1. It puts in perspective clearly how you are related and allows you to pull reports.

2. Other close relatives would be able to recognize your initials, but curious web surfers will have no idea who you are.

3. You have have been added to a life long record that will someday allow all to know you were a member of this family. Not only were you a member, but this is where you fit in.

The new privacy shows your name as: Gearin, S.L or Gillis, T.A. Also, no birthdates, events are visible, and notes are not shown. Only with a private password are you able to view information on the living and only within your family line. For instance, a living, but non related Gillis won’t have living access privileges to a living Miller unless you are a Gillis and your mother is a Miller.

Again, a private member password allow full name access and indivisual information such as notes and passwords. I am the guard at the gate, so you’ll only receive the access you are entitled to. Honestly, there is never any information you would not want on the site.  With that said personally I am happy with the security/privacy measures I have taken. I hope you enjoy the site and want to add to it!
Like a puzzle piece, we all connect and make up an incredible story of life, love and death.

Shawn Lawrence Gillis Gearin

This second trip has brought me to Watertown, Ma. Watertown hold many dear memories for me as it is the town that many cousins, aunts and uncles lived, but more notably for me my grandparents George and Mary (Nelligan) Miller.

I thought back to who I talked to last in Watertown and remembered last year I talked with Fran Nelligan, who is the daughter of Francis Benedict and Gertrude (Rayne) Nelligan. I thought who better to ask for help in regards to my trip back to Watertown, for Fran and her family lived across the street from my grandparents. More specifically both lived on the same side of Summer St being only separated by Winter St. Winter St is one of those roads you’d never want to be on during an ice or snow storm due to its steep slope. I met my first cousins once removed Alice, Audrey and Fran Nelligan at Friendlys in Waltham, Ma on 22 July 2007. We talked and shared a few photos and family memories. Fran had some time that day to show me around town so we departed for Watertown.

Walking in St Patricks Cemetery didn’t bring back any memories for me, because I never attended my Grandmothers Funeral. Neither I, nor my 2 brothers attended and being age 11 at the time I’m sure it was how my mother wanted it. My mother Doris was the daughter of George and Mary Miller. I attended my Grandfather’s wake, but never attended the funeral due to a prior contractual wedding obligation. So walking though St Patricks was foreign to me, however it was a great education. Here is a birds eye view of St Patrick’s Cemetery showing family member grave locations. Please click to enlarge.

In my hand was about 8 old photographs of my aunts, uncle and mother. I wanted to photograph at the same spot as the photos were taken to show how the area has changed and what still remains the same.

I photographed many sites of family history relating to the Miller & Nelligan family. I am slowly added them to the site over the next few weeks. Thank you Alice, Audrey and Fran for your time that Sunday!
Shawn