10 July 2014

Cousins united!

Every Thursday, you can find me at the Chicopee Library's Reference Department.  The Library has set aside their computer lab for genealogy research.  Myself and a few others "staff" the lab to help patrons with their research.  Also, I get to conduct classes and workshops 4 or 5 times a year there.

Perhaps the most interesting thing that I've seen happen there, other than some amazing discoveries, was what happened this afternoon.

A woman walked in slowly, looking around the room.  There were only about 5 or 6 people in there at the time.  Since I'm the volunteer of the moment, I asked if I could help.  "Yes," she said.  "I'm supposed to be meeting my cousin here between 12 and 12:30."  Her name is Ellen and she went on to say that she had engaged a professional genealogist in Poland.  He informed her that she had some relatives right here in the area, a woman she had never met this woman!  While we were talking about that, I had to pitch our "Western Massachusetts Genealogical Society" since she told me that where she lived and it's very close to out meeting location.  Turns out, she's a former member and was interested in getting involved again.  Needless to say, I handed her an application!  I just happened to have about 50 or so apps in my bag...

Back to the story:  As we spoke, another woman walked through the door and I immediately thought that although she looked familiar to me although I had never seen her at the Chicopee lab. It was Ellen's mystery cousin, Cathy!   Ironically, they were both wearing a pink top!  Small detail, but I found it interesting.  Somewhat like long lost cousins who both like Caesar Salad!  Cathy attended one of my classes a couple of years ago....another coincidence!

Here they are at their first meeting!  On the left is Cathy with Ellen on the right....




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