A stacked pile of two large weathered stones in a cemetery with gravestones and leafless trees in the background under a cloudy sky.

The Owen Hamall Mystery

From "Thornton Hammall" to William Thornton:

Solving a 140-Year Mystery

One misrecorded name in an 1880 census. Four missing children lost between records. A half-brother whose identity was hidden for over a century. Discover how we solved this genealogical puzzle and reconstructed a complete family saga across Ireland, Montreal, and Chicago.

A vintage newspaper clipping titled 'Good Luck' about a man named Terence O'Brien, who discovered a kitchen wall with bonds worth eleven thousand dollars, and details his life, death, and the circumstances surrounding his estate.

The O’Brien Legacy

The O'Brien Family Legacy: From Mystery to Reunion

One probate record. $11,000 in hidden bonds. A family story that spans three countries and 150 years. Discover how we solved this genealogical puzzle and reunited living descendants.