Pages

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.

Sunday, August 7, 2011

Sunday's Obituary -- Mrs. George S. Poole


Mrs. George S. Poole

Mrs. Sarah Poor Poole, widow of George S. Poole, who was president of the Warren Institution for Savings, died Tuesday at her home at 9 Washington ave. Mrs. Poole was born in Peabody, May 5, 1850, the daughter of Franklin Osborne and Nancy Poor Jacobs. She was a graduate of Abbott academy in Andover and throughout her life had been much interested in the affairs of that school.

Mrs. Poole was a resident of Mt. Vernon st., Somerville, for 40 years and had been a summer resident of Marblehead neck for more than 50 years. She was a member of and for many years active in the affairs of Winthrop church, Charlestown. Mrs. Poole leaves three children, Franklin Osborn Poole, librarian of the Bar association of New York; Mrs. Edith Poole Merriman of this city and Irving Poole of Arlington, and nine grandchildren.

The funeral was held Thursday morning at the Blake Memorial chapel, Rev. R. E. Bailey officiating. The interment was in Harmony grove cemetery. Salem.

POOLE--Aug. 26, Sarah Poor Osborn, widow of George S. Poole, age 80 years, at her home, 9 Washington av., Cambridge, Mass. Funeral service at the Blake Memorial Chapel, at Harmony Grove Cemetery, Salem, Mass., Thursday, Aug. 28, at 11 a. m. The family requests that no flowers be sent.
(Above article sent to me by Carol Merriman.)

Sarah was the wife of my 2nd great-grand uncle.

Wednesday, August 3, 2011

Wordless Wednesday -- Great Reunion Cake

My distant cousin, Val Nagel, sent me a photo of this cake after I had seen it on her Facebook page and requested it. Reunions are still going on, and I thought this was a neat idea for the top.
The names:
Bulda
Crisman
Johnson
Vining
Scrambling
Barringer
Batchelder
Janssen

Tuesday, August 2, 2011

New England Marriages Prior to 1700

The New England Marriages Prior to 1700 book are keywords people have used in their search engines, and they have been showing up on my blog stats page.

The book is a publication of the New England Historic Genealogical Society's (NEHGS) publication "New England Marriages Prior to 1700." Clearly, people are looking for information about this wonderful publication. I wrote about it last year. (See here.)

So, why does that blog page show up between 1st and 2nd in the Google rankings, usually ahead of Ancestry.com postings and the publisher NEHGS? I have no answer, but am pleased. The photo was taken at NEHGS recently and shows a new 2011 publication (large maroon books) of the New England Marriages Prior to 1700.

From the NEHGS description of this series, 
"This three-volume work of New England Marriages Prior to 1700 is a transcription of the complete text of Clarence Almon Torrey's twelve-volume handwritten manuscript, held by the New England Historic Genealogical Society. Although 'Torrey' as it is familiarly known, has been published in book form previously, it has never before been printed in a format that includes all sources and a comprehensive every-name index."

Tombstone Tuesday -- Mr. and Mrs. George S. Poole

 George S. Poole
1839  --  1907
His wife
Sarah P. Osborn
1850  --  1930
Back of Tombstone
 Irving Poole
1890  --  195_
His wife
Ruth Clark Poole
1893  --  1985
Edith Poole Merriman
1881  --  1965
Sally Poole Spooner
1918  --  1987
Side view.
Harmony Grove Cemetery
Salem, Essex Co., Massachusetts

Thursday, July 14, 2011

Summer Break

Just a week ago I wrote a post, A Step-grandmother Connection about my step-grandmother, Edna and how a relative, Claudia, contacted me, after she googled my grandfather's name with hopes of finding information. Within a quick week, Claudia has been in contact with a family member of Edna's. We now know where she is buried (New Britain, CT, where I was born!) and other bits of information. What a wonderful conclusion, and for that I am thankful this Thursday.


I just wrote my 500th blog, to be posted on Saturday. Now it is time for a break. I also just did my 100th post on my Flower blog, Flowers From My Area (which includes gardens throughout New England).


Everybody have a wonderful summer.
Photo taken for the New England Bash logo, this is the Nubble Light at Cape Neddick, Maine
Updates:
My break was two weeks.
The relative of my step-grandmother, Claudia is indeed a good friend. We're in almost daily contact, and I hope to meet her in a few months.
The Blog, "Flowers From My Area" is now incorporated in the "Seeing New England" blog.


Wednesday, July 13, 2011

All Roads Lead to Londonderry, New Hampshire -- Wordless Wednesday


 




For those thinking winter.
(All photos taken in Londonderry by Barbara.)

All roads will lead to Londonderry, New Hampshire on August 27, 2011 for the first New England GeneaBlogger Bash to be held at Vincent and Heather Rojo's house.

Tuesday, July 12, 2011

Tombstone Tuesday -- ROBERT CHAPMAN

Ancient Burying Ground
Hartford, Connecticut

Robert Chapman
Born:  September 16, 1646
Died:  November 10, 1711


Robert was my 8th great-grandfather.
--------------------
Plaque on a tree at Cypress Cemetery, Saybrook, Connecticut


TO THE 
HONOURED MEMORY
OF 
ROBERT CHAPMAN (FATHER OF ABOVE ROBERT CHAPMAN)
1612  --  1887
NATHANIEL CHAPMAN
1653  --  1726
CALEB CHAPMAN
1706  --  1785
ELISHA CHAPMAN
1740  --  1825
GEORGE HENRY CHAPMAN
1789  --  1877
ROBERT CHAPMAN
1831  --  1923


SIX PLAIN MEN
WHO FOUNDED AND MAINTAINED IN THIS COMMUNITY A HOME THAT HAS OUTLIVED
THREE CENTURIES HANDING ON FROM FATHER
TO SON AN UNBROKEN TRADITION OF
SERVICE IN CHURCH AND CIVIL STATE


THIS TABLET IS DEDICATED
IN FILIAL GRATITUDE
BY
THEIR CHILDRENS CHILDREN


THE FATHER TO THE CHILDREN SHALL ALL KNOW.

Tombstone Tuesday -- What Would You Do?

My June 7, 2011 post was a request for help. I'd love to have somebody take a photo of my grandparent's graves. This came about because I went through some old correspondence with the cemetery, dated 1998 and 1999. The thought came to my mind, what if I hadn't written the letter, what if I had used email instead and didn't print out the reply. A few what if's, but I'm thinking that is what is happening these days. No hard copies anywhere, and surely none coming in the mail.

Below are two sections of a letter Memorial Park Cemetery sent to me. The first section tells me that William Frederick Poole and Charles Poole are not buried there. When I received that, it was an eye opener and within a few weeks, I discovered where they were. William is buried just 35 miles from me, and  Charles is buried in Washington, DC. Both died in Illinois. It is important to not assume where they died, if you don't know for sure.

Then I was informed there were two spaces available in the plot of my grandparents. Both of their children are deceased (my aunt and father), and there are now six grandchildren. Perhaps I read that 12 or so years ago, but I was probably more intent in finding where William and Charles were buried. Now, reading it again, I'm wondering what to do. Perhaps try to contact some of the cousins, we all live in different states, but until I get the addresses, I'll write the cemetery and put in writing that it is my desire to donate the plot.

The letter below proves it is necessary to contact cemeteries when looking for a more recent ancestor's burial. You never know what they have in their files. (I enlarged the print so you could read it easily.)


----------------------

Tombstone Tuesday -- THOMAS LORD

Ancient Burying Ground, Hartford, Connecticut
Thomas Lord
Born:  About 1583, England
Died:  After January 29, 1644, Hartford, Hartford Co., Connecticut
He was my 11th great-grandfather

Clearly a new stone.

Sunday, July 10, 2011

A Few Firsts in Boston

The Boston Public Library Courtyard
I've never seen the Boston Public Library Courtyard, it underwent a face change years ago, so I made a point to see it before checking out the Farmer's Market and meeting Bill West. The courtyard is a perfect place to grab a bite or eat the lunch you brought.

After a stroll through Copley Square, I headed to the New England Historic and Genealogical Society (NEHGS) to meet fellow blogger, Bill West, for the first time. A quick run through the building indicated he wasn't there yet, so I chatted with a few people I knew, and shot a number of photos.

Bill arrived, and even though the building was packed, because it was open to the public for free. Everything was beautifully organized for the visitors, including a separate place for children to learn about genealogy. As I was chatting with Josh Taylor, Bill appeared. So, of course, after a quick intro, I took a photo of the two.  I gave Bill a tour of the building, and suggested he have his free consult with David Allen Lambert, and he did. After that, we went took our lunch to Copley Square. We talked non-stop and had a good time. I walked him back to NEHGS, then I decided to do my thing.


Bill West is in front.
NEHGS didn't need an extra body there, and since I'm a frequent visitor, I decided to leave.  This was the first time I went to NEHGS and didn't do any research! One of the employees told me the following week, they had over 350 visitors! I left very early and headed to the Boston Public Gardens. That was a first in over 30 years. Boy, was I amazed at the flowers. Those of you who know about my flower blog, you must know, I was in heaven.
Since the weather was super, I then walked to King's Chapel Burying Ground. I had been there several times, and more recently in the winter. I knew my ancestor, Roger Clap was buried there, but I wasn't able to locate the stone. On Friday, the Church was open, and I asked if there was a list of burials. Yes there was, and I got a map, but even with that, I couldn't locate it. I took a number of photos. In the evening, I was looking at my shots, and low and behold, there was the stone for Roger Clap!!
I ended my wonderful day, seeing five huge rigs with the equipment for the Keith Urban concert that evening. I really wanted to stay, but it was out of the question.

 Information about King's Chapel (Top has pages 1& 4, Bottom has pages 2-3
Tidbits of information from pamphlet.
Was the first Anglican Church in New England.
After the American Revolution, it became the first Unitarian Church in America in 1785.
The pulpit is the oldest in the United States still in use on its original site. It is called a wine glass pulpit.
King's Chapel was the first church in America to use an organ.
The largest bell ever cast in the Revere foundry and the last made by Paul Revere himself is still run for all services. It weighs over a ton.