Happy Birthday America!

I just come in from being outside our home and watching our neighborhood celebrates our nation’s 237th birthday. This first 4th of July in Florida had streams of colors from all parts of the rainbow. The reports of the smallest firecrackers, sizzling sparklers and huge blasting skyrockets, all from backyard BBQ’s to town sponsored shows, fireworks were sounding and lighting up the sky. The street became thick with the smell of powder and a smoky haze developed. It was then I thought back to what I read about John Adams and what he meant when he stated, “the nation should celebrate the freedoms they gained when becoming a nation and gaining its liberty”.  I was here today, to see this festive display, but how?

 

Thinking back to my 8th Great Grandparents, Joseph and Mary Bolles, I wondered if they realized, that through their actions, leaving England and coming to a distant wilderness of what was a British colony in 1640’s, their descendants a few generations later, would be part of establishing a new country with the freedom and liberties they had not have.  Did my 4th Great Grandfather, Amos Terrill, who served in the NJ militia during the Revolutionary War, dream that he and his fellow patriots were giving their descendants and people from other nations a place that their dreams and aspirations would have the opportunity to becomes part of what America is today?

Whether our ancestors were rich or poor, educated or not, freemen or indentured, farmer, merchant, whaler, dressmaker, clerk, clergy, journalist, teacher, blacksmith, student or homemaker, they owe our thanks for the life’s that they lived, the hardships they faced, the drive that they had and the ideals they upheld.

It is for those reasons, I and my family, my neighbors and friends, live in a nation that gives us the opportunities to go where we like, do what we wish, say what we believe, live the life’s we wish and still know as was stated in the Declaration of Independence, “that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness”

Happy Birthday America…. May God Bless you now and Always.

Preserving Our Families Traditions

We have just begun a new year and during the past few months many of us celebrated the holidays with our families and friends. Thou you might not have notice, but during those holiday festivities, subconsciously or not, certain things happened that we had none repeatedly from years past.

 



Rockefeller Center

It could be the way you decorated your home with ghosts and goblins, that special recipe that Mom or Gram liked or cooked every Thanksgiving, going to the “Tree” at Rockefeller Center or the telling of stories around the dinner table, the games played after “the meal” or photos viewed from days gone while on the porch. These are the family traditions that we all have and are sometimes lost as time slips by.

I mention this while in the mist of packing for a move. With so many things to box, both large and small, I’ve asked all members of our family if they would like some things before we sell or donate them. My one nephew quick said “Yes, I would like the old buffet cabinet”.  I was surprised, the buffet cabinet was my parents, solid wood, 30’ish design but it was well used, wobbly and it didn’t really “fit” with his house, but was more than happy to say “OK”.  As I did, I asked him “Why the interest in that piece of furniture?” His response was clear as yesterday, it was related to an old tradition that my father did every Christmas at our old home in Irvington when we both were much younger.

As part of the holiday decorating, Pop would get corrugated paper with a red brick like printing on it. He would then use this to wrap around the upper part of the buffet and also wrap it around the two side storage areas of the cabinet. The center area was left open.  Mom would use the top of the buffet for other Christmas decorations, sometime a little village, other times just candles, fruit, pine cones and other trimmings. With the buffet transformed, it now looked like an open health fireplace with mantle, the perfect spot for Santa’s present on Christmas morning!  Donald had remembered that from his youth and he wanted the buffet cabinet to be able to not only remind him of that tradition, but to duplicate it for his family’s children.  Even if the cabinet never gets transformed again, I know that piece of furniture and the story about it will live on. That’s a nice feeling.

So, on at the next birthday, anniversary, family picnic, wedding or whatever occasion you and your family gathers, sit back, observe, think and remember the times, ways, activities and wonder of the traditions your branch continues to past down to the next generation.  If you would like to share any of them with our, please do. The Bolles Family Association newsletter is a great way to let others enjoy your traditions too.

 

To be continued.......

Memorial Day - 2012

This holiday has been set aside to remember and honor those individuals that have served our country, both in time of war and peace. Since the start of our line of Bolles', past generations have made their mark in all major conflicts, sometimes fight cousin against cousin (Civil War),with many continuing to serve even today.  Most have lived to tell about their military experience while some have died fighting for their cause. On this Memorial Day, I would like to tell the life story of one of those who we remember for their service.

 

Raymond with his sons, Larry and Phil, Asbury Park, NJ cira 1920

The person I write of is my uncle, Lawrence Alan Bolles. He was my father's older brother, born 21 May 1910. Larry & Phil grow up fast, as they lost their father, Raymond while still young teenage boys. Their mother, Laura, saw that they continued their education, learned about country living during summer vacations and grew up to be well rounded men.

Raymond, Lauram Phil and Larry Bolles, cira 1920

 

Larry worked as a clerk in Newark, NJ during the early '30's and towards the end of the Depression, joined his mother, "stepfather" Chris, his brother, Phil and cousin, Walter, in a family business, Chris Chophouse, at 258 Clinton Avenue, Newark, NJ.  It was a popular place; both Larry and Phil worked as waiters, as well as any other chores that needed to be done. Members of the Newark Bears, a farm team of the NY Yankees, ate at the chophouse and became friends of both brothers and the rest of the family.

Larry got married to Emma Grybowski, on 30 May 1941.  Life was good, but like everywhere else things changed after 7 Dec 1941, a few months later.  World War II changed the way of life; the chophouse closed due to death of Chris, a child was on the way for Larry and Emma and then Larry's life changed even more with his enlistment into the Army on 13 September 1943. He went off to war and Emma soon after had their child. It was a difficult time for both of them.

Lawrence Alan Bolles 1943

With his restaurant experience, it was natural to find Larry in the mess tent, feeding his fellow comrades in training, overseas in North Africa and later in Italy on the southern frontier of the war. I remember hearing of his stories of being on board troop transport ships, one of those trips not being too smooth, as over half of the troops were sea sick for most of the trip, including Larry. The letters he wrote home told of the hot dusty desert conditions the troops faced, his not so pleasant experiences with camels and the never ending tasks of setting up and tearing down location after location as the lines moved throughout the war. Though not in any major combat role, Larry and others like him served their country proud. He was honorably discharged as a corporal

Larry (second from the left) with his buddies 1943

Larry's life after the war prospered. He continued in one fashion or another in the food industry, waitering, bar tending, and later becoming the head matre’d with an executive staff for a large corporation. The family expanded, with the marriage of his son, soon followed by several grandchildren. After retirement, he traveled, enjoyed cruising and was a snowbird, between New Jersey and Florida until 9 January 1992.  This is but a brief look into one soldier's life.

It is on holidays like this, that members of our families are to be remembered for their call to duty. It is our duty, to take the time and listen to their memories, both good time and bad; to open an old truck and see young faces in old photos, the places their footsteps took them to; and most important of all, to thank them for maintaining the freedoms and privileges that we can still experience today because of their service to our country.  Thank you Uncle Larry and all of the other soldiers, sailors, marines, airmen and women, all past, present and future that have gave service to our great land.

 

To Be Continued……

Remembering Those Who Have Passed..

Judge David Bolles Gravestone

We have all seen the warning on the back of some vehicles... "We Stop at All Railroad Crossings". Well there is also a group that posts a warning on their vehicles... "I Stop at All Cemeteries". It sounds odd, but being an individual who doesn't mind stopping and searching a cemetery, I can understand their inquisitiveness. For without those people, cemeteries they document on web sites like "Find a Grave" (http://www.findagrave.com/) and others, many of our ancestors and relatives would be lost for future generations.  Let me give you an example or two.

Elizabeth (Dow) Bolles Gravestone

A distant cousin, Judge David Bolles and his wife Elizabeth (Dow) Bolles, both died many years ago, David on 22 May 1830 and Elizabeth 16 Dec 1833. Both were living in Ashford, Windham County, Connecticut. Now Ashford, CT is not too close to where I live and it would take a few hours to drive to visit. The town is located about midway between Hartford, CT and Providence, RI, with no direct main highway linking those three locations together. But thanks to some kind and caring people, in this case  Wendy White and Nate Barmlett, I can find and see both David's and Elizabeth's final resting place with a few click of the keyboard and mouse. They are two of hundreds of volunteers that take time and help save the past.

To my surprise, I learned that this family is buried in the Old Cemetery, in Eastford, Windham County, Connecticut. This town is about 8 miles from where both David and Elizabeth lived. I would have search in Ashford and never found them there. On David’s stone his birth is recorded on his marker as 1765 and his death as mention before. The tombstone is a mossing grey, with fading engraving, most likely from the age of the stone and many years of weathering and acid rain. Elizabeth’s stone is in similar condition, with her birth as 30 July 1766 and death in Dec 1833.

Rev. David Bolles Gravestone

One fact that I do need to mention, just because the names and dates are etched in stone, it does not mean that all the information is correct. In this case they are correct. With this finding it reinforces other sources that were researched, confirming dates and now giving us an actual location of these ancestors. The saying to follow in genealogy is“without sources, genealogy is only mythology”. That's true in graveyards, on markers and with all information, so to be sure back up with additional sources whenever possible.

Susanna (Moore) Bolles Gravestone

Besides David and Elizabeth’s gravesites, other ancestors were found and documented in the same cemetery. They included, our David’s father, Rev. David Bolles (b. 14 Jan. 1743 - d. 11 Feb 1807), his mother; Susanna (Moore) Bolles (b. 1744 – d. 2 Nov 1807), his brothers; Charles Bolles (b. 19 Feb. 1775 - d. 27 Feb 1790) and Ebenezer Bolles (b. 28 March 1772 - d. 27 Feb. 1777),  David & Elizabeth’s youngest daughter; Susanna Bolles (b. 30 July 1787 – d. April 1790), two nephews; Augustus Levert Bolles (b. 23 Nov. 1803 - d. 12 March 1804) and Eliphax Hibband Bolles (b. 10 June 1796  – d. 30 Dec. 1800) , a daughter-in law of  Roxey (Backus) Bolles (b. 1800 – d. 8 March 1836), and two granddaughters ; Janett Bolles (b. 26 Nov. 1832 – d. 21 Dec. 1834) and  Helen Mariah Bolles (b. Nov. 1821 – d. 22 May 1826). These findings and with the information and links listed will only lead to more new and exciting discoveries.

In this one cemetery alone; many miles from where I’m located, several generations on one family were found, thanks to volunteers… WOW! Now you know why it’s not so strange to Stop… and visit a cemetery. You never know what you may find and who you may help. Wouldn’t be wonderful if more people got involved?  How many ancestors and relatives from your branch of our family tree can be located?  So take a photo, note the cemetery and plot location, it would be a nice way to have your relatives remembered. Drop me a note, so we can help save the past too.

 

To Be Continued……

A Birthday Search - May 15th..

On occasions, when I look to add new content to my family research, I check to see who has a birthday on that day. Today, there were several cousins that are celebrating another year. The one I write about today is a 6th cousin, Philip Keller, a relative who I never met, but I have crossed the same pathways he traveled after doing a little digging.

Just to as a note, all information that is written in this blog is information which is either public record or I have written permission to publish. Also, as in this case, the individual(s) have passed their life on our planet and now rest with our other ancestors, family and friends, gone but not forgotten. It's this part of my genealogy research which is most meaningful. The facts uncovered not only permanently document that person of interest, but helps flesh outs their life, making genealogy much more than just dates, places and events.

NJCRR Terminal

I first found Philip in George William's volume I, as I have most of our cousins. Philip was born on Friday, this day in 1925. My next search found Philip in Jersey City, Hudson County, New Jersey on 5 April 1925. He was 4 years old, he's 5th birthday only a few weeks away. He was living with his parent's Peter J. and Margaret (Bolles) Keller, in an apartment located at 568 Jefferson Avenue which they rented for $30 a month. Philip was one of six children the couple had at that point of life. There was J. Edwards (age 10), Peter (age 8), Raymond (age 7), Philip, William (age 2+) and the youngest Frederick, a new born.  Later years will add two sisters and another brother.

NJCRR Ferry Docks

Philip's father, Peter J. was born in New York, his parents having been both born in Germany and worked as a bricklayer at a construction company. Margaret (my fifth cousin once removed) was born in New Jersey as well as both of her parents. All of Peter and Margaret's sons were born in New Jersey too. The three oldest were attending school and all were able to read and write, like their parents. The 1940 census told me a lot about this family.

Many years later, Philip marries and has a family of four daughters and one son to our knowledge. My search today leaded to sad news, as I found Philip Keller in the Social Security Death Index. He's reported as having died in August 1968.  He was only 43 years of age.

This is just a small snapshot of Philip's life. There is much more that needs to fill in the blanks from 1930 to 1968. A photo of how Philip looked would be nice to find. Where did he live in 1940, as the family moved from Jefferson Ave by then? What did he do for a living? Where is his final resting place? These are but a few of the many questions that one thinks of when looking at a person.

By the way, do you know how I crossed Philip's path besides doing my family research?  For over 10 years, I volunteered at Liberty Science Center... in Jersey City... driving down Grand Avenue, a cross street of Jefferson Avenue. Was it by chance or design?  I hope to find that out and also some of those answers to other questions in the future. 

 

To Be Continued....

The Beginning !

 

I stand looking eastward, down a slope towards the inlet and the Atlantic Ocean beyond. It is from this piece of ground, my family roots first took hold in North American sometime in 1640. That's the earliest we know that Joesph Bolles, a man about the age of 32, is known to own land and be one of the founders of Wells, York, Maine.

From Joseph and his wife Mary (Howell), thousands of individuals, I being one, have been given the opportunities to become the people they were, are and will be in the future. There are many tales, twists and turns to going from 1640 to today. From this blog. I look forward to share some of the many treasures that help tell our family's history.

The site to the left, is Founder's Park. It was established as a memorial to those first band of adventurers and their families that set sail across the Atlantic and settled on this rocky coast of what was then considered part of Massachusetts. The park was part of the 350th anniversary of the incorporation of Wells, Maine. The close up shows the twenty six signers of that incorporation in 1653. Joesph's last name has the Old English spelling of Bowles, which was found on numerous documents that he signed as an official in the Wells area during his lifetime. The family name has also been found as Boles, Boals, Bolle and Boules as well as many more.

I have to be up front and say that the information that will be logged on this blog is not all from my findings. The bug that bit me many years ago was from going to a family reunion in New London, Connecticut during the early 1970's Though I always enjoyed history, traveling many places throughout New England area while growing up, it's strange on how certain places where more comfortable than others. New London turned out to be one of those comfortable places!  At that reunion, I learned of the Bolles Family Association, (http://www.bollesfamily.org/) which was formed due to the publishing of "A GENEALOGY of the Descendants of JOSEPH BOLLES of Wells, Maine" by George E. Williams. With that book, families learned of other families, a group of individual joined together and the association was born. Thanks to George and far too many to mention in this posting, the Bolles and all the other families with Bolles blood have a good record of how we all came about.

My hope is to follow in their footsteps and continue the process for those whose to carry on in the future.

 

To be continued......