The Great Influencers ~ Found In A Teapot

  52 Ancestors in 52 Weeks 2024: Week 5 (INFLUENCER)

When I think about who in my family has had the greatest influence on me I keep coming back to my grandmother, Amy Almeda (nee Bayes) Graham. Some of my earliest memories include my grandmother.

She died this past November - this blog is about Grandma 
Remembering Grandma ~ Amy Almeda (nee Bayes) Graham

I came home with this treasure.

When I was growing up I was entranced with this teapot. I thought it was real gold. I believed it had incredible value along with it's beauty. 

A few years ago I went home to look after grandma when she had knee surgery, and the discussion of what treasures I might want came up.  I shared that I loved this teapot. As a tea drinker I had visions of making tea time fancy should I ever receive it. I wrote about that trip in this blog Greatest Challenge ~ Being Present

After grandma passed the family remembered that I had loved the teapot, and gifted it to me to remember grandma by. 

My initial thought had been that I would drink my tea from it everyday.

I took a look at that pot, and noticed the spidery crack-like visuals inside, and decided it might not survive daily usage. 

I decided that it would be better to look at it everyday instead of risking breakage. 

I may have known the story of where the teapot came from when I was growing up, but as an adult I no longer remembered.

I was so happy to receive this lovely message from my aunt:

💖💖 I woke up this morning thinking about Gram’s gold tea pot, cream and sugar…don’t know if you know this… but Nanny… Nellie Graham... bought this for mom… either for Xmas or her birthday... not sure how long ago..maybe 50 plus years… the salt and pepper and cup…Gram bought herself ... just thought you might like to know a bit of history around the set… love you 💕❤️

In reading the message I felt loved and reconnected to the treasure I brought home.

I responded

I love the stories ❤️ 

She responded

I wasn’t sure if anyone had told you… Gram always cherished the set… even though her and Nanny had their differences… I think she always had a soft spot for her… I think she felt sorry for her….. I’m glad you  got the set… like I say I’m not too sure how safe it is as the inside of the pot is so marked up… someone had told me once that if you put a teaspoon in the pot first… before you pour the hot water in the pot it will help from cracking it… don’t know if it’s an old wife’s tale. 🥰

I wrote about my great grandmother Nellie May (nee Cannon) Graham in this blog 
When you're named after your NPE ~ Nellie May Cannon

I responded

I have placed it on display rather than using it. 
I decided looking at it is better than risking a break

When I was growing up my parents always kept cash in a teapot in the china cabinet. It was there for us kids to pay for cabs home having grown up without debit cards. 

Wrapped up in memories, while writing this blog, I discovered the role of teapots in my life. 

With this blog I leave the history of the golden teapot for my children!!! 

This is why I search - 

Cause ... 

You can pick your friends, but you can't pick your family you know!

***Any errors are my own. Please send me any updates or corrections via the comments at the bottom of this blog post***

Photos:

Personal

Links:

Amy Johnson Crow, 52 Ancestors in 52 Weeks Challenge
https://www.amyjohnsoncrow.com/52-ancestors-in-52-weeks/

If you reference or use my blog posts in any way please

include a link to the specific blog and

credit http://somehowrelated.blogspot.com/

My blogs are ©Deborah Buchner, 2014 forward.

All rights reserved.

Please & Thank you!

______________________________________________________________

The American Revolution & War of 1812 ~ The Buchner Family Was There

52 Ancestors in 52 Weeks 2024: Week 4 (WITNESS TO HISTORY)

 "It appears that the oldest brother John Buchner, father of the teenaged “younger group” although advanced in years and continuously resident in New Jersey was also active in the Loyalist cause. His son Jacob referred to him as “John Boughner, Sr., U.E. Loyalist,” in his land petition. Jacob joined the New Jersey Volunteers in 1780 and served for the rest of the war as a sergeant and guide with the army. He “piloted” several persons from the enemy line to New York, where his regiment was stationed." 1

John Boughner noted above is my husband's 5th great grandfather via his father's paternal line, and his 6th great grandfather via his father's maternal line.

Johannes Theis (John) Buchner
BIRTH 18 SEP 1729 • Unnau, Westerwald, Hessen, Germany
DEATH 11 SEP 1791 • Hardwick Twp, Sussex, New Jersey, USA

John's son Jacob noted above is my husband's 4th great grandfather via his father's paternal line, and his 5th great grandfather via his father's maternal line. The family references him as Jacob the 1st. 

Jacob Buchner
BIRTH 31 MAY 1763 • Hardwick Twp, Sussex County, New Jersey , USA
DEATH 11 AUG 1841 • Woodhouse, Norfolk County, Ontario, Canada
married to
Catherine Schuyler (AKA: Shelar, Schuler, Shuler)
BIRTH 20 SEP 1767 • Sussex County, New Jersey, USA
DEATH 8 FEB 1855 • Woodhouse, Norfolk County, Ontario

X5 (X6) Great Grandpa John was a Loyalist during the American Revolution. He died before the War of 1812 started. Most of his brothers, sisters, nieces, and nephews settled as loyalist in the southern Ontario regions. Many of the towns & roads carry their various names.

The battle of Lundy's lane took place on John's nephew's property. The Buchner House is a historic home that is still available to visit.

Future holiday plans?  

VRBO - Buchner House

Wouldn't it be exciting for a namesake to book the Buchner House via VRBO. 

When looking at the family's history we are left wondering how pride in the United Empire Loyalists' roots fits with Truth & Reconciliation!!! 

This is why I search - 

Cause ... 

You can pick your friends, but you can't pick your family you know!

***Any errors are my own. Please send me any updates or corrections via the comments at the bottom of this blog post***

Footnotes:

1  Buchner-Boughner Family Origins. The Niagara Settlers. R. Robert Mutrie. Retrieved January 17th 2024 from
https://sites.google.com/site/niagarasettlers/pioneer-lives-2/buchner-Boughner-Familty-Origins 

Sources:

Ancestor Roll. Jacob Buchner. Grand River Branch of the UELAC. Retrieved January 18th 2024 from 
http://www.grandriveruel.ca/Grand_River22.htm

Buchner-Boughner Family Origins. R. Robert Mutrie. Retrieved January 18th 2024 from https://sites.google.com/site/niagarasettlers/pioneer-lives-2/buchner-Boughner-Familty-Origins

Buchner family name embedded in Niagara Falls history. Jonathan Milner Niagara This Week. Originally published Monday, January 20, 2020. Retrieved January 18th 2024 from
https://www.niagarathisweek.com/opinion/buchner-family-name-embedded-in-niagara-falls-history/article_e54d0c17-dbdb-5737-84ae-02f3ea6ddcaf.html

Buchner House. Cozy-Rustic-Heritage property! VRBO. Retrieved January 18th 2024 from 
https://www.vrbo.com/9836782ha

Buchner House. Heritage Property Details. Niagara Falls. Retrieved January 18th 2024 from 
https://niagarafalls.ca/living/heritage/273204-buchner-house.hp

Buchner House. Guidetags. Explore.  Retrieved January 18th 2024 from
https://www.guidetags.com/guidetags/explore//308-buchner-house

Buchner House. Canada's Historic Places. Retrieved January 18th 2024 from
https://www.historicplaces.ca/en/rep-reg/place-lieu.aspx?id=9749

BUCHNER SCHOOL AS MUSEUM IS CROWLAND TWP. PROJECT. Welland History. Retrieved January 18th 2024 from 
https://tales.wellandhistory.ca/2021/08/30/buchner-school-as-museum-is-crowland-twp-project/

Drummond Hill. Niagara Falls History. Retrieved January 18th 2024 from
https://www.niagarafallsinfo.com/niagara-falls-history/niagara-falls-municipal-history/drummond-hill/

Drummond Hill Cemetery. City of Niagara Falls. Locations and Histories. Cemeteries.  Retrieved January 18th 2024 from
https://niagarafalls.ca/city-hall/municipal-works/cemetery/locations-and-histories/drummond-hill.aspx

Links:

Amy Johnson Crow, 52 Ancestors in 52 Weeks Challenge
https://www.amyjohnsoncrow.com/52-ancestors-in-52-weeks/

If you reference or use my blog posts in any way please

include a link to the specific blog and

credit http://somehowrelated.blogspot.com/

My blogs are ©Deborah Buchner, 2014 forward.

All rights reserved.

Please & Thank you!

______________________________________________________________

Then Our Family Grew ~ As Time Passes

  52 Ancestors in 52 Weeks 2024: Week 3 (FAVOURITE PHOTO)

Continuing on with last week's theme - the evolution of this family.

First we were a couple, then we were a family, and then our family grew.

This photo from super fun family adventure day evokes the joy that day held.

When photos take you back to a specific moment in time!!! 

This is why I search - 

Cause ... 

You can pick your friends, but you can't pick your family you know!

***Any errors are my own. Please send me any updates or corrections via the comments at the bottom of this blog post***

Photo:

Personal

Links:

Amy Johnson Crow, 52 Ancestors in 52 Weeks Challenge
https://www.amyjohnsoncrow.com/52-ancestors-in-52-weeks/

If you reference or use my blog posts in any way please

include a link to the specific blog and

credit http://somehowrelated.blogspot.com/

My blogs are ©Deborah Buchner, 2014 forward.

All rights reserved.

Please & Thank you!

______________________________________________________________

First We Were A Couple ~ Then We Were A Family

  52 Ancestors in 52 Weeks 2024: Week 2 (ORIGINS)

Origins - Where exactly did this Bramble Bush begin?

First we were a couple

then we were a family

The roots of this Bramble Bush!!! 

This is why I search - 

Cause ... 

You can pick your friends, but you can't pick your family you know!

***Any errors are my own. Please send me any updates or corrections via the comments at the bottom of this blog post***

Photos:

Personal

Links:

Amy Johnson Crow, 52 Ancestors in 52 Weeks Challenge
https://www.amyjohnsoncrow.com/52-ancestors-in-52-weeks/

If you reference or use my blog posts in any way please

include a link to the specific blog and

credit http://somehowrelated.blogspot.com/

My blogs are ©Deborah Buchner, 2014 forward.

All rights reserved.

Please & Thank you!

______________________________________________________________

Fierce when Roused ~ Embracing My Scottish Heritage

 52 Ancestors in 52 Weeks 2024: Week 1 (FAMILY LORE)

This is my 6th year with the 52 Ancestors In 52 Weeks Challenge.

I first joined in 2019 not sure I would be able to successfully complete it. 

If only I could go back and tell my doubting self that I would write every week for 5 years, and sign up for a 6th ... she would never believe me.   

Each year I like to go back to the beginning of attempting to figure out where I fit in my own genealogical story. 

I was always curious about my family history. 

An elementary school project started me on pride in who I was and where I came from.

I wrote up my family tree, but only  to my grandparents on both sides.

I learned the family motto - Glory is the reward of valour -

"Clan Robertson (also known as clan Donnachaidh) can trace their heritage further back than any other Scottish clan. They take their name from Robert "Riabhach" ("Grizzled") Duncanson, who captured and put to death the assassins of King James I. The Robertson clan crest was awarded by James II to honour this act.

The Robertson clan motto is "Virtutis gloria merces" (Glory is the reward of valour)

and the clan crest is a hand holding a crown." 1

AND made the  Clan war cry mine
"Garg'n Uair Dhuisgear" is gaelic for "Fierce when Roused" 2 

I begged for a clan kilt

Clan Robertson Tartan

 

And at age 29 (pregnant with my second child) I discovered I wasn't a Robertson ... I was UKRAINIAN on that side - from Austria (how's that for confusing) my grandfather had changed his name and decided Robertson was the one he wanted. Hence that is the name on my birth certificate and my father before me. 

By 30 years of age I realized that I had no idea who I was or where I came from.  

It took me many years to understand how my Ukrainian great grandparents had Austrian Passports when they came to Canada in 1909. 

I was 49 before a DNA match confirmed my grandfather Clyde Robertson really was Max Pellack. 

I lost my Robertson heritage, but not my Scottish heritage. 

My paternal grandmother was born in North Berwick, Scotland. My maternal great grandfather was born in Holytown, Scotland. 

My love of all things Scottish is in my blood. 

In hindsight I always knew who I was, but the genealogical route was slightly off my previous belief systems.

When you feel the call of your ancestors!!!! 

This is why I search - 

Cause ... 

You can pick your friends, but you can't pick your family you know!

***Any errors are my own. Please send me any updates or corrections via the comments at the bottom of this blog post***

Footnotes:

1  Clan Robertson. Family Finder. Clan. Retrieved January 5th 2024 from
https://clan.com/family/robertson#:~:text=GLORY%20THE%20REWARD,OF%20VALOUR&text=The%20Robertson%20clan%20crest%20was,a%20hand%20holding%20a%20crown.

2  CLAN DONNACHAIDH HISTORY. Fargo, James E. Fargo, FSA Scot. Clan Donnachaidh Society, Mid-Atlantic Branch. Retrieved January 5th 2024 from https://www.robertson.org/G_history-general.html

Links:

Amy Johnson Crow, 52 Ancestors in 52 Weeks Challenge
https://www.amyjohnsoncrow.com/52-ancestors-in-52-weeks/

If you reference or use my blog posts in any way please

include a link to the specific blog and

credit http://somehowrelated.blogspot.com/

My blogs are ©Deborah Buchner, 2014 forward.

All rights reserved.

Please & Thank you!

______________________________________________________________