When Your Captain Refuses to Speak ~ Staycationing

 52 Ancestors in 52 Weeks 2024: Week 27 (PLANES)

We are on vacation this week, but sadly did not hear those magical words.... 'this is your Captain speaking' because we decided to staycation.

Had things been different I could have easily used this week's prompt to feature our vacation plans. BUT since we decided to stay home I was thinking there was no reason I couldn't just write my blog as usual. 

Then we started treating this vacation like a resort vacation, and I decided to feature our 'off resort excursion day'.

We are registered for the Great Cycle Challenge again this year (my 4th, Chris' 5th), and are in training for the August official rides. For this reason we decided to incorporate cycling into our day. Renting a 2 seater cycle cart at the Greater Vancouver Zoo seemed like an ideal way to spend the day.

The animals were active today. We thought it might be because it wasn't too hot & there was a light breeze.

At least one species finds knees that make a clicking sound to be a sign of strength & virility 🤣

Finding this area where conservation is taking place - priceless

The dinosaur area at the Zoo is coming along. The motion part of the dinosaurs is not yet functional, but the dinosaurs were fantastic to look at.

We have a stump in our front garden that could definitely be made into an adorable feature similar to this.

Strava recorded a 5.9 km ride that included 1.5 hrs of moving time over a 4 hour visit. 

We were shocked that we cycled almost 6 kms given how much time we spent off the bike.  

After our active day outside we were starved so headed to Olive Garden for dinner.

When you have an amazing vacation day!!! 

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***

Sources:

Great Cycle Challenge. Retrieved July 4th 2024 from 
https://greatcyclechallenge.ca/

Greater Vancouver Zoo. Retrieved July 4th 2024 from
https://www.gvzoo.com/

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!

______________________________________________________________

Family Search Infographic ~ Gathering My Family's Facts

 52 Ancestors in 52 Weeks 2024: Week 26 (FAMILY GATHERING)

It wasn't too long ago that I discovered Family Search's Infographic in my account.

I found that my family information was gathered into one place. 

Looking at a snapshot of where your family originated!!! 

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:

X3 Clipped from Family Search. Retrieved June 7th 2024

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!

______________________________________________________________

Perry Mason ~ My 8th cousin X3 removed Erle Stanley Gardner

 52 Ancestors in 52 Weeks 2024: Week 25 (STORYTELLER)

When I was in grade seven I won an essay contest writing about the fire that burned our school when I was in grade five. 

When my teacher told me I had won she mentioned the judges had said I was a very good storyteller. 

For a hot minute I wondered about being an author for my career. 

All these years later I still weave a tale, but my audiences aren't always delighted with the amount of detail and long-windedness those stories contain. 

As I watch their eyes glaze over I will hear my Polish neighbour's voice in my head -  'get to point'. 

Sometimes I follow her heed, but other times I just can't skip over what I view as important details. 

These are not the details my audience necessarily feels are important! 

I need to learn the art of short story writing where not one extra word/detail is included.

In thinking about Storyteller I decided to write about an author that is in this Bramble Bush. 

I used WikiTree and Famous Kin to discover an author connected. 

I read the list of of Famous Kin for my 10th great grandparents, Thomas & Elizabeth (nee Charde) Ford for an author that intrigued me. 

I found my 8th cousin X3 removed, Erle Stanley Gardner

BIRTH 17 JUL 1889 • Malden, Middlesex, Massachusetts, USA
DEATH 11 MAR 1970 • Temecula, Riverside, California, USA

Erle's 7th great grandparents are my 10th great grandparents:

Thomas Ford

B: 6 Jan 1589 Powerstock, Dorset, England, United Kingdom

D: 28 Nov 1676 Northampton, Hampshire, Massachusetts, USA
&

Elizabeth Charde

B: 1589 Thorncombe, Bridgeport, Dorsetshire, England

D: 18 Apr 1643 Windsor, Hartford,  Connecticut, British Colonial America

Erle was the author of the Perry Mason series. 

"Erle Stanley Gardner
(born July 17, 1889, Malden, Mass., U.S.—died March 11, 1970,
Temecula, Calif.) was an American author and lawyer who wrote
nearly 100 detective and mystery novels that sold more than
1,000,000 copies each, making him easily the best-selling
American writer of his time. His best-known works centre on
the lawyer-detective Perry Mason."  1

Although no longer in first runs during my childhood the re-runs must have been popular because I remember the theme song very well!

When you hear or see something that immediately takes you back to childhood!!! 

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  Erle Stanley Gardner, American author. Encyclopedia Brittanica.
Retrieved June 19th 2024 from
https://www.britannica.com/biography/Erle-Stanley-Gardner

Sources:

Famous Kin of Elizabeth Charde.  Elizabeth Charde Genealogy. Famous Kin.  Retrieved June 18th 2024 from 
https://famouskin.com/famous-kin-menu.php?name=6418+elizabeth+charde

Famous Kin of Thomas Ford.  Thomas Ford Genealogy. Famous Kin.  Retrieved June 18th 2024 from 
https://famouskin.com/famous-kin-menu.php?name=6417+thomas+ford

My Connections: Featured Connections.  My WikiTree. WikiTree.  Retrieved June 18th 2024 from https://www.wikitree.com/

Photos:

Erle Stanley Gardner.  John Atherton, CC BY-SA 2.0 <https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/2.0>, via Wikimedia Commons. Retrieved June 19th 2024 from
https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Erle-Stanley-Gardner-1966.jpg

The Case of the Stuttering Bishop poster. Warner Bros. https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:The_Case_of_the_Stuttering_Bishop_poster.jpg Warner Bros., Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons. 
Retrieved June 19th 2024 from
https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:The_Case_of_the_Stuttering_Bishop_poster.jpg

Photo of Raymond Burr as Perry Mason and Barbara Hale as Della Street from the television series Perry Mason. CBS Television, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons. Retrieved June 19th 2024 from
https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Raymond_Burr_Barbara_Hale_Perry_Mason_1958.jpg

Photograph of William Hopper, Barbara Hale and Frank Sully in the CBS-TV series Perry Mason. CBS Television (photographer unknown), Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons. Retrieved June 19th 2024 from
https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Perry-Mason-Hopper-Hale-1958.jpg

Video:

Perry Mason Theme. spudtv. Retrieved June 23rd 2024 from
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PA9t1nSGXXE

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!

______________________________________________________________

Brave, Hardy, Strong ~ 12th great grandmother Margaret (nee Gerard) Lyman

 52 Ancestors in 52 Weeks 2024: Week 24 (HARD TIMES)

I decided I didn't want to focus on hard times this week. 

To be honest I like to look on the sunnier side of life, and rarely focus on difficult/challenging things. 

Over the year I have heard folks say I view the world through rose coloured glasses. 

I'd like to believe I am resilient, and prefer focusing on the positive with an attitude of gratitude ... BUT there is a good chance that I am just not very aware of what is happening around me. 

I believe this is a trait I inherited from my mother. 

Mom was known to be sitting right in the middle of a family conflict, and have absolutely no idea what had happened as folks stormed off and left her sitting there completely bewildered.

It's not a bad trait to focus on the positive, and ignore things that don't fit. It makes living in my head a whole lot easier!

With that in mind I decided to research names that mean resilient or hardy who would be great to have around in HARD TIMES.

I discovered the name Gerard means

"English (chiefly Lancashire) and French (Gérard) : from the personal name Gerard, Gérard, introduced to Britain from France by the Normans; it is composed of the Germanic elements gār, gēr ‘spear’, ‘lance’ + hard ‘hardy’, ‘brave’, ‘strong’."   1

My maternal 12th great grandmother was
Margaret Gerard
BIRTH 1518 • Beauchamp Roding, Essex, England
DEATH 20 AUG 1580 • Navestock, Essex, England

She married X12 great grandfather
John Lyman
BIRTH ABT. 1516 • Navestock, Essex, England
DEATH 1587 • Navestock, Essex, England

Margaret's parents (X13 great grandparents) were:

William Gerard

BIRTH 1502 • Trent, Somerset, England

DEATH 1562 • Beauchamp, Essex, England
&

Dorothy Paige

BIRTH 1490 • Sudbury Court, Beauchamp, Essex, England

DEATH 1560

I would like to believe the family name Gerard evolved due to the brave/hardy/strong ways of my ancestors.

"...Some surnames derive from personal traits..."  2

When your family descends from a long line of HARDY resilient folks!!! 

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  Gerard. Family name origins & meanings. Baby Names. Family Education. Retrieved June 14th 2024 from
https://www.familyeducation.com/baby-names/name-meaning/gerard

2  History of Surnames. Historic UK. Retrieved June 14th 2024 from
https://www.historic-uk.com/CultureUK/Surnames/#:~:text=Some%20surnames%20derive%20from%20personal,York%2C%20Lancaster%2C%20London%20etc.

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!

______________________________________________________________

My Family Lives To 100 ~ Until They Don't

 52 Ancestors in 52 Weeks 2024: Week 23 (HEALTH)

As a teenager I would glibly reply that I came from a family that lived to 100 when anyone would wonder about my risk-taking behaviour. 

Me on the left

As an adult I realized that not everyone lived to 100 in my family, and I became a lot more cautious.

This week I decided to look at whether my family really did live to a 100!

My 5th great grandmother, Martha, lived to 105 according to her death registry.

Martha (nee Boulter) Tuck
BIRTH 28 JAN 1779 • Norwich, Norfolk, England
DEATH 24 NOV 1883 • Northumberland, Ontario, Canada

her husband X5 great grandfather, James,  died at age 101 according to his death registry

James Tuck
BIRTH 19 JAN 1780 • Sharrington, Norfolk, England
DEATH 13 JAN 1881 • Cramahe Township, Northumberland, Ontario, Canada

Given the time in history their living to 100 is amazing.

There is some discrepancy on whether their birth dates from England are accurate, but regardless they did live a very long life. 

Many of their descendants lived very long, healthy, independent lives. My maternal grandmother who passed away at age 96 last November is their 3rd great granddaughter. 

Now back to 'my family lives to 100 ... until they don't!'

On the same page as X5 great grandpa James is his granddaughter, Mary Ann Bayes, who passed away at age 19 from heart disease. The death registry says 20. 

I descend through Mary Ann's brother Solomon who died of Cerebral Hemorrhage at age 68.

My risk taking behavour reduced even further when my mother passed away at age 65. 

She was only 18 when I was born. In that moment I lost my mom & my belief that I might live to 100. 

I realized that if I died at the same age as my mom I would be gone in 18 years. 

In the years since my head is in a better place ... 
                                    I still miss her fiercely 💔💔💔

When you might live to 100, but you might not!!! 

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***

Sources:

Death Registries clipped from Ancestry June 4th 2024

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!

______________________________________________________________

Isobell Robertsone ~ Devoted, Creative, Independent

 52 Ancestors in 52 Weeks 2024: Week 22 (CREATIVITY)

I decided to take a creative approach to this week's prompt.

I began by searching for a name that meant creative that I recognized was in my tree. 

I found Isobel "Devoted, creative, independent" 1

My 9th great grandmother, Isobell Robertsone.

The only source we have is the name listed on her daughter's baptism available on Ancestry & Family Search. The trail to X9 great grandmother Isobell is sourced well, but who she was is a mystery to me... 

     ---- even after spending the past few days searching.

Her marriage on January 31st 1668 to X9 great grandfather, Andrew Cowgasse, was added on Family Search without sources or any details. 

Their daughter
my X8 great grandmother, Elspeth Cowgasse,
was baptised September 4th 1669
in the parish of Parish of Mains and Strathmartine. 

She married, Patrick Kinnier (X8 great grandfather)
June 4th 1695 in the same parish she was baptized in.

Since I could find no details, and have never heard anything about X9 great grandma Isobell, I wondered if she fit for the descriptions?

"Your tendency is to finish whatever you start. You like to use the pen or the needle (writing, fashion design etc). You are loving, compassionate, intuitive and humanitarian. Runs of luck, either good or bad, follow you. You are sympathetic, but at times might be touchy and oversensitive. You may have a gift for writing.You are intuitive and might be interested in the arts, drama or science.

Position and social status is very important for you and you are always looking for way to improve your position in society. You have power and ability to chose your own destiny and achieve anything you want in life. You can expand in any direction according to your will and the set of values. You have passion for justice and belong to the position of authority. You have an inherent courage and endurance to accomplish "The Impossible Dream". With the power comes responsibility. You hold keys to the material world, but with this gift comes high spiritual responsibility to be fair and true to others. You are philosophical and mature, determined and intense with a desire to endure, often religious."  2

It seems I have to engage in more research to discover my devoted, creative, and independent X9 great grandmother Isobell

When you are back to the 1600s, and sources are hard to find!!! 

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  Isobel. Baby Names. Mom Junction. Retrieved May 28th 2024 from
https://www.momjunction.com/baby-names/isobel/

2  Name Isobel Meaning. Name Numerology. Seven Reflections. Retrieved May 28th 2024 from
https://www.sevenreflections.com/name-numerology/isobel/

Sources:

Mains and Strathmartine (Angus). Records, sources & information about the Parish of Mains and Strathmartine. Retrieved May 30th 2024 from
https://www.ancestor.abel.co.uk/Angus/Mains.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!

______________________________________________________________

Bucky At Work ~ Chris At Home

 52 Ancestors in 52 Weeks 2024: Week 21 (NICKNAME)

This tiny baby was born in a small town in Ontario. He was the first born grandchild on his father's side & 2nd for his mother's. 

As he got older his value began to become apparent               

As a child he wanted to be a pilot when he grew up. 

Chris with his younger sister

There are people alive today who are glad his plan to be a pilot never materialized. He has impacted the lives of thousands upon thousands of folks, as a Paramedic, in the province of British Columbia. 

On the job he's known as Bucky. 

When I met him he was a first aid attendant in construction. 

Bucky didn't yet exist. 

It was not too long after we met that he was hired by BC Ambulance service to work on-call, and Bucky was born.

After 8 years working 2 jobs he became a full-time Paramedic working the entire Lower Mainland of Vancouver including the Downtown Eastside. Over the years he worked his way further East to be closer to home. 2 years ago he was promoted to Manager. 

This week he received notification that he will be the recipient of the 2024 Canadian Governor General's Exemplary Service Award in the Emergency Medical Services category.

"Emergency Medical Services Exemplary Service Medal

The Emergency Medical Services Exemplary Service Medal ...
recognizes professionals in the provision of pre-hospital emergency medical services to the public, who have performed their duties in an exemplary manner, characterized by good conduct, industry and efficiency."  1

You just need to watch this video (recorded in 2017) to see the passion he has for the job he loves & the people he cares for.

In the 30 years Chris has been a paramedic he has experienced challenges and hardship. 

He has faced his own greatest fears when work and family have collided. 

Through it all he has shown strength & resiliency.

It's hard to be a hero 24/7. 

Bucky doesn't live with us. 

At home he is Chris. 

Every now and then Bucky makes an appearance at home, but mostly he's just a regular guy living life.

I will update this blog with photos and links once they become available (late fall 2024 or early 2025). 

When the hero is in your own family!!! 

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  Emergency Medical Services Exemplary Service Medal.
Retrieved May 18th 2024 from
https://www.gg.ca/en/honours/canadian-honours/directory-honours/exemplary-service-medals/emergency-medical-services-exemplary-service-medal

Photos:

Personal

Family photo. ChrisTopher Films. Used with permission. 

Videos:

Bucky: A Paramedic's Story#1. Smitty Speaks. Originally published April 2017, Republished June 2017. Retrieved May 18th 2024 from 
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_TzyuV9yy4c&t=69s

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!

______________________________________________________________