A 7th generation Vermont Yankee, born in Montpelier VT to a Methodist family, Father Ron Lawson has led a fascinating life…. And continues to do so.

Graduating with the class of 1956 from Middlebury College, taking his degree in Russian, he had a two-year commitment to US Army Intelligence in the field of counterespionage. He stayed with the Army for another two years attaining the rank of 1st Lieutenant. Assigned to West Berlin after completing a special dual language course (German and Polish) taught in the Hawkins Barracks in Oberammergau, Bavaria, he continued as a “spy catcher”.

On Christmas Eve, 1959 his life began to change as he felt the strong call to Catholicism. A year later, he was baptized and confirmed a Catholic. He left the army in 1961, just as the Berlin Wall was being erected, to return to the US to begin his priestly studies at St. John’s Seminary.

His spiritual mentor, Maria Von Trapp (of The Sound of Music fame) provided significant help to him in his developing religious life. Ordained in May 1970 he began an extraordinary life; first as a parish priest, then a high school chaplain for 12 years, and then rejoining the Army with the rank of Captain as a Catholic military chaplain. He was in West Berlin again in 1989 when the infamous Berlin Wall came down.

His adventures and travels as he fulfilled his assignments read more like fiction than fact. He served in “Desert Storm” as a chaplain in 1991, suffering physical and emotional disabilities. Leaving the Army in Oct.1992 at age 58, he spent the next 10 years with the US Dept. of Veterans Affairs as a V.A. Chaplain.

He is now Senior Priest in Residence at St. Mary Church in Chelmsford, MA where the author of this book met him and enjoys capturing his life story in the book* Let Me Be A Light: the Faith Journey of Father Ron Lawson.

*To be available in mid-year 2010.

For more information and to be added to the mailing list for availability updates, contact Richard L. Rotelli at rlrotelli@yahoo.com

From: “Shelley Cardiel” <cardiels@comcast.net>
To: <STRONG@rootsweb.com>
Sent: Thursday, November 12, 2009 10:01 AM
Subject: [STRONG] STRONG Family Photograph

I’ve “rescued” an old photograph of Caro Reynolds STRONG dated 1895.  The
photograph does not include a studio location or photographers
identification, however, someone has written the word “Cottrell” along with
the name and date on the back of the photograph.  Based on limited research
I was able to locate the following information regarding Caro and her family
as follows:

Caro Reynolds STRONG b. 3 May 1875 in Pittston, PA to parents Theodore
STRONG (b. 25 Jan 1820 in Somers, CT) and Elizabeth Deborah WILSON (b. 20
Jul 1838 in Pine Planes, NY).  Theodore was married twice and Elizabeth was
his second wife with whom he had three daughters, Helen Eliza; Caro
Reynolds; and Grace STRONG all born in Pittston, PA between 1874 and 1875.
Caro was a twin with sister Grace STRONG.  Caro died 20 Aug 1967 in West
Pittston, PA.

I am hoping to locate someone from the family so that this wonderful old
photograph can be returned to their care, if you are a member of this
family, or you know someone who might be, please contact me.

Thanks,
Shelley

Orville Nathan Strong was the grandfather of J. E. Gilbert, our SFAA President.

Born 23 January 1857 in Rodman, Jefferson Co., NY.
Died 8 December 1936 in Jasper, Walker Co., AL.

Good Afternoon,

My name is Karen Strong Railey and I am looking for information concerning my gr grandfather who was known as Edward Henry Strong. I haven’t been able to find anything concerning him before I find him in IA when he married Susan Beedle/Beadle. I do not know if he was married before he went to IA or if he had children before this.I don’t have parent’s or sibling’s names. That information was never passed down.

Edward’s family before his marriage to Susan has been a brick wall for my cousins and I. We are hoping if we put out info and questions to as many Strong’s as we can we’ll eventually come across someone who knows about him or recognizes some circumstances that happened in their branch of Strong’s that may be similar to some of our family stories or that some of Edward’s children’s names will be the same as some of Edward’s ancestors or siblings in someone’s Strong family and we’ll be able to figure this out that way.

Below is pretty much what I know about Edward.

In most of the Federal Census, Edward has the birth year of about 1845-46. In the 1910 Census it gives 1860 as his birth year. His grave marker states his birth year as 1852. On his death certificate the birth date given is Dec 4, 1851. His headstone says 1852.

All census’s where Edward is found (IA & NE) state Kentucky as the birthplace. Edward’s death certificate states the birthplace as Louisville, Kentucky.

Edward’s granddaughter’s believe that the parents came from England, were in VA then KY. The 1880, 1900, and 1910 all state the parents came from England. One, the 1885 NE state census, states that the parents were born in or came from Guernsey a small island in the English Channel, Channel Islands between the coasts of UK and France.

Family stories have the family being involved in some way with sulky racing horses in KY.

Edward was said to have been sent away by his family for some reason. One story: He was a bit of a rebel and somehow disgraced the family and was sent away. Another: He was kidnapped by the Union Army during the Civil War and made a drummer boy. After that the family sent him away. Due to some of the stories we think Edward could have been using and alias and his name was not really Edward or Strong. This in an unknown.

Another family story: Edward was in IA on business, met Susan, he was smitten with her so they married. No real details available. It is possible that if he was married he just never went back. These things did happen.

In 1880 the Federal Census lists Edward and Susan as Henry and Susey Strong, living in Hamburg, Fremont, IA. No children at this time.

1885 Nebraska State Census has the family members listed are Edward, Susan, Bessie, Willie, and Harry. Willie was born abt 1882-1883 and a Willie Strong, age 7 yrs 9 mos, is buried at Forest Lawn Memorial Park, Omaha, Nebraska. He died Jan 24 1890 reportedly from the croup. Family members don’t ever remember a Willie being mentioned and did not know of him. When the family went to visit graves, Willie’s was not visited. There is a family story that one of the children was shot in a park. I’ve wondered if that could have been Willie as I found it strange that the cemetery records stated his last place of residence as a park near the family’s home.

Edward’s stated profession in the 1885 Nebraska Census, Omaha, Douglas, NE was “dealer in butter and poultry.”

An 1889-90 Omaha, Nebraska Directory lists a secondary address location for Edward as 4320 Tuttle Avenue. Occupation is stated as “Gardener.”

1900 - Edward and family lived at 5208 N 38th St, Florence, NE. The 1900 Census lists this as a farm with four farm laborers. This was believed by family to have been a dairy farm and the same census lists Edward’s son Harry as a dairy laborer. For his father perhaps?

Residence in 1910 was 37_ _ Spaulding. In the 1910 census the last two digits of the address were not readable.

The 1910 census lists the family with the last name Strange (Strong).

According to Grandson Ray Strong (my dad), Edward used to receive a check every month from Kentucky. He believed the amount to be $500. His father, Arthur, told him this. I think it may have been something like $5.00 a month or at most $50.00.

Ray also said that his dad told him that Edward was supposed to have had some property in Texas. Edward died before he told anyone where that was.

Birth & Deaths:

Edward b: Dec 4 between 1845 and 1852 d: Apr 12 1912 at Omaha General Hospital in Omaha, Douglas, NE
Susan Beedle/Beadle - b: Apr 15 1860 in Peoria, Illinois d: Feb 28 1930 in Omaha, Douglas, NE
Marriage: Dec 25 1879 in Sidney, Fremont, IA

Edward & Susan had 9 children:

Bessie M - b: Nov 17 1881 in IA d: Jan 27 1934 in Omaha, Douglas, NE
Bessie was said to have been named after a sulky racing horse. Haven’t found a horse with “Bessie” in the name that I am sure would be the one.

Willie (possibly William) - b: about 1882 in IA d: Jan 24 1890 in Omaha, Douglas, NE

Harry Henry - b: Feb 29 1884 in Omaha, Douglas, NE d: Dec 16 1963 in Omaha, Douglas, NE

Maud S - b: Jan 19 1887 in Omaha, Douglas, NE d: Dec 28 1980 in Omaha, Douglas, NE
Maud was named after the sulky racing horse Maud S, a well known champion who set records

Arthur (nickname Jack) - b: May 11 1892 in Omaha, Douglas, NE d: Feb 16 1969

Raymond (nickname Jake) - b: Aug 9 1894 in Omaha, Douglas, NE d: Mar 1 1980 in Omaha, Douglas, NE

Clyde - b: Nov 1896 in Omaha, Douglas, NE d: Sep 2 1902

Eliza Jane - b: Jan 20 1899 in Omaha, Douglas, NE d: Jun 7 1930 in Omaha, Douglas, NE

There was one more child but I haven’t found the name or sex yet. The 1900 US Census states that there were 9 children born and 7 living in 1900. Willie had passed away and Clyde who died young was still living then, so there was another child in there somewhere.

Recently we found a DNA match with my dad’s DNA and Stafford and Creamer surnames. Unfortunately, this doesn’t necessarily mean that they were related as the Stafford & Creamer DNA tests had only 12 markers tested to compare with. This is more interesting, however, because a land patent was found where a Thomas Stafford and John Creamer appeared with a Robert Strong and George Strong in that same 1673/74 Virginia Land Patent. Perhaps they were related or at least associated in some way.

Karen from the genealogical research department at the Omaha Public Library says it is possible that Edward was a “remittance man.” These were people who were paid to stay away from their homeland and/or family due to disgraceful behavior or because they were the youngest son.

Karen Strong Railey

Click on ELDER JOHN STRONG at the top of this page to see the genealogy for each strong line. Or, click on Genealogy Database to the left, to go to the main search/browse page.

• Visit the Original SFAA Site
• Visit the ca. 2008 Site

Our SFAA site was originally hosted on Geocities, which is now defunct. However, our site lives on!

Kathleen A. Strong
72-39 65th Place
Glendale NY 11385-6929

Annual dues are:

• $20 Individual Membership
• $25 Family Membership

Your membership number is at the top of your Newsletter mailing label.

Friday, August 13 to Sunday, August 15, 2010

366 Main St., Route 20, Sturbridge, MA 01566

(508) 347-7393, www.sturbridgehosthotel.com

Guest rooms are $109.00/night (plus 11.7% taxes) for either single or double,

Add $10 for each extra person (3^rd $119, 4^th $129), Children under 18 stay free with adults.

This rate is guaranteed if reservations are made by July 20, 2010 (tell them you are with SFAA).

The Host Hotel offers a sandy beach on its 9 acres of lakeside grounds, paddleboats for rent, beach volleyball, horseshoes,

miniature golf, an arcade/game room, a heated indoor swimming pool and hot tub, a fitness center, and several restaurants

Sturbridge is located in central Mass. on the Conn. line at the crossroads of the Mass. Turnpike (Rt. 90) and Rt. 84 and Rt. 20. You will be about a one-hour drive from Boston, Providence, Hartford, Windsor, Springfield and Northampton (the burial place of John Strong). If you need to fly here, Bradley Airport (Hartford/Springfield) is in Windsor, Logan Airport is in Boston and T.F. Green Airport is near Providence, all about one hour away. Traffic in Boston and Providence tends to be heavy. Bradley is easier driving, but it depends on where and how you want to spend your time while you are visiting Sturbridge.

Schedule for the Weekend:

Friday, August 13 at 12:00 noon – Registration in the Dudley Room (our hospitality room for the weekend)

Registration, to cover hospitality room and speaker’s fee: ______Adults x $18.00 _________

Contact Name: ______________________________________________________________

Address: ____________________________________________________________________

City: _________________________________________State _____________Zip__________

Phone: ___________________________email: _____________________________________

Names as they should appear on Name Badges: _____________________________________

Friday at 5:30 p.m. – Lakeside Cookout. Hamburgers, hot dogs, barbecue chicken, corn on the cob, various salads, chips, watermelon, brownies, lemonade, iced tea ______Adults x $27.78 ea. ________

Friday at 7:30 p.m. – SFAA Director’s meeting in the Oxford Room.

Saturday, August 14 at 8:00 a.m. - Coffee and pastries in the Dudley Room (Registration continues). Saturday at 3:00 p.m. – Annual Members’ Meeting in the Junior Ballroom followed by photos of the Strong family group members and then dinner.

Saturday at 6:00 p.m. – Buffet Dinner, An Italian Feast: Caesar Salad, Mozzarella Caprise, Antipasto, Chicken Saltimbocca, Haddock Bella Vista, Penne Florentine, Italian Squash Medley, Breadsticks, Focaccia, Tiramisu, Cannoli, Italian Cookies, Coffee and Tea ________Adults x $35.35 ea. _________

Total Cost (includes 14% tip, 4% house charge, 2% meals tax, 6.25% sales tax) $__________

After dinner, Tom Kelleher, Curator of Historic Trades, Mills and Mechanical Arts at Old Sturbridge Village will speak about “The History of Baseball Before 1860, Doubleday Didn’t Do It” and he’ll also explain how Tanneries worked (John Strong was a tanner) and information on N.E. shoe factories.

Sunday, August 15 at 8:00 a.m. – Coffee and pastries in the Dudley Room. Attend a church service or mass at an area church. St. Anne’s Church and Shrine are nearby with masses at 10 a.m., 12 noon and 6 p.m. in an outdoor pavilion in summer. They have a 10-acre, wooded path with the ‘Stations of the Cross’ that is believed to have healing powers. The Tavern at Old Sturbridge Village offers a delicious buffet, 10 – 2 p.m.

At 12:30 p.m., anyone who would like a tour of Old Sturbridge Village can meet me in the garden area just outside the ticket office. (Special admission $15 adults, $7 children 4-17, mention SFAA).

If you plan to attend the SFAA reunion, please send a check or money order to cover the costs of the meal/meals and registration to: Jean Solaroli, SFAA, 15 Cove Drive, Sturbridge, MA 01566.

If you have any questions or concerns, call Jean at 508-347-9897 or email Solaroli@aol.com.

Places of Interest In and Around Sturbridge

Sturbridge Host Hotel Restaurants: The Greenhouse Restaurant offers a weekend breakfast buffet. The VIP’s Lounge offers refreshing beverages, light fare and tasty appetizers. The Oxhead Tavern, an historic landmark built in 1820, is just next door and offers delicious New England lunches and dinners.

Listing of Other Sturbridge Area Restaurants – Within close walking distance of the Host Hotel are: Burger King, McDonalds, Piccadilly Pub, George Pizza, B.T.’s Smokehouse, Friendly Ice Cream, The Thai Place, Cedar Street Restaurant and 530 Main Steak House. Within a short drive are: Wendy’s, Subway, Dunkin’ Donuts, Cracker Barrel, Applebee’s, Pizzeria Uno’s, The Publick House Historic Inn, Kaizen Sushi Bar & Grill, Kahula Polynesian Restaurant, Ravezzi’s Italian Restaurant, Playa Del Carmen Mexican Restaurant, Vienna Restaurant, and Zorba’s Greek Restaurant.

Of Interest in Sturbridge – Old Sturbridge Village, across from the Host Hotel, is a 200-acre, 1830’s Living History Museum, special admission $15 adults, $7 children 4-17 (mention SFAA). As a tour guide at OSV, I will offer a tour on Sunday afternoon starting at 12:30, meeting in the garden area just outside the ticket office.

If you like beer, Hyland Orchard & Brewery, 195 Arnold Rd., offers a wide selection of micro-brewed beers, plus a free petting zoo and children’s play area.

Historical and Other Places of Interest within short driving distances – Because Sturbridge is located at the crossroads of Rt. 84 and the Mass. Turnpike (Rt. 90) in central Massachusetts on the Connecticut state line, you are able to drive to many New England cities in about an hour or so.

Boston – Drive east on the Mass. Turnpike to visit many historic areas in Boston. The Freedom Trail is a 2.5-mile walking tour of 16 sites starting at the Boston Common, then walk by the Granary Burying Ground with graves of Sam Adam, John Hancock, Paul Revere. Walk on to Faneuil Hall that is filled with shops and the Old State House, up to the North End by Paul Revere’s house and the Old North Church and continue on to Old Ironsides. Boston has many museums: Museum of Science & Hayden Planetarium, Museum of Fine Arts, Boston Children’s Museum, Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum, Peabody Archeology Museum, N.E. Aquarium and the JFK Library. (For more info: http://www.starthereboston.com/Museums.html) Want to see where the Pilgrims landed and how they lived, visit Plimoth Plantation, Plymouth, MA. (www.plimoth.org/).

West of Sturbridge – Heading West on the Mass Pike to Rt. 291 to Springfield, you’ll find the birthplace of basketball at the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame (www.hoophall.com). If you’re looking for excitement head to Six Flags of New England with thrilling roller coasters and a water park (www.sixflags.com).

Providence – Drive South on Rt. 146 to see the Museum of Natural History and Cormack Planetarium, shows on weekends at 2 p.m. which is located in Roger Williams Park along with the Roger Williams Zoo, open daily 9-4. At the Culinary Arts Museum of Johnson and Wales University, Tues.- Sun. 10-5, see the Dinner at the White House exhibit or the 4,000 sq. ft. diner exhibit. There are art museums at RI School of Design and Brown University. Visit the Slater Mill Historic Site, in nearby Pawtucket, open Sat. & Sun. 11-3, the birthplace of American industry with an authentic 19^th century machine shop, an 8-ton working water wheel with regular demonstrations. Or, travel father south to Newport, RI, to see the magnificent Newport Mansions. (Go here for more info: http://www.newportmansions.org/) Misquamicut Beach in Westerly, RI is one of the nicest ones in RI, but you could travel to Cape Cod for lots of beaches if you have the time.

Hartford – Head south on Rt. 84 to Harriet Beecher Stowe Center (www.harrietbeecherstowecenter.org) a kin who was featured in the SFAA Nov. 2008 newsletter. It’s next door to the Mark Twain brick Victorian house that features many pieces of Tiffany stained glass (www.marktwainhouse.org). Just over the line into West Hartford is Elizabeth Park, the oldest rose garden in America with a wonderful café for lunch.

Windsor, CT - Up the Conn. River is the Windsor Historical Society on the site where Return Strong took over his father John Strong’s original tannery. They also have the Lt. Walter Fyler House (1640) and the Dr. Hezekiah Chaffee House (1765), as well as a library with genealogical and historical research.

Coventry, CT - About 30 minutes down Rt. 84, you’ll find the Strong-Porter Museum and the Nathan Hale Homestead. Elizabeth Strong married Richard Hale (Nathan’s father).