As I embark on the second year of this project, I need to tell you that I have a serious regret: I started my genealogy research and this blog too late to include the voice of my grandparents' generation. And because of that, this blog will forever have a hole.
Of my four grandparents, three have passed away and my grandfather is suffering from dementia. And none of their siblings are alive. In fact, what is truly sad is how close I was on at least one side of the family as my Nana - Elizabeth Cheney (nee Paulus) - passed away only two years ago (one year before starting this project).
I have many questions for my grandparents and their generation, and their answers would have contributed some great stories and information. I wish I could have asked Grandma (Helen Keenan) about life on the farm, teaching, and what she knew about her ancestors and Ireland. And I wish I could have asked Nana (Elizabeth Cheney) what she knew about her families from Germany and Wales as well as when and why her parents moved from Scranton to Wharton. I would have also asked her what it was like working at Picatinny. And these are just a few examples.
To be clear, it is more than just about the research. If I had asked these questions, it would have provided some great memories and great bonding with my grandparents. Now in some cases, my grandparents told us stories without us asking. I will try to include those, with the major caveat that the stories were told a long time ago and my memory might not be perfectly accurate.
The bottom line though is that a lot of oral history from my family is lost. But hopefully other families can learn from my mistake. Start genealogy soon and make oral history a big part of it. Ask your oldest living relatives to tell you about their lives and take good notes. You'll thank me later.
Saturday, February 18, 2012
Friday, February 17, 2012
DNA: The Cheney Line
Last year I wrote about the genographic project at National Geographic. Well I am happy to announce that Genealogy Torch received a generous grant to participate and learn about my paternal (Cheney) line's migration paths from thousands of years ago.
If this goes well, I might also pay to learn about my maternal line (ie Mary Enright's mother's line). By looking at my paternal and maternal lines, we'll probably be seeing English and Irish decent. I am also curious about the German (Paulus) line as well as my wife's side, particularly the Ukrainian and Italian lines. But much of that would require other people to submit DNA, which in some cases might not be realistic.
I sent in my DNA a couple weeks ago and it is already in process. In case you are curious, here is what the Genographic Project says is happening to my DNA:
If this goes well, I might also pay to learn about my maternal line (ie Mary Enright's mother's line). By looking at my paternal and maternal lines, we'll probably be seeing English and Irish decent. I am also curious about the German (Paulus) line as well as my wife's side, particularly the Ukrainian and Italian lines. But much of that would require other people to submit DNA, which in some cases might not be realistic.
I sent in my DNA a couple weeks ago and it is already in process. In case you are curious, here is what the Genographic Project says is happening to my DNA:
DNA ISOLATION
The cells are broken open by incubation with a protein-cutting enzyme overnight. Chemicals and the samples are transferred into deep well blocks for robotic DNA isolation. The blocks of chemicals and samples are placed on the extraction robot. The robotic DNA isolation uses silica-coated iron beads. In the presence of the appropriate chemicals DNA will bind to silica. The robot then uses magnetic probes to collect the beads (and DNA) and transfer them through several chemical washes and finally into a storage buffer, which allows the beads to release the DNA. At this point the beads are collected and discarded.
Wednesday, February 15, 2012
150 Years Ago: To Albany!
Judson Cheney
Born: May 11, 1838, Hopkinton, St. Lawrence County, New York
Died: September 29, 1864, Chaffin Farm, Virginia
Relation to Author: 2nd Great Grand Uncle
On (or about) this day 150 years ago Judson Cheney and the 98th NY Regiment were mustered and inspected, and left camp in Malone and headed for Albany. Kreutzer tells us:
Kruetzer goes on to talk about the shopping they did, though he is likely talking about his fellow officers and not the enlisted soldiers like Judson who probably didn't have money to spend. But for the next month, Judson and the 98th NY will be in Albany.
Born: May 11, 1838, Hopkinton, St. Lawrence County, New York
Died: September 29, 1864, Chaffin Farm, Virginia
Relation to Author: 2nd Great Grand Uncle
On (or about) this day 150 years ago Judson Cheney and the 98th NY Regiment were mustered and inspected, and left camp in Malone and headed for Albany. Kreutzer tells us:
About the middle of February the different companies arrived at Albany and went into barracks at camp Rathbone. The quarters had been occupied by thousands before; they were fearfully filthy and dirty...I try to picture Judson walking with his fellow troops through Albany. I assume it was the biggest city he had seen.
To many it was a treat to visit the city, the large stores, the saloons, the Delavan [hotel], the capital, the legislature. Hundreds came to visit us daily. We saw a great many officers flitting about in gay uniforms, and were forcibly reminded that fine feathers make fine birds...
Kruetzer goes on to talk about the shopping they did, though he is likely talking about his fellow officers and not the enlisted soldiers like Judson who probably didn't have money to spend. But for the next month, Judson and the 98th NY will be in Albany.
Tuesday, January 24, 2012
Wedding Picture!
(Left to right)
Mary Keenan (nee Leary)
Born: March 1, 1870, New York
Died: December 16, 1951, Lawrence, St. Lawrence, NY
Relation to Author: Great Grandmother
James J. Keenan
Born: March 21, 1865, Helena, St. Lawrence, NY
Died: September 28, 1955, North Lawrence, St. Lawrence, NY
Relation to Author: Great Grandfather
Helen Keenan (nee Leary)
Born: November 4, 1909, St. Lawrence, NY
Died: May 1, 2004, Brasher, St. Lawrence, NY
Relation to Author: Grandmother
Hubert Keenan
Born: March 20, 1907, St. Lawrence, NY
Died: November 14, 1984, North Lawrence, St. Lawrence NY
Relation to Author: Grandfather
Ida Leary (nee Barry)
Born: September 1, 1878, Brushton, Franklin, NY
Died: January 7, 1981, St. Lawrence, NY
Relation to Author: Great Grandmother
Walter Leary
Born: January 5, 1874, North Lawrence, St. Lawrence, NY
Died: July 19, 1960, Winthrop, St. Lawrence. NY
Relation to Author: Great Grandfather
This is a picture from Hubert and Helen's wedding day. They are surrounded by their parents. The wedding was August 16, 1937, so the parents were 67, 72, 58, and 64 years old, respectively, at the time. Helen and Hubert were 27 and 30, respectively.
I have a few more pictures from the wedding, so look for more of these to go up on the blog in the future.
Mary Keenan (nee Leary)
Born: March 1, 1870, New York
Died: December 16, 1951, Lawrence, St. Lawrence, NY
Relation to Author: Great Grandmother
James J. Keenan
Born: March 21, 1865, Helena, St. Lawrence, NY
Died: September 28, 1955, North Lawrence, St. Lawrence, NY
Relation to Author: Great Grandfather
Helen Keenan (nee Leary)
Born: November 4, 1909, St. Lawrence, NY
Died: May 1, 2004, Brasher, St. Lawrence, NY
Relation to Author: Grandmother
Hubert Keenan
Born: March 20, 1907, St. Lawrence, NY
Died: November 14, 1984, North Lawrence, St. Lawrence NY
Relation to Author: Grandfather
Ida Leary (nee Barry)
Born: September 1, 1878, Brushton, Franklin, NY
Died: January 7, 1981, St. Lawrence, NY
Relation to Author: Great Grandmother
Walter Leary
Born: January 5, 1874, North Lawrence, St. Lawrence, NY
Died: July 19, 1960, Winthrop, St. Lawrence. NY
Relation to Author: Great Grandfather
This is a picture from Hubert and Helen's wedding day. They are surrounded by their parents. The wedding was August 16, 1937, so the parents were 67, 72, 58, and 64 years old, respectively, at the time. Helen and Hubert were 27 and 30, respectively.
I have a few more pictures from the wedding, so look for more of these to go up on the blog in the future.
Sunday, January 8, 2012
Railroad Bigwig
Ira Adelbert Place
Born: May 8, 1854, New York, NY
Died: January 24, 1928, New York, NY
Relation to Author: 2nd Great Grandfather In-Law
This is a picture of Ira Place at Thendara Country Club (located in upstate New York in the Adirondack Mountains). The golf course was built in 1921 and Ira died in 1928, so we can assume the undated picture was taken sometime between those years. Ira Place was General Counsel and Vice President of New York Central Railroad (railroad empire run by the Vanderbilt family serving New York City to Chicago et al via upstate New York). More on that in a future post.
Note: Thendara was one of the stops on the New York Central Railroad's Adirondack Division, which helps explain why Ira was there of all places (290 miles from New York City). It also seems to be in the area where many of the gilded age bosses built Adirondack cabins.
Born: May 8, 1854, New York, NY
Died: January 24, 1928, New York, NY
Relation to Author: 2nd Great Grandfather In-Law
Note: Thendara was one of the stops on the New York Central Railroad's Adirondack Division, which helps explain why Ira was there of all places (290 miles from New York City). It also seems to be in the area where many of the gilded age bosses built Adirondack cabins.
Monday, January 2, 2012
Jackpot
I just hit the jackpot. Over the holidays I was given a large amount of family history information from my wife's side of the family (a great gift!). The collection includes a genealogical memoir, a very extensive family tree and a some other interesting things. Look for many more posts from the Eisenberg and Blake families in the future.
Friday, December 16, 2011
We Remember: Elizabeth Paulus (Nana)
Elizabeth Paulus Cheney (born Elizabeth Charlotte Paulus)
Born: November 23, 1919, Morris, New Jersey
Died: December 16, 2009, Randolph, Morris, New Jersey
Relation to Author: Grandmother (aka Nana)
Sometimes when you lose a grandparent, you see it coming and have time to prepare. I think those times are easier. But other times, it is sudden. And those times are harder.
Elizabeth (Betty) Paulus Cheney - aka Nana - died suddenly. She had a stroke two years ago today. I am still very sad and I miss her a lot. What makes it particularly hard is that I thought she had many more years ahead of her. Though she was 90 years old, she seemed to be in great health.
I looked forward for her to a time when she would no longer have to care for her husband (my PopPop) who was / is suffering from dementia. I looked forward to a time for her when she could do things for herself. She loved to travel but gave that up. And she loved to quilt, but found little time for it. But more than that, I assumed she would be around to see Becky and me start a family. I assumed I had so much more time with her, and I do feel that I took that for granted.
But I don't want this post to be all sad. We can take comfort in the life she lived. And we can celebrate the person she was. She lived to be 90 years old. Because she lived an hour away, she was able to watch us (her grandchildren) grow up. And she lived to know that two of her grandchildren were married (though she was unable to attend the weddings).
I remember Nana as a doting grandparent - although definitely more affectionate when were younger. She called me her boyfriend, which is less weird than it sounds. I recognized it as her way of saying how much she adored me.
But really, most of my memories of Nana revolve around the kitchen and food. When we visited, she spent much of the time cooking the big dinner we would have. But while cooking she would buzz in and out of the kitchen, sitting to talk, then buzzing back to do some more preparations. Later she would buzz back to talk some more.
And those that wanted more quality time with Nana, or those that wanted to learn more about cooking, would spend time with Nana in the kitchen. My wife is a great cook and is always trying to learn more. And she spent a lot of time with Nana, learning and also just getting to know her.
I would also spend some time in the kitchen. I offered to help sometimes, but rarely did she take me up on my offer; she had everything well under control. I would also try to learn some secrets or some recipes. But since she mostly cooked from memory, I often left empty-handed.
Truth be told, not all people who spend a lot of time in the kitchen are great cooks. But Nana definitely was an excellent cook. Her apple pie is the best I have ever had and I don't think I come to this conclusion through sentimentality. The apples were the perfect softness and the flavor sweet, but not candy or fake sweet.
Also, her Thanksgiving dinner was a marvel. She cooked the stuffing inside the turkey, which you aren't supposed to do anymore, but she knew what she was doing. And everything was delicous; the potatoes, gravy, turkey, yams. Everything. And all of this was done with the energy of someone many decades younger.
As a child of the depression, there is one trait of hers that stands out that came from that time. I remember the few times in college I tried calling on the phone to talk to her and PopPop - probably to wish a happy birthday. They wouldn't let me stay on the phone longer than a minute or two. At first, I thought maybe they didn't want to talk. It took my father to explain that they thought the call was costing me a lot of money. Even my father had difficulty convincing them the calls were cheap and that they could talk for a while.
Finally, the image I am left with - the person I see when I close my eyes - is someone vibrant and full of energy. She died after her 90th birthday, but she had not slowed a bit (at least in my memories). And her mind was still sharp as a tack and current. When my wife and I shared pictures of our wedding, she looked at every picture and soaked it all in. There was the spark in her eyes when you talked to her that showed how much life was still there.
That's what I'll remember. A vibrant person. A great cook. A doting grandma.
Born: November 23, 1919, Morris, New Jersey
Died: December 16, 2009, Randolph, Morris, New Jersey
Relation to Author: Grandmother (aka Nana)
Sometimes when you lose a grandparent, you see it coming and have time to prepare. I think those times are easier. But other times, it is sudden. And those times are harder.
Elizabeth (Betty) Paulus Cheney - aka Nana - died suddenly. She had a stroke two years ago today. I am still very sad and I miss her a lot. What makes it particularly hard is that I thought she had many more years ahead of her. Though she was 90 years old, she seemed to be in great health.
I looked forward for her to a time when she would no longer have to care for her husband (my PopPop) who was / is suffering from dementia. I looked forward to a time for her when she could do things for herself. She loved to travel but gave that up. And she loved to quilt, but found little time for it. But more than that, I assumed she would be around to see Becky and me start a family. I assumed I had so much more time with her, and I do feel that I took that for granted.
But I don't want this post to be all sad. We can take comfort in the life she lived. And we can celebrate the person she was. She lived to be 90 years old. Because she lived an hour away, she was able to watch us (her grandchildren) grow up. And she lived to know that two of her grandchildren were married (though she was unable to attend the weddings).
I remember Nana as a doting grandparent - although definitely more affectionate when were younger. She called me her boyfriend, which is less weird than it sounds. I recognized it as her way of saying how much she adored me.
But really, most of my memories of Nana revolve around the kitchen and food. When we visited, she spent much of the time cooking the big dinner we would have. But while cooking she would buzz in and out of the kitchen, sitting to talk, then buzzing back to do some more preparations. Later she would buzz back to talk some more.
And those that wanted more quality time with Nana, or those that wanted to learn more about cooking, would spend time with Nana in the kitchen. My wife is a great cook and is always trying to learn more. And she spent a lot of time with Nana, learning and also just getting to know her.
I would also spend some time in the kitchen. I offered to help sometimes, but rarely did she take me up on my offer; she had everything well under control. I would also try to learn some secrets or some recipes. But since she mostly cooked from memory, I often left empty-handed.
Truth be told, not all people who spend a lot of time in the kitchen are great cooks. But Nana definitely was an excellent cook. Her apple pie is the best I have ever had and I don't think I come to this conclusion through sentimentality. The apples were the perfect softness and the flavor sweet, but not candy or fake sweet.
Also, her Thanksgiving dinner was a marvel. She cooked the stuffing inside the turkey, which you aren't supposed to do anymore, but she knew what she was doing. And everything was delicous; the potatoes, gravy, turkey, yams. Everything. And all of this was done with the energy of someone many decades younger.
As a child of the depression, there is one trait of hers that stands out that came from that time. I remember the few times in college I tried calling on the phone to talk to her and PopPop - probably to wish a happy birthday. They wouldn't let me stay on the phone longer than a minute or two. At first, I thought maybe they didn't want to talk. It took my father to explain that they thought the call was costing me a lot of money. Even my father had difficulty convincing them the calls were cheap and that they could talk for a while.
Finally, the image I am left with - the person I see when I close my eyes - is someone vibrant and full of energy. She died after her 90th birthday, but she had not slowed a bit (at least in my memories). And her mind was still sharp as a tack and current. When my wife and I shared pictures of our wedding, she looked at every picture and soaked it all in. There was the spark in her eyes when you talked to her that showed how much life was still there.
That's what I'll remember. A vibrant person. A great cook. A doting grandma.
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