Click for Grave Locations

Coming home from Salem Ma, after a few days of Haunted Happenings on October 6, I had planned to stop at Westview Cemetery to find the grave of my godfather and Uncle William (Bill) Gearin. My wife Cheryl, daughter Holly and I found the cemetery with no trouble. Though once we got there all the grave stones were not the upright marker but the flat type. Locating a grave when you can’t scan the names on them from a distance is like trying to find a needle in a haystack as the old saying goes. However, as luck would have it my wife Cheryl hollered over to me after only 15 minutes of searching the Northeast quadrant of the cemetery. I walked over to her and she said, “There is a Cynthia Ann Gearin here?” I forgot to tell Cheryl about Cynthia possibly being buried here. I figured once William was found Cynthia would not be to far away, if she was buried here at all, as they only died a month apart. After Cheryl finding Cynthia’ grave it only took 1 minute to locate my Uncle’s site. It was Southeast only about 18 feet away on the opposite side on a tree.

Looking down at Cynthia’s grave marker with my wife I looked up at Cheryl and remarked that she was born about the same year as Cynthia. Looking at my wife for a moment I thought how she may have looked if her life was not taken from her at such a young age of 24. Twenty-six years later and about 28 years since I last saw her in Watertown at a friendly restaurant I feel grateful to have met up with her again and pleased to have the technology to allow others to know of her and her life.

I can’t recall the last time I spent time with my Uncle, but I remember the fact he was my Godfather really meant something to me. For me it was an added personal connection to him my other brothers didn’t have. Well at least in my mind.
Remember them always,

Their nephew and 1st cousin

SLGG

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