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My mother had a sister who died young. I have a photograph of mom as a toddler, standing in the snow next to what appears to be a perfectly healthy looking teenager. I remember being told that her name was Florence, she was the eldest of the 4 children, and she died shortly after this picture was taken of Rheumatic Fever. I’ve recently read where the symptoms of Rheumatic Heart – a heart valve disease - are actually very similar to HCM (breathlessness, fatigue, palpitations, chest pain, and fainting attacks). I mentioned this recently to a Dr. at Tufts NEMC where I was undergoing tests and being asked about family history. He told me that this would only be significant as potential genetic evidence if I was to discover that hers was a sudden death. However, if I was to learn that she died of a lingering illness we could probably rule out HCM and assume her death was not misdiagnosed.
I decided to start my own little investigation yesterday. I have no surviving family members, at least no one from earlier generations on that side of the family that could help me with first hand knowledge, so I thought I’d begin by searching for an obituary. I don’t have a date of death – not even the year, and I’m not even sure what town in Pennsylvania Florence was residing in. The family finally settled in the middle of the state, but had various earlier addresses in western PA.
I, along with a sister and brother, were raised several hours away in Northeastern PA and I remember visiting my grandmother’s grave as a young boy. It was on top of a hill in Lock Haven. My first call was to the downtown funeral home which was at the top of the list in a Yahoo search of Lock Haven. The gentleman I spoke with told me there were four cemeteries in town – all non-profit, managed by volunteers. I was able to eliminate the two catholic cemeteries and the one Jewish cemetery as this part of the family were all devout Protestants.
My second call, probably no more than 5 minutes later, was to the volunteer whose home number I was given for the Highland Cemetery. Dave was eager to help and within minutes located Florence in cemetery records – died 1934 at the age of 15. Dave actually located more names. Some I have in my records, and some I don’t. Two more that died before the age of 21 however, so maybe this project is going to expand in scope.
Start the Twlight Zone music here-
I didn’t want to wander too far from my initial objective and started to wrap up the call. Dave wasn't finished though. He mentioned how he has always wanted to visit Boston, and in fact he recently traveled to Maine with some friends and was hoping to make a side trip to Boston. He went on: one of these buddies “…has this rare heart disease called HOCM and is planning on checking in to a hospital up there.”
As it turns out, his friend is the same “Heartman” who subscribes to messages on this board. How bizarre is this? The reason I called in the first place is because I have just been diagnosed with HCM myself and I’m trying to track down evidence of the disease in earlier generations of my family.
It doesn’t end here. In talking further I mention my uncle’s name. Jack died at the age of 81 just a couple years ago. Well Dave knew Uncle Jack personally – he’s buried up top - and in fact Jack’s son also volunteers at the cemetery and he had a phone conversation with him no more than an hour before my call.
Small world –uhhh? Kinda gives me the chills.
Just had a long talk with Heartman and Heartman’s wife. We’re going to get together when they head back up this way. Sound like great people!
I decided to start my own little investigation yesterday. I have no surviving family members, at least no one from earlier generations on that side of the family that could help me with first hand knowledge, so I thought I’d begin by searching for an obituary. I don’t have a date of death – not even the year, and I’m not even sure what town in Pennsylvania Florence was residing in. The family finally settled in the middle of the state, but had various earlier addresses in western PA.
I, along with a sister and brother, were raised several hours away in Northeastern PA and I remember visiting my grandmother’s grave as a young boy. It was on top of a hill in Lock Haven. My first call was to the downtown funeral home which was at the top of the list in a Yahoo search of Lock Haven. The gentleman I spoke with told me there were four cemeteries in town – all non-profit, managed by volunteers. I was able to eliminate the two catholic cemeteries and the one Jewish cemetery as this part of the family were all devout Protestants.
My second call, probably no more than 5 minutes later, was to the volunteer whose home number I was given for the Highland Cemetery. Dave was eager to help and within minutes located Florence in cemetery records – died 1934 at the age of 15. Dave actually located more names. Some I have in my records, and some I don’t. Two more that died before the age of 21 however, so maybe this project is going to expand in scope.
Start the Twlight Zone music here-
I didn’t want to wander too far from my initial objective and started to wrap up the call. Dave wasn't finished though. He mentioned how he has always wanted to visit Boston, and in fact he recently traveled to Maine with some friends and was hoping to make a side trip to Boston. He went on: one of these buddies “…has this rare heart disease called HOCM and is planning on checking in to a hospital up there.”
As it turns out, his friend is the same “Heartman” who subscribes to messages on this board. How bizarre is this? The reason I called in the first place is because I have just been diagnosed with HCM myself and I’m trying to track down evidence of the disease in earlier generations of my family.
It doesn’t end here. In talking further I mention my uncle’s name. Jack died at the age of 81 just a couple years ago. Well Dave knew Uncle Jack personally – he’s buried up top - and in fact Jack’s son also volunteers at the cemetery and he had a phone conversation with him no more than an hour before my call.
Small world –uhhh? Kinda gives me the chills.
Just had a long talk with Heartman and Heartman’s wife. We’re going to get together when they head back up this way. Sound like great people!
They nearly disowned my grandfather for marrying a Hatfield instead of a "nice Greek girl." Anyone ever see My Big Fat Greek Wedding???
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