June’s Theme and Week 23: Health (52 Ancestors in 52 Weeks – 2024 Version)

The theme for Week 23 is "Health." Health affects everything we do, and it was no different for our ancestors. This week, consider writing about an ancestor who dealt with health issues or one who the picture of health. Another angle would be to write about an ancestor who was a health professional.

Health is a subject that I am dealing with currently. My sister-in-law, the picture of health was diagnosed in January with Stage 4 bone cancer. She went from being the person who could not sit still for two minutes, always on the go to being stuck in bed or a recliner due to her disease. She is so weak and it breaks my heart.

Then to add to my concerns, one of the sisters, Jackie who I care for and who is intelligently disabled was diagnosed in April with Pancreatic Cancer. And since I am the one who handles everything for her and my other intelligently disabled sister, it has added a level of stress to my life. My sisters are not twins, Jenny (on the right) is 1 year, 2 months and 20 days older than Jackie (on the left).

My sisters had been living with me and my family from 2010 to 2020. When my husband retired and we decided to move from Arizona back to our home state of Wisconsin, I got my sisters their own apartment. This has been the first time they were living independently. I mean, I did all their shopping, take them to all their appointments, dentist, doctor, haircuts, etc. However, they came and went as they pleased. 

When my husband and I finally found where we wanted to settle, I moved them from that apartment into a townhome in the town I moved to. They loved it. It is a 55+ community. It was quieter than living in an apartment building, which was in the heart of downtown Fond du Lac and traffic was heavy.. Their laundry facility is inside their townhome. They have a one car garage, which came in handy for us to store off season items in their garage.

My sister, Jackie is only 11 months and 15 days older than me. Sadly, she doesn’t really understand how serious this diagnosis is. One of the things I had to do was consult a genome specialist to help with treatment and this is when I realized that I might know when someone was born and when they died. However, what they died from wasn’t one thing I really looked into.

I don’t know what the future looks like for either of my sisters, and I hope my health remains good while I deal with this, because my biggest fear wasn’t really of them dying. I am the youngest of nine and we have lost two siblings already. My biggest fear was of me dying before these two sisters and wondering who would care for them in my absence. I have now reached out to the Aging and Disability Resource Center in my county and hopefully this will be figured out in the coming year.

Even though I am dealing with my sister’s health crisis, I am trying my best to find stress relief, such as through my genealogy research. Also, I am trying to take better care of my own health. 

Remember to have fun and Just do Genealogy!

Week 22: Creativity (52 Ancestors in 52 Weeks – 2024 Version)

The theme for Week 22 is "Creativity." Whether it's doing arts and crafts, making a meal of out seemingly nothing, or playing music, some of our ancestors were creative people. Sometimes we have to be creative in finding our family tree! As always, feel free to be creative in how you interpret this week's theme. Click here to see all the 2024 Themes. Click here to see all the 2024 Themes. 

When we look back at our ancestors to find creative people, my thoughts go to “Did they have free time to be creative”? If their profession was a carpenter, then yes, they may have had time to be creative because I have seen lots of creative carpentry work from days gone by.

What about the blacksmiths in your family, did they expand their work into any creative iron work projects? 

Most of my ancestors were farmers, and I wondered if they found time to be creative. I think back to my favorite TV series growing was “Little House on the Prairie” where Pa Ingalls played the violin. Like Pa Ingalls, my great grandfather, David Crinion (1864-1950) played the violin. 

David’s father, James Crinion (1832-1923) appeared in various local plays. I remember seeing something in a newspaper clipping with him with his fellow actors.

In more recent times, my mother was an artist and she loved to paint most of her life. 

My creativity extends to house remodeling and writing blogs such as these. I do know how to crochet and I have done my fair share of blankets. I dabble in a few other creative endeavors, however my passion lies with genealogy.

My oldest daughter inherited the musical gene. She started taking guitar lessons around age 14 and quickly starting writing her own songs. Plus her and my other daughter and granddaughter have inherited my mother’s artistic talents. Below you will find the latest drawing that my granddaughter has done.

Who are the creative ones in your family tree?

Remember to have fun and Just Do Genealogy!.