1928 was a very good year----mostly.

Your father's 85th birthday would have been this week--and your mother is already 85!  I was doing a little research into the year and thought you might be interested to know that Mickey Mouse also made his first appearance in 1928 in Steamboat Willie".  Bubble gum, recliners and sliced packaged bread also became available for American consumers which tells  you just a little bit about the pop culture of the day, don't you think?  The House at Pooh Corner was published and the first yo you factory opened so it was certainly a brand new world for children lucky enough to be born that year.

But, wait, being a child in 1928 was not like being a child in this century.  In fact, I believe many of us would find it hard to believe that parenting advice of the time admonished parents not to drop sentimental slop all over their children's heads--it suggested they be treated as small adults with handshakes for greetings and perhaps a very occasional kiss on the forehead if absolutely necessary.  This is the advice of James Watson who published Psychological Care of Infant and Child in 1928.  Here's an interesting section of that book.  When we ponder how our parents acted or reacted in ways that seem foreign to us, thinking about how their parents treated them might help ease that confusion.  I forget sometimes that parenting advice has evolved over time and that children are direct products of their home lives.  Parents sometimes might have tried to follow the best professional advice of the time; which, to us, seems as foreign as not having sliced bread available.

My research did uncover one very interesting fact.  There was a lunar eclipse June 3 1928 so don't you wonder if that had some affect on your father's birth?  There are still many many folk stories related to pregnancy and childbirth and a lunar eclipse and I have a feeling your grandmother believed most of them at the time.

Although we often study pictures very carefully for details, sometimes we forget to do the same with documents.  Here's a record of you father's birth.  The first thing I notice is that he's named "Bob".

 I don't believe it to be an official birth certificate if you read it carefully but it was cared for as carefully as if it was--and perhaps it could be used as such back in the day.

And some other favorites for a little trip down memory lane:

 1975 joint anniversary party (Thanks Kathleen!)

Easter 1993

 I've been told this is the Bellmore house.

 Christmas 1989--your dad looks bemused.

You've seen this one before but I love "the pose" as he watches you guys open gifts.

So Happy Birthday and enjoy June now that the calendar has turned.  I know I will :) !

Memorial Day memories 2013

Happy Memorial Day!  I hope everyone is having a nice day even if the weather could be better up here in the Northeast.  I thought you might enjoy seeing some of your favorite relatives in their military gear in honor of the day.

 Your dad of course--

Uncle Johnny --they are both so handsome looking!

I think this is Phillip Coffarelli

And I think you'll remember this is from your grandfather James' album

Now of course we all know that Memorial Day has come to signal the official beginning of summer.  And what would summer and Memorial Day be without a parade?  I don't know if these are Memorial Day parade pictures or not but they come from those sticky page albums.  I am sure you will recognize these much better than I.  Not sure who the photographer is but hasn't photography come a long way since?

 I think that's a Dalpiaz kid behind that man's arm.  Love this kid in the from with his glove stuck in his belt!  (I hope that's not James)

 I'm guessing Thomas is in this drum line. 

OK.  I'll need some help with these.  I'm sure you'll be able to give me some clues.  

I took a quick trip out to Erie this weekend and found myself with a little time on my hands.  So (of course) I visited a cemetery or two.  My first cemetery was St. Bonaventure in Olean so I could "see" my grandparents and other relations on my mother's side of the family.  At first I thought there was a funeral in progress because there were so many cars lined up but the dozens of little flags reminded me it was Memorial Day weekend.  There were several volunteers carefully placing those flags on the appropriate graves.  I had forgotten those flag reminders don't get there by themselves, so a huge thank you to those volunteers!  

 

In Erie, it was much the same.  The cemeteries were very busy with volunteers and family members sprucing up gravesites.  I was very moved by the sight of an older man down on one knee in front of a grave looking very pensive.  My imagination likes to think he was acknowledging his father, uncle or son.  Perhaps the reality was that he needed to rest but regardless, he was visiting a grave for a reason on Memorial Day weekend.  I wanted to ask if I could take his picture to show you how moving it was but it seemed to be much too private to interfere.  I'm glad for his family that he was there.

And I'm glad for all of you as well.  Happy Memorial Day and Welcome Summer 2013!

Home, James!

I thought you might be interested in seeing the evolution of your grandfather's chauffeur licenses and getting an idea of his place in New York state history with these.  Last March, the New York Times published the Evolution of the New York Driver's License  and it's an interesting walk down memory lane, especially in light of the valuable collection of licenses left behind and cared for by your family all these years.

According to the article, 1918 was the first year that driver's licenses were issues (without photograph) but you can see this is a chauffeur's license.  I've never been clear on what he did that required a chauffeur's license.  On February 1, 1918, your grandfather was 19 years old and although I think Ryan James looks pretty adult for his age, this picture seems to be of someone older than 19!  He had yet to go to Italy during his World War I term of service. 

A few years later after the War:

He was 24 years old by now and would be married by the time the license expired on June 30 (they were married June 23 1923).

Fifteen years later he weighs the same!  He certainly looks older now ten years later and was probably ill.  He died in February 1934 a few months after this license expired.  These licenses don't seem to have changed very much in this time period.  Updated New York state licenses are on the way:  (from the article) The newest licenses, made of polycarbonate materials, are laser engraved, not printed, and feature a pair of black-and-white portraits that help make the licenses more difficult to counterfeit.  I hope I look better in black and white ..........

Update on the Disabto family

Sometimes information literally falls into your lap when you least expect it.  Research has been on the back burner recently, giving way to the beautiful spring weather.  Blog writing sat right there next to research on that back burner.  Then it rained.  So here I am.

Anyhow, the rain apparently brought out the research instincts of Margaret Coffarelli Disabto's great granddaughter who contacted me offering some tidbits of information about this elusive family.  Remember that Margaret is your grandfather James oldest sibling.  She was born in Italy in 1880 shortly before emigrating to New York.  She married an older man who'd been married before:  Marco Disabto.  They had at least 9 children.  This new "cousin" of yours descends from Marie Disabto Cochrane.  Her name is also Marie.

This is what Marie has to say: "Talked to my mom today and she said that Mark came here through Ellis Island alone. His mother had died and father was remarried. He then was part of an arranged marriage with Margaret. I believe that they were a few years different in age. Margaret lived with my Grandmother Marie and my mom (when my mom was a child) in the upstiars of their house. Margaret told my mom about the arranged marriage and Margaret was told he was a good man. She told my mom you know what they were right he was a good man. Mark died from a possible cancer."

This gives me some valuable information as I pursue this family.  In a previous post about this family, I think I shared with you a newspaper article about Margaret's son Joseph who was killed in action at Guadalcanal in January 1943.  This is what Marie shares about that: 
"As far as Giuseppe/ Joseph death. The story I heard was that he was on duty that night and not sure if there was a party the night before, but everyone else was asleep. Joseph saw, heard the attack coming and single handedly killed/delayed the enemy until help arrived/woke up. He was killed saving and alerting a lot of men to the enemy sneak attack.
My grandma mare had a picture of Grandma Disabato dressed all in black sitting down holding all Josephs medals. Silver star, purple heart and I thought the congressional medal of honor. After my grandma died we think our uncle Jerry took it....but really don't know."

This may be a repeat appearance, but it's a good reminder:

You see Marie Cochrane is mentioned here.

 Here's an example of what's been taking my attention away from research and blogging:

I hope you all are enjoying spring as well!

 

Birthday memories

I saw a news headline that mentioned "April 19 events" and it gave me pause.  I'm sorry the date of your mother's birthday is forever etched in people's brains as an anniversary of a tragic event.  But, for you, it's a time to remember your Mom and I thought you might enjoy these.  Thomas said "keep them coming" so I intend to!

I'm sure you'll remember the celebration of your mother's 60th birthday in 1988.  It was particularly eventful for us as Amy was just about a month old and she made her first trip to Long Island to help celebrate!  I remember the restaurant required a chair be set aside for Amy which I thought was ridiculous but it was well worth the surprise for your Mom.

I like this one because Mrs. King and Betty are right by your mother's side with thoughtful looks on their faces.

Now from the sticky page albums:

She looks very happy in this picture and such a sweet outfit!

I'm guessing she's 9-10 years old maybe?

 This one is labeled in your mother's handwriting:  "Taken at Andrew's house".  I expect someone will be able to identify the make and year of that car and maybe the date could be narrowed down a bit.

 This one is also labeled in your mother's handwriting:  "Jan 15 1950".  I'm not sure who the baby is?

This appears to be a bridal shower for your mother who looks a tad overwhelmed in this shot!

She would have been 85--can you believe that?  Happy Birthday memories to you all.

Another little stroll down memory lane

I promise you, this post started out as something completely different but this is so much fun that I can't resist.  I hope you enjoy as well. 

Recently I bought a new portable scanner that allows me to scan pictures that might not be removable from their locations in order to submit to scanning.  A good example is those sticky page albums we all used to use.  There are several here and they all had priceless pictures in them that I couldn't easily remove to scan and share.  But now I can!  So, when I went looking for something to help with a different post, I got this idea to follow a similar path to the previous post.  I went through these sticky page albums of yours and scanned several of the photos I thought you would enjoy seeing again. 

This may have been a holiday dinner.  I recognize many but not all of these people.  I love that your grandmother is in her apron and that Mrs. Albertini is toasting with her ever present can of beer!  I'm pretty sure I would have gotten along with her just fine.  

Again, an occasion and this is such a nice picture of everyone!  I especially like that I see the heads of families with their sons and wives.

Now here's one for the ages.......the brothers.

This is a GREAT picture -- your grandfather looks very relaxed (and I think I know why--I don't think it has anything to do with those very pretty tomatoes!).  Who's the other guy?

 Robert and Bobbie's wedding I believe.  This is such a nice picture of mother and son.  Your mom was only 46 years old--younger than any of you siblings today!!

 Help me out here--I think Angela might be in her First Communion outfit here.  Such a sweet picture. I don't blame them for using this on their Christmas card that year.  And I'm so glad someone saved it!

Classic.  Love that they both look very happy.  And that your grandfather is caressing the tap.

This is actually this picture that gave me the new idea for this post.  Wigs, girls?  I definitely see Mallory here.

Vol 8a

We recently returned from trip to Gloucester Massachusetts where we spent Easter with my father's family.  We just love it there and are making plans to stay for an extended time next fall.  I consider this to be "our" first official act of retirement. 

So naturally this got me to thinking about our history of Gloucester trips.  It's become a pattern that we try to go at least twice a year--once in the fall and then again for Easter.  Once in a great while we may go during the "high" season of summer for a wedding or other event but it's safe to say that James and I have made this trip many many times over the years. 

I have some memories of Gloucester trips as a youngster but it's these adult adventures that have defined the destination for me.  James made his first visit on our honeymoon and it's a grand sign of fate that he loved it there as much as I do so that it could become "ours".  So I dug into the archives for some evidence of our first trip to Gloucester to share with you.

I keep my photo albums in pretty good shape even in this age of digital photography.  They are labeled and numbered and I often go back and look through them; always finding a gem or two.  It's been fun to document an album's worth of memories to share with you all.  So our Easter 2013 Gloucester trip led me to look through Vol 8a Wedding, Honeymoon - June 86 and share some special memories with you of that time period. 

Logically, the album opens with wedding pictures from August 1985.  Here's the official Dalpiaz family photo from that day:

Interesting crew.

I can only imagine the joy and pride your parents must have felt every time they saw a sight such as this.

We visited Boston and Salem on our way to our real destination Gloucester.  We stayed at a very nice bed and breakfast, returning for anniversary celebrations several times after.  My brother and his wife were visiting at the same time so we did some things together such as go on a whale watch during a rain storm.  It was wet windy and cold.  We were singing the theme to Gilligan's Island much to the dismay of the other passengers.  On a nicer day we went to the beach.  My brother is standing on a cooler because the sand was too hot.

James is proudly displaying his colors.  That safari hat has a long and useful life in his tenure as a field hockey coach.  Yes, I said safari and field hockey in the same sentence!  Then we took the ferry to Long Island and stopped at 21 Duffin for a few days.  I remember being told we'd been gone an awfully long time and it was 10 days-2 weeks or so.

Kathleen, Thomas and Danielle in the backyard.

Jake was born that year

This was probably a Spring Break/Easter visit when we were able to be there to help Danielle and Lindsay celebrate their birthdays in 1986.

And the album ends with a typical sight:  James doing his schoolwork on the floor (probably pre-concert work) with the help of our friend Harry!

He still had his whole tail in 1986.  When we got married and moved, he was no where to be found so we thought he was lost.  Not long after we returned from the honeymoon, the landlord called to let us know Harry had found his way back and to PLEASE come pick him up!. 

It was a pivotal time period for James and I.  You lost your sister Barbara during this time period and I know that changed your lives forever.  It's a valuable experience to review these events every now and again to put the current perspective on as an overlay.  So, you might be the person who has pictures scattered everywhere (on your computer or in a desk).  Take some time and look them over again (and maybe do some sorting while you are at it).  Pretty soon you'll be up to album 38 like I am!