Name/Title
AU Harris, Paul Joseph Jr. - 1989-10-02 letter to Mary Elizabeth 'Bette' (Lambert) KnappEntry/Object ID
1991.2.8Context
3923 Seeley Avenue
Downers Grove, IL 60515
October 2, 1989
Mrs. Bette Knapp
2300 Riverside Drive 10—F
Tulsa, OK 74114
Dear Cousin Bette,
I am afraid I haven't been a very good correspondent since we met this summer. I am hoping that genealogy will teach me to become a better one! It seems that this summer has been extremely hectic for me. We seem to have been flying on more days than usual and when I had some days off at home, my children would come over from Michigan
to visit. I believe I am more tied down in the summer than any other time. Perhaps now that my children are back in school and I can only see them on weekends I will be able to make some long promised visits.
I am also hoping to visit Malcolm Smith sometime soon. He sent me a copy of his book that he published about ten years ago. I have really enjoyed his gift to our family, particularly the parts on the Lambert ancestry, since that is the line we share in common. I have not yet attempted any work on the connection between John Lambert of New Jersey and General John Lambert of Yorkshire. I would like to know more about the dead ends that you and Malcolm have run into on this so I don't bark up too many wrong trees. I was surprised to hear Malcolm tell me that he could not even find any evidence that General John Lambert had any children. Very early in my interest in the family history I began looking for references to General Lambert and Edwin Stanton in encyclopedias and other history references. In a book about Cromwell I found some items about John Lambert and his wife. One said that at one time "...he retired to his estate at Wimbleton ... with Frances and their eleven children." Another indicated "...rumors of dalience between Cromwell and Frances...." Perhaps we are actually descendants of Cromwell, not John Lambert! At any rate, I sent these references to Malcolm for further study should he so desire.
I am very pleased, yet overwhelmed, at the number of names and addresses of Lambert cousins you sent me. I notice that quite a few are in Des Moines, IA. I do spend an evening there from time to time and hope to look some of them up in the future. I called Mary Frances last week. She seemed glad to hear from me and expressed a desire to get together for a visit. However, at that time she was leaving the next day for a two week cruise. I hope to meet her when she returns next week. She indicated to me that she didn't have the
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same level of interest in the family history that you did. Perhaps with some of my collection we can change that.
I have quite a bit of Joseph and Bertha's original work on the family history in my possession. It has been invaluable in getting me started. In fact, I have so much information, I don't know where to start. That is why I am hoping we can get together sometime. I am sure that I can benefit greatly from talking with you about all the work you have done. I know you have been working on this for many years. I have only been involved in this pursuit for about six months, however, I feel like I am becoming a bit of a central clearing house for family history information. Using the computer has been the saving grace; I now have over thirteen hundred people in my data base! The computer makes the process of sharing information with others an enjoyable, workable task instead of a nightmare. It is so easy to print up extra family group charts and descendants charts to share with others. I realize now that my next major purchase will be a portable lap—top computer to take with me when I travel. That way, I can carry my entire database with me and enter information into it on the spot without the risk of double copying errors.
I am sorry to hear about George's current health problems and your recent loss of friends. I can only hope and pray for good health for you and your family. That is something we could all use, but seem to take for granted when we have it.
The name you have heard of, Helen O'Connell, is actually Helen O'Connor (WARD). She is a half-sister of mine (same mother) which makes her no relation to the Lambert or Harris line. She lives in New Jersey, but also has a condo in Naples which she spends some time at during the winter. She knows and sometimes visits Daniel Harris in Coral Gables.
The time has really flown. I noticed in your last letter that you asked if I could get down to Tulsa in early October. It has just dawned on me that you may have indirectly been saying that you will be leaving for Naples soon to spend the winter. Please let me know
your schedule for this. I really like the idea of getting together with others in Florida this winter. My schedule is indefinite but flexible and it is no big deal for me to run down to Florida for a day or two.
I had better close and get this in the mail since I have to go to work at five AM tomorrow. Looking forward to getting together.
Sincerely,
