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.

Wednesday, October 5, 2011

Edna as a Flapper Girl -- Wordless Wednesday

Edna Smart, my step-grandmother.

For more about Edna, please see, "Edna SMART, My Step-grandmother's Tree" post of October 2011.

Tuesday, October 4, 2011

Tombstone Tuesday -- Step-Grandmother Edna Bishop

Daughter

Edna Smart

Simmone Bishop

1901 - 1992

(Cemetery records have her as Edna Bishop Smart.)

Fairview Cemetery, New Britain, Connecticut

Tombstone Tuesday -- Grandparents Clarence and Marjorie Poole

Photo taken by Jeanne Brunette.

POOLE

CLARENCE FREDERIC

1891 -- 1957

MARJORIE ADAMS

1891 -- 1953

Skokie Memorial Park, Skokie, Cook Co., Illinois

Sunday, October 2, 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 26 2011
CHRISTOPHER D. DUTILE, FORMER BILLERICA, MA RESIDENT; 55
ANNE T. PETERSON, LOVING AUNT; WELL KNOWN SKIP'S RESTAURANT WAITRESS; 87
DON A. MacP0HAIL, LIVED IN CHELMSFORD, DECORATED ARMY VET; 63
DORIS (STEEVER) SANTAGUIDA, WESTFORD SCHOOL DEPT. RETIREE; 87
HELEN (WONG) CHIN, LOWELL NATIVE, OF OCEANSIDE, CALIFORNIA; 85
ATHENA (TSOHONIS) HOUPIS OF LOWELL; HOLY TRINITY CHURCH MEMBER; 95
MARIA CRISTINA ARIS IBARGUEN, BORN GUATEMALA CITY, GUATEMALA

TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 27, 2011
R WARD HEALY, PRESIDENT OF J.A. HEALY SON FUNERAL HOME, OF WESTFORD; 47
MITCHELL GINSBURG, NAVY VETERAN, NEW ENGLAND TELEPHONE; 91
NANCY J. (RICHARDS) HOGAN OF LOWELL; FORMERLY OF CHELMSFORD; 64

WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 28, 2011
DANIEL P. GUERINO, JR., LIFELONG RESIDENT OF BURLINGTON, MA; 63
KENNETH C. HUGHES, SR., OF LOWELL, LOVING HUSBAND, FATHER, AND GRANDFATHER; 74
STELLA F. (STRYKOWSKI) DIAMANTOPOULOS, DRACUT RESIDENT, VOLUNTEER; 82
KAREN (RICHARDS) ROBERTS, OF LOWELL, LOVING WIFE, MOTHER AND GRANDMOTHER; 54
LILLIAN Y. (LABONTE) WOESSNER, OF HUDSON, NH; FORMERLY OF CHELMSFORD; 88
FRANCES M. (RAYMOND) FALL, OF CHELMSFORD, AGE 100
CATHERINE M. HURLEY OF TYNGSBORO, 76
JOHN C. DAVID OF LOWELL; 51
RICHARD B. BLAKE OF CHELMSFORD; FORMERLY OF BILLERICA; 74
EMMA L. (JOHNSON) (GAGNON) BAKER, LONGTIME RESIDENT OF CHELMSFORD; 99
LADISIAU B. COSTA, OF DRACUT, RETIRED FROM BRADFORD INDUSTRIES; 67

THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 29, 2011
JOANNE M. (DEANE) KELLY, LOVING WIFE, DEDICATED MOTHER AND GRANDMOTHER; 76
KENNETH CHANDLER BOURNE OF FITCHBURG, MA; 72
EDITH M. (DAVIDSON) PREVITE, LONGTIME RESIDENT OF CHELMSFORD; 90
ROBERTA "ALLISON" JOYCE, AGE 59, DENTAL ASSISTANT FOR DRS. COOPER AND SPILLER
ROGER F. CONANT FORMERLY OF LITTLETON, DIED IN TAUNTON, MA
BETTY G. (REYNOLDS, COTE) JEFFREY, OF DRACUT; FORMERLY OF LOWELL AND DUNSTABLE; 82
FLORENCE M. BAGROWSKI, TEWKSBURY RESIDENT FOR 52 YEARS; 81
JOHN F. HORN RETIRED FROM GENERAL DYNAMICS; 90
ANNA M. (CORMIER) WALTERS OF LOWELL, MA; 79
JOANNE L. (COLLINS) VENTOLA, LIFELONG BILLERICA RESIDENT, AGE 65
MARK A. RICHARD OF METHUEN, FORMERLY OF TEWKSBURY AND WILMINGTON; 53

FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 30, 2011
MARGARET M. (GRIFFIN) FARLEY, LOVING WIFE AND MOTHER; 85
KARLA GRIFFIN FORGIEL OF PEPPERELL, MA; 56
PATRICIA A. (COOKE) FORAN, LONGTIME TEWKSBURY RESIDENT, AGE 68
RAYMOND L. RACETTE, LONGTIME RESIDENT OF DRACUT; 69
DAWN M. DYLESKI FORMERLY OF LAWRENCE, MA; 51

SATURDAY, OCTOBER 1, 2011
JUDITH A. 'JUDY' (McCARTHY) OLSSON, ACTIVE IN THE CHELMSFORD COMMUNITY; 68
RAYMOND L. RACETTE, LONGTIME RESIDENT OF DRACUT; 69
RAYMOND E. LaROCHELLE JR. OF LOWELL, NAVY VET; 64
MICHAEL D. 'MIKE' DAWSON, FORMERLY OF WESTFORD, MA, AVID GOLFER; 65
BARBARA J. (NEWMAN) CURRIER, LIFELONG RESIDENT OF FORGE VILLAGE SECTION OF WESTFORD; 76
GISELE M. 'LOU' (BOUCHER) BRULE OF WESTFORD, ST. CATHERINE MEMBER; 93
MARY E. (MARSHALL) KUTCHER, RETIRED TEWKSBURY LIBRARIAN; 74
ROBERT M. QUALTIERI, KOREAN WAR VETERAN, BUNTING CLUB BARTENDER; 72
KEVIN J. GIRARD, LOVING HUSBAND AND FATHER, ARBORIST AND OWNER OF KEVIN GIRARD TREE CARE; 43
RICHARD P. JAMES, SR., FORMERLY OF LOWELL, MA, WWII VET; 87
JUDITH A. McDEVITT, LOVING WIFE, MOTHER, AND GRANDMOTHER, OF MELROSE AND BILLERICA; 67

SUNDAY, OCTOBER 2, 2011

IRENE V. GAUDETTE, OF LOWELL, LOVING MOTHER AND GRANDMOTHER; 82
MARY CROFT, OF LITTLETON, LOVING MOTHER AND GRANDMOTHER; 93
JOHN A. CRONIN, FORMERLY OF LOWELL, MA; WWII VET; RETIRED BARTLETT JR. HIGH SCHOOL PRINCIPAL; 90
ESTHER J. (RICHARDS) O'NEILL FORMERLY OF LOWELL, MA, OF ESCONDIDO, CA; 73
IRENE M. (COOK) SEARS, LIFELONG LOWELL RESIDENT, ST. RITA MEMBER; 89
ALICE W. "MICKEY" (WAKEFIELD) O'CONNOR, RETIRED ACCOUNTS RECEIVABLE MANAGER; 80

Why Did They Want to Be Found? Sentimental Sunday

Did my grandmothers decide it was time they wanted to be found? It seems unbelievable that I received photos of their final resting places in the same week, after 21 years for grandmother Poole and 19 years for step-grandmother Edna! It's been a very sentimental week, I couldn't be happier.

It's strange how things turn out, last summer I wrote two posts about my grandmothers, one "A Step-grandmother Connection" and "What Would You Do?" (as a follow up to my "Request for Help") in which I asked for help in getting photos of my grandparent's graves.

Happy ending and Happy dance, thanks to two wonderful women.

Why didn't I know where my step-grandmother was buried? Rather simple, she died 11 years after my grandfather, and moved in with her son, then moved to Florida. I simply lost contact with her, and assumed she was buried where she died...in Florida. My new found friend, Claudia, who is related to Edna was determined to find the location, and with the help of a Find-A-Grave volunteer, was able to locate her grave.

As for my grandparents, I have known since 1999 where they were buried, but there was no way to get a photo. They are in Illinois, I am in Massachusetts, quite a distance away. A few months ago, I called the cemetery to relinquish my rights to two available burial spots in their lot, and expressed my desire for a photo. Fortunately, employee, Jeanne Brunette, Planning Advisor, listened and within a few days, I had the photo!

It was quite a week of celebrating my grandmothers (and one grandfather). I look forward to Tombstone Tuesday, where I will be posting both of their tombstones.

Saturday, October 1, 2011

Edna SMART, My Step-grandmother's Tree -- Surname Saturday

Photo taken by Claudia.

Edna Smart Bishop

Edna Smart Bishop was my step-grandmother for almost 40 years, and I never once wondered if she had siblings, where she was from or anything else about her family. One of her relatives, Claudia, a first cousin of Edna's, saw my blog this summer, contacted me, and then we pieced together Edna's life. Based on some of my information, Claudia did the lineage of Edna's Smart line, which I'm showing below. The most interesting thing was, Edna and I were born in the same city, that being New Britain, Connecticut. Thanks to Claudia for letting me share her work.

A little more information, this being written over five years later. When Claudia wrote me about my connection to Edna, she inquired as to whether I liked Edna as a step-grandmother. Edna was the best I could have had, especially since I never knew either grandmother (they both died rather young). Edna was the one who always wrote me letters, was always full of life and kindness, suggested I spend a week with them in NYC where my grandfather worked during the week (she was the one who showed me the great sites), and sent birthday and Christmas checks my way. Our whole family was lucky to have her, including my grandfather.

Generation No. 1

James SMART. He married Rebecca.

Children of James SMART and Rebecca were:

+	2	i.	Joseph SMART was born 1808 in Dudley, Worcestershire, England, and died JUN 1883 in Stoubridge, Shropshire, England.
	3	ii.	Ellen SMART was born 1812 in England.
	4	iii.	son SMART.
	5	iv.	son SMART.

Generation No. 2

Joseph SMART (James SMART) was born 1808 in Dudley, Worcestershire, England, and died JUN 1883 in Stoubridge, Shropshire, England. He married Mary FISHER. She was born 1814 in Dudley, Worcestershire, England, and died AFT 1861.

Children of Joseph SMART and Mary FISHER were:

+	6	i.	Joseph SMART was born 25 JAN 1844 in Netherton, Worcestershire, England, and died 27 JAN 1918 in Stamford, Fairfield Co., Connecticut.
	7	ii.	Samuel SMART was born 1848, and died 1931.
	8	iii.	Mary SMART was born abt 1851.
	9	iv.	Hannah SMART was born 1853, and died 1887. She married Robert LANGFORD.
	10	v.	Susanna SMART was born 1851 in Dudley, Worcestershire, England. She married James SHARP.

Generation No. 3

Joseph SMART (Joseph SMART, James SMART) was born 25 JAN 1844 in Netherton, Worcestershire, England, and died 27 JAN 1918 in Stamford, Fairfield Co., Connecticut. He married Emily FORD. She was born 4 AUG 1850 in Stafford, Brierly Hill, England, and died 15 MAR 1925 in Stamford, Fairfield Co., Connecticut.

Children of Joseph SMART and Emily FORD were:

+	11	i.	Edith Emily SMART was born 25 JUN 1869 in Stafford, Cradley Heath, England, and died 16 FEB 1944 in Stamford, Fairfield Co., Connecticut.
	12	ii.	Ellen Louise SMART was born 2 NOV 1870 in Stafford, Cradley Heath, England, and died 15 JAN 1974 in Norwalk, Fairfield Co., Connecticut.
+	13	iii.	Joseph Frederick SMART was born 27 MAY 1873 in Cradley Heath, Merrick, England, and died 1959.
	14	iv.	Florence Janet SMART was born 1874, and died 1947. She married Eugene SEARLES.
+	15	v.	Ernest Ford SMART was born 14 OCT 1877 in Smethwick, Worcestershire, England, and died 31 DEC 1946 in Southington, Hartford Co., Connecticut.
	16	vi.	Edgar SMART was born 1878, and died 1891.
	17	vii.	Edward E. SMART was born 18 AUG 1880 in Trenton, Mercer, New Jersey, and died 12 JAN 1887 in Stamford, Fairfield Co., Connecticut.
+	18	viii.	May SMART was born 16 JAN 1883 in New Brighton, Pennsylvania, and died 5 DEC 1969 in Hollywood, Broward, Florida.

Generation No. 4

11.

Edith Emily SMART (Joseph SMART, Joseph SMART, James SMART) was born 25 JUN 1869 in Stafford, Cradley Heath, England, and died 16 FEB 1944 in Stamford, Fairfield Co., Connecticut. She married Charles Eugene OLMSTEAD ABT 1890. He was born 6 MAR 1870 in Greenwich, Fairfield Co., Connecticut, and died 5 DEC 1933 in Stamford, Fairfield Co., Connecticut.

Children of Edith Emily SMART and Charles Eugene OLMSTEAD were:

+	19	i.	Edith Elsie OLMSTEAD was born 1893, and died 1973.
	20	ii.	Harold OLMSTEAD was born 1900, and died 1984. He married Susan AVERY.
	21	iii.	Dorothy May OLMSTEAD was born 1905, and died 1983.

13.

Joseph Frederick Howard SMART (Joseph SMART, Joseph SMART, James SMART) was born 27 MAY 1873 in Cradley Heath, Merrick, England, and died 1959. He was buried in New Britain, Hartford Co., Connecticut. He married Ellen Elizabaeth REILLY. She was born 14 MAR 1876 in New York, Manhattan, New York, and died 16 MAR 1953 in New Britain, Hartford Co., Connecticut. She was buried in New Britain, Hartford Co., Connecticut.

Children of Joseph Frederick SMART and Ellen Elizabaeth REILLY were:

	22	i.	Edna May SMART was born 5 JUL 1901 in Connecticut, and died 14 MAR 1992 in Florida. She married George Vernon SIMMONE 11 MAY 1931 in New York, Manhattan, New York. He was born 10 JUL 1907 in Maine. Edna and George had once child, Joel. They later divorced and she then married my grandfather EARLE KILBORN BISHOP 25 JUL 1953, son of EVERETT RUSSELL BISHOP and MIRA JULIA KILBORN. He was born 22 DEC 1891 in New Britain, Hartford Co., Connecticut, and died 23 AUG 1981 in Plainville, Hartford Co., Connecticut.
+	23	ii.	Joseph Howard SMART was born 29 MAY 1903 in New Britain, Hartford Co., Connecticut, and died 2 JAN 1954 in Hartford, Hartford Co., Connecticut.

15.

Ernest Ford SMART (Joseph SMART, Joseph SMART, James SMART) was born 14 OCT 1877 in Smethwick, Worcestershire, England, and died 31 DEC 1946 in Southington, Hartford Co., Connecticut. He married Martha PENDER. She was born ABT 1879 in Connecticut.

Child of Ernest Ford SMART and Martha PENDER was:

Doris SMART was born ABT 1910, and died 1943 in Connecticut.

18.

May SMART (Joseph SMART, Joseph SMART, James SMART) was born 16 JAN 1883 in New Brighton, Pennsylvania, and died 5 DEC 1969 in Hollywood, Broward, Florida. She married William VALENTINE. He was born 28 DEC 1879 in St. Helens, England, and died 28 JUL 1965 in St. Catherines, Ontario, Canada.

Children of May SMART and William VALENTINE were:

25	i.	William Alan VALENTINE was born 4 MAY 1907 in Stamford, Fairfield Co., Connecticut, and died 2 JUN 2002 in Niagara-On-The-Lake, Ontario, Canada. He married Virginia E. CURRIE. She was born 1 SEP 1912 in Grantham Twp., Ontario, Canada, and died 13 MAR 1999 in St. Catherines, Ontario, Canada.
26	ii.	John Herbert VALENTINE was born DEC 1908 in Stamford, Fairfield Co., Connecticut. She married Melva JOHNSON.
27	iii.	Robert VALENTINE was born 1916, and died 1916.
28	iv.	Richard VALENTINE was born 18 NOV 1918 in St. Catherines, Ontario, Canada, and died 9 DEC 1993 in St. Catherines, Ontario, Canada. He married Rosalie GILBERT.

_________________________________________________________
Generation No. 5

19.

Edith Elsie OLMSTEAD (Edith Emily SMART, Joseph SMART, Joseph SMART, James SMART) was born 1893, and died 1973. She married Edward Richard KLEEMICHEN.

Child of Edith Elsie OLMSTEAD and Edward Richard KLEEMICHEN is:

Paula Ann KLEEMICHEN was born 1927, and died 1991. She married Francis Edward ETZEL. He was born 1923, and died 1984.

23.

Joseph Howard SMART (Joseph Frederick SMART, Joseph SMART, Joseph SMART, James SMART) was born 29 MAY 1903 in New Britain, Hartford Co., Connecticut, and died 2 JAN 1954 in Hartford, Hartford Co., Connecticut. He was buried in New Britain, Hartford Co., Connecticut. He married Mary Alice WOLFF. She was born 8 MAR 1907 in New Britain, Hartford Co., Connecticut, and died 4 MAR 1987 in New Britain, Hartford Co., Connecticut. She was buried in New Britain, Hartford Co., Connecticut.

Children of Joseph Howard SMART and Mary Alice WOLFF were:

	30	i.	Peter Wolff SMART was born 8 JUN 1929.
	31	ii.	Prudence SMART was born 22 MAY 1937 in New Britain, Hartford Co., Connecticut, and died 15 APR 2002 in New Britain, Hartford Co., Connecticut.

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:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wmzAAS0W1-8&feature=share (Part 1)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8ThBdt3xnas&feature=youtu.be (Part 2)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=knv_wGYJ_wM&feature=related (Part 3)

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)