Category Archives: Brown-Montran

Happy Birthday Grandma Donna

Posted on February 20, 2026 by Don Taylor

Happy Birthday rememberance of my grandmother, Madonna “Donna” Mae Montran (1893–1976). She lived a complex and fascinating life that extended far beyond her vaudeville years. Born in Albion, Michigan, she married several times, later settled in Michigan and Minnesota, and ultimately donated her body to science. This remembrance reflects both documented facts and the enduring personal legacy she left to her family. Continue reading →

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Taylor – Surname Saturday

Posted on December 13, 2025 by Don Taylor

The Taylor surname traces an occupational origin rooted in England and extends through multiple generations of my family from 17th-century New England to 19th-century Michigan. This article examines three documented Taylor ancestors—John Taylor, Rhoda Taylor, and Fanny Taylor—highlighting their place in early colonial settlement, frontier warfare, Atlantic migration, and American industrial expansion. Continue reading →

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Ida & Donna in the News: Discoveries from the Albion Recorder

Posted on May 5, 2025 by Don Taylor

By Don Taylor Thanks to recent digitization efforts by NewspaperArchives.com, I’ve uncovered several fascinating mentions of my ancestors in the Albion Recorder (Albion, Michigan). These newly discovered newspaper clippings have provided valuable glimpses into the lives of my great-grandmother, Ida … Continue reading →

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Rowley – Surname Saturday

Posted on February 22, 2025 by Don Taylor

I examine the surname, Rowley. Continue reading →

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Josiah Fugate (c. 1740-c.1823)

Posted on January 26, 2025 by Don Taylor

Brown-Mannin-Fugate LineBy Don Taylor After learning from FamilySearch that Pocahontas might be my 12th great-grandmother[i], I thought I’d take another step along the path to confirm she is my ancestor. The supposed connection is on my mother’s father’s line. I feel … Continue reading →

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