Open For Genealogical Business Shortly!!!

A Night at the Royal Governor's Mansion

I will be attending a colonial dinner in Perth Amboy, New Jersey at The Proprietary House aka Royal Governor's Mansion where William Franklin son of Benjamin Franklin lived.  They are my cousins. Ben is my 2nd Cousin 9 xR.  I was born and raised in Perth Amboy, class of 1975 and only recently confirmed that the Franklin line of Folgers are family to my maternal Grandmother Doris Saunders Evans, one time resident of Perth Amboy but native to Plymouth, Penna. located in Northeast PA-Wyoming Valley.

I will posting tomorrow about my adventures at cousin Billy's house!!!!

You Don't Say!!

History Fun Facts from the 1500s:

Most people got married in June because they took their yearly bath in May, and still smelled pretty good by June. However, smell they did, so brides carried a bouquet of flowers to hide the body odor.

Hence, the custom today of carrying a bouquet when getting married...

Baths consisted of a big tub filled with hot water. The man of the house had the privilege of the nice clean water, then all the other sons and men, then the women and finally the children. Last of all the babies. By then the water was so dirty you could actually lose someone in it.

Hence, the saying, Don't throw the baby out with the bath water...

Houses had thatched roofs-thick straw-piled high, with no wood underneath. It was the only place for animals to get warm, so all the cats and other small animals (mice, bugs) lived in the roof. When it rained it became slippery and sometimes the animals would slip and fall off the roof.

Hence, the saying it's raining cats and dogs...

There was nothing to stop things from falling into the house.. This posed a real problem in the bedroom where bugs and other droppings could mess up your nice clean bed.

Hence, a bed with big posts and a sheet hung over the top afforded some protection. That's how canopy beds came into existence...

The floor was dirt. Only the wealthy had something other than dirt.

Hence, the saying, dirt poor...

The wealthy had slate floors that would get slippery in the winter when wet, so they spread thresh (straw) on floor to help keep their footing. As the winter wore on, they added more thresh until, when you opened the door, it would all start slipping outside. A piece of wood was placed in the entranceway.

Hence, the saying a thresh hold...

Hence, the bride is carried over the thresh hold...

What a great weekend!

"It is was a great honor this past weekend to be appointed a board member of the Plymouth Historical Society located in Plymouth, Pennsylvania. Thank-you Georgetta!!!"

John D. Evans~ Avondale Fire Victim #78

John J. Evans of Wales and Plymouth, Pennsylvania stands between his mother Mary Williams Evans Davis and his stepfather William Davis. This handsome young man is my great grandfather and the only son of John D. Evans who perished in the infamous Pennsylvania Avondale Mine Fire of September 6, 1869. A mining disaster that claimed the lives of 110 men and young boys. Many related as father and sons, brothers and brother-in-laws. He is buried with others victims in the Washburn Cemetery, Scranton, PA.

The brave John D. Evans vicitm #78 left behind a young widow of 27 and five young children.  One son and four daughters. The Evans family arrived on the ship Hibernia in 1865 at the end of the American Civil War, only a short time before his demise.

This coming September will be the 140th anniversary of that most wretched day  To honor this branch of my family a joint research project of this the first of my Welsh ancestor is underway, though in my and my first cousin Mary's case we have been asking questions about our all family lines since we could talk! Near fifty years!

The Welsh origins of both John D. Evans and Mary D. Williams are being sought and cousin Steve Kondrad is in the process of trying to date a tintype photograph that may be a photo of John D. Evans.

to be cont.

Welcome to my blog

Hello My Northeast Kindred Souls:

Well, I have finally chosen to publish a blog as the first step in my newest business endeavor: NortheastRoots.com ( still a work in progress) but this the first full moon of 2009 gives me inspiration on how our beautiful moon, a dead orbiting globe, can shed tremendous light on a darken landscape. Family research and genealogical digging into the archives of the dead can also enlighten.

So from somewhere in Jersey~I will stand beneath Capricorn's full moon and ask the land of the dead and living to give up their secrets when I come a knockin' and bring me bliss and success in 2009.


P.S.
Last night was my mother Betty Jean's birthday and tonight is her sister Elna Hope's birthday~ may they both RIP~ now and forever.

I shall see them again someday and we shall rejoice in the lessons of journey!!!