Greetings Bella, Julianna, and Poppy,
I have gathered some gifts for you.
This all started six weeks ago when I was visiting the family of Yona and Eric Roberts in southern California. The oldest daughter, Bella, asked me, "How are we related?" I told her that it was sort of complicated and that I would send her a family tree. The short answer would have been "My mother's cousin was your great grandmother." Then I thought that my great nieces, Julianna and Poppy, (about the same age as Bella) might like to know the answer, too! A long answer is that Bella's mother's mother's mother's mother's sister's daughter's daughter's sons are the fathers of Julianna and Poppy! In brief, Bella, Julianna, and Poppy are fourth cousins. This means that they share great-great-great grandparents - Gudbjorg and George!
Before I go any further, I hasten to say that I will understand if you three are not that interested in your distant ancestors. For one thing, they're all dead! :) But ... maybe some day in the future an interest will arise. "Consider ye the seed from which you sprang" - Dante Alighieri. Maybe if and when you have children of your own.
As I gathered these things for you I have to admit that a certain genealogical obsession did take over. But I didn't go too deeply - for one thing I don't include birth and death dates for everyone.
I DO include some fun pictures. A picture is worth a thousand words, right?
I put a lot of details on my web site:
I include three different styles of family tree!
Perhaps you 3 will want to learn more about each other. If so here is some contact information:
So how and why have I stayed in touch with Yona, Eric, and family? My mother, Yona Thorleifson, grew up in the small town of Bottineau, North Dakota. Her cousin, Georgine Benson, lived there as well. They were good friends. Georgine ended up in Southern California and started a family there. In 1960 my Mom and Dad decided it was time to leave North Dakota. We moved to Northern California and soon afterwards we met the family of Georgine and David in Pasadena: Kathleen, Kristi, Matt, and Penny. We would often visit around New Year's Day because David's mother (Isabella Coleman) was a famous designer of Rose Parade floats. Our whole family enjoyed helping decorate the floats with beautiful flowers. Yona (Kristi's daughter) was an expert 'crew chief' - a manager of float decorating volunteers. I had great fun swimming in the Coleman's pool. I distinctly remember that Georgine attended my brother's wedding in 1985. Kristi and Joe would often visit me when they traveled north. I attended two weddings and several funerals.
With much Love,
Jon