In 1997, Alice Burlington Somers sat down to record her memories in what she called "my journal", so we're calling it that, even though I suppose it's technically a memoir.
The first chapter, entitled "Childhood", contains Alice's memories of growing up in Montvale New Jersey during the 1920's and 30's. It tells stories of her childhood and of her family, including the halcyon days spent at the seashore in Belmar NJ. Alice had a great love for the Jersey Shore all her life, and this chapter gives us a glimpse of the happy days spent there by the whole family. Alice was the youngest of six, having four older brothers and one sister. I remember her saying once that those childhood days were the happiest ones of her life. And they laid the foundation for the woman she would grow up to become.
Hope you enjoy reading Alice's Journal
FROM ALICE BURLINGTON BATTERSBY (ALI)
ReplyDeleteI'm very happy to be a part of this blog and the BURLINGTON family
Pam, this is awesome! I read the whole thing, I couldn't stop. It's so good! Thank you for putting this together & sharing it with us. I can't wait to read more.
ReplyDelete-jessica spurling
My goodness, Pam, that's quite a read. Inspired by Jessica's report, I too have just sat here reading the whole thing through. Amazing.
ReplyDelete(As to Ella's birthdate, the footstone at her grave says born in 1879. I have a picture of it and just looked it up. HJB is 1878-1945; EAB is 1879-1955. Perhaps the other verification of her birth that you mention is more correct. Tombstones don't always tell the truth!)
Your mom always said she remembered nothing but an "idlyllic childhood"....and her journal certainly bears that out.
Down here in Delray there is the most beautiful yellow butterfly that soars over the pool area EVERY day around noon. I look up and admire it and because of your mom's love of nature and because her Florida yard was so alive with color, flowers, birds, fruit trees, etc, I think of her when I see that beautiful butterfly. It's a kind of sacred moment each day that I see it and think of her: "Good morning, beloved Tante; you are not far away."
Thanks for all your work to bring her "journal" alive as a kind of memoir. I wonder what you'll name it?
Craig
Pam,
ReplyDeleteYour mother's Journal was so interesting and much fun to read. I only knew Grandma as an older woman, and knew she missed Grandpa terribly after he died. It was wonderful to hear about her as a mother. Thank you for sharing.
Mary Burlington Hauck ( Joe's daughter)
It is nearly midnight but I was so fascinated with Aunt Alice's memoir that I couldn't stop reading. It was wonderful! You did a marvelous job,Pam compiling it all with the pictures to help "tell the story".Happy St Patrick's Day! Love,Patsy Madden
ReplyDeleteDear Pam,
ReplyDeleteYour mother's "journal" is a treasure! She wrote so beautifully and with a bit of humor! Her memories surely were amazing and she had such recall for names and events! I loved getting to know her even better through her writings!
I just hung up the telephone with my mother ( Mary Burlington) who thoroughly enjoyed tripping down memory lane! She too has the happiest of memories growing up in Montvale. As I read the journal to her, she often stopped me to finish a sentence! She clearly remembers so much of what your mom wrote.
We can hardly wait for the next chapter!
Thanks SO much for sharing and we all thank you for your hard work and efforts with the Burlington Blog...it is a gift to all of us!
Love,
Maureen Burlington Caffrey (Bill's youngest daughter)
Hi Pam,
ReplyDeleteI was amazed at all the memories and loved all the pictures. Thank you so much for all your hard work. It was a wonderful read. You did a great job!
MaryLee Burlington Clancy
I was telling my family how awesome the journal is - I am hoping they'll all read it too so they can learn about my Granny who was such an incredible and wonderful influence in my life. And I was appreciating how much work Pam has done to create these family blogs with so much history & wonderful content, and of course especially Alice's journal.. I can't wait to read more. Anyway, I realized, this is really so much work, and I appreciate it so much, I thought I should donate some money towards it. I've just sent Pam a donation using paypal and I thought I'd mention it in case any others who've appreciated it might want to do the same.
ReplyDeletePam - again you have my sincerest thanks for all the work you've done in putting this together!
--jessica
That's a great idea to send donations to Pam for her time and actual cost of running the website that captures so much family history in a way that makes it accessible to family far and wide. I never sent money via paypal before, but I just tried it and it was super easy! I just send it to Pam's email address: Pam look for $100 from me in your email!
ReplyDeleteThanks!
-Hilary
Hi Pamela, I've been reading some of the responses to Alice's Journal by family members and am glad that some have decided to send a contribution to cover the expense of your efforts. I hope this catches on. You are doing a great job and I think everyone in the family should support the Blog. I just sent a donation by Paypal and you should get it shortly. Bob Burlington
ReplyDeleteThanks, Hilary, for showing us the way to do it....I'm one a little challenged by the paypal method and your experimenting with it urges me to do the same on behalf of Pam's worthy efforts.
ReplyDeleteI'll match your gesture with happiness and continuing thanks for what Pam is producing. What a great way to honor your precious grandmother's memory!
Craig
Wow! I just can not wait to read more!
ReplyDeleteA *million* thanks, Pam! Truly! This is so exciting!
--jessica
Can't wait to read more...just loved Aunt Alice ! Patsy
ReplyDeleteI've just read Aunt Alice's journal for the 2nd time, and I'm so appreciative to have all this information about her and our family.
ReplyDeleteThank you, thank you, thanK you!
Cousin Ali
( the other Alice Burlington--Battersby)