The Search for Delia Duval
Do your Ancestors ever call to you? Ask you to look for them by tugging at the edges of your heart, tickling your thoughts, or whispering in your dreams?
One of my great grandmas, Delia Duval, unknown to me until just a few years ago, has piqued my interest recently, and so my very intentional search for her has begun.
After finding all that could be found on Ancestry.com, I’ve contacted the closest family I know as well as pin-pointed a few 2nd cousins on Ancestry and have reached out to see if anyone remembers hearing her name or maybe, just maybe, has a photo of her tucked away in a basement or attic somewhere.
Maybe even I’m not too late and I may still find a grandchild who shared time and space with her or at least heard stories about her life.
One can hope, you know?
And continue searching!
Next up is to explore other sites, like My Heritage, to see what else I might find about Delia.
Now, this is not to discount her husband (yes yes, my Great Grandpa), and maybe more information about him will lead me to more information about her, but I’m pulled by Delia right now, not her hubby :-)
#iykyk
And so, here’s what I know:
Delia was born in 1883 to Alfred Duval and Mary Bousquet in New Hampshire.
She married Camille Cloutier in 1905 and together they had four children (three daughters and one son).
I have many supporting documents (Marriage, Census, and Birth Records), Delia’s Obituary, and this photo of her headstone.
She surely lived a wildly dynamic life and I’d like to hear any whispers that may remain of it.
Who knows, maybe a distant cousin will stumble upon this post and we can join forces :-)
Time will tell.
And in the interim, with fingers are crossed, I’ve been inspired to reach out to kin on other branches who I’ve asked for memories for other recent ancestors. I can’t expect immediate responses from anyone, but I’m hopeful that by asking the questions I’ve planted seeds that may sprout into a new chapter of sharing so that those who’ve come before can continue to live on in our shared memory for many generations to come.
Onward,
Melis