Hello - in a recent visit to Utica - I discovered this informaion on Joanna McDonald - wife of Mathew McDonald - daughter of Perry and Catharine O Neal (O'Neil). Joanna is the sister of Catharine O'Neil Fitzsimmons - Mary O'Neil Dillon and James O'Neil husband of Catherine Agnes Butler. I was wondering if this info might discover anyone connected to this McDonald family - I also have reason to suspect they are somehow related - though I don't know how - to the McLaughlin (McGlaughlin) family - living perhaps next door. Also - can anyone tell me where this property was/is today ? Also - who is Katharine Hanlon Lynch ? of Utica. This name is also connected to this family. Katharine sang at the funeral mass for another family member and is named in another will (cousins of this family) - THANKS Mark Joanna Died in Testate .... so this letter was written to the court by Michael McDonald - her son - living in Buffalo and Michael McDonald - brother of Mathew McDonald - In a letter to the court....... Michael J. McDonald called and sum in behalf of the petition herein testified as follows: I reside at Buffalo, NY and am of the age of 38 years. I am the brother of the petitioner and the son of Joanna McDonald deceased of june 1897. At the time of her death she resided in the town of Floyd, Oneida county. Her husband’s name was Mathew McDonald, he died in the month of November 1873, she never remarried. She left their heirs and only ther ?: the petitioner Joseph McDonald and myself, sons, and Julia McDonald, a daughter. At the time of her decease she was seized to fee simple absolute and in possession of a farm consisting of about twenty five acres of land more or less, situate in the town of Marcy, about three miles from the village of Holland Patent and bounded on the North and west by lands of Rus P James (?) and on the east by lands of James McLoughlin and on the south by land of Elias Luke. Deed from Perry O’Neil to Joanna McDonald shown witness. I know that premises described in that deed and know that she owned them at the time of her decease it is this deed to her farm which I describe. Subscribe and sure to before Michael J. McDonald February 7, 1898. Michael McDonald called and sworn as a witness in behalf of the petitioners herein testified as follows: I reside in the city of Utica, NY and am the uncle of the petitioner and also the uncle of the last witness. I knew Joanna McDonald in her life time. She died in the own of Floyd Oneida County, NY on or about June 2, 1897 intestate as I understand and believe. At this time of her death she was a resident of this town of Floyd, Oneida County, she left her surviving three children and only three children, he only heirs at law, the petitioner Joseph McDonald who i of the age of about 36 year and resides at Floyd Oneida County, NY. who is a son, Michael J. cdonald, a son of about the age of 38 residing at Buffalo, NY and Julia wo resides at Utica, NY Her husband was my brother, his name was Mathew McDonald 1873 she never remarried She left her surviving no husband, nor any child, nor the issue of any deceased adopted child or children, nor any deceased child’s husband or wife, Her father’s names was Perry O’Neil, he and also her mother died more than twenty years ago. At the time of her death, the heirs of said Joanna McDonald were the following persons and only the following persons : Michael J. cdonald, a son, Joseph McDonald, son, Joseph McDonald, son; Julia McDonald, daughter. At the time of the decease of Joanna McDonald she was the owner and is possession of a farm of about 25 acres situate in the town of Marcy Oneida County, situated about three miles from the village of Holland Patent and bordering P. James on the East by lands of James McLaughlin and on the south by land of elias Luke. I am not interested in this preceding.