I am looking for information about my paternal grandmother's family.
Her name was Violet Ardath Howland. She was born in December, 1922 in Pittsburgh, to Lyiola/Lyola/Lila Belle Murphy, Lyola was born around 1896 in Pittsburgh. She MAY HAVE married a man with the last name Howland who worked as a locksmith. He eventually left her and my grandmother, Violet. Lyola sent Violet to a Catholic Convent/Boarding School to be raised. All I know about this place was that a Nun called Sister Mary Gabriella that was allowed to travel away from the convent. She was supposed to be very learned in the sciences. She occasionally visited Violet in Philadelphia when my father was a child.

Lyola owned a Beauty Parlor in the 1930's, and also ran a Matching Making Service, I believe it was called a Friendship Club. I have a clipping from an article about it. Lyola is buried in Minersville Cemetery. She passed away in 1955.

Lyola's parents were Edward T. Murphy, he was born in D.C./Maryland in 1873. His parents were from Ireland. Her mother was Ida Berger. Ida was born in Pennsylvania in 1875. Ida's mother's first name was Sarah.
If you have any information I would be very grateful.
I'm particularly interested in Lyola's marriage license/record. She would have been married around 1920/21/22. I was able to see she was living with her parents at some point in 1920.
Also, I would love to find about more about the Catholic boarding schools of Pittsburgh. It sounds almost more like an orphanage, since my grandmother was sent there because her mother was poor.
Thank you for your time. YOu can also reach me at lizabeth at stuntkid dot com.