My readers who have been around a bit will remember (and it wasn't really that long ago) the story I shared here (you'll have to read from the bottom entry to the top) by way of retyping in an old history/family tree that I had found at an antique store.
I had shared that piece for several reasons. One, because I found it so incredibly fascinating - full of details and descriptive writing - it was like reading a good book, it really mattered not at all that I had no clue who the people were. And two, I hoped that perhaps somebody from the Ternes family might google a name within that text someday and happen upon it, for it belongs with them, such a wealth of information it contains.
Yesterday I heard from Marianne. Marianne is the granddaugher of George L. Ternes and she has been tracing her family history for years but had some blanks to fill in. She had acquired the assistance of another family member who also does family research and as I had hoped, he found the entry on my blog.
Marianne gave me permission to share these few pictures and update a few things.
This is Hannah Mae Connelly (Ternes) and her children - George, Claire and Edna. All three are still alive, in their 90's and doing well.
And this is the little boy, George, who ended up at Pearl Harbor. Marianne shares that his boat was hit but he escaped injury. The last paragraph in this entry talked about how George's Pearl Harbor experience left him at loose ends. Altho, now in rereading that entry - the author believed George to have taken his own life where Marianne shared that he's in his 90's and doing well - but perhaps instead it's the youngest, Lloyd, who is still living. Now I wonder...
So there's that little bit more to the story - it really warmed my day. Like David, Marianne's relative, had shared with me...it's like their ancestors are still communicating even tho so many of them have passed on.
I'll be mailing the piece to Marianne on Monday so she can enjoy having it in her hands to read that which belongs to her
That brought tears to my eyes -- how exciting for both of you!
Posted by: Mom | March 08, 2008 at 08:09 AM
that is SO cool. so very, very, cool.
Posted by: tania | March 08, 2008 at 08:42 AM
Oh Sharyn, that just gave me goose bumps. What a special gift to give to them. You are such a kindhearted soul.
Posted by: ashley | March 08, 2008 at 08:56 AM
I read the story as you posted it last year and I am so happy that the family found you! I agree with the person above - what a special gift to give them.
Posted by: Cindy G | March 08, 2008 at 09:50 AM
those are really great pix!
Posted by: sue Treiber | March 08, 2008 at 10:38 AM
How wonderful. That is a special gift.
BTW, your link to the story goes to todays post.
Posted by: Judy | March 08, 2008 at 11:07 AM
I loved the story and knew it would be a matter of time before someone came forward. What a treasure you are giving back!
Posted by: *Cammy* | March 08, 2008 at 11:07 AM
Judy - that's because it's part of the same set - scroll all the way down and you'll read all the posts. :)
Posted by: Sharyn (Torm) | March 08, 2008 at 11:29 AM
Wow!
Posted by: Amy @ Hope Is the Word | March 08, 2008 at 11:29 AM
LOVE this...what a gift you are! Small small world we are a part of, and all so connected in such a good way!
:)
Posted by: janel | March 08, 2008 at 12:09 PM
Sharyn, it seems we're constantly bombarded with reports about all the nastiness and wasted time that the internet brings upon us... it's so wonderful to have this piece of joyful news and how it makes this world we live in a bit more connected! I followed this story w/ every single installment, and it does my heart good to know it's back in the family! You did good... :-)
Posted by: Jane | March 08, 2008 at 04:56 PM
Incredible woman you are Sharyn.
Posted by: Barbara | March 08, 2008 at 08:45 PM
How absolutely awesome that this legacy found it's home! And kind of a mystery about Lloyd and George, eh? What a great feeling to have connected someone to their past and nice of Marianne to give you a glimpse at the people involved!
Posted by: marne | March 08, 2008 at 09:28 PM
Oh, I just saw the pictures and didn't go any farther. Duh!!!!
Posted by: Judy | March 09, 2008 at 07:47 AM
Very cool! I love stuff like this......
Posted by: carol :) | March 09, 2008 at 04:05 PM
Reading this gives me goosebumps, even though you already mentioned it to me. That's amazing that they found you. How cool is that?
Great pictures too.
Posted by: ~ Junkyard Jennifer | March 12, 2008 at 07:38 PM
Anthony was my Great Grand Father. Then William my Grand Father and Donald my Father. My Brother Paul responded to a link on a genealogy website that turned out to be Marianne. My Grand Father died in 1926 and his wife Elsie passed 6 years later. So we have had little knowledge/contact with that whole side of our family. It means much to us! Thought you should know...
Thank you.
Jim Ternes.
Posted by: Jim Ternes | April 24, 2008 at 04:35 PM