Introduction

My grandmother, Helen Reynolds, was of the last of my mysterious and tragic McGrail family--"mysterious" because, although there are plenty of McGrails running around out there, I have been unsuccessful in my attempts to find a link between my group and anyone else's (my "internet friend" Greg McGrail seemed convinced that there must be a connection, but he was never able to establish it before his untimely death); "tragic" because it illustrates how a one-vital family can more or less disappear in only a few generations. Yes, the McGrail bloodline continues in my children and my brother's children; but none from our bunch carries the name McGrail (exept as my nephew's middle name). My dad has frequently commented on the strange set of circumstances that saw his grandfather, William Francis McGrail as one of six brothers, and yet the surname has now disappeared from our family.

You may note also a lack of details in the cards for my McGrails. This is only because of a lack of detail in the family history. People--even people as recent as my grandmother's sister--seem to have simply disappeared from the family narrative. Presumably, someone once knew; presumably, any such someones are now gone.

A certain amound is known of Anthony McGrale, the first of the crew to come to America. His Civil War experience is recounted here. The family cards, such as they are, start here.

As usual, any information would be appreciated.

William J Reynolds
June 2006

	wjreynolds-AT-yahoo.com
	http://www.geocities.com/wjreynolds/ http://wjra1.fortunecity.com/