In the 1960s my mother inherited a ring that had been passed down through two generations. When she began wearing the ring, just before falling asleep or upon waking, she heard the sounds of murmuring voices, clinking glasses, and muffled laughter as if there were a party going on in another part of the house. Then, a man’s insistent voice calling out, “Rose! Rose!” A few weeks … [Read more...] about Photo Album: Bits and Pieces
Family Album
Photo Album: Bridget’s Shawl
Submitted by Robert F. Lyons of Kennebunkport, Maine
February / March 2014
February / March 2014
Bridget O’Donnell of Cork, Ireland, my great-grandmother, was sent out to Boston by her father in 1846. A recent discovery of her photograph in the Lyons family bible reignites interest in her story and our origins. Bridget was 14 years old, soon to be 15, when her father took her to Cobh, expecting to book passage for her to America. He gave her for the journey a silver … [Read more...] about Photo Album: Bridget’s Shawl
Family Photo Album: The Perfect Mother
In Memoriam Delia Kennedy Shea SEPTEMBER 19, 1924 – SEPTEMBER 5, 2013 My mother, Delia Kennedy, was born on September 19, 1924, in Kilfillig, Mountbellew – a small village of six houses, 30 miles from Galway City. She had three brothers and two sisters whom she stayed in touch with throughout her life. Her parents were known as kind and gentle people who were strong and … [Read more...] about Family Photo Album: The Perfect Mother
Family Photo Album: Sea Voyages With Father
Writing from his mother’s perspective, Jim Dette pays tribute to the memory of his grandfather Jim Burke. My son has been after me to write down some of the remembrances of my father I’ve shared with him over the years. Before it’s too late, I’m sure he’s thinking. He keeps referring to an old, faded photograph of a group of refinery workers. It’s one of the few I have of my … [Read more...] about Family Photo Album: Sea Voyages With Father
Photo Album: Doctors and Nurses
Catherine Norah “Norrie” Egan My mother, Norrie Egan, born in Dublin, graduated from St. Vincent’s Hospital/UCD with a Diploma in Radiography in 1940 and worked at St. Mary’s Hospital, Paddington, London during WWII. She was injured during an air raid – not from a bomb – she was cycling her bicycle to work when she was hit by a cab. Though it was wartime, she loved her job and … [Read more...] about Photo Album: Doctors and Nurses