Part One of my Genealogy

Thanks to a Mr. Roller and the Brodnax family tree, I was able to find the roots of my family on my father's side. 

Our family had its beginnings in Reichshoffen, Bas-Rhin, Alsace, France, in the late 1600's with Peter/Pierre CONNET.  He was born between 1662-1705 and died between 1702-1785.  His wife was Catherine GEORG (or Catharina Joerger/Georger) who was born between 1668-1708 and died between 1702-1792.   They were married in Reichshoffer between 1702-1742. 

Peter and Catherine had three children (all males) as follows:

1.  Joseph CONNET who was listed in 1773 as a citizen and a farmer.  He was born between 1702-1731 and died between 1757-1816.  He married Anne Elizabeth WACKERMAN.  This is the root that my family tree follows.

2.  Francois CONNET was born between 1692-1743 and died between 1728-1821.  He married Catharine WACKERMAN who was born between 1693-1749 and died between 1728-1828. 

3.  Jean CONNET was born between 1692-1723 and died between 1728-1821.  His wife was Barbe WACKERMAN who was born between 1693-1749 and died between 1728-1828. 

Reichshoffen is a small town and commune in the Bas-Rhin region of France.  The commune is a small gathering of people sharing a common life and is the rough equivalent to incorporate municipalities in the US.  Before the French Revolution the lowest level of administrative division was the parish.  The parish was essentially a church, the houses around it (known as the village) and the agricultural land around the village.  Among other things the priest in charge of the parish was required to record baptisms, marriage and burials and it is from these records that genealogy may be traced. 

The name France comes from the Latin Francia which means "land of the Franks."  The Rhine river forms the eastern boarder of Bas Rhin and the area is also home to some of the foothills of the Vosges.  Mr. Roller pointed out in his research that ore mines were common in the Reichshoffen area similar to those in Pennsylvania.

Sources of information on the genealogy for the Gunnett/Connet family come from Catholic parish records of Reichshoffen, Alsace, France.  Also church records of Conewago Chapel,  McSherrystown, Union Township, Adams County, PA, and St. Paul's PE Parish, Baltimore, MD.  Donald Gunnet of York, PA had a professional genealogist in Strasbourg, France, research the family in Alsace, France.

This is the most incredible posting to the Internet.  It is called Life is Like a Train Ride.  Here is the website www.pixiesplace.com/trainride.  It is beautiful and very true.

My life has been filled with my daughter's wedding.  The experience, though stressful at times, was the high point of my life.  She got her wish and was married in a lodge on a mountain and it even snowed.  The wedding was so sweet with family and friends surrounding her and Chris.  Their love for one another shone like a beautiful light that touched us all.

Meagan has taken the summer off to relax.  In the fall it is back to school and another semester closer to applying for medical school.

My husband retired last year (thank goodness) and is working part time as a waiter and bartender at a very nice restaurant near our home. 

I am still gainfully employed by dear friends who overpay me and show me great respect.  It took 40 years to find a job like this.  Well, the journey was worth the destination.

I have been doing a bit of genealogy work on my family.  On my father's side, I have been able to trace our roots to France, Germany, Netherlands and Native America.  I will probably be posting information about my discoveries here.  Hope you enjoy the blogs.

Until I post again, Love and Blessings

The Outrageous and Unbelievable

On CNN this morning there was a report that King Abdullah of Saudi Arabia pardoned a woman sentenced to 200 lashes and six months in prison in the wake of her gang-rape case.  WHAT!!!  Thank goodness the King had enough sense to pardon her.  But really what is this punishing the woman for her rape?  This is the most backward and upside down  idea I have heard recently.  When are women "en masse" in the Third World Nations going to rise up against the unjust and unfair treatment they receive at the hands of men (not all men, mind you).  I cannot see change in these countries until the women are able to say "No!" to their abuse and that of their children.  Men enjoy the power stuggles at any cost while the women and children are made to suffer like pawns in a game.  No more!  No more!  Women of the civilized world unite, demonstrate, pray and do whatever it takes to support our counterparts in the Third World.  Change must occur and soon I hope. 

November 6 St Leonard's Ride (Feast Day)

In Bavaria, people dress up in native costume and decorate their horses in preparation for a festival in honor of St. Leonard whom they consider the patron of cattle.  There is much singing and cracking of whips as the march in parade through the town.   (Could this date once have been associated with a cattle sacrifice?)

 St. Leonard is venerated by Roman Catholics and Anglicans and November 6th is considered his Feast Day.  He is generally depicted as an abbot holding chains, fetters or lock, or manacles.  And he is considered the patron saint of political prisoners, imprisoned people, prisoners of war, and captives, women in labor as well as horses and cattle.

He was a Frankish noble in the court of Clovis I who was converted at Christmas 496 along with the king.  Leonard asked Clovis I to grant him the right to liberate prisoners who he would find worthy of it.  Although it was his right, he declined the offer of a bishopric and instead entered the monastery of Micy near Orleans.  Eventually he became a hermit in the forest of Limousin where he gathered a few followers.

A legend states that he was honored as the patron of women in childbirth because through his prayers, the queen of the Franks was safely delivered of a male child.  She was with her husband hunting when she went into labor in the woods.  St. Leonard came out of his hermit's cell to pray for her and as stated before she safely delivered her child.  In payment for his good works, the King gave Leonard royal lands at Noblac where he founded an abbey.  A village grew around the Abbey and became known as Saint-Leonard de Noblac.

He is also considered the patron of prisoners and when his name is invoked by those who have been unjustly imprisoned, he brings about their freedom.   A legend states that when his name was invoked by prisoners from the cells, their chains broke before their eyes.  Many of these prisoners would bring their heavy chains and irons and offer them to St. Leonard in homage.  They would stay with him and he gave them forest to clear and work so that they would have a means to live an honest life.

It was not until the 11th Century following the release of Bohemond I of Antioch (a charismatic leader of the First Crusade) in 1103 from a Danishmend prison through the "intercession" of St. Leonard that his fame spread.  Bohemond visited the Abbey of Noblac where he made an offering in gratitude to St. Leonard for his release.  Noblac became a stop on the pilgrimage route towards Santiago de Compostela.

St. Leonard was one of the most venerated saints of the Middle Ages.   It is recorded that he died in 559.

You never know the truth of legends but you can be inspired by the stories.  St. Leonard sounds like a really good soul.  He wanted to help prisoners to be free of their bondage and freely provided land for them to work.  (It is called "Putting your money where your mouth is!")  He came from a wealthy family and could have anything he wanted, including a position as a bishop in the church.  It would appear that he was guided to live a life of simplicity and solitude as a hermit.  It is often much easier to hear God when you are not surrounded constantly by distractions.  As far as the safe birth of a child, I feel that he was in the right place at the right time to pray and keep all concerned from getting upset about their circumstance.  I don't believe the birth was miraculous but the situation was fortuitous.

I would say that I am hearing to be still and listen for the voice of the Creator for guidance.  And to be happy in doing the little things in life which are often "big" things to the receivers of your work.

Namaste

Change in thinking or Growing UP

I was talking with my Mom this morning and she said I had changed and was much easier to talk to.  Well, I am here to say that I have grown up quite a bit over the past few years.  I will give credit to Xanga for a good portion of the change since I used this site to vent and work through all the thoughts in my mind.  Scarey huh?  It was a great way to deal with my insanity.  Better than going to a therapist.  Now I can honestly say with a very clear conscience and open heart that my past entries were all a figment of my imagination.  Read into this whatever you want.  But I have cleared a good bit of blockage in my life and feel that I have caught up physically, mentally and spiritually to my physical age.  WooHoo!  I am a Crone!    I am finally a crazy old lady who is enjoying my life.

May you each find your happiness. Namaste.  Zera