Family

What greater thing is there for human souls
than to feel that they are joined for life~~
to be with each other in silent unspeakable memories

Richard / Jeanne Reunion 6/1/08

Richard / Jeanne Reunion 6/1/08
Richard,Rachel Webster,Adele Webster Fammeree,Jeanne & Dan List

Saturday, November 1, 2008

November 2008 Virtual Reunion

Richard Fammeree & Jacky Fameree















Ida Fameree-Tiske & The New House under way














Jo-Anne & Jule Fameree's New House Foundation















Le Ve Mo Jo'ne in 1976
No, It Doesn't look like this today!!!









Another month has passed,
Here are the Highlights & Happenings


Hello Dear Family,

As always this past month has been full of interesting events!
However, I would like to focus this article on Celebrating
Richard Fammeree & Our Families in Belgium & USA
Past, Present & Future.
Their is so much History we have yet to uncover in our relatives from the 1800's & the immigration of certain Fammeree/Fameree families. As well as our relatives today & the Fameree/Fammeree families who remained in Belgium. Their is a family tie but we are just starting to make connections & I am pleased to be a part of this renewal & reacquainting of our families. I really give Richard so much credit for having this vision and following through with it. Maintaining a positive outlook & enlisting my help (although it took me about a 10 year span to jump aboard). It was through Richard's help that I was introduced to the Fammeree's/Rigot's who live in Belgium & It was with Richard's encouragement that I was able to renew and meet up with our Fameree relatives in Wisconsin. It was his suggestion to start this Virtual Reunion A Living Family Tree! (He actually sent out our first one!) (& then, like I am pretty famous for I TOOK OVER!) and I actually have received many positive comments and have met relatives that I never even dreamed existed!
So Mister Richard I salute you & give you credit for being who you are & doing what you do best!
Also I want to wish you a happy Birthday on November 3rd!!!
This next email from Richard to Catherine Fammeree (from Belgium) ties in well with this article.
Thank you, dearest Cathy.In 1890, my great-grandfather (the little brother of your great-great grandfather) Jean-Joseph named his first child Eugénie after his mother. Letters began to fly between Chicago and Longueville and Wisconsin (where his uncle and first cousins had homesteaded half a century before). Soon, he would receive a letter form his little sister Adèle announcing the birth of her son Fernand (the grandfather of Sylvie and SImon Rigot). Correspondence fades with the beginning of World War II in 1939. And, then, there was not a word for forty years--until we miraculously found each other in the summer of 1980.Now, after almost 120 years, our family correspondence announcing the birth of the next generation begins again. I am so thankful, for I love you and Philippe and Nicole and your dear, dear parents very much.Rachel and Adèle and I are so happy for you and Cédric and Océane. I so look forward to the day we visit--and you visit, too! Remember, you always have a home in America. Love & blessings, Richard
In French
Je vous remercie, cher Catherine, Cédric and Océane. En 1890, mon arrière-grand-père (le petit frère de votre arrière-arrière grand-père) Jean-Joseph nommé sa premiere enfante Eugénie après sa mère. Les lettres ont commencé à voler entre Chicago et de Longueville et le Wisconsin (où son oncle et des cousins germains a “homesteaded” d'un demi-siècle avant). Bientôt, il recevra une lettre de sa petite sœur Adèle annonçant la naissance de son fils Fernand (le grand-père de Simon et Sylvie Rigot). Correspondance s'estompe avec le début de la Seconde Guerre mondiale en 1939. Et puis, il n'y avait pas un mot depuis quarante ans - jusqu'à ce que nous avons trouvé miraculeusement les uns les autres au cours de l'été 1980. Maintenant, après presque 120 ans, notre famille correspondance annonçant la naissance de la prochaine génération commence à nouveau. Je suis tellement reconnaissant, pour je t'aime et Philippe et Nicole et votre chère, chers parents beaucoup. Rachel et Adèle et moi sommes si heureux pour vous et Cédric and Océane. J'ai tellement hâte à la journée, nous visite - et que vous visitez, aussi! Rappelez-vous, vous avez toujours une “home” en Amérique. Love & bénédictions, Richard

This brings me to my corresponding story.
In the early 1850’s, in Belgium, all people were buzzing with excitement over the news that in America there was fertile land that stretched hundreds of miles with no one living on it. This Land could be purchased from The American Government for $1.25 an Acre. Belgian families did not have a specific destination in mind when decided to leave their homes, they just knew the pamphlet they had read, referred only to the cheap land and opportunities available in “America”.
And so let the Ocean Voyages Begin!!!
In the 1850s, Wisconsin maintained an “immigration official” in New York City. His job
was established to recruit settlers and to help new arrivals to their destination
One poster read:
Come! In Wisconsin all men are free and equal before the law. Religion is free
and equal between church and state. Opportunities are unlimited for those who
want to work. Good land can be purchased from the generous American
government for $1.25 an acre. The soil is adapted to raising corn, wheat, rye,
oats, barley and vegetables.
In 1856, the year when the largest number emigrated, thousands of Belgians from the
province of Brabant left for Wisconsin and most of them settled in the present Counties of Northeast Brown, Kewaunee and southern Door.
On May 13th 1856 Jean Babtiste Fameree his Wife Claire, 7 year old Son Honore, 23 year old Daughter Marie, her Husband Jean & their Daughter Anne stood on the Deck of the Ship “Gertrude” watching the receding shoreline with heavy hearts at the thought of leaving the home of their birth, their dear Relatives & Friends, the memorial sites of their deceased children & Parents!
They arrived at Ellis Island and then traveled on to Wisconsin & then Northeast to a small Township called Red River they then settled on the Fameree land and in 1859 the 40 acres they settled on was deeded to them by the Sate of Wisconsin & the deed was signed by President Buchanan. The Paragraph below is, in my opinion, the closest depiction of how their land was obtained.

HOW BELGIANS OBTAINED THEIR LAND
Belgians who came in 1855 and 1856 often went to the land office and asked to be
assigned land in the general area of the Belgian Settlement. After they paid a small
preemption claim entry fee, the clerk assigned them forties of land. This unusual
procedure was due to a great influx of immigrants who knew nothing about U.S. land
surveys. New groups, guided by an earlier immigrant, would walk away sixty or more
miles to Mehasha to get descriptions of the lands allotted them by a land agent. They
would then return to Bay Settlement and wait for land cruiser Rickard to locate their
lands. Armed with a compass he would walk into the deep woods, through swamps and
underbrush, with small groups of new arrivals and point out a tree that was the northwest corner of each new owner’s land. Each settler would carry an ax, a gun, blankets and food. After locating a land owner’s corner, they would mark it by chopping down trees at that point so that the property owner could find it again.
And Now the story that will tie this all together.
My Sister Jo-Anne & my Dad Jule have just erected a brand new home on the original Fameree Forty Acre land almost 150 years after Jean Babtiste & family was deeded the land!!! Amazing
Also, my Dad Jule has given one of the original Log buildings on the Family Land, to my 3 Sisters Ida, Mary, Jo-Anne & Myself & we intend to restore this building to as close to original condition as possible… This Structure was originally utilized as a workshop/Granary & we all know it as the “Old Shop” When we decided to do this, we thought what shall we call this place which will SOME day become a Fameree Family Historical site? We asked Dad how he would say the words “the Old House” in Belgian & his reply was, (spelled phonetically) Le Ve Mo Jo’ne and going forward this is how we will refer to it .


OOPPPS I Missed an important Birthday In October
Catherine Fammeree October 24th
I really apologize Catherine, I have all birthday info from your Dad & I have your Birthday as being December 16th Please help me out here!!!
Bon Anniversaire Dearest Catherine!
We love you and wish you and Cédric and Océane joy and blessings and dreams coming true! Always! Love, love, love,
Adele, Rachel, Richard, Jeanne & Dan
Your family in America

November Birthdays (in date order)
Special Birthdays - 11/3 Richard Arthur Noel Fammeree & My Neice Jacky Fameree, 11/12 Perry Pierre, 11/30 My Sister Ida Fameree-Tiske

1
Jacqueline Jeanne Cambie 1933
Susan Marie Collin 1957
Jeanne P. Ropson 1957
Bruce Peter Jr. Buhr 1968
Natasha Lynn Wautier 1981
Nickolas Timothy Jandrin 1992
2
Erma Lou Neuzil 1936
Paul Larry Laurent 1965
3
Richard Arthur Noel Fammerée 1951
Katherine Jandrin 1958
Emmy Beth Gengler 1962
Jeremy Richard Ledvina 1976
Erica Lee Laluzerne 1983
Jacky Mary Fameree 1983
Tyler Nelson Sivret 1985
Renee Marie Lemens 1987
4
Orville Fred Fameree 1928
(Rose Ann Marie) Ferron 1950
5
Marina Majeski 1981
Benjamin Alexander Vlies 1997
6
Nancy Louise Wery 1954
7
Russell Jerome Fameree 1929
Joseph Laurence Lemens 1935
Rene Ann Vlies 1962
Jeffrey Jandrin 1982
Peggy Sue Fairchild 1985
Brian Hockstock 1991
Corissa Burkart 1992
Lydia Pierre 2007
8
Sandra Jean Chaudoir 1945
Dale Lee Christianson 1954
Jayne Elizabeth Naze 1958
Bradley John Heim 1959
Jenel Mary Routhieaux 1972
9
Elmer William Jandrin 1919
Kenneth Joseph Vlies 1949
Gary Michael Krohn 1954
Mark Anthony Vlies 1962
Linda Diana Meyers 1964
Aaron James Ropson 1978
Sara Judkins 1981
Alexandria Marie Schmidt 1992
Jocelyn Sue Van Pay 1995
10
Harold Raymond Sibilsky 1923
Jane Lorraine Jandrin 1956
Samatha Jo Vlies 1990
Ryan Lee Vlies 1990
11
Larry Cletus Laurent 1940
Randall Joseph Soletski 1943
June Ann Beilke 1958
Katie Lynn Clark 1988
12
Earl Joseph Vlies 1917
Perry Denis Pierre 1945
Janel Lynn Lemens 1982
Valerie Ann Lemens 1984
Andrew Everett Futter 1987
Elliot Bradley Heraly 2002
13
Dottie Lee Koenig 1950
Betty Jean Lu Maye 1963
Ann Mabel DeVillers 1984
Sedrick Alan LaLuzerne 1989
Brianna Heraly 2000
14
Fernand Ghislain Moniquet 1890
Sheila Marcusen 1948
Sandra Lee Vandenhouten 1949
Kevin Donald Dessell 1959
Lisa Ann Vlies 1964
Jake Kitchen 1980
Benjamin Joseph Van Pay 1998
15
Daniel Thomas Jr. Fairchild 1962
Dean Francis Heim 1964
Chad David Mindak 1976
Evan Burkart 1994
16
Paul Herman Moede 1958
Rachelle Lee Hanamann 1969
Amanda Marie Fameree 1981
17
Randy Joseph Fameree 1950
Randy Lemens 1958
Randall John Prokash 1967
18
Clifford Joseph Dhuey 1919
Ronald Fred LaLuzerne 1958
Laurie Ann Erma Villers 1963
Sarah Elizabeth Hafeman 1982
Ross Anthony Laurent 1986
Louis Rigot 1994
Mallory Brenda Khollman 2006
19
Jeanie Stedl 1945
Michael Francis Klaus 1959
Thomas Andrew Kaczmarek 1960
Lori Delebreau 1961
Duane Dale Fameree 1961
Tia Marie Jandrin 1990
20
Brian Adam Nowak 1975
Stephanie Rose Marten 1990
Dominic Michael Rentz 2001
21
Michael Alfred Vlies 1952
Craig Joseph Ropson 1960
Darrick John Wendricks 1976
Jeffrey Wilbert Le Captain 1977
Erin Marie Barnhouse 1982
Jessica Marie Peterson 1983
Nicholas Andrew Platt 1996
22
Christine Simonart 1942
Sandra Jean Nelson 1946
Jesse Francis Seipel 1981
Kirt Steven Vlies 1990
Jessica Shaw 1995
23
Heather Marie LaLuzerne 1985
24
Dale Frank Villers 1961
Jodi Tavy Buhr 1963
Lola Mary DeVillers 1964
Jacquelyn Rae DeGroot 1968
Jennifer Rebecca Vlies 1971
Karen Maskell 1977
Brittany Ann Vlies 1990
Brianne Agamaite 1994
Baby Girl Fameree 1999
25
Grace Joyce Vlies 1914
David Heuer 1935
Tammy Lynn Wagnitz 1971
Alexis Faye Pabick 1974
Nancy Marie DeVillers 1975
Jonathan James Metzler 1987
26
Beryl Vlies 1910
Hugh William Webster 1951
Cynthia Louise Wendricks 1956
Lee Elmer Villers 1959
Merilyn Kitchen 1965
Rychelle Lee Rueckl 1979
Shad Steven Fairchild 1983
Rachael Lynn Jandrin 1983
John David Pierre 1983
27
Deborah Anne Lemens 1959
Kevin Scott Hanamann 1964
Martin Wayne Thiry 1968
Mikayla Ann Thomazin 2006
28
Joan Louise Marie Laurent 1950
Denise Ann Le Captain 1953
Vicki Lynn Jacobs 1964
Rhonda Blahnik (Hansen) 1982
Ashley Lynn Villers 1982
Sarah Lynn Greiling 1986
29
John T. Thompson 1936
Rolf Quarters 1952
Catherine Simonart 1956
Christopher Robert Arendt 1975
April Marie Fameree 1979
30
Jeffrey John Pierre 1956
Ida Ann Fameree 1958

Happy Birthday / Bon Anniversaire to all


Richard's Thoughts
Richard & Rachel have been very busy with their performances, teaching & raising little Miss Sunshine.
Richard has a special surprise for all our Family, please visit the myspace link below to experience a great treat!!!
http://www.myspace.com/famereetree

PLEASE SEND PHOTOS TO EITHER RICHARD OR MYSELF SO WE CAN ATTACH THEM
Blessings to all our dear family, Adele, Rachel, Richard
http://fammeree.blogspot.com/
Please visit Richards blogsite as well as ours, the only difference being the double M's


"The Responders"
1st email from Catherine Fammeree (Sambreville Belgium) to Richard
Dear Adèle, Rachel and Richard A Big thank you for the gift. We have just received it this morning. Océane will be splendid in all clothing. We take a photograph so that you can see her in the beautiful clothing. I hope that Adèle will be able one day to meet our little Océane and to keep contact. Adele is a very pretty little girl.Big kisses from Océane, Cédric and Catherine. hoping to see you very soon. In French Un tout grand merci pour le cadeau. Nous venons de le recevoir ce matin. Océane sera splendide dans tous les vêtements. Nous ferons une photo afin que vous puissiez la voir dans les beaux vêtements. J'espère qu'Adèle pourra un jour rencontrer notre petite Océane et garder contact. Votre Adèle est une très jolie petite fille. Un tout gros bisous d'Océane, cédric et catherine En espérant vous voir très bientot.
Next email comes from Amy Pierre-Brownson (Wisconsin), We met at the Lincoln Kermiss & we thought it would be neat to carry on a very important tradition (Belgian Pie Making)
Hello Jean,
I spoke with my cousin, Mary Ann Pierre. She is the expert at using my Grandma
Mary (Fameree) Pierre's Belgian pie recipe. She would be happy to have a
training session, but would prefer after the holidays. Her son is getting
married in Jan. Amy
I replied
That sounds great we can work out the date when it is convenient for you guys.
Mary Ann replied
Amy, Jean I will check my calendar when I get back to work on Wednesday. I am off this week for knee surgery, and I am not sure when the orthopedic convention is. It would be the only conflict, as I am going to go to Las Vegas for it.Lets tentatively shoot for a Sat in February, at my house, and I will confirm later in the week. It will give me something to look forward to after the wedding. Mary Ann
An add on from Mary Ann
Hi It is as I thought, I will in Vegas so the Sat in Feb should be just fine for pie making. See y'all then. Do you want me to get the necessary ingredients and then we will divvy up the cost of making them? I don't mind doing it that way. I can do the shopping for everything on Friday, since I am off on Fridays and then we can even things out on Sat. We can decide more later. Looking forward to meeting Jean Fameree-Miller--another cousin. MaryAnn
Then Amy responded
I think it would work fine if you would like to get the ingredients and split costs. Are there things we could make ahead like the fillings? I have frozen blueberries, if it would work to use those? I think we should use Peter (My Brother’s) suggestion and videotape it. He said he would make it into a Belgian pie making "episode" and convert it to DVD's for anyone in the family. Could be interesting : - )
I replied
Well, I think this is Great!!!
Would it be ok if some of my Sisters join in? Will there be enough room?
Next time I'm home I will look for my moms pie pans she used to have about 50 of them, I'm not sure if they are still there or not. I will also look at some of the recipes my Mom had to see if I can get some of the fillings I remember from my Childhood like maybe Prune, Raisin or Rice.
I also think the taping of the event is an excellent idea. Its kind of how I feel about recording my Dad speaking Belgian on tape, if we don't get this documented NOW, there goes another part of our heritage & history without another generation learning it!!! This is all good, I will be very happy to get to know the Pierre's & learn more about any stories or recipes from your branch of our Family tree. I have a couple to share that I have acquired through the years. Top of the list would be Gallettes (Belgian Waffles in warmed milk with sugar & Cinnamon. Also there is a dish called Jut(cabbage with black pepper)or Ratatouille (Boiled Potatoes & Cabbage together with black pepper). I also have an assortment of old portraits that you all may interested in seeing. & also if any of you have old photo's to share, I would love to see them & maybe even have copies made to put in our Virtual collection!. I really look forward to this!!! Sincerely, Jean
Mary Ann Responded
Hi all,I am not sure how many sisters Jean has but we can make room for all who want to come and help or watch or chat. The more the merrier. We would have more stories to share that way. Jean, I have the recipes for rice pie, prune, poppy seed, raisin, apple. We have also made cherry and raspberry. They came from my Grandma Pierre's cookbook. I made them with her many times before she died. It is a fond memory I have. I also have a Belgian cookbook my mom gave me 10 years ago, and the recipes are in there also, but they are referred to as Flemish tarts. If you have recipes from your childhood bring them along so we can compare. Also the other recipes. I have had jut and Ratatouille before also. I would like the Belgian waffle recipe too. If you have extra pie plates bring those along. I have only about 10 or so. My grandma used to make a "sugar pie" when we were done baking the belgian pie. It was served warm to those of us baking. She would take the dough, put brown sugar, cinnamon and heavy cream on top of the dough and bake it up. Yummy. Looking forward to meeting you and your sisters. Which branch of the family tree are you grown on? How do you relate to my great grandmother Ernestine Fammeree and her husband Frank. You are not part of Uncle Nori's clan so are you related to my great uncle Ernest Fammeree? or is it different than that., I am the daughter of Everett and Helen, and the OLDest grandchild of Mary Fameree and Wilfred Pierre. All for now.... Mary Ann Pierre Johnson
I then replied
Sorry this took so long, I have 3 Sister's , Ida, Mary & Jo-Anne & my Boyfriend Dan would like to come to experience our culture & the EVENT he's Italian & LOVES to cook, so he is VERY excited (I think ready to taste test)!
How we are related you ask? Your Great Grandfather Frank & My Grandfather Joe were Brothers. I'm really looking forward to this get together!
Take Good care Mary Ann, I will talk to you soon. Sincerely, Jean

Next an email from Kathy Ducat After I sent her a Birthday Greeting.
Very nice! Thanks a bunch! I love birthdays - a renewed celebration of life :)Here's wishing you a super day and weekend!We are going to dinner with Jim's parents, then up to Green Bay tomorrow. Ihave the special gift of being able to watch my Grandchildren Ian and Lundyn while their Mommy and Daddy go to work tomorrow night :)We are gonna make Halloween cookies. It will be great fun.Then on Sunday we are off to Door County to see a Peninsula Playerspresentation and to stay at a Bed & Breakfast in Sturgeon Bay.I am so looking forward to this visit.Jim works every Saturday so when he has a day off, it is a true blessing :)Have a wonderful day, Kathy

Next Richard sent Catherine Fammeree a Birthday Wish on October 24th & I really apologize Catherine, I have all birthday info from your Dad & I have your Birthday as being December 16th Please help me out here!!!
Bon Anniversaire Dearest Catherine!
We love you and wish you and Cédric and Océane joy and blessings and dreams coming true!
Always! Love, love, love,
Adele, Rachel, Richard, Jeanne & Dan
Your family in America


Any one that would like to share information, just send me an email at http://us.f524.mail.yahoo.com/ym/Compose?To=jmfm123@yahoo.com or Richard Fammeree at http://us.f524.mail.yahoo.com/ym/Compose?To=fammeree@att.net & we will make sure it is included in the very next Virtual Reunion email!!!

Please Note:
Don't forget to send a little summary introducing yourself, what your hobbies and interests are, what is or was your profession and maybe a Family photo, listing who is who.
Also, if there is someone in our relation that hasn't made our email list please forward the email address' to me so I can include them.

Emails can be sent in French, Richard can help me to translate or I can utilize a translation service from the internet. (this site works well) http://www.google.com/translate_t


And our Family tree is posted at the link below

http://gw.geneanet.org/jfameree

Happy Thanksgiving Everyone Gobble Gobble!!