On April 1st, 2022, the National Archives released the 1950 Census. A law passed in 1978 requires 72 years before the census is released to the public. The official count date for the 1950 Census was 1 April 1950. Because of the need to return and gather information from people that the census taker missed … Continue reading 1950 Census: I Think They Missed a Brownstone
Boerum Hill
Just Because Something Is Written In Stone
While I was taking the introductory course (online) in genealogy from Boston University, it was pointed out that you can't always take things at face value when you are searching for information about your ancestors. There are a few reasons for this. People don't always remember facts and stories correctly; some information passed down may … Continue reading Just Because Something Is Written In Stone
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Three Generations of Brooklyn Stoops
“Look at everything always as though you were seeing it either for the first or last time: Thus is your time on earth filled with glory.” Betty Smith. A Tree Grows in Brooklyn A stoop is a staircase ending in a platform leading to a house or apartment building entrance. In Brooklyn, a stoop is … Continue reading Three Generations of Brooklyn Stoops
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Up On The Roof
While listening to Spotify a few months ago, a James Taylor cover of “Up On The Roof,” by Carole King and Gerry Goffin, began playing. To me, the song is quintessentially about New York. As luck would have it, I was putting together flash drives of old family photos for my siblings at that moment … Continue reading Up On The Roof
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Family Genealogy: Anthony Cooke and the Photo of BFD Ladder 10
When it came to me, it was a copy. It was probably a copy of a copy. At some point, my maternal great-uncle, Edward O'Connell, sat down and drafted several pages of notes on the Cooke, Boyle, O'Connell, and Kelly families. I am not sure what his motivation for doing this may have been. When … Continue reading Family Genealogy: Anthony Cooke and the Photo of BFD Ladder 10
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In Search of Fred Goat
It all started with a homework assignment from my Aunt/God mother at the Kelly Family Reunion in October. She wanted a photo of Fred Goat. I remember Fred Goat from my childhood. We lived in the Park Slope neighborhood of Brooklyn during the 1960's, just down the street from my maternal grandmother's house. Nana, as … Continue reading In Search of Fred Goat
Michael's Monologue 