PACAMBRI-L Archives

From: <>
Subject: [PACAMBRI] Who They Were
Date: Sat, 5 Feb 2000 22:10:03 EST

Hi All,

I'v e loved reading all of your comments on the question I had asked
regarding finding out who our ancestors really were as people not just name
and birthdate.

I am glad to learn from your replies that I am not alone among this Cambria
County group. You are all great !
There is a book I have enjoyed reading Titled Voices In Your Blood by GG
Vanagriff (its in paperback)
Get it and read it if you can, its very enlightening.

I also love the poem Gary posted about visiting ancestors graves.

I really feel that my ancestors love me & are in my corner rooting for me in
all that I do. I find that a comforting thought.
Its so very strange that when I see them in old photos it feels like they are
really seeing me too. Very eerie in a good way. The magic of photography.
I love the old photos. pictures speak a 1000 words.

When I went to visit Cambria County, (to the once thriving town of
Gallitzin)a few years ago, I went to the home my Great Great Grandfather
built. (Mike Connolly who is known to have fought the orangeman on St
Patricks day)
I have a photo of this home from 1914 in all its glory, the wrought iron
fence , front porch and everything looking just gorgeous. . . I found it
looking very different now days - but still standing there and being lived
in. Wow they don't built 'em like that anymore. The old brick wall
surrounding the front yard was still there !
It felt so strange being there, right there looking at the house from the
side walk and seeing it for myself in person. It was like the whole town
and all the buildings must have shrunk since 1914. . . or is it that
people now days are larger?
& now the cars take up space too. . . time goes on, somethings change, some
never will.
anyway, after seeing the places in person, visiting the graves, reasearching
dates and facts and reading the obits, wills, corresponding and learning
from all of your listmembers (some who are cousins hi Brian)via the
wonderful and confusing internet, after listening to and memorizing all the
family stories etc. etc. etc.
It occurs to me that going forward in life is so much more meaningful when
you can see what was behind you.
So sad the some people don't even bother to take a look.
Genealogy, with all its facts -names, dates and places is sorta cold and
dry, but it shouldn't be, because it has been the springboard for teaching me
so many things about life, and about the world, and people and most of all,
about myself.

Karen Haskett

my Cambria County family names
BASAL / CONNOLLY / SHERWOOD / CONWAY

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