DONELSON roots in Oregon
I am the grand-daughter of Robert (Bobby) Harold DONELSON (born: 24, Nov. 1923; died: 8 April 2003) who is the son of John Harry PENOLI and Maude Mary DONELSON (he took his mother's maiden name after he was married for family reasons). John and Maude had 6 children (whom each have all had huge families so I'll just post their names, not in any particular order, and if anybody is interested further with them please feel free to email me): Robert Harold (PENOLI) DONELSON, Frederick PENOLI, Bernice PENOLI, Helen PENOLI, Catherine ("Aunt Kay") PENOLI, and Donald PENOLI (who lives in Texas). They all lived in Eureka, California for most of their lives, then moved to Santa Rosa, California. Robert lived there most of his life, served in the South Pacific in World War II, was a Santa Rosa police officer. He married Margaret Mary MARTINEZ (they later lived together in Florence, Oregon before moving to Anchorage, Alaska) and they had three children: Marie Christine DONELSON (who was adopted;Born:9 Feb. 1947 and died: 2 Feb. 2005), Diana Marie DONELSON, and Patrick Michael DONELSON (who is also adopted; Born: 26 Dec. 196?)
If this helps in anyway please let me know. If anybody has any information or questions about any of the above names, especially to my grandfather, his parents (who I'm trying to gain info. about their dates and their parents, etc.) and of the adoptees in our family: Margaret, Marie and Patrick. We're especially interested in finding their birth families and parents!
UPDATED INFO:
Maude Mary DONELSON (married Johnny Harry PENOLI) and had a sister: Agnes DONELSON and brother: Bill (william?) DONELSON. Their parents were Catherine T. HURLEY (born: 5 July 1868, Nevada, USA; died: 25 Oct. 1944, Humboldt County, CA.) and William Edward DONELSON (born: 6 June 1864, Oregon, USA; died: 18 May 1945, Humboldt County, CA.) (NOT John Donelson, who I had thought to believe was the name of the father previously).
Catherine T. HURLEY's parents were John HURLEY (born: 1842, Ireland) and Catherine WALSH (born:? in Ireland). I have been able to find info. that says they were both born in Ireland, but do not know where in Ireland, who their parents/families are, or when they immigrated to the US.
William Edward DONELSON's parents were William T. DONELSON (of Maryland. born: 1832; both his parents apparently were also from Maryland though I have no further information on them or their family) and Martha ENNIS (of North Carolina, though there has been mention of her coming from Missouri. Her father was apparently born in North Carolina while her mother was from South Carolina. No further information on her family.) They had 5 children together, including William Edward Donelson: Vernon E. DONELSON (born: 1860 in Oregon), Elizabeth DONELSON (born: 1866 in Oregon), Ira DONELSON (born: 1872 in California), and Daisy E. DONELSON (born: 1878 in California).
As of today, this is the most recent and accurate information that I can find. If anybody has more info. to add on or has any questions please feel free to send a message! Thank you! :)