This series of posts focuses on an A-Z theme for April in 2025. I have chosen events that occurred On This Day in April of years in the past. These events are recorded and organised in my genealogy database.
On this day - 17th April
My dear mother's birthday. She was born 113 years ago today. I have written extensively about my mother on this blog, but realise that April was an important month for her in several ways.
Born 1912, 17th AprilShe liked to be organised no matter the occasion. In her birthday book she recorded not only birthdays but also deaths. She also pasted newspaper clippings inside the covers. This has been a useful source of dates for the births of my cousins and my 25 nieces and nephews.
Married 6th April 1937
Her mothers birthday 21 April, also Joe’s birthday, my father’s brother
1942 - Burial: John HORGAN, Kapunda, South Australia, Australia - a grandfather’s brother, my grand uncle.
Cover of Mum's birthday book
The need to recognise and honour the dead has never changed.
In the past funerals were organised with no delay. A standard Requiem Mass for Catholics, with participants dressed in formal, usually black attire would have been arranged by telephoning the priest, the funeral director and the newspaper. Funerals were generally simpler than they are nowadays.
Nowadays we have time to make plans for a funeral considering the wishes expressed before death, the needs of the living, the preparation of services, eulogies and catering where needed.
This notice appeared in the evening paper on the day that John died.
HORGAN.-Requiem Mass for the Repose of the Soul of the late Mr. JOHN HORGAN will be Celebrated in the Church of the Good Shepherd, Riverton, at 8.30 a.m. on FRIDAY, and the Funeral will Leave the Church at 1.30p.m. for the St John's Cemetery, Kapunda.
O. COLMER, Undertaker. Phone 41. Riverton.
I recently visited the cemetery to view the restored stone that lists John, his brother Thomas and sister Kate.
This post first appeared on earlieryears.blogspot.com by CRGalvin
Tombstone _ Horgan photo taken 7 March 2025
That birthday book would be a fantastic starting point for family history.
ReplyDeleteThat’s a lovely piece of memorabilia from your mother, and helpful as well. A 4th cousin has a similar BDM book that she uses faithfully but my mum didn’t have one. I do have address books for my grandmother and aunt which have been helpful with my research.
ReplyDeleteThat birthday book would be a fantastic addition to family history.
ReplyDeleteThe birthday book is a lovely legacy from your mother. Hopefully you have someone interested in the family history that you can pass it on to. I really don't like all the pizzaz that goes on with funerals these days. The simpler the better, if at all, as far as I'm concerned.
ReplyDeleteMy grandmother's birthday book has been useful in identifying photos, Knowing someone's age is so helpful when researching.
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