Even as I work on my Vienop and Borchers Family Tree, I find that I have so much information in the hands of my own mother and myself. I have photos, documents, and even a diary that is a few pages long written by my great grandfather, Herbert Borchers, Sr. I knew him well. He passed away before I turned eight so my memories of him are foggy but there.
As for my Vienop's, I recall my great grandmother with absolute clarity. I can still hear Mary Borchers' (Maria Luise Katharine Vienop) "joyful, yippy" laugh, oh so pleasantly stuck in my head even today. She was an amazing, wonderful, loving, patient, cute, little lady of whom many probably wished was their grandma, and she was mine. I was the oldest great grandchild, my mom was the oldest grandchild and my grandma was the oldest child.
While I do have Mary Borchers' death certificate (which is quite interesting if you'r going to look at one that reflects someone at age 96), the memories of my personal experience with her are neverending.
So as I begin to explore my Vienop and Borchers Family Tree, I find myself exploring a very personal side to my family history. I find joy, sadness, and wonderful memories of people that I held and hold so dear to me. This process maybe slow going because of the emotional response it generates since I knew and loved so many people on this side of my family.
Below is a photo of me with my great grandparents:
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| July 1973, Kettering, Ohio Herbert Borchers, Sr.; Kristin McGuire Elser; Mary Borchers (Maria Luise Katharine Vienop) |
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