Genealogy at its Best

Nearly six years ago, Marty and I stumbled upon a B&B on the North Side of Pittsburgh, called the Priory.   We celebrated our 25th anniversary there and enjoyed the close walking proximity to PNC Park as well as to the city of Pittsburgh.  As we explored the hotel, perusing through the on-site history books as well as the photos on the wall, we realized that the Priory was actually part of the Church and Benedictine Monastery where Marty's Dad and siblings had attended grade school while growing up.  A stroll around the neighborhood led us to the actual street where Josef Geisler, a tailor, set up his residence after he emigrated from the small town of Zell am Ziller. Matthias Geisler, Marty's grandpa, raised his family of eleven children just a block away.  It was great to see that both houses still stood on streets where the original Belgian Block roads intact.

Just about a year ago, the Priory purchased the building adjacent to theirs after it had been gutted by fire.  They added 17 rooms to the hotel and as part of their Grand Opening celebration, the Priory offered a room special to past customers.  The offer was "too good to refuse", and Marty and I decided to reserve a room for Saturday night.

We began our Saturday night retreat by attending Mass at Most Holy Name of Jesus Catholic Church, located on Troy Hill.  The church has genealogical significance to Marty's family as some of his relatives were baptized there in the late 1800's. We opted to have dinner at Max's Allegheny Tavern located on Suismon street, just a couple of  blocks from the original Geisler Homestead and down the street of the home of Leo Woelk. ( Leo's sister married Matthias).  Max's restaurant is in the original building that housed a hotel and restaurant as early as the 1860's. The venue is German and Viennese food, typical of the immigrants who immigrated to the area.

Marty enjoyed the four beer sampler of specialized brews from the restaurant.  Our food choices included Schnitzel Royale and Viennese Chicken, which came with side dishes of potato pancakes.  We ended up switching meals as the chicken that I ordered came with a sauce that was filled with green peppers. This seems to be the trend anymore when Marty and I go out.  They say that cats migrate to people who are allergic to them.  I seem to have the same penchant with green peppers.  Luckily, Marty is happy to switch meals when this occurs.  The food was fabulous.

As part of the Priory hotel special, we found a dozen fresh Roses in the room as well as a chilled bottle of Champagne  and Priory Baker sweets.  So, we sipped our Champagne while enjoying a delectable mini cheesecake and chocolates.  I'm willing to bet that none of Geisler family relatives partook of such delicacies, but I, for one, am thrilled to have had this opportunity. Marty is certainly not complaining either!