.jpg)
Monday, June 15, 2009
Monday, May 04, 2009
Wednesday, March 04, 2009
Tuesday, February 24, 2009
Two Go to Ireland
I chose Mayo because it’s where some of our family originated. But I knew there would be very little to see (as it turned out, nothing) related to them so I decided I just wanted Jonathan to see that part of Ireland and to get him thinking about his ancestors nation and lifestyle, if not their specific lives and locations. Our trip covered some of the remotest parts of Western Europe and we spent much of our time on the Atlantic coast. Lots of crashing waves and gusting winds. And we saw an awful lot of sheep!
Our first bit of fun was the airport, Knock Ireland West Airport. After landing we came to a stop at the end of the runway, we turned around and taxied back up the runway to the terminal. As we pulled into the two-airplane-sized parking area, we watched the other airplane do a 180 degree on the spot and just as we got off our aircraft the other plane came roaring down the runway for take-off just feet from us. Jonathan and I agreed this was the coolest airport we’d ever been to!
I shalln’t write an exhaustive account of our holiday, but just give the highlights. These were Jonathan’s favourite parts of the trip:
1. Downpatrick Head
A sea stack broken away from Mayo’s northern coast. We had a bit of a bumpy drive to get there (never take a wrong turning in rural Ireland unless you have powerful shock absorbers). The coast is riddled with caves and as we walked up to the edge to see the stack we passed several spots where the caves have collapsed and the spray from the crashing waves blows up through the aperture.
2. Lighthouse and seashore
Jonathan has never been to a lighthouse and that was his only must-see. So I drove him to the tip of the Belmullet Peninsula to see the Blacksod Point lighthouse. Jonathan was intrigued by a snall plaque on the wall (just visible on the wall) that commerated a weather forecast the lighthouse sent for D-Day in 1944. We then walked down onto the beach where we collected seashells and Jonathan played cat and mouse with the waves, games we repeated up the road at Elly Bay, at Achill and at Roonagh Pier.
3. Croagh Patrick
The holy mountain where Saint Patrick fasted for 40 days and nights in the seventh century. The mountain is 765 meters high and we made it to about 100 meters, a decent victory for a 9-year-old and his auntie who rides the elevator to her third floor apartment. It afforded us a stunning view of Clew Bay and it’s dozens of grassy islands.
Some other highlights for me were the playground in Newport
and the bleak beauty of the Dooagh pass.
The Mayo landscape features dozens of mountains, many along the coast, and all of them bare of trees and bushes, and covered just in bracken and grass, kept short by the ubiquitous sheep that cling to the steepest of inclines. There were sheep everywhere, in gardens, on cliff tops, on the lakeshore, in the middle of the road...
Here is the complete set of photographs.
Our first bit of fun was the airport, Knock Ireland West Airport. After landing we came to a stop at the end of the runway, we turned around and taxied back up the runway to the terminal. As we pulled into the two-airplane-sized parking area, we watched the other airplane do a 180 degree on the spot and just as we got off our aircraft the other plane came roaring down the runway for take-off just feet from us. Jonathan and I agreed this was the coolest airport we’d ever been to!I shalln’t write an exhaustive account of our holiday, but just give the highlights. These were Jonathan’s favourite parts of the trip:
1. Downpatrick Head
A sea stack broken away from Mayo’s northern coast. We had a bit of a bumpy drive to get there (never take a wrong turning in rural Ireland unless you have powerful shock absorbers). The coast is riddled with caves and as we walked up to the edge to see the stack we passed several spots where the caves have collapsed and the spray from the crashing waves blows up through the aperture.2. Lighthouse and seashore
Jonathan has never been to a lighthouse and that was his only must-see. So I drove him to the tip of the Belmullet Peninsula to see the Blacksod Point lighthouse. Jonathan was intrigued by a snall plaque on the wall (just visible on the wall) that commerated a weather forecast the lighthouse sent for D-Day in 1944. We then walked down onto the beach where we collected seashells and Jonathan played cat and mouse with the waves, games we repeated up the road at Elly Bay, at Achill and at Roonagh Pier.3. Croagh Patrick
The holy mountain where Saint Patrick fasted for 40 days and nights in the seventh century. The mountain is 765 meters high and we made it to about 100 meters, a decent victory for a 9-year-old and his auntie who rides the elevator to her third floor apartment. It afforded us a stunning view of Clew Bay and it’s dozens of grassy islands. 4. Museum of Country Life
We stopped at the National Museum of Ireland's branch in Castlebar which describes and displays the traditional lifestyles of rural Ireland. I thought this would be the best way to learn something about our own family, which we did. And Jonathan was delighted with his 8 out of 10 score (later upgraded to 10 of 10) on the quiz on traditional farming techniques - he would have made an "excellent" farmer.
We stopped at the National Museum of Ireland's branch in Castlebar which describes and displays the traditional lifestyles of rural Ireland. I thought this would be the best way to learn something about our own family, which we did. And Jonathan was delighted with his 8 out of 10 score (later upgraded to 10 of 10) on the quiz on traditional farming techniques - he would have made an "excellent" farmer.
Some other highlights for me were the playground in Newport
and the bleak beauty of the Dooagh pass.
The Mayo landscape features dozens of mountains, many along the coast, and all of them bare of trees and bushes, and covered just in bracken and grass, kept short by the ubiquitous sheep that cling to the steepest of inclines. There were sheep everywhere, in gardens, on cliff tops, on the lakeshore, in the middle of the road... And lastly, there were the scars on the landscape where the peat turf has been dug. In most places the grass has long since grown over, but the troughs where our forebears cut their fuel are still clearly visible. And it's not just a feature of the past. Most cottages we passed, even the most prosperous looking homes, had stacks of turf drying under tarps in their gardens. An interesting link to the past.
Here is the complete set of photographs.
Monday, February 09, 2009
I have just found my first Osborn in the Kensworth-Flamstead-Studham-Whipsnade area. Robert Osborn, in Studham, in 1592 or 34 Eliz (the 34th year of the reign of Elizabeth I), four years after the Armada and England still in it's "Golden Age".
I'm studying the village of Kensworth and it's families. Nearly a quarter of my English ancestors are connected with this village (about 5 miles to the west of Luton). I know the family names, but it's not always easy to sift out the people from whom your are directly descended. And there are some interesting characters from this area as well. So I reckon if I want to isolate the ones who are most relevant to me, and to try and piece together their stories, it might be worth taking a look at the whole village and it's history. It's also a bit of an exercise in research and genealogy. And an excuse to spend time in the research library on 42nd street. I have good reasons for that.
So the Osborns (along with the Pyes and Sharps and Philpots and Hollands and Chipperfields and Scriveners and Crawleys and Binghams and Gilbys) are one of my Kensworth families. Robert Osborn may not be a direct ancestor, but he's starting place. Perhaps I'll work my way down to an Osborn I know I'm connected with and perhaps not. It's still exciting!
I'm studying the village of Kensworth and it's families. Nearly a quarter of my English ancestors are connected with this village (about 5 miles to the west of Luton). I know the family names, but it's not always easy to sift out the people from whom your are directly descended. And there are some interesting characters from this area as well. So I reckon if I want to isolate the ones who are most relevant to me, and to try and piece together their stories, it might be worth taking a look at the whole village and it's history. It's also a bit of an exercise in research and genealogy. And an excuse to spend time in the research library on 42nd street. I have good reasons for that.
So the Osborns (along with the Pyes and Sharps and Philpots and Hollands and Chipperfields and Scriveners and Crawleys and Binghams and Gilbys) are one of my Kensworth families. Robert Osborn may not be a direct ancestor, but he's starting place. Perhaps I'll work my way down to an Osborn I know I'm connected with and perhaps not. It's still exciting!
Wednesday, January 14, 2009
... which is at least 10 times a day!Saturday, January 10, 2009
And we're back!I
We had our work "holiday" party on Thursday. I was chatting to my colleague and friend Anna Marley who asked if I knew any other Mormons at Mercer. I said no, had never met or heard of any. It turns out this was a nifty coincidence in the making...
A new temple worker walked into the dressing room as I was changing for my shift last night. Upon seeing me, she smiled and introduced herself and asked did I work for Mercer. She said she had seen me at the party the night before. She had recognised me, and at first thought she knew me from work, but then realised she had seen me some months before at her ward doing a training session on the new family history website.
So there we have it... there are at least two Mormons at Mercer! AND we work on the same temple shift.
A new temple worker walked into the dressing room as I was changing for my shift last night. Upon seeing me, she smiled and introduced herself and asked did I work for Mercer. She said she had seen me at the party the night before. She had recognised me, and at first thought she knew me from work, but then realised she had seen me some months before at her ward doing a training session on the new family history website.
So there we have it... there are at least two Mormons at Mercer! AND we work on the same temple shift.
Wednesday, November 26, 2008
Another one?!
I got an email to say my hotel reservation in Venice has been switched to their sister hotel in Santa Croce because my hotel will be "under rennovation" while we're there. Did this one catch fire as well ??
Monday, November 17, 2008
Top ten reasons why I had an amazing weekend
Friday
1. Even though I had a tense, tiring week at work, somehow I was in tip top shape when I arrived at the temple and wasn't tired at all. It was the best shift I've had in months.
Saturday
2. I found a cool clothing store in the East Village where I can buy a vintage dress for my posh Christmas party and because I'm skinny I fit into anything I want.
3. I got to see the work Joanne and Drew have done on their lovely little house in Keyport. And I got to snuggle and play with the doggies. Auntie Genevieve has missed them.
4. I had the most delicious dinner I've eaten since moving to New York. Blackened 12 ounce pork chop, french onion bread pudding and porcini mushroom cream sauce. Everything cooked to perfection. I can still taste it. Drew's Bayshore Bistro in Keyport, NJ, try it for yourself.
5. Watched Bond speed through the Tuscan hills in the new Aston Martin. I have such a crush, and not on that Daniel Craig, though he's pretty gorgeous as well.
6. Jason and I played with our iPhones together til the wee small hours.
Sunday
7. We played with our iPhones some more, but not during the important bits of church. I promise! And he downloaded the scriptures for me so I can read on the subway.
8. Watched episode 3 of Venice - courtesans, the Grand Tour, Santa Maria de la Salute and Napoleonic invasion. I'm getting so excited to go.
9. We all scarfed luau Hawaiian food leftovers - salted pulled pork, roast chicken, pineapple and pina colada cake - until our tummies hurt so much we wanted to die. And then we all had some more.
10. Jeff Butler and I talked up a Scando-lovin' storm at the Mug and Mingle pre-Christmas shindig. Gave him the best relationship advice/pep talk of his life. He's gonna owe it all to me!
1. Even though I had a tense, tiring week at work, somehow I was in tip top shape when I arrived at the temple and wasn't tired at all. It was the best shift I've had in months.
Saturday
2. I found a cool clothing store in the East Village where I can buy a vintage dress for my posh Christmas party and because I'm skinny I fit into anything I want.
3. I got to see the work Joanne and Drew have done on their lovely little house in Keyport. And I got to snuggle and play with the doggies. Auntie Genevieve has missed them.
4. I had the most delicious dinner I've eaten since moving to New York. Blackened 12 ounce pork chop, french onion bread pudding and porcini mushroom cream sauce. Everything cooked to perfection. I can still taste it. Drew's Bayshore Bistro in Keyport, NJ, try it for yourself.
5. Watched Bond speed through the Tuscan hills in the new Aston Martin. I have such a crush, and not on that Daniel Craig, though he's pretty gorgeous as well.
6. Jason and I played with our iPhones together til the wee small hours.
Sunday
7. We played with our iPhones some more, but not during the important bits of church. I promise! And he downloaded the scriptures for me so I can read on the subway.
8. Watched episode 3 of Venice - courtesans, the Grand Tour, Santa Maria de la Salute and Napoleonic invasion. I'm getting so excited to go.
9. We all scarfed luau Hawaiian food leftovers - salted pulled pork, roast chicken, pineapple and pina colada cake - until our tummies hurt so much we wanted to die. And then we all had some more.
10. Jeff Butler and I talked up a Scando-lovin' storm at the Mug and Mingle pre-Christmas shindig. Gave him the best relationship advice/pep talk of his life. He's gonna owe it all to me!
The final countdown begins today
10 days - I meet baby Andrew
11 days - I'm in Venice
I'm working on setting up a gizmo on my iPhone that will allow me to post photos taken on beautiful brand new iPhone immediately to the blog, giving you all an almost real time travelogue. That's instant London, babies, Venezia, mamma mia!
11 days - I'm in Venice
I'm working on setting up a gizmo on my iPhone that will allow me to post photos taken on beautiful brand new iPhone immediately to the blog, giving you all an almost real time travelogue. That's instant London, babies, Venezia, mamma mia!
Friday, October 31, 2008
Thursday, October 30, 2008
North of the border
I was supposed to be spending today clawing my way up the side of a pyramid. But the gods and the elements had other ideas, and our hotel in Mexico City had a fire at the beginning of the week. No hotel ... no holiday. Everything was cancelled and here I sit, still in New York City, still haven't had a holiday yet this year.
Dad says we'll go to Oaxaca next year instead, so I still get a trip to Mexico and we don't have to dodge muggers, kidnappers and assasins. Ok, fair enough.
I still need a holiday though!
Dad says we'll go to Oaxaca next year instead, so I still get a trip to Mexico and we don't have to dodge muggers, kidnappers and assasins. Ok, fair enough.
I still need a holiday though!
Tuesday, October 21, 2008
Monday, October 20, 2008
In ready supply
My roommate Libby called out to everyone in the apartment yesterday asking for some Bandaids for a cut finger. I rushed to her aid, reminding her that I always have a huge stash of Bandaids.
"It's one of the top three (not quite sure why I said that) things I always have!"
"What are the other two?" she asked. "Attitude and travel plans?!"
And she's right.
"It's one of the top three (not quite sure why I said that) things I always have!"
"What are the other two?" she asked. "Attitude and travel plans?!"
And she's right.
Sunday, October 19, 2008
Another trip?
I would love to take Jonathan on a little trip next February, just the two of us. And I would like to do some family history research in Ireland. Jonathan has shown a lot of interest in family history (don't tell him yet, but I'm grooming him to be the next Bovee genealogist) so I thought a trip to Ireland might be the perfect thing. I had County Mayo in mind, but thought I should probably do a bit of research ahead of time to make sure we had a good enough reason to go!
My great-great grandmother Ellen Mulherin, later Ellen Ducie, (the lady on the right with the rather interesting hairdo)
came from Mayo and thanks to some records newly made available online, I was able to find her exact date (5 April 1867) and place (Coolcronan, North Mayo) of birth. I knew from her obituary that Ellen had a least one brother, and with a little further digging I discovered that in fact she had two brothers, Thomas and James, and three sisters, Anne, Elizabeth and Bridget (there's always a Bridget!).
We already knew the names of Ellen's parents, Ellen McDonnell and Patrick Mulherin. I found a record of their marriage, also in Coolcronan, which supplied me with the names of both Ellen's grandfathers, Martin McDonnell and Thady (short for something?) Mulherin, my fourth great grandfathers and Jonathan and Andrew's (can I just tell you how exciting it is to write Jonathan and Andrew) fifth great grandfathers. Most of my research now involves extended families, so it's quite a special moment when I discover the name of a direct ancestor.
So now Jonathan and I have somewhere to go. We don't come from wealthy families, so there's no ancestral pile to visit. There's probably no physical legacy of these chaps, but, as with my dead of winter expedition to Wisconsin last December, it's just nice to be somewhere where our family was. And of course we'll cruise around a bit and do some serious 9-year-old stuff as well. Does anyone know what 9-year-olds like to do? Auntie's a bit out of the loop I'm afraid.
My great-great grandmother Ellen Mulherin, later Ellen Ducie, (the lady on the right with the rather interesting hairdo)
came from Mayo and thanks to some records newly made available online, I was able to find her exact date (5 April 1867) and place (Coolcronan, North Mayo) of birth. I knew from her obituary that Ellen had a least one brother, and with a little further digging I discovered that in fact she had two brothers, Thomas and James, and three sisters, Anne, Elizabeth and Bridget (there's always a Bridget!).
We already knew the names of Ellen's parents, Ellen McDonnell and Patrick Mulherin. I found a record of their marriage, also in Coolcronan, which supplied me with the names of both Ellen's grandfathers, Martin McDonnell and Thady (short for something?) Mulherin, my fourth great grandfathers and Jonathan and Andrew's (can I just tell you how exciting it is to write Jonathan and Andrew) fifth great grandfathers. Most of my research now involves extended families, so it's quite a special moment when I discover the name of a direct ancestor.
So now Jonathan and I have somewhere to go. We don't come from wealthy families, so there's no ancestral pile to visit. There's probably no physical legacy of these chaps, but, as with my dead of winter expedition to Wisconsin last December, it's just nice to be somewhere where our family was. And of course we'll cruise around a bit and do some serious 9-year-old stuff as well. Does anyone know what 9-year-olds like to do? Auntie's a bit out of the loop I'm afraid.
Wednesday, October 15, 2008
Sunday, October 12, 2008
Saturday, October 11, 2008
I'm an auntie!
Andrew Anthony King was born around 2pm England time. I don't yet have his weight, but I hear he is long-legged and destined to sprout spectacularly.
My little sister is now the mother of three sons!
My little sister is now the mother of three sons!
Friday, October 03, 2008
Travels
I'm going to Venice for Thanksgiving. Now that's something to be grateful for.
I'll be making a quick 2-day stop-over in England to meet my new baby (arrival imminent - watch this space) and then on to Venice for 3 days with Lauren. I'm not a first timer, I spent 5 hours in Venice some years ago, but there's so much more to explore. We went on a warm, sunny May Dad, having seen the city bathed in sunlight, I'm looking forward to seeing it in the fog. And I'm hoping for Aqua Alta so we can splash around in the Piazza San Marco.
But before I get to Venice, I shall be going to Mexico City for Halloween. Dad will be there for 10 days sharpening his Spanish and I'm dropping in for a four-day visit. We'll see a good part of the city and one day he's taking me to the ruins at Teotihuacan.
I would imagine many Americans think of Europe as exotic and far flung, and Mexico as just the neighbors, but for me this is really exotic. And it will be so much fun to finally visit Central America with Dad after growing up with stories of his time there. Tuesday, September 30, 2008
Wide awake
We moved apartments last night/today. We had seventeen hours to do it: midnight to 5pm today. Got everything done, but that means I've been awake since 8am yesterday. The others had a nap around 6 am but I kept schlepping and painting.
That means I've been awake for almost 33 hours. Never studied all night at university. Never worked a night shift. So I'm going for a record. Wait a minute, I've set the record, ages ago. I'm just breaking my own record.
I heard once from Ronnie Wood that he and Keith Richards did six straight days once. I'm not going to break their record.
That means I've been awake for almost 33 hours. Never studied all night at university. Never worked a night shift. So I'm going for a record. Wait a minute, I've set the record, ages ago. I'm just breaking my own record.
I heard once from Ronnie Wood that he and Keith Richards did six straight days once. I'm not going to break their record.
Monday, September 22, 2008
Big cheese
He said third Indiana Jones film was released in 1990. I said no, 1987, maybe 1989. He was adamant and wanted to make a bet with me. I'm careful with my money, but mighty competitive, so I said, "Alright, I'll bet you a LARGE cheese sandwich." He said, "You're on".
And I was right. 24 May 1989. I just won a cheese sandwich! I don't care if I even get it. I just love that I won the bet.
That's two in a row.
And I was right. 24 May 1989. I just won a cheese sandwich! I don't care if I even get it. I just love that I won the bet.
That's two in a row.
Wednesday, September 17, 2008
Longer days
Today was the first day I left the office and it was still light outside. That's usually something I announce in the springtime when the days are getting longer, but it's autumn. So what does this mean? It means I've been working late every night for the past two weeks. So what it really means is my life is a bit crap right now.
Still, I always take some comfort in knowing it could be much worse. Like for this chap I heard about in a BBC new story who got himself arrested for having 86 wives. The Shariah court is all up in arms because under Islamic law he's allowed only four. But he doesn't believe Allah is unhappy with him. What evidence does he offer for this? He says, "Any man that did not have help from Allah in keeping 86 wives would surely drop dead!" I'm inclined to agree with him.
And I really like his hat.
Still, I always take some comfort in knowing it could be much worse. Like for this chap I heard about in a BBC new story who got himself arrested for having 86 wives. The Shariah court is all up in arms because under Islamic law he's allowed only four. But he doesn't believe Allah is unhappy with him. What evidence does he offer for this? He says, "Any man that did not have help from Allah in keeping 86 wives would surely drop dead!" I'm inclined to agree with him.
And I really like his hat.
Wednesday, September 10, 2008
Wish I could live in Kentucky
I've been working on a project that involved transcribing what felt like about a million addresses of mine workers in northeast Kentucky. Tedious job, but the street names were kinda fun:
Silk Stocking Road
Middle Greasy Creek
Big Ugly Road
Burning Tree Lane
Pigeon Roost Road
Fox Hunters Ridge
Bob & Joann Lane
Stumbo Hollow
Triple S Road
Raccoon Road
Little Lick Fork
Upper Blackberry
Pansy Lane
Sulfur Springs Road
Left Jockey Hollow
and my favourite...
Fex Creek
I know it's puerile but that one makes me laugh out loud every time.
I think Dad has a list of towns in Texas with silly names. If anyone can think of other such lists, let me know, we Bovees love this kind of thing.
Silk Stocking Road
Middle Greasy Creek
Big Ugly Road
Burning Tree Lane
Pigeon Roost Road
Fox Hunters Ridge
Bob & Joann Lane
Stumbo Hollow
Triple S Road
Raccoon Road
Little Lick Fork
Upper Blackberry
Pansy Lane
Sulfur Springs Road
Left Jockey Hollow
and my favourite...
Fex Creek
I know it's puerile but that one makes me laugh out loud every time.
I think Dad has a list of towns in Texas with silly names. If anyone can think of other such lists, let me know, we Bovees love this kind of thing.
Tuesday, September 09, 2008
C.E.R.N.tainly it'll be fine
So our physicist friends in Switzerland are pretty confident there won't be some kind of planet terminating event over there tomorrow when they switch on their giant bicycle pump. Still, I'm going out for a really good dinner tonight and enjoying a bit of my favourite telly. I don't want to have spent my last evening in this dimension eating cold pot noodle and doing the wash!
Monday, September 08, 2008
The long night is over
The ink on our new lease is dry and the ordeal is finally over. We have a place to live (for another year at least) and we don't have to worry about moving as it's just downstairs in our current building. My new address will be 45 Wall St #301.
It's a gorgeous little apartment with two large bedrooms, a living room nearly as big as the one we have now, and a large alcove where we can keep our sewing stuff and work on other projects. We have high ceilings - 11 ft - so an illusion of even more space. There will just be the four of us, so not quite as hectic as the last two years.
I can't tell you how relieved we all are! Things have worked out well.
It's a gorgeous little apartment with two large bedrooms, a living room nearly as big as the one we have now, and a large alcove where we can keep our sewing stuff and work on other projects. We have high ceilings - 11 ft - so an illusion of even more space. There will just be the four of us, so not quite as hectic as the last two years.
I can't tell you how relieved we all are! Things have worked out well.
Saturday, September 06, 2008
BFI on youtube
I discovered that the British Film Institute, which has the largest film archive in the world, has a youtube channel. I couldn't sleep this morning so I've been watching clips from their collections.
There are wonderful historical films of Edwardian Britain, clips from a filmed tour of Britain in 1924, and several films of old London. They have "educational" films from the forties and fifties, including one called "Growing Girls" that's not for the faint-hearted. I loved the old football matches, the men in their suits, steam trains and omnibuses, and suffragettes on the march. Here's one that Mum will love Holidaying in 1957. There's the Mystery of Marriage and courtship explained. How to make the perfect Valentine. Hints on how young ladies can fight off thieves. And Rush hour in 1896 (a little quieter on the bridge than when I used to cross it).
There are wonderful historical films of Edwardian Britain, clips from a filmed tour of Britain in 1924, and several films of old London. They have "educational" films from the forties and fifties, including one called "Growing Girls" that's not for the faint-hearted. I loved the old football matches, the men in their suits, steam trains and omnibuses, and suffragettes on the march. Here's one that Mum will love Holidaying in 1957. There's the Mystery of Marriage and courtship explained. How to make the perfect Valentine. Hints on how young ladies can fight off thieves. And Rush hour in 1896 (a little quieter on the bridge than when I used to cross it).
Friday, September 05, 2008
Janice Lurine Bovee
One evening when Dad was visiting New York, we dined out in style at a Greek restaurant, Molyvos, and between courses I quizzed him about his family. We talked about his father's many brothers and sisters, most of them Dad never met, and I realised that though we assumed all had long since passed away, his youngest sister Janice, born in 1926, may still be living. I decided to make it my mission to find her for him and get us together if possible.
Well thanks to my friend Charles who is a professional genealogist, we located her this week. Charles found an obituary in a Wisconsin newspaper and I nearly fell off my chair when I noted the date. She died just six weeks ago on July 29th... the day we had dined at Molyvos.
She was the last of her generation on both sides of Dad's family and it's ever so disappointing to think if we'd looked just a few months ago we might have been able to meet her. Though sadly the irony is without her obituary we probably wouldn't have found her. However, all is not lost. As you will read below, she had eight children (eight cousins for my Dad!), grandchildren and great-grandchildren, and I shall track them down and make friends with them.
Janice Lurine Lawton, Orfordville (1926 - 2008)
February 15, 1926 - July 29, 2008Janice Lurine Lawton, 82, passed away Tuesday, July 29, 2008, in Collinwood Elder Care, Orfordville. She was born on Feb. 15, 1926, in Medford, WI, daughter of George and Lillian (Brown) Bovee. She married Leonard Revels on June 20, 1944. Leonard was the father of her children. She married Floyd Johnson in 1957; he passed away on July 20, 1980. She married Bernard Lawton on Feb. 9, 1985; he passed away on July 21, 2000. Janice was a nurse and caregiver. As a resident at the Garden Court Apartments, she was very active setting up activities and music for all residents. She enjoyed crocheting, reading, talking on the phone, playing cards and other games, and spending time with her grandchildren and great-grandchildren.She is survived by her sons: Paul "Bud" (Caroline) Revels of Footville, Ronald (Christine) Revels of Twin Falls, ID, Larry (Darlene) Revels of Mauston, and Jim (Penny) Nielsen of Sioux City, SD; daughters: Roberta (Mike) Kemper of Beaverton, OR, Cynthia (Roger) Williams of Byram, MS, Barb Augustin of La Place, LA, and Sandy (Fred) McKillips of lola, WI; grandchildren; great-grandchildren; and great-great-grandchildren.She was preceded in death by her parents; husbands; and a grandson, Ryan McKillips.
Well thanks to my friend Charles who is a professional genealogist, we located her this week. Charles found an obituary in a Wisconsin newspaper and I nearly fell off my chair when I noted the date. She died just six weeks ago on July 29th... the day we had dined at Molyvos.
She was the last of her generation on both sides of Dad's family and it's ever so disappointing to think if we'd looked just a few months ago we might have been able to meet her. Though sadly the irony is without her obituary we probably wouldn't have found her. However, all is not lost. As you will read below, she had eight children (eight cousins for my Dad!), grandchildren and great-grandchildren, and I shall track them down and make friends with them.
Janice Lurine Lawton, Orfordville (1926 - 2008)
February 15, 1926 - July 29, 2008Janice Lurine Lawton, 82, passed away Tuesday, July 29, 2008, in Collinwood Elder Care, Orfordville. She was born on Feb. 15, 1926, in Medford, WI, daughter of George and Lillian (Brown) Bovee. She married Leonard Revels on June 20, 1944. Leonard was the father of her children. She married Floyd Johnson in 1957; he passed away on July 20, 1980. She married Bernard Lawton on Feb. 9, 1985; he passed away on July 21, 2000. Janice was a nurse and caregiver. As a resident at the Garden Court Apartments, she was very active setting up activities and music for all residents. She enjoyed crocheting, reading, talking on the phone, playing cards and other games, and spending time with her grandchildren and great-grandchildren.She is survived by her sons: Paul "Bud" (Caroline) Revels of Footville, Ronald (Christine) Revels of Twin Falls, ID, Larry (Darlene) Revels of Mauston, and Jim (Penny) Nielsen of Sioux City, SD; daughters: Roberta (Mike) Kemper of Beaverton, OR, Cynthia (Roger) Williams of Byram, MS, Barb Augustin of La Place, LA, and Sandy (Fred) McKillips of lola, WI; grandchildren; great-grandchildren; and great-great-grandchildren.She was preceded in death by her parents; husbands; and a grandson, Ryan McKillips.
Thursday, August 28, 2008
Silbo Gomero
Anyone ever heard or heard of Silbo Gomero, the whistling language of the Canary Islands? I thought I knew a thing or two about obscure languages but was fascinated to discover this on a BBC radio programme. Apparently a shouting voice doesn't carry across the valleys of the volcanic island of La Gomera, but whistling travels over 2 miles. So to avoid schlepping up and down the mountains to get a message to their neighbours, the Gomeros just whistled. Have a listen.
Tuesday, August 19, 2008
Team GB
Lucy was telling me yesterday about how Jonathan has been glued to the Olympics coverage non-stop since the games began last Saturday. And she says, "You know Great Britain is no.3 in the medals table" and I quite simply didn't believe her. I insisted that was nonsense until I checked BBC news online and we were indeed number 3 with totally unprecendented haul of 13 gold medals. I was delighted (everyone in the office was informed) but I figured it couldn't last, not now that the athletics competitions have begun.
So imagine my surprise when I checked this morning to see how far we'd slipped, only to discover we'd won TWO MORE !
Look at that. We're only 10 behind the USA. If it won't for that Phelps kid, we'd almost be tied!
So imagine my surprise when I checked this morning to see how far we'd slipped, only to discover we'd won TWO MORE !
Look at that. We're only 10 behind the USA. If it won't for that Phelps kid, we'd almost be tied!
Monday, August 11, 2008
My great grandmother Moina Ducie O'Brien was an heiress. She was the genuine article, wealthy, cultured, genteel, and, as grandma Rosalba put it, "had expensive tastes". Following a decline in fortunes, Moina and husband Alfred moved with their three daughters from Montana - where the family fortune in copper had been made - to Connecticut in the mid-1920's. In searching for a new home, Moina found a beautiful and historic 18th century house that she wanted "in the worst way". Unfortunately because of its age, the doorways were only 5'8". Grandpa Al, who Dad and Stephen have to thank for being tall, put his put his foot down declaring "I'm not living in that house". So Moina had to settle for something a little more modern in the town of Ansonia, CT until they moved to the leafy Queens suburb of Jackson Heights in 1932.
Friday, August 08, 2008
More family ties to New York
Great uncle Elmer Pehrson and Aunt Evelyn Ducie Pehrson lived briefly in Manhattan in the 1950's. Elmer, an expert in mining economics (google him and find some really interesting publications), after years of traveling the world for the US government assessing mineral deposits, had taken a teaching position at Columbia University. The politics of academia soon drove him away, but for two years they lived at the rather ritzy address of Sixth Avenue and 57th St, in the same building as none other than Louis Armstrong. Grandma and Aunt Debbie came to visit one year and met Mr Armstrong in the elevator, where he presented Debbie with a Hershey bar.
Dad says that years later when our family visited them in their last home in Washington DC, Evelyn produced a collection of exotic hats and trimmings from an old Afghani trunk and danced around the room in them. He says that even then, after sixty years of marriage, Elmer was clearly still besotted with his spirited and Bohemian bride.
Dad says that years later when our family visited them in their last home in Washington DC, Evelyn produced a collection of exotic hats and trimmings from an old Afghani trunk and danced around the room in them. He says that even then, after sixty years of marriage, Elmer was clearly still besotted with his spirited and Bohemian bride.
Thursday, August 07, 2008
And Jeff and Caitlin are away
Even though Michael and I aren't hitched, his brothers Jeff and Stephen, as well as being two of my oldest friends in New York, the last two years have felt like brothers-in-law to me. So it was a right old bummer to have to say cheerio to Jeff and Caitlin yesterday as they packed up and departed for Chicago. 
And we managed to cheer Michael up a bit.
We took some pictures with the family.
They have grand adventures ahead of them. Trips home and to Costa Rica and then back to Chicago for graduate school and goodness knows what next.
We said our goodbyes around 7pm and it might have been a somber evening, but thankfully Kelly was in town and she had planned an adventure for us as well. We jumped on the train back up to 79th street for dinner at the Boat Basin. Sara and Libby joined us after work, along with Liesel and Adam.
I've been in New York for nearly five years now and I've made some splendid friends in that time. I've watched some of them get married like Liesel and Adam, some like Kelly have moved on to new places, and Jeff and Caitlin have done both.
Some days I feel a bit like the Scarecrow, stood fixed at the crossroads watching everyone else come and go. Although I'm not quite ready to hop off my post and march to the Emerald City because the more I think about leaving New York, the more I want to stay. It's really weird. Perhaps I should try that reversable psychology thing. Or perhaps I should stop worrying about it. How about I leg it to Ireland. Emerald Isle/Emerald City, it's close enough. And I quite fancy Barcelona. And Rio. And Sardinia.
You probably know or remember the famous and historical Trinity Church, at the top of Wall St. I see, if not pass, it every day. Aunt Mary (my grandma's younger sister) was an active member of their congregation, attending church there and participating in many of their community programmes.
I've only been inside on Halloween an old silent film of The Hunchback of Notre Dame, with an old style accompaniment on the church organ. I wonder if we sat in the same pew.
I've only been inside on Halloween an old silent film of The Hunchback of Notre Dame, with an old style accompaniment on the church organ. I wonder if we sat in the same pew.
Tuesday, August 05, 2008
If you've read the post below (Stephen?!), you'll know I got a chance to wring some information out of Dad while he was visiting last week. In an effort to educate my siblings about their forefathers, I shall be posting one tidbit a day.
Grandpa Warren Bovee loved basketball. He liked to play the game and watch it on television. He joined the Church along with Dad and Grandma in 1957 and I had always thought that they hadn't been very active (he wasn't endowed before he died). However, it turns out that his passion for basketball was put to good use and he served as the Stake Athletic Director for several years.
Grandpa Warren Bovee loved basketball. He liked to play the game and watch it on television. He joined the Church along with Dad and Grandma in 1957 and I had always thought that they hadn't been very active (he wasn't endowed before he died). However, it turns out that his passion for basketball was put to good use and he served as the Stake Athletic Director for several years.
Thursday, July 31, 2008
Dad has been in town with me for the last seven days. He was really excited to come. Dad used to spend his summers here as a student in the sixties, so he wanted to explore his old neighbourhoods and retrace old paths, do a little shopping and just wander among the new and grand buildings that have sprung up since he was here. I wanted him to meet all my friends and to question him about his family who lived in New York, his mother and aunts and grandparents - I'm the fourth generation of Bovee/O'Briens to live in NYC!
Dad spent Friday in the Village, with a visit to his old apartment building at 1 Bank Street. In the evening we went to our West Side taco place on Amsterdam/108th with Jeff and Caitlin Mulcock, Jeff Butler, Colin and Jared. Most of the Mulcocks/McPhees have met most of the Bovee/Kings and we're all like extended family now. Well, I like to think so.
Saturday we met Dave Almond and his sister Elise and walked over the Brooklyn Bridge to Brooklyn Heights where we had ice cream on the waterfront, and then went up to Montague Street to see the street where Dad and Aunt Mary used to live. He says the shops have changed but otherwise it looks pretty much the same.
Sunday I got to introduce Dad to several friends at church, and in the evening we had dinner with Mike - a happy reunion for Mike and "Dad" with hugs and reminiscences of Latvian sweaters - and then Dave came by and Dad got to play the infamous Ticket to Ride.
Dad spent Friday in the Village, with a visit to his old apartment building at 1 Bank Street. In the evening we went to our West Side taco place on Amsterdam/108th with Jeff and Caitlin Mulcock, Jeff Butler, Colin and Jared. Most of the Mulcocks/McPhees have met most of the Bovee/Kings and we're all like extended family now. Well, I like to think so.
Saturday we met Dave Almond and his sister Elise and walked over the Brooklyn Bridge to Brooklyn Heights where we had ice cream on the waterfront, and then went up to Montague Street to see the street where Dad and Aunt Mary used to live. He says the shops have changed but otherwise it looks pretty much the same.
Sunday I got to introduce Dad to several friends at church, and in the evening we had dinner with Mike - a happy reunion for Mike and "Dad" with hugs and reminiscences of Latvian sweaters - and then Dave came by and Dad got to play the infamous Ticket to Ride. Monday morning I was back at work during the day, so Dad went exploring. In the afternoons he would collect me from work and we'd go do some of our favourite things like perusing the travel section at several large bookshops. We also enjoyed dining out. Tuesday we went for dinner at Molyvos, an upscale Greek restaurant near Carnegie Hall. Some fancier restaurants in NY really don't live up to expectations, but the food here was simply delicious. Perfectly cooked, wonderful ingredients. We were very happy! It turns out restaurants are great places to get people talking about their family history and I noted down several new stories about Dad's family and tidbits of information to follow up on.
Most evenings we ended up at the seaport, having a look in the shops and sitting at the end of the pier, watching the boats. And then back home, where Dad had easily befriended all my roommates.
I was so sorry to say goodbye to Dad yesterday. I stood looking out my office window in the afternoon, wishing he was down there somewhere. But I'm sure he'll be back to visit again soon. New York is too much of a draw. And I think he rather likes my company as well!
Thursday, July 24, 2008
Tuesday, July 22, 2008
Escape
This weekend I finally escaped the city for more than just a few hours. I had a car and I intended to go a good long way. First stop was New Bedford where I'd hoped to find some more historical records and photograph some old buildings connected with my family. Neither were to be found, but I did have a jolly nice sandwich (tuna salad made with long grain rice) so it wasn't entirely a bust. Having finished early in the afternoon, I had loads of time on my hands so I headed to Cape Cod. I could have driven all the way to Provincetown, but there's a limit to the hours I can spend in a car, so stopped at Hyannis and went to the beach were the beginnings of the sunset cast long shadows across the dunes.
The next morning was the highlight of the trip. Bright and early, I attended sacrament meeting with the Fall River Branch. This little congregation, with 50-60 people in attendance, were exactly what they professed to be, a family. The Branch President sang his heart out during the hymns. The meeting was friendly and familiar without being irreverent. You could sense real affection among the members and the talks given really drew the Spirit. I even took notes. Haven't done that for years!
After church, I made a quick stop at the cemetery (oh, how I love cemeteries!) and then on to Newport, Rhode Island, the fashionable summer retreat for well-heeled New Yorkers before the turn of the 19th century. 
The seashore is dotted with grand houses, indeed some, like the Vanderbilt's mansion The Breakers, are virtually palaces.
Despite 90 degree temperatures and blazing sun in New York and New Bedford, Newport was constantly overcast with strong ocean breezes blowing in great clouds of cool, moist air. I walked along the cliff path, enjoying the fresh sea air and the sound of the breaking waves. I love being near the ocean.
The seashore is dotted with grand houses, indeed some, like the Vanderbilt's mansion The Breakers, are virtually palaces.Despite 90 degree temperatures and blazing sun in New York and New Bedford, Newport was constantly overcast with strong ocean breezes blowing in great clouds of cool, moist air. I walked along the cliff path, enjoying the fresh sea air and the sound of the breaking waves. I love being near the ocean.
As I arrived home Sunday night, tired but refreshed, I realised I'd put my feet down in four different states that day.
The rest of the pictures from the trip are on Flickr.
Tuesday, July 15, 2008
The Mr. Darcy list
Dave Almond and I are doing a joint, or rather simultaneous, post on what he calls the Mr. Darcy list. These are things that we feel are alright, but other people go crazy for, and we don't understand quite what all the fuss is about. For example:
Dave says he appreciates the fine storytelling of Austen's Pride & Prejudice but has never understood the obsessive adoration for the character of Mr. Darcy and various portrayals of him that so many people seem to have. Hence the title of the list. By the way, I don't really understand the allure of him either. Men who are withdrawn and surly are not mysterious and intriguing to me, I see them as grumpy, self-involved and frankly no fun at all. I prefer nice chaps, with smiles and self-esteem.
So anyway, here's my Mr. Darcy list:
Fancy NY restaurants - sometimes delicious, sometimes not, you can't believe the hype, cheap felafel sandwiches are often far more satisfying
The Alchemist - it was a decent read but it didn't change my life
Mountains - i enjoy going up mountains once in a while, especially if they're in the Alps, but at boarding school in Colorado people practically worshipped them (what I do like is tunnels through mountains, I LOVE tunnels)
Mitt Romney - it was kinda fun watching an LDS candidate for president do well, but I couldn't ever really support a Republican and I was recently shocked to discover one of my friends - heretofore a commited Democrat - had served as one of his campaign staff
Traversing the Brooklyn Bridge - she's a beauty, but I could go a good long time without walking across it again
Feel free to chip in with your own Mr. Darcy list contenders (Dad, that means add new ones... we already know you think Mitt is Satan) Or contest any of the above. I may be opinionated, but I'm also English, which means I never miss a chance to apologise for it!
Dave says he appreciates the fine storytelling of Austen's Pride & Prejudice but has never understood the obsessive adoration for the character of Mr. Darcy and various portrayals of him that so many people seem to have. Hence the title of the list. By the way, I don't really understand the allure of him either. Men who are withdrawn and surly are not mysterious and intriguing to me, I see them as grumpy, self-involved and frankly no fun at all. I prefer nice chaps, with smiles and self-esteem.
So anyway, here's my Mr. Darcy list:
Fancy NY restaurants - sometimes delicious, sometimes not, you can't believe the hype, cheap felafel sandwiches are often far more satisfying
The Alchemist - it was a decent read but it didn't change my life
Mountains - i enjoy going up mountains once in a while, especially if they're in the Alps, but at boarding school in Colorado people practically worshipped them (what I do like is tunnels through mountains, I LOVE tunnels)
Mitt Romney - it was kinda fun watching an LDS candidate for president do well, but I couldn't ever really support a Republican and I was recently shocked to discover one of my friends - heretofore a commited Democrat - had served as one of his campaign staff
Traversing the Brooklyn Bridge - she's a beauty, but I could go a good long time without walking across it again
Feel free to chip in with your own Mr. Darcy list contenders (Dad, that means add new ones... we already know you think Mitt is Satan) Or contest any of the above. I may be opinionated, but I'm also English, which means I never miss a chance to apologise for it!
Sunday, July 13, 2008
Sleepy Hollow
Kelly was in New York this weekend so on Saturday Libby, Kelly, Eleece and I went on a little adventure out of the city to Sleepy Hollow, home of headless horsemen. We spent most of the time at the Old Dutch Burying Ground.
Now this looks like quite the delightful fellow, historian, lawyer and genealogist. I think we would have been friends. And of course he's a member of the legendary Van Tassel clan.
This is quite the most wonderful toadstool I've ever seen.
This is the infamous Headless Horseman Bridge.
Here I am being chased by said headless - and today horseless - horseman, making a rare mid-afternoon appearance.
Oh bother, I appear to have died of fright.
Now this looks like quite the delightful fellow, historian, lawyer and genealogist. I think we would have been friends. And of course he's a member of the legendary Van Tassel clan.
This is quite the most wonderful toadstool I've ever seen.
This is the infamous Headless Horseman Bridge.Here I am being chased by said headless - and today horseless - horseman, making a rare mid-afternoon appearance.
Oh bother, I appear to have died of fright.
Monday, July 07, 2008
Head, Shoulders, Elbows and Toes
I just got to feel Lucy's baby move again. Last time it was a tiny elbow making room for itself. Today it was a proper kick!
Saturday, July 05, 2008
Magical mystery train to PK
So we didn't get to New Bedford this weekend. I wanted to get Lucy out of the city because I knew it would be hot and humid and tiring for her, and I wasn't wrong. We managed one more day in the city yesterday (with trips to Ihop in Brooklyn, the Target in the sky, two games of Ticket to Ride Europe on my roof terrace, and a trip to wholefoods to buy our picnic lunch for Sunday) but today we needed to escape. We needed dry and cool, so we headed north, away from the city and away from the coast.
And where is there to go up north? Well, we didn't rightly know, so we decided to go to Grand Central and get on the first train leaving the station. And that would be the 10.50 express service to Poughkeepsie. It's on the Hudson River line, so we figured green and leafy, perhaps a bit historic. And Lucy knew the kids would love it that she went somewhere with Poo in the name. So what's in Poo-keepsie? A train station, a freeway, a concrete whale, a small park along the river, and, oh well hang on this is quite exciting... the Mid-Hudson Bridge. And here's a picture:
That's me looking so much like Mum. She's cute, isn't she! Oh and we did make a friend.
His name is John. He lives on a boat (moored just off to the right) and is writing a book about daredevils.
So it turns out America isn't like Europe. You can't just jump on a random train and find yourself somewhere interesting. I now know you either stick to the city, or you get on a plane. To somewhere really exciting. Like Cleveland or Eau Claire, Wisconsin. Still, it's fun just to say we did it. It reminded us both of the phone calls we used to get from Stephen when he was in London for the summer, when he'd announce he was in such uninspiring locales as Lewisham or Harrow-on-the-Hill. What are you doing there, we'd ask. "Well, I thought I'd stay on the bus to the end of the line, just to see what was there."
Anyway, we were back in the city by dinner time and ate at a restaurant in Battery Park City, with a view of the Liberty and Ellis Islands.
We also went on another train ride this weekend, to Newark Airport. The least said about that, the better, but we did take a nice picture on the way.
Note the smiles. This was the outbound journey! I shall simply have to go to New Bedford another weekend. I think I'll make a day trip of it one weekend this month, although it shalln't be a fraction as fun as going with my little sister.
And where is there to go up north? Well, we didn't rightly know, so we decided to go to Grand Central and get on the first train leaving the station. And that would be the 10.50 express service to Poughkeepsie. It's on the Hudson River line, so we figured green and leafy, perhaps a bit historic. And Lucy knew the kids would love it that she went somewhere with Poo in the name. So what's in Poo-keepsie? A train station, a freeway, a concrete whale, a small park along the river, and, oh well hang on this is quite exciting... the Mid-Hudson Bridge. And here's a picture:
That's me looking so much like Mum. She's cute, isn't she! Oh and we did make a friend.His name is John. He lives on a boat (moored just off to the right) and is writing a book about daredevils.So it turns out America isn't like Europe. You can't just jump on a random train and find yourself somewhere interesting. I now know you either stick to the city, or you get on a plane. To somewhere really exciting. Like Cleveland or Eau Claire, Wisconsin. Still, it's fun just to say we did it. It reminded us both of the phone calls we used to get from Stephen when he was in London for the summer, when he'd announce he was in such uninspiring locales as Lewisham or Harrow-on-the-Hill. What are you doing there, we'd ask. "Well, I thought I'd stay on the bus to the end of the line, just to see what was there."
Anyway, we were back in the city by dinner time and ate at a restaurant in Battery Park City, with a view of the Liberty and Ellis Islands.
We also went on another train ride this weekend, to Newark Airport. The least said about that, the better, but we did take a nice picture on the way.Note the smiles. This was the outbound journey! I shall simply have to go to New Bedford another weekend. I think I'll make a day trip of it one weekend this month, although it shalln't be a fraction as fun as going with my little sister.
Friday, July 04, 2008
Shafted and delighted
Our New Bedford trip is off. Stupid nonsense with driving licenses and credit cards, and I don't know what. A wasted trip out to Newark Airport and my eyes are soooo tired now. We tried an alternative route picking up a car in Connecticut, but no good. So we're stuck in the city. Crap.
But.... on a much happier note....while we were waiting for the PATH train back to Manhattan, and my spirits were at a pretty low ebb and just in time to cheer me up, I finally got to feel Lucy's baby move. No big kicks, just a tiny elbow. I felt a few little nudges, and then he stuck it out and held it there, pressing gently against my hand.
But.... on a much happier note....while we were waiting for the PATH train back to Manhattan, and my spirits were at a pretty low ebb and just in time to cheer me up, I finally got to feel Lucy's baby move. No big kicks, just a tiny elbow. I felt a few little nudges, and then he stuck it out and held it there, pressing gently against my hand.
Tuesday, July 01, 2008
Michael is 23 today
And here we are way back in the summer of '06. Two years younger, and a lot more hair...
Saturday, June 28, 2008
Alfred and Moina
It has been a bumper week for genealogy. After having been on hiatus for a while with no new lines of inquiry or interesting discoveries, I have had a simply amazing week.
It started last Saturday with the discovery of the Wisconsin newspaper articles, and continued on Sunday with collecting nearly a hundred Montana newspaper clippings on the Ducies and related families.
On Tuesday I telephoned Lehigh University in Pennsylvania to inquire about access to student records for my great grandfather who studied for an engineering degree there in the teens. Just two days later I received copies in the post from his senior yearbook, including this picture:
We have one baby picture and pictures of Alfred in his later years but nothing from his youth. I was immediately struck by the mouth and chin and then the eyes, which I knew I'd seen before. I was in fits of joy, laughing and dancing round the apartment as I read the following description of Alfred from his yearbook:
"Al has been known throughout these four years as the other half of that immortal combination known as "the Wish Twins". He also comes from Boston. Coming from the classic shades of old Harvard, he still retains enough of his early training to pronounce 'idea' with a heavy 'r'. He came back last fall from a summer's 'practice' in Canada with wondrous tales of his travels. They sounded like a new edition of 'The Arabian Nights' with himself in the role of Inbad the Sailor.
Alfred is a graphic and lengthy desciber: to get a description of a game of bowling from him one endangers the chairs and other furniture in his immediate vicinity and puts the safety of the auditors in jeopardy as well. Al will probably be a success as a salesman of mining stock for the reason that he never allows an opinion to exist which varies one iota from his own."
Opinionated, with the gift of the gab. Remind you of any one?!
I also learned that Alfred was the Lehigh Class of 1913 Treasurer, he was 5'11.5", 162 lbs, his politics were "Bull Moose" and his nickname was "Pat". He was an active member of the Mining & Geological Society and graduated with a Masters in Engineering. So sorry Dad, you weren't the first O'Brien/Bovee to achieve a graduate degree.
But that's not all! I have further tales of graduations, but this time of Alfred's future bride, Miss Moina Ducie of Anaconda, MT and my great grand-mother. On 1 June 1913 The Anaconda Standard reported:
"Mrs. John Ducie will leave for Spokane Wednesday, accompanied by her daugher Miss Evelyn, to attend the commencement week exercises at the Holy Name academy. Miss Moina Ducie, one of Anaconda's most popular girls, is a member of the graduationg class, and it will be a gala week for the Montana representatives at the festivities."
The article was accompanied by a picture of 18 year-old Moina:
It started last Saturday with the discovery of the Wisconsin newspaper articles, and continued on Sunday with collecting nearly a hundred Montana newspaper clippings on the Ducies and related families.
On Tuesday I telephoned Lehigh University in Pennsylvania to inquire about access to student records for my great grandfather who studied for an engineering degree there in the teens. Just two days later I received copies in the post from his senior yearbook, including this picture:
We have one baby picture and pictures of Alfred in his later years but nothing from his youth. I was immediately struck by the mouth and chin and then the eyes, which I knew I'd seen before. I was in fits of joy, laughing and dancing round the apartment as I read the following description of Alfred from his yearbook:
"Al has been known throughout these four years as the other half of that immortal combination known as "the Wish Twins". He also comes from Boston. Coming from the classic shades of old Harvard, he still retains enough of his early training to pronounce 'idea' with a heavy 'r'. He came back last fall from a summer's 'practice' in Canada with wondrous tales of his travels. They sounded like a new edition of 'The Arabian Nights' with himself in the role of Inbad the Sailor.
Alfred is a graphic and lengthy desciber: to get a description of a game of bowling from him one endangers the chairs and other furniture in his immediate vicinity and puts the safety of the auditors in jeopardy as well. Al will probably be a success as a salesman of mining stock for the reason that he never allows an opinion to exist which varies one iota from his own."
Opinionated, with the gift of the gab. Remind you of any one?!
I also learned that Alfred was the Lehigh Class of 1913 Treasurer, he was 5'11.5", 162 lbs, his politics were "Bull Moose" and his nickname was "Pat". He was an active member of the Mining & Geological Society and graduated with a Masters in Engineering. So sorry Dad, you weren't the first O'Brien/Bovee to achieve a graduate degree.
But that's not all! I have further tales of graduations, but this time of Alfred's future bride, Miss Moina Ducie of Anaconda, MT and my great grand-mother. On 1 June 1913 The Anaconda Standard reported:
"Mrs. John Ducie will leave for Spokane Wednesday, accompanied by her daugher Miss Evelyn, to attend the commencement week exercises at the Holy Name academy. Miss Moina Ducie, one of Anaconda's most popular girls, is a member of the graduationg class, and it will be a gala week for the Montana representatives at the festivities."
The article was accompanied by a picture of 18 year-old Moina:
Moina also studied at St Vincent's Academy in Salt Lake City and Gonzaga College. She was quite the society young lady, appearing at all the best parties and gatherings in Anaconda and Butte, as befit her status as daughter of John Ducie, one of the most prominent citizens of southwestern Montana. There were several articles about his various mining and real estate interests, from which I can only conclude - as we've always suspected - that he was probably filthy rich.
How the celebrated Miss Ducie ended up the wife of humble mining engineer Alfred O'Brien remains a small mystery. Oh and what happened to all the money. That too. And the collection of dinosaur fossils. And the gem stone collection. And yes, the largest sapphire in the world. I just need to get my hands on the 1916-1926 issues of The Anaconda Standard.
Thursday, June 26, 2008
This one is for Jonathan
Your great-great-great-grandfather was interested in dinosaurs as well. He even kept some in the house. Article
Monday, June 23, 2008
Sad accidental drowning
This is my great-grandfather’s youngest brother, Truman, aged about 1o. 
Despite the dour expression typical of old photographs (they had to pose for up to 10 minutes while the plate developed), I think he’s quite a sweet looking little fellow. I know from his death certificate that he drowned at the age of just 20, but no further explanation was given and I had been thinking only the other week that I would never know if it was drunkenness or tomfoolery on his part, or just a tragic accident. But Ancestry.com have recently expanded they’re collection of digitised Wisconsin newspapers, and quite by chance I came across this:
As I read this on my computer screen, I was gripped not only by the drama and tragedy of the unfolding tale, but also by the thrill and delight of discovering something I had longed to know. It was a strange mix of emotions.
Despite the dour expression typical of old photographs (they had to pose for up to 10 minutes while the plate developed), I think he’s quite a sweet looking little fellow. I know from his death certificate that he drowned at the age of just 20, but no further explanation was given and I had been thinking only the other week that I would never know if it was drunkenness or tomfoolery on his part, or just a tragic accident. But Ancestry.com have recently expanded they’re collection of digitised Wisconsin newspapers, and quite by chance I came across this:As I read this on my computer screen, I was gripped not only by the drama and tragedy of the unfolding tale, but also by the thrill and delight of discovering something I had longed to know. It was a strange mix of emotions.
Sunday, June 22, 2008
Friday, June 13, 2008
Poor them
I just heard the most ridiculous news story on BBC World Service. The Saudi "moral police" - we knew them as mutawahs - want regular police protection and danger pay because of a backlash against them from ordinary Saudis. They claim their work has become difficult and dangerous and they want that to be recognised. Bloody cheek!
Essentially, these guys hassle people for a living. They're mostly just a nuisance - I was stopped a couple times in the Saudi city of Khobar where we used to shop occasionally and told my dress was unacceptable and a sign of my deep moral degredation which I had apparently managed to achieve at the tender age of just 12 - but according to the news report last year several mutawahs stopped girls escaping from a burning school because they were not wearing their head scarves and fifteen girls died in the fire. The majority of these moral police, according to the report, are university graduates, which surely proves that education does not make you intelligent.
The irony is, this comes some fifteen years too late. I remember Mum saying that any mutawah that threatened her would certainly need to be ready to defend himself. And our mild-mannered friend Virginia Stewart did actually push and shove one and knocked him off his feet one night as she got on the Khobar shopping bus. She was lauded with a round of applause if I remember correctly. It was one of the most exciting things that ever happened in our Saudi life.
Essentially, these guys hassle people for a living. They're mostly just a nuisance - I was stopped a couple times in the Saudi city of Khobar where we used to shop occasionally and told my dress was unacceptable and a sign of my deep moral degredation which I had apparently managed to achieve at the tender age of just 12 - but according to the news report last year several mutawahs stopped girls escaping from a burning school because they were not wearing their head scarves and fifteen girls died in the fire. The majority of these moral police, according to the report, are university graduates, which surely proves that education does not make you intelligent.
The irony is, this comes some fifteen years too late. I remember Mum saying that any mutawah that threatened her would certainly need to be ready to defend himself. And our mild-mannered friend Virginia Stewart did actually push and shove one and knocked him off his feet one night as she got on the Khobar shopping bus. She was lauded with a round of applause if I remember correctly. It was one of the most exciting things that ever happened in our Saudi life.
Ticket to Ride
Dave taught me to play Ticket to Ride on Tuesday. In case you don’t know it… TtR is the It game of the summer. You line up little multi-coloured plastic choo-choos across a board displaying a map of the US, traversed by dozens of potential train routes between major cities. Here’s a visual.
So far, I’m pretty crap. But I’ve only played five times (yeah, in just two nights, it’s addictive). But I haven’t just been playing board games (not a euphemism) this week. In fact, in the last 72 hours I’ve been buzzing all over the city, and have crafted my own TtR-esque route maps to show you just how much ground I’ve covered:
So far, I’m pretty crap. But I’ve only played five times (yeah, in just two nights, it’s addictive). But I haven’t just been playing board games (not a euphemism) this week. In fact, in the last 72 hours I’ve been buzzing all over the city, and have crafted my own TtR-esque route maps to show you just how much ground I’ve covered:
Route 1 - yesterday: Wall St. to Sixth Ave/45th to 34th St. to Union Square to 92nd St to Wall St to Fulton St to Wall St.
...but winner of the longest continuous route is...Route 2 - Weds - Wall St to Sixth Ave/45th St to Grand Central Post Office to Union Sq to 577 Grand St (the ends of the earth!) to Sixth Ave/12th St. to Waterside Plaza to Wall St.
I'm tired.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)