May Highlights From Digital Diaspora Family Reunion Facebook Group!

May 19, 2016 in Community, Digital Diaspora

Here are some of the photographs and stories that were posted in our DDFR Facebook Group. We are looking forward to continuing our mission with your story and photographs!

This month, Jamel Shabazz shared a lot of photos and interesting stories. So we chose three photographs of his family! The fourth image was uploaded by Richard Beavers of his great great grandfather and the final image was shared by Margaret Chin, a photo of her husband’s great grandfather in San Francisco near the turn of the century!

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My mother ( C ) on graduation day entering the field of nursing. (Photo below)  A rewarding career that would span over 30 years. 1955, NYC. – Jamel Shabazz

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Best comment of Jamel’s nurse photo : “I am sure the mirror was for practical reasons but it is so symbolic of a reflection of grace that nurses held. My Aunt was a nurse and I was as awe struck of her in her Nurse’s uniform as I was of Nuns in their habit. Seeing her in uniform held a real power over me. Thanks for sharing this image and allowing me to recall that feeling.” – Phoenix Savage

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My mother on her wedding day being escorted by her uncle and members of the wedding party. (Photo above) The sailors in the background are my father’s shipmates from the USS Intrepid. Brooklyn, NY 1955  – Jamel Shabazz


Best comment of the wedding photo : “A masterpiece of that era.” – Connie Bottinelli

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My father and his two sisters. Crown Heights, Brooklyn. 1943 – Jamel Shabazz

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My great great great grandfather Mr. Samuel Martin. – Richard Beavers (Photo on right)

Best comment of Richard’s photo : “Such grace and dignity, sorrow but with a touch of humor. I wonder what the pin on his lapel is about…. His eyes are so expressive, especially for the era.” – Tobey WhiteHeart Crockett

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Chin, Ah Len, born 1868 San Francisco – in an undated photo. Margaret M. Chin’s husband, Perry Pong’s great grandfather

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Chin Ah Len. He was a merchant. He owned a dry goods store on Sacramento St in SF, CA. – Margaret M. Chin‎ (Photo on left)

Best comment of Margaret’s photo : “This is amazing!!!” – Russell Frederick

 

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Also, DDFR Facebook group member, Rick Perez, shares a piece of his family history from the island of Guam. Below is a video/photo montage of his grandmother’s cousin, Uncle Jesus Baza Duenas.

“This is my uncle, my grandmother’s cousin and his name is Jesus Baza Duenas. Most knew him as Father Duenas because he was a Roman Catholic priest from the American colonial possession of Guam, Mariana Islands. Father Duenas was killed, actually beheaded in Ta’i, Guam for supporting the Americans during World War Two. The same day the Japanese attacked Pearl Harbor was the same day the Japanese attacked the island of Guam. The big difference is that Guam was then taken over by the Japanese Imperial Forces for 3 1/2 years while Hawaii remained under American oversight. The local islanders, the native Chamorros, were held in captivity in concentration camps for 3 1/2 years. They were the only Americans (U.S. nationals) to be held as captives on their own soil during the war. My uncle, Father Duenas, had fierce loyalties towards the Americans and assisted in several capacities on hiding and protecting U.S. sailors on Guam during this time. Because Father Duenas refused to cooperate with the Japanese, he was beheaded. Today, there is a school named after him in the same area where he was beheaded.” -Rick Perez
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Visit our Facebook group to share your story and photo!

1World 1Family!

 

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