A to Z Book of Me Challenge D is for Development

Development.... as a person... in my Genealogy...

As a person , I hope that as I get older I can develop more love, more
compassion, we all need more of those.
As I've got older and look back, I can see how I've changed... some for good, and
others.... well....lets just say, there's still some work to be done.  :)
A work in progress...

In Genealogy... although I don't know it all, I can see that I've come a long way.
When I first started , I had my name and my dad's... I had my mum's name
on my birth certificate, but knew nothing about her, and nothing about that
side of the family.

When I found my mum and learned about that side of my family, I think
that's when my interest really grew.
I was already very interested in Genealogy, but finding that part of
my family, made me feel in a way... complete.

The more I found out... the hungrier I felt for more information.

On my dad's side, I found something out about my Great Grandfather
( David McGowan ).  I knew when he died, but I didn't know how..
Then The Greenock Telegraph ( the local newspaper ) did an article on the
Grandfather of someone, who worked at the Mill . Someone had fallen into
the machine, and they needed someone to go in and retrieve the body.  The young
man who did it was the Grandfather of  the man in the article.... the man who fell
in the machine, was my Great Grandfather.... it was 1908.

It saddened my heart to know how he died...

It was another part of my development in my Family History... gathering as much information as I can... I'm still developing in my research, but I've come a long way from when I
first started...

A to Z Book of Me Challenge E is for Collaboration and Collateral

Well I think Collaboration means to Cooperate , so when it comes to Family History
I feel  it means to be forth coming with the information I have, in other words... to share it.
I am so thankful for the people in my life who have shared things with me.
My brother Billy sent me a picture of the house my grandparents ( Thomas and Norah McCulloch ) lived... made it feel real to me.. seeing their  home made me feel closer to them.

Their's is the side with the red door.

The more I delved into Family History, and the more people I contacted, it was nice to be able
to share with each other.
My cousin Agnes sent me many photograph's  ( Thank you Agnes ), and someone on ancestry contacted me,... my Great Grandfather ( David McGowan) is also her Great Grandfather.  Her Grandmother and my Grandmother were sisters... she sent me pictures from that line.

My cousin Ally sent me a photo of my Uncle Tom McCulloch... I was so excited.,
because I finally had a face to a name.

Sharing is important, I have also done the same, with information, photo's. etc.

Collaterol..... I talked about the family member, where we have the same Grandfather.

We are descended from the same stock, but just different lines.

Its good to work on our collaterol lines... to gather as much information

as we can on each of our ancestors.

When we can't go back... branch out  :)

A to Z Book of Me Challenge A is for Analysis

Analysis... what does it mean ?  Especially when it comes to Family History...
I looked it up, and this is what it says :
Detailed examination of the elements or structure of something typically as a basis for discussion or interpretation....

Okay.. so we (  I  ) should be analysing the things I find out for my Family History.
I'm a thinker by nature anyway, in fact I tend to overthink things  :)
 I do think that we should analyse the information that we get... we want to get the most accurate
information written down as possible.... since I'm the one in my family that is trying to get the family 
history together, I should try to get the RIGHT information down.



While researching my Newman side, I thought that I had all the children's names, I was confident that I did.
Just recently, I noticed on another family tree that were 2 other names... but not only that, the last names for the whole family were different ( but with the Newman name underneath )
My first thought was that we were'nt actually Newmans, that it was changed to that later.
I was wrong... PHEW !!
I also found the 2 extra children on a census, and was able to put their names on my tree.

I feel such a sense of .... I was going to say accomplishment, but that wouldn't be the word I 
should use....  I feel good, happy, relieved that I found the children....
You see.... this is my family.
Its important to me that I get everyone...
Hakuna Matata
Means.. FAMILY.... means no-one gets left behind

A to Z Book of Me Challenge B is for Bonding

Bonding... is it possible to feel a bond with our ancestors?
We don't know them... can there be a genealogical pull there?

For me, I would have to say a big YES...
I'm not sure if its like that for everyone, but it definately is for me.

The more I find out, the bigger my heart feels.
I love them all so much... I am part of them...

My Dad was born March 11, 1931, he had a twin sister , but she died shortly after she
was born.  I think my dad was like 5 days old, when his mother also passed away.
My grandfather married my Gran on December 6 1940, so my dad would have been 9 coming up for 10 years old.  He loved my gran like she was his real mum, but she is the only mum he ever knew... the only grandmother I really knew.
I am also working on her tree... its important to me.
What was also important to me was , I always felt prompted to find out about my dad's real mum.
Her name was Agnes McGowan... I have a cousin who is named after her.
I found out as much as I could, but I could really feel that bond there... I wanted more.

I asked around about pictures, I so desperatly wanted to know what she looks like... did I resemble her?  Am I like her in any way ?
I could never find anything.
I was even able to get in touch with my Uncle Andrew's wife ( my Aunt Margaret )  in Edinburgh... but still nothing ( Although I did get pictures and info on their family... wow.. do the Newman boys all resemble each other )  :)

My Aunt Helen ( my dad's sister ) died 24 July 2008.
I dont remember how much longer after, but I received a brown envelope in the mail form my cousin Arthur and his wife ( Liz ).. ( My Aunt Helen's son ) inside there were some pictures... one of the pictures was my grandmother Agnes McGowan... I cried !!
It was the BEST gift I could have got....
And my cousin Agnes, who was named after her, actually resembles her a lot.

I believe there can be a strong bond to our ancestors... I have had other experiences with other names on my family tree.
I'm so thankful to have the family that I have... I'm so thankful that they are mine....

In Deep With The Book of Me..... March 2015 Genealogical Tapestry

Our lives can be defined as a tapestry. Clear threads, isolated from each other, yet coming together to represent a life. A full potential of being. What threads define you?

I have had a harder time understanding this one, so have been thinking about it lots.
Here is my take on it :

The threads of my life.... I Nora was born to Archibald McLeod Newman and Patricia O'Brien McCulloch in December of 1955...  I am the first born.. the oldest, but not necessarily the wisest :)  My tapestry has started....

I can remember some things from when I was very young... I remember my mum coming and waking me up.. I guess the next door neighbour found a hamster, and they woke me up to show me.. I was so excited.. I've always had a love for all animals, just not  the creepy crawly kind.

I was scared of the dark as a child , so my mum would leave the hall light on... when I lived with my Gran Newman , she also did the same.

I remember my grandmother ( also called Norah ) loved to sing, there was also black wallpaper with flowers on it in her house.
My grandfather ( Tom McCulloch ) had twinkly eyes.. I just remember him always smiling.

 

I wish I had known them better... I rely on other people to tell me things  about that

side of my family... and I'm always excited to learn more.

 

Another thread of my tapestry would be when my Father, brother and sister and I moved to Greenock. My brother and sister stayed with my Aunt and Uncle, my Father and I with my grandparents and my Uncle David.

 

I remember when I started school here, I went to Belville Street Primary School

 

I don't remember a lot about the school, but I remember walking with neighbour kids to go there.

 

After my Grandad passed away, I slept in with my  Gran... she said she would be black and blue from me moving so much... I'm sure not literally.  :) but I'm still a restless sleeper now.

 

I remember sitting in the living room to eat my rice krispies for breakfast,

 I would have a towel or tea towel around my neck so I wouldn't get dirty.

Here I am....

 

Not long after this, another thread of my tapestry began......

My Father got remarried...

Her name was Bridget Keyes, but she was called Bridie.

They were married on the 14th March 1964

I was 8 years old.

She lived in Port Glasgow, so my dad, my brother and myself moved there.

It wasn't far, just the next town over.

She and my brother didn't always get on... but her and I were okay,

until I was 17 years old.

I don't want to talk about it here right now, instead I want to

say I am thankful for the good times we had.

We would all go to Blackpool for a holiday, I remember one time we

went to the Isle of Man.

We did day trips to Dunoon or Millport.. I had

a nice life really.

 

The next thread of my tapestry is when I moved out

I was 17 years old.... at that time it was a hard time in my life.

I stayed at my friend Helen's for a couple of days, and

then I went to my friend Jean for a time as well.

I am still thankful for Helen and Jean's mother for being so kind to me

at a time when I really needed them.

From Jean's I went to Kilmacolm and stayed at another friend Stacy's.

Stacy and her family are American.

I can't say Thank you enough for what they did.

When it was time for them to move back to the States, I decided to

go to England to be a Nanny.

 

Another part of my Tapestry begins.......

 

One of the best decision I made  was to go to England.

I was in a Ward at church that I loved, surrounded by people

that I grew to love as well... it was AWESOME !!

We had a youth group here that was just the best.

I was also there with good friends.

I'm the one with my hand over ( Daniel's ) head.

We were there helping with Sis Hine's house...

If I had to pick a colour for the  Tapestry for this time in my life

it would have to be yellow, because yellow is the colour of sunshine.

Anytime I think back to this time, it always fills my heart, and makes me smile.

 

Another thread was shortly after my time in England.

I made the decision to go to Canada.

It was 1976

It was in the middle of winter, and so cold..

I remember that I was having such a hard time settling.

Everything was so different.. I missed my friends back home.

But... this is where I met my husband.

We were married the same year, and I loved Canada. :)

And my Tapestry thread colour would be White

 

We started our family.. we were blessed to have  3 boys and 1 girl ( that we adopted )

We had the ups and downs of raising a family, but mostly joys..

We would go camping, and went to Yellowstone Park, and Salt Lake City.

We had activities we did.. life was full

And they grew

 

In 1988 and 1993..... my dad and my brother and my brother's daughter.. passed away.

I would have to say that was the hardest part of life so far.

My dad was only 57, my brother was just 35, but wee Emma was only 5 years old..

The Tapestry thread would be Black

 

And my life Tapestry goes on.. with Grandchildren and Great Grandchildren,

and I wonder if there's any of me in them

And I wish for them that life would be easier, that they will be happy

and know they are loved

 

Sometimes my tapestry is weaved in Happiness, Sorrow , Pride,

Love, Regrets  but

always its weaved in blessings.

My tapestry would show that I am sensitive ( too sensitive at times )

 

The threads interweaved with one another, is what makes up

my whole life.

Sometimes part of my tapestry have been torn, but I have had

the opportunity to repair it... sometimes I didn't, at

times I have regretted that I didn't.

 

My Tapestry is made up of my love of nature, or genealogy

or other things that are of interest to me..

Its made up of friends and family, and

friends who became family.

 

At times my tapestry has been frayed, tangled, nothing

made sense... but then.....

I turn it over, and each thread is intertwined with

another, to create something beautiful...

this is my life

this is me...

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Valentine's Day

I love the different celebrations that we have... I love Christmas, Valentine's Day, Easter, St Patrick's Day... well.. you get the picture.  I know there are people who don't like the hype... we all know someone who complains, and I agree to a certain extent.  Talking about Valentine's day.. of course we shouldn't need a day to tell those or show those we love, that we love them... of course we should do that EVERY day.. why don't we ?

Well , there's work, and laundry, beds to be made, other commitments... LIFE.....
Of course those are not the best reasons, but they are reasons.... viable ones at that.
So Valentine's Day  ( even with the hype ) can be a good opportunity to show those,
tell those that we care about that we love them.

It doesn't have to cost a lot of money, or any money....  
Leave a love note... make a special breakfast / dinner
I think it was last year that I had different notes for Ken, and on each one
I told him what I loved about him...
use your imagination...  :)

Tonight, I was thinking back to my growing up years in Scotland.
Simpler times...  good memories..
We would send a valentine's card through the mail to someone we
had a crush on. On the envelope we would write verses for the mailman
and our crush ( or anyone else ) to read
I am going to put a bunch on here, because I want to remember them
and to keep them... so here goes :

I wish I was a cabbage, divided into two... the leaves I give to others, the heart I give to you

I wish I was a Rangers / Celtic scarf wrapped around your neck, and every time they scored a goal, an extra hug I'd get

Plenty of love, tons of kisses, hope one day I'll be your Mrs

 postie, postie dinnae tarry, take this tae the boy I'll marry


I wish I was an apple, hanging on a tree,and every time you took a bite, would mean a kiss for me.

I climbed the door and opened the stairs, said my pyjamas and put on my prayers, put off the bed and got into the light, and al...l because you kissed me goodnight

Look under the table, look under the lamp, if you want my initials, look under the stamp

Walnuts grow in Canada, apples grow there too, but it takes a place like Port Glasgow, to grow a nut like you

Postie, postie do not falter, this card may lead me to the alter..

Postie postie for a laugh, do the cha cha up the path

Gi coat, Gi, hat Gi,this, Gi that Gi love you Gi do, Gi hope you love me too.

Mrs Smith don't be mad...Its John I'm after,,,not his dad.....You can keep your cake...you can keep your bun..But Mrs Smith I want your son..

Postie Postie dont be slow, be like elvis, go man go

If by chance you know my name
All these kisses you may claim

Happy Valentine's Day

 

 

In Deep With The Book of Me...Prompt 2 - February 2015 - Explore. Dream. Discover

''Twenty years from now, you will be more disappointed by the things you didn't do, than by the ones you did........ Explore. Dream. Discover.'' - Mark TwainThis prompt is probably a tough one. I don't believe we make wrong decisions, I believe that things that do not turn out as we expect them to present an opportunity for us to learn and develop further. To become stronger and better people.

Do you share that philosophy? Explore the prompt. Cast your mind back to decisions you made and things that you didn't do? Perhaps reflect on family decisions, things from previous generations?

Funny that this is the prompt for this month, because its something I have thought about on and off.

I'm sure we all can relate.....

I didn't go back to England or Scotland, which is something I thought I would do.... I don't have any regrets , but there are times that I wonder how my life would be different or similar to what it is now.
I had wanted to be a Nurse, if I didn't come to Canada as a Nanny, I wonder if I would have
pursued this.

The quote at the top, by Mark Twain .. I love it...makes me think.. makes me wonder
There are people who live life to the fullest, I do wish at times that I was one of those people.
I have a bucket list of things that I want to do before I umm... kick the bucket.
Some are easy, whilst some are a bit more challenging, but the fun thing is
when I do one, I can cross it off my list... there is something so satisfying when I am finally able
to cross something off.

Here are just a couple that I know will be crossed off in the next couple of years..

Hope you can guess what they are..  :)

This prompt somewhat reminds me of a Frank Sinatra song.. here is part of it..

" Regrets, I've had a few, but then again, too few to mention "

In 1986 we as a family made the decision to move back out East to Ontario... Ken was able to transfer with his job, but all the expense of moving was on our shoulders.
We sold our house, but at the time, its when the market was really bad, and after paying
realtor fees there wasn't much money left.
We ended up selling most of our furniture, and off we went.
Our boys were all young at the time, our daughter who was older decided not to come.
Ken found a place to live in a small town outside of where he was working..
We moved in, and it was so bare with hardly any furniture.
Nothing seemed to be going right... our vehicle broke down, so Ken would hitchhike back
and forth to work, which was something we never thought would happen.
I hated living in the small town... we had brought our collie with us, but the landlord didn't want a big dog in the home, so we had to sell our family pet.. 2 days later she was hit by a car and died..I was devastated.  Before that, I had found out I was pregnant, I ended up having a miscarriage.
We moved into the city and lived in a small apartment, our daughter ended up moving back with us.. not long after, we found out she was pregnant.. she gave baby up for adoption which broke my heart.
Ken got a part time job as well as his full time one... he lost his wedding ring at the part time one... he was always working..
Our Christmas there was one where we didn't have much, we just bought for the kids, not for each other;
After 2 years of all the ups and downs, we moved back " home "
I'm telling this story because even after so many things that went wrong ( and there were a lot more ), there were also things that were right.
Yes , Ken was hardly there, but we cherished our time together when he was... we were also able to save to move back home again.
Yes Christmas was slim..BUT.. it was a happy Christmas. We had a lovely dinner, we spent it together, we laughed, we talked and we spent quality time as a family
Yes, our daughter gave her baby up for adoption.. BUT.. she went to a loving family that doted on her.
We lived in a small apartment, but we made it work.
My reason for telling this is..  we made the decision to move, and as tough and hard as it was, we have no regrets... we learned so much.
The best decision we made though, was when we moved back  :)

I'm not sure I've took this prompt in the direction it was supposed to go, but just wrote
what I feel... no regrets  :)