Here’s what I have discovered about my mystery Italian family…
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A Memorial Day Stroll Through Chestnut Grove Cemetery
My wife Mary Glenn and I often walk in Chestnut Grove Cemetery in Herndon. Which may sound odd to some people, but when you live in a place for over forty years, there are just so many friends to visit.
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Remember When There was a Thing Called Privacy?
Rising masses of amounts of data PLUS Exponential increases in computing capability EQUALS … What?
Is this Heaven? No, It's Iowa.
According to my printed directions -- this is a pre MapQuest, pre-GPS era -- my quest is just four miles away.
“People will come, Ray. They'll come to Iowa for reasons they can't even fathom. They'll turn up your driveway not knowing for sure why they're doing it. They'll arrive at your door as innocent as children, longing for the past.”
33 Years Ago - A Reflection
I didn’t expect to wind up on an Amtrak train to New York, a week after the due date for our second child, but before child number two decided to make his formal appearance. But I also had not expected to get one of those phone calls. The late at night -- uh-oh, why is the phone ringing?-- phone calls.
Family Histories -- Sometimes It Takes a Village
What IS on my mind this Thanksgiving -- this totally weird Thanksgiving without my own family around the table -- are the family members that WERE around the table for my father after his parents disappeared in the 1930s. A village of mystery family members who undoubtedly had problems of their own, but somehow gave my father a home -- and a safety net.
Our Family Story Begins
My 9th grade English teacher, Miss Porro, used to say, “Just tell them what you’re going to tell them. Tell them. Tell them what you told them.” I realize in retrospect that this was hardly unique advice in high school English classes.
The Cast of Characters
We lived a fairly typical life in the suburbs. Pick up the Wonder Years from its fictional location and move it to New Jersey, and you can get the picture.
Introducing Elisabetta
Ezekiel tree skeletons on Cape Hatteras conspire to bring Elizabeth’s bones to life.
At Least it Wasn't the Titantic
It looks like Elisabetta came to the U.S. in a bit of style — on the Titantic’s sister ship.
Not Exactly an American Welcome Mat
“Send these, the homeless, tempest-tost to me, I lift my lamp beside the golden door!” Well not exactly.
Frank and Elizabeth Pop Up in Church
Out of the blue, an actual picture appears of Frank and Elizabeth.
My Father, the Anchor Baby
My father enters the record books — 15 days old and in the New York State 1925 Census.
1930 and all SEEMS well
All seems well in 1930 for the family of four at 70 First Avenue in Manhattan.
The 1940 Census - WTF?
Just when I thought everything seemed OK with this genealogy project, our WTF moment.
A Certificate of Lunacy
Frank slips into the abyss and lands at the Rockland Asylum.
Yikes. Rockland?
The Rockland Asylum would appear to be a pretty scary place.
Official Diagnosis = Dementia Praecox
The official diagnosis is in — dementia praecox
A BOGO Commitment Offer
I initially thought this must be some sort of mistake. What are the odds? TWO unknown and mysterious grandparents who BOTH wind up in the Asylum?
Did My Father Know Any of This?
How does a child cope with the loss of BOTH parents?