You may recall I started the search for a long lost family member more than a year ago. With a little bit of help from a genealogist in Scotland I managed to find an address for my mom's cousin and wrote to him. To my surprise, the address that was from a document 14 years ago was still his address and he wrote back!
We have been writing lots of letters working out the details of his family's estrangement from my great-grandparents and it seems we will probably never know the real reason.
I told him I would be in Scotland and made plans to meet. He came with one of his sons to my uncle's house and we got to sit down for a few hours to talk and learn about each other. We shared photos and stories and parted new family members and friends. He is a very lovely man and his son and I got along really well. In fact, his son lived in Canada with his wife for a while before their daughter was born!
I got home to find a letter from him and we all plan to keep in touch. His son added me on facebook and listed me under 'family'. Isn't that nice?!
So there you have it...the rest of the story.
If you can, please leave your comment here instead of on Twitter. Thanks!
Have a fabulous day!
Showing posts with label geneology. Show all posts
Showing posts with label geneology. Show all posts
Wednesday, June 13, 2012
Tuesday, June 5, 2012
My Scottish Itinerary...and useful information!
Here is my insane schedule while I was in Scotland...lots of photos and recaps coming! I get a bit tired just reading about it all again!
May 9 -Arrive Glasgow and make our way to Stirling. Spend the day getting a few groceries, cell phone SIM card**, go to dinner, take more calls in one evening than uncle is used to getting all week (I'm quite popular in Scotland!), watch Britain's Got Talent then collapse in bed. Wake up to Skype with the Suburban and Little Prince.
May 10 - Wake up just before noon. Scramble to get ready in time for Long Lost Cousin coming over with his son. Spend the afternoon with them, take photos, learn about each other and grow our family. Introduce a string of visitors to Long Lost Cousin and his son, they both probably wonder if I am related to everyone in Stirling - most likely, yes. Uncle made dinner so we stayed in and chatted then under the cloak of darkness went to auntie's DIL's house to decorate the front gate for her 40th birthday.
May 11 - Manage to wake up by 11am. Scramble to get ready and out the door to make it to the local Rotary lunch meeting on time. Mingle with Scottish Rotarians, have lunch, exchange flags with them, get photo taken for the local paper then get a lift back to uncle's house. Change into more casual clothes (hello, I'm meant to be on holiday) and get on the road to Edinburgh. Take Granda's 80 year old cousin to dinner, give her chocolates, take some photos and get back to Stirling in time to go to the pub for the birthday celebrations. Drink lots of Irn Bru and have photo taken with Kevin Drinkel (former Rangers player and former next door neighbour of uncle). Marvel and the way dogs in pubs are accepted without anyone batting an eye.
May 12 - Manage to wake up within the 'breakfast' time frame. Auntie thinks I'm the best house guest ever as I make my own breakfast and tea every morning. Go to nursing home to visit great-uncle's wife who doesn't remember me but is fine with watching an episode from season 1 of Real Housewives of New York. Go to Stirling castle for the afternoon as it has been a long time since I was there. Take lots of photos, guess which country each tourist is from, watch uncle fall down the stairs (spend the next three days succumbing to a fit of the giggles anytime anyone mentions anything related to stairs), watch German tourists pick uncle up and ask if he is ok while glaring and auntie and me. Get back to the house, auntie went to work for a few hours, uncle played on the interweb. Walked guard dog to the old village and the post office then come back to make dinner for everyone. Watch Britian's Got Talent finale...go Pudsy!
May 13 - Up by 10am, breakfast and visit from auntie's son and his family. Visit garden centre for lunch and shopping. Quite a fun place! Auntie went to work and cousin Willie and his wife came to pick me up to to go the Falkirk Wheel and dinner. After dinner go on a little pub crawl and cousin Willie played the drums at the open mic night.
May 14 - Wake up at 9am (getting the hang of GMT in time to go home!), go to Callandar for lunch and a wee bit of tourist shopping. Pop into M&S for a few things then home to visit with auntie's other son and his family before going to dinner at the Portcullis, which was amazing! Then home to chat, skype, pack and figure out how I will get everything in one suitcase. Best game of Tetris ever!
May 15 - Wake at 6am, finish packing and get dressed. Make sure I have everything, eat some tablet ice cream (blech, it can't compare with my Gran's tablet), get on the road to Glasgow. Catch flight, settle in for 7 hours, try to read, watch movie, doze. Arrive at Toronto to be greeted by the Little Prince running up to me with flowers. Home sweet home.
**If you are traveling somewhere you will have roaming charges, here is a tip...have your cellphone 'unlocked' before you go. For help with that let me know. When you arrive in the other country go to the local mobile shop and get a SIM card, load it with some data/text/call dollars and put it in your phone. This is what I did the moment I got to Scotland and it meant I could use my own phone, with my own contacts, email etc and gave me a Scottish phone number I could give out. It cost me 15 GBP and saved me probably hundreds in roaming fees. When the plane landed in Toronto I just switched the SIM cards and got back on the system I use here**
If you can, please leave your comment here instead of on Twitter. Thanks!
Have a fabulous day!
Friday, March 9, 2012
Friday's Random Thoughts
Happy Friday! It has been such a busy week - I am looking forward to some downtime tomorrow!
- The continuation of the long lost cousin story...his son wrote me an email to say hello and it turns out they knew about us but didn't know how to find us and are all very excited I found them! How cool is that?! This story just gets better and better! So the guy who emailed me...he and I share a set of great-grandparents.
I got a letter yesterday morning from long lost cousin - he told me his father, my gran's brother, left them when long lost cousin was 7 years old and it sounds like he never saw him again. He knew the city he went to so the death record I found in that city is the correct one. The letter actually sounded a bit sad, I think he is wondering if we still want to meet him even tho he doesn't know anything about this long lost uncle. I wrote back right away to assure him - I suspect he has had a hard life.
- I am on so many committees I am actually starting to get them confused. I went to ask about chair covers for an event and could not for the life of me remember which event they were for! Good thing I keep notes and save every email! Awards season is looming - I need to get some outfits and dresses picked out! Oh and buy the dreaded pantyhose. Not that I dread them, it just so hard to find ones that fit properly...the height/weight chart is always so vague!
- Royal Ribbons was nominated for a Business Excellence Award! It's very exciting! My business will be judged by a panel and *fingers crossed* win for Micro-Business this year!
- It's feeling very spring-like this week. It's quite odd for this time of year so I hope this doesn't mean it will be snowing in June. We have had hardly any snow at all which makes me just want spring to arrive and let's get on with things! I haven't had my winter coat on once this year!
- I went to NYState last weekend. I found a border service that will receive items for me then I just drive across the border and pick them up. It's a lot less expensive for shipping and border fees. I had a huge box of ribbon sent there and picking it up was a breeze. I decided to go to Target for some of the Little Prince's favourite snacks and jammies and on the way back up to the border I watched a transport truck get lifted by the wind, almost go over on it's side, go out of control, smash through a fence and land in a field. I was right behind the transport so I pulled over and called 911. 8 rings. Yes, 8 rings before 911 picked up. Y'all might use high taxes as your argument against Obama's government...but let me assure you, 911 taking 8 rings to pick up would not wash in Canada when the service is paid for by taxpayers. When the operator answered the phone it sounded like I had called someone's house and not a call center. Is this the norm for the US? Even our local, small town police station answers on the first ring and sound professional!
- On this trip to NYState I took my little ipod...it plugs into the car stereo, which I love! About 30 minutes into the trip it ran out of power and I was stuck with the radio. I now know south eastern Ontario has at least 5 classical, 5 French and 5 country stations. I also noted there is not one single jazz station, nor did I find any big bag or swing stations. There is a radio station opening in town and it's going to be listener driven. Anyone who wants an hour to program and host is welcome to it. I have a feeling there will be a big band hour soon enough! **I was born in the wrong decade and lurve big band music**
- Dont miss my Luxe Box giveaway! If you are outside of Canada please enter and if you win you can have it sent to a Canadian friend!
If you can, please leave your comment here instead of on Twitter. Thanks!
Have a fabulous day!
- The continuation of the long lost cousin story...his son wrote me an email to say hello and it turns out they knew about us but didn't know how to find us and are all very excited I found them! How cool is that?! This story just gets better and better! So the guy who emailed me...he and I share a set of great-grandparents.
I got a letter yesterday morning from long lost cousin - he told me his father, my gran's brother, left them when long lost cousin was 7 years old and it sounds like he never saw him again. He knew the city he went to so the death record I found in that city is the correct one. The letter actually sounded a bit sad, I think he is wondering if we still want to meet him even tho he doesn't know anything about this long lost uncle. I wrote back right away to assure him - I suspect he has had a hard life.
- I am on so many committees I am actually starting to get them confused. I went to ask about chair covers for an event and could not for the life of me remember which event they were for! Good thing I keep notes and save every email! Awards season is looming - I need to get some outfits and dresses picked out! Oh and buy the dreaded pantyhose. Not that I dread them, it just so hard to find ones that fit properly...the height/weight chart is always so vague!
- Royal Ribbons was nominated for a Business Excellence Award! It's very exciting! My business will be judged by a panel and *fingers crossed* win for Micro-Business this year!
- It's feeling very spring-like this week. It's quite odd for this time of year so I hope this doesn't mean it will be snowing in June. We have had hardly any snow at all which makes me just want spring to arrive and let's get on with things! I haven't had my winter coat on once this year!
- I went to NYState last weekend. I found a border service that will receive items for me then I just drive across the border and pick them up. It's a lot less expensive for shipping and border fees. I had a huge box of ribbon sent there and picking it up was a breeze. I decided to go to Target for some of the Little Prince's favourite snacks and jammies and on the way back up to the border I watched a transport truck get lifted by the wind, almost go over on it's side, go out of control, smash through a fence and land in a field. I was right behind the transport so I pulled over and called 911. 8 rings. Yes, 8 rings before 911 picked up. Y'all might use high taxes as your argument against Obama's government...but let me assure you, 911 taking 8 rings to pick up would not wash in Canada when the service is paid for by taxpayers. When the operator answered the phone it sounded like I had called someone's house and not a call center. Is this the norm for the US? Even our local, small town police station answers on the first ring and sound professional!
- On this trip to NYState I took my little ipod...it plugs into the car stereo, which I love! About 30 minutes into the trip it ran out of power and I was stuck with the radio. I now know south eastern Ontario has at least 5 classical, 5 French and 5 country stations. I also noted there is not one single jazz station, nor did I find any big bag or swing stations. There is a radio station opening in town and it's going to be listener driven. Anyone who wants an hour to program and host is welcome to it. I have a feeling there will be a big band hour soon enough! **I was born in the wrong decade and lurve big band music**
- Dont miss my Luxe Box giveaway! If you are outside of Canada please enter and if you win you can have it sent to a Canadian friend!
If you can, please leave your comment here instead of on Twitter. Thanks!
Have a fabulous day!
Friday, March 2, 2012
...and now, the rest of the story!
Isn't this a neat idea! Copy and blow up an an old envelope!
A week ago I wrote this post, including the story of how I finally located a long lost cousin. I mailed a letter to him on February 12th and on February 28th there was a letter in my mailbox....from Scotland...in handwriting I didn't recognize.
I sat in my kitchen staring at it for a few minutes knowing this was potentially the end of the story. A year of searching and work culminating in an envelope on my kitchen table. At this point, even before opening the envelope I knew someone got my letter, read it and decided to reply.
Inside I found a lovely letter from my second cousin...the one I have been searching for all this time. He confirmed I have found the right person, was surprised and pleased I wrote to him. He is looking forward to meeting me when I am in Scotland this year. I am looking forward to meeting him and finding out what the heck happened to make the family so angry with his father!
So there you have it! Thanks to the internet and the help of an awesome genealogist in Scotland I have solved one mystery and can now move on to the next one. There really ought to be a show about this sort of thing...I bet it would be fascinating!
Have a fabulous day!
PS...if you can, please leave your comments here instead of twitter. Thanks!
Wednesday, March 2, 2011
Wednesday's Random Thoughts
Happy Wednesday! I am a bit early with my random thoughts but I have had so many lately I didnt want to forget them!
- In one week I will be heading back to Toronto for my laser eye surgery! Yay! I have been told I will be there for about 2 hours, may be in a little bit of pain but back to normal the next day. I am looking forward to getting rid of contacts and glasses and being able to see! Thanks to everyone for all of your enthusiatic comments! I will do a recap post to let everyone know what it was like and to dispell your fears!
- The Bachelor. Oh.My.Goodness. I read RealitySteve last night and...well...who do you think he picks?
- Yesterday someone told me, in a matter-of-fact way, their brother has AIDS and I have to admit, I didnt know how to respond. I know what my intellectual response is but never in my life have I known someone that close to the disease. I feel like a bit of a heel for not responding at all.
- The Little Prince is still as cheeky as ever. He still says 'Bye Sweetheart' to me when he leaves the house but he has added 'That's a great idea' whenever I suggest something to him. I am glad you approve little one.
- I downloaded Little Bee (the book) for my e-reader a couple of months ago and finally started reading it the other night. I was enthralled from the first line and I would love to tell you more but I got 12 pages in and suddenly the pages were blank! Not impressed. If the rest of the book is anything like the first 12 pages I think it's worth the read. You know, if I could actually read it!
- The Little Prince starts toddler soccer this week! I am officially a soccer mom! I have been practicing cutting oranges into wedges.
- I was driving with a friend and she suddenly opened the window and sneezed out of it and rolled it back up. It's -1. In Canada. Interesting. Is it still called 'rolling up the window' if I have power windows?
- After watching Kim Catrall's episode of Who Do You Think You Are I have the geneology bug! So far I have mapped out 6 generations up one line and am going to start working on another line today. It's helpful that Scottish tradition is to give children the mother's maiden name (or another family name) as one of their middle names. Each time I find a girl born with Stewart or Watson or Grant as a middle name it's another clue! In case you are wondering, yes, my maiden name is one of the Little Prince's middle names.
- I just told the Suburban Prince there is a sale on chicken breasts at one store and a sale on bras at another store so I am going to pop out for both. He said..."I sense a theme here" and snickered. Oh hardeeeeharhar big man!
Have a fabulous day!
Dont forget to enter my LunaBar giveaway!
- In one week I will be heading back to Toronto for my laser eye surgery! Yay! I have been told I will be there for about 2 hours, may be in a little bit of pain but back to normal the next day. I am looking forward to getting rid of contacts and glasses and being able to see! Thanks to everyone for all of your enthusiatic comments! I will do a recap post to let everyone know what it was like and to dispell your fears!
- The Bachelor. Oh.My.Goodness. I read RealitySteve last night and...well...who do you think he picks?
- Yesterday someone told me, in a matter-of-fact way, their brother has AIDS and I have to admit, I didnt know how to respond. I know what my intellectual response is but never in my life have I known someone that close to the disease. I feel like a bit of a heel for not responding at all.
- The Little Prince is still as cheeky as ever. He still says 'Bye Sweetheart' to me when he leaves the house but he has added 'That's a great idea' whenever I suggest something to him. I am glad you approve little one.
- I downloaded Little Bee (the book) for my e-reader a couple of months ago and finally started reading it the other night. I was enthralled from the first line and I would love to tell you more but I got 12 pages in and suddenly the pages were blank! Not impressed. If the rest of the book is anything like the first 12 pages I think it's worth the read. You know, if I could actually read it!
- The Little Prince starts toddler soccer this week! I am officially a soccer mom! I have been practicing cutting oranges into wedges.
- I was driving with a friend and she suddenly opened the window and sneezed out of it and rolled it back up. It's -1. In Canada. Interesting. Is it still called 'rolling up the window' if I have power windows?
- After watching Kim Catrall's episode of Who Do You Think You Are I have the geneology bug! So far I have mapped out 6 generations up one line and am going to start working on another line today. It's helpful that Scottish tradition is to give children the mother's maiden name (or another family name) as one of their middle names. Each time I find a girl born with Stewart or Watson or Grant as a middle name it's another clue! In case you are wondering, yes, my maiden name is one of the Little Prince's middle names.
- I just told the Suburban Prince there is a sale on chicken breasts at one store and a sale on bras at another store so I am going to pop out for both. He said..."I sense a theme here" and snickered. Oh hardeeeeharhar big man!
Have a fabulous day!
Dont forget to enter my LunaBar giveaway!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
