Ancient Dig - Tbnewswatch.com

I spotlighted a video of my nephew Tanner singing and this time, my other nephew Sam is working on an archeological dig that was on the Thunder Bay news. He is seen a couple of time - in a yellow hat if that helps. (once in a panning shot and once in the background shot.)

Ancient Dig - Tbnewswatch.com (link no longer working)

The Suitcase Letters

US Mail
Originally uploaded by Steve 2.0

I have started ANOTHER wiki. I really intend to look more into other website creating tools but since I know wikis and can do what I need to with them, it is good for now.

This one is to document the progress on preserving and sharing a suitcase full of old letters and documents from the Toone, Mulholland and Hunter families. A big project but you never know what kinds of gems you may find. Lots of letters from missions from Leo, Avard and Jean, as well as letters from Hannah (my grandmother) after her marriage. But these goes further back than that generation and that is what I'm most excited about. I love how you can find surprises in the way people write and what they think is important to share.

The first letter I transcribed is from David Mulholland to his brother Tom. He signs off as "Dave". I NEVER thought of him as a 'Dave' before. He talks about the bees "singing around" and how the potatoes are "first class". And he gives his brother some advice "Keep all our business to ourselves as it does not do to open our mouths too wide".

Check it out and follow the progress on

http://thesuitcaseletters.wikispaces.com/

Family Reunions

It is summer and all around me, I hear of people going to family reunions.  I look forward to our Rhodes (Roots and Ruggles always invited/included) Reunion every summer and wish I had more opportunities to gather with family and share stories and time outside of the hustle bustle of regular life.

Family Reunions I would like to attend:

The Toone Reunion - I just heard a rumour that one is happening... I'm not sure I can swing it at short notice but I need to get myself on a contact list for knowing about this one.

A Webb Reunion - Is there one?  I just love learning more about this family and would like to make contact with this side - although it does overlap with the Toone Reunion - I'm curious about Hannah's family.

A Muirhead Reunion - Love to meet and know more about these Irish relatives!! I hope I can plan a trip to Ireland in the future.  The more I learn about Sam and Jenny, the more curious I am to learn more!

A Puzey Reunion - My grandpa Fred was an only child and now that I am looking at all his photos, I wonder about all the others in this family.   Only Henry and Henry William crossed to America - so the rest were in England.  I would love to know more about the family that were left behind and the new family established on this side of the ocean.

A Neilson Reunion - Swedish relatives!  This is the side of family is the mystery to me - I don't know much about the culture or traditions - I feel a connection every time I shop in IKEA... is that it? Need to know more!

I don't want to leave out other family lines but these are the ones on my radar at the moment.  If you are out there and know about a reunion for one of these lines, please share!!

Pioneer Day

Pioneer Day
Originally uploaded by David B.

In honour of July 24, Pioneer Day.

I have made a wiki with the names of those ancestors on the Toone and Puzey lines that crossed the plains to arrive in the Salt Lake Valley. Mostly a list and links now but hopefully this will continue to be a place to make their stories come to life.
http://ourpioneerheritage.wikispaces.com/

An End - Tanner Hopkins - Original Video Song