Regan Family News Vol 2 #2

Here's the link to RFN 2 #2

Our deepest sympathies to Cathy and Bill Postier at this difficult time. Sadly, their mom, Sarah, passed away earlier this month. We'll include more about Sarah in a future blog. Here is a photo of Sarah and her sister, Vera Ann from our reunion last summer. Sarah will be remembered fondly by us all as a loving wife, mother, cousin and aunt.














Today, we are posting Volume 2 #2 of Ross Regan's family newsletter; titled "Christmas Issue". This was published in December of 1963 and, once again, we have original artwork on the cover. It is credited as follows on the inside page, which I didn't scan:
"Cover by Vera Ann Farrell. Thanks, Pink".

• Ross begins with good wishes from Brother Matthew and the Hollis, Queens, Regans (Pop's siblings).
• He mentions a new subscriber, John (Pat) Regan III. Interestingly, I heard from a friend of Pat's a couple of years ago regarding our family tree, as we were both doing research on Ancestery.com. Pat didn't use a computer, but he was alive and well in California! If anyone has contact with him, he may be interested in receiving these newsletters so please pass on his contact information to me.

News:

• There is a wedding announcement!
• (Ross continues with news on page 4. An apology: page 4 scanned badly. As I mentioned in the first issue, I'm not going to redo the scanning, so good luck to all!)
• "Pandemonium reigned" at the Mulherins
• Rt 17 opens; new directions given
• Pat Regan is living in San Francisco
• Mary Regan came east to visit her 88 year old mother. (I'm not sure who Ross is referencing here. Any help would be appreciated.)
• Ross admits he had recently been hospitalized

"OUR MESSAGE TO YOU FOR THE 1963 HOLIDAY SEASON" consumes pages 2&3. (I'm guessing Ross was a soldier on the "War on Christmas"?)
This is a beautiful and heartfelt editorial by Ross. As always, his writing is clear and the message is poignant. He and Josephine write about the meaning of the Christmas Season and they give thanks for the blessings our family enjoyed while paying homage to a fallen president and the family he left behind. I highly recommend this! Fifty plus years later, it still is a powerful story.

"BELAVE IT OR NOT, BY ROSCOE O'RAGAN" is the real prize of this issue. It is the final page and wraps up this most unusual and interesting edition. It is a story of research told in a hysterical "Oirish" dialect that is a MUST read!

Enjoy this marvelous edition!

Regan Family News Vol 2 #1

Here is the link to RFN 2 #1 October - November 1963

I almost missed blogging this month, but I'm squeezing this note in just under the wire. As I write this, Diane and I are cruising in Thailand with friends Ted and Nancy Smith. We began our journey with 10 days in Taiwan, moved on to Hong Kong where we boarded the Holland America Volendam for two weeks cruising Vietnam, Cambodia and Thailand. We'll reach Singapore in a few days and begin the journey back to the frigid northeast thereafter.

Meanwhile, here is the first edition of Volume 2 of the Regan Family News. It's the Thanksgiving 1963 issue and as I read it I realize that Ross must have published it just prior to the Kennedy assassination as he makes no reference to that transformative event. What he does do, is acknowledge the connection to Mom and Pop Regan's 75th wedding anniversary and the timing of the recently held family reunion at his home in Mount Kisco. I actually can admit that I remember that party so it must have been a good one.

Here's a photo of from our Meditteranean cruise in 2013 to get you in
the mood for Vol2 #1!

In other news:

• John Regan makes an announcement
• The Ross Regans visited with Elaine and Dan
• Ross was really pushing his Meditteranean slide show. (I'll be doing the same with our far east show!)
• Ross and Vera Johnston both had medical setbacks
• The Regan girls are having success in school and beyond
• My Mom, Margaret, send in some news and I discovered the date I received my first drum, which I still have!
• There is a great letter from Jack Regan
• And another great letter from Helen Mulherin
• Ross included an updated mailing list (which I don't have)

Enjoy the old news and have a great month!

Regan Family News Vol 1 #12

Here is the link to RFN Vol 1 #12 May-September 1963

Happy Christmas, New Year, end of the year...all that. I'm happy to be celebrating the fact that I've been able to publish 12 RFN issues in 12 months! Boom!

Since this is the traditional time of reflection, I'll reflect. As Keith Richard would so eloquently state: it's good to be here; it's good to be anywhere! That bit of wisdom always rings true. I'm thankful that I was able to learn more about my family's story in this country and that I was able to meet with family members this year; either by reconnecting or connecting for the first time. I remain inspired by Uncle Ross' great work in assembling the RFN and in his desire to see the family stay linked.

In this latest issue, however, Ross indicates his frustration with getting news from family members. The fact that this issue covers 4 months is indicative of what is to come. And Ross delivers with a full page essay entitled A Frank Question Deserves A Frank Answer. Take a look.

Pages 2 & 3 contain the news, including:

• A feature about the John Leddys
• News about the Livingston Manor addition
• Mary Johnston's European adventure
• The Gundersens invade Lake George (again)
• The Tom Regan women summer at Swago and the house is begun
• Brother Matthew gets a visit
• Helen Mulherin has foot problems
• Sister Elaine is under the weather
• Tree clearing has consequences in Mt. Kisco

Page 4:
Ross again leads a cheer for the RFN. He's begging the family for news! Apparently, he was questioning the whole RFN venture, for he publishes an excerpt from a letter from Dan that reads like a pep talk to keep it going. Ross was deeply committed to keeping the family together, but he consistently had to face the fact that family life in the 2nd half of the twentieth century was really changing. People seemed to have less and less time to write letters. Frankly, that trend only seems to have become exacerbated. Even the act of sending Christmas cards once a year has become a chore!

The computer revolution and the evolution of social media give us new and interesting ways to stay connected. Let's hope we use these new technologies to keep in touch and informed. Meanwhile, best wishes for a happy, fulfilling 2015, everyone!

Regan Family News Vol 1 #11

Here is the link to RFN Vol 1#11 March / April 1963

Here's a suggestion:
Feel free to share news or comments with other family members by posting below or on the Regan Family News group on Facebook. Let us know what's up!

I am continually amazed at Ross' ability to publish this newsletter every two months over the course of 3 years. This issue, the 11th of volume 1, is particularly long, but packed with interesting information.

A quick look at what was happening in the spring of 1963 in our family:

• Ross quips about the newspaper strike and draws a link to its impact on the RFN. Cute.
• The Ross Regan's return from a Mediterranean cruise. Having taken the same cruise last year I could relate. Very interesting read about cruising in the '60's
• Renovations taking place in Bedford Hills and Livingston Manor
• Helen Foote had surgery (Help! Who is Helen Foote?)
• Harry Wellington is travelling
• Brother Matthew takes his vows

Following the news, we have 9 solid pages of single space stories! 

• First up, a continuation of his recollection of the family experience in Brooklyn. He tells the story of his sister, Vera Regan; her experience in school and the working world. It turns out that she had a close encounter with one of NY's most notorious terrorist attacks! Check it out.
• Dan Regan checks in with an interesting story of growing up, attending college, establishing his career, and living in NYC.
  

Finally, Ross leaves us with clear instructions on being published in this august newsletter. Always professional...

Regan Family News Vol 1 #10

Here is a link to Vol 1#10 February, 1963

My Family Tree can be found here. Since it's my tree, it consequently contains many people you won't be interested in. But, don't be intimidated! You will be able to locate yourself and see your immediate family up to 5 generations. I think it's quite interesting and I hope you'll visit it. Frankly, I'd like to enlist your help. In the interest of accuracy, please contact me regarding mistakes I've made or, more importantly, alert me to missing people. Any information you might be able to add would be appreciated and I will be more than happy to make corrections and additions. I'm actually missing a whole generation of great-great grandchildren so I'll recruit your help with that.

Family Tree Directions
Again, by clicking this link and following these directions you'll be able to see your own personal Regan Family Tree!

• When you click the link, you'll see a mini version of my family tree.
• Ignore that and look for the link at the bottom right of the page called Find (353 people). (Yep, that's a lot of people!). The link is adjacent to the little magnifying glass icons.
• Click on the dropdown menu and scroll to find your name! That's right, if you're related to me, you're in there.
• Now, simply click on your name for your personal Regan Family Tree view

Note: When I transferred my tree to this site, some information was lost along the way (mostly birth dates).

Here's what you'll find in Vol 1#10:
Well, we have one of Ross' shortest issues this month, but that doesn't mean that there is a paucity of information. You will find:

• Good reviews regarding the previous issue's new format
• News of the Ross Regan's upcoming travel adventures (including travel on two famous steamships)
• The rest of the issue is dedicated to an editorial on glaucoma and the Regan Family relation to that disease. My mother was afflicted, but I have been spared so far. He makes a (still relevant) argument that our family must be vigilant in having our eyes checked.
• The final page is a map to the home of the Harry Wellingtons. I include it as it was part of this issue.

Regan Family News Vol 1#9

Here's a link to RFN Vol 1#9 January, 1963

Make the most of our blog:

• Want a better view of any of the photos or images you've seen posted on these blogs? 
• Simply click on them and they pop into a new window. Then right click and save
• Looking for former editions of the RFN? 
• Click the Past Regan Family News Editions link up top (just beneath the header)
• Want to make corrections in your contact information? 
• Click on the Contacts link also beneath the header. Then click on the Regan Family Contact Information link to get to our address file
• Want to see Reunion photos?
• Click on 2014 Reunion Photos, again beneath the header
• Wonder where you can find former blog posts? 
• Follow the blog archive in the right hand margin
• Want to  participate by leaving a compliment, complaint, correction? 
• Comments can be added at the bottom of the page

Here's what you'll find in Volume 1#9:

• Family news from:
• Helen and Ray Gundersen, Joan and Harry Wellington, and John Regan's west coast family. 
• I was close with my Aunt Helen and Uncle Ray and I remember my cousin Joan, husband Harry and son Brian. Brian was around my age so we hung out at family gatherings the few times we were together. I'm not sure what became of the Wellingtons but would be interested. And my cousin John Regan's west coast family... I really didn't know any of them, so if anyone has information they'd like to share, I would certainly be interested in hearing it.
• Ross writes an epic 6 page continuation of his reminiscence of life in Brooklyn. There is fascinating stuff here including the story of the three Regan boys vacationing upstate and eventually meeting Roy Johnston.

In other news:

I believe that I've written in the past that I've been doing some genealogical research and that I really haven't uncovered any enlightening information other than what Ross shares in his RFN publications. I have amassed a family tree for my children and I'm working on a way to share the Regan portion of that tree with you all. Look for that next issue and I'll be enlisting your support in updating or correcting any information I might have. 

Have a great September!

Regan Family News Vol 1 #8 and Reunion Review

Here is the link to RFN Vol 1 #8 December 1962

Please check on Contact above and update your contact information

Well, I certainly enjoyed Reunion Weekend and it seemed like I wasn't alone. I noticed that everyone had a busy weekend visiting with many friends and family members and that our event was only a part of everyone's story. Very interesting! It was fun to watch so many people having a good time and enjoying each others company. Here is a link to my photos and Tom Farrell's photos. Enjoy!

I want to thank everyone - the Farrell clan for being such great hosts, the Mulherin boys for all getting together and making the journey to the Manor from out of state, The Regan girls for also travelling from points near and far, Sarah and Catherine Postier for making the journey from New Hampshire, and my two children who planned to participate many months in advance and who were so very happy to meet family members. And a late visit by Nancy and John Johnston really capped off a great day. A great effort all around, folks! Thanks again for making it a special day.

I don't know about you all, but I was fascinated while I watched the interaction of everyone present. I can't help but notice the resemblance all around. I thought it fun to sit around and watch family members talking and interacting. I really have those moments when I tilt my head and get that flash of recognition just watching everyone. I was really struck watching James Leddy and Roy Lotz standing next to each other and chatting. They're 2nd cousins once removed but they share a remarkable resemblance. Interesting..

Speaking of relationships, I was asked a few times "so, are we really related?" "And, how, exactly?"

I guess since I've been scouring the Regan Family News I've assumed the mantel of "family expert?" Well, I do understand the connections and maybe I can give a brief synopsis. It's all about our common ancestors, the subject of the RFN, and my grandparents, Peter and Nellie Regan. But how, you ask, are we related to each other? Well, here are some rules to follow...

• Siblings share parents
• Cousins share grandparents
• Second cousins share great-grandparents etc.
• When common ancestors are shared in a different hierarchy they're "removed"

So... 

• Tom Regan was my cousin and Sarah Postier  and Vera Ann Farrell are my cousins because we share common grandparents - Peter and Nellie Regan. Likewise, the Farrell "kids",  the Mulherin "boys", and Catherine and Bill Postier are cousins, again because they share common grandparents - only in their case it's Vera and Roy Johnston.
• The Regan "girls" are second cousins to the Farrells, Postiers and Mulherins because their common ancestors, Peter and Nellie, are their great-grandparents. In fact, the Leddy kids are second cousins to the Mulherins, Farrells, Postiers and Regans for the same reason.
• And allow me to introduce myself to the Farrells, Regans, Postiers, and Mulherins, and answer your burning question - who is this guy? I am your cousin once removed! Your parents are my cousins and our common ancestors are your great-grandparents and my grandparents - the different hirearchy; hence, once removed. And to pick on Roy Lotz again: when Roy attended Stony Brook University, I had the pleasure of spotting my cousin twice removed around campus! Yep, his grandmother, Vera Ann is my cousin and our common ancestors are great-great-grandparents to him and grandparents to me: twice removed.
• Finally, while there were great-great grandchildren of Peter and Nellie in attendance, were any of them third cousins? The Farrell grandchildren and the Mulherin grandchildren are seconds because they share common grandparents in Vera and Roy Johnston, and the Leddys and Postiers children have no kids yet. So that leaves the Regans. And if I'm not mistaken, there was a Regan great-great grandaughter in attendance. Forgive me for not recalling names and relationships exactly, but I do think we placed in the third cousin sweepstakes, so congratulations all around!

Whew, got that out of the way! Still confused? Well...me too! (I'm just wingin' it)

Now, onto the Regan Family News Vol 1 #8. Here's the link again so you don't have to scroll all the way back to the top of the page!

The highlights:

• The first Christmas issue features something new: a beautiful cover drawn by Kitty Regan.
• Ross' first Christmas greeting to the family
• The Manhassett Regans stay busy
• The Gundersens visit the Manor
• John Regan in Clayton
• Greg Mulherin discovers an "alligator"
• Tom Regan's new road
• Ross' continuing report on the Hollis Regans
• There's information on Kitty Regan's family
• And a great story from Brother Dan Regan. Dan talks about his German roots and wonders what prompted the immigration of the Regans to the US. He assumed it was related to the Famine, and think he was correct, but we know no more now than he wished to know then.

That's enough for now. I hope you get a chance to read the newsletter and take a look at the great photos! Happy rest of the summer to all!