I am a great great grandson of John Geary and his wife Ellen, whose maiden name was either Moran or Foran. Both husband and wife were from Ireland. They reached California before gold was discovered and so were among the very first to reach the Mother Lode. They lived long-term in Mariposa County. John Geary was one of the original miners of the Whitlock Mining District, a few miles from the town of Mariposa. Both John and Ellen died in the early 1890s at Whitlock's. They and three of their children are buried at St. Joseph's Church cemetery in Mariposa, in graves situated very near the church itself. Their daughter Bridget was among the very first individuals buried in the graveyard.

I am seeking info from anyone who may know details about this family. My own research is at an advanced stage, so please do not refer me to obvious internet sources such as Ancestry.com or MariposaResearch.net. Chances are you will only be quoting my own research back at me. I'm looking for original, direct, within-the-family sort of sources.

To see some of what I've already found about the Geary, Moran, Foran family, see my webpage at "http://home.comcast.net/~davesmeds/geary.htm".

Dave Smeds