Boston Athenaeum and my connection

You must wonder why I am writing about this. Well, from 1856 to 1869 my gg-grandfather was the Librarian of the Boston Athenaeum. Thought I would share the Boston Globe article dated November 15, 2009. http://www.boston.com/news/local/massachusetts/articles/2009/11/15/with_membership_dwindling_boston_athenaeum_steps_up_marketing_itself_to_a_new_generation/?page=1


I wrote them almost 11 years ago, and their reply is below.  I wonder if I will ever get there.


Follow-up: I did visit, a few months later. Please see my post.

Cemetery List in Google Spreadsheet

When I began my quest to find certain cemetery stones, it was almost like a rain shower, each cemetery had so many of my direct ancestors, plus siblings and other children. Back then I didn't have a digital camera, as a result, I only took photos of my direct ancestors.  The process was to buy the film, take it to be developed and return later to pick them up. Then had enlargements of my favorite shots made as 8 x 10s. My husband and I went all over Massachusetts, Connecticut, a few places in New York and Quebec.

I had to get organized before I forgot every cemetery name and who was buried where. I still don't have anything written on the backs (sure is hard to admit that), but it was a blessing that I decided, from the beginning, to do the chart below. Since I had Microsoft Access, that is what I used, and decided to add a few additional bits of information, not usually found on a chart like this, or at least I don't think so.

But, I had problems last week with this chart, because it was on my XP, which I rarely use, and I wanted the chart on my Vista, which doesn't have Access or Excel. There was absolutely no way I was going to retype these 129 names, plus an additional 15 or so. What to do? Then I thought of Google documents spreadsheet, and tried it. First opened a new spreadsheet on the XP, then went to the Access chart with my cemetery list, selected the table and pasted it to the new spreadsheet. So quick and simple.  Went immediately to the Vista computer and opened Google docs and there was the whole thing, just waiting for me!  Almost like it flew from one machine to the other, no disks needed, no wireless needed and no cost.

What you see below is the alphabetical list, but I can at any time change it to list all cemetery names together, locations or relationships to me, or anything else.

Now with all these photos in a huge messy pile, I need to organize them as well. I have no desire to keep them, so my project very soon is to scan them and enter them on FindAGrave http://www.findagrave.com/, which I have done with a few already. And, I will probably put everyone on this blog for Tuesday Tombstone. I hope somebody will find a name or two that is familiar, and if you do, please let me know. This was printed on November 18, 2009 and there are about 50 cemeteries listed. Since that date, I probably visited 25 new ones.

Tombstone Tuesday - Elisabeth Alden

Old Commons Cemetery, Little Compton, Rhode Island

The cemetery monument is for Elisabeth Alden, daughter of John Alden and Priscilla Mullins.  Her parents sailed on the "Mayflower" from Plymouth, England to Plymouth, Massachusetts.

Elisabeth Alden Pabodie was my 9th great grandmother

Born abt. 1624 at Plymouth, Plymouth Co., Massachusetts

Died: May 31, 1717, at Little Compton, Newport Co., Rhode Island

New Job at the DAR - Part 1

Daughters of the American Revolution Headquarters (DAR)

Washington, DC

I needed help with my memory when I realized that I began my new job at the DAR or NSDAR (National Society of the Daughters of the American Revolution) in Washington, DC 20+ (1989) years ago. Fortunately, I had saved a lot of papers pertaining to my job and they helped refresh my memory of the days I worked there. My reason for writing this, (I know, not everybody writes about their jobs) is because, through Facebook, I have noticed there are a fair number of DAR members and some who are working on their applications, and I thought they might be interested in this article. In addition, I think this will be in two parts, depending on the interest. However, I do know I will cover the DAR Library, which is open to all, genealogists love that place.


My offer letter came in the mail, and it was dated November 14, 1989, and yes, I still have it. But leading up to the letter was something else. Imagine being a 40-something woman applying for a job, thinking already, I am too old, and having to be interviewed by two women bosses. They job-share, and of course, didn't work the same days. The first interview went very well, but a wave of nerves hit, and I called the office to say that I couldn't make the other appointment, as I had a dental appointment (which I did not). They were so accommodating and persistent, that they changed the date to about five days later. By then, I was ok. After the second interview, their evaluations of me went to the Vice President General for her review and approval...she is number two in the DAR. The reason being, I would work closely with her. Prior to all that, I had gone in to be "tested" as in a spelling test, typing test, and given the once over, I am sure. The words were basically easy, but thank goodness I knew how to spell Revolution and descendants! I will always remember that. The actual starting day was probably the next Monday, and when I began, I felt right at home.


For five years I worked in Human Resources, on the second floor, the office was in front of the elevator, the door usually closed. During those years, there wasn't a single day I didn't want to go to work, and the added bonus was being able to work on my genealogy (on breaks and lunch, of course). But besides the genealogy, there were a lot of wonderful events held at the Constitution Hall, which is part of the DAR complex.  This convention hall had seats for almost 4,000 people, and I remember seeing Hall and Oats, Diana Ross, she danced in the row in front of where I was sitting, and many others. One benefit of being an employee, we could see these concerts for free (sign-up system), and had the best seats, row L with the largest aisle in front of our seats. During the first Iraq War, when nobody was traveling, I was very dismayed that Yanni canceled his concert there. Of course one of the highlights every year was the DAR's convention, called Continental Congress. When I was there, it was always held during the anniversary week the American Revolution War began, which is on April 19th. There were a thousand or more beautifully dressed women from all over the states and possibly the world in the building. My first year of experiencing this event was almost overwhelming, not just because of all the women, but the job as well. I had to screen and select people to be guards, and assist with added personnel for the convention.

DAR Constitution Hall mentioned above

There were often well-known people in the building, either working or visiting or filming a movie. Phyllis Schlafly was the National Chairman of the National Defense Department, her room was around the corner. Eddie Murphy was making the movie, "The Distinguished Gentleman" and I saw him a few times, and once about three feet away. And President Clinton came once or twice. The first time, he walked over from the White House, so a bunch of us ran out to see him. When some of us got word that he was leaving our building, we ran back out to the street, rather funny looking back now, when the director of the Library and I stood side by side waving at him.  The White House was about three blocks away.  I think during my years there, I saw him a good 20 times.


One aspect of the job that I really enjoyed, was taking many photos for the DAR that were used in their monthly magazine, and I had eight covers. The magazine office was near my office and I got to know the editor quite well, so when she asked if I could take pictures, I jumped at that chance. I may scan them if anybody is interested.


This is it for the first part, already it is getting too long.  But, if you want to read about the DAR, here you go: http://www.dar.org/natsociety/whoweare.cfm  OR DAR Photos.

Surname Saturday - Four Generations of Surnames

The chart below is an introduction to some of my ancestors.  In addition, a little bit of information about my family is given.
My roots are in California, Connecticut, Illinois, Massachusetts, Michigan, and Quebec, Canada.  If anybody has any of these names, please write to my email address.

My grandmother from Canada was in the United States attending Nursing school, although I don't know where, but she met my grandfather at that time, then married. My parents met in New York state, where they attended college. They graduated and married. Dad immediately went into the Navy as an officer during World War II, and was sent to the Philippines. I was born, my grandmother being the nurse at my delivery, and in the hospital that was designed by my grandfather (at least an addition or two). I was nine months old before my father ever saw me. Mom took pictures of me, almost daily to send to him.

Princess Diana, a sad follow-up

The postcard of Diana's dresses was used to announce the exhibit of some of her beautiful dresses. The exhibit was held at the American Textile History Museum in my home city. As a docent there, I saw it many times during the time it was there, from November 1, 1998 - January 17, 1999. Everybody was moved by just about everything...the fact that we were able to see the dresses and gowns, but to see large posters of her at the time she wore them. Seeing these things brought much sadness because she was no longer with us. All the gowns were encased in Plexiglas squares, so we could see all sides of the dress. This was an extremely popular exhibit.  Of course, this was maybe more moving to me, since I had personally seen her. The post was written a month after I began my blog in October 2009. See HERE

A few years later, the Museum exhibited dresses worn by many Hollywood stars in their movies. I have that flyer too. There I did touch Judy Garland's blue dress, worn in The Wizard of Oz. Other dresses were worn by Elizabeth Taylor, Bette Davis (born in Lowell, Massachusetts) and many actors and actresses.

Prince Charles and Princess Diana on Veterans Day, See My Photos!

November 11, 1985 was a pretty exciting day. The three hour wait to get a glimpse of Prince Charles and Princess Diana was worth the effort. I claimed my spot just about 7 AM on a rather nice sunny day in Springfield, Virginia, outside of Washington, DC. The sharpshooters and press were already in place at the mall parking lot, where the couple would soon be. They were going to open an exhibit of British merchandise (I think clothes) at J. C. Penney's. Once the motorcade arrived, everybody was so excited, esp. me, since I was at the barricade, and had a great view as they drove past me. The photos are the proof. Once they were inside, we all patiently waited to see what would happen when they left. Well, they did both walk over to the crowds, and a lucky few got to shake their hands. There was a policeman in front of me much of the time, so I couldn't take pictures of him. Pretty exciting day for a Veterans Day.

The Princess is in the white suit, standing at the barricade directly in the middle.

Another time, maybe in 1993, I was two blocks from where I worked, and had heard that Prince Charles was going to visit the Octagon House in Washington, DC. So at lunch, I went over with a few co-workers and waited a good hour before he showed up. He gave a quick wave to us, and went inside. No press, and very little security. But it got better...I left work at 4:00 and walked by the House, thinking that just maybe I'd see him again, and I did, with no wait at all. He must have been right on my schedule, because as I walked by, he came out of the House. There were only a handful of people, and he waved and said, "hi." I'll always remember his lovely lavender shirt.

Tombstone Tuesday -- Ten Eyck in Dunham, Quebec, Canada

The gravestone is in the back of the All Saints Church, Dunham, Missisquoi Co., Quebec, Canada.  Charles and Lydia were my grandmother's parents.  The family lived in this area for over 200 years, true Loyalists, from New York.

Charles TenEyck, Born August 01, 1859, Died August 26, 1907

Lydia J. Pell, Born November 25, 1867, Died October 16, 1948

All Saints Church, Dunham, Missisquoi Co., Quebec, Canada

To Brighten up a Monday

DAR application -- 1901 and letter from husband to Pension Office

Below are the DAR application papers for my gg grandmother, Sophia Davis Bishop, dated Oct. 2, 1901. After working with the two sets of application papers yesterday, I realized I had received these copies from the DAR, and just recently looked at them again. However, Sophia's membership certificate was held in our family until 20 years ago, when I donated the very large certificate to the DAR in 1994.

Sophia was born January 11, 1831 and died May 03, 1928.