A Guy Named Joe

Below is a story, written by my father – his own biography. This is a story of a guy named Joe.  Joe, that’s me. I was born on April Fool’s Day in 1932.  I was born in a small hospital in a small town called Whitinsville in the southern part of Massachusetts.  When I was born, I…

Grandfathers

I was the daughter of a military man.  That meant we lived where the US Air Force decided we’d live.  As such it was never anywhere near where my mothers’ parents were, they lived in Los Angeles, CA or my father’s parents, who lived near Boston, MA.  That being said, I knew and remember my grandfathers.  We would occasionally…

VIERSTRA HISTORY

Meinte Gerben Vierstra was born on August 7, 1863 in the town of Sneek, Friesland, the Netherlands. He migrated to Kathaus (Koontz) Germany. This is a small town near the city of Trier on the Mouselle River. From Germany, he came to Canonsburg, PA United States of America. He died in Whitinsville (Northbridge), Massachusetts on…

Fortune – Charles Holm

Week 11’s theme is “Fortune.” Merriam-Webster gives several definitions for fortune: A large sum of money; prosperity attained partly through luck; or destiny, fate. Here’s my story. Finland has a long and often confusing history.  It fell under Swedish realm in the 1300’s.  During the 1700’s Russia terrorized the people of Finland and was eventually ceded to…

Multiples – Toni and Teri

I have twin cousins, Toni and Teri.  Everything you hear about that special bond between twins was certainly true in these two.  They would finish each other’s sentences or reply with the same comment simultaneously.  They even would find out they both purchased the same article of clothing or piece of jewelry.  They even married brothers and went through…

Valentine – Love letters

Week 6’s theme is “Valentine.” From Amy Johnson Crow….Do you have any Valentines from any of your ancestors? Or maybe you have an ancestor named Valentine. (I remember when I was little being surprised to learn that Valentine was a “boy’s name.”) How about an ancestor that you wish you could exchange valentines with? Have…