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The Life From The Roots blog topics have changed several times since I began this blog in 2009. I initially wrote only about the family history I had been working on for 20 years. Years later, I was into visiting gardens, historical homes, churches, libraries that had genealogical collections, historical societies, war memorials, and travel/tourism places. I also enjoy posting autographs and photos of famous people I've met or have seen.

Along with my New England roots, other areas include New York, New Jersey, Michigan, Illinois, Wisconsin, and the Eastern Townships of Quebec, Canada.

Please check out the labels on the right side for topics (please note, they need work). Below the labels and pageviews is a listing of my top nine posts, according to Google. Four of them pertain to Lowell, MA. These posts change often because they are based on what people are reading.

Friday, September 30, 2011

Historical Societies -- Massachusetts and New Hampshire

 Billerica Historical Society, Billerica, Middlesex Co., Massachusetts

Home of Rev. Henry Cumings   1763 - 1823
Bigelow Tavern
 W. Boylston Historical Society, W. Boylston, Worcester Co., Massachusetts

Ashland Railroad Station Museum
Ashland Historical Society

Thursday, September 29, 2011

Ogonowski Farm and Family

During the past two weeks, I have had a number of hits from people using the key words Ogonowski, farm or other combinations. I believe they were sent to my site because I wrote a 9/11 post about the American Airlines Flight 11 pilot, John Ogonowski.


Today, after receiving many more hits, I decided to share what I have on the Dracut, Massachusetts farm. Although, I don't have a lot of information, I was there this past Sunday, two weeks after the 10th anniversary of 9/11 and spoke both with John's sister and his brother. I bought two of the most beautiful mums from James and his sister gave me a postcard, of which I scanned below. In addition, I took the photo.


If you live in the area, I highly recommend you stop by for pumpkins and mums. I will be going back to take photos of John's memorial stone, now surrounded by many mums from people who leave them at this site.

11/12/2013: New videos have been added to this site. Three about the farm, and one, an interview with James Ogonowski and John's widow, Peg.


The farm:



Jim Ogonowski and Peg Ogonowski: A Touching  9/11 Story About Life Insurance
http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=endscreen&v=BBq8yLNJ-gE&NR=1 (nice video)
John's brother, Jim and sister in this photo.
 Postcard, front and back.


Tuesday, September 27, 2011

Tombstone Tuesday -- JOHN FOOT Drowned in Connecticut River

Buried at Ancient Burying Ground, Hartford, Connecticut

In Memory of
Mr. John Foot
who
was drowned
in Connecticut River
on the 15th May
AD. 1803
Aged 40 years.

Sunday, September 25, 2011

Obituaries -- Lowell, Massachusetts



The below listed names were taken from The Lowell Sun newspaper's obituary section. The names are often printed on two days, I am only listing them once.

MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 19, 2011
ERNEST 'ERNIE' FREDERICK BROWN, JR., U.S. KOREAN WAR VETERAN; OF LOWELL AND NO. CHELMSFORD



TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 20, 2011
GERALDINE R. DeMARCO, LOVING MOTHER AND GRANDMOTHER; 88
CSM (RET) ANTONIOS KARABATSOS OF LOWELL; 91
JAMES R. KENYON OF CANTERBURY, NH; FAMILY IN DRACUT; 51
DAVID A. BOWSER FORMERLY OF BEDFORD, MA; 44
ANNA (MASKEWICZ) POULIN OF LITTLETON; 86
ANN M. FRENCH OF GROTON, MA


WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 21, 2011
PAMELA (STAMP) CLARK, SHAWSHEEN TECH, MATHEMATICS TEACHER; 57
KENNETH G. DORRANCE OF PELHAM; 72
MICHAEL J. McDERMOTT OF DRACUT, MA; 80
MARION J. "MARIANNE" CORDEIRO OF LOWELL, MA; 88
PAULINE (CIANCI) ZUKOWSKI FORMERLY OF NORTH CHELMSFORD, MA
MICHAEL KOZULAK, LONGTIME RESIDENT OF CHELMSFORD; 95
MILDRED I. (BENNETT) CLARK OF TEWKSBURY, MA; 82
RENA (ZINGOVAS) BOUTSELIS, LIFELONG RESIDENT OF LOWELL; 95
BARBARA ANN (CARLO) DABRITZ OF NASHUA, NH; 66
JOSEPH TOPPI, CARENTER, LONGTIME TEWKSBURY, MA RESIDENT; 71
AVIS M. (NARY) GALKA OF LANCASTER, NH, FORMERLY OF WILMINGTON, MA; 91


THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 22, 2011
MARY THERESA MURHY, LOVING MOTHER AND GRANDMOTHER; 76
JOSEPH E. EMOND, III, PROPRIETOR EMOND TAX AND FINANCIAL GROUP, OF MARLBORO, MA
KARL A. "KII" SPONHOLTZ OF CHELMSFORD, MA
ALBINO M. 'AL' DaSILVA, FORMERLY OF LOWELL; 40
ROBERT OWEN, FORMERLY OF GROTON, MA; 88
MANUEL FREITAS, SR. OF LOWELL; 86
ANTOINETTE SMIT (BADMINGTON) OF CHELMSFORD, MA; 60
DONNY M. CARSON, COMPASSIONATE AND LOVING BROTHER, AGE 55
STEPHEN M. NIVEN, LIFELONG RESIDENT OF TEWKSBURY, 51
PHILIP LORD, LIFELONG RESIDENT OF WESTFORD, MA; 89
LAURINO ESPINOLA OF LOWELL; 87
DANIELDA R. McQUEENEY, FORMER POLAROID EMPLOYEE; AGE 70


FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 23, 2011
ROGER F. CONANT, LITTLETON HORSEMAN AND CONSERVATIONIST, WONER OF CONANT IRON WORKS; 102
BARBARA (HILDRETH) PARKHURST OF CHELMSFORD, MA; 91
JEAN GREEN OF TEWKSBURY, MA;71
STASIA C. (MASLANKA) TWAROG, LONGTIME LOWELL RESIDENT, 96
JAMES D. "JIM" JANEIRO OF WILMINGTON, MA; 25
WILLIAM F. "BILL" NORMANDIN OF WEYMOUTH; FORMERLY OF LOWELL
MARITA G. (MURPHY) FINNEGAN LONGTIME BILLERICA RESIDENT, AGE 96
JOSEPH E. REIDY, POLICE OFFICER, LONGTIME TYNGSBORO RESIDENT, 97


SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 24, 2011
FERNAND E. "FRED" DESROSIERS, FORMER LONGTIME METHUEN RESIDENT, ARMY VET
ROBERT J. COLLETTE, LONGTIME RESIDENT; 61
FRANCIS A. CLUFF, 1938 - 2011, OF LOWELL
GEORGE J. KEVGAS OF METHUEN, ANDOVER CHURCH MEMBER; 72
ROBERTO D. WHELTON, STUDENT AT SHAWSHEEN TECH; AGE 16
LAURENE H. JOLLIMORE OF BILLERICA, MA; 57
THADDEUS F. "TED" PYRCZ OF LOWELL, NAVY VETERAN; 85
JEAN (CARBO) GREEN OF TEWKSBURY, AGE 71
RAYMOND F. COSTELLO, RETIRED LOWELL POLICE OFFICER; 75
HOWARD MANOIAN, LOWELL, MA NATIVE, DECORATED WWII VET; 86
CATHERINE J. (MOORE) DAVIS OF BILLERICA, MA; 77
EDWARD J. TIGHE, 1933- 2011, SERVED DURING THE KOREAN WAR
SIMONE R. (DROUIN) ST. ARNAUD, MEMERE, 30 YEAR SECOND GRADE TEACHER
ISABELLE GONSALVES, BELOVED SISTER AND AUNT

Ernest Luther Cross of Vermont -- Obituary

E. L. CROSS
"Ernest Luther Cross passed peacefully away at his home at Northfield Falls early Thursday morning, April 22, after a long illness of covering a period of nearly three years. He was the son of the late Albert and Lucy Ann (Burnham) Cross, and was born April 20, 1868, on the well known farm at the Falls village where his maternal grandfather, Luther S. Burnham settled in 1840. With the exception of a few years spent in Springfield, Mass., practically all his life has been spent in Northfield Falls. While quite a young man he started in general merchandising, and in 1897 during ex-President McKinley's administration was appointed village postmaster, a position he has retained ever since, serving the community to the best of his ability. He was a member of the Methodist church at the Falls, and much interested in its welfare.


At the time of his death Mr. Cross was president of the Community Club, being one of its charter members, and he was ever interested in the welfare and progress of his home place. He is survived by his wife, Annie G. Cross, six children, Robert of Northfield Falls, Philip of Pittsburg, Penn., Mrs. Genevieve Cahill of Lawrence, Mass., Mrs. Dorothy Sistare of Durnham, North Carolina, Gerald and Sadie who live at home, and also 5 grandchildren, one brother H. N. Cross, a sister Mrs. John Riley of New Orleans, La., and three cousins, Luther Burnham Johnson of Randolph, Mrs. W. E. Terrill of Burlington and Mrs. Maud DePutron of Miami, Florida.


The funeral services, impressive and beautiful were held at his late residence, Thursday afternoon, Rev. G. H. Redding of Montpelier officiating assisted by Rev. W. C. Arnold, the local pastor. Burial took place in the family lot in the Falls cemetery, the pall bearers being his three sons, Robert, Philip and Gerald, and son-in-law, Thomas H. Cahill."


From the Northfield News, April 29, 1924
Thanks to Larry McGrail (cousin) for sharing this obituary.
Ernest is my second cousin, 4x removed.


Friday, September 23, 2011

Are You Visiting NEHGS in Boston, Massachusetts? #2


Recently, I've posted blogs about the New England Historic Genealogical Society (NEHGS) in Boston, links below. Hopefully, the photos and bits of information will be helpful to the new visitor.

Are You Visiting NEHGS? #1




Today's post is the NEHGS Library Guide, a useful handout to help you find the kind of resources you are looking for (See scanned image below) and a link to their website, American Ancestors (link goes to free site). I believe one of the more useful databases is the Library Catalog. Using the catalog, you can pretty much decide on which books to look for.

___________
Permission granted to copy and post by NEHGS.



Wednesday, September 21, 2011

Wordless Wednesday -- The Survey



The small newspaper clipping to the left of my computer is an USA Today survey of almost 8,000 people. The question, "Do you have paper files from more than a year ago on your desk?" The question was asked to employees. The results were: 51% said "Yes" 49% said "No."
I'm not an employee, but looked at my area; on top of desk, below, and at the small desk holding my printer (top, middle and floor area) and found I had several notes on Christmas pads, and stuff from over two years ago. About 70% of the papers are over a year.  One of these days, I'll tackle them. Now, how is your genealogy area looking?
Note:  I will not show my dining room table or my spare room where most of my files are.
K.D. Lang sings Leonard Cohen's Hallelujah

Tuesday, September 20, 2011

1660 Cemetery in No. Andover, Massachusetts -- Tombstone Tuesday

Memento Mori

In Memory of
Mr. Nehemiah Abbot
who Departed this
Life Jany. 1st, 1784;
in the 28th, Year
of his age.

The Sweet Remembrance of  Ye Just
Shall Flourish While they Sleep in D__

North Parish Burying Ground,
No. Andover, Essex Co., Massachusetts

Sunday, September 18, 2011

Lucy A. Cross "sweetest, kindest and most charitable of dispositions" -- Obituary

Death of Mrs. Cross.

"Lucy A. Cross, widow of the late Albert S. Cross, died at her home in Northfield Falls, Wednesday the 25th. She was born May 29, 1831 in Orange. Her family removed to Northfield Falls in 1842, when she was ll years of age and has since resided on the farm then purchased.
            Mrs. Cross was one of the oldest residents of Northfield. She had been in feeble health for several years. She was greatly attached to her home, clinging to it to the very last. It can be said that her’s was one of the sweetest, kindest and most charitable of dispositions, putting the comfort and happiness of others above her own. In her days of health she ministered to those in sickness and trouble.
            In spite of her manifold and arduous duties at home she always found time to be a neighbor in its old and truest sense. She loved peace and used every effort to prevent and heal animosities. “Blessed are the peace makers for they shall be called the children of God.” These characteristics tell the story of her life. They were constant and unremitting through a life of toil and many adversities. She loved work.
            Mrs. Cross was a devoted wife, a loving mother, kind and obliging neighbor who will be sadly missed by many friends, relatives and the community in general.
            The funeral services were held at her late home, Saturday afternoon, Rev. Mr. Fortier officiating. Mrs. Fortier sang two beautiful selections. There was a profusion of beautiful flowers. She leaves three children, Attorney Herbert N. of Springfield, Mass., Ernest L. of Northfield, and Estella L. Riley of Springfield, Mass. Besides her children and grandchildren, she leaves a sister Helen M. Robbins of Montpelier, who spent much time with her in her last few months helping to care for her. A niece, Celeste A. Robbins, of Athens, who loved her as her own mother. Among the grandnieces and nephews lose to her in her last years were Editor Luther B. Johnson of Randolph, Maud I. DePutron of Montpelier, Eugene H. Robbins of Springfield, Mass., and Kate E. Terrill of Montpelier all of whom she dearly loved and was loved and ministered to by them and they were a part of her family live.
            Those present at the funeral from out of town besides those mentioned were Mrs. Martha Perrin, Arthur Martin, cousins of Barre, Willis E. Terrill of Montpelier, John B. Riley, husband of the daughter and Mary Dunsmoor a neighbor who, was one of her great comforts and ministered to her as only a near relative could."
 
From Northfield News, Jan. 31, 1911.

Thanks to Larry McGrail (cousin) for sharing the obituary.
Lucy was the wife of my 1st cousin 5 times removed.


Obituaries -- Lowell Massachusetts

The below listed names were taken from The Lowell Sun newspaper's obituary section. The names are often printed on two days, I am only listing them once.

MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 12, 2011
PAUL J. SURETTE, RAYTHEON RETIREE; PEPPERELL AUX. AND SPECIAL POLICE OFFICER

WILLIAM F. WILDE, OF PEABODY, MA; TIES TO LOWELL, WWII VET; 80
MARILYN J. MASKER, LIFELONG RESIDENT OF LOWELL; 71


TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 13, 2011
JOAN (THIBEDEAU) AMIRAULT, OF LITTLETON; 75
DR. RICHARD CONANT CHASE, OF TEWKSBURY, MA; 78


WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 14, 2011
CECILLA A. (WARD) HEALY, OF WESTFORD; FORMERLY OF LOWELL; 91
ALI PHOMSOPHA, PRESIDENT OF WAT LAO TEMPLE OF NEW ENGLAND - LOWELL
RUTH J. (CADDELL) JOHNSON; LONGTIME RESIDENT OF LOWELL; OWNED JOHNSTON'S BAKERY
MICHAEL J. MALANEY OF TEWKSBURY, FORMERLY OF ARLINGTON
MARTHA (BURNS) (BARRETT) VEREKER, OF N. CHELMSFORD, MA
JOSEPH ROCCO CATANZARO, OF HUDSON, NH; 76
KATHERINE L. "KAY" KIERNAN, OF LOWELL; 76
ROSE I. "JOANNE" ELIAS, FORMERLY OF LOWELL; 90
REGINA (BORODOWKA) BELL, OF DRACUT
PRISCILLA M. COLBY, 1929 - 2011, BORN LOWELL, OF SALEM, NH
BARRY L. CUMMINGS, BORN GROTON, MA, OF PEPPERELL, MA
MARIE (KENNY) GUILLEMETTE, OF LITTLETON, MA; 80


THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 15, 2011
JOHN "JACK" F. HORAN, FORMER BILLERICA POLICE OFFICER, FIRE FIGHTER AND FOUNDER OF MR. JACK'S CATERING
ELLA R. THOMAS, LIFELONG TEWKSBURY RESIDENT; 87
SUZETTE SIMOES OF LOWELL; 85
KATHRYN (SULLIVAN) (KOZACKA) SARGENT, LIFELONG RESIDENT OF GROTON, MA; 58
PUNDY KHOEUN KHATH OF DRACUT
GEORGE T. ASHE, JR. SEPTEMBER 5, 2011, OF PLAISTOW, NH
MARIA FERREIRA  OF LOWELL; 95
IRENE M. (DIPROFIO) LHERAULT OF LOWELL, MA
LINDA J. (GAGNE) HEBERT OF LOWELL; 46
ROSEMARY "ROSIE" (RYAN) CARR, LONGTIME RESIDENT OF LOWELL; 72
JOSEPH ISENBERG OF AYER; 17
JOSE E. 'JOE' SOUSA OF LOWELL; 60
KATIA CABRERA-GONZALEZ, RESIDENT OF DRACUT; 32

FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 16, 2011
JOSEPH A. AUBUT, FOUNDER AND OWNER OF AUBUT'S LIQUORS; 84
PAULA C. LEGG OF WESTFORD; FORMERLY OF KITTERY, ME
BARBARA A. (DEAN) WILLETT OF DRACUT; 88
YUMA S. DEACKOFF, RETIRED HONEYWELL EMPLOYEE; AGE 87
VANN CHOUP OF LOWELL, MA


SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 17, 2011
DOREEN (PAQUIN) OAKLAND, LOVING WIFE, MOTHER, DAUGHTER AND SISTER; 54
THERESA B. (L'ECUYER) (LONGSJO) BRACKETT, CO-FOUNDER OF THE LONGSJO BIKE RACE
RALPH F. McCANN OF PELHAM, NH, WWII VET; 85
FRANCISCO G. VALADAO OF DRACUT, LOWELL CHURCH MEMBER; 74
FLORENCE M. BASTIEN, FORMER LONGTIME RESIDENT OF LOWELL; 93
EMILLA H. RAMALHO, OF LOWELL, HOLY TRINITY CHURCH MEMBER; 95
ALICE R. ROY, 1922-2011 OF LOWELL, MA
MONA P. (McCARTHY) BURTON, 1936 - 2011, BORN ARLINGTON, MA OF BILLERICA, MA


SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 18, 2011
MARIA daSILVA, FORMERLY OF METHUEN, MA; 63
ROSARIO A. BELLEAU, 1937 - 2011, OF DRACUT, MA
ELIZABETH A. BROWN, 1932 - 2011, OF BILLERICA, MA
LORETTA M. BORDELEAU, 1919 - 2011, OF LOWELL, MA

Friday, September 16, 2011

Rose Fitzgerald Kennedy Greenway -- Boston, Massachusetts

All photos taken Sept. 16, 2011.
The Rose Fitzgerald Kennedy Greenway (see website) is a series of 5 parks through different neighborhoods in Boston. It's a roof garden atop the I-93 highway tunnel, that connects people and the city with beauty and fun. My photos begin with Chinatown (first two photos) and ends 1.5 miles later near the North End area. For more information see the Big Dig project and the Greenway. Since you don't see any of old Boston, I've included photos at the end.




I-93, now under the city, part of the Big Dig.





View of the Leonard P. Zakim bridge.

Nearby is the old North End, with great restaurants and shops, and historical sites.




"We have now developed an interactive Google Map to help you travel to The Greenway and enjoy a visit to the park." I copied the map above, but to see what is along the trail, click on the link above.

Thursday, September 15, 2011

Stevens-Coolidge Estate -- North Andover, Massachusetts

The Stevens-Coolidge Place (more) of North Andover, Massachusetts is rather close to where I live. My husband and I made our first visit there recently in 2011. The estate grounds, 91 acres, were free and open for all to visit. You can bring a lunch and eat on the grounds. A special treat was seeing the rose garden, of which I limited myself to showing only two rose photos. We can't wait to go back.



Rose Garden and below


From Wikipedia is this description, "The Stevens-Coolidge Place 91 acres, formerly known as Ashdale Farm, is a garden and historic home located at 139 Andover Street in North Andover, Massachusetts. Helen Stevens Coolidge's family first acquired the farm in 1729, and from 1914-1962 it was her summer home with husband John Gardner Coolidge, diplomat, descendant of Thomas Jefferson, and nephew of Isabella Stewart Gardner. It is now a nonprofit museum operated by The Trustees of Reservations.

Between 1914 and 1918, architect Joseph Everett Chandler remodeled two late-Federal period farmhouses to form today's house. Chandler also enhanced the design of the landscape, which eventually included a perennial garden, a kitchen and cut flower garden, a rose garden, a French potager garden with a brick serpentine wall, and a greenhouse complex. The house's collections include Asian artifacts including Chinese porcelain, American furniture, and European decorative arts."

Wednesday, September 14, 2011