JP Lackaff and the cigar tree
A family legend goes something like this: In the 1870s, two gentlemen by the names of Jean-Pierre LaCaff and Francois LaCaff, cousins (more or less), made the journey to the US from their native Luxembourg. After a stop in Ellis Island, and some notes had been scratched in an immigration offical's ledger, they became John Peter (JP) Lackaff and Frank Lackaff. The briefly found themselves among fellow Luxembourgers in Minnesota, then accepted the government's offer of free land in an unsettled western territory -- north-central Nebraska. Frank briefly published a newspaper there before his wanderlust took him further west, and he ended up founding a massive Lackaff clan in the Pacific Northwest. JP, my great-great-grandfather, made a go of it as a rancher, and my family has been in the area ever since. This is a photo of these first American Lackaffs, probably taken in Minnesota. My favorite part is the curious potted "cigar tree" -- I wish I was in on the joke.
This photo of JP Lackaff and an unknown acquaintance is perhaps representative of the weather he found in his new country. I'm not sure how this photo was created -- I'm not at all a photography expert, but I'd guess the snowflakes were painted in after the fact. Also note the cigars, a common feature in photos of these early Lackaffs.
This photo, apparently sent from Luxembourg, is of JP's parents, Michel and Marguerite. A pipe, rather than a cigar, complete's great-great-great-grandfather Lackaff's stylish ensemble.
July 19th, 2008 - 19:46
I am Frank (Francis) Lackaff the 3rd. I’d be happy to anser about the Lackaff’s in the Northwest, and there’s a bunch of us.
Feel free to Email flackaff@hotmail.com
August 24th, 2009 - 12:32
So sorry, I misspelled, correct: Evelyn Lynch Lackaff
September 12th, 2006 - 06:12
Random
I was just looking up info on my boyfriends family and stumbled on your page. He was really happy to see the pics you have posted because he had never seen a picture of his great great grandad. He is part of the NW tribe of Lackaffs. It is really cool of you to post these pics so THANKS!
-Amanda
July 12th, 2007 - 17:01
Derek,
I was wondering if
Derek,
I was wondering if you knew if John Peter LaCaff ended up in Kittitas County Washington? or if Frank came to King County Washington. In my research I have come across individuals that match your story very closely.
Tanner Dotzauer
July 12th, 2007 - 18:59
JP
Hi Tanner,
JP Lackaff, my great-great grandfather, stayed in Nebraska and is buried there. Frank Lackaff did end up in Washington, and although I’m not sure where exactly, I’d bet he’s your individual of interest. I’d be happy to track down my old genealogy files and put you in contact with my family historians — just drop me a line (lackaff@ this domain) and we can chat.
Cheers!