I am trying to help a friend trace her ancestry. Her paternal grandfather was James Edward O'Leary, born 1909. She has been told his parents were killed in a train accident. Evidently there was some turmoil surrounding his adoption because rumor has it he was kidnapped. He was adopted by a Hawley but we don't know when, where, or if they were a part of the family. He is listed in other genealogical records as only James Edward Hawley.

Her family thinks they may have some Native American roots, in the Mi'kmaq nation.

Any help would be appreciated!

Sue Schilling
and Daneva Hawley