Where Was I Nov 22, 1963

It is interesting when we think back at the history during our lives, we remember some details better than others. Where were you when Kennedy was shot? I am sure every one of us can remember it as plain as it happened yesterday.

I was sitting in my Spanish class at Henry Clay Junior High School. Sr. Cisneros was our teacher. I can’t remember if we were writing or listening, but I do remember the announcement over the loudspeaker on the front wall of our room. It interrupted our class to let us know that not only had President Kennedy been shot, but he had died. We were kids so I don’t remember what our reaction was nor do I remember what happened at school the next few days. Seems to me, schools may have been closed.

I do remember hearing my dad say, when I got home, that it was such a shame. We were not a politically active family, though my parents always voted. Nor am I even sure my parents voted for Kennedy, but the idea of killing someone for whatever reason was beyond my father’s understanding even though he had served in WWII. Guns were unnecessary in his life.

I also remember my dad watching the TV when Ruby shot Oswald. He called to us to come quickly to watch what happened. Again, he could only shake his head in disbelief.

Where were you on this day?

New Research Doesn’t Answer Old Questions

After three weeks of research in Massachusetts and attendance at the wonderful New England Regional Genealogical Conference, I didn’t come much closer to the answers I was seeking to find. In fact, I guess I could say my mind is now more muddled with information and even more questions.

The goal of this trip was to spend time researching in the courthouses of Pittsfield regarding the arrest of Bridget HEARST McHugh on charges of “illegal keeping of intoxicating beverages”. I was able to find the court case and after pleading “not guilty”, Bridget was let off. On the other hand, David Tierney who was also arrested at the same time, for the same crime, by the same officer was not so lucky. It was found there was probable cause and he was set for trial. I did not pursue his case which I now wish I had, but I had so much more to research, time was an issue. However, I am left with more questions. There were witnesses presumably against Bridget because they were reimbursed by the court. David Tierney had no witnesses to be paid, so why was Bridget found “not guilty” and David was not? What was the probable cause that made him more guilty than Bridget?

I was also there to research the dower rights of Bridget consequent to the death of her husband, Francis. I found none! There was property including a house in Frank McHUGH’s estate. I wanted to know who owned the house and what became of it after the deaths of Francis and Bridget. More questions than answers again: the house was owned by Bridget right from the start; then was sold by Annie F. McHUGH to her cousin, Ellen MULLANEY all the while Hannora MCHUGH Forgea and her family were living in the house! Huh? Why didn’t the FORGEA family buy the house? Why were they allowed to live in it only until the death of Nora?

After her death, her two youngest were consigned to Brightside Orphanage. Six months later, Annie F. MCHUGH petitioned for temporary guardianship of the three daughters of Nora; Catherine and Anna were in the orphanage. Where was Adase? Why the need for guardianship papers when Adase was 20 and the two younger girls were in the orphanage?

And some answers only led to more confusion. Aunt Anna was consigned to Brightside Orphanage until shortly after her 12th birthday, then she was released from Brightside to Beaven Kelly. I thought Beaven Kelly was a person. Instead, it turns out it was a retirement home for elderly gentlemen. What was a 12-year-old doing in a retirement home for elderly gentlemen? Hopefully answers will come as I sift through all the documents I was able to copy. Thank goodness for smart phones.

Our Move to the Tri-Cities

In the spring of 1992, Dad [Bernie Beldin] was made an offer he could not refuse.

He was a major in the United States Air Force, happy with his service but feeling the pressure to retire after 32 years combined enlisted/officer service. Because of his time in service, he felt his chances of making lieutenant colonel were slim in addition to the reduction in forces that President Clinton was proposing at the time.

However, he had always vowed he would not leave the service without a job waiting for him. His wish had just come true; he was offered a position by a contractor and, if accepted, would be working in the Federal Building in downtown Richland. He made an exploratory trip out to the Tri-Cities, flying into Portland, OR, so that he could drive through the Columbia Gorge which a friend had assured him would be a beautiful drive. He was impressed with the beauty of the area; he was interviewed and offered the job.

He moved to Richland in April, not yet retired from the service but taking leave and planning his retirement for the end of May. In August, Kris, [our son] joined him so that he would be able to begin his first year in high school at the school he would be attending for the next four years. Michelle, Ginger and I [our daughter, our dog and mom, Margie Beldin] remained in Lake Ridge, Virginia, awaiting the contract renewal with the firm Dad/Bernie had just joined - no contract, no job, no reason to move us all to the Tri-Cities. Fortunately, in October, their contract was renewed and our family was reunited by the end of October, 1992. We were all finally together in Richland, Washington.

The housing market was so bad at the time, with only 72 houses on the MLS, we decided to purchase property and build our dream home. Fourteen months later, in December, 1993, we moved into our dream home and have enjoyed living here, in the Tri-Citites, ever since.