My Livingston(e) Line
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Greg Livingston
- Posts: 312
- Joined: Wed Jul 22, 2009 11:42 pm
- Location: Ankeny, IA, USA
Re: My Livingston(e) Line
Don't forget to give us a call this evening.
Greg Livingston
Clan Commissioner
Ankeny, Iowa, USA
Clan Commissioner
Ankeny, Iowa, USA
Re: My Livingston(e) Line
What a day this has been...
I found Donald and Mary!
I started out by going to the Office of Vital Records in Denver with all my paperwork. It’s a very ancient, industrial, beaurocratic looking place with workers behind glass that looks bullet proof and a lot of people waiting to get their medical marijuana cards or to get the one they lost replaced.
Every public employee I dealt with there was beyond nice. Nicer than nice… stunningly NICE. The man told me it might take a while. I was thinking “We’ll mail them to you” or “Come back tomorrow” when he said. “It could be as long as 45 minutes” WOW. Okay. I brought both a laptop and a good book. It was over an hour. We had some trouble with Mary. They searched diligently and gave me the records they could find, which were enough to direct me to Crown Hill Cemetery on the other side of Denver. I called them and made sure my people were truly buried there (I still had no info on Mary but they assured me there was a Mary Livingstone buried next to Donald and we agreed it would be an ironic coincidence were it not his wife), before I took, what turned out to be, an $80 cab ride, (I should have rented the car before then….) across town.
We got there and the place was HUGE. The reason I had not found Donald and Mary before is it’s vastness and contents have not been cataloged for the Internet as of yet.
As a side note the day I got to Denver it was HOT. I brought only sweaters and so I bought a short sleeved shirt to wear. This morning it looked nice when I started out and so there I was in my short sleeve shirt as it starts to snow.
We (me and my 65+yr old Ukrainian taxi driver) go to the cemetery and they give me a map with an “X marks the spot” and off we go. I am happy and excited and trying not to be overly jubilant in the office as it is also a funeral home and people are mulling around for a funeral looking suitably sad. I see a man in a kilt and realize he's part of the funeral party so refrain from pouncing on him and asking questions.
Off we go to section 33 with m yellow highlighted section with the prominent “X” I spend a good 30 minutes searching with no luck. You would thing certainly with a map and an “X” it would not take so long to find two people who have not moved in almost 100 years, my good sport taxi driver gets out and starts helping. I finally call the office and explain that if they don’t give me a little more info me and my short sleeve shirt are going to be joining the rest of the clients out here shortly. We go back to the office and look at a big BIG map of plots. Then back to section 33. Now I am starting to get worried that I am lucky enough that they are going to be in that one part still covered in SNOW. I am headed back to the cab and……THERE THEY ARE!.....and the Livingston “E” is back in the picture., along with a Freemasons insignia!
I take some pictures and start to load my frozen self back in the taxi. The funeral starts in the next sections and the kilted man begins to play the bagpipes. I stand in the cold a little longer.
I found my people.
On Donald’s death certificate it says occupation “Quarry Worker” Location of death “Lyons, Co.” My intention is, since I am already in the state and can eek out two more days if need be, to find out more on the missing quarry info. I cancel my flight, rent a car and drive to Lyons.
Lyons from what I have seen, so far, in the dark, is a little town. A very little town. I decided to look for the oldest homiest restaurant/bar in town and find me some long time locals to question. I get into town and see some jam packed Western bars and then I see “Andrea’s”, fits my criteria pretty well so in I go. Lots of wood and dead animals on the walls. There's a Highland cow in the entry. I take it as a sign. A dapper looking gentleman asks if I will be dining “alfresco” and whispers ‘That means alone.” I said I would be and he asked if I would like a table by the fireplace. I look at the tiny little bar with an older lady sitting at the end doing paperwork and said “If you have single malt I’ll sit at the bar and eat” (Greg and Joyce, you trained me well in one night!) The man’s eyebrows went up and he smiled, woman’s head popped up and she smiled and said “A scotch drinker, vel, come ofer!
I was introduced to Balvenie. Nice. The woman was Andrea and the restaurant authentic, fantastic, German food. I had veal brats, homemade kraut and German potatoes. (Goes dang fine with Balvenie and I am also sleeping alone tonight so no harm, no foul.) while Andrea broke out her rolodex and made a list on a napkin of the people in town I needed to talk to, to sort out the quarry mystery. Two quarry owners, the town historian and an ancient stone carver.
At present I am in my tiny 1940’s motel room, owned by Sue, where I was sent by Andrea to stay until morning when I am directed to return for breakfast to Andrea’s so we can then “Get on with these people.”
I feel lucky (blessed)
Ginger
I found Donald and Mary!
I started out by going to the Office of Vital Records in Denver with all my paperwork. It’s a very ancient, industrial, beaurocratic looking place with workers behind glass that looks bullet proof and a lot of people waiting to get their medical marijuana cards or to get the one they lost replaced.
Every public employee I dealt with there was beyond nice. Nicer than nice… stunningly NICE. The man told me it might take a while. I was thinking “We’ll mail them to you” or “Come back tomorrow” when he said. “It could be as long as 45 minutes” WOW. Okay. I brought both a laptop and a good book. It was over an hour. We had some trouble with Mary. They searched diligently and gave me the records they could find, which were enough to direct me to Crown Hill Cemetery on the other side of Denver. I called them and made sure my people were truly buried there (I still had no info on Mary but they assured me there was a Mary Livingstone buried next to Donald and we agreed it would be an ironic coincidence were it not his wife), before I took, what turned out to be, an $80 cab ride, (I should have rented the car before then….) across town.
We got there and the place was HUGE. The reason I had not found Donald and Mary before is it’s vastness and contents have not been cataloged for the Internet as of yet.
As a side note the day I got to Denver it was HOT. I brought only sweaters and so I bought a short sleeved shirt to wear. This morning it looked nice when I started out and so there I was in my short sleeve shirt as it starts to snow.
We (me and my 65+yr old Ukrainian taxi driver) go to the cemetery and they give me a map with an “X marks the spot” and off we go. I am happy and excited and trying not to be overly jubilant in the office as it is also a funeral home and people are mulling around for a funeral looking suitably sad. I see a man in a kilt and realize he's part of the funeral party so refrain from pouncing on him and asking questions.
Off we go to section 33 with m yellow highlighted section with the prominent “X” I spend a good 30 minutes searching with no luck. You would thing certainly with a map and an “X” it would not take so long to find two people who have not moved in almost 100 years, my good sport taxi driver gets out and starts helping. I finally call the office and explain that if they don’t give me a little more info me and my short sleeve shirt are going to be joining the rest of the clients out here shortly. We go back to the office and look at a big BIG map of plots. Then back to section 33. Now I am starting to get worried that I am lucky enough that they are going to be in that one part still covered in SNOW. I am headed back to the cab and……THERE THEY ARE!.....and the Livingston “E” is back in the picture., along with a Freemasons insignia!
I take some pictures and start to load my frozen self back in the taxi. The funeral starts in the next sections and the kilted man begins to play the bagpipes. I stand in the cold a little longer.
I found my people.
On Donald’s death certificate it says occupation “Quarry Worker” Location of death “Lyons, Co.” My intention is, since I am already in the state and can eek out two more days if need be, to find out more on the missing quarry info. I cancel my flight, rent a car and drive to Lyons.
Lyons from what I have seen, so far, in the dark, is a little town. A very little town. I decided to look for the oldest homiest restaurant/bar in town and find me some long time locals to question. I get into town and see some jam packed Western bars and then I see “Andrea’s”, fits my criteria pretty well so in I go. Lots of wood and dead animals on the walls. There's a Highland cow in the entry. I take it as a sign. A dapper looking gentleman asks if I will be dining “alfresco” and whispers ‘That means alone.” I said I would be and he asked if I would like a table by the fireplace. I look at the tiny little bar with an older lady sitting at the end doing paperwork and said “If you have single malt I’ll sit at the bar and eat” (Greg and Joyce, you trained me well in one night!) The man’s eyebrows went up and he smiled, woman’s head popped up and she smiled and said “A scotch drinker, vel, come ofer!
I was introduced to Balvenie. Nice. The woman was Andrea and the restaurant authentic, fantastic, German food. I had veal brats, homemade kraut and German potatoes. (Goes dang fine with Balvenie and I am also sleeping alone tonight so no harm, no foul.) while Andrea broke out her rolodex and made a list on a napkin of the people in town I needed to talk to, to sort out the quarry mystery. Two quarry owners, the town historian and an ancient stone carver.
At present I am in my tiny 1940’s motel room, owned by Sue, where I was sent by Andrea to stay until morning when I am directed to return for breakfast to Andrea’s so we can then “Get on with these people.”
I feel lucky (blessed)
Ginger
Re: My Livingston(e) Line
I don't think I could have had a better day if I hit the lottery (but I would not mind testing that theory sometime.)
I will expand on this later as I write up my notes but the short story is.....I now have pictures of the quarry, pictures of Donald and his brother-in-law (Mary Livingstone's brother) working in the quarry, pictures of their house, rocks from the quarry and James Lowe's (Mary's brother) journal documenting some of Donald and Mary's life as well.
The long version will be much more informative and involves a mule giving birth (which is a rare occurrence as most mules are sterile).
Life is good.
Ginger
I will expand on this later as I write up my notes but the short story is.....I now have pictures of the quarry, pictures of Donald and his brother-in-law (Mary Livingstone's brother) working in the quarry, pictures of their house, rocks from the quarry and James Lowe's (Mary's brother) journal documenting some of Donald and Mary's life as well.
The long version will be much more informative and involves a mule giving birth (which is a rare occurrence as most mules are sterile).
Life is good.
Ginger
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Canadian Livingstone
- Posts: 2780
- Joined: Wed Jul 15, 2009 9:00 pm
Re: My Livingston(e) Line
Hi Ginger,
One of the best genealogy stories I think I have heard in a long time. Indeed you hit the jackpot.
I am delighted that you have found your Livingston ancestors in Colorado. So there was a death record for Donald Livingston your ancestor from Ballachulish and you have located the cemetery where he and his wife were buried in Colorado. I would say you hit the jackpot. Now you have located your ancestors in Colorado and in Ballachulish, Scotland. Your family will be delighted to hear that you were successful in your quest. I enjoyed your story about your experiences in Colorado. Perhaps you could include the story of your genealogical adventures in Colorado in the next issue of "Parnassus" our Clan Society Newsletter. I think today was the deadline for getting in articles for Issue #1 but perhaps you would like to reprint your story for the next issue. I thought it highly entertaining and I am sure others would enjoy hearing about your adventure in Colorado searching for your ancestor Donald Livingston.
Nice that you are going to contact Greg Livingston in Colorado.
regards,
Donald
One of the best genealogy stories I think I have heard in a long time. Indeed you hit the jackpot.
I am delighted that you have found your Livingston ancestors in Colorado. So there was a death record for Donald Livingston your ancestor from Ballachulish and you have located the cemetery where he and his wife were buried in Colorado. I would say you hit the jackpot. Now you have located your ancestors in Colorado and in Ballachulish, Scotland. Your family will be delighted to hear that you were successful in your quest. I enjoyed your story about your experiences in Colorado. Perhaps you could include the story of your genealogical adventures in Colorado in the next issue of "Parnassus" our Clan Society Newsletter. I think today was the deadline for getting in articles for Issue #1 but perhaps you would like to reprint your story for the next issue. I thought it highly entertaining and I am sure others would enjoy hearing about your adventure in Colorado searching for your ancestor Donald Livingston.
Nice that you are going to contact Greg Livingston in Colorado.
regards,
Donald
Re: My Livingston(e) Line
I would love to write that up. It really was an adventure.
I made a lot of great friends along the way and learned much about the quarry business, the life of the quarry men and black squirrels. I think I have officially become and adopted native daughter of Lyons, CO.
I met Greg and Joyce in Denver and we had a wonderful dinner and talked each others ears off.
This morning I am packing up my little 1940's motel room, going to breakfast with some of my new Lyons residence friends and then retracing some of my steps from yesterday to try and find my cell phone. If it fell out somewhere in the quarry it will become a permanent resident of Lyons and I will have left a little vibrating piece of my self behind for posterity....Good thing it's the new green phone that is made from potato plastic and will eventually disintegrate.
Ginger
I made a lot of great friends along the way and learned much about the quarry business, the life of the quarry men and black squirrels. I think I have officially become and adopted native daughter of Lyons, CO.
I met Greg and Joyce in Denver and we had a wonderful dinner and talked each others ears off.
This morning I am packing up my little 1940's motel room, going to breakfast with some of my new Lyons residence friends and then retracing some of my steps from yesterday to try and find my cell phone. If it fell out somewhere in the quarry it will become a permanent resident of Lyons and I will have left a little vibrating piece of my self behind for posterity....Good thing it's the new green phone that is made from potato plastic and will eventually disintegrate.
Ginger
Re: My Livingston(e) Line
Hi Ginger,
Just wanted to tell you how much I enjoyed your story, absolutely wonderful!! I'm so excited for you. Just the other night, Friday I believe I watched a new program on chanel 5 called " Who do you think you are". They traced Jessica Parker's Family line. She was just thrilled and it showed her traveling from New York to California in the Gold Rush area and then to Salem Massachusettes tracking down her family. I think your story would be just as exciting to watch. You have what it takes, determination! Anyway, Bravo to you.
Jewel
Just wanted to tell you how much I enjoyed your story, absolutely wonderful!! I'm so excited for you. Just the other night, Friday I believe I watched a new program on chanel 5 called " Who do you think you are". They traced Jessica Parker's Family line. She was just thrilled and it showed her traveling from New York to California in the Gold Rush area and then to Salem Massachusettes tracking down her family. I think your story would be just as exciting to watch. You have what it takes, determination! Anyway, Bravo to you.
Jewel
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Canadian Livingstone
- Posts: 2780
- Joined: Wed Jul 15, 2009 9:00 pm
Re: My Livingston(e) Line
Hi Ginger,
Maybe millions of years from now future geologists will find your lost cell phone fossilized or crystalized and inside a piece of rock from the same Colorado quarry it fell into and they will wonder how the hell it got there, what it was and who owned it. And it will go into some sort of futuristic musuem and they will pay a great deal of money to come and see it. It may even go on a world tour. Can't imagine there will be humans on this planet millions years from now more likely some sort of advanced reptilian or crustacean type life form perhaps with very high IQ's. Hopefully they will do a better job of taking care of the earth than we did. Then again maybe by their time they will have adapted to the toxic air and water we will leave behind for them. Pens,laptops, blackberrys and cellphones will be likely be things of the past by then. I mean can you imagine trying to type a message on a blackberry with giant lobster like claws. Just won,t work. I doubt I could operate a blackberry with normal hands. Probaby they will be able send messages through telepathy. That probably means a large developed brain which means a big head. So the predominate life form on earth millions of years from now will likely have lobster claws for hands and a really big head to support a big brain. Very cool. Lets hope you find your missing cell phone.
regards,
Donald
Maybe millions of years from now future geologists will find your lost cell phone fossilized or crystalized and inside a piece of rock from the same Colorado quarry it fell into and they will wonder how the hell it got there, what it was and who owned it. And it will go into some sort of futuristic musuem and they will pay a great deal of money to come and see it. It may even go on a world tour. Can't imagine there will be humans on this planet millions years from now more likely some sort of advanced reptilian or crustacean type life form perhaps with very high IQ's. Hopefully they will do a better job of taking care of the earth than we did. Then again maybe by their time they will have adapted to the toxic air and water we will leave behind for them. Pens,laptops, blackberrys and cellphones will be likely be things of the past by then. I mean can you imagine trying to type a message on a blackberry with giant lobster like claws. Just won,t work. I doubt I could operate a blackberry with normal hands. Probaby they will be able send messages through telepathy. That probably means a large developed brain which means a big head. So the predominate life form on earth millions of years from now will likely have lobster claws for hands and a really big head to support a big brain. Very cool. Lets hope you find your missing cell phone.
regards,
Donald
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Canadian Livingstone
- Posts: 2780
- Joined: Wed Jul 15, 2009 9:00 pm
Re: My Livingston(e) Line
Hi Ginger,
I dont know if it is still possible but if it is ok with you I could try and see if Kyle could reprint your story and include in the first issue of Parnassus if there is enough time to still do that. Is that ok with you if I can make that happen?
Such as great story I think it deserves to be published.
regards,
Donald
I dont know if it is still possible but if it is ok with you I could try and see if Kyle could reprint your story and include in the first issue of Parnassus if there is enough time to still do that. Is that ok with you if I can make that happen?
Such as great story I think it deserves to be published.
regards,
Donald
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Canadian Livingstone
- Posts: 2780
- Joined: Wed Jul 15, 2009 9:00 pm
Re: My Livingston(e) Line
Hi Jewel,
My wife and I watched that program also with great interest. Finally a reality show for thinking people and those with an interest in genealogy. What a great idea. I also have New England 17th century ancestors including the founder of Rhode Island. Now my Rhode Island ancestor was a minister in Salem, Massachussetts who fell out of favour with the puritans in Salem for his religious views and forced to leave Salem and he then established a new congregation as Baptists and a colony at Providence in what is today Rhode Island.Roger Williams was his name and if I have the generations correct he was my eighth great grandfather. Now Sarah Jessica Parker's ancestor being accused of witchcraft in Massachussetts that was really interesting. I wonder who is being researched next week for the program?
regards,
Donald
My wife and I watched that program also with great interest. Finally a reality show for thinking people and those with an interest in genealogy. What a great idea. I also have New England 17th century ancestors including the founder of Rhode Island. Now my Rhode Island ancestor was a minister in Salem, Massachussetts who fell out of favour with the puritans in Salem for his religious views and forced to leave Salem and he then established a new congregation as Baptists and a colony at Providence in what is today Rhode Island.Roger Williams was his name and if I have the generations correct he was my eighth great grandfather. Now Sarah Jessica Parker's ancestor being accused of witchcraft in Massachussetts that was really interesting. I wonder who is being researched next week for the program?
regards,
Donald
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Greg Livingston
- Posts: 312
- Joined: Wed Jul 22, 2009 11:42 pm
- Location: Ankeny, IA, USA
Re: My Livingston(e) Line
Ginger, Joyce and I enjoyed dinner with you the other day. I did get your phone message from last evening about 6 but didn't get a chance to return it. I'll try giving it a call and see if someone answers it for you.
...edit.... Glad to hear this morning that you found your phone. Do remember to post some of the pictures you have been taking this weekend. And have a safe trip home.
...edit.... Glad to hear this morning that you found your phone. Do remember to post some of the pictures you have been taking this weekend. And have a safe trip home.
Greg Livingston
Clan Commissioner
Ankeny, Iowa, USA
Clan Commissioner
Ankeny, Iowa, USA