Genealogy and Family History On The Go!

 

Jim's grandmother as a girl. 

Marguerita Franchini Ferrera

 We went to see the first home

in Montclair, NJ

 that she and Grampa bought

 when they married.

Hi Friends!

I have to say that I think there is a new addiction brewing over here.  Genealogy on the go is really fantastic.  With the newest  technologies it is really wonderful.  All you need is your phone or tablet to have everything at your finger tips.  Nothing to lug around, no papers to flip through, no copious note taking on paper that can get lost or become unorganized.  It is amazingly trouble free. 

Our travels have taken us to three distinct places that have been very exciting in terms of not only our family history and genealogy but also in terms of walking where they have walked and getting a real sense of what home was like for our ancestors.  I adore finding great information on Find a Grave but standing at the grave is so different.  It is a kind of pilgrimage that technology cannot compete with in any possible way.  The connection is tangible, personal, and fulfilling.  It becomes my story, your story, His story.  FAMILY HISTORY IS TRULY HIS STORY.  GOD'S STORY OF HIS FAMILY.  The word "history" has taken on new meaning for us and should be spelled with two ss.

In Montclair, New Jersey we visited the city where Jim's ancestors immigrated to from Italy and began a little grocery business.  Our desire was to find the location of the store without knowing its name for sure.  We also wanted to see the home they lived in while we were there and to take photos.  To say that everything went our way would be to grossly understate a PERFECT Day.  Everything went like clockwork, we found everything and way more than we expected or hoped for and everyone we met at the right place and time colored our big picture with more specific information.  That day deserves a separate post which I am hoping to do when we get back

Our time in New England on Cape Cod was also amazing.  We learned so much and again, found such helpful people at every turn.  Plymouth was just spectacular, educational, and spiritual.  The crowning experience there had to be the living history museum at Pilmoth Plantation.  With actors playing the parts of the Mayflower passengers it was literally like talking to your own ancestor and his friends.  Mind blowing really.  Like being in a time machine.

We have had such a fun time with our family here in Rhode Island and  teaching the boy's (our grandsons, Spencer and Ross) some of the things we learned.  These two are so brilliant that it is rare we can teach them anything and they are only 14 and 10.  Sheesh!  But we did manage to shed additional light on their knowledge of the pilgrims.  They are related doubly to Stephen Hopkins with both their mother and their father as direct descendants.  Yep it is true, Laura and Robert are distant cousins.  How fun is  that?  Plus on their Dad's side they also have Native American ancestry from that period.  Priceless information and experiences have been enjoyed by all...

Missing all of you and hoping things are going well.  See you for Kim's class in June!

Bonnie & Jim