A Black Sheep

 I am not sure he was really a Black Sheep but he certainly was a Gray Sheep. Growing up my cousins, my brother and I would hear about my dad's cousin, know to us as Itchky. I remember the comments about him were always unusual. Perhaps I met him once or twice over the years when, as a child, we would celebrate Rosh Hashanah or other holidays with my dad's side of the family. At some point I recall hearing that Itchky moved to California and while I would hear of him from time to time, I do not think I ever saw him in person again. Fast forward to today and my adventure with genealogy. Going through early family pictures I would recognize him and the memories came streaming back.

Where There's a Will (#52Ancestors)

Ah, once again it's all in the meaning....  When I looked at this week's topic I, of course, thought of a will left after the death of a family member. But then I suddenly thought of another definition, a definition that refers to a person's strength, strength to do things that some of us may never thought could happen. What must it have been like, in those long ago years, to collect your families, your belonging and to leave behind a life you had always known. Perhaps be the person that leaves first, to make the way and hope that others you love will follow. That is the meaning of 'Where there's a will' I'd like to write about... some of the amazing people who played a part in our becoming the people we are today.

In my family there is not a lot of information about the "why' of why my maternal grandparents came to this country. They each came from Romania but not in the same years. I don't even know if the knew each other before they met here. My mgm is an example of the many young women who left their homes, their parents, their siblings to start a new life in this country. My pgm brought her youngest child, my father, and youngest daughter to start a new life here in the USA. Before that she had sent her other daughter, Bertha at age 16, to pave the way. Leaving meant leaving her sisters as well as the graves of two daughters and her husband. These are just two of the millions of our ancestors, strong willed men and women, who risked all they head to start, they hoped, new and better lives for themselves and their children.

My PGM, Dad, and Aunt

My MGM and PGF

I am not sure I could ever had the

will or been as strong and brave

as they were.

Heirlooms Of The Future - License Plates? (#52Ancestors)

We are all familiar with the heirlooms that our ancestors have left behind. We are grateful for everyone of them. But what about our descendants. What will be leaving behind that our ancestors never even thought about? Perhaps someday there will be a state agency that will have collections of these artifact I have shown here? Where they will be able to find more information about the item where this heirloom was attached? What if someday, through a state agency... just like a census, you could learn what kinds of cars we all drove, how long we kept them and more. I very much doubt it will happen but I do want tickle your curiosity. Hope I have done so.True, I really do have more traditional heirlooms from the past but I'll save those for another ancestor or two in the weeks to come.

My Favorite Name - #52Ancestors2018

Now this is truly a challenge.  Not just a favorite but... the most favorite name. There are so many to choose from along the path of a lifetime. A Place, a person, an object. Wow, this is really harder than I thought. But I think I finally have it. You, dear reader, might not think of this as one name but allow me to do it my way this time. My favorite name has taken many shapes over the years, and I have been lucky enough to hear it in many forms. Are you trying to guess what it might be? Ok, I won't keep you in suspense any longer. My favorite name is MOTHER but not just the way you think of it. It can be a word, sometimes a word to identify a particular person in this way or to refer to another person. It can be represented in print or as a reference to a particular person. But it can also be a spoken, an identification, a name, when speaking TO a particular person. It is within that context that I label Mother (in its many forms) as my favorite name.

My Definition of Longevity

This week the assignment was one word - longevity. I looked it up in Google. Google said or, I should say, Merriam-Webster online Dictionary defines longevity as "a long duration of individual life; length of life; long continuance : permanence, durability."  In this example I chose the "long continuance" definition.

Perhaps that appealed to me because of something I heard many years ago. You are alive as long as someone remembers you." I suppose writes about you counts as well.  Photos are good examples being 'introduced' to a family member by someone who did know them. I especially like the two examples I am sharing today. Two weddings, my brother, Michael, and his bride, Rochelle's wedding in 1963 andd at daughter Jody's (Larry)  wedding receptions in 1988. At each of these occasions we were fortunate to be able to have a four generation picture taken. 

Sally's Wedding Ring: A Bridge to Her Descendants

Over the years pieces of family jewelry moved from their original owners to me. I have loved having and wearing each and every piece. Several pieces changed in appearance over the years. Some changed by the original owner and some I have changed. All have gained meaning for new generations as I share its story. Each piece belonged to, and was worn by, a family member who preceded me. As I wear each piece I have chances to share, with my descendants, stories about their ancestors. Recently I joined the #52Ancestors 2018 Version sponsored by Amy Johnson Crow.  This story is the first as the writing challenge begins.