WOW Two Years Old Today

Thank you Barbara over at Life From The Roots for reminding me that today is my Blogiversary. I think I remembered it, but it was so far in the recesses of my mind, that I did forget. I have been traveling back and forth between Cleveland and Chicago the past two weeks and am, in fact, back in Chicago again this week. Most days I can't remember where I am, yet alone that today is my 2nd blogiversary ;-)

For those of you who follow me on Facebook, you know that the reason for all this travel is my eldest son, who has had some serious medical issues. I can't say enough about Loyola Medical Hospital....they are the best.

Thank you all for your continued support and readership over the past two years.

Blog on.......

© 2011, copyright Linda Hughes Hiser

Happy New Year

HAPPY NEW YEAR
FROM
FLIPSIDE

© 2011, copyright Linda Hughes Hiser

New Year.......New Hope

A lovely orchid was given to me by Aric and Jeannine when I had my surgery back in the winter. It soon lost its petals and looked as if it was ready for the trash can. Jeannine cut it back and set it out on the deck in the bright spring and summer sun. There it resided until fall, when I brought it back into the house.

Still looking pretty well spent, I had thoughts again of throwing it away....but didn't.

Look at it now! Resplendent with color

Cycles in life......2010 is almost behind us.....welcome 2011......a New Year.....a New Hope.

© 2011, copyright Linda Hughes Hiser

Tombstone Tuesday--Vonderbank

     

     Several weeks ago while wandering around the Metairie Cemetery, located at the end of the Cemeteries line in New Orleans, I came upon this mausoleum and statues of the two children. I was more interested in the statue than the names, so unfortunately I can't provide much information on who is interred in the family vault. Apparently the two children are mourning the death of their dear aunt, Babette Vonderbank. 

     In the urn is Uncle Ahrens. Find A Grave provided the name of the third person, Mathieu Vonderbank. Googling the Vonderbank name I have been able to locate some information about the sculptor and those interred. 

    Metairie is filled with wonderful sculptural markers and they are what captured my attention while walking from mausoleum to mausoleum. I did not do to much in the way of actually taking notes and photographing the names as I usually do. 

 Vonderbank listing on Find A Grave.

© 2010, copyright Linda Hughes Hiser

Merry Christmas

MERRY CHRISTMAS FROM

FLIPSIDE

Christmas Eve

I had high hopes of actually submitting a post of Christmas Eve traditions. Driving to and from Chicago for my son's emergency surgery put an end to that notion, so I am opting for a vintage Christmas Eve post card.

Hopefully next year, Flipside will reveal some of our Christmas Eve fun. I am thinking of one year in particular, when I was in my infancy of family genealogical research, that brings gales of laughter to everyone who participated.

Stay tuned til December 24, 2011....wink wink

Advent Calendar Day 23--Christmas Sweetheart Memories

My great great grandfather has such beautiful handwritingAND, don't you love the use of "spinster"..lol

     This was not one of the advent calendar memes I was going to use.....primarily because I don't have any personal sweetheart memories of the holidays.....then I seemed to remember that one of my ancestors was married on or near Christmas. And my memory served me right!!! 

    George Henry Hughes and Mary Ann Storey, my paternal great great grandparents were married on CHRISTMAS DAY! The date, December 25, 1870. The wedding ceremony took place at All Saints Church, Stranton, Durham County, England. This area is located in good old Hartlepool, England. 

    Witnesses for the ceremony were: Jane Sharp and George Robinson Sharp--to date I don't know who these people were or if they relate to the family. Mary Ann Storey has Robinson lineage. George Henry Hughes signed his name to the marriage license, but Mary Ann Storey Hughes signed with an " X " Address for both George Henry and Mary Ann is listed as Stranton. George Henry's father is listed as Samuel Hughes a puddler. Mary Ann Storey's father is listed as John Storey a blacksmith. 

I WOULD LOVE TO HEAR FROM YOU. All comments are welcome; however if they are inappropriate, they will not be published.  

PLEASE post your e-mail in the comment section if you would like to network about a particular surname or topic. I will capture it for my use only and not include it when I publish your comment.

© 2010, copyright Linda Hughes Hiser