The Rainbow Bridge ~ Saying Goodbye to Furry Family Members

 52 Ancestors in 52 Weeks 2022: Week 42 (LOST)

We said goodbye to Simba last week. 

She turned 19 on August 27th, and passed away on October  12th. 

Simba, just a few weeks before she died

She was predeceased by her sister Frodo, on May 28th 2017, three months short of her 14th birthday. 

Frodo, just a few weeks before she died

Right until they died they were referenced as the kittens.

It didn't matter how old they were they would always be THE KITTENS.

In late 2001 my husband got a fulltime position with the ambulance service in Vancouver. We were unsure about moving to the Vancouver area. We decided to rent out our house in Grand Forks, and rent in the lower mainland to see if the job and city were for our family.  

In summer 2003 we realized the job was definitely what my husband needed, and our family needed to stay together so we started making long-term plans.

We began by giving notice to our tenant . While we waited for the tenant to move out we stayed in a family member's place in nearby Christina Lake. 

Around the middle of September the boys and I went to the general store in the plaza to pick up some supplies. When we entered the store we noticed staff of the store holding 2 tiny kittens. 

We heard these tiny kittens had been abandoned in a Proctor-Silex coffee pot box in the laundromat. They were found in the morning by the person opening the laundromat hearing their cries. It was realized that they were left alone in the box overnight. The person closing the night before never noticed the box or heard the kitten cries. No one was sure how long they had been in the box in the laundromat.

Given how small they were they were lucky to have survived that long without any food or water. 

It's a sad world we live in that that folks just dumped these adorable little kittens. 

The staff at the store asked the boys if they wanted to give these 2 tiny kittens a home. 

The boys were hooked. 

I was out-numbered. 

Plus they were so cute.

That night when I called my husband I started the conversation with "You know when you are out of town I will have to make some executive decisions on my own". 

There was a pause before he asked "What have you done?". 

I told him the story about the kittens at the store ending with "their names are Simba and Frodo".

He realized it was too late - they had names.

Simba was named by our 6 year old because she looked so much like Simba in the Lion King. 

Frodo was named by our almost 10 year old because she had furry toes. 

The Vet told us he thought they were about 3 weeks old. 

This was why they were not able to eat the food we had purchased for them.

Back to the store for kitten milk, and they began to thrive.

They were too young to have left their mother.

I had suggested that we should put a poster up on the Post Office's Community Board letting whoever had abandoned them know they received a good home. 

My husband said 'Not a chance. Let them suffer knowing they abandoned those kittens to certain death.' 

Those kittens lived a long life. 

Frodo was almost 14 years old when she died peacefully at home wrapped in a blanket, held by me, several hours after having a stroke. 

Simba lived 2 months past her 19th birthday. She suffered some sort of neurological event, and was held by my husband on her final visit to the vet. I was not able to join them because I was in covid isolation. 

When the kittens arrived to our home we had an almost 5 year old Manx cross that hated both kittens on sight. He never did warm to Simba, but Frodo became his buddy.

She was loved by all the furry friends she met.

Frodo had long white hair. 

It was a lot of work to keep herself groomed so she was grateful for the assistance of Oliver who passed away 3 months after Frodo. 

Frodo wasn't sure why she was loved by dogs. 

I'm pretty sure they thought she was a sheep. 

They herded her, and she complied by doing what they wanted her to do. 

She was a good natured cat. 

A dog and her cat ... Or Is that a cat a her dog?

Simba wasn't as tolerant of the dogs, but even she was their friend.

Siska really wishes Simba would leave so she could lay down but she's patient.
Simba thinks a cat on the hearth is a happy home

No longer having a canine friend Tori begins wooing the cat.
Wonder how long it will take to wear Simba down?

Simba was so small she could sit fully in the palm of our hand when she first arrived. She stayed pretty small her whole life. Her fur was super soft - she was known as the Velveteen Kitty! 

It wasn't until she needed some help grooming as a senior that we discovered her hair was short, but had the texture of a longhaired cat. 

Her legendary leaping skills of her younger years is likely why she was a good jumper into her senior years even after developing arthritis and going blind.

Tag team - dog pushed the pillow onto the floor from the couch - cat claims her throne

Her famous monorail 

always climbing and hiding

Seeking a little sun on a cold rainy day

When we first realized she was blind

Wearing her birthday hat

Cleaning her toes

Always willing to try a new food

Tea Time

She was an adventurous eater

And a few more photos of Frodo

Frodo has a Moby Dick tale

Frodo used the fish tank as her personal water dish

A perfect moment in time - a book, a tea, and a cat

Rest in Peace Simba - may you be wrestling with your friends. 

When your furry family members don't live long enough. 

Oh what a party there must be over the Rainbow Ridge!!!

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***

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!

______________________________________________________________

Family History Books ~ Handed Down

 52 Ancestors in 52 Weeks 2022: Week 41 (PASSED DOWN)

My favourite genealogy hand-me-down is the book I received from a newly found cousin. 

The book is called OUR COURAGEOUS PIONEERS:  History of Gronlid and Surrounding Districts of Argus, Athol, Edenbridge, Freedom, Maryville, Murphy Creek, Sandhill Creek, Taelman, Taras, Teddington. It's written by Gronlid and District Historical Society .

This family history book was gifted to me
from a newly found cousin

The first time I got a look at this book was via an interlibrary loan. I had the book in my possession for 2 weeks. It was just enough time to decide I really needed to own this book. There was no copies available from any traditional source. It was many years before I would be able to call a copy my own. All because a new cousin gifted it to me. 

I then realized I have been gifted quite a few family history books.

This family history book was gifted to me
from a newly found cousin on 23&Me

This family history book was gifted to me
from my grandmother's brother's daughter-in-law

This family history book was gifted to me
from a cousin on a family Facebook page

This family history book was gifted to me
from my husband's grandfather

This family history book was gifted to me
from my husband's grandmother

If any of these family history books have anything of interest to you - reach out via comment below, and I will share.

Hand me downs are such a great source of information!!!

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***

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!

______________________________________________________________

Preserved Clapp ~ Self-Preservation

 52 Ancestors in 52 Weeks 2022: Week 40 (PRESERVATION)

Week 40 had me thinking about self-preservation. 

This past week I was in our Nation's capital (Ottawa) for a conference. Since our kids live there it was a bonus opportunity to spend some time with them. 

It was an amazing week with lots of great information at the conference, and fun times with our kids. My husband was jealous that he couldn't join me. 

I had been worried about exposing the kids to covid so was super careful in the days before leaving,  in the airports & on the plane. 

No symptoms the entire time I was there.

When I arrived home on Thursday I did a test before bed even though I had no symptoms. I wanted to be sure - 1st test negative.

On Friday I woke up feeling like my chest was tight. 

By noon I had a fever - 2nd test negative. 

As the afternoon turned to evening I developed more symptoms. 

Before bed - 3rd test negative. 

I began to  wonder if our box of tests were duds.

On Saturday I woke up feeling awful, but decided it was a cold/flu since all the tests had been negative.

At noon I received a message from our oldest that he and our daughter-in-law tested positive. 

I decided another test was needed. As soon as the fluid headed up the test the positive line appeared - 4th test positive. 

Long story short - 6 of us spent time together on Monday and Tuesday. 4 of us began with symptoms on Friday, and tested positive on Saturday. 1 of us had covid a couple of months ago, and the 6th appears to be immune. 

I thought I was immune until this week. 

My husband had covid in the spring. I didn't get it even though we shared space.

The only consolation I have is that I didn't take it to the kids. 

We were all exposed at the same time as evidenced by our symptom/testing timelines. 

Back to self-preservation. 

I am not feeling very well. In fact I am feeling awful, and even worse when I don't take my fever & cold meds on time.

It would be understandable if I skipped writing my blog this week.  

In pondering not writing this week I thought about my reasons for writing. 

First I write for me. A tangible record of the research I have done.

Second I write for my children. A record for the future when I might not be here to answer their questions.

Third I write for a future me. A record to be found by someone, in the future, like me who is searching for where they fit in their own family story. 

Someday my kids may read this blog & remember the visit we shared. They may even see some humour in the fact that the 4 of us who got covid had honestly begun to feel like we were immune since we had avoided it over the past almost 3 years even with exposures. 

For this reason I decided writing this week about covid AND a family member named PRESERVED would be a quick entry. 

In October 2019 I wrote about 2nd cousin 9x removed Preserved Strong, but he is not the only PRESERVED in our Bramble Bush. 

Preserved is a Puritan name "...it would be pronounced Pre-serv-ed, emphasis on the middle syllable. His full name probably was Preserved in the Lord meaning his strength to resist evil and to prosper came from his ongoing belief in God." 1

I remember when I first found the Puritan lines in our Bramble Bush. The names intrigued me. It also intrigued me that not all of the children born to a couple were given these odd names. As noted below only 2 were given these Puritan names. The other 6 were given traditional family names.

My 1st cousin 10x removed is

Preserved Clapp
BIRTH 23 SEP 1643 • Dorchester, Suffolk County, Massachusetts, USA
DEATH 20 SEP 1720 • Northampton, Hampshire County, Massachusetts, USA

I didn't have any further information about Preserved, and thought it a good idea to add his spouse and children.

On June 4th 1668 Preserved married 
Sarah Newberry
BIRTH 14 JAN 1650 • Windsor, Hartford County, Connecticut, USA
DEATH 4 OCT 1716 • Northampton, Hampshire County, Massachusetts, USA

As often happens when I work on this section of the tree I had to be careful with adding new members. I already had Sarah in our Bramble Bush. Her brother Thomas was married to my 9th great aunt, Anne Ford. 

Preserved & Sarah (nee Newberry) Clapp had 8 children that I could find records for.

Sarah Clapp
BIRTH 24 FEB 1669 • Northampton, Hampshire, Massachusetts, USA
DEATH 1670 • Northampton, Hampshire, Massachusetts, USA

Wait Clapp
BIRTH 18 NOV 1670 • Northampton, Hampshire County, Massachusetts, USA
DEATH 29 JAN 1721 • Norwalk, Fairfield County, Connecticut, United States of America

Mary Clapp
BIRTH 14 DEC 1672 • Northampton, Hampshire, Massachusetts, USA
DEATH 2 NOV 1691 • Northampton, Hampshire, Massachusetts, USA

Preserved Clapp
BIRTH 29 APR 1675 • Northampton, Hampshire County, Massachusetts, USA
DEATH 11 OCT 1757 • Northampton, Hampshire County, Massachusetts, USA

Samuel Clapp
BIRTH 1677 • Northampton, Hampshire, Massachusetts, USA
DEATH AUG 1761 • Northampton, Hampshire, Massachusetts, USA

Hannah Clapp
BIRTH 5 MAY 1681 • Northampton, Hampshire County, Massachusetts, USA
DEATH 9 NOV 1758 • Northampton, Hampshire County, Massachusetts, USA

Roger Clapp
BIRTH 24 MAR 1684 • Northampton, Hampshire County, Massachusetts, USA
DEATH 9 JAN 1762 • Northampton, Hampshire County, Massachusetts, USA

Thomas Clapp
BIRTH 16 JUN 1688 • Northampton, Hampshire County, Massachusetts, USA
DEATH 1745 • Hartford, Hartford County, Connecticut, USA

While teasing apart the spouses for their children I discovered an error I made at some point in the past where I made a sister a daughter.  With a search through records I managed to untangle that mess.

Along with this error I also discovered several of their children married into other areas of our Bramble Bush. A few I had to merge as duplicates. Whenever I research this part of our Bramble Bush I end up going back and forth ensuring I haven't duplicated & ultimately merging where I have made errors.

It was then that I realized I was spending more time working on this blog than I had intended, but what else was I going to do since I was bored laying on the couch.

When your quick entry results in a lot more digging!!!

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***

Footnote:

1 Battick, Nancy. Family Discoverer, Puritan names. Piscataquis Observer, Originally published September 3rd 2020. Retrieved October 9th 2022 from
https://observer-me.com/2020/09/03/opinion/puritan-names/

Source:

Preserved Clapp. Early American Ancestors. Retrieved October 9th 2022 from 
http://www.earlyamericanancestors.com/surnames/clapp/preserved1.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!

______________________________________________________________

Summer of 1980 ~ First Kiss, Mowing Lawns, & a Tornado

 52 Ancestors in 52 Weeks 2022: Week 39 (ROAD TRIP)

The prompt ROAD TRIP left me thinking about Google Maps street view. 

I then started thinking about what time and place from my past I wanted to revisit. 

I decided I would try to find the house I had lived in during the summer of 1980 in Dashwood, Ontario.

Walking the streets I am fairly confident this is the house we lived in

At first I thought the house was rebuilt since it had a dormer with balcony off the upper section when we lived there 42 years ago. 

BUT then I noticed the imprinting where the balcony would have been when I zoomed in closer. 

The pear tree in the front of the house is gone. My mother canned those pears, but first my brother and I had to collect them. I'm pretty sure it was me that climbed the tree & my brother that put them in the pail. 

I also walked the street and found the Fire Hall in the next block. 

I used to stand out on the balcony by my bedroom on the top floor watching the volunteer fire fighters run down the street from all directions when the bells began to ring. 

I remember watching my dad's friend, Jim Rumball,  snapping his suspenders into place as he was running. They lived a few doors down the street. I babysit their 3 kids. 

It's also where I had my first kiss. 

I don't know if my parents or the Rumballs knew I had my boyfriend over while I was babysitting. 

My clearest memory of that first kiss?  How strongly he smelled of Aqua Velva aftershave and his sweaty palms. 

I wonder if he even remembers that kiss.

I also remember how big the lawn was. My brother and I took turns mowing that lawn. While one mowed the other sat on the picnic table with a timer. When I looked at the photo I realized the lawn wasn't as big as I remembered. I've mowed way bigger lawns over the years. This one likely stands out as it was the first time we were responsible for lawn mowing. 

I walked up the street on the other side, and immediately flashed back to the summer Rec program I attended at the park. 

That summer the summer rec staff person taught me how to flare my nostrils like a rabbit. I can't remember if she showed it to us like a party trick. The moment I saw it I knew it was a skill I needed. It took all summer, but to this day I can flare my nostrils on demand.

I remember she was very friendly, fun, beautiful, and had an NFL football player boyfriend. He joined her one time that summer, and did trust exercises with us. All I remember about him was that he had dark curly hair, was fun, and very good looking. 

The other summer rec memory I have was the trip to Boblo Island. We were loaded into various parent's vehicles for the 3 hour drive. 

It was just my brother and I from our family, and we traveled in different vehicles. It was my first time being brave enough to go on the roller coaster. It might have been peer pressure or trying to look brave in front of the younger children - all I know is that was the first time I chose to conquer a fear. That roller coaster ride was fantastic. 

By the time we came off the roller coaster the sky was dark. They began shutting down the bigger rides. People waiting in lines began yelling at the staff while their children were crying. 

Then we heard the tornado siren. 

The summer rec staff began gathering all the children to load them on to the ferry that took us to the island. We had walked on the ferry leaving the vehicles in the parking lot so it was quick to get all the kids off the island. 

When we arrived to the parking lot it was remembered that one of the parents had dropped the kids & left. The plan had been to come back at the scheduled end time. In 1980 there was no cell phones. We were leaving the island earlier than expected. The summer staff explained to the three oldest, me & 2 boys, that we were going to stay behind to wait for the parent who would be there in at the expected departure time. 

In looking back I should have been more afraid then I was. The 3 of us took cover under a large bush, and waited. It was rainy, the wind was howling, and it was dark. We stayed right there until the parent arrived. Complicating things further - we weren't the children she had dropped off. We didn't know her or her car & she didn't know us. I have no idea how long that was exactly, but it felt like hours. 

When my brother arrived home my parents were relieved. They had heard about the Tornado warning, and were worried. When they realized my brother was alone they were confused. Their confusion turned to fear when he explained I was left behind in a parking lot with 2 boys while the tornado siren continued to blare. The response I got when I arrived home made me realize the situation had been scarier than I realized. Looking back on it now as an adult & parent I can't believe the decision was made. Then again - what other choice did they have given the parenting of the time and no way to contact anyone. 

The entire summer rec program is reduced to these 2 people, my nostril flaring skills, and that field trip.

I know there were other staff & activities, but they didn't make any lasting impressions on me. 

I also remember my bike ride home from the park, and was delighted to find this photo that is exactly as I remember

Looking back through your own memories!!!

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:

Google Maps. Streetview & Directions. Retrieved October 2nd 2022 from 
https://www.google.ca/maps?hl=en&tab=rl&authuser=0

Sources:

Haddad, Ken. The story of Boblo Island. Click On Detroit. Originally published May 25th 2020. Retrieved October 2nd 2022 from
https://www.clickondetroit.com/all-about-michigan/2019/06/28/the-story-of-boblo-island/

The Haunted Theatre Of Boblo Island. Your Ghost Stories. Old Dude. Originally published December 15th 2014. Retrieved October 2nd 2022 from https://www.yourghoststories.com/real-ghost-story.php?story=20963

We visited Boblo Island 23 years after its amusement park closed. Originally published August 1st 2016. Retrieved October 2nd 2022 from

https://www.mlive.com/travel/2016/08/this_is_what_life_is_like_on_b.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!

______________________________________________________________

New Facts ~ Still a Brick Wall

52 Ancestors in 52 Weeks 2022: Week 39 (NEW TO YOU)

New to me?

When I first started thinking about this prompt I had no idea what I would write about.

I decided to open our Bramble Bush & look at my brick wall lines.

As I was considering my father's paternal line I realized I hadn't gone back to look at anyone else's hints now that the 1926 prairie census was released.

When it was first released I searched page by page looking for the Pellack family name. I just couldn't wait until the transcripts were finished. 

With excitement I found the family, and then thought 'now I wait for the 1931 to be released.

At no point did I think about the other members of the family that were still living in Saskatchewan that might be able to help me break down the wall.

This week I spent hours researching the family members that remained in the Saskatchewan area.

I looked at my dad's DNA matches again searching with the extended family last names.

In the end I have added lots more details, but the brick wall remains.

Going back to look at the NEW TO ME facts!!!

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:

Alexander & Mary (nee Maximiw) Pellack. Our Courageous Pioneers : History of Gronlid and Surrounding Districts of Argus, Athol, Edenbridge, Freedom, Maryville, Murphy Creek, Sandhill Creek, Taelman, Taras, Teddington. (Melfort Saskatchewan: Phillips Publishers , 1991), 188

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!

______________________________________________________________