52 Ancestors Week 42: A Life Compared to Mine

 From Amy Johnson Crow: Week 42:

The theme for Week 42 is “A Life Compared to Mine.” The more you work on genealogy, the more you realize that people are people. Who is an ancestor whose life has parallels to yours? Or who is completely different? 

And there came a day.....

    When I first saw this week's prompt, I was unsure what to write about. Let's face it. I'm on the young side compared to many of my fellow genealogists. I was born in the late 1970s and raised in the 1980s and 1990s. While my parents and grandparents have lived through the events that inspired the song "We Didn't Start the Fire", the fire is still burning. Pulling on that thread didn't feel right. How would their lives compare with my own?

   I looked around my room and saw the many things I've collected over the years. I have new versions of various '80s toys that have made a comeback in recent years in the form of Hasbro's "G.I. Joe Classified" and "Transformers" line. Mattel had even brought back the "Masters of the Universe" line and that line even had crossed over with  the likes of "Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles" and the  "Thundercats". Those lines tend to cater toward adult collectors along with Hasbro's "Marvel Legends". All that's missing now is the return of a few other '80s and '90s toy lines and the circle would be complete. To top it off, I have a vast collection of comic books.  That got me to thinking. Who in my family has also collected things? Who, indeed?

Nana and Papa, collectors!

    Both of my maternal grandparents were no stranger to collecting things. Grandpa Bob collected John Philip Sousa records, model planes/cars and other assorted items. My grandmother Natalie?  Oh, she collected astonishingly lifelike dolls that peered into your soul like "Annabelle". Those things were so creepy that I don't even have photos of them. When my grandmother passed away, we split the collection amongst my lady cousins. I tried not to smile too widely as I saw them go to their forever homes.

    I do wish I took pictures of my grandfather's collection, though because they were really cool. He had so many records and since my brother was also into collecting records, I really thought he'd have inherited them. Alas, that was not meant to be. At least we have a few of his planes!

    I'm not entirely sure when either of my grandparents started collecting things because they never really told me and it was one of the questions I never actually asked them. It had to have been well before I was born because as far back as I can remember they had various models hanging around the house or those creepy dolls. The worst place to display them was in the bathroom. To this day I have no idea why my grandmother put one of them in there on a tricycle smiling at people. Maybe space was at a premium.

All they wanted to do was change
the world.

    At least I can tell you when I started reading comic books. It was the late 1980s and I grew up watching various superhero related cartoons including the ones I mentioned earlier. One of them was "Spider-Man and his Amazing Friends". To say that cartoon got me hooked on the Marvel universe was a bit of an understatement. I don't know what was about Marvel because I also watched reruns of the 1960s Adam West "Batman" series and the odd episode of "Super Friends" growing up. Maybe it was because the Marvel characters at the time were just larger than life. After all, Stan Lee did strive to make his characters all too human and that became the blueprint for every character in the Marvel universe going forward. Don't get me wrong. I still love the DC universe. Who doesn't love and respect their characters? Marvel just won my heart.

    By the 1990s, I was reading comic books regularly and one of my favorite titles, aside from "Spider-Man", "Avengers" and "X-Men", was Marvel's "New Warriors". I'd be lying if I said it wasn't an inspiration for my own "Starbolts" webcomic. The comic was so good that I managed to collect every single issue from its original 1990-1996 run and volumes two, four and five. I wasn’t a fan of volume three and the reality show gimmick. 

 Today, many collectors including myself compare the team with the Distinguished Competition's very own "Teen Titans". There's just something about teenage superheroes that capture readers' imagination and to think certain publishers were against the idea of teenage heroes headlining their own titles. It all started with Spidey.

        My grandparents had similar feelings toward their collections. When you collect something, you want the things that makes you happy or nostalgic for years gone by. There's always a temptation of hoarding too much of something, though. The trick is to know your limits, take a look around at space available and collect the things that interest you. When that collection of yours no longer makes you happy, it may be time to take care of the things you once cherished. Collecting comics and the dolls and models my grandparents had are comparable because it made them happy. Those dolls were freaky but they made my grandmother happy and that's what's important. 

    Sometimes our collections would cross over. I remember showing my grandfather the "Transformers" that transformed into F-15s. He appreciated the detail of the figure in plane mode and was pretty amazed that it transformed into a robot in a few steps. These days the "Transformers" require an engineering degree to get them into either mode. At least the details are still there after all these years. The "Transformers" have been going strong since 1984. 

    As far as comics go, I did show my grandfather my comic collection. He was amazed that "Captain America" was still around as he read his adventures in his youth. He even asked me how "Superman" was doing. I was never quite sure how to tell him that Clark had died, came back, married Lois Lane, and even had kids with her. When a character has been around for decades, sometimes it’s good to let them grow up with the readers.

Heroes for the '90s in plastic form.

        At this point I only collect the things that I have some connection to like the Marvel Legends “New Warriors” figures in the picture. They represent a comic that I was an avid reader of. I have the entire 1990 to 1996 run like I said and while they might not be worth as much as comics from the 1960s, they still hold some sentimental value because I grew up reading the comic. The same applies to various video games I have accumulated over the years, too.

    My grandparents likely felt the same way about their stuff. I never thought that their collections ever really took over their house. Mine certainly don't. I just need to be selective in my collection. That's what any good collector should do!

    These days, I'm not entirely sure what happened to my grandfather's record collection or his models. I think my Uncle Bob has them. I know that the creepy dolls have been dispersed amongst the granddaughters and that's honestly for the best. My mother didn't want them in her house and she has her own collection of Lladro figurines to worry about. At least collecting is a fun hobby and yes there's a concern about what to do with the items once you are gone. Again, there's nothing wrong with collecting the things that make you happy. When they stop making you happy, that's when it becomes a problem. In the end, collections of comics, dolls and models become a vital part of our family history because it gives people a glimpse of what kind of a person the collector was. 

See ya next time.

The New Warriors are property of Marvel Comics.

52 Ancestors Week 41: What the Timeline Shows

 From Amy Johnson Crow: Week 41:

The theme for Week 41 is “What the Timeline Shows.” Timelines are great for putting events in context and spotting gaps in your research. What is something you’ve discovered using a timeline? (Or, any clock- or watchmakers in the family?)

Tell me, Doctor. Where are we going this time?

    I would be lying if I didn't try to put timelines together for my ancestors. I know Ancestry, Wikitree and other sites have an app or something where the tree owner is presented with a very rough idea of a person's life. Granted, a lot of those timelines are created when you input data into the profile or if you add a source. For example, say someone was born in 1925. They would normally appear in the 1930 US census with their parents. Once that source is added, the event is placed into their profile and their personal timeline. Pretty simple, right? Well, what if I told you I went one step beyond. Shocking, right? I like thinking outside of the box!

    While I was gathering various census data and adding them to the profiles, I got to thinking.  If I had a time machine, what would be the best time to visit? When would I have the best opportunity to see as many of my ancestors as possible regardless of the distance? After going through a ton of census data and looking at all the facts, I concluded that the best time to visit everyone would be in the year 1950.

    I came to that conclusion just after looking at the 1950 census and finding both of my parents living in Haverhill, Mass as small children. Come to think of it. My parents were miles away from each other at the time. Kind of cool.

    According to the timeline,  all four of my grandparents would all be in Haverhill at that time, too. Other ancestors would be in Newburyport or living in Italy. Sadly, the only great-grandparent I wouldn't be able to visit would be Maria Tedesco as she passed away in 1943.

    That puts me in quite a predicament. I wanted to see what the best time I could visit all of my ancestors would be and the first barrier is the untimely death of my great-grandmother Maria. What do I do? The year 1950 might not be the best time period to be in if she's not around.

    The next logical step would be to go back another ten years to 1940. In 1940, all four of my grandparents were around as well as all eight of my great-grandparents. They were all living in Haverhill or Newburyport. Would that be the best time period to visit? It just might be when you consider that all but five 2nd great-grand parents were around too, including the ones in San Pietro a Maida! I guess 1940 wouldn't be too bad even though Antione Legault and Lucie Cadran would both be long gone. Beggars can't be choosers!

Giuseppe and Clementina

    As you can tell, it's tough for to pin down an exact date I could take the time machine and visit ancestors and relatives. Everyone is either deceased or haven't been born yet. Ah....Don't you just love time travel?

    Okay. We've decided that the year 1940 is a good time period to visit as far as my family tree goes. Why? Like I said, it's because everyone is around and even though the Legaults aren't around I would make the best of it and visit Henrietta and her older sisters in nearby West Newbury like her sister Delphine.

    The timeline suggests that that's one of the best year to visit because of the sheer volume of ancestors and relatives living in the Merrimack valley. And we also have to take Italy into account, too. However, is it the best?

    At the time of the 1940 US census, my 2nd great-grandparents Marco Ferraiolo, Caterina Coppola, Antonio Tedesco and Maria Domenica Gullo were living in San Pietro a Maida wondering when their children  and relatives in America will be sending them letters. My second great-grandmother Maria Giovanna Capobianco was even still around as she lived in Gesualdo. Would I visit them? Sure! And yes, I know there's a language barrier. Don't worry. I'd bring a universal translator aka my phone with the Google Translate app.

Gertrude Stevens, front and Senter.

        Now that I think about it. Would 1940 be the best year to visit? Why not see what was going on ten years earlier in 1930? Everyone in the 1940 census would be around in 1930 and my Italian ancestors in San Pietro a Maida and Gesualdo would be there, too! And as an added bonus Lucie Cadran would be around and so would my grandparents. They'd be young, sure. However, they'd be around and so that would count!

    Okay. Does that settle my adventure through time and space? I sure hope so! Trying to decide on a time period where the maximum amount of people are around is pretty tricky. I honestly think 1930 would be the best time period for me to visit over all. The timeline again suggests everyone  was either living in the Merrimack valley at the time or in Italy.

    In order to cement this, let's list where my ancestors were in this time period. I don't want to have to pick another time period! Let's take a look.

   In 1930, here's where everyone in my first thirty ancestors was living:

* Vincenzo Ferraiolo, Maria Tedesco and Marco Ferraiolo: 35 Pilling Street, Haverhill, Mass.

* Giuseppe Carrabs, Clementina Forgione and Olympia Carrabs: 26 Bartlett Street, Haverhill, Mass.

* Alfred Hamel, Clara Laplante and Robert Hamel: 25 Franklin Street, Newburyport, Mass.

* Austin Felker, Henrietta Legault and Natalie Felker: 40 Margerie St, Haverhill, Mass.

* Marco Ferraiolo, Caterina Coppola, Antonio Tedesco and Maria Domenica Gullo: San Pietro a Maida

* Maria Giovanna Capobianco: Gesualdo

* Eugene Hamel and Celanise Lefebvre: 12 Whitner Ave, Amesbury, Mass.

* Joseph Laplante and Georgianna Ross: 12 Bromfield St, Newburyport, Mass.

* Wilfred Felker: 354 Water St, Haverhill, Mass.

* Gertrude Stevens: 3 Walker St, Lowell, Mass.

* Lucie Cadran: 120 How St, Haverhill, Mass.

    In 1930, there's also a chance I might be able to see some third great-grandparents in the flesh! I know Elizabeth Deborah Fellows was around. It would be cool to see if other ancestors were, too!

    That's quite a list of people to visit in 1930, isn't it? The list is even bigger when you consider all of my ancestors brothers and sisters and their families. I think it's safe to say that 1930 would be the best time period to see the family. Don't get me wrong, the economic times would be pretty rough since it'd be one year into the Great Depression and everything. I'm just saying from a genealogical standpoint it seems like 1930 would be the best year to visit all eight great-grandparents, their parents and all of their relatives. 

    The list of people I have in that census is actually a mile long and I have to believe that's the best time period to go visit.  I'd just have to make sure I bring a universal translator with me if I plan on going to Italy....which is what I would so do. Let's not kid ourselves here. You would go visit ancestors in another country if you could AND bring with you a way to break the language barrier.

    I just wish it was easier to pick a time period and stick with it!

    At least I arrived at a satisfying conclusion. The timeline says this is the best time to check out if I ever want to see as many ancestors as I can in one place. Yeah, I know a good chunk of the tree is in Italy at the time, too. I would still visit them! I guess it's true what they say. If you give a genealogist a time machine, they'd be running themselves through the gauntlet trying to decide which time period to visit first. However, there is one thing a time traveler must never do. Do not alter the past. There have been many movies and tv shows stating why that would be a BAD idea.

See ya next time!

P.S. I would so visit the family in Argentina during that time period, too! =D

52 Ancestors Week 40: A Moment of Courage

 From Amy Johnson Crow: Week 40:

The theme for Week 40 is “A Moment of Courage.” Mark Twain said, ““Courage is resistance to fear, mastery of fear, not absence of fear.” Think about something an ancestor faced with courage, whether it was something heroic, or the quiet courage of everyday life.

And there came a day.....

    I've honestly covered so many moments of courage in my family tree that it feels like I'm a descendant of Earth's mightiest heroes or something. I'm not. At least I don't think I am.  Let's do a quick headcount. Both grandfathers served in World War II. All of my great-grandfathers served in World War I. My grandfather Bob's brother Alfred was a firefighter and he has a memorial at Arlington National Cemetery. The ladies in my family also are no stranger to being courageous. Have you ever known any Italian woman to not be willing to smack someone with their shoe?! The same applies to the French-Canadians. My 2nd great-grandmothers Gertrude Stevens and Lucie Cadran even held their own in the face of divorce and the untimely death of a spouse in the early 1900s.

    Of course courage comes in all sizes and genders. However, there's one courageous event I would love to learn more about even if it cost the hero his own life. I'm talking about my great-grandfather Vincenzo's brother, Nicola. He may not have fought in a war or anything. He was still a hero in my book.

Vincenzo and Nicolina

    I first learned about Nicola when my cousin Caterina was telling me all about my great-grandfather's siblings and how one profile was missing on Wikitree. She told me how his brother Paolo ended up in Rome and that my great-aunt was named after his brother Nicola. I told her that was very sweet and she asked me if I knew the story of how that came to be. Naturally, I didn't. I love a good story and so I asked her for more details.

   Sometime in the 1910s (possibly 1917), Nicola happened across a young man drowning near San Pietro a Maida. He quickly realized the victim was his sister Caterina's boyfriend and dove into the raging waters in an attempt to save him.

    The current was too strong and both young men tragically lost their lives. I'm not sure who all witnessed the event. Though, I can safely say that the name "Nicola" was passed down throughout the family since that day and that even includes my great-aunt. Yes, I know her name was "Nicolina" but it still counts! Don't tell me it doesn't! Either way, the family honored him from that day forward by passing down the name through the generations.

    My eyes widened after I heard the story and right away I messaged my cousin Cathie to see if she heard the tale about how her mother got her name. She said she did and she thought I knew about it. I said "Nope". Apparently, everyone in the family knew but me. I guess that story must have slipped past me while I was eating some pasta e fagioli at grandma Ollie's or something. Once the dust settled, I wanted to learn more about Nicola because I wanted to create an awesome profile for him on WikiTree.

Caterina Ferraiolo

    In order to do that, I needed to ask my cousin Caterina some questions. The most obvious was "How old was he?" Uhh....apparently he was fourteen years old at the time of his death. I have no idea how old the boyfriend was or even what his name was. I do know that Caterina was in her early teens herself. So, this guy was very likely her first boyfriend. Ouch.....

    Since Nicola was around fourteen years old when he dove into the sea, you could say he was born around 1899. He was evidentially the youngest son born to Marco Ferraiolo and Caterina Coppola as his sisters Caterina, Rosa and Concetta were born in 1904, 1906 and 1912 respectively. The story has now taken a sweeter turn. The older brother was trying to save his younger sister's boyfriend. Sometimes real life can be just as compelling as any movie or television show. I honestly don't think anyone can make up a story like this. Sure it was tragic but at the same time it shows just how heroic Vincenzo's brother was. 

    Once I created the profile, I wanted to check something out on Google Earth. Where could the accident have taken place? I like geography and distant places have always fascinated me. When you look at the area around San Pietro a Maida on a map, you don't really see anything that remotely looks like a raging river nearby. There is, however, easy access to the Mediterranean since there are a few beaches nearby. This leads me to believe that there was an accident somewhere near the beaches or even a few kilometers out to sea. 

    Here's how Caterina tells the story:

" It's true, it's a shame that Nicola died so young, and then how he died. He threw himself into the sea, even though he didn't know how to swim, to save his sister's boyfriend, and they both died. It used to be the tradition to then name the children with the same name. Aunt Caterina had Nicola, Uncle Paolo had Nicola, Uncle Vincenzo Nicolina, and my mother named Marco Nicola, and maybe they all live apart from my brother. You see, the tradition is always passed down" --Caterina Aleardi, 13 Sep 2021.

Profile is looking spiffy!

That's such a crazy story. The kid didn't even know how to swim and yet he tried to save his sister's boyfriend. I shook my head and finished up the profile. I really hope I did it justice. Of course, there's a few odds and ends I need to fill in like his exact birth date and all that. Those details will come out eventually. All I can do is have this little memorial for him on the Internet. It's really all anyone can do.

    I'll have to email the commune office to see if they know anything about Nicola. The problem is that it'd be difficult to get anything without any exact dates. That's always going to be the issue.

    In the end, Caterina married Lorenzo Astorino and like my cousin said they had a son named Nicola. I have told my cousin Meli this story since Caterina was her ancestor and everything and like me she had no idea what the name Nicola meant to the family. Some names game passed down because of a grandfather or another ancestor. In this case, it was passed down because a kid named Nicola died trying to be a hero. 

    I guess it's true what Rosemary Harris's Aunt May said in "Spider-Man 2". There really is a hero in all of us. Some of us find it quickly and some of us don't know what it is. The trick is to always be modest about it. No one likes a cocky face. No one.

    Nicola will always be remembered for what he did thanks to family carrying his name and of course that profile on Wikitree. It stands as a tribute and while I want to have more information about him, I don't know if it's really needed. The actions I talked about here and in the profile make speak for itself.

'Nuff said, true believers!

See ya next time!