This past summer, as Andrew and Jamie Waskey pondered the daunting prospects of parenthood, one particular quandry wouldn't settle in their heads. If their new son, the soon-to-be Jack, were to be raised in Dubai (or such other exotic locales to which their professions might lead them), how would the poor boy ever come to know his real roots? The typical summer drive to Grandma's or a train ride to Christmas with one of his numerous aunts and uncles would be quite out of the question. Journeys stateside would be rare indeed. Soon the boy would come to think of himself as Cain or Abel, a son of parents that had been plopped onto the Earth with no discernible predecessors.
Thus the idea of a heritage website was first born. Andrew had a cousin who, through circumstances set in motion by the Great Collapse of 2008, had plenty of time on his hands and was willing to undertake the administration of such a task. The blog you are now reading is one part of a larger web project, which, when finished in the fall of 2012, will be turned into a book. Jack's sense of self will thus be saved!
Originally, Andrew and Jamie were interested in having little Jack become acquainted with his great grandparents Bill and Frances Gillham and the moral, intellectual and cultural influence this pair had on their subsequent decendants. However, it soon became clear that the scope of the project would have to include the families of Frances' two siblings, Bryant Moore and Dan Holsenbeck. It also became apparent that all of the Holsenbecks of Andrew's and Jack's generations could benefit from this undertaking.
I, the aforementioned cousin, will keep the family apprised of the progress of this project through weekly entries to this blog. The main website, http://www.992washita.com/, will be the focal point of project. The name is drawn from what can be considered the Holsenbeck ancestral home: 992 Washita Avenue in Atlanta, the home of Pop and Mother 'Cile. Though currently not in family hands, the house was, through most of the 20th century, a place of safe haven and refuge for the Holsenbeck clan.
More will follow next week as to the particulars of the endeavor. For now, though, we need you to start sending us your memories. On this page on the website there is a form where you can enter any remembrances or anecdotes you wish to share, as a means of building a family history. Facts and figures are of course welcome and necessary, but more important are the thoughts, feelings, traditions and values that have made an impact on you.
Comments and feedback are always welcome, as well. You can either leave your comments at this blog, below, or on the Feedback page on the website.
Thank you for joining us! See you again next week.
Russell Caldwell
Thus the idea of a heritage website was first born. Andrew had a cousin who, through circumstances set in motion by the Great Collapse of 2008, had plenty of time on his hands and was willing to undertake the administration of such a task. The blog you are now reading is one part of a larger web project, which, when finished in the fall of 2012, will be turned into a book. Jack's sense of self will thus be saved!
Originally, Andrew and Jamie were interested in having little Jack become acquainted with his great grandparents Bill and Frances Gillham and the moral, intellectual and cultural influence this pair had on their subsequent decendants. However, it soon became clear that the scope of the project would have to include the families of Frances' two siblings, Bryant Moore and Dan Holsenbeck. It also became apparent that all of the Holsenbecks of Andrew's and Jack's generations could benefit from this undertaking.
I, the aforementioned cousin, will keep the family apprised of the progress of this project through weekly entries to this blog. The main website, http://www.992washita.com/, will be the focal point of project. The name is drawn from what can be considered the Holsenbeck ancestral home: 992 Washita Avenue in Atlanta, the home of Pop and Mother 'Cile. Though currently not in family hands, the house was, through most of the 20th century, a place of safe haven and refuge for the Holsenbeck clan.
More will follow next week as to the particulars of the endeavor. For now, though, we need you to start sending us your memories. On this page on the website there is a form where you can enter any remembrances or anecdotes you wish to share, as a means of building a family history. Facts and figures are of course welcome and necessary, but more important are the thoughts, feelings, traditions and values that have made an impact on you.
Comments and feedback are always welcome, as well. You can either leave your comments at this blog, below, or on the Feedback page on the website.
Thank you for joining us! See you again next week.
Russell Caldwell
Little Jack thanks you for this work!
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