NYBROOKLYN-L Archives

Archiver > NYBROOKLYN > 2005-01 > 1105229968


From: "Tom A.Clougher" <>
Subject: Re: History of RC Diocese of Brooklyn
Date: Sat, 8 Jan 2005 18:19:28 -0600
References: <41E00E1A.7010806@cox.net>


Lauren
Thank you for the clarification about the general information in the book.
I'm sure that some listers may have thought that the book could possibly
have contained the the names of parishoners weddings, funerals, baptisms
etc. that attended the many church's in Brooklyn. I can see where it would
benefit a number of people however at least now we know that as you said the
Raw data is limited.

Thanks again for your explanation.
Tom

----- Original Message -----
From: "Lauren Petit" <>
To: <>
Sent: Saturday, January 08, 2005 10:45 AM
Subject: Re: History of RC Diocese of Brooklyn


> Tom:
>
> For many folks with Brooklyn connections who are looking for specific
> info on specific people, the book [Diocese of Immigrants: The Brooklyn
> Catholic Experience, 1853-2003] will probably have no value in terms of
> raw data. However, for those of us who have or had close ties to
> specific Catholic parishes and/or specific clergy, the book can be
> invaluable. I am researching the life of Msgr. John J. Brennan
> (1886-1964), a wonderful old priest who served the Diocese of Brooklyn
> for 52 years and who happened to be my dad's uncle. While I doubt
> "Uncle John" gets any major mention in the book, the parishes where he
> served do, as well as many of the priests who were his peers and
> mentors. For me, the book will be a gold mine of information in terms
> of images and data.
>
> Each family history researcher must define "genealogy" for him/herself.
> Some folks are only interested in names and dates of direct ancestors
> and descendants ... nothing more. Others want to know more about the
> social customs and geographical peculiarities in which their ancestors
> lived. For me, learning as much about the parishes and people my Uncle
> John served helps me to learn more about him. I can't tell you how many
> times a simple descriptive sentence in a parish history or an old letter
> written by a former parishioner or priest has opened a
> once-tightly-locked door. One very indirect contact led me to a woman
> now living in Rockaway Beach who happened to have stashed away in her
> attic a photograph of my Uncle John's Gold Jubilee Gala Dinner held at
> the Hotel St. George in June 1962 and hosted by the parishioners of
> Immaculate Heart of Mary Church. Although the 11"x17" picture arrived
> in 3 very torn and ragged pieces, my amazing computer-geek husband was
> able to digitally repair most of the photograph ... well enough that we
> were able to identify a good number of the 500+ guests in attendance
> (including my siblings' dates ... much to their horror!), as well as
> most of the VIPs sitting at the head table. Just because of one simple
> fluke encounter, we now have a visual record of this very, very
> significant day in my family's history. To me, that is important. To
> other members of my family and probably most of the people on the
> listserv, it's of no consequence. It's up to you to decide what is of
> value to you and your research.
>
> The whole point of the listserv is to provide members with information
> about possibilities. This book may hold nothing for most folks on this
> listserv; it may hold the key link to research for just one person. If
> I can help even just that one person, I feel like I've "done good." I
> hope that answers your question.
>
> Lauren Petit
> from my padded cell @ Bellevue ...
> ... Nebraska, that is.
>
>
> Tom A.Clougher wrote:
>
> >Lauren,
> >I,ve seen this Book mentioned previously but exactly why would I want it
?
> >In other words, does it contain family names or is it just a generalized
> >history of the Diocese with no actual Genealogy assistance. Can anyone
who
> >actually obtained a copy clarify it's genealogy benefits ?
> >
> >
> >
> >
> >
> >
>
> ______________________________

This thread: