Scope
Deals with B & S Ambrose forebears, siblings, B&S to 2021 and children initially to approx 1975 and mainly with B&S’s experiences and ideas to date, and their children to 1980.
It gives basic factual objective information and in parenthesis (for future linking) subjective experiences, anecdotes, photos etc on why, how, emotions and some lessons from various people and events.
It gives as much information as practicable (within limits of time, memory, references) but omits a few highly personal matters which might seriously hurt some.
Why.
This is an attempt to pass on some information about Barb and Stan and our forebears, siblings and the first years of our children. It is for them and their families with the hope it might help them have a happier life. It might also be cathartic for me and a tribute to a great mate Barb who I still love.
It was triggered by Alex’s interest in her and Roger’s ancestors, many earlier requests for me to write a book on my engineering and life experiences, in 2020 to help David Blunt write about his mum, Val, one of Barb’s great friends and then for the Culkins for Susan and Warren’s marriage. In engineering I learnt the great benefit to me and others of getting and giving feedback. (Ref Peter McGowan).
But the main trigger was more so by accident in October 2020 in finding a sketch I did but not recognize. I thought it was the cover sketch of a big pad that Alex gave me in 1992 to help me from 1991. It had been my 1st sketch since 1940s and done in 1992 when Pat, Alex’s mum, was doing a painting for a competition, and helping me after Barb’s death in 1991. Then in October 2020 I was lonely and depressed, probably by the virus influence, and unwell ; and for Pat and Alex’s help I gave the sketch to Pat at Lucy and Wade’s party. There an hour later I had tears streaming down and couldn’t speak to answer a simple and innocent question from Wade’s sister in law, which had triggered off more emotions and a deadly WW II incident I had witnessed.
Pat a little later asked to see my other sketches. I could not find them but found many missing things about Barb who I still pined for. These included our first love letters (Ref ?) that I hadn’t seen for about 75 years – their impact was enormous and brought back hundreds of good and bad memories which I feel should be passed on like a love story for family to learn from. I can’t help it and it hurts despite having been very lucky in life – except for the early loss of Barb.
In this note I have tried to be objective, honest, open and accurate as possible, but probably influenced by terrific emotions – good and bad. Some dates etc are unsure or approximate – some official certificates give conflicting data. Obviously it is based primarily on my memory of experiences and access to limited documents . Unfortunately Barb cannot correct or improve it. However I have loved Barb since we were kids about 1936, and have tried hard to record what she – my great mate-would believe and want. This is difficult as we were both pretty shy, and with each other and in the our personal communication. Also conditions, norms, cultures and practices were very different from today.
Accuracy
Basic, factual and objective information: 99%. Subjective experiences and anecdotes: 90%. A few dates could be in error by 1 year; and some names may not be complete or be misspelt.
Sources.
Mainly Stan’s accessible documents and memory plus a lot of help from many. Geoff Mierisch’s book “No other way” helped greatly with info. on Barb’s family and Barb’s early days.
Authors and Acknowledgements
All mentioned in this Note.Thanks to all contributing in any way.
Use and Future
Initially by a few “ambroses” only; but by end of 2021 it intended to be the first part of an “Ambroses” internet history on http://ambrosemob.org to which any member can add updated similar information at any time provided it is done properly, ethically and with necessary security so it might be open source as far as practicable. Greg and Alex will be the site’s administrators.
Abbreviations.
b -birth. bu -buried. c -children. m -married. [ ] reference .
Author: Stan Feb 2021