Tradition

I'm one-quarter Portuguese on my Mom's side.  Growing up around mostly my Mom's family, I associate myself more with Portuguese culture and traditions.  I also have dark hair and olive skin, unlike my east coast cousins, so it's not a stretch.  My Nana and Grandma D played major roles in shaping my life and both left big impressions with their personalities.  As a family, we would go and enjoy the Portuguese festas in Gustine, CA.  Gustine is where Nana and Grandma  D and their family came to after moving from Newport, Rhode Island.  Both HUGE Portuguese communities. 

Grandma D (Gloria da Silva), Great-Uncle Maurice Silva, and Nana
(Alice Silva Thurber, my great-grandmother)
The two ladies who taught me tradition

In any case, at the Our Lady of Miracles Festa, following mass would be a beautiful parade of all the princesses dressed in colorful dresses and the cows waiting to have their milk blessed (the Bodo de leite) for thanksgiving and good health.  We would also enjoy having big meals of sopas (stewed meat with pickling spice, mint, and soaked bread), sit on the curb and eat lupini beans, grab a linguica sandwich from one of the food trucks (Silva's is the BEST linguica), and get loaves of massa sovada (Portuguese sweet bread).  All delicious treats.  But, sweet bread is a family favorite...something that both Nana and Grandma D made every year for Easter.

As the story goes, my Nana would make her massa sovada straight from memory as she learned it from her mother, an old world recipe that wasn't written down.  Making the bread from scratch was and is an all day business.  She made the loaves in the shape of a basket and bake it with a dyed egg on top to symbolize fruitfulness and the resurrection. 

After my Nana could no longer make the bread, Grandma D took over, but tried to find a Portuguese recipe book that produced the same result.  The cookbook "Foods of the Azores" by Deolinda Maria Avila is the one she used since I can remember.  I remember Grandma D making loaves and loaves for the whole family and shipping them off to various locations around California.  When she became a bit older, I asked her to show me how to make the massa sovada.  It was an honor and a great time to share with her.  She handed down all of her tricks and hints to making the delicious, sweet, heavenly bread.  One thing that I always admired about her is that she NEVER had the dough stick to her hands.  No matter how much flour I cake on my hands, I still always get sticky dough hands.  I will always treasure that time we shared.  I received her copy of the recipe book with all of the handwritten notes after she passed away.

Four generations
My mom holding me, Nana, and Grandma D

Now, I make the loaves massa sovada.  I can hear Grandma D's voice when I knead the bread or shape the loaves.  I can also hear the admonishment when I do something wrong, like stirring wrong or leaving out the sugar :).  My family eagerly anticipates the package in the mail around Easter.  One batch makes 10 loaves.  I've made up to 4 batches, but now it's down to a managable 3 batches...or 30 loaves.  The best way to enjoy it is to slice it, toast it, and slather butter on it.  De-lish.  I leave out the egg baked on top, since it's difficult to toast with.  I'm glad it's Easter. 

Here is my link to an adapted version of Deolinda's recipe from "Foods of the Azores" that makes 5 loaves.  I posted the recipe to the Tasty Kitchen recipe site.  Enjoy!

http://tastykitchen.com/recipes/breads/massa-sovada-portuguese-sweet-bread/

Cooling loaves of Massa Sovada from this year's batch

My Great Grandparents Stanish

My dad's grandparents on his father's side are Michael and Sophia Stanish.  But, when they came to the United States through Ellis Island, they came carrying the names given to them, Michal and Zoska (Fydrick) Stanisz.  I know they came from Austria (from the town of Shonak (phonetic?)), but it's unkown if they actually were Austrian or if they were Ukrainian or Polish.  My dad remembers them speaking Russian.  In any case, Michael came  to the U.S. by himself sometime before 1900.  His brother, Profir, pushed and pushed him to bring his wife and daughter over, but from what I hear, he was having a good time as a renewed bachelor.  Eventually, Sophia and their daughter Sophie made it across the pond.  Fourteen or so kids followed after that with three sets of twins and a set of triplets (there may have been a son, Tim born before Sophie). 

Michael's brother, Profir and his wife Yusti, landed and lived in New Jersey.  Their names changed to John and Susan - I love it!  Sophia had a brother living with them in Pennsylvania.  He lived in a little shack in the back of the property.  His name was Wico (sp?) and all the kids called him Yonko Wico.  I'm hoping that the upcoming release of the 1940 census will unveil some more information about all of these characters.  Being immigrants they tended to be private and were suspicious of government folk, so hopefully there will be answers.

Grande Grande Grande Avo Maria Bettencourt

I have one photo of my great, great, great grandmother on my Mom's side.  It was taken on either the island of Sao George in the Azores.  I've always been so struck by the photo and what a classic Portuguese woman she is.  I know the young boy on the left is my great, great uncle Jack, her grandson.  I wish I knew who the other men were and what the occasion was.  They are sure to all be relatives.  But who????  My uncle Jack was born in the United States and this was one of their travels back to the islands.  It's interesting since they weren't a wealthy family or even a middle class family to be travelling, at least a handful of times, back to the old country. 

Maria Bettencourt>>Francisco Silveira Alvernaz>>Alice Alvernaz Silva Thurber (Uncle Jack's older sister)>>Gloria Silva DelaMere da Silva (my Mom's mom)

Holy Multiples!

My Grandpa Joe is a twin.  That's not so remarkable, particularly given the number of twins being born in our time. 

Twins, Catherine & Joe Stanish

But, what is remarkable is that among the siblings, who preceeded Joe and his twin Catherine, there were a set of triplets and two sets of twins.  So, if you're counting, that's four sets of multiples out of fifteen (or sixteen) kids.  Can you imagine that?  This was obviously at a time when there were no ultrasounds or tests to determine such things.  I wonder what my great-grandparents were thinking when the fourth set of multiples arrived, let alone the second and third set.  I think I kind of have an idea of what they were thinking...holy schnikeys (or insert your own exclamation here)!

I was fortunate to come across a photo at my Grandma's last year that has most of the Stanish kids in it.  Turns out the babies held in the photo are my Grandpa Joe and Aunt Catherine.  I can definitely see a family resemblance in the Stanish kids.

Front right, Michael Stanish (his triplet sisters had passed away), Joe and Catherine are the babies being held.   Julia Stanish is the little dark haired girl holding one of the infant twins to the right of Michael.  Twins Ann and Annette are the blonds directly behind Julia and the other dark haired girl.  Sophie Stanish is in the black dress on the right and she is holding on to Frances, whose twin John is third from her right.  Don't know who the other cute kids are, sadly.



You Ought To Be In Pictures

As I have been going through and scanning more photos from my Grandma's collection, I keep seeing these great photos of my Dad as a young boy.  He was a pretty cute little guy.  But, as I look through these photos, I keep having movie title run through my head as I view them.  See what you think:

Seabiscuit

A Christmas Story

American Graffiti

The Three Amigos

Children of the Corn

Little Rascals

Family Members I Would Like to Meet - Part II

Anna Figunes Nunes Lopes
b. 29 June 1863 - d. 9 Jan 1961
Born in Sao Jorge, Azores

Anna Lopes is my Great Great Grandmother's (Maria da Gloria Figunes Alvernaz) older half sister.  She was born in the Azores and came to the United States in 1909 at the age of 46.  She was travelling with her 12 year old daughter, Lizzie. 

What I know about her from family stories is that she came to the United States to join her husband, Manuel Nunes Lopes, in the gold fields of Nevada City, California.  Apparently they made a little bit of money.  One of the stories my Mom told me is that when she was little, she was playing in her family's front yard digging holes with a spoon made of gold from Anna and Manuel's claim.  The spoon was lost that day and my Mom got into a LOT of trouble.

Somewhere along the line, Aunt Anna ended up in San Francisco, CA without Manuel.  It's not known if they divorced or if he passed away.  Lizzie was with her in 1910, but I don't know what happened to her after that or if she had any siblings.  Anyhow, San Francisco is another interesting piece of Aunt Anna's story. 

Aunt Anna lived with a man named Bernard Dickman.  They never married!  Oh, the scandal!  How was it that she arrived in the States in 1909 and by 1910 she was living with a man who wasn't her husband?  She ended up with profits from the gold claim.  What happened to Manuel?  Who was Bernard?  How did they meet?  They lived together until Bernard's death.

The 1930 census shows Bernard and Anna living in an apartment in San Francisco where they worked as a waiter and waitress. 

My Mom remembers going to visit Anna in San Francisco.  She remembers that she had no refrigerator and that she kept her groceries out on the terrace of her apartment.  My Mom and her sister were offered Saltines as snacks when they came to visit and if anyone knows San Francisco, it's usually foggy.  Saltines on terrace = stale...ick.

The times that my Aunt Anna lived, she did some unconventional things.  I would love to know how she met her husband, why she left the Azores, how did she come to live with a man she wasn't married to. 

Family Members I Would Like to Meet - Part I

Over the years, I have heard stories of different family members.  Some have been more prominent in family oral history than others and as their stories unfold in front of me the more I wish I could sit down over a cup of coffee cold beer and ask questions of them.  Sophie Stanish is one of those people. 

Sophie is my grandpa Joe's oldest sister.  She was either the oldest or second oldest (a brother Tim may have preceeded her) of 15 (or 16) children.  She was born in Austria in, or around, a town named (or sounds like) Shonak.  Her father Michael left for the United States leaving Sophie and her mom Sophia behind.  Apparently when he arrived in Pennsylvania he had no plans to send for Sophie or her mother because he was having far too much fun as bachelor.  After some persuading by his brother, Profir Stanish, he finally sent for his family.  That is how Sophie made it to the United States.  I haven't found which year yet, though.

Through family history it seems that Sophie became the somewhat matriarch of the family.  What is interesting to me is that she ran a successful restaurant in Oil City, PA called the Penn Restaurant.  I would love to know how long that business ran.  Out of it she was able to purchase enough land for the large Stanish family to live on, on Shaffer Run Road.  She had her own large house built by my Grandpa Joe and one of her man friends, which still stands today.  With her finances, she built a house for her parents to live in, which subsequently my grandparents, dad, aunt, uncle, and their cousin grew up in - and is still in the family. 

She obviously played an importent role in her family.  I'm sure that her status in the family was elevated as she was the oldest child and first to primarily speak english.  She probably had a huge sense of responsibility.  I'm amazed at her industrious nature and strength.  Sophie didn't even have a high school education. 

I just wish I could find out how she did it.  What kind of struggles did she have to deal with, particularly being a woman?  What led her to running a restaurant?  How was the food?  How was she able to buy so much property? 

Beyond that, she was married twice.  Archie Purdy was her first husband, followed by Tom Thomas.  She had no children.  She passed away at a relatively young age.  Researching archived newspaper articles it is apparent that she was clearly missed by her family.

Sophie Stanish Thomas

(b. 14 Nov 1899 - d. 23 Dec 1952)

Pennies From Heaven

I have this thing about pennies.  I don't recall quite how it started, but after my Papa (Harold Thurber) passed away, whenever I saw a penny on the ground I would pick it up - no matter if it was tails or heads up.  I had come to believe that it's his way of saying "Hello" to me.

As time has gone on, I've lost other special people in my family - my Nana (Alice Thurber), Grandpa Joe Stanish, and Grandma Da Silva. One by one they have joined my pennies from heaven club.  It gives me a warm feeling to still feel their presence.  The great thing is that at times when I've been troubled and needed someone on my side, I would find a penny, and my problems would wash away.  And of course, I would hear Louis Prima in my head singing "Pennies from Heaven" as well.....shoobie doobie.  Tell me that song doesn't make you happy.  I have quite the collection of pennies now which all amount to good memories. 

Today, another very special person has joined the club.  My sweet Grandma Stanish will now be sending me pennies from heaven.

Although we lived across the country from each other and rarely saw each other, we had a special relationship.  We shared some great conversations and laughs.  Her sense of humor was dry and unexpected.  One of my favorite memories was sitting in her living room watching "Tommy Boy" together, just Gram and me.  She laughed through the whole movie and commented quite often "what an idiot" Chris Farley's character was.  She cracked me up with that.  It still makes me smile. 

I'm glad I made it out to Pennsylvania for an all too quick trip this past summer.  She shared old family photos and stories with me, which was immensely special.  I bawled like a baby when I said goodbye to her on that trip...and she just looked up at me with her sweet, mischievous, knowing smile. 

I'll miss our talks, Grandma, and I look forward to your first penny from heaven.

Bernette Elizabeth Stanish
October 7, 1919 - March 6, 2011

My Great Uncle, Maurice Daniel Silva

My great uncle Maurice is my maternal grandmother's younger brother. It's been said that my great-grandmother named him after her favorite actor, Maurice Chevalier. Having been blessed with the good looks of an actor, he is a typical Portuguese man in that he always has a good story probably because he's always up to something mischievous. The love he has for his family is directly proportional to our admiration of him.    

Uncle Maurice and Aunt Mary's wedding day, March 25, 1951- Easter Sunday

In honor of his upcoming 80th birthday (b. February 26, 1931) I thought I would post some photos of him. Happy Birthday Uncle Maurice! 

Maurice as a baby, held by cousin Edwina and
flanked by big sister (my grandmother), Gloria

First Communion

Graduation Day
with his mother Alice and niece
(my mother) Maureen

Sharing a Birthday - How Special?!

I should have posted this a week and a half ago. My Great Great Aunt Mamie (Mary Alvernaz Cordiero) and I share a birthday. We're both born on January 11th. She in 1895 and me in 1971 - 76 years apart. I had the fortunate opportunity to have been able to meet her, if only for a short amount of time. She passed away (d. Sept 28, 1974) when I was three years old.

I DO remember her though. I remember how special she made me feel just by the simple fact of sharing a birthday. I don't remember words or events, but I remember her warmth and love and general sweetness.

So, every birthday I remember Aunt Mamie. This being a significant year for me - the big 4-0, I still remembered Aunt Mamie, who would have celebrated the 116th year since her birth. So, Happy Birthday Aunt Mamie! Happy Birthday to us!

(Bottom right photo is me sitting on Aunt Mamie's lap with my Nana's friend Mrs. T in the lounger)

Manuel Leal Silva - My Great Grandfather the Master Cheese Maker



Manuel and his second wife, Mary Norma


 I never had the chance to meet my Great Grandfather - a Portuguese man named Manuel Silva (That's like John Smith in Portuguese). He was my Nana's first husband - my biological great grandfather. I know very little of him:

• He came from the Azore island of Pico (b. Aug 15, 1891)
• He was a master cheese maker
• He married my Nana in a somewhat arranged marriage. Her heart belonged to another (that's another story)
• His second wife was Mary (May) Norma
• He passed away after the great flood of 1964 in Garberville, CA (d. Sept 4, 1965)




Manuel and his first wife, Alice - my great-grandparents

 As a cheese master he could easily get a job at any cheese factory on the west coast. As a Portuguese man he had a fiery temper and would quit work easily. I was told he would travel up and down the west coast from California to Oregon to Washington and back again. From what I understand this is what led to the dissolution of his marriage to my Nana - the being away from home so much. One story I heard is that he was working in Newman, CA and someone came running to tell him that his house burned down. He asked if his wife and children were safe. Once he found out they were, he continued working. I don't think this set well with my equally fierce tempered Nana. They soon divorced later. A frowned upon act given the time (the 1930s) and the fact they were Catholic and Portuguese. My grandmother does not remember any arguing...no fights...it just happened.

Nana Gets Funky

Growing up, I remember my Nana (my great-grandmother -my Mom's grandmother on her Mom's side) as being somewhat of a fiery Portuguese woman.

She defined the term matriarch. She was tough and you didn't mess with her. If there was a holiday, it was celebrated at Nana and Papa's house - no questions asked. One thing was known for sure, she loved her family.

The great thing that I learned when I went through old photos after my Grandma passed away is that I found some saucy photos of Nana. She had a great sense of humor which I wasn't exactly privy to. My Great Aunt Mary remembers how my Nana and her sisters would play dress up. And I found the photos to prove it. I just love these photos, particularly the one where Nana shows some leg in the Hawaiian grass skirt.

Oh, you funny, funny lady.

Grandpa Stanish Meets Grandma

My Grandma Bernette (or "B") and Grandpa Joe are my Dad's parents. They raised their family in the town of Oil City, Pennsylvania. They had three children: my Dad Robert, David, and Linda. Recently on a trip back to Pennsylvania I asked my Grandma how she came to meet my Grandpa Joe.

Grandma's mom, Regina Eilers Frommelt, came from a large family in Guttenberg, Iowa. Regina was the second of ten children and her younger brother Greg was the eighth.

Grandpa Joe came from a large family, as well - fourteen in all. His older sister Ann was a twin and the seventh or eigth in line. Grandpa Joe was also a twin and the eleventh or twelfth in line. So, after that explanation my Great-Great Uncle Greg Eilers married my Great Aunt Ann Stanish in Pennsylvania. They travelled to Iowa after their wedding and my Grandpa Joe tagged along. That's where he met my Grandma.

So, Grandma went back with this travelling group to spend the summer in Pennsylvania before her senior year in high school. She was hooked, but had decided to go back to Iowa to finish out her schooling with her classmates. After high school she went back to Pennsylvania, but Grandpa Joe and Grandma didn't get married until a couple years later. I'll have to ask more questions on that one. But, look at those photos of the two - no wonder they were smitten...a cutie patootie and a handsome devil.

Meet My Papa

My Papa is my great-grandfather. Actually, he's my step-great-grandfather on my Mom's Mom's side. The second husband of my Nana.

Papa's name is Harold Thurber. A somehow cousin of the author James Thurber. Papa lived from 1905 to 1982 in Vallejo, Eureka, and Napa California. I don't know much about his years before he married my Nana. I do know that he came from a family that had 21 children.

He was married and had a daughter before my Nana. All we knew is that he and his first wife divorced and that he never saw his daughter. Late in his life, his daughter showed up on his doorstep asking if he was Harold Thurber. She said she would return on Easter. Papa was so excited because he loved our family and now his family was coming. Apparently he beamed on Easter waiting for her return...she never showed. Papa was heartbroken.

It's been my mission since starting my genealogy searches to find Papa's descendents, if there are any. I want to let them know what a warm, loving man he was for the short time that I knew him. I want to tell them the story of how he helped me get out of trouble with my Nana and how he thought it was so funny helping me climb on top of their roof (how dangerous was that?) or when he plucked the largest strawberry from his garden and gave it to my older brother and I to share. He was just a neat, neat guy.

Not ever knowing his first wife's name or his daughter's name has been challenging. But, today luck would shine on me. I discovered, through a popular genealogy site, the name I was looking for - Genevieve Burke! Oh, how I see a small light at the end of this tunnel. Oh, how I can't wait to meet Papa's family and I get the chance to introduce him.