr.'s death certificate.

My father died from a massive heart attack when he was at work.  The last thing before he passed was write his sister a birthday wish in an email on February 20, 2001, in Littleton, Arapaho County, Colorado, USA.

His death certificate lists his father's name as Mamerto Santiago Arcala, which I found interesting as other records indicate his middle name was Agan.  He had a brother named Santiago, and makes me wonder if he changed his middle name to commemorate his brother Santiago Arcala whom died in Washington not soon after he made it to America.

This was a scan courtesy of Barry W. Arcala, my father's younger brother.

10 Generations of Nicolas Godé

These are the generations of Nicolas Godé down to my grandmother Lenore Evelyn Barron.

Generation 1
Nicolas Godé was born circa 1583 in St-Martin D'ige, Mortagne, Sees, Perche, France. He married Françoise Gadois 1620 in St-Martin D'ige, Mortagne, Sees, Perche, France. François Gadois was born circa 1593 in St-Martin D'ige, Mortagne, Sees, Perche, France and died December 24, 1689 in Pointe-aux-Trembles. Nicolas Godé died October 25, 1657 in Montréal, Québec.  Nicolas Godé was killed by the Iroquois.
They had:
Nicolas Godé dit LaMontagne (January 26, 1629)

This is Nicolas Godé's death record.
Shared by Roberta Marentette a Geni.com.

Generation 2

Nicolas Godé dit LaMontagne was born January 26, 1629 St-Martin D'ige, Mortagne, Sees, Perche, France. He married Marguerite Picard November 12, 1658 in Montréal, Québec. Marguerite Picard was born April 10, 1646 in St-Barthelimi, Paris, France and died September 6, 1722 in Montréal, Québec. Nicolas Godé dit LaMontagne died April 11, 1697 in Montréal, Québec.
They had:
Jacques Godet (October 13, 1673)

Generation 3
Jacques Godet was born October 13, 1673 in Montréal, Québec.  He married Marguerite Duguay dite Marentette November 4, 1698 in Trois Rivières, St. Maurice, Québec. Marguerite Duguay dite Marentette was born September 13, 1680 in Trois Rivières, St. Maurice, Québec and died November 28, 1730 in Montréal, Québec.  Jacques Godet died April 18, 1729 in Hotel Dieu, Montréal, Québec.
They had:
Jacques Gaudet ou Godet dit Marentette (August 22, 1699)

Generation 4
Jacques Gaudet ou Godet dit Marentette was born August 22, 1699 in Montréal, Québec. He married Marie-Louise Beaudry August 15, 1743 in Bois Blanc Island at the Detroit River, Michigan. Marie-Louise Beaudry was born January 30, 1724 in Québec and died July 19, 1766 in Détroit, Michigan.  Jacques Gaudet ou Godet dit Marentette died November 7, 1780 at Coast of the Hurons near Détroit, Michigan.
They had:
Marie-Madeleine Godet dite Marentette (June 30, 1753)

Generation 5
Marie-Madeleine Godet dite Marentette was born June 30, 1753 in Détroit, Michigan. She married Étienne Jacob January 2, 1769 in Assumption, Sandwich/Windsor, Essex, Ontario. Étienne Jacob was born December 12, 1736 in L'Ange Gardien, Québec and died October 8, 1801 in River Raisin, Michigan. Madeleine Godet dite Marentette died April 2, 1821 in River Raisin, Michigan.
They had:
Jean-Marie Jacob (March 29, 1771)

Generation 6
Jean-Marie Jacob was born March 29, 1771 in Sandwich/Windsor, Essex, Ontario. He married Marie-Amable-Geneviève Carrier. Marie-Amable-Geneviève Carrier was born circa 1782. Jean-Marie Jacob died in 1819.
They had:
Geneviève Jacob (circa 1800)

Generation 7
Geneviève Jacob was born circa 1800.  She married Jean-Baptiste Reau.  Jean-Baptiste Reau was born November 19, 1793 in Detroit, Wayne, Michigan and died 1873. Geneviève Jacob died circa 1850.
They had:
Isadore Roe (circa 1835)

Generation 8
Isadore Roe was born circa 1835 in Détroit, Michigan.  He married Theresa Henrietta Lauzon.  Theresa Henrietta Lauzon was born February 5, 1839 in Monroe County, Michigan, USA and died May 11, 1915 in Ecorse, Michigan, USA.
They had:
Sarah Roe (October 27, 1859)

Generation 9
Sarah Roe was born October 27, 1859 in Newport, Monroe County, Michigan, USA.  She married Francis Xavier Laurain.  Francis Xavier Laurain was born November 2, 1847 and died October 4, 1914.  Sarah Roe died on July 13, 1935 in Detroit, Wayne County, Michigan, USA.
They had:
Susan Laurain (January 25, 1885)

Generation 10
Susan Laurain was born January 25, 1885 in Detroit, Wayne County, Michigan, USA.  She married Harvey Joseph Barron.  Harvey Joseph Barron was born July 17, 1887 in Windsor, Ontario, Canada and died August 1973 in Frenchtown, Monroe County, Michigan, USA.  Susan Laurain died January 27, 1967 in Estral Beach, Michigan, USA.
They had:
Lenore Evelyn Barron (January 8, 1923)