Fearless Females: Day 6: Heirloom, Granny's Ring

Describe an heirloom you may have inherited from a female ancestor (wedding ring or other jewelry, china, clothing, etc.) If you don’t have any, then write about a specific object you remember from your mother or grandmother, or aunt (a scarf, a hat, cooking utensil, furniture, etc.)

I have inherited many beautiful things from my mother.  When she and my father moved, right after I got married, she passed along quite a few pieces of her furniture.  I have her very old china cabinet and buffet in my dining room.  I believe she acquired them when they had their vacation home in Ventnor, NJ.  I also have a lovely set of Amber Patrician Depression glass that she collected over the years.  I have enough to serve about 20 people!

However, when I first read this prompt, I immediately thought of my Granny's beautiful sapphire and diamond ring that my mother gave to me on my wedding day.  I knew that it was going to be mine.  My sister got Granny's engagement ring on her wedding day and my mom told me I would get the anniversary ring.  I absolutely love it.  I was 30 when I was married and I remember having asked her, years before, "What if I never get married, then when do I get the ring?"  It's a good thing Chris wanted to marry me, because the answer was that I wouldn't get it! 

The photo doesn't do it justice, but that's it.  My grandfather, Zigmunt, gave it to my Granny, Helen, on their first anniversary.  I get the impression that he was a very sweet and sentimental man.  My Mother had a framed hanky in her bedroom that on which he had written a cute poem for my Granny.  Plus, I've come across many other sweet little notes and cards from him.  So, this ring was purchased in about 1933.  I really need to take it to the jewelers to have the shank strengthened, it's very thin. So, I don't wear it a whole lot, just on special occasions.  But, I absolutely adore it!

Fearless Females: Day 5: Meeting

How did they meet? You’ve documented marriages, now, go back a bit. Do you know the story of how your parents met? Your grandparents?

Raynor Elmer Robinson meets Constance Helena Smyczynska

I will never forget a conversation that I had with my father shortly after my mother passed away.  We were going through old photo albums as I was putting together a slideshow to play at the viewing.  He and my mother met in the mid 50s.  He said he walked into my grandparents (mom's parents) candy store. There was a girl playing pinball.  She was pretty and she could play pinball better than most guys.  He said "She was the girl for me."  That girl was my mother.


Raynor Robinson and Constance Smyczynski



Fearless Females: Day 4: Marriage

Do you have marriage records for your grandparents or great-grandparents? Write a post about where they were married and when. Any family stories about the wedding day? Post a photo too if you have one.

For the marriage installment, I'll be featuring my Great Grandmother, Antonina Nowak Smyczynski, 1878 - 1965.  In the pictures that I've seen of her, she seems like a happy woman.  My dad would have known her, I'll have to ask him about her. 

This is the Marriage Certificate of Peter (Piotr) Smyczynski and Anna (Antonina or Antoinette) Nowak.  These were my mother's grandparents on her father's side.  They were married in Philadelphia, PA on August 4th, 1895.  She had only been in this country for 5 years when she married Peter.  They went on to have 6 children, one of whom was my grandfather, Zigmunt, or James, or Sigmund, or Sonny Boy.  These people went by many names.  I had always been under the impression that my Polish family would be easy to research, since their names were pretty unique as compared to the Robinsons.  Boy was I wrong, their names got butchered over and over.  In the end, the Smyczynskis used the name Smith to fit in and get work.  I am lucky that my Mom had saved a lot of this stuff.  The original is falling apart, since it's been folded for about 115 years.


Anna and Peter's Wedding Picture, 1895



Peter and Anna in 1932 with my Grandfather, James (or Sigmund or Zigmunt).



Anna, circa 1958, at my Mom's bridal shower.

She is about 80 years old here.

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Anna, circa 1959, at my Mom's baby shower.



Fearless Females: Day 3: What's in a name?

Do you share a first name with one of your female ancestors? Perhaps you were named for your great-grandmother, or your name follows a particular naming pattern. If not, then list the most unique or unusual female first name you’ve come across in your family tree.

I was not named for any of my ancestors.  I was named after Rebecca in Vanity Fair.  Yes, Becky Sharp, the slightly evil one!  My mom was reading it while she was pregnant and just decided she liked it.  My siblings didn't make fun of it, so it worked.  Her first pick was Priscilla, but my brother began referring to me as Prissy.  Then she liked Melissa, but he morphed Prissy into Pissy Missy, so Rebecca it was!  The worst that I ever got from my brother was Reba Reba, ondole...and I was OK with that!  So that's the story with my name.

As far as interesting female names, there are a few.  Our family has a little tradition of female naming.  It's the Maes and Raes.  My sister is Donna Rae, that is her first name, Rae is not her middle name.  My nieces are Samantha Rae and Julia Mae.  My grandmother was Lettie Mae as was her mother.  One of my favorite names is Julianna, she was my Mom's grandmom.  And on my husband's side there are some beautiful Italian names, like Splendora, Angelina, Maria Christina and Michelina.

Fearless Females: Day 2: Photo

This is "Mom Kuster" along with my Aunt Norma and Uncle Sam.  Her name was Ida Alice Mason Robinson Kuster.  She was my Great Grandmother.  My Father's Father's Mother.  This was taken at the house that my Grandfather, Samuel Raynor Robinson built in Fox Chase. She is one of my favorites!  PS - The names were written on by my late Mommy!

Fearless Females: Day 1: Favorite Female Ancestor

Once again, in honor of National Women’s History Month, Lisa Alzo of The Accidental Genealogist blog presents Fearless Females: 31 Blogging Prompts to Celebrate Women’s History Month.

March 1 — Do you have a favorite female ancestor?

I think it's safe to say that I have several favorites.  But, for today, I'll mention the one I've been researching this week.  (She's actually my husband's ancestor.) 

Angelina Marrone Parlante was my hubby's Great Grandmother.  She was his Mom's Mom's Mom!  I am actually working on a mini-bio for her already. 

From what I've been told, she was a lovely woman.  Here are a few quick facts:

• She was the daughter of Italian immigrant parents. 
• She lived in South Philadelphia. 
• She was the oldest of 7 siblings. 
• She married Rocco Parlante, who was born in Italy. 
• They had six children. 
• She lived from about 1888 until July 27th, 1961

For more on Angie, look for her bio later this month!

52 Weeks of Personal Genealogy & History: Can't you smell that smell?

Sounds - Describe any sounds that take you back to your childhood.  These could be familiar songs, jingles, children playing, or something entirely different.

I tend to be a pretty music oriented person, so I'm going to go with a song (or a couple).  As I was deciding what to write about, I got to thinking about my childhood.  I am the youngest of 4 children.  My closest sibling, Scott, is 7 years older.  Then, my sister, Donna Rae, is 13 years older and my other brother, no, not Darrell, Raynor, is 14 years older.  I grew up in a couple hundred year old farmhouse in Trevose, PA and my siblings all took their turn living on the third floor (the converted attic).  While, I, AKA Pretty Pretty Princess, lived in the one real bedroom, other than my parents.  When it was my turn to get the attic room, Pretty Pretty Princess got an air conditioner installed!

Anywho, what popped into my mind was the sound of my brother Raynor's stereo coming down the 3rd floor stairs...specifically, Lynyrd Skynyrd!  I have a love of classic rock, that stems from hearing all 3 of my siblings' music.  But, I can clearly hear That Smell, in my mind, playing!  I was under the age of 12.  He then married, so I know it was before then. 

This then made me recall another fond memory of a Lynyrd Skynyrd song, Gimme Three Steps.  I am pretty sure that is my brother, Scott's favorite song.  This memory is from when I was a bit older, but still, everytime I hear that song I think of him singing it karaoke or even dancing when we were both out at the bars together. 

I thank all three of them for leaving their vinyl home when they left.  I added it to my collection, part of which is decorating our music room and bar!