footnoteMaven

Do You Hear What I Hear Christmas 2018

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Sun, 23 Dec 2018 17:30:00 +0000

Said the footnoteMaven to the Bloggers all
Do you hear what I hear?
Ringing thru the web, Bloggers all
Do you hear what I hear?

A song, a song
With a Christmas Ring

Why it must be Blog Caroling

Thank You All For Keeping This Tradition And For Sharing. Sharing is what Christmas is all about! I enjoyed each and every one of your carols. I listened to all the beautiful arrangements and I loved them!

Merry Christmas!

Come Blog Caroling With Us

Songs, songs
sung by a choir of
Genealogy, Family History and FaceBook Angels,
Blog Caroling!

It so good to see so many familiar faces and some new friends as well.

Heather Rojo, at Nutfield Genealogy sings, "It Came Upon A Midnight Clear" As beautiful as ever my dear.

Randy Seaver of GeneaMusings lifts our spirits with "Angels We Have Heard on High." Love your selection, Randy!

Carolina Girl's favorite carol for 2018 is "Feliz Navidad Mimi", and it comes with a lovely memory! Cheri says, "Here's my carol!! Thank you for allowing us to blog carol again this year! Merry Christmas!" And a very Merry Christmas to you and yours!

Aleksandra of Gone To Texas contributes with a wonderful selection of Polish Christmas Carols. Thank you so much for joining us this year.
Eileen Souza of Old Bones Genealogy said, here is my Blog Caroling post for this year "The Little Drummer Boy. You may be surprised at these renditions." - LOVED for King and Country.
Robert Burnett joins us on Facebook for blog caroling - you will unfortunately be unable to see the post unless you are a friend.
Linda Shufflebeam of Empty Branches on the Family Tree said "One day late, but here is White Christmas! Oh, Linda, no one is every really late for Blog Caroling. And as a Washingtonian I do love White Christmas!
Bill West of West In New England one of my all time favorite bloggers carols "I Saw Three Kings! Sung by his Mother's favorite Nat King Cole! Merry Christmas Bill, Love.

Good Bloggers All This 2018 Christmas

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Sun, 23 Dec 2018 16:15:00 +0000

The Wexford Carol
("Good People All, This Christmastime")
(Enniscorthy Carol)

carol. French carole. Originally a song to accompany dancing,
but later, by common usage, it came to refer to old,
Christmas-season religious songs.

I am totally predictable. Or boring as the case may be. To Blog Carol I have selected the same song I sing every year, probably the best known of Irish Christmas songs (and my very favorite carol), "The Wexford Carol." I love this carol!

The Wexford Carol has roots reaching back to twelfth century Ireland, traceable to the proximity of the County and town of Wexford. The Wexford Carol was included in The Oxford Book of Carols and tells the story of the birth of Christ.

It is interesting to note that Christmas carols were rare in Ireland, but County Wexford has a 300 year tradition of handing down carols from generation to generation. Families in the area were each entrusted with a carol and with sharing that particular carol with the generations. During Christmas the carols were sung in the homes of these families and in the church by the choir. The choir consisted of six men who sang the carols unaccompanied.

Please sing along with this beautiful rendition; YoYo Ma and Allison Krauss performing The Wexford Carol.

Good people all, this Christmas time,
Consider well and bear in mind
What our good God for us has done,
In sending His beloved Son.
With Mary holy we should pray
To God with love this Christmas Day;
In Bethlehem upon the morn
There was a blest Messiah born.

The night before that happy tide
The noble virgin and her guide
Were long time seeking up and down
To find a lodging in the town.
But mark how all things came to pass:
From every door repelled, alas!
As long foretold, their refuge all
Was but a humble oxen stall.

Near Bethlehem did shepherds keep
Their flocks of lambs and feeding sheep;
To whom God’s angels did appear
Which put the shepherds in great fear.
“Prepare and go”, the angels said,
“To Bethlehem, be not afraid;
For there you’ll find, this happy morn,
A princely Babe, sweet Jesus born.”

With thankful heart and joyful mind,
The shepherds went the babe to find,
And as God’s angel has foretold,
They did our Savior Christ behold.
Within a manger He was laid,
And by His side the virgin maid
Attending to the Lord of Life,
Who came on earth to end all strife.

Merry Christmas

I hear you singing, my friends.
How I love Blog Caroling!!
What a joyous noise we will make
when we all come together to sing-along.

Remember, you have until midnight in
Hawaii, FRIDAY, to sing-along!

We will assemble Sunday, December 23
to tour all the Caroling Blogs and faceBook pages!

fM's Tradition of Blog Caroling

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Mon, 17 Dec 2018 17:36:00 +0000

B L O G - C A R O L I N G

Yes, Geneabloggers and faceBook friends it's time for fM's favorite Christmas tradition. After the year I've had I could use a little song and nog.

So, from the comfort of my blog and faceBook page, with Hot Toddy in hand, my flannel jammies and furry slippers on, I will blog my favorite Christmas Carol on Friday, December 21. (I sing so much better online than in person!)

We all need a little Christmas Cheer!

To my fellow GeneaBloggers and faceBook friends, I challenge each of you to blog your favorite Christmas Carol - Blog Caroling or post it on your faceBook page. We'll all sing along! (Blog Caroling is posting the lyrics, youtube video, etc. of your favorite Christmas carol on your blog or on faceBook.)

Blog Carol between today and Friday 21 December. Post a note to the comments HERE directing us to your Blog Caroling post or your Facebook page.

If you sing along with us, feel free to snag the Great Blog Caroling image above.

If you're blogging you can post you blog post in the comments below or on your facebook page with the link.

DO YOU HEAR WHAT I HEAR? 2017

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Sun, 24 Dec 2017 03:41:00 +0000

Said the footnoteMaven to the Bloggers all
Do you hear what I hear?
Ringing thru the web, Bloggers all
Do you hear what I hear?

A song, a song
With a Christmas Ring

Why it must be Blog Caroling

Thank You All For Keeping This Tradition And For Sharing. Sharing is what Christmas is all about!I enjoyed each and every one of your carolsI listened to all the beautiful arrangementsand I loved them!

Merry Christmas!

Come Blog Caroling With Us

Songs, songs
sung by a choir of
Genealogy, Family History and FaceBook Angels,
Blog Caroling!

It so good to see so many familiar faces and some new friends as well.

Heather Rojo, at Nutfield Genealogy sings, "I Heard The Bells on Christmas Day." As beautiful as ever my dear.

Randy Seaver of GeneaMusings delights us with "Angels We Have Heard on High" and he adds a little education. Love that!

Eileen Souza: My favorite carol for 2017 is "Bring a Torch, Jeanette, Isabella", which can be found on my blog "Old Bones Genealogy." Thank you for hosting this event each year. It really helps generate greater Christmas spirit. - You are most welcome, it is my Christmas boost.

Laura Hedgecock said. What a fun tradition! Here's my post on Treasure Chest of Memories. Bleak MidWinter. - What a beautiful graphic Laura and I had not heard this carol before.

Janice Webster Brown of Cowhampshire - My Contribution to your wonderful meme. WWII the song that stopped the fighting. Love you fm. Janice. - You have no idea what a joy it is to see your name pop up at Christmas.
Alice Keesey Mecoy wrote...So glad to participate again. I tell the history of "O Holy Night" a carol that has touched millions. - So glad to hear you singing again.
Carol Stevens of Reflections From The Fence. Happy Holidays, back to "Little Drummer Boy", again. With new videos. - I love this song Carol, and the new videos.

Good Bloggers All This 2017 Christmas Time.

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Fri, 22 Dec 2017 16:00:00 +0000

The Wexford Carol
("Good People All, This Christmastime")
(Enniscorthy Carol)

carol. French carole. Originally a song to accompany dancing,
but later, by common usage, it came to refer to old,
Christmas-season religious songs.

We will assemble Saturday, December 23
to tour all the Caroling Blogs and faceBook pages!

fM's Tradition of Blog Caroling - 2017

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Tue, 19 Dec 2017 16:33:00 +0000

Yes, Geneabloggers it's time for fM's favorite Christmas tradition. From the comfort of my blog, with Hot Toddy in hand, my flannel jammies and furry slippers on, I will blog my favorite Christmas Carol on Friday, December 22, on this blog and Facebook. (I sing so much better online than in person!)

So my fellow GeneaBloggers, I challenge each of you to blog or post to Facebook your favorite Christmas Carol - Blog Caroling. We'll all sing along! (Blog Caroling is posting the lyrics, youtube video, etc. of your favorite Christmas carol on your blog.)

Blog Carol between today and Friday, 22 December. Post a note to the comments for this article or on Facebook directing us to your Blog Caroling Post and I will create a listing of all our favorites. (Please list Your Name, Blog Name, Favorite Carol and the link to your post in the comments below or on Facebook.)

If you sing along with us, feel free to snag the Blog Caroling image above.

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Sat, 24 Dec 2016 19:06:00 +0000

DO YOU HEAR WHAT I HEAR?

Said the footnoteMaven to the Bloggers all
Do you hear what I hear?
Ringing thru the web, Bloggers all
Do you hear what I hear?

A song, a song
With a Christmas Ring

Why it must be Blog Caroling

Why it must be Blog Caroling

Thank You All For Keeping This Tradition And For Sharing.
Sharing is what Christmas is all about!
I enjoyed each and every one of your carols
I listened to all the beautiful arrangements
and I loved them!

Merry Christmas!

Come Blog Caroling With Us

Songs, songs
sung by a choir of
Genealogy, Family History and FaceBook Angels,
Blog Caroling!

Below Are The Great Blog Caroling Carolers!

It so good to see so many familiar faces and some new friends as well.

Janice Brown said...fM, always wonderful to participate in your annual Blog Caroling. Janice Webster Brown, Cow Hampshire, sings "This Time of Year," (Etta James Version) "You have no idea the joy it brings just to see your name."

Bill West, Of West In New England, said...Here's mine, "The Coventry Carol" with a link to the Annie Lennox performance of the carol. "Bill love, you have music in your soul."

Melissa Barker said...My name is Melissa Barker, my blog is "A Genealogist in the Archives", my favorite Christmas carol is "Hark! The Herald Angel Sings". "One of my all time favorites as well."

Randy Seaver's favorite carol can be found at Geneamusings. Hugs and Merry Christmas to you, my dear -- Randy. "And to you and your lovely family my dear friend."

Family Curator said...Merry Merry Merry footnoteMaven! And from the Family Curator a musical gift with a twist. "I would have expected nothing less."

Donna Peterson of Hanging With Donna is another first timer. "Welcome from us all and we hope you enjoy the caroling."

Fran Ellsworth...So excited to join in again this year. Fran Ellsworth @ Branching Out Through the Years "The Angel in the Christmas Play." "And so excited to find you singing again this year."

This is Linda Stufflebean's first time Blog Caroling. "Welcome! We hope it becomes one of your traditions as well." Empty Branches On The Family Tree.

Hi, I'm Nicole Dyer and I shared a rare Christmas song passed down in my family on my blog, FamilyLocket. "Rare? Music to any genealogist's ear."

Reflecting From The Fence, as usual, is Carol Stevens, who for the last four years has sung "The Little Drummer Boy." Now this year, Carol has heard bells, and so will you. Reflections From The Fence.

Heather Wilkinson Rojo of Nutfield Genealogy carols "O Holy Night," and gives us a history lesson. "Don't you just love, Heather!"

Bobby Jacobs, a Facebook friend, is caroling "Canadian Brass - Twelve Days of Christmas" with some unique lyrics. "Oh, I like it!"

Denise Olson, Moultrie Creek, has a fixation with USAF flash mobs - this time with a Glenn Miller theme. "A Swinging Christmas." Merry Christmas fM and all my genea-friends. "And a very Merry Christmas to you, Denise love!"

Sassy Jane carols “I Yust Go Nuts at Christmas” by Yogi Yorgesson. "Somehow, Nancy, I believe it."

Susan Clark of Nolichucky Roots, brings us joy with a side of Harry Belafonte singing "Mary's Boy Child." "Susan, thank you! I feel the same way about you. I'm looking forward to a white Christmas, but when the white runs out I'll drink the red."

Melissa Barker of A Genealogist In The Archives, and most of us are, is a first timer to Blog Caroling. So let's welcome her as she carols, "Hark The Herald Angels Sing." "It's really beginning to feel like Christmas."

John Newmark of TransylvanianDutch introduces us to David Bowie & Bing Crosby performing Little Drummer Boy/Peace on Earth. "So good to see you John! Merry Christmas." P.S. I never knew David and Bing sang together!

Randy Clark, another Facebook friend, carols "Hallelujah" - Christmas version by Cloverton.mp3.

And last, but by no means least, is everyone's favorite, Dear Myrt. Pat has opted
for quiet tones in "Still, Still, Still." And it is thanks to Pat and Denise
Levenick for saving Blog Caroling last year. They kept the tradition alive.
Merry Christmas and love to you both.

Merry Christmas To All and To All A Goodnight.

And Thank You For An Amazing Blog Caroling 2016

Trivia:

carol. French carole. Originally a song to accompany dancing,
but later, by common usage, it came to refer to old,
Christmas-season religious songs.

Caroling, also known as wassailing, actually began in medieval times as a pagan ritual. The wassail, a hot beverage usually made with hot ale or mulled cider, was a ritual honoring the apple and fruit orchards in the dead of winter. Farmers went from farm to farm pouring wassail on the roots of trees while making a lot of noise to scare off the bad spirits responsible for making the days shorter and colder. Eventually the custom of going door to door singing and drinking became a Christmas tradition. (This is one of the many versions of the story of caroling, but all agree it is rooted in pagan ritual.)

Carols were formerly sung at large Christmas feasts and family dinners, in the open air on Christmas Eve or Christmas morning, and at the time of public worship in the churches on Christmas Day.

You will note as you travel around caroling that the women singers far outnumber the men.

Perhaps this explains why:

In Pasquils' "Jests," an old book published in 1604, there is a story of an eccentric knight who, at a Christmas feast which he had made for a large number of his tenants and friends, ordered no man at the table to drink a drop "till he that was master over his wife should sing a carol."

After a pause one poor dreamer alone lifted his voice, the others all sitting silent and glum. Then the knight turned to the table where the women sat, and bade "her who was master over her husband" sing a carol. The story says that forthwith "the women fell all to singing, that there was never heard such a catter-walling piece of musicke."

Good Bloggers All This Christmastime

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Thu, 22 Dec 2016 17:41:00 +0000

The Wexford Carol
("Good People All, This Christmastime")
(Enniscorthy Carol)

carol. French carole. Originally a song to accompany dancing,
but later, by common usage, it came to refer to old,
Christmas-season religious songs.

I am totally predictable. To Blog Carol I have selected the same song I sing every year, probably the best known of Irish Christmas songs (and my very favorite carol), "The Wexford Carol." I love this carol!

The Wexford Carol has roots reaching back to twelfth century Ireland, traceable to the proximity of the County and town of Wexford. The Wexford Carol was included in The Oxford Book of Carols and tells the story of the birth of Christ.

It is interesting to note that Christmas carols were rare in Ireland, but County Wexford has a 300 year tradition of handing down carols from generation to generation. Families in the area were each entrusted with a carol and with sharing that particular carol with the generations. During Christmas the carols were sung in the homes of these families and in the church by the choir. The choir consisted of six men who sang the carols unaccompanied.

Please sing along with this beautiful rendition; YoYo Ma and Allison Krauss performing The Wexford Carol.

We will assemble Friday, December 23
to tour all the Caroling Blogs and faceBook pages!

fM's Tradition of Blog Caroling

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Tue, 20 Dec 2016 18:42:00 +0000

Yes, Geneabloggers it's time for fM's favorite Christmas tradition. From the comfort of my blog, with Hot Toddy in hand, my flannel jammies and furry slippers on, I will blog my favorite Christmas Carol on Thursday, December 22, on this blog and Facebook. (I sing so much better online than in person!)

So my fellow GeneaBloggers, I challenge each of you to blog or post to Facebook your favorite Christmas Carol - Blog Caroling. We'll all sing along! (Blog Caroling is posting the lyrics, youtube video, etc. of your favorite Christmas carol on your blog.)

Blog Carol between today and Thursday, 22 December. Post a note to the comments for this article or on Facebook directing us to your Blog Caroling Post and I will create a listing of all our favorites. (Please list Your Name, Blog Name, Favorite Carol and the link to your post in the comments below or on Facebook.)

If you sing along with us, feel free to snag the Blog Caroling Badge above.

Do you Hear What I Hear?

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Wed, 24 Dec 2014 23:57:00 +0000

Said the footnoteMaven to the Bloggers all
Do you hear what I hear?
Ringing thru the web, Bloggers all
Do you hear what I hear?

A song, a song
With a Christmas Ring

Why it must be Blog Caroling

Come Blog Caroling With Us

Songs, songs
sung by a choir of
Genealogy, Family History and FaceBook Angels,
Blog Caroling!

Open The Great Blog Caroling Songbook!

Select the name of the Blog, person or carol to sing along.

This year Mr. Maven has asked to join Blog Caroling. His favorite carol is Chuck Berry's Run Run Rudolph found here on YouTube. I think he has the Christmas Spirit.

DearMYRTLE's contribution to footnoteMaven's Tradition of Blog Caroling 2014 includes the thought: "...and become as little children..." Pat Richley Erickson directs us to the video of PS22 school children singing." All little children.

Dawn Kogutkiewicz tells us she posted the same song as Dear Myrt along with her Christmas wish for peace.

Heather Wilkinson Rojo at Nutfield Genealogy is singing, "Over the River and Through the Woods."Thanks for hosting Blog Caroling again this year, FM!" It's my pleasure Heather.

Bill West, of West in New England, shares my penchant for the Wexford Carol. Yes, Bill, my dear friend, "Great Minds."

Denise Olson, AKA Moultrie Creek, says it looks like we've got a long cold winter ahead of us so this year she chose I've Got My Love to Keep Me Warm as my contribution to fM's caroling festivities. And we send you some extra love Denise, just in case you need it. Merry Christmas from us all!

Jennifer of Irish Eyes, writes - "Dear footnoteMaven, So very glad to see your tradition of Blog Carolling again this year. Hoping all is well with you. I posted my blog carol this past Saturday, but would be honoured to be included among those carolling along with you. Happy Christmas to you and yours!" The honor is all ours Love! Listen to her carol here.

Janet Iles, Janet the Reseacher, selected Candelight Carol. It is a contemporary carol. I agree Janet, it's so difficult to pick a favorite. I love listening to all of you.

Cheri Hudson Passey, Carolina Girl Genealogy, directs us to a family tradition and now a blog caroling tradition. Only one more sleep till Christmas.

Kristin of Finding Eliza's carol for this year is Silent Night by Sweet Honey in the Rock. And it gives you a great deal to contemplate. Peace on Earth, Kristin.

Lorine McGinnis Schulze, of Olive Tree Genealogy says, "Here is my carol - it is the first Canadian Christmas Carol and it's beautiful. Sung in the Huron native american language, then French, then English. First Canadian Christmas Carol." I LOVE this!

Eileen Souza at Old Bones Genealogy, carols her favorite Mary's Boy Child. So beautiful, Eileen!
Ginger Farnsworth - I am not a blogger but so want to join the caroling. I've just posted this one on my Facebook page and am dedicating it this year to all of the animal rescue volunteers in our area. It is a favorite of mine. Ginger is a Facebook friend and you can find her favorite right here on YouTube.
Ah, the beautiful Gini of Ginisology, celebrates her heritage - "My all time favorite each and every year for your Blog Caroling is Silent Night in German over at Ginisology ~ Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays to you all" Merry Christmas to you and yours, Gini.

Vickie of Be Not Forgot has a most interesting post for Blog Caroling. "God Didn't Choose Sides goes back 150 years . . . and includes three Christmas songs . . ."
Amanda Pape at ABT UNK - one of my favorite carols is "Emmanuel" - Merry Christmas, everyone! A Very Merry Christmas, Amanda. This was absolutely beautiful.

Lisa Gorrell of My Trails Into The Past, carols The Twelve Days of Christmas! I love the carol, but never get those twelve days just right. Maybe next year.

Liv Taylor-Harris, of Claiming Kin, says, "Thanks Footnote Maven for hosting another wonderful year of blog caroling!" And thank you Liv for caroling your fun childhood favorite, Rudolph The Red-Nosed Reindeer.

M. Diane Rogers of Canada Genealogy tells us, I know I'm really late joining the carollers, but I am singing 'All I Want for Christmas'. You didn't honestly think we'd start without you!

Oh, leave it to our favorite legal eagle, Judy G. Russell to be unable to resist, You're A Mean One Mr. Grinch. So out of character. Or is it. Judy is after all a good friend of the Monkster.

Facebook friend, Kim E Dolce tells us" I'm in the choir at church. We sing a lot of traditional carols, but I've never sung this one, which I love: The Cherry-Tree Carol found here on YouTube.

A faithful Blog Caroler, and good friend, Fran Langley Ellsworth of Branching Out Through The Years has chosen a modern carol, Mary Did You Know. A personal favorite.

Peggy Clemens Lauritzen has fallen in love with this version of O Come Emmanuel featuring the Piano Guys. I love it too Peggy.

Susan Clark says, "No blogging this year, but Odetta is singing me through the season." So reminds me of you Susan. Rise Up Shepard.

Reflections From The Fence and the amazing Carol A. Bowen Stevens brings us a fourpeat. Love it just as much this year. The Little Drummer Boy.

Deborah Hart Stock, our own over-achiever gives us The 50 Best Versions Of "Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas." And we certainly are!

Now this is absolutely amazing, from Denise Anderson-Decina her favorite from Pentatonix, Carol of the Bells.

Georgia Genealogist is also in love with Pentatonix and has chosen The Little Drummer Boy, as you've never heard it before. Yvonne, perfect!

Kim Cotton isn't seeing visions of sugar plums as she Blog Carols. No, she's seeing soup. The weekly Noon Pacific mixtape.

Sherry Stocking Kline, The Family Tree Writer, is caroling "Baby It's Cold Outside." And yes it is, Sherry. Bet the smile on your Mom's face is warming the room up though.

Joy To The World, from Tina Sansone brings to a close this year's Blog Caroling.

Merry Christmas To All and To All A Goodnight.

And Thank You For An Amazing Blog Caroling Book

Trivia:

carol. French carole. Originally a song to accompany dancing,
but later, by common usage, it came to refer to old,
Christmas-season religious songs.

You will note as you travel around caroling that the women singers far outnumber the men.

Perhaps this explains why:

In Pasquils' "Jests," an old book published in 1604, there is a story of an eccentric knight who, at a Christmas feast which he had made for a large number of his tenants and friends, ordered no man at the table to drink a drop "till he that was master over his wife should sing a carol."

After a pause one poor dreamer alone lifted his voice, the others all sitting silent and glum. Then the knight turned to the table where the women sat, and bade "her who was master over her husband" sing a carol. The story says that forthwith "the women fell all to singing, that there was never heard such a catter-walling piece of musicke."

Good Bloggers All This Christmastime

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Tue, 23 Dec 2014 02:39:00 +0000

The Wexford Carol
("Good People All, This Christmastime")
(Enniscorthy Carol)

carol. French carole. Originally a song to accompany dancing,
but later, by common usage, it came to refer to old,
Christmas-season religious songs.

To Blog Carol I have selected probably the best known of Irish Christmas songs (and my very favorite carol), "The Wexford Carol." The Wexford Carol has roots reaching back to twelfth century Ireland, traceable to the proximity of the County and town of Wexford. The Wexford Carol was included in The Oxford Book of Carols and tells the story of the birth of Christ.

It is interesting to note that Christmas carols were rare in Ireland, but County Wexford has a 300 year tradition of handing down carols from generation to generation. Families in the area were each entrusted with a carol and with sharing that particular carol with the generations. During Christmas the carols were sung in the homes of these families and in the church by the choir. The choir consisted of six men who sang the carols unaccompanied.

Please sing along with this beautiful rendition; YoYo Ma and Allison Krauss performing The Wexford Carol.

We will assemble Tuesday, December 23
to tour all the Caroling Blogs!

fM's Tradition Of Blog Caroling

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Sun, 21 Dec 2014 15:33:00 +0000

Yes, Geneabloggers it's time for fM's favorite Christmas tradition. From the comfort of my blog, with Hot Toddy in hand, my flannel jammies and furry slippers on, I will blog my favorite Christmas Carol on Monday, December 22. (I sing so much better online than in person!)

So my fellow GeneaBloggers, I challenge each of you to blog your favorite Christmas Carol - Blog Caroling. We'll all sing along! (Blog Caroling is posting the lyrics, youtube video, etc. of your favorite Christmas carol on your blog.)

Blog Carol between today and Tuesday, 23 December. Post a note to the comments for this article directing us to your Blog Caroling Post and I will create a listing of all our favorites. (Please list Your Name, Blog Name, Favorite Carol and the link to your post in the comments below.)

If you sing along with us, feel free to snag the Blog Caroling Songbook Badge above.

He Died While Serving Us All!

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Sun, 25 May 2014 18:22:00 +0000

I am a graduate of Esther High School, Esther, Missouri. There were 53 people in my graduating class and about 300 in our entire school. I knew everyone in our graduating class, the entire school, and in some cases was related to them.

Out of those 53 students two were killed in Vietnam. I toured the Interactive Vietnam Veterans Memorial and found one of them, Delbert Reese, the boy who sat next to me in Mrs. Simmons' English class.

He was very shy, at least around me. He had a great laugh and a brilliant smile. I remember him as always being happy. We both belonged to the Scribblers Club, the club for writers, and had been in the school play together.

School in a small town during the sixties was very different than it is today. I remember Mrs. Simmons sent Delbert home from school with a note to his parents. He wasn't to come back to school until he got a hair cut. He was sporting a Fonzy hairdo and the twist hung down to his nose and covered his eyes. He went home, he got a buzz cut, he didn't object, his parents didn't object, and he returned to school. Could that happen today?

I looked back through my yearbook and wondered, "Was I ever really that young?" And then I looked at Delbert, who will be that young forever. For his sacrifice he deserves so much more than this simple blog post, so I am very grateful we have the Vietnam Memorial and that his name is there.

This is Delbert's yearbook photo and the activities listed for him:

Scribblers Club 2 yrs., Vice President 1 yr.
Science Club 2 yrs.
Paper Staff 1 yr.
Tennis 3 yrs.
Senior High Play 1 yr.
County Chorus 1 yr.

This is the photo of his name on the Vietnam Memorial

Full Name: Reese, Delbert Leon
Rank: Specialist Fourth Class
E4, Medical Specialist (ARMY)
Hometown: Esther
Home State: MO
Race: Caucasian
Religion: Baptist – Other Groups
Marital Status: Single
Gender: Male
Date of Birth: 1947-08-21
Tour Start Date: 1967-08-ll
Casualty Date: 1968-02-02
Death Date: 1968-02-02
Age: 20
Casualty Type: Hostile, Died
Died of: Guns, Small Arms Fire
Ground Air Sea: Ground Casualty
Body Recovered: Recovered
Country: South Vietnam
Province: Not available
Service: Army
Enlistment Type: Selective Service
Years Served: 1
Major Command: 4th Inf. Div.
Company D Co.
Battalion: 1st Bn

All of your classmates miss you and are very proud of you!

READ -- Write -- Publish -- Genealogy

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Mon, 28 Apr 2014 17:08:00 +0000

What is the collective noun for a group of writers? This is a question I asked recently on Facebook.

The answer is, a "worship of writers." The term appeared in The Book of St. Albans, published in 1486. The book is said to have been written by Juliana Berners, the prioress of the Priory of St. Mary of Sopwell which is near St. Albans. She was a writer of heraldry, hawking and hunting. Most of the terms described aggregations of animals, but it was not limited to "Beestys and Fowlys," evidenced by other contributions such as an "eloquence of lawyers" and a "flight of stairs."

While you might imagine that a "worship of writers" origin had to do with the readers of books and their obsession with the authors, it is quite the opposite. In the Middle Ages writers needed a patron to survive and therefore would heap flattery on that patron in their writings. Thus, a "worship of writers."

Noreen Alexander Manzella was the first correct answer, and the first answer period. LisaMary Wichowski and Lynne Penniman Carothers also had the correct answer, but they all just "knew" the answer. Wish I was that smart.

There were some very humorous answers. My personal favorite was "Writers' Block" from Jana Sloan Broglin. To write that as a collective noun would be a "block of writers" or a "bloc of writers." Love it!

I have found no one collective noun for a group of genealogists, so let's get our wit working and offer a few for consideration.

I will start with a couple of tree references:

a "stand of genealogists"

a "thicket of genealogists"

and a research reference we are all familiar with, a "hoard of genealogists."

Here are a few contributions from Facebook friends.

LisaMary Wichowski - A 'query' of genealogists? (I knew the original answer from James Lipton's lovely book, was especially amused by 'unction of undertakers')

Patricia Brown - A hoven of genealogists

Patricia Brown -- For the record - I meant "coven". Just looked up hoven and found out it means a "swelling" which could be correct if you are looking at photos of a group if genealogists together.

Bruce Buzbee -- A body of genealogists

Charlotte Sellers -- A forest of genealogists ... made up of many trees.

David Foy -- A citation of genealogists.

Ellen Rowan Taylor -- An obsession of genealogists.

Deborah Hart Stock -- A besom of genealogists - because a besom broom is a collection of twigs and branches fastened together, and jumping over such a broom has in the past been one way of contracting a marriage, and thus the potential beginning of a family.

We can always use more, so let's get our wit working, offer a few for consideration.

Further reading -- James Lipton's book, An Exaltation of Larks, and A Compendium of Collective Nouns: From an Armory of Aardvarks to a Zeal of Zebras by Jay Sacher.

Bonjour, I'm A French Model!

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Wed, 09 Apr 2014 20:21:00 +0000

Bonjour! I'm a French model. It must be true, you read it here on the internet. Right? Right. I love the point this State Farm television commercial makes. A point that is relevant to any genealogical research done on the internet. The moral of the story is that you and your work are only as good as your sources.

Who cares, and who should care?

It seems that the "genealogy community" hobbyist, expert, professional discussion is back. Everything old is new again. I gave an example of the discussion as it was in 1887 in an excerpt from a genealogy book I posted here on Facebook. The present discussion made the rounds of the blogs in 2007, and again in 2011. Nothing much has changed since then.

My opinion.

I am a genealogist. We are all genealogists who study or trace our ancestry. All. Period. Some would like to attach a level of competence to the individual person. Those names are, but not limited to, hobbyist, expert, professional, etc. What does any of that mean? We do not have a generally accepted definition of hobbyist, expert, or professional as it applies to the world of genealogy. We all have an opinion as to what the definition should be, but no generally accepted genealogical community definition.

Why don't we label genealogists well-known, known, and unknown. That could also define individual genealogists. Just as meaningful. Many of you will argue that the BCG standards are our guide. But they are only a guide to a genealogist's expertise if that genealogist has voluntarily been tested by those standards. Have you seen a list of those who have tried and failed their standards?

When it comes to the definition of hobbyist, expert or professional work product, we are again faced with no generally accepted definition. We do have standards of genealogical research and presentation of that work. And we do have opinions. So many opinions.

First, let me ask, "Why does it matter so much to you?"

Before you answer, may I say that I think I understand. I have several law degrees. I cringe when I see people online give a legal opinion or legal definition who have zero legal education. Then when I stop gritting my teeth I remember a simple truth. Their opinion is of no value to me. And if you are so quick to accept those opinions without investigating their credentials, shame on you. I am not going to waste my energy turning them in to the bar or the Attorney General for practicing law without a license. And I'm certainly not going to recommend them to anyone seeking legal advice. More importantly, I will investigate and form my own legal opinions.

What about you? You work hard on your genealogical research. You adhere to genealogical standards. Do you feel that your work is diminished by those who have no standards because they too call themselves a genealogist? Their standards are of no value to you and your work, and if you are so quick to accept their conclusions without investigating their sources, shame on you. Don't waste your energy turning them in to the Genealogy Police or the Citation Police. Don't recommend their work. You are only responsible for the standards of your own work.

Now if you want to change the fact that we are only responsible for our own work, come up with a definition, a guide, a standard, a license, a law, something for levels of expertise! I think you will find it isn't as simple as you thought it would be.

In a 2011 post, Kimberly Powell of Kimberly's Genealogy Blog on About.com asked:

"How do we as genealogists strike a balance between encouraging sound genealogical standards and practices without discouraging family history newcomers who find themselves quickly discouraged by those same standards, which they often don't understand and find unnecessarily complicated? Isn't there room for genealogists of all viewpoints and varying skill levels? Can't we find a way to educate and encourage without beating people over the head with our genealogy ideals?"

These questions are as important today as when Kimberly Powell first asked them. Can we move on to solutions?

What do you think?

It's not as easy as it looks on TV.

~ Rosie O'Donnell ~

Who Do You Think You Are?

How To Write The History Of A Family - 1887

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Mon, 07 Apr 2014 17:15:00 +0000

I found this book so interesting that I thought I'd share an excerpt with you.

It is evident the perception of the Genealogist/Family Historian hasn't changed much since 1887.

However, I have always thought that through education programs that set standards for research, writing, and production; and that teach the skill sets necessary to achieve those results, we will improve not only how others view us, but how we view ourselves. Seems my ideas aren't new either.

In this little volume it is scarcely necessary to vindicate the study of genealogy against those who assert that it is but an idle pursuit, for it may be presumed that those only will consult it who are already persuaded of the utility of preserving their family history. The reverence which is almost universally shown toward ancestors is but an extension of the commandment. "Honor thy father and they mother." All races of men seem to possess an instinctive feeling that a line of honorable ancestry is a subject for legitimate pride.

"Who are these graves we know not,
Only know they are our fathers."

But though many affect to jest at what they call "pedigree-hunting" there are few who do not feel more or less interested in knowing something of their own family history, however humble it may be; and that this is so is shown by the increasing number of those who now take some pains to trace it out and place it on permanent record.

Genealogy in the past was chiefly confined to tabular pedigrees, more remarkable for an imposing array of names and titles than for any just claim to be termed history. Still, a few family memorials worthy of the name were compiled as early as the seventeenth century, such for example, as the splendid history of the "Lives of the Berkeleys, written by John Smyth, of Nibley, about the year 1618. The independent family memoir, however, is a product almost exclusively of modern growth and though some valuable examples have been issued in England, it is in the United States that they are most numerous.

The necessity of accuracy and method is specially insisted on, and the reader's attention is drawn to the advantage of uniting the narrative with key-tables by means of a definite system of cross references, a combination which hitherto has been too much neglected by genealogists.

W.P.W. Phillimore, M.A., B.C.L.
How To Write The History of a Family
A Guide for Genealogists
1887

Congratulations Randy Seaver!

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Thu, 06 Mar 2014 19:43:00 +0000

Photo courtesy Flipboard Magazine.

Congratulations, Randy Seaver, on the 4 March 2014, Flipboard Magazine blog post, "A Mother's Life, Remembered on Flipboard."

The article author Todd Lappin wrote, "To familiarize himself with magazine-making on Flipboard, genealogy enthusiast Randy Seaver curated photos and articles about his mother into a Flipboard magazine. Then he wrote a blog post about it."

Great job, Randy!

The Flipboard Magazine Article can be found here.

Randy's Article can be found here.

Is it a dead body?

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Tue, 14 Jan 2014 20:43:00 +0000

Today, is my son's birthday. I've put my feet up, had a cup of tea and reflected on the little boy I raised. Not the man he has become, rather the child who made every day an adventure.

Like the afternoon I came home from work and found Raymond and Ken (his best friend) waiting for me in the driveway. They swarmed the car before I could get my door open. They were talking over each other and so fast the only words I could make out were "dead body."

"Alright," I raised my voice. "Slow down. I can't understand a thing you're saying." I herded the excitement into the house and attempted to get to the bottom of what looked as if two twelve year olds were about to have a coronary.

They tried to sit still, but for the most part it didn't work. The story was punctuated by the two of them popping up and down like that annoying game at Chuck E. Cheese. The story, as they told it, was that they had found a dead body in a green garbage bag just over the hill. They wanted me to come look in the bag before we called the police. Just in case. To all mothers of sons I'm sure you know why I went to look in the bag before calling the police.

I changed into my best investigative jeans and loaded the car with the two not quite under control twelve year olds. We lived at the top of the mountain. The bag with the dead body was apparently hanging off the mountain just below our house on a dirt road. The boys directed me to the spot.

I parked the car at the side of the road, got out and walked to the edge. I leaned over and looked down. It was quite a drop, but there was the green garbage bag. Just where the boys had said it would be. A tree was jutting out from the side of the mountain and the bag was under one of the branches.

I told the boys to stay put while I slid down the hill to the tree. I climbed out on the tree branch and hung upside down over the bag. The smell was disgusting, disgusting! The boys and I were going to have a conversation when we got home as to what they were doing down the mountain and up that tree in the first place.

I ripped a hole in the bag and looked inside. There was a body in there. A decomposing body. I could see a section of the skull and other bones. But I couldn't tell if it was a human body, never having seen a decomposing human body before. And I was not going to take anything out of that bag. I was not going to touch the body or drag part of it out of the bag. This was long before CSI and the knowledge by the general public of destroying evidence. I wasn't going to touch it because it was disgusting not because I might destroy evidence!

I shinnied back down the branch, up the tree, and climbed the mountain to the waiting boys.

"Is it a dead body? Is it a dead body? Is it a dead body?" greeted me. "Yes, it's dead." I answered. "I just don't know what kind of body it is. We'll call Dad. He'll know a dead human body when he sees one. If it is one."

As this was BCP, before cell phones, we drove back to the house to get in touch with my husband. He was highly skeptical. While I was talking with Mr. Maven the boys had gotten two mixing spoons from the dishwasher and were practicing interviewing each other for the TV cameras.

Disappointment soon quelled the excitement when it was determined the dead body was a deer that had probably been poached, the carcass shoved in a green garbage bag, and the bag dumped over the little used dirt road down the mountain. (Only a twelve year old boy could be disappointed the dead body wasn't human.) This was followed by the appropriate discussions and admonitions regarding the boys' conduct.

To my son, I hope you are lucky enough to have a child just like you. Every day will be an adventure and I can picture you sliding down the mountain, up the tree, out on the branch, and opening the bag. Even when you don't quite buy the story. Happy Birthday, sweetheart!!

'Twas The Night Before GeneaChristmas!

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Tue, 24 Dec 2013 22:41:00 +0000

Another tradition! A version of "Twas The Night Before" has been posted by footnoteMaven every year since December 24, 2007. The only changes have been to include advances in technology and now, social media. So as you wait for Santa, please enjoy!

‘Twas the night before GeneaChristmas and from coast to coast,
every GeneaBlogger had penned their last post.

Had told Christmas stories both merry and bright
while blog caroling old favorites on YouTube all night.

There’d been last minute Tweets, facebooking and song.
We’d shared Christmas memories, all played along.

Nothing’s left for us now but to track Old St. Nick;
New Jersey, Missouri, Seattle, he’s quick.

Before this night’s over his reindeer’ll alight
on the roof tops of GeneaBloggers to right

The wrongs of the census, transcription, and fire;
to give each of us our one true heart’s desire.

Please, one missing ancestor, one smashed brick wall,
then dash away, dash away, dash away all.

I’ve not been naughty, I've tried hard to be nice.
Collecting old photos my one proven vice.

Reward me dear Santa I’ll promise you this;
the year 2014 will be one not to miss!

And I heard him exclaim ere he drove out of sight.
Merry Christmas To All and To All A Good Night!

Do You Hear What I Hear?

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Mon, 23 Dec 2013 19:28:00 +0000

Said the footnoteMaven to the Bloggers all
Do you hear what I hear?
Ringing thru the web, Bloggers all
Do you hear what I hear?

A song, a song
With a Christmas Ring

Why it must be Blog Caroling

Why it must be Blog Caroling

Thank You All For Keeping This Tradition
It is better late than not at all.
And sharing is what Christmas is all about!
I enjoyed each and every one of your carols
I listened to each beautiful arrangement
and I loved them!

Merry Christmas!

Come Blog Caroling With Us

Songs, songs
sung by a choir of
Genealogy, Family History and FaceBook Angels,
Blog Caroling!

Let The Blog Caroling Begin!
Select the name of the Blog to view the carol.

Bill West, of West in New England blog carols The Wexford Carol, my personal favorite. Yes, Bill, great minds!

Vickie Everhart of BeNotForgot carols "From Christmas Day 150 years ago . . . I Heard the Bells on Christmas Day . . ." Thank you Vickie! So good to carol with you.

Carol - Reflections From the Fence says Here is mine, Merry Christmas fM. Celebrating the reason for the season, again, yep, the threepeat! Well, if it's good enough for a threepeat it must be special. Merry Christmas Carol!

Denise Olsen - "Over at Moultrie Journal we're Decking the Halls with a bit of Geneablogging Christmas goodness past . . ." This is a can't miss.

Here's mine - it's a Huron Indian Carol which all Canadian school children learn. From Lorine McGinnis Schulze of the Olive Tree Genealogy blog comes T'was in the Moon of Wintertime. In the Huron Language it is Jesous Ahatonhia. I have provided the YouTube video of it sung in Huron, French and English.What fun!

Heather Wilkinson Rojo - Nutfield Genealogy caroling Si Me Dan Pasteles said..."Thanks for hosting the blog caroling again this year! Merry Christmas!" So glad we could all get together! Merry Christmas to you!

Linda McCauley of Documenting The Details recommends we listen to a Christmas Carol on a steel drum. Oh, Linda, I like it!

Kristin carols along with Carol of the Bells on Finding Eliza -Unique, clever and oh so entertaining! Go see this one.

From Susan Clark, "Merry Christmas! We are caroling at Nolichucky Roots, singing an anthem from long ago choir days. Sing We Noel sparks many memories." Everything's better with a little history, especially Christmas!

Jacqi Stevens raises her virtual voice - "After a bleak year, A Family Tapestry is Adding A Hopeful Voice to Blog Caroling with the Gloucester Cathedral Choir's tender offering of Gustav Holst's setting to Christina Rossett's poem, "In the Bleak Midwinter." Merry Christmas, footnoteMaven, and thanks for once again hosting this charming digital tradition." I know a little something about bleak Jacqi so thank you very much for taking the time to carol with us this year. Merry Christmas and may your New Year be bright.

Debra Newton-Carter of In Black and White : Cross Cultural Genealogy says "I hadn't thought of it this year until I saw your post...thanks for the invitation! This isn't a true carol in the musical sense, but it is a favorite Christmas song. I hope you enjoy it: Mary Did You Know." I enjoyed it very much!

Cheri Hudson, Carolina Girl Genealogy, gives us her Father's memory of his Mother. Her contribution -Jolly Old St. Nicholas. A 1949 rendition. Oh, I like this!

Jill Ball, Genius, tells us she's "I'm in with another Australian favourite. So appropriate today in Sydney where the mercury has hit 95f. You can find The three drovers at the Geniaus blog. Merry Very Warm Christmas to you and the Mister, Jill.


Shelley of My Genealogical Journey greets us with, "Compliments of the Season to all. We are blog caroling again this year with Jingle Bells From Stanley and the Ten Sleepless Nights." Try it, you'll love it! Why, I'd be sleepless in Seattle for this carol.

Nancy says, "Oh, footnoteMaven, I was afraid you weren't going to lead the choir this year. I'm so glad you've invited us to carol with you again. I'm singing at My Ancestors and Me and other relatives too. Thanks and Merry Christmas to you and yours." Yes, Nancy love, late but in the spirit. And a very Merry Christmas to your family, ancestors and other relatives too!

From Fran Ellsworth, Branching Out Through The Years, "Merry Christmas! Learned something this year reflected in While Shepherds Watch Their Flocks." It's always good when you can put genealogical finds to good work Caroling! Merry Christmas!

Lisa, A Light That Shines Again, really has the spirit! "Hello dear footnoteMaven! I've joined you for some caroling once again. This time it's "The Twelve Days of Christmas". I've shared the lyrics (in Irish and English) and the back story about the song's hidden meaning within my article "God in a pear tree: The hidden meaning behind 'The Twelve Days of Christmas.' A very Merry Christmas to you, your family, and all of your readers."

And one more for you from, 100 Years In America, in which I share my favorite Christmas song ("O Holy Night") and some special memories of Christmas Eve.

And I couldn't resist: just one more! "'Don't blow the tall white candle out...': A song for Christmas Eve, from Small-leaved Shamrock."

Merry Christmas Lisa Love, your Christmas joy and enthusiasm are infectious! Sing on!

And too adorable to miss is our own Missy Corley, Bayside Blog, singing her way through Christmas for all her friends! "My Holiday Recording Debut!" Oh Missy, I'm so glad you gave us this peek into your childhood. Adorable!

Kellie Reeve Griffith, The People In The Pencil Box, gives us a television tradition. "For 27 years, Darlene Love has been a special guest on the Late Show with David Letterman for his last show before Christmas." This is a real treat! Thank you Kellie.

My dear friend Becky Jamison of Grace and Glory joins the Caroling with Joy To The World. And with all this joyous noise, at such late notice, it proves there is real 'Joy In The World."'

LisaMary Wichowski of Taphopolis (say that twice), carols with Lulaby To Jesus and sends blessings to us all. And to you LisaMary a very Merry Christmas. May all your research wishes come true.

Denise Levenick, The Family Curator sends us a "Merry Christmas to You and Yours! With love from Penny D. - Still loving "Silent Night," especially this version." Oh, PennyD, it would not be Christmas without your post.

From our very own Dear Myrt, Where Are You Christmas! Pat Richley-Erickson, tells us; I pray for the peace and love, tenderly sung by a girl of tender years. Though we come from all walks of life, with different religious beliefs, one thing rings true -- the desire for peace and love among family and dear friends. Merry Christmas, dear, dear fm, and Mr. Maven. It's been rough, but we are glad to see you are both on the mend. May the new year bring additional miracles of health and strength. And to quote another "tiny person", Dicken's Tiny Tim, "God bless us everyone!" Oh Pat, how I do love you! Merry Christmas to you and Mr. Myrt from the Maven Mansion. Where Are You Christmas? You're in our hearts this time of year!

And From My Friends On Facebook:

Jo Graham I'm being lazy - "Child in a Manger" "AKA "Leanabh an Aigh" or just plain "Bunessan", after the village on the Island of Mull where Mary MacDonald who wrote it lived. She died in 1872 and as a Gaelic-speaker, she never learned English, but many English versions can be found online. It's sung to the tune of "Morning has Broken". Enjoying the carols, Footnote Maven, better (and more meaningful to us genies) than the radio can come up with! "So true Jo!

Libbi Powell Crowe sends us a beautiful Angels We Have Heard on High! Words: Traditional French carol (Les Anges dans Nos Campagnes); translated from French to English by James Chadwick in Crown of Jesus, 1862. Music: Gloria (Barnes), French carol melody; arranged by Edwin S. Barnes. Thank you so, Libbi, for making this a real Christmas!

Skip Murray (Kim Place) says "I pick the same favorite Carol every year, it really is my fav. No time to blog this year, but can't resist an opportunity to join in a sing a long. This year, I present for your listening pleasure, a modern version of my fav, instead of the traditional large choir version. Enjoy! No matter what Holiday you celebrate this time of year, I wish each and everyone of you Love and Joy!" I can't thank you enough for taking the time to carol along from the comfort of faceBook. A very Merry Christmas, baby!

Doris Irene Buckley Haskell "My favorite is Joy to the World. Merry Christmas!" I love that one as well. Merry Christmas to you!

And my own, Good Bloggers All This Christmas Time - The Wexford Carol.
---

Well, by now my friends there have been enough bells ringing for each of us and those we love to be wearing wings. I wish you all a Merry Christmas and the very best of new years!



Trivia:

carol. French carole. Originally a song to accompany dancing,
but later, by common usage, it came to refer to old,
Christmas-season religious songs.

You will note as you travel around caroling that the women singers far outnumber the men.

Perhaps this explains why:

In Pasquils' "Jests," an old book published in 1604, there is a story of an eccentric knight who, at a Christmas feast which he had made for a large number of his tenants and friends, ordered no man at the table to drink a drop "till he that was master over his wife should sing a carol."

After a pause one poor dreamer alone lifted his voice, the others all sitting silent and glum. Then the knight turned to the table where the women sat, and bade "her who was master over her husband" sing a carol. The story says that forthwith "the women fell all to singing, that there was never heard such a catter-walling piece of musicke."

Good Bloggers All This ChristmasTime

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Sun, 22 Dec 2013 17:48:00 +0000

The Wexford Carol
("Good People All, This Christmastime")
(Enniscorthy Carol)

carol. French carole. Originally a song to accompany dancing,
but later, by common usage, it came to refer to old,
Christmas-season religious songs.

We will assemble Monday, December 23
to tour all the Caroling Blogs!

fM's Tradition of Blog Caroling!

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Sat, 21 Dec 2013 21:58:00 +0000

Yes, Geneabloggers it's time for fM's favorite Christmas tradition. From the comfort of my blog, with Hot Toddy in hand, my flannel jammies and furry slippers on, I will blog my favorite Christmas Carol on Sunday, December 21. (I sing so much better online than in person!)

So my fellow GeneaBloggers, I challenge each of you to blog your favorite Christmas Carol - Blog Caroling. We'll all sing along! (Blog Caroling is posting the lyrics, youtube video, etc. of your favorite Christmas carol on your blog.)

Blog Carol between today and Monday, 23 December. Post a note to the comments for this article directing us to your Blog Caroling Post and I will create a listing of all our favorites. (Please list Your Name, Blog Name, Favorite Carol and the link to your post in the comments below.)

If you sing along with us, feel free to snag the Victorian Santa Blog Caroling Badge above. When you select the badge, select "Save As" and choose the .png file. This has a transparent background and will show minus the white background.

The Hearse, Frozen Goldfish & Twins

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Sat, 23 Nov 2013 01:15:00 +0000

Today, November 22, is the birthday of THE TWINS. I remember their first day on earth. I've told the story before, but in honor of the fact that all my siblings are now online, I will repeat it just for them.

We had only been at my Grandmother's house an hour when the hearse came and took my Mother away. The hearse did double duty as the town ambulance. I was only five, but I knew there was something ominous about a hearse. My Mother with her overnight bag climbed into the front seat next to the driver and they left. They left in a hurry.

It was November and one of the coldest winters in Missouri. My Mother was pregnant and the baby was due any day. This would be her third child, so when the snow storm hit she called our neighbor, Mrs. Mary's husband. He arrived with his tractor and dug us out. The drifts had covered the front door.

I remember standing there next to my Grandmother crying for my Mother, thinking I would never see her again. It wasn't until I was an adult that I realized my Mother had been in labor when she called the neighbor. Snowed in, two small children and in labor; yet she remained so calm.

Grandmother was not very demonstrative. She was not affectionate. She seemed at a loss to comfort the two little girls holding tightly to her apron and crying.

That night my sister and I slept in the front bedroom just off the parlor. Neither room had heat, the stove being in the back bedroom just off the kitchen, quite some distance from where we were to sleep. My grandmother piled her handmade quilts on us for warmth. To this day I do not remember ever being that cold. No goodnight kiss, no father. I was frightened. "Watch the goldfish," my grandmother said as she pointed to the fishbowl on the table next to our bed. She turned out the lights. My little sister cried herself to sleep. Nothing I did comforted her.

I woke the next morning to the sound of my Father's excited voice. I sat up and looked around. The fish bowl was frozen solid, the goldfish caught in mid-swim. I could see my breath and remember well how cold it was as my bare feet touched the floor.

I ran to my Father leaving my sister under the pile of quilts. He was sitting at the kitchen table eating biscuits with honey and drinking coffee. My Grandmother, looking very pleased, was waiting on him and treating him like a child. It was so difficult at five to understand the relationship between my Father and my Grandmother; to realize that he was her child.

He lifted me to his lap and hugged me. I was so glad to see him. "Well Sis, guess what," he asked as he tickled me. "Do you have a new baby brother? No, you have two new baby brothers."

Twins had not been expected and were not discovered until the delivery. This revelation was the reason for the pleased look on my Grandmother's face and the excitement in my Father's voice.

I, on the other hand, was not pleased in the least. Not then, and not for many years to come. But I am now.

Posted originally for: A memory for Saturday Night Genealogy Fun - A Childhood Memory.

The photograph is in the collection of little sister Biblio.

Veteran's Day - November 11, 2013

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Mon, 11 Nov 2013 18:10:00 +0000

May we remember them always. Not just on Memorial Day or on Veterans Day,
but every day that we remember the freedoms that we have in this country.
For those of you veterans who are with us today,
a grateful nation remains indebted to you.

The Veterans who offered their lives in service, who bear the scars of duty
should always, always have a special place in our society.

~ Rick Perry, Governor of Texas ~

Admiral Stanley Montunez awards Mr. Maven
the Good Conduct Medal.

Mr. Maven was also awarded the
Purple Heart.

On the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month of 1918, an armistice, or temporary cessation of hostilities, was declared between the Allied nations and Germany in the First World War, then known as "the Great War."

Beginning the following year we commemorated Armistice Day, November 11th, which became a legal federal holiday in the United States in 1938. In the aftermath of World War II and the Korean War, Armistice Day became Veterans Day, a holiday dedicated to American veterans of all wars.

Veterans Day pays tribute to all American veterans--living or dead--but especially gives thanks to living veterans who served their country honorably during war or peacetime. In the United States, an official wreath-laying ceremony is held each Veterans Day at the Tomb of the Unknowns in Arlington National Cemetery, while parades and other celebrations are held in states around the country.

Britain, France, Australia and Canada also commemorate the veterans of World Wars I and II on or near November 11th: Canada has Remembrance Day, while Britain has Remembrance Sunday (the second Sunday of November).

Red poppies, were a symbol of World War I (due to the poem "In Flanders Fields" by John McCrae, below). Poppies are sold in Canada and the United Kingdom on Remembrance Day to raise money for veterans or worn in the lapel as a tribute. In the United States, red poppies are reserved for Memorial Day.

In Flanders Fields

IN Flanders fields the poppies blow
Between the crosses, row on row,
That mark our place; and in the sky
The larks, still bravely singing, fly
Scarce heard amid the guns below.

We are the Dead. Short days ago
We lived, felt dawn, saw sunset glow,
Loved and were loved, and now we lie,
In Flanders fields.

Take up our quarrel with the foe:
To you from failing hands we throw
The torch; be yours to hold it high.
If ye break faith with us who die
We shall not sleep, though poppies grow
In Flanders fields.

~ Lieut. Col. John McCrae, M.D. ~
Born in Ontario, Canada (1872-1918)
Died of pneumonia January 1918, Boulogne, France
Poem first published in Punch December 15, 1918

Today, November 11, 2013,
Thank a Veteran, please!

I Once Was The Great Pumpkin - An fM Tradition

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Thu, 31 Oct 2013 20:19:00 +0000

It was a dark and snow stormy night. The witching hour had finally come to pass. I gazed at myself in the mirror - the "Great Pumpkin" look was me all over.

The trip in this blizzard would be a long one and I had to arrive at my destination in time for Halloween. As we drove, I hung my head out the passenger door window to help the driver follow the lines painted on the road. I couldn't see my hand in front of my face. I was developing freezer burn, but that was the least of my worries. I kept yelling "hurry" but thanks to the weather there was no hurry this Halloween.

At last, the lights of my destination appeared. I was met at the door by a woman wearing a nurse's uniform. "Great costume," I remarked. She was not amused.

"How far along is your pumpkin?" she asked. "Nine months, six days," I answered. "Is it your first pumpkin?" First and most likely last I thought. "Yes," I answered. She informed me I had probably made a mistake in calculating my pumpkin growth chart, as my pumpkin wasn't large enough to be delivered for this Halloween celebration.

"Go for a walk," she suggested. "Your pumpkin will be late for the celebration. No Halloween winner for you this year."

Walk? She wanted someone dressed as the "Great Pumpkin" to walk. How long, how far? Okay, this pumpkin was getting really heavy and it was evident I would soon be viewing it from a spot on the corridor floor.

Where did that woman dressed as a nurse go? All the doors down the corridor were closed. I started opening them, one by one, looking for the pumpkin patch.

Aha! A man dressed as a doctor was placing a recently arrived pumpkin in the patch. "I've got another one for you," I called to him. The woman in the nurse's uniform shook her head and whispered to the doctor. "Check her anyway," he ordered.

The disbelieving woman in the nurse's uniform reluctantly checked and found to her surprise that my pumpkin was well on its way. Minutes later I participated in the Halloween celebration. A new pumpkin for the patch.

"A witch or a warlock?" I asked the doctor. "A princess," he replied.

My little princess was six years old before she realized that people did not come to our door on the 31st of October asking for candy because it was her birthday, but rather because it was Halloween.

It is her favorite holiday and she firmly believes that everyone should celebrate because it is her birthday after all.

This was originally published for the 34th Carnival of Genealogy, October 2007. It's one of my favorites. A footnoteMaven Halloween Tradition. Happy Birthday Tracy.