First, a note of apology for the lack of posts. If you’re family (or good at noticing details) you will note that my last blog post coincides with the birth of my new grandson, Jack. He’s not really the entire reason for my temporary abandonment, but I figure everyone understands how all-consuming newborns are. (To […]
Read MoreMy three-week hiatus from posting is due to several things; one not-so-great, one sad, and one MARVELOUS!! First, my husband Scott came down with the flu. Not the “I feel gross – I think I have the flu.” flu but “The doctor says people die from this.” kind of flu. Considering our daughter was due […]
Read More<!–[if supportFields]>xe “OSTERMANN:Benjamin (b. 1880) ” \f A<![endif]–><!–[if supportFields]><![endif]–><!–[if supportFields]>xe “United States:New York:Brooklyn:389 Fifth Avenue ” \f B<![endif]–><!–[if supportFields]><![endif]–>Benjamin Edward Ostermann was my great-grand uncle on my father’s side. He was born on April 28, 1880 in Brooklyn, New York. His parents, both German immigrants, were Edouard Ostermann and the former Hanshon (Hannah) Goldschmidt. The […]
Read MoreMy great-grandmother, Sophie Weiss Spiegel My great-grandmother’s slippers As I am a bit crunched for time this week, I thought I would post a “quickie” about the importance of mementos in our family history. I am quite lucky to be from a family of quasi-hoarders. Thanks Mom!! Not everyone recognizes the importance of keeping their […]
Read More418 Oakdale Avenue Chicago, Illinois(google maps) <!–[if supportFields]>xe “HOLMAN:Kathryn Winchester (b. 1902) ” \f A<![endif]–><!–[if supportFields]><![endif]–><!–[if supportFields]>xe “Illinois:418 Oakdale Avenue Chicago ” \f B<![endif]–><!–[if supportFields]><![endif]–>Kathryn Winchester Holman was born on April17, 1902 at 418 Oakdale Avenue Chicago, Illinois.<!–[if supportFields]>xe “United States:Illinois:Chicago:418 Oakdale Avenue ” \f B<![endif]–><!–[if supportFields]><![endif]–> Kathryn was the eldest of three children born […]
Read MoreMoshe Jacob Samuel is my 5th great-grandfather on my father’s side. I know I should be pleased that I have managed to trace the family back to 1795 England but I want to know more! Where did Moshe come from? My search to prove (or disprove, which is more likely) that I have some Irish […]
Read MoreAlan and Jessica SamuelProbably 1935 or 1936 Today was a sad day. My Aunt Jessica was laid to rest after nearly 79 years on this earth. But this post is not really about her – it’s about maintaining family connections. Jessica was my father’s sister. After many years of being estranged, she and my father […]
Read MoreThis week’s post doesn’t focus on a specific relative but instead considers the concept of what actually constitutes a “relative”. Who do we include in our family tree? Albert Einstein I get periodic emails from Geni.com updating me about the progress other people have made on “our” family tree. Usually I pay them little attention as most updates […]
Read MoreSheldon LeonardFamous writer, actor and producer Dad- you did it again!! Yet another one of your stories has sent me on a wild goose chase. This time, it might have been embarrassing. Last week I posted #11 in the 52 Ancestors in 52 Weeks challenge. I didn’t have a lot of time, so I chose […]
Read MoreThis is post is a departure from my usual family history posts. March 5, 2014 would have been my mother’s 82nd birthday. Mom’s legacy lives on in many ways in our family; her cooking, her humor (well….WE think it’s funny), her incessant picture-taking (very much appreciated by this genealogist daughter!) But there was one special […]
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Who We Are and How We Got This Way 