from a letter i wrote to vee tonight: "you have also provided something that is sadly lacking in our modern age with its transiency and separation of the generations: the reminiscences of a wise elder looking back upon her life in a particular place, so that those who are younger or who have gone away from the 'homeplace' of their youth, or in my case, never lived there but are hungry for stories of what their lost father's youth might have been like, can carry along in themselves the fruit of your experience and perspective. in another time, vee, we would all have gathered around the hearth each night to hear you tell your lifestory and the history of your 'homeplace' and family. the internet can be a cold and alienating thing, but it can also allow this kind of sharing by people who cannot physically be present in your living room to hear these tales spoken by you. (and you don't have to clean up after all of us after we leave)" and the truth is, that after all that vee has contributed to this list and the help she's given people privately, and given the emotional trauma she's just been through with her mastectomy, even if she HAD been 'rambling' about something not of interest to me at the moment (which she was not), i would not have been so ungracious as to criticize her for it. i've had two bouts with breast cancer including three surgeries myself, and it's a horrible emotional shock; i'm sure vee IS feeling extremely emotionally sensitive right now, and i feel bad that SHE was made to feel bad over this. i have admired the way she has bounced back so quickly from her surgery and continued to share her reminiscences with us. i hope she will bounce back from the emotional hurt and rejoin us, i think she needs us as much as we need her. the worst thing for someone with cancer is isolation from friends and shared interests. -- "An aimless joy is a pure joy," ...And wisdom is a butterfly And not a gloomy bird of prey." ~ William Butler Yeats, "Tom O'Roughley" ---------- >From: CAhobbies@aol.com >To: NYNIAGAR-L@rootsweb.com >Subject: Re: Topics on this list >Date: Sun, Aug 27, 2000, 11:47 PM > >>From Ellen: > << ..... I'm heartsick that we've lost a treasured contributor to this > list. I've reiterated to Vee that her health is the most important thing > for her to concentrate on right now, but that I'd gladly welcome her > rejoining us whenever she feels better. I know I speak for many others > when I say that the list will miss her terribly. :( >> > > -->> Ellen and All, > You said many things in your message after reading Vee's unsubscribe > message. I realize Vee herself will not see this, but I think there are > two primary things here: > 1) I agree. The most important thing for Vee right now is doing whatever > gives her the most peace of mind, pleasure and healing as possible. On or > off list.. But, yes... she will surely and sorely missed here if she stays offlist. > 2) I'm happy that "remembrances" are deemed "on topic" on this list. For > those who do not wish to go that direction, it's easy to "delete" and move > on to the next post. We have lots of different types of posts here - and > that's a good thing! > > That's the "list stuff". On a personal note, I'm just sorry that a valued > list member was made to "feel bad" for sharing her memories. I understand > that it was done privately - and that's good - but still - why the need at > all? Multiple conversations are possible here... so why not just start up > one of interest and "carry on"??? And why not just be "glad" we have folks > who "do" want to share their memories? > > Sounds like there were a lot of wellwishes sent to Vee privately... and > just this "one"... that didn't ... but it comes at a vulnerable time... so > while not the majority, all it would "take" is one, when you are not > feeling up to snuff. > > Ah well.. Ellen.. thanks for publically commenting... hope Vee reads (and > takes to heart) your private message. I'm sure she'll get others as well. > > To all of "you"... I enjoy this list. And part of "that" is because there > "is" variety. We can discuss surnames, availability of records, the latest > cemetary walk.. or "what life was like when"... We can take that local > history walk via a pioneer book... or look a little closer to home.. and > talk to people "now".... in our own families if it isn't too late... and > with folks here on this list!!! It's "all" part of the fabric of what we do! > > debbie > CAhobbies@aol.com > > > > > > ==== NYNIAGAR Mailing List ==== > To obtain New York State vital records (birth, death, marriage), see > <http://www.health.state.ny.us/nysdoh/consumer/vr/geninst.htm>. > >

Hi. I am just checking before my one day excursion to Niagara Falls and wondered if someone could verify things for me: 1. Are the census records for Niagara Falls and Lockport housed at the Niagara Falls Public Library on Main Street? 2. Are old newspapers housed at Niagara Falls Public Library? 3. Are there old City Directories at the Library as well? Thanks so much. Rose

Dear Group, Three years ago today I posted a message to the old Pennsylvania-Dutch list about Labor Day here in Youngstown, NY, and I thought it would be appropriate to post the same message to our list this evening. It follows below. But there is one thing that I have to tell you. I received a negative response today regarding last night's message about my sister and me. The person was very polite, not threatening and he/she sent it to me personally and not to the entire list. For that I give him/her credit for such restraint. However, the bottom line was that what I read in the message was "With all due respect, I can't believe this is any of our business on the list. Please send your private email PRIVATELY. While you may wish to share your private life with a number of others, I'd sincerely appreciate being left out of this." Because my physical and mental health is still rather frail right now due to my recent ordeal, I have decided not to respond to the message but instead just to unsubscribe to the list. Yes, I know that it was only one person who sent me such a message but then I don't know how many people have unsubscribed to the list because of my occasional "ramblings." I'm certain that most of you know that I have a wealth of information at hand regarding the genenealogy and history of Niagara County and I want to let you know that I'm still here at housman@adelphia.net. Please feel free to continue to send me queries on any subject regarding Niagara County, especially the Town of Porter. I know that I am probably reacting a bit irrationally right now but that's the way it is with me right now. It still remains that I'm taking each day, one day at a time. But after I send this message I will send an Unsubscribe message to the list. Therefore, I won't be monitoring any queries or questions to the list nor will I be sharing any of my memories of Niagara County with you. But just remember, I luvya all, vee OLD FASHIONED LABOR DAY August 27, 1997 I did a dumb thing last week. I subscribed to another mail list! It's the NY State History mail list. And for the past week I have been enjoying the many challenges of delving into the history of New York State and coming up with bits and pieces from my records and memories to share with the group. As a result, this evening I posted to the group a message having to do with our local celebration of Labor Day. All the while I was composing it, I was remembering a similar celebration I attended in Bainbridge, Conoy Township, Lancaster Co., in September of 1972. It was their Heritage Days grand celebration and there Audrey and I were with other members of her family lining the main street of tiny Bainbridge enjoying the same sort of parade that I described below. And as I asked the NY group, "What does it have to do with NY history?" I'll ask that of the PD group. And the answer remains the same. I guess you might call it a continuing "living history." Enjoy a good old fashioned Labor Day wherever you are! Labor Day weekend is fast approaching and I wanted to let you know that it still remains the most glorious weekend of the year in our small village of Youngstown, Niagara Co. Am I talking about the history of New York? You betcha! For about the past 75 years the Volunteer Fire Company of our village has had their Field Day on Labor Day. And, frankly, I don't know if it has changed all that much over the years. Hey, Jim Corsaro! When you lived in Niagara Falls, did you ever go to Field Day in Youngstown on Labor Day? Well, I grew up in Niagara Falls also, and I don't remember our family ever missing a one. What does it have to do with history? Well, I guess you might call it a continuing "Living history"--what was done over 75 years ago hasn't changed all that much. By this coming Sunday, all of the carnival-type rides and games of chance will have been put into place and then at noon on Monday, Labor Day, is when it all begins. That's when the parade starts. Oh, the magnificent Labor Day Parade down Main Street in Youngstown!! It seems that there is mile after mile of fire trucks from every small town, village and city in the entire Niagara County. It often makes me wonder what would happen if a fire broke out at noon on Labor Day--who's left tending the store? :-) Of course, the fire trucks don't just drive slowly by in the parade, the ears are deafened by their sirens and honking of horns. And if you like sounds, how about the many "kilty" bands--the Highlander bands in kilts from Buffalo, Canada and heaven knows where else. If you like bagpipes, you'd LOVE Labor Day! And there's always a high school band or two that will bring a tear to your eye (if you're as emotional as I) with their rendition of a Souza march. And a small town parade wouldn't be complete without the local politicians going through the crowd lined up along Main Street, shaking hands with anyone and everyone, hoping someone will remember them on election day! And what would a parade be without the little baton twirlers! Or the 40 & 8, or the homemade floats! And we always thrill at the reenactment group from local Fort Niagara in their 18th century uniforms and muskets. And we always laugh at the occasional clown on a tricycle! What do we do after the parade ends? Well, what do you think? We all gather at the park where the amusement rides are set up and line up for our annual bowl of chicken chowder. And (ahem!), there is also a never-ending line at the beer tent! As I say, things haven't really change in all these many, many years. And so, as our many posters remind everyone around here, "Save Labor Day for Youngstown!" And for those of you who are interested in history, step back in time to an event that has always been put on for the local population, without one thought for the tourists! :-)

Is anyone familiar with this book? Can you tell me a little about it? Niagara County, New York, one hundred of the most wonderful regions in the world microform : a concise record of her progress and people, 1821-1921, published during its centennial year / written by a native, the son of natives, and the grandson of pioneers Thanks Sue dskissel@cybertrails.com D. Sue Crowder Kissel 3299 Rose Lane, Prescott, AZ 86305 Researching: Crowder (CAN>NY>MI>SD), Keene(ME>MI), Kissel (PA>IA>NE>KS)Long(CAN Fr>NY>MI) Lutzke(GER>MI), Lou©ks(CAN>MI), Mc(A)Fee(CAN>NY>MI), Paine(ME>MI)Smith(NY>MI) http://doors.cybertrails.com/~dskissel/

Posted on: Niagara Co. NY Queries Reply Here: http://genconnect.rootsweb.com/genbbs.cgi/USA/NY/Niagara/254 Surname: HERMAN, EBELING ------------------------- Probate of the estate of Andrew HERMAN d. 1957 Hanover, Grey County, Ontario shows the following heirs living in Barker, NY: William HERMAN George and Caroline (HERMAN) EBELING Would like to share HERMAN family information.

Posted on: Niagara Co. NY Queries Reply Here: http://genconnect.rootsweb.com/genbbs.cgi/USA/NY/Niagara/253 Surname: ------------------------- After really going over the name on the marriage certificate, the name is MAHONEY, not Maloney.

Hi list Need help. Does anyone know what street, Evergreen Cemetery in Medina,NY is on? I Can't find an address for it. Thank you for your help Terr716@aol.com

Dear Group, I'm writing this at the ridiculous hour of 4:00 a.m. and my sister just managed to make her way up the stairs to go to bed after her exciting evening. You see, it just so happened that the death of her ex-mother-in-law (Grandma) coincided with my sister's planned visit up here on the occasion of the 55th class reunion of the Class of 1945 of Niagara Falls High School. And when she returned home around midnight I just HAD to grill her about all of the details of the reunion. Oh she absolutely glowed with the memories of the evening! She let me know who she danced with and what the "smooth talkers" still had to say about how they had remembered her back in high school. And, of course, I had to put my own two cents worth in as to how I had felt last year at my own 50th class reunion. Such a glorious experience! High school class reunions bring you back to the feelings you had when you were just innocent teenagers and even though you're now in your 60s or 70s, it's a wonderful feeling of pealing back all the years to when you used to jitterbug together and yet when the band strikes up a slow dance in the vein of "Star Dust," you can just drift into the arms of some classmate and recapture the feelings of "back when." And from there, Norma and I talked about when we were kids together and then teenagers together. I let her know how I cried when she got married. I've never figured it out as to why I was so upset over her getting married--I could only come to the conclusion that I was losing her as a sister. We talked at great length about when Daddy was in a coma in 1958, I had rushed back home from the Navy and when I arrived there he came out of his coma, recognized me, called me by his favorite nickname for me--Stinky (don't ask me to explain!) and then let me know that he was so proud of me because I had been selected as a possible candidate for a commission in the U.S. Navy. Daddy wasn't one to say such stuff to us kids. As I recall, he died the next day. Norma and I continued to reminisce about our childhood, WWII, the boys she had dated and the boys I had dated and we just continued to talk on and on, more than we had ever talked before in our entire lives. The bedroom we used to share and all of the aggravation of our living together. She even brought up the time when she had to be the chaperone at my high school sorority cottage in Canada which, of course utterly ruined my social life there when I was around 16 years old! So now Norma is now tucked into her bed with her sweet memories of the evening of her 55th high school class reunion and now that it's after 5:00 a.m., I'm also heading up the stairs to my bed and no doubt both of us are treasuring the memories that we have shared this evening. I guess it takes a long lot of years for sisters to really appreciate each other. vee

Dear Group, I hope that Charles and Dorothy Matheson of Texas don't mind my forwarding to the list the message I sent them last night. They are members of our list but I have to tell you the truth that I can't recall that we have ever corresponded with each other. Hey, maybe we have, but I plead a still foggy mind at this time! The reason for my forwarding the message is to point out how a bouquet of flowers from "complete strangers" who are interested in the history and genealogy of Niagara County just "happened" to be delivered by a descendant of one of our earliest settlers here. I continue to be overwhelmed by the outpouring of warm wishes and prayers on my behalf by people I've never met and in most cases never even corresponded with except by way of our list. I have always felt close to all of you because of our mutual interest but, somehow, the delivery of the bouquet of flowers yesterday seemed to indicate an even closer tie with each other. You just don't know when a descendant of our old families just might come a knockin' on your door because of our list! :-) vee ----- Original Message ----- From: Vee L. Housman <housman@adelphia.net> To: <matheson@texas.net> Sent: Friday, August 25, 2000 10:59 PM Subject: Your beautiful bouquet of flowers > Dear Charles and Dorothy, > > You have no idea how much your beautiful bouquet of flowers brought sunlight > into my day this afternoon. > > I had just returned from the reception after the funeral of Deb's > grandmother (I didn't attend the funeral) and it wasn't five minutes later > when I heard a knock on my door. It was the delivery man from the florist. > It was such a beautiful bouquet and the delivery man had such a smile on his > face. He said, "These are for you, Vee Housman." I thought that a bit > strange for him to say but then I seemed to recognize him--note, my mind > still tends to be a bit foggy right now. So, under the circumstances, I > just looked at him and asked him who he was. That's when he proudly let me > know that he was David Force and he reminded me that his ancestors lived > just down the road from me well over 100 years ago! > > Of COURSE! I had traced his Force family of the Town of Porter from the > time they first arrived here and although the two of us have never gotten > together to update his family history, he has always known that he only > needs to ask me and between the two of us we could put his entire family > together! > > And so there he was, a descendant of one of our earliest settlers here, > deliverying your beautiful bouquet of flowers to my house about one mile > from where his family originally settled. The bouquet is now placed > prominently in the middle of my kitchen table here in Niagara > County--delivered by a descendant of one of our earliest families! If he > only knew the significance of it all! > > Thank you so very much for your thoughtfulness. > > vee >

Dear Group, Last evening I felt that I had strength enough to attend the viewing of Deb's Grandma who had passed away on Monday. I admit I had quite a time trying to find something suitable to wear for the occasion due to my recent surgery but lo and behold I dug out a "frock" I had worn but a few times after I had purchased it in Fiji in 1971 and it made quite a fashion statement. It had originally been purchased as a dress--mini-skirts were in vogue at the time, you know--but it made a perfect top over black slacks last evening. Very full and very colorful. I was determined to attend her viewing since she had been a part of my life for over 50 years. My sister (Deb's mother) had married Grandma's son back in 1948. I had always called her Bea until the more recent years when she was known more as Grandma. Because I was related to her through my sister and my niece and nephew, my brother-in-law and the extended members of their family, I was always included in family get-togethers--birthday parties, Thanksgiving, Christmas, funerals, etc., I knew that there was no way that I could just sit at home and not join their family at this particular time. A family friend picked me up and drove us to the funeral parlor. I had checked with the funeral parlor earlier to make certain that a wheelchair would be available for me in the event that my physical strength gave out. No problem. We walked into the parlor--me with the help of my cane. Deb saw me and together we walked up to Grandma's casket while Deb's daughter Dawn found a Kleenex for me. Deb and I agreed that Grandma looked beautiful but that her mouth didn't look quite natural. We agreed that it was because she wasn't smiling. She ALWAYS smiled! Deb and I walked around together for a few minutes and then I joined in with the others who were there for the viewing. That's when hugs were passed all around. Relatives that I hadn't seen in YEARS-- many of us had to identify each other--and then remembered incidents in the past and had some good laughs over them. Cousin June reminded me of the plastic party I had given back in 1950 (prior to Tupperware) and the treasured plastic shower curtain she had purchased--the one with the pink flamingoes on it! Deb's Uncle Cliff and I had a bunch of laughs about the last time we had seen each other. It was at a family picnic, he had had too much to drink . . . and, well, you don't want to know the rest of THAT story! Claude Smith and I were surprised when we realized that we had known each other back as far as around 1946 or 47 when I was just a kid and he was the most handsome sailor in the whole world! We then remembered when we both served in the Navy together at Naval Air Station Niagara Falls and we tried to remember the names of mutual shipmates of that time. Dora and Renie were there and remembered me. Grandma was the manager of a local motel in the 1970s and they worked for her. Deb's brother Doug was there with his wife and kids and it didn't seem possible that the kids now have kids of their own. And so it went. No one was embarrassed to walk up to someone and ask who they were. And in most cases we eventually remembered meeting each other or, at least, remembering hearing their names over all of the past years because they were either friends or family of Grandma. What was especially memorable was that we realized that we were talking and laughing with individuals whose weddings we had attended but who had since been divorced and that in many cases both the "bride" and "groom" were present because of Grandma. It was obvious that at least for the evening, all bitterness or sadness of the past was totally forgotten. It was just a joy to be together again after all the years that had passed that we had known each other.. Among Grandma's immediate descendants there were her two sons, a number of grandchildren and great-grandchildren and of course Grandma's pride and joy, little six-month-old Madeline Beatrice Grace, her great-great-granddaughter. Dear Maddie hammed it up for everyone! It ended up being a joyous occassion. Did I need the wheelchair? Ain't no way, my cane did just fine. Auntie Vee was catered to when it came to needing an arm to lean on or to help me get up from the chair I was sitting on, for someone to open a door for me. And I hammed it up just as much as little Maddie did. I swear that if someone would have provided me with a top hat, I would have done a dance routine with my top hat and cane! Yes, tears were shed last night, but there were more laughs and good memories than there were tears. And Grandma would have been so pleased that everyone was sharing such nice memories of her and of each other at her viewing. And trust me, ALL of us remembered the smile she always had on her face. vee

I am happy to hear the good news Vee! With all your interesting posts and then the news of your surgery and up dates of your progress all of us on the Niagara list feel that we are part of your family. And like family and we rejoice with you on the success of your operation. I am quite new to this particular list and I am so delighted with all the nice people out there. Barbara Moll

Susan, There are two books I have read in part, which I feel do a good job at telling Niagara County's history. Niagara County New York, a Concise Record of Her Progress and People, 1821-1921 by Edward T. Williams, 2 volumes Biographical and Portrait Cyclopedia of Niagara County, by Samuel T. Wiley and W. Scott Garner (1892) Evelyn, native of Niagara County ________________________________________________________________ YOU'RE PAYING TOO MUCH FOR THE INTERNET! Juno now offers FREE Internet Access! Try it today - there's no risk! For your FREE software, visit: http://dl.www.juno.com/get/tagj.

Ellen and anyone else who has experience serendipity & intuition in your genealogy research, have you seen the two books by Henry Z. Jones, Jr. It speaks to the "out of the blue" events we all encounter at some time. These two books I purchased while at the conference in Fort Wayne in July are really interesting and I can relate of many of the case studies. Susanne

Posted on: Niagara Co. NY Queries Reply Here: http://genconnect.rootsweb.com/genbbs.cgi/USA/NY/Niagara/252 Surname: McGraw, Cooper ------------------------- Hi I am looking for a Joseph Allan McGraw. He married Carrie Cooper from N.B. Canada 1913. Children Sarah Emmelina m. Ralph Belyea had son Glenn; Harry has son Randy David. Can anyone help at all? I am sure someone must know these people. Thanks. Pat

The Cemetery is on the corner of Round Rd and 78. At least I'm pretty sure that's the name of it, and the funeral home is Rutland - Corwin which is more in the village of Newfane. There is also a Sherrie Funeral home it is located on East Ave. East Ave is the light with the church on the corner, you would turn towards the church. Patty Champion Sanderlin Wilson, Niagara Co. NY searching: Armstrong, Campbell, Champion, Curnow, Freeman, Maynard, Meek, Morcom, Richards, Russell, Taylor and Wass ----- Original Message ----- From: <CAhobbies@aol.com> To: <NYNIAGAR-L@rootsweb.com> Sent: Friday, August 25, 2000 12:46 AM Subject: Re: Corwin > "A. Robert & Ellen E. Colangelo" <apri@pcom.net> writes: > > << ... driving North on Rte. 78 ... On the East side in the Town of Newfane was ... Corwin Cemetery ... > Ellen Colangelo >> > > -->> Yes, that's the one I think she's looking for. Now if I recall, if you're traveling north... in Newfane ... the Corwin cemetary is on the right-hand side of the road. If you continue going north... the funeral home is "just up the road" on the left side of the road. > > Ah, the mind is a strange thing. Don't recall the name of the funeral home offhand. (Have it at home in my notes... but on the road again for work right now... laptop time). > > debbie > CAhobbies@aol.com > > > > ==== NYNIAGAR Mailing List ==== > The New York State Archives and Records Administration is at > <http://www.sara.nysed.gov/>. > >

"A. Robert & Ellen E. Colangelo" <apri@pcom.net> writes: << ... driving North on Rte. 78 ... On the East side in the Town of Newfane was ... Corwin Cemetery ... Ellen Colangelo >> -->> Yes, that's the one I think she's looking for. Now if I recall, if you're traveling north... in Newfane ... the Corwin cemetary is on the right-hand side of the road. If you continue going north... the funeral home is "just up the road" on the left side of the road. Ah, the mind is a strange thing. Don't recall the name of the funeral home offhand. (Have it at home in my notes... but on the road again for work right now... laptop time). debbie CAhobbies@aol.com

Hi fellow listers, I'm looking for your suggestions & will appreciate all comments etc. Recently I read a "memoir" of a former classmate from Lewiston & when I passed it on to husband & children they had a lot of questions about the area. I do have a fairly good memory I think & the history we learned so well in school there, as I liven in Lewiston until I was nearly 16. . . . but at the same time, I'm also absolutely sure I will miss a lot if I try singlehandedly to talk about many things. I would like to be able to hand them a good book about the area, dealing with local settlement, political & geographical developments throughout the colonial period, landmarks etc up until perhaps sometime after the war of 1812. Does anyone have a favorite that would make the Niagara frontier come alive for my husband & adult children who haven't a clue what terms like "escarpment" mean or who General Brock was. Much appreciation, Susan McMackin Reynolds in Lewes DE, "the first town in the first state"

This is so weird...my husband, son, daughter-in-law and I were driving North on Rte. 78 about 45 mins. ago. On the East side in the Town of Newfane was the Corwin Cemetery. Sometimes genealogy gets spooky! Ellen Colangelo

Posted on: Niagara Co. NY Queries Reply Here: http://genconnect.rootsweb.com/gc/USA/NY/Niagara/251 Surname: ASHTON, SAUNDERS, YERKES ------------------------- Seeking information on Thomas C. ASHTON whose last will and testament was made at Newfane, Niagara Co. NY. My gg-grandfather, William SAUNDERS, carried a wallet through two stints in the Civil War with a paper on which he had written: "Mr. Thomas Ashton, Coomer, Niagara Co NY," (there is a Coomer Road near Newfane). In 1856 at Philadelphia PA, William was married to Mary Elizabeth ASHTON, b. 31 Mar 1835, daughter of John S. Ashton and Sarah YERKES Ashton. John S. Ashton was the son of William and Elizabeth Ashton. I seek the relationship between Thomas C. Ashton and this Ashton Family of Pennsylvania.

As all of you dear people know, because of breast cancer, I had a radical mastectomy last Friday and I returned home from the Buffalo VA hospital this Tuesday. This morning I had a VA appointment to see Dr. Karen Stanford one of the surgeons who had performed the surgery. She checked the 10 inch incision, removed the drainage tubes, changed the dressing and then checked the computer to see what Pathology had to say about what the future holds for me. What did she find? I'M FREE OF CANCER!!!!! Tamoxifin will be prescribed for me--a cancer inhibitor--and I will be fitted with a prosthetic by the VA in the near future. So I guess I don't need to tell you that all of your prayers have been answered and that the Lord listened to each and every one of them. To paraphrase an old favorite hymn of mine, "Loving Friends and God Will Take Care of You.." What more could anyone want in life? Bless you all, luvya, auntie vee