NOTES

Content:

Biography in the context of historical events

Biography has at least 3 documentable events (birth, marriage, death)
Historical events by generation
Great grandparents 20s-30s
Grandparents 40s-50s
Parents 60s-70s
You 80s-90s

Events:
Challenger explosion / internet 80s 90s
Moon landing / vietnam war ends 60-70
Pearl harbor / baby boom 40-50
Grace kelly born / new deal 20-30

KDR (People)
1-11-112-1121

Brian Minella - Angelo Joseph Minella (11) - Grandma Joan (112) - Great Grandpa John-joe
(1121)

*** Need to incorporate proof paragraph transition*** <<<---- -DONE

*** MUST GET PROOF READ BEFORE MAY 5TH (FRIDAY)^2 *** <<<<------ DONE
1st read Kruger
2nd read Barker
Brian Minella
Mrs. Murphy
Genealogy
Jan 10 / 2017

Introduction

Family is something very important to me. I love my family very much and always keep

them as one of my top priorities. They are always there in my life and provide the best they can

for me. I dont take them for granted. This KDR for my genealogy class required extensive

research into my familys past and I will save this in their memory. I very much enjoy genealogy

class for the ability it gives me to learn more about my family. Mrs. Murphy has taught us many

ways to look into our past and uncover information. This class over the few months has also

taught me importance of keeping my family records and preserving my history. When you learn

something you haven't previously known it gives you a sense of wonder and curiosity to learn

more. This sense continued as I looked to uncover more information for my KDR. This paper

will consist of my attempt to prove my relationship all the way to my Great grandfather, John-

Joe Dwyer. It will include me (1), my father (11), my grandmother (112) and my great

grandfather (1121). I will start with John-Joe Dwyer and work my way down to myself.
 John-Joe Dwyer (1121)

John-Joe Dwyer was born in 1904 and passed away in 1988. John-Joe was raised by his

mother and stepfather. He played AAA baseball as a shortstop. Passed up chance to play for the

Yankees. He became a lineman and set up telephone poles for a company in Tarrytown New

York. They raised one child who is my Grandma. I voted John-Joe Most Likely To Become A

Pro Athlete due to his success in baseball and athletics.

1940 Census showing my Grandmother Joan Minella (112) at 1 years old living with my Great

Grandfather John-joe (1121) in Tarrytown New York.

"United States Census, 1940," database with images, FamilySearch

(https://familysearch.org/pal:/MM9.1.1/K7SH-33D : accessed 24 January 2017), John J Dwyer,

North Tarrytown, Mount Pleasant Town, Westchester, New York, United States; citing

enumeration district (ED) 60-120, sheet 1A, line 28, family 9, Sixteenth Census of the United

States, 1940, NARA digital publication T627. Records of the Bureau of the Census, 1790 -

2007, RG 29. Washington, D.C.: National Archives and Records Administration, 2012, roll 2805.

Grace Kelly was an Oscar winning American actress who was a major Hollywood star in the

1950s. In 1956, after starring in 11 films, she retired from acting to marry Prince Rainer of
Monaco. As Princess consort of Monaco she fulfilled duties of her Royal position, and set up a

Foundation to promote the arts and help disadvantaged children. She died on September 14,

1982, aged 52 from a car crash. 1 Now that you have some understanding of her background I

can tell you how she affected the people of her time. Grace Kelly was a role model in the eyes of

millions. Her father being a multi olympic gold medal winner and her films got her known by the

public. Grace held herself to a very high standard. Even though she passed away many years ago

she continues to help people through her Princess Grace Foundation. She set a great example to

the public on equality between men and women. She also was a bridge between the U.S. and

Monaco. She will forever be remember as a person who bettered the people around her.

The New Deal was the set of federal programs launched by President Franklin D. Roosevelt

after taking office in 1933, in response to the calamity of the Great Depression, and lasting until

American entry into the Second World War in 1942. It had four major goals...2

The major goals the New Deal possessed is how it shaped its generation and the future ones to

come. Their first goal was to recover from the great depression. That means recovering from

such a disaster in the economy. They aimed to fix the banks as long with the stock market. This

would help steady everything has has previously collapsed. Now that they sturdied the economy

they had to put one fourth of the people back to work. They did this by designing many

organizations to dispense work in many areas. They covered many grounds offering jobs in a

range of fields. With millions back to work more people would begin buying products again and

1 http://www.biographyonline.net/women/grace-kelly-biography.html

2 https://livingnewdeal.org/what-was-the-new-deal/
stimulate the economy. The New Deal also put money in construction to build new roads and

highways. They rebuild many public works around the country creating jobs in every place and

in construction. The biggest way the New Deal changed its generation was how it brought hope

back to the people. The country was in a very dark place for many years and things became a

whole lot brighter. A new foundation was built for generations to come.

Proof paragraph and transition:

I know this is my great grandfather from my grandmother telling stories about him and telling

me all about him. I also read the 1940 census and saw where him and my grandmother were

living at the time.

Joan Minella (112)

Joan Minella was born in 1938 in Tarrytown New York she is currently alive and lives in Stuart

Florida. She was an only child raised by her father a lineman and her mother a nurse. My

Grandmother has had a huge impact on my life. She is my only Grandparent that lives near me

and has always been involved in my life since I was a baby.

Interview with my Grandma.

The date is Saturday March 4th 2017. I invited my grandmother over for an interview about her
life and father. I kept the interview short because she had a hair appointment and had to do some
errands later that day.

Me.) Hello Grandma, How are you?

Grandma Joan.) Im doing great lets hurry this up!

Me.) Sure thing, Ill just get right into it.

What was your childhood like?

Grandma Joan.) Well I was an only child raised by my two parents Sophia and John-Joe. I was
born in Tarrytown, New York. Im not telling how old I am.

Me.) Ahahah yes Grandma. What were your parents like?

Grandma Joan.) My mother was a nurse for the hospital just a couple miles away. It was called
Columbia Hospital. My father worked for the local power line. I cant entirely remember the
name. But he worked long hours and every summer my parents took off work and brought me to
Copake Lake where wed go on the boat and swimming and stay in our log cabin.
Me.) I remember you telling me that and I also remember visiting the old one that you told me
about before.

Grandma Joan.) Yes its a lot worn down now.

Me.) Yeah, well this is my last question.

Grandma Joan.) Okay Im ready.

Me.) What were your thoughts during the Pearl Harbor attack?

Grandma Joan.) Wow well umm I was only a child back then so I cant really remember much
from such a long time ago. I know it was a very sad and emotional time though. Thats all I have
for that.

Me.) Thank you Grandma. Youve been much help to me for my project.

Grandma Joan.) Thank you Brian for inviting me over.

Me.) I love you Grandma.

Grandma Joan.) I love you too.

End Interview. I gave her a hug and a kiss and she hurried out the door to go catch her hair
appointment. To my knowledge she made it on time even with her very careful aka slow
driving.

Just by google-ing joan minella stuart florida I found that the very first website has

information on her current age, month and year of birth and her address.3

3 https://yoliya.com/fl/stuart/joan.minella
I took a second screenshot of the personal information that is below. I wanted to make it easier to

read. It shows how my grandmother lives in the very same town as my father and I and actually

about 5 minutes down the road.

The second website was a white page that listed my family members with her. It includes my

mother, father and uncle. There are three dots so it probably will name more family members.
I could not view this file because you need an account to look at it.

President Franklin Roosevelt called December 7, 1941, "a date which will live in infamy." On

that day, Japanese planes attacked the United States Naval Base at Pearl Harbor, Hawaii

Territory. The bombing killed more than 2,300 Americans. 4

Pearl Harbor was a darkening day for the many of families who lost a beloved during the attack

and a time of remorse for the rest of the country. This moment changed the United States as it

brought us into World War II. It sent a generation of people into battle where many lost their

lives. Without the Pearl Harbor attack the U.S. would have most likely stayed out of the war.

This event defined a generation as soldiers and veterans who served in WWII.

Almost exactly nine months after World War II ended, the cry of the baby was heard across the

land, as historian Landon Jones later described the trend. More babies were born in 1946 than

ever before: 3.4 million, 20 percent more than in 1945. This was the beginning of the so-called

baby boom. In 1947, another 3.8 million babies were born; 3.9 million were born in 1952; and

more than 4 million were born every year from 1954 until 1964, when the boom finally tapered

off. By then, there were 76.4 million baby boomers in the United States. They made up almost

40 percent of the nations population.5

4 http://www.americaslibrary.gov/jb/wwii/jb_wwii_pearlhar_1.html

5 http://www.history.com/topics/baby-boomers
This event not only defines a generation but as well created one. Baby boomers was a product of

soldiers returning to their wives after being at war for many months and lots of love being made.

This rejoiceful returned boosted the national population like never before. This increase was so

huge it got its own name and is still talked about today. For example, in my writing right now.

Baby boomers define the generation before them as veterans and liberators of the nazis controll

and them as the future for the torch to be passed forward.

Proof paragraph and transition.)

I know I am related to my grandmother because she is still currently alive. I talk to her and my

father about our family a lot. My grandmother is very involved in my life.

Angelo Minella (11)

Angelo Minella, my father, was born in 1962 in Tarrytown New York just like his parents. My

father was a wrestler and football player in high school just like his two brothers. He was very

talented athletically but was restrained by injuries. When regionals would come in wrestling it

always seemed my father would be derailed by an injury. He would go undefeated into playoffs

but then re-injure his wrist or knee. His talent was recognized by a small school and he received

a scholarship for wrestling but chose to go to work instead. He worked for General Motors for a

couple years until he was laid off. He became a cop and eventually moved to Florida to visit
friends and because he didnt like the weather in New York anymore. He became a cop down

here too and eventually met my mother. A couple years later they brought me into the world.

(This description of my father came from him telling me about his life. I asked him many

questions but summed it all up for the bio.)

Next page is my fathers birth certificate.

This is my fathers birth certificate.

I also google-ed angelo joseph minella sheriff and the very first thing that showed was my

fathers paycheck from 2011. The quotations are the first two paragraphs from the article I found.

The photo shows his occupation and payroll.

STUART ? For the first time in at least three years, fewer local government employees in

Martin County earned $100,000 or more during the most recent budget year compared to the

previous year.
The Martin County Fire Rescue Department and the city of Stuart saw the largest reductions of

six-figure earners in 2010-2011 compared to 2009-2010.6

The screenshot shows it was posted by TCpalm in May so Im sure they were talking about the

year prior.

Apollo 11 was the first manned mission to land on the Moon. The first steps by humans on

another planetary body were taken by Neil Armstrong and Buzz Aldrin on July 20, 1969. The

astronauts also returned to Earth the first samples from another planetary body. Apollo 11

achieved its primary mission - to perform a manned lunar landing and return the mission safely

to Earth - and paved the way for the Apollo lunar landing missions to follow.7

6http://archive.tcpalm.com/news/fewer-local-government-workers-making-100000-in-martin-county-ep-
382705594-343270952.html

7 https://airandspace.si.edu/explore-and-learn/topics/apollo/apollo-program/landing-
missions/apollo11.cfm
The unimaginable was accomplished on this day. We have more advanced technology in our

phone compared to their moon lander. This is one of those few moments where people ask,

where were you when this happened? There are only a handful of those moments and this is one

of them. Neil Armstrong will be remembered for many more years to come and the pride he

brought to this country is uncomparable to any event.

At 10:56 p.m. EDT Armstrong is ready to plant the first human foot on another world. With

more than half a billion people watching on television, he climbs down the ladder and proclaims:

"That's one small step for a man, one giant leap for mankind.8 These words sealed a historical

moment in time. I cant tell you how many times Ive heard this even 48 years later and every

time I hear it I still get chills. Over 500 million people around the world witnessed the greatest

milestone in space exploration. This is something I wish I was alive to see.

At a news conference, President Richard Nixon says that the Vietnam War is coming to a

conclusion as a result of the plan that we have instituted. Nixon had announced at a conference

in Midway in June that the United States would be following a new program he termed

Vietnamization. In his speech, Nixon pointed out that he had already ordered the withdrawal of

60,000 U.S. troops.9 This event brought thousands back from a very controversial war that the

country didnt agree on. Ending a war is always a good thing for a generation because thousands

of fathers and mothers get to return to their families. Vietnam was a very unsuccessful war that

had high casualties and cost the country billions. The best thing we could do is get out of there.

8 https://www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/apollo/apollo11.html

9 http://www.history.com/this-day-in-history/nixon-declares-vietnam-war-is-ending
The end of the war was a time of remembering those who have fallen and welcoming home the

veterans.

Proof paragraph and transition.)

This is my father I know so from himself and family along with birth records.

Brian Minella

This is my autobiography. In this writing I talk about major events that have made me who I am

today.

Autobiography:
Everyone experiences life in their own unique way. At 17 years old, life is something I try not to

take for granted. We never know when itll take a major turn. My life is still ahead of me. Just

because I still have so many years to come doesnt mean that its assured. It could all end today

or tomorrow. Reflecting on your life is a good way to be thankful for everything youve

overcome. I try to learn from everything I go through including my birth, my parents divorce,

switching schools, getting my drivers license, and the loss of a family friend. I started this

process by questioning why my name is Brian.

On November 19, 1998 I joined my two brothers in my family. I was the final one born into my

family so I like to say they saved the best for last. I was born in St Lucie County in Florida. My

mother, Julia Ann Clay, was born in Ohio. My father, Angelo Joseph Minella Jr, was born in New

York. The probability of them meeting in Florida is a significance on its own. My mother named

me Brian because every Brian shes met was really nice and great person. Being the youngest

meant my parents have already been through the process of raising and taking care of two other

kids. This resulted in my parents being more lenient toward me. I was able to do things a lot

earlier than both my brothers. They had more trust for me and my decision making a lot quicker.

Independence was starting to grow on me very early. It continued when my parents separated.
10

At 6 years old I had to learn the meaning of the word divorce. It meant two houses, two cars and

two holidays for every one holiday. It meant no more family dinners. It meant no more going to

church together or even talking to both of them in person together. It took me a while to
10 Certification of Birth, Name: Brian Antonio Minella, Date: 19-11-98, County of birth: St Lucie, Mothers
Maiden name: Julia Ann Clay, Fathers name: Angelo Joesph Minella Jr., State File number: 109-1998-
177068
understand being that I was only 6 years old. Divorce is not all bad though. My parents would

argue all the time. It would scare me and I would go run and hide under my bed. There were no

more fights in person. It made me a stronger person. The space between the family meant I had

to be able to handle myself when Im alone because mom or dad is at work. I got more use to

being on my own and being able to do things all myself. I was becoming more and more

independent year by year. My decision making skills would be tested when I changed schools.11

I joined Saint Edwards in 8th grade. This was my first major time saying goodbye. I had to say

goodbye to all the kids I grew up with since kindergarten. This was a tough moment of leaving

and facing new challenges. I didnt adjust well either. I was upset for a while. I felt left out not

seeing my best friends anymore. I was distressed for a long time. Eventually I tried to make the

best out of the situation I was in. I wish I did this as soon as I switched schools instead of just

feeling dismayed. It takes about 45 minutes every day just to get to school. I am three towns

away from where I live. Being this far away from my family means I have to make decisions by

myself. I have to be very well at time management and if I mess up its all on me. Going to

school so far away feels like a stepping stone to when I go away to college. A stepping stone

most people dont go through. I was tested with this younger than most people. Independence
12
and decision making means that you have more freedom.

The biggest step for freedom so far in my life was getting my driver license. Driving is the

ability to go wherever you want when you want. This is a thing that can easily be taken

11 Petitioner/Wife: Julia Clay, Respondent/Husband: Angelo Minella, In the circuit court of the nineteenth
judicial circuit in and for Martin County, Florida, Case No: 05-127-DR

12 Joined in 8th grade, Witness: Mrs. Murphy, My mom: Julia Clay, My dad: Angelo Minella
advantage. In two years Ive never had my truck taken from me and I dont plan on letting that

happen. I always tell my parents where Ill be. I try to be very responsible because I know

driving is a privilege and can be easily taken away from me. Driving allows you to make all the

decisions you want because youre alone. I havent experience anything more free in my life

time than driving fast with my windows down blaring whatever music I want. Some would call

that carelessness but I see it as freedom. I always wear my seatbelt and only drive fast when the

situation is right. I always keep in my mind my friend Amanda. 13

Amanda Foster hunting accident. If you Google this a couple online news will pop up and tell

you how Amanda died. About a month or two before her death her family came down to Florida

to visit and stay at my mothers house. I had the option to go to my fathers house where I would

have a bed and more space but for some reason I chose to stay. I stayed and spent everyday with

their family. I really got to finally know a lot about Amanda and her brother. They had visited

before about a year earlier but I only saw them for a little. I honestly cant explain the reason I

spent all that time with them when I could have easily just left and gone to a friends house like

my brothers. Whenever I think about what made me want to stay I always end up with the

answer of God. I keep Amanda in my mind and she reminds me that you never know when your

last day will be so value everything you have. When I think of her I want to be a better person. I

hope she hears my prayers. 14

13 Drivers license number: ,Place of test: Jupiter, Florida,

14 Obituary.) http://www.legacy.com/obituaries/independentmail/obituary.aspx?pid=176160306
News Article.) http://www.wyff4.com/news/coroner-called-girl-shot-in-hunting-accident-with-
stepfather/35868046
I dont compare my life to others. There will always be newer things and more expensive things

but you wont be happy until youre happy with what you have. I try to be thankful for what I do

have and what I dont. This is because down the street from me a family could be struggling for

everything I take advantage of. Everything in life I experience teaches me this. 17 years of life is

only a start and I have many more to come. As long as I keep my values and my faith I know Im

ready for whatever comes next.

This is my birth certificate. It also list my parents, Angelo Joseph Minella Jr. and Julia Ann Clay.
On January 28, 1986, the American shuttle orbiter Challenger broke up 73 seconds after liftoff,

bringing a devastating end to the spacecrafts 10th mission. The disaster claimed the lives of all

seven astronauts aboard, including Christa McAuliffe, a teacher from New Hampshire who had

been selected to join the mission and teach lessons from space to schoolchildren around the

country. It was later determined that two rubber O-rings, which had been designed to separate the

sections of the rocket booster, had failed due to cold temperatures on the morning of the launch.

The tragedy and its aftermath received extensive media coverage and prompted NASA to

temporarily suspend all shuttle missions.15 The Challenger accident impacted everyone at the

time because it was promoted and played on television for everyone to see. We never had such a

visible failure in our space program. It shocked the nation and the world. It showed us that the

dangers are still real. It also took the life of a teacher, Christa McAuliffe. The significance of the

challenger was it shocked the world on a level of remembering where you were when you

watched or heard about it. Just like I mentioned before with the moon landing. The difference

between this and the moon landing is that this was more recent so parents are more likely to

remember this more clearly. If you ask your parents they will most likely remember. This

damage Americas self image of invincibility. We were the leading nation in space travel and we

broadcasted 7 astronauts in an explosion worldwide. It put the question Is it worth it? In the

minds of all people when talking about going into space. This marked the decline of space travel

in our nation.

15 http://www.history.com/topics/challenger-disaster
Cerfs protocol transformed the Internet into a worldwide network. Throughout the 1980s,

researchers and scientists used it to send files and data from one computer to another. However,

in 1991 the Internet changed again. That year, a computer programmer in Switzerland named

Tim Berners-Lee introduced the World Wide Web: an Internet that was not simply a way to send

files from one place to another but was itself a web of information that anyone on the Internet

could retrieve. Berners-Lee created the Internet that we know today.16 Though the internet was

really invented in the 80s and 90s it evolved into the worldwide web we know today. This event

is significant because it sent future generations into a technological age. Todays six year olds

know how to work iphones better than todays 70 year olds. This shows how advanced we are

becoming in operating new technology. The world has took a major jump in new inventions

since the internet set off. Information has become way more easier to obtain. Everything you

want to learn is at your fingertips with the web and google. I can learn how to repair my car or

even cook a five star meal with no experience. The world is becoming more impressive with new

inventions being released commonly.

Conclusion

16 http://www.history.com/topics/inventions/invention-of-the-internet
 I very much enjoyed this project. This project had its difficulties as it was very time

consuming to locate information and interview family members. We spent over an entire quarter

in order to complete this and I am very satisfied with my findings. I enjoy showing my family

members the information I was able to locate and listening to their reactions and surprised faces.

My favorite reaction was my grandmas because she has no idea where Im finding this

information from. Overall this project was one of my favorite ones all year that we have done. I

will save this paper as a record of my family and maybe one day it will be pasted on and

continued on.