Discovering My Family Tree at Sea
Barbara, second from right, her husband Jim, right, and her parents Frances and Harvey Goerlitz, left.
March 27, 2012
by Barbara Carpenter
Have you ever said to yourself that you wished you had asked your parents or grandparents more about what it was like for them growing up? Several years ago, my husband and I asked my parents to go on a trip with us. We thought that going on a cruise would be a perfect opportunity to get away for a few days, spend some quality time together and learn about our family ancestry.
But, we had to sell them on the idea. I’m a baby boomer and if your parents are like mine, you’ve probably heard that they feel they cannot travel anymore. My parents told me that it would be too difficult. My mom has Parkinson’s and my dad has every kind of arthritis known to mankind. Getting around is not easy for either one of them.
This ended up being one of the best cruises we’ve ever been on. We booked an Alaska Cruisetour on Coral Princess because Mom wanted to see Glacier Bay and we wanted to enjoy the train. We flew into Fairbanks and started an experience that literally changed my life.
My dad had done some genealogy research and so we had some basic information. Once we sat down and asked them the first few questions, we were greeted with smiles and all sorts of stories. One story would trigger another memory and another and another. They enjoyed sitting in their deck chairs and I couldn’t write or type fast enough!
We talked about their childhood, their memories of growing up during the Depression, and recollections they had of their parents or grandparents. The stories we heard were fascinating. After the first time when we sat down they asked us with huge grins, “what time are we going to do this again?”
During that cruise, I learned my great-grandmother was a widow with five sons. They lived back in Wisconsin. When the wife of one of her former beau passed away, she received a letter from him in California. He knew of her husband’s passing and asked for her hand in marriage. She packed up her five sons, her piano and boarded a train in Wisconsin and traveled all the way to Visalia, Calif. He met them at the train station and they all walked across the street to the justice of the peace who married them on the spot. My dad’s dad (my grandpa) was one of those five boys!
This experience of being with my parents, away from the commitments of everyday life, gave me the perfect opportunity to really take the time to do something that was so personally significant. As much as it meant to me to gather all of this family history, it meant even more to my parents to sit down and talk to us for hours on end about their heritage so we could gain a better understanding of what shaped the people they became when they brought me into the world. I’ll always remember the time spent with them on this cruise and my only regret is that we didn’t do it sooner.
Since this cruise in 2006, I began asking more and more questions and I’ve had some wonderful visits with my parents, especially when we used to take them out for Sunday drives – many times down past their childhood homes and churches. Sadly, my parents’ health has been declining recently so I’m glad I’ve written all the stories down so I can pass them on to my daughters and grandchildren. And to think, it all started on a Princess cruise!!
Think about doing something like this with your parents or grandparents before it’s too late. Don’t let your parents tell you “no.” Plan that family reunion or 90th birthday celebration! Dance one more time with your mom or dad. Take one more picture. Live, laugh and love each other.
Take advantage of your time together and find the time to sit down and ask them those questions that you’ve been telling yourself that you’ve been meaning to ask. Bring a thick pad of paper and plenty of pens and enjoy what is about to unfold before you. Believe me – you’ll love it and so will they. It will be the memory of a lifetime! It was for me!
Barbara lives in San Diego, Calif., and she’s cruised with Princess 10 times.
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Barbara, your story certainly inspires us all to make time for things that matter most in life. Many thanks for sharing your touching reason to cruise with us. It’s clear the quality time spent to uncover your ancestry was equally enjoyed by you and your parents!
Our cruise and time together was just so much more. Thank you Princess.
Dear Bloggers and Princess ~
It is the end of the day for me now on March 27th and I cannot even begin to tell you all how much your notes have meant to me. Once Mom and Dad truly could not travel any longer, I began writing Travelogues about the cruises and trips that Jim and I took and I would send them via email to Mom and Dad and the rest of the family so they would know what we were doing and seeing and where we were. Dad loved going to the computer and printing off the latest email. That started my Travelogues. My travelogues and pictures are at – http://enthusiasticcruiser.blogspot.com
Thank you all for your heartwarming responses.
Barbara
My mom and dad died when I was fairly young. My heart hurts that I didn’t get to ask them those questions. Good for you for writing it all down!
Thanks Deb.
I’m sure you have special memories nonetheless. Write down what you do remember anyway! And, start writing things down for your kids and grandkids. I know they’ll appreciate it.
Barbara,
I was reading your article with interest, and then I came to “Visalia, CA” and just stopped. Not too often do I hear of anyone from there. I live in Porterville, CA. Did your grandfather stay in the area?
Thanks for sharing your stories. I, like many others, failed to ask all of those questions and now it is too late for me.
Linda Hood
Hi Linda ~
They actually had a farm in Visalia. My great grandmother remarried Mr. Joseph Schueller. Unfortunately, my grandfather passed away at a very early age because of tuberculosis when my Dad was only 5 years old. I remember visiting Grandma and Grandpa Schueller in Visalia and have found some old pictures of their home and farm. Don’t give up on your family history! Try ancestry.com and you’ll be amazed at what is there! I have found numerous newspaper articles about my great grandparents. Also, the census records have a wealth of information. Even if you weren’t able to ask “the questions” you may still be able to find some answers!
Thank you~
Dear Princess –
This has been the most wonderful experience! Thanks to posting this article on your blog, we’ve actually reconnected with people we met on previous Princess cruises because they saw this article !! Princess is a catalist for bringing people together! Can’t wait till our cruise on Royal Princess transatlantic next year in October ! Thank you again Princess!
Barbara:)
May 15, 2012 –
from Barbara –
This article means so much more now. My Dad passed on May 13th.
Thank you all for your kind comments. This will be one of my most cherished memories.
Barbara – you touched my heart. My husband and I are now without parents and although it is all part of life we sometimes take too much for granted.
My husband’s mom and dad passed away recently at the age of 94 and just missed their 75th anniversary. However, when they were unable to take care of themselves they moved in with us and we learned so much more about them that we never knew before.
It is a wonderful feeling to travel with your family and more and more families are taking this opportunity to travel together. Those memories along with so many others are priceless.
We as a family did travel a few times — Disney, the BigRed Boat, and Royal Caribbean and I know those memories are very deep in their hearts.
Claire –
Thank you for your kind note. I’m so happy for you that you have special memories as well. Yes, they are priceless aren’t they?
Barbra,
I buit this beautiful home and for the last five years look at the ocean from my deck and watch all the cruise liners pass my home. I am now 71 and have decided to take the plunge,sell my executive home and start travelling on all those cruises,so if any one
wants my home with all the beautiful furnishings,the ocean view in Campbell River,BC
The Salmon Capital of the World, please contact me 250-923-8884
Dear Percy ~
I bet you have a gorgeous view! And, do the orcas from J pod come and pass by every now and then? We adopted “Granny” – the matriarch of J pod. I love it up there! I can only imagine how beautiful your view must be! Let me know when you’re ready to start cruising! I’d enjoy being your agent!
Hi Percy,
I’m 71, use a walker (hopefully that will stop with surgery on the 30th – for my back), but it hasn’t stopped me from traveling.
I have cruised 12 times on Princess, and many times on other cruise lines. I travel with land tour groups, and with my daughter on our own. Right now we are in Washington D.C. and we have been walking a good 10,000 steps a day seeing absolutely as much as we can. One of our visits was to the National Archives for genealogy research. Get out, get going, cruise,tour, enjoy the world. There is a lot out there, and don’t miss any of it.
Thank you Barbara for sharing your wonderful cruise experience with your parents on the Coral Princess. If you wish to go further with your Family tree, MyHeritage.com is a wonderful site and different members of your family can input information with your permission.
Otto, Surrey BC
Thank you Hans. I also like ancestry.com. Isn’t it fabulous the information that it just at our fingertips!
As a Family History Center Director, my staff and I always encourage patrons to sit down with their living ancestors and ask open ended questions about their past. These stories are extremely valuable, not only for the memories they create but also as source information for further research. Purchase a voice recorder. It will prevent you from having to take copious notes (you can focus on listening) and will also preserve your ancestor’s voice.
My family holds annual reunions, but we have not yet gathered on a cruise ship. A son and daughter sailed Alaska with us several years ago. We had some great family experiences and some great memories were made.
Thank you Ronald. I have planned packages for several of my clients on cruises (yes, I am a travel agent) sharing special times for significant birthdays or family reunions. The nicest thing is that everyone is together and you are making even more new memories together as you visit the beautiful ports that Princess takes you to!
That reminds of a trip we made to Cuba with my Dad (now 95) . Had a chance to gets info about members of the family that we knew very little about . We encouraged him to write about the family. I would greatly to encourage them to tell you more and record the information as a family history
Thanks George –
I have been enjoying every minute that we have together. The fun part for me is going back and remembering with them.
Thank you all for your nice thoughts and for sharing. This blog is somewhat bittersweet today as my Dad is now on Hospice. Thank you Princess for letting me share my story!
Barbara
I just saw this post from you…sorry to hear about your father.
Barbara, I’m so sorry to hear your dad is so ill right now! Your story made me feel so good that someone had such a great experience! I could never have talked mom into getting onto a plane! Tried! Dad passed at 62 and mom has been without him for over 17 years now. I knew she would never want another “beau”! Now she has Alz. I know so much of her history and dads, but a person always has other questions that come up that once they’re gone will never be answered, even the little things. I have lots of those questions I would love to have asked dad… we were so close! Now mom isn’t able to remember many things, I miss her remembering! I thank God she still knows us kids anyway! Love them hard as long as you can! I pray your dad makes it through this!!!
Dear Bill ~
You have a rough road ahead of you. Alzheimer’s is so sad for the family and friends. I trust your Mom WILL remember a few more things and I am sure you will cherish your time with her.
God bless.
Fantastic! Glad you were able to capture the past before it is too late.
If I may make a suggestion…grab a video camera and put the discussions on video and then DVD. You will always remember the stories, but without the video, the sound of their voices and looks on their faces, will slowly fade.
Dear Bill – I wish I had one! We have lots of pictures.
You are so right Bill!
i actually have tears in my eyes. We sent my parents on their first cruise for their anniversary a few years ago but just the two of them. We are about to take our little kids this weekend on a cruise for the first time to see if it works for young ones. WHat you did was priceless for the bonding, memories and stories to pass on . We can all relate to if we only did that when we had the time. Thank you for sharing your heartfelt plan of what a cruise can be. If the kids cruise well maybe we can try this too as a family extended as well. They will make the excuse of having to care for the pets and such but what a great idea . My childhood friends mother is too with hospice with a few days left- very bittersweet.
Dear Michelle ~
Yes, this is very bittersweet. But, I read Mom and Dad the blog today, and though Dad has been sleeping most of the time, he did keep his eyes open and nodded when I asked him if he remembered. Mom had tears in her eyes. This cruise that we went on with Mom and Dad was actually to celebrate their 60th wedding anniversary! I think what you did for your parents is very special. My prayers to your friend.
Great story, makes me wish I still had the chance to do this, especially in light of the email exchange I had with a cousin this morning over a 1947 Thanksgiving picture. I hope that many will read your story and take the time to learn their family history. A cruise is the perfect way to spend quality time together. My parents introduced us to Princess in 1985 with a family Panama Canal cruise. Now we’ve cruised on Princess 11 times and can hardly wait for our next cruise in April!
Thanks Nancy. Princess is fabulous – especially for something like this! Enjoy your cruise in April!
With warm sentiments and tears in my eyes, these stories have all touched my heart and have reminded me of how precious our loved ones and time spent with them is.
Karyn –
I agree – the stories are all very special.
Yes, family history and cruising rings a bell with me. Last year after discovering a lot of family I never knew existed. I found that my new found cousin and his wife had booked on the same cruise as we had. We met on board and had 46 nights around the Indian Ocean to get to know each other and on return we had a family get together in Perth
Margaret –
That is a fabulous story!
Barbara your story struck a chord with me, too. I began Family Treesearch with my cousin in 2006. We managed to get back into the early 1700′s before deciding to see if we could find some “living ones”. Sue in Monmouth, Wales found us online, and quickly became our third sister. With her help we discovered more family living in Florida. Aha, I thought, what an excuse for a trip. I packed my Family Tree charts and camera and headed to Florida one long May weekend. It was wonderful to meet everyone and see how our families fit together. After the whirlwind weekend, I flew to Ft. Lauderdale and boarded the Crown Princess for a wonderful Transatlantic crossing. Disembarking in Southampton, I spent the next three weeks with my cousin and family and made the first trip to Wales to visit Sue. As Barbara mentioned, some things in life are bittersweet and our time with Sue was just that. We made plans to meet in the Caribbean for a cruise together, but that plan never happened. Sue passed away at 60, 18 months after she came into our lives. I encourage everyone to make plans as Barbara’s family did. Grab any chances you get. Life is too short to miss an opportunity to cruise and spend time with the people you love.
Dear Bronwyn ~
I am so sorry to read about your cousin. But what a wonderful memory you all have and that she took with her! Life is too short – I agree.
absolutely loved your story! Would like to add a personal comment of my own. Do not let the aged or infirm use that as an excuse not to cruise. We have observed the staff on our many Princess cruises to be so caring and helpful without being intrusive that life was made a lot easier for all concerned.
Thank you
My husband, my mother and I are taking a cruise on one of your sister cruiselines to Rotterdam, Neitherlands. After watching the movie “Bucket List” I asked my mom what she always wanted to do or go before “kicking the Bucket” She didn’t think long, she wanted to go to Holland and be a missionary. Well, next month we are headed there to do both! We actually found long distant cousins who will pick us up in Rotterdam and meet family members that as of two months ago we had no clue we had. After that we are visiting a missionary we’ve known and mom’s going to help us put together a presentation. Praise the Lord : )
Dear Carla ~
That will be a very special trip. Enjoy!
Sounds like a movie Carla! FABULOUS! ENJOY… like I had to say that! Lol
Barbra,
All I can say is thank you! Thank you for sharing your beautiful story. I will be going on my third cruise next year to the Mexican Riviera, where I will be getting married. As I read your story I couldn’t help but think about my family tree, and the future of my family tree and to take advantage of time I have with my family. My family and I, a 26 year old know what it is to live with Arthritis and family members with declining health. I pray for strength for you and the rest of your family.
Thank you Monica –
Congratulations to you! I know your wedding will be very special. Take care of yourself.
Beautiful family, wonderful stories, great writing. I can see your dear folks faces as they shared their lives with you and Jim. The cruise sounds amazing and whets my appetite for adventure. Don and I read your words together, and we both agree you are a dedicated, loving daughter, and a great story teller. Our prayers for strength, comfort and peace are with you, Jim, Harv and Frances. They are loved, and so are you.
Dear Tommie and Don ~
Thank you for being such special friends to my parents. They are blessed to have such incredible people in their lives and my life is richer for it.
Love you,
Barb
In June & July, my husband and I, along with my cousin and her husband will do 2 back-to-back Princess cruises. I hadn’t really kept in close touch with my cousin for several years, but about 2 years ago the 4 of us and another first cousin & his wife have been getting together for lunch every other month following which we go to one or other of our homes for a chit-chat and much reminiscing. It’s never too late to reconnect seriously.
Joan –
I hope you have a very special journey! How fun to do back-to-back cruises! Enjoy!
The other thing I will add is about family pictures. All of my Grandparents are gone and except for my mother’s father all of their siblings are also gone. We have come across some old pictures that no knows who these people are. I kick myself for not asking my Grandparents more about their lives. I was VERY close to all my Grandparents and thought I knew everything I needed to know.
Maria ~
I agree with you about the pictures. Several weeks ago we sat down with Mom and Dad and some of their old picture albums and they were able to identify people in the pictures and I am so happy now that we were able to do that.
We (daughter, her husband and their son [grandson]) are off on what we call Memory Cruises). This will be our third. These cruises are a wonderful way of spending time together.
Enjoy every one Ann ! Thank you.
What a beautiful story for all and a beautiful memory for you Barbara, thanks for touching my heart today.
This response has been most overwhelming for me – you have truly touched my heart. It has been wonderful connecting with so many people who have experienced this. I am so happy I wrote about our trip.
this is a wonderful story, brought tears to my eyes. My dad died at age 59 in 1986. My husband died in 2002. So my mom and I have been on 10 Princess cruises, two others I took with 2 of my kids. We’ve been to all the continents, sometimes her birthday falls into the cruise. She turned 85 last November, still flies to visit us from Germany for the winter holidays. I had told her we have to see the world before it is too late. Next month I’ll fly to Frankfurt and then we go on the Holy Land/Egypt cruise together.
Princess makes dreams come true. Who would have thought when I was a kid after WWII that someday I’ll live in the US and my mom and I can travel the world and have quality time together.
Evelyn –
I am so happy that you and your Mom have been able to share such quality time together with both of your losses. Enjoy Frankfurt and then the Holy Land! What a fabulous trip!
Barbara Carpenter…family from Wisconsin….hmmm…I’m Bob Carpenter, family from Wisconsin…we could be related?
Hi Bob ~
Hmmmmm. You should contact my husband Jim Carpenter at jcarp1@cox.net and see if there is any connection on the Carpenter side. Carpenter is my married name. My Dad’s family settled in Sheboygan in the 1860′s. The Goerlitz’s (my Dad’s family) had The Toll Road in Sheboygan for years and years. My great great grandparents had a large farm there. Wouldn’t this be great if we found another family connection through Princess!!
Last year my parents and I took a two week cruise on the Golden Princess to Hawaii. We celebrated Dad’s 90th birthday and their 65th wedding anniversary. They had such a great time that we are off to do the very same cruise next month! In January the whole family gathered in my parents living room,children, grandchildren,and greatgrandchildren. A videographer filmed as we all asked questions, the session was supposed to last 2 hours, we finally called a halt after 4 hours and we’d only scratched the surface. I would highly recommend this to families out there,if you can split the cost between family it is well worth it.We were worried that Mum and Dad would be tongue tied in front of the camera but after 5 minutes that was forgotten and it was just family having a chat.
Thanks Barbara for your moving story, best wishes to your Mom and Dad
Linda ~
Your story is wonderful. What a special gift just to have your whole family together – but then to capture it on film is priceless.
Barbara,
this is the BEST story so far posted on this list!
After loosing all links to the past I went to Italy to find our village and start the process of learning our history.
perhaps this will point out to others to ASK now before it is too late. There is so much to learn from our history.
Lee –
Thank you for your kind words. I know your journey to find your links in history will be fascinating. As you uncover more and more, it draws you in and captivates you. How lucky you are to be able to travel to Italy to research your family tree! Enjoy!
My Mom died at 44 when I was 14. My father, although I lived with him and his new wife for 1 year before leaving home at the age of 17, which is another story to itself, was not there for me. I long to hear my Mom’s story and I really envy you !
By the way we have been on 4 cruises so far. We took our then 9 year old grandson to Alaska with us. He is still talking about it today. What a legacy for him !
Howard ~
After our cruise with my parents, I asked my Mom and her two sisters to lunch one afternoon. We dined on a fine meal from “Taco Bell” and sat around the table and did the same thing. I learned so many more things after sitting down with the three sisters – Mary, Frances and Dorothy. I wrote about that time too and am so happy that we did that before their youngest sister, my Aunt Dorothy, passed away.
I would LOVE to take our family to Alaska and share with them what I consider to be the most beautiful place. Alaska is magnificent and grand – I think because it is so large and it is untouched still because of the terrain. Doing something like that is definitely on our Bucket List.
Barbara, I am fortunate to be my Mother’s caregiver in our home. My brothers always ask how I know so much family history and so many stories. Just taking the opportunity to talk each day. If you don’t know the questions to ask there are many books such as “Mom, tell me your story” that can get the dialouge going.
My Mom and I travelled through Europe on a Bus and then through The British Isles on a
cruise 21 days of one on one time with my Mom was worth all the strained muiscles of
pushing the wheelchair. Thanks for sharing.
Vivian ~
I loved your comment that you were “fortunate” to be your Mom’s caregiver. I have been there on my own with them at times and more recently we had to get in 24 hour care for them. But those times when I can just be with them and give them a special hug or hold their hand and we have a “moment” – I love that. Those of us who have this opportunity and appreciate their remaining time are very lucky. I never mind pushing a wheelchair. For you I’m sure, I am just so happy that they are out and enjoying this beautiful world. I am forever grateful to whomever invented the wheelchair, walker, mobile scooters and all the other products that offer those with mobility issues or otherwise, some quality of life and a little independence.
I enjoyed reading your blog. Very touching. My mother and both sisters passed between the ages of 41 and 46. After facing my own near-death illness, I partnered with a good friend to make sure that family memories will not be lost. We had already written a book about hometown heroes as well as several dozen news articles when we decided to launch Forget Me Not – we help people share the stories of their lives and their family history so it is not forgotten. We have been blessed to assist many people. Two stand-outs include a 98 year old who met Babe Ruth as a child and a Holocaust survivor who wanted his children to know the stories of the family they never had a chance to meet in person. http://sunnyharborpublishing.org/ForgetMeNot.php Hugs, Steven
Steven –
Thanks for the link. I love “Forget Me Not” as it is Alaska’s state flower. Great of you to help others!
You have a wonderful story and it makes me sad that I didn’t ask my parents much about their family background and now they are gone. Since my parents were both the youngest members of their respective families and all their siblings are gone, I doubt that I will ever find out that information. My grandparents died before I was born and I never lived in the same city as my relatives while I was growing up. As my children and grandchildren have grown I have saved token memories for them. I have taken loads of pictures all through their lives and saved many different things from the time when they were growing up. I remind them of trips, events and different things that we did as a family or individually so that they can retain those memories and share them with their children. It is something which one can never recover. How beautiful to have had your wonderful experiences.
Dear Marion –
Your children and grandchildren are lucky to have you and I know they’ll appreciate all of your efforts for them. Thanks!
Great story and congratulations for your persistence in getting it done. I am also a baby boomer and lost my Mom in 2007 and my Dad in 1964 at 16. I have been lucky in bugging my relatives for pictures and my Dad’s baby brother passed away last June, but not before he gave me a bunch of pictures. My family will be getting the family history as best I can do, as is my goal before I join my folks and one of my 4 brothers. My maternal side of the family also came from Prairie du Saux, Wisconsin and Spring Valley, Minnesota; so I felt the need to write, as I am also living in California. My Dad was even born in Carruthers and his siblings like me in San Jose and all of his family and 4 out of the 5 of us were delivered by the same doctor, as he followed the RR where my grandfather was affiliated. Our Mother was only child born in a hospital and in Los Angeles, California as her 5 siblings were all born in Minnesota. I have even been using Ancestry.com to put down what I do know and will continue my search for more names and info later. Thanks for sharing your personal story as it inspires me to finish my task. Best regards, Warry Dailey
Thanks Warry – Ancestry.com has been fabulous! And they are offering more and more information every day! It is a wealth of information and just at our fingertips!
Great story – I told my husband on the cruise we were just on, that I wished we had brought my mom. She would of loved it. I agree – write down all the stories and actually bring a video recorder and tape EVERYTHING. I did that with my grandparents, asked all the questions, it was fabulous. I will treasure it always…
Melodee – I hope you’ll get the chance to take your Mom with you next time
Just received my Commodore certification from Princess. Ready to book my first cruise which will be an all-girl cruise. It will be a birthday cruise for my daughter-in-law (this will be her first) and my granddaughter (she’s 28). This will be a booking for next year. I plan to include some of your suggestions regarding recording the trip. Any other suggestions?
Hi Rose –
Congratulations on your Commodore! I am also a Commodore. One of the greatest moments I’ve seen on a cruise was when a Mom and her five daughters were cruising together. Each night they dressed in the same T shirt and pants or same color dress for formal night and had their pictures taken. The best was when they wore black t-shirts with martini glasses jeweled on them with white capri pants and no shoes. They all got on the floor of the plain white back drop (including Mom) and it was one of the best pictures I’d ever seen! It was casual and so heartwarming. They had the best time together! And they laughed together – that was maybe the best. Take advantage of the professional photographers on board the ship. Though you may not buy every picture, you’ll have lots and lots of choices to get the “best” picture to capture the moment. Enjoy!
I started trying to sort my family history out 20 years ago and I am still at it in the UK including the last 5 generations. However I am still trying to sort out some links from about 300 years ago into US-UK connections of my wifes family the Tafts having traced my own British family back to a family that emigrated on the Mayflower. Wouldn’t it be great to bring some international families together to sort some of these connections out on an international cruise. Think of all those sea days and the strength of international collaboration. The concept of “family” cruises takes on a whole new meaning and mostly it requires IT links, data-bases and shared dead ends!
Great idea!! Thanks!
you’re lucky you did this while they were still all alive. I say this because my parents and grandparents are gone and so are all those fascinating stories and history that we should have gotten.
Oh how I regret that because we have heard stories about my husband’s grandmother remembering covered wagons and indians. I am not sure if it was true but we will never know as she has passed away. She died about 10 years ago and was close to 100.
So to all of you who read this , get all that fascinating history from your elders before it is too late. That history is priceless.
Thanks Shirley ~
I have always thought everyone should write a book about themselves-all their memories, milestones, family etc. Then the next generation would really understand their heritage, and be able to piece it all together, if they wished. You were so lucky Barbara to spend this precious time with your parents (even better on a Princess cruise!) and hear first hand their fabulous memories. God bless!
Thanks Pam –
Yes, I was very lucky! With my Dad now on Hospice, these memories I cherish even more.
Thank you!
Hello Barbara and all your Respondents,
Thank you for your stories. I took an Aunt to Sydney’s (N.S.W., Australia) Mitchell Library one day and we looked back over our family’s history (Boag, Bruce on mum’s side; Hallam, Howes on dad’s side), and I took lots of notes and have quite a few photos. Just as well, this Aunt now has dementia and all the elders are with God. When we went to England in 2008 for my husband’s niece’s wedding, I snaffled copies of family photos and got as many names, dates and connections as possible; and we visited the graves of both parents. I should have done more when I could, but I never seemed to have the time to really start – I knew it would be an all-absorbing task. What a wonderful way to get going, take family members on a cruise (we’ve just done our first, on “SUN PRINCESS” (Brisbane, Queensland around New Zealand) and while I read some interesting books from the library and talked with my husband – and we did an excursion in each city visited – some of the time could have been better used as you used it with your families. Maybe we are now at the age when our family members will take us on cruises and ask us questions – Alaska, and the Holy Land/Egypt would suit us nicely – hint, hint. Bless you all, Lorraine and Richard
Thanks Lorraine for your story. When you’re ready to go to Alaska let me know! I’m a Princess Destination Specialist and would love to get you there.
Barbara,
I recently joined Ancestry.com and have been totally absorbed in it. While working on the site I received an email from Princess Cruises and your picture and story are on it. My husband and I along with our friends, Stan and Betty, sailed with you and Jim on a Princess New England cruise a few years ago. What a nice surprise! Thank you for sharing your wonderful story. My mom passed away in 2008 and I am trying to find out her past because she never knew any of it. Maybe we will see you on another cruise some day. Wishing you well, Michelle.
Michelle!!!
OMG!! We have such fond memories of sailing with you on the Grand Princess to Canada/New England!! We speak of you often! We enjoyed that cruise very much!
I am so sorry to hear about your Mom. My Dad is now on Hospice and I don’t see how he can hold on much longer. It is a rough time. They are now 86 and 88 years young.
I wish you much success in doing your research with ancestry.com. Both Jim and I have used them and our family trees continue to grow with more and more information from them and their resources. My email is carpentertravel51@gmail.com or barbara.carpenter@avoyatravel.com. I would really like to reconnect with you. I am going to do what you did before that cruise and would like to talk about it with you to see how you’ve done.
Thank you soooo much for posting your note! You made my day! Are you still in California? Are Stan and Betty still in Texas? We hope all is well with all of you! Please stay in touch! Our best to the four of you!
Michelle & Mike and Stan & Betty –
We will be on the new Royal Princess in October 2013 for a Transatlantic from Venice to Fort Lauderdale – we could have a reunion!! Would love to see you all again!
Barbara and Jim
Such raw emotions! So betfaiuul . a betfaiuul moment and betfaiuul photography. It gave me chills to see this. My brother and his bride to be have a special love:) What an amazing gift, to have such an important moment captured like this. So nice to have this to look back on in the years ahead.
Great Story! Made me think of my parents.
Thanks! May your memories make you smile and warm your heart!
Wow, thank you for sharing your story. For me, being 29, it took a college project to get me to sit down with my grandparents to really truly ask them about their life, background, and their childhood, before I really got to know my grandparents. I found out so much about the both of them and even how their love story unfolded. I have to say, we are all much closer than ever before because of what I know about them. I never thought I would truly know my grandparents becuase they really lived tough lives growing up and I can completely understand why they did not ever share their story with me.
I no longer take anything that I have in my generation for granted nor the way I was raised because it was 100 times worse for them. The fact they were able to meet eachother and get out of the lives they were living to begin a life of their own and create the family that we have today means so much more to me now and gives me the strength to keep that family generation alive. I look forward to them meeting my kids, once I have them, so they can share their stories with them.
Sean –
What a great college project! How lucky you were! I’m happy that you had that opportunity. Your kids will be forever grateful. I’m sure of it! Thanks.
Barbara
After my parents passed away, I realized I had so many questions I wished I had asked them, but then it was too late. As a result, I became proactive on the subject of my own life. For the past three years, I have been writing my autobiography. It’s not that I’ve had such an unusual life, but I just want to leave a written account for my children and grandchild (and maybe later generations) of what my life has been like. Then, perhaps they won’t be left with as many unanswered questions as I was.
Elaine ~
We’ve tried doing the same for our kids and grandkids. My daughters gave me a “Mom Remembers” book and I filled out the pages and hope someday they’ll look back on it and smile. Thanks!
What a beautiful story to share with us !!!
We had been on three cruises & the last two were wonderful Princess cruises !!!
Definitely on our ” bucket list ” to do a family cruise !!!
Sounds priceless !!!
What a nice story. I hope you got to enjoy the scenery too. Had you heard the stories before but just didn’t have interest because you were younger??
I know my Dad would talk about years ago and I didn’t pay much attention. He died at 89
Our only child ,daughter and boyfriend took us Dec 2011 on a cruise for our 50th anniv.
and it was a so much better then a party could have ever been. Our memories for all will last, and last. Sharing a week together was so much fun.
Eleanor ~
No – I had not heard the stories before our trip. It was fascinating. And, what was better was the smiles and excitement that my parents had each time we talked. We continued our journey for several more years with Sunday drives and other outings and I wrote about those as well. Now that my Dad is on Hospice, it all is so special and bittersweet.
I’m so happy for you that you had a moment like mine!
Has there ever been a Princess Cruise to teach “Genealogy” and FTM(2012) with Ancestry access? The new techniques of FTM-media capture(video & still), digital photography with GPS, and facial recognition now available under Windows 7 would truely advance ones genealogy research. Our local Libraries in Punta Charlotte, Fl. had 54 free classes this past “Winter Season” taught by volunteers from the Charlotte County Genealogy Group. This area also supported two Semminars(one day each) on Genealogy. A Cruise would be a great opportunity to learn FTM(2012) as well as enjoy travel and food.
Dear Ted ~
Let’s get together and plan a Genealogy cruise on Princess!! Where and when would you like to go? I’m sure Princess can get us there!! There are terrific benefits for groups with Princess! An itinerary that offered several days at sea where we could take advantage of the facilities on board the ship (group meeting space, etc) would be beneficial. My husband and I have both used FTM in our data collection. I’d enjoy talking more with you about the possibilities! Email me at carpentertravel51@gmail.com
Thanks so much for your reply!
Barbara
I enjoyed reading your story and wish that our parents could do that with us. Sadly, that isn’t possible. My husband and I did take a cruise one time and that particular one because a local genealogical society had organized it with speakers and pre-arranged meeting rooms for informational gatherings. Stops on the cruise itinerary provided many with the opportunity to visit local libraries and cemeteries for fact finding. Perhaps Princess Cruises would consider organizing a future cruise with genealogists onboard for lectures and group meetings. It would be one way of attracting passengers with this single purpose in mind. Our group was on a Canada/New England tour with stops in Nova Scotia, New Brunswick, and Quebec among other places. An Alaska cruise for this purpose (fact finding in local libraries, cemeteries) might not be as attractive an itinerary.
You are so lucky to have had this opportunity! My dad died at 63 and by the time I got around to asking my mom questions she could not remember very well anymore! You were so smart to do this.
Barbara: Great story and I know you will treasure your memories forever. I will echo what someone said above. While your parents are still alive, try to sit down with them with a video camera (or even just a voice recorder) because when they are gone, you will cherish the opportunity to hear their voices once again. I lost both my Mom and Dad within a month of one another last year and fortunately, I had done a little bit of a similar family history thing with them with a video camera running (though not on a cruise, darn it!). At the time I was just trying to get some of the stories down without having to write it all down, but now that they are gone it’s wonderful to have the audio/video to go along with the memories. I love that you used your cruise as a way to get quality time with your parents. Fantastic!
Thanks Marilyn –
Unfortunately,my Dad passed away on May 13th this year. I cherish these memories.
Thanks everyone for your kind thoughts and words. They are sincerely appreciated morethan you know.
Barbara
I echo the comments of all those who cherish the stories from their parents and grandparents (and themselves!)–gathering and preserving them is one of the best things we can do for our children and grandchildren and generations to come, to help them better ‘know’ their family before them. After my father passed away, the thing I’ve missed most is being able to ask him questions. Fortunately, my mother’s still with us and we’ve worked hard to collect all the family stories we can.
For any of you just starting to think about such things, a great site to help you get started, with lists of questions for people in different stages of life that might help start conversations, is storycorps.org, a project that saves ordinary people’s stories in the National Archives, but which is interested in helping us stimulate our own story-gathering too.