Some of our Martins, who lost their lives during WWI, on the WWI Memorial in Noumea. I can’t forget that I need to do some research into our New Caledonian’s involvement this war as well.
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I made a few minor research breakthroughs this week, but not enough for me to write about the next person in the French family story…that’ll have to wait a week. Instead, I thought I would focus a bit on the context in which Louise Martin and Henri Stumph would have known each other, into which my father was born, and in which Louise made the decision to marry John Aponte read more...
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My memories of my paternal grandmother are of a gregarious, lovely, warm woman who would have to run through every one of her children and grandchildren’s names before she got to yours when you made her mad (her English was also impaired by anger). She loved John Kennedy and Shirley Temple, almost as much as she loved us. I remember that when she and my grandfather addressed each other as read more...
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A prelude to French Friday: The U.S.S. President Polk departed Noumea on October 23, 1945 with Louisette Martin Aponte (my paternal grandmother), her 3 year old son (my Dad), and 5 month old daughter (Aunt Linda), bound for San Francisco during Operation Magic Carpet. I encourage you to visit the links above to understand what this trip must have been like. Looking at the passenger list (which I have to read more...
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