Having converged on the United States of America seeking opportunity in the mid to late 19th century from England, Ireland, and Germany, the various branches of our family settled in the New York area in Manhattan, Brooklyn, Bronx and Jersey City, NJ. After years of various socio-economic changes effecting the area, our immediate ancestors settled in Northern New Jersey (Bergen County) and embraced the suburban life in an effort to establish a better living standard for their loved ones.
This page is dedicated to the memory of Joseph Francis (Jr.) and Jeanne Ann (Lutzen) Calligan who passed through heaven's gates in the Summer of 2004 and the generations that preceded them as well as generations to come. For their lives, dedication and steadfastness, Lord, we are truly thankful.
The Calligans of Northern New Jersey
A professional picture of Caroline Marie (who was born on the fist day of the 20th century) and George William Lutzen taken around 1903, within a year later their Mother, Augusta, would have died.

A professional picture of Caroline Marie (who was born on the fist day of the 20th century) and George William Lutzen taken around 1903, within a year later their Mother, Augusta, would have died.


Bernhard Feist’s beer saloon called the “Stone Cutter’s Home” which presumably was located on the upper west side around 112th St. and 1st Ave. In front is his wife Katherine and his son Bernhard Feist, Jr.

Bernhard Feist’s beer saloon called the “Stone Cutter’s Home” which presumably was located on the upper west side around 112th St. and 1st Ave. In front is his wife Katherine and his son Bernhard Feist, Jr.


Augusta Caroline (Wehrmann) Lutzen, who died, presumably during a difficult childbirth, in 1904 at the age of 38. Her daughter, Caroline (Carrie) was only 3 at the time and was raised with the help of her husband George’s sister Louisa (Meinken) and her teenage daughters while George worked at the butcher shop.

Augusta Caroline (Wehrmann) Lutzen, who died, presumably during a difficult childbirth, in 1904 at the age of 38.

Her daughter, Caroline (Carrie) was only 3 at the time and was raised with the help of her husband George’s sister Louisa (Meinken) and her teenage daughters while George worked at the butcher shop.


George August Lutzen, a butcher who lived in Jersey City, NJ. The picture is circa 1900. His father, Friedrich Wilhelm Lutzen, a bootmaker, was born in Goettingen, Prussia in 1820 and immigrated to the USA around 1844 and had died in 1890.

George August Lutzen, a butcher who lived in Jersey City, NJ. The picture is circa 1900. His father, Friedrich Wilhelm Lutzen, a bootmaker, was born in Goettingen, Prussia in 1820 and immigrated to the USA around 1844 and had died in 1890.


The Calligan boys in 1900Standing - Joseph F. (Jess), William J., and JohnSeated - Edward and Bernard

The Calligan boys in 1900

Standing - Joseph F. (Jess), William J., and John

Seated - Edward and Bernard


The William Lawrence Calligan Family - 1920Top - Edward, Bernard, and Joseph (Jess)Bottom - William J., Anna Frances (Feist), William L., and John

The William Lawrence Calligan Family - 1920

Top - Edward, Bernard, and Joseph (Jess)

Bottom - William J., Anna Frances (Feist), William L., and John


Bernhard and Katherine (Schirm) Feist (Anna Frances’ father and mother)  presumably their wedding day in September 1866. They had arrived on the same boat from Germany earlier that year in January.  He was a stone cutter who later owned the “Stone Cutter’s Saloon” in New York City presumably on First Ave. around 112th St.

Bernhard and Katherine (Schirm) Feist (Anna Frances’ father and mother)  presumably their wedding day in September 1866. They had arrived on the same boat from Germany earlier that year in January.  He was a stone cutter who later owned the “Stone Cutter’s Saloon” in New York City presumably on First Ave. around 112th St.


“If you look deeply into the palm of your hand, you will see your parents and all generations of your ancestors. All of them are alive in this moment. Each is present in your body. You are the continuation of each of these people.”
— Thich Nhat Hanh quotes (Vietnamese Monk, Activist and Writer. b.1926)