I think I wanna go home

[Zeke]

Well, the truth is I've never been there. I'm a descendant of Roger Williams the founder of Providence, RI. My grandmother was a DAR and my middle name is Williams, as was hers and so on. My surname traces back all over the place, and part of the tree is in NY. Also, MN. Got some folks named Griggs that go way the hell back. But the Williams connection is pretty strong. I guess some say "direct descendant." I can't find anything online these days. I mean since 1641 there are 1000's of us.

I think we were mainly merchants, but you know how that goes. Probably a bank robber in the mix somewhere.

Anyway, anyone in RI?

[genrex]

I've never been to RI, but I'm considering moving back east.

I'm going back east for two weeks next spring, to decide what to do.

_

[ckissick]

Well, hello there, Cousin Zeke.

I, too, am a direct descendant of Roger Williams. I'm from California, but I have been to RI. I went to the Roger Williams museum in Providence and proudly announced my heritage to the receptionist. She just said, "So? Who isn't?" and went back to whatever she was doing. Apparently, there are over 5000 of us. But out of 350 million Americans, it's still a pretty exclusive club.

I'm descended through my grandmother from Ohio, with the last name of Morris. I have a full family tree, but it's packed away in a box somewhere. We moved just last week and are still unpacking. I am descended from one of Roger's daughters.

Interestingly, I can trace another branch of my family even further back than Roger Williams. The Swedish side of my family still owns a farm in the tiny village of Utby, Sweden, that's been in our family since 1558. I just visited it in July, and it was quite an experience.

I'll PM you once I find the family tree info. Let's see how many times we're removed.

[HardDrive]

My mothers side does go back to RI in the early 1700's. The last name was Hoff. I believe they were inn keepers in Providence.

[Porsche-O-Phile]

Very interesting... I thought you were one of those "I'm never leaving CA" types like I used to be...

In all seriousness I'd give it some thought and/or come visit for a while before moving. The job market in general is a hell of a lot better on the east coast than in CA but RI is struggling as a whole. As far as livability it's a toss-up. CA (Long Beach) can be a drag and a grind, but good, warm, sunny year-round weather does count for something, as does having resources around. A lot of RI is pretty "vanilla" and boring, but there are some really nice parts (Newport, etc.)

Just my $0.02 but as a guy who spent a long time in Long Beach and moved "back east" I have to say overall I'm a lot better off for having done so, even if I miss the sunshine and warm weather for a few months of the year. As long as plane tickets remain reasonably cheap, I can deal with it for the benefits of having stable work, reasonably clean air and water, being able to see the stars at night, having lots of green trees around and a semi-sane governmental structure. YMMV.

I hope you find happiness in whatever form Milt - I know you've been a restless soul for a while. I really do hope you are able to find whatever you're seeking - even if that's to understand what it is you're really seeking.

[Zeke]

Sorry, just a visit. Not thinking of moving anywhere for now. I thought it might be more poignant to visit the lands of the forebearers, but I guess I'm not anything special to them. And why should I be? I'm not partial to any descendants of early CA. However, the Bixby family is a very old land owning family here and terribly wealthy. Last year Mark Bixby, a real estate developer, died in a plane crash on take off at LGB. We now have a statue of the cat in the middle of town.

Guess if I could wander over to RI with Astor money, they'd roll out the red carpet.

No, I was just looking maybe to hook up with a little history. I think I found what I want in something called the "Roger Williams Historical Society," founded in 1901. For 25 bucks and some provenance, I can join. They then will research the tree and send it to me. I think I'll haul out Grandma's papers.

[scottmandue]

My roots supposedly go back to England... rumor has it there is a castle somewhere with our name on it...

I do want to visit the UK some day. Move there? Not so much.

[KaptKaos]

Milt,

I don't understand the importance of being related to someone who was accomplished or great. I am not trying to pick a fight, but to understand why it is important to you that you're related to this Williams person.

I have a friend that is a nice person, but she constantly refers to her familial relations as being significant. For the life of me, I can't understand why that's so important to her. I'd be more impressed by her accomplishments, than by those of her distant relatives.

Anyway, this just happens to be topical in my life right now, and I appreciate your humoring my question.

Thanks.

[recycled sixtie]

I am a believer in "you don't know what you have got till it is gone". I go back to the UK(Scarborough) once in a while and although it is great to be there, I have no relatives left in that area. It is great to visit but would have trouble living there. So am happy in this oil town, an affordable city. Exploring the family tree would be interesting though. Met my wife here in '84 so have no plans on moving.

[recycled sixtie]

KaptKaos - I think that it is a question of values. If your friend thinks it is important for to her to name drop, then she values that. You have your values of not name dropping but accomplishments. Our values make us different. Not trying to make an issue of this but merely shed light on understanding each other or try to anyway!

[ronster]

If you can afford it and have the time you should go, you never know what you might learn and come back with. Finding out your history can give you a sense of place and help put in perspective who you are. I've only been to the East coast a couple of times and found it an area rich in history that helped me realize a link in my ancestral tree that goes back to Wales.

[Buckterrier]

Very true on the history aspect of New England. Hell the city I live in was established in like 1659. Grave yards are fun to walk through. RI has fantastic beaches and yeah Newport is cool. But it is basically run by gangsters, (remember the Supranos always went to Providence? That wasn't fiction, well it was but you know what I mean!).
Charlie's statement is proof that folks around here aren't the friendliest. I live about 30 miles from the border. If you do come I'll certainly like to have a beer & lobsta with you.

[KaptKaos]

Originally Posted by recycled sixtie

KaptKaos - I think that it is a question of values. If your friend thinks it is important for to her to name drop, then she values that. You have your values of not name dropping but accomplishments. Our values make us different. Not trying to make an issue of this but merely shed light on understanding each other or try to anyway!

Thanks for the reply, and I don't mean to hijack this thread (at least not too much).

I understand its important to my friend. I guess I am struggling with why it is important.

So maybe a better question might be; Why is being related to someone significant/famous/accomplished important to you?

[HardDrive]

I have to say, people from RI are kind of......errrr......a holes. When I worked in MA, I got into a conversation with some natives about how 'abrupt' people from MA can be. Their reply was, "Yeah, but we're nice compared to people from RI". They weren't kidding. I had to teach some classes down there. A surly lot to be sure.

[vash]

go!!

if i look back at my roots..it gets all confusing right before my family of chinese immigrants ended up in El Paso Texas..it's like they got lost, or ran out of gas money or something.

family history gets clearer back in the mother-land. simple fishing village stuff.

[daepp]

Hey Milt - I'm going to RI this weekend for a wedding. Let me know if you need anything.

[Zeke]

KaptKaos, I'm not sure what to say to you. It's a good question you ask. This is something that was apparently fairly important to my grandmother or I wouldn't even know about it.

Here's what might be my motivation. I just turned 67 and obviously I'm on the short list in life. I have no children of my own, no siblings; I'm the end of the line. I have some things to place in other's hands and I'm not sure of the value they have. I understand archivalists and genealogists want all the documents they can find. I do have some hand written diaries from the late 1800's and newer. I have furniture dating back further than that and it has been passed down generation to generation. I have one item that is directly related to the Fargo family of Wells Fargo. It's a chest with initials MJF carved into the lid. I know who this great great aunt of mine was. I'm sure I have a silver piece or 2 from the Colonial period. That's it, everything is was.

I guess what I'm saying, is it would be nice to be able to put all of this in context before I give it away or sell off any valuables. I have spoken to all distant relatives and step relations and no one wants any of it. So, I'm going to do my best to see that it all goes where it will be appreciated.

No, I don't suppose being a descendant of anyone famous makes me anything more that just a tired old worn out contractor. But I don't think it's unusual for older folks to try and "put it all together" before they check out. And I don't feel like waiting until I'm 80 because I likely won't make that number. I've lived a hard life. OTOH, I'm in no rush.

It was just a thought. Or a few.

[red-beard]

Originally Posted by scottmandue

My roots supposedly go back to England... rumor has it there is a castle somewhere with our name on it...

I do want to visit the UK some day. Move there? Not so much.

I don't remember Scottmandue castle. Where is it located?

[scottmandue]

Originally Posted by red-beard

I don't remember Scottmandue castle. Where is it located?

Right next to Red Beard's pub and grill

But there is a ship yard with my surname on it in England... and a kit car back in the 50's - 60's from that part of the world.

No buttered scones for me mother... I'm off to play the grand piano!

[Zeke]

Originally Posted by DAEpperson

Hey Milt - I'm going to RI this weekend for a wedding. Let me know if you need anything.

Just some pics of the non tourist places you go would be interesting to many. I just finished watching the NatGeo program Aerial America featuring RI. Way to much focus on Newport mansions ("summer cottages") and lighthouses. 60% of RI is covered by forest and they showed not one country road. They did show some of the farmland and I thought that was spectacular from the air. It would be cool to see some close up.