The task tonight is to write 100 words - no more and no less - about how important grandparents are. So, as the only 'genealogist' in the family, here I go with my brief on my grandparents.
They had stories they told us, or embellished somewhat out
of alignment with truth (in my family!), to teach about important values.
They knew songs I never learned, places I never saw, had
jobs I barely understand.
Both sets of my grandparents were raised in different countries
and then picked up and moved across the sea, or across the continent. Their children met here and began new
families, with new histories.
Grandparents helped me see a larger picture of who I am.
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There it is, Randy - exactly 100 words, according to my Word document word counter!
On the left is Grandma & Grandpa Gillespie (father's parents), I'm sitting on Grandma's lap; picture taken early in 1946. Grandma came from Netherton, Worcester, England; Grandpa was born in Augher, Tyrone, Northern Ireland, and when he was about 4 years old the 3-generation family moved to Barrow in Furness, Lancashire, England. Grandma's family moved up to Barrow by 1882. Grandma & Grandpa and 5 children moved to Vancouver BC by 1914.
The two individual photos above are my mother's parents, Grandpeter and Grandpop Kuhn. Grandpeter was born in Syracuse, Onondaga, New York; Grandpop was born in Reading, Berks, Pennsylvania and moved to New York, met and married Grandpeter and came to Vancouver BC in early 1912, where they had 5 children.
And here I am, a Grandmother to my 6 grandchildren... and because I don't like 'grandmother' words, I'm known as "Winky" or "Grandma Winky" to my grandkids - which is a long story of its own.
10 comments:
I love this! Your family has some rich heritage! Which line do you have the hardest time researching?
It's those Gillespies from Northern Ireland, Patricia. I don't have any birth records, or marriage records for those greatgrandparents and more back in Ireland. Plus Grampa Gillespie married a BUNN - soooo many Bunns in Netherton, making it a challenge. Still, I have a few records, and that's what's helped me go back a few generations and do more research. Whereas the Terwilliger and Kuhn ancestors - lots more records to dig into, including interesting newspaper records. Thanks for taking the time to write a comment :)
How about your big sister, Leita, sitting in the middle between Grandma & Grandpa? ....and little brother, Jake, (then called Jackie!) sitting on Grandpa's lap?! Looks like that pic was taken at their place in Deep Cove.
I know I know, I should have written more about everyone!! (grovelling). And yes, that photo was taken at Kil-Kare. Those steps show up in lots of photos.
You knew that Jake "Jackie" was named for Grampa didn't you? He was born 2 days after Grampa's birthday! Who knew? I didn't!
What a lovely tribute to your grandparents, Celia!
I knew that Jake was named for Dad & Grandpa, but not about his b'day. Who knew in those days about Grandparent's b'days? As kids we were always more interested in our own.!
Thank you for your comment, Sara. Each pair of my grandparents were from quite different places, with differing values, activities, occupations, interests, experiences. Genealogy has been very enlightening!
What a fun post Celia! I love your 100 word tribute to your grandparents. Great job! And your photos are fabulous.
Thank you Jana - I really enjoyed this task of Randy's. And it made me scan those photos of my mother's parents - Grandpop Kuhn & Marguerite Terwilliger (Grandpeter).
Hi Celia,
I just wanted to let you know that your blog post is listed on my Fab Finds list today at http://janasgenealogyandfamilyhistory.blogspot.com/2012/11/follow-fridayfab-finds-for-november-23.html
Have a great weekend!
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