Interpretation is Everything

Notable: Adj. Worthy of attention or notice; remarkable. Noun. A famous or important person. Oxford Dictionary.

On the silver screen? Politically a world figure? Rock star status? Inventor/developer? Entrepreneur? Individuals who have become famous, respectable, remarkable in so many ways.  After all, notoriety is in the eye of the beholder, yes? We all have our favorites. 

Are there notable ancestors among your family? According to the words of Oxford, no immediate relatives of mine, have come near that of being world renown or notable of mention in the annals of historical archives.  Regardless, I have determined that yes, I am certain that particular family and relatives of mine have been remarkable in their own right. Interpretation is everything, yes?

Take for example my father, Joseph Francis Foldesi. Humble beginnings as he immigrated to America with the flood of Europeans to begin a new life of economic and personal freedom. At age three, however, he likely did not realize the fears, dangers and complications of traveling to a new country. With little more than his mother, a small trunk of personal belongings, and no skills with the English language, Ellis Island would open the door to future constraints, detours and challenge. 

Historical records indicated that my dad arrived to America fatherless.  Soon after, his mother married and he became a stepson. Scant legal paperwork available to prove as fellow settlers shared in economic and personal support. 

Hungarian families that had previously arrived opened their arms, homes and hopes for a better future. As a first generation immigrant, my father learned the English language, a number of vocational skill sets and became a property owner. Like so many other newcomers, the American dream lived in him. 

By his early 20’s, Daddy took ownership of a 160 acre property that a local bank had repossessed for back taxes. Over the course of ten years and with the help of family, he logged much of the property, built a large barn, several out sheds for storage and a simple house. Busy hands. Busy minds. 

Known throughout the community, Daddy became an expert in shoeing horses and metalsmithing. Small tattered notebooks provided his accounting records. Shoeing a horse, $.50. Taking out a $200 note from the bank required collateral. Daddy put up one of his Holstein cows and was accepted. Simple trust. 

Not of world fame, he successfully farmed, married and helped raise eight self-supporting, loving, children. A generous man of his word and one of integrity.  He continues to be my historical idol of respect, dedication and love!

Another example of  ancestral notoriety is that of my mother, Theresa Catherine Lynch. Born and raised during the Great Depression, she grew up with struggle and not-haves. Her father, of strong Irish descent, had steady work during this economic crisis, however, battled alcoholism. Income to the home was scant to say the least. 

As a result, Momma learned to survive through serving others and compromising dignity. As a young girl, she lived through meatless days and food rationing, while cleaning houses, taking in laundry of others and waiting tables. As a young teen, she sneaked through darkness of neighborhoods in search of valuables tossed as other people’s trash. All the while, her meager earnings helped insure food on the table and a roof over that of her family. 

Married by age 18, Momma began her own family in earnest. By the age of 27, she had bore eight lively children and was in the daily throes of farm life with Daddy. She sewed without a pattern. She canned any and all fruits, vegetables and meats. She drove tractor and helped milk the cows. She and Daddy made farm life hum like a fine tuned instrument. Just another notorious person in my gene pool of historical notability. Momma was remarkable!

These two adults have provided a rich history and much to be proud. Strong value systems. Morally upright, loving, generous, respectful. Yes, these are just two of the notable ancestors I  honestly admit into my book of history! 

Discover your own history and be amazed. After all, interpretation is everything, yes?