There will be holes in this text -- there are bound to be. As completely and accurately as I can I will trace the family history in as good chronological order as memory permits. The stories are hearsay -- good grief, I was just being born as my great grandfather was turning 100. (And he long dead at that, I might add) But, I am the family historian. Self-appointed to be sure, as no one else seems to care. Hopefully someday one of the greats will, and this record will be there for them.

Hey, I just learned something tonight (Christmas Eve, 1998). Christmas was not a legal holiday in the State of New Hampshire until 1856. Significance? Well, it goes far to explain why Ma always said Christmas, at home, was not such a big deal. The rarely had a tree and gifts were not a part of the day. Someone had given her some "cheap beads" one Christmas (someone outside the family) and those she cherished. The memory was still a treasured gift long after the beads were gone.

c. 1895 Fitchburg, MA

My Granddad

Rebecca

Love of My Life

Joseph

Those are my own personal babies. The ones on either side, not the one in the middle!! The one in the middle is my best friend/constant companion.

I had the two on the outside to consider when I was knitting, crocheting, sewing, or whatever, since they were very little. The projects were more numerous, but didn't take as long each, then.

Randy @ 5 yrs

My Dad with me 1947?

???who gets this spot?

Jesse @ 3 years