The American Family

I Love the American side of my family, I haven't met them all yet but I hope to do so in the coming months or years.

Almost all the information on this page has come from Jill Maniscalco so a big thanks to her for all her help (more about her later!)

So where do we start with the Yanks?

Well to tell you the truth, Sighthill Loan in Edinburgh. The very first time I had met any of this side of the family was in my Grandma Conner's house. I remember it was a fairly warm day and there were a few people round. I walked in and there was this giant of a man with white hair (John Murray), and next to him was the friendliest face I ever saw. This was the beginning of a long friendship between Great Auntie Rona and myself. One of the best memories I have of Rona was the day I was asked to pick her up at the airport, I had been given Mum and Dads car to do it, this was a real adventure because I had only just passed my test.

I waited on the flight and in those days (before nut jobs tried blowing up airports) I saw her coming down the stairs a mile off. She caught my eye and shouted

DONALD !!!

Everyone in the whole airport stared at me, and we fell about laughing. Unfortunately BA had managed to lose her suitcase so we waited in a queue and eventually she was given a small bag with some toiletries in it. She asked what she should do about a nightdress and the woman behind the counter looked back like "eh......" and Rona said "Listen sweetheart, you had better find me one, because the days of me not wearing anything in bed are long gone" again the whole place was in fits of laughter.

 

 

There are two defining nights in our relationship, the first was the night when I stayed at her house in Florida and I couldn't sleep. She sat up all night with me and she played never-ending slow numbers on the piano, and told me about her experiences in the war and afterwards, it was a magical night and a memory I shall treasure for ever. The second night was Ewan's wedding night, I felt very responsible for Rona and I was constantly checking on her, I made the mistake of thinking OLD LADY = IN BED BY 22:00. Oh boy was I wrong many a 20 year old was in bed hours before Aaron and I finally carried her away to bed. It was a lesson that night, I think she was having such a good time that she just did not want to call it a night. If you want to know (it was getting light when we put her to bed!) Alas I don't have a photo of Rona but hopefully Arlene will send me some of everyone. Rona - The very definition of what a Lady is - Very sadly missed.

Now then that brings me on to her children

Rona (Maclaren) & John Murray had three children

Oldest child - Arlene (Murray) & Allan Adelkopf

Middle child - Rona (Murray) & Fred Hovasapien

Youngest child - John & Judy Murray

 

 

Arlene and Allan Adelkopf

What can I say about Arlene and Allan, these people are an inspiration to me. As people they have only one flaw, they live in Florida which makes seeing them very problematic. Arlene is my mum's cousin, and the Daughter of great auntie Rona (See below). I am glad to say that I have a fantastic relationship with Arlene and Allan, they took me in to their home when I went to the states with less money than I would go out for a night in Edinburgh with. Warm and fantastically friendly I can confide anything in Arlene and Allan, it's strange to have such a strong relationship with two people on the other side of the world, but I would not change it for anything. The first time I met Allan, I did not know what to expect, but within a few minutes I knew I had met a kindred spirit. I bet he didn't expect me into the bargain when he went on his first date with Arlene (Sorry Allan!). They showed me Florida, I showed them Falkirk!

 

Arlene has two sons

Wayne Michell and Gary Michell

I spent my best ever teen holiday with Arlene and Allan and Arlene's son Wayne (Congratulations Wayne) Wayne is a hero of mine, he was the original "Cool cousin" he took me flying, he took me in his sports car, he let me drive his speed boat, he took me to a bar and got me wasted !!! What a king among men! One of the best days of my life was the day that my friend Sac, Wayne and I went out in the speedboat and thrashed about in the atlantic in glorious sunshine (Wayne lost his best cap that day, because I was jumping wakes and it flew off - Sorry) we got drunk, we had a laugh and when the sun was setting we headed back up the river and met up with Wayne's mate Steve. It was the most relaxed day of my life, I can remember every detail of the day (Wayne, Steve was fitting a CD player to his boat that day, say Hi if you still see him). Wayne now smashes buildings with a monster machine what a way to de-stress!

Gary spends his time with his little robot chum, I think it is called C3P0 or something? Nah seriously he is doing a great job as a surveyor. I have only met him once, but he was every bit as cool as Wayne.

Dad took the pair of them out to see Mons meg at the castle in the summer of '76 (whilst I was busy being born) No rest for the wicked eh?

Next up is Rona

I have not met Rona or her partner Fred, but thanks to Jill I have the information

Raymond (has 2 kids, Christopher and Dawn) (They live in Alaska so it might be a while before I get up to see them)
Malcolm (he has 2 girls, Alexis and Erika)
Timothy who has 2 kids - (Morgan Rona and Timothy Jr. )

Now I have seen a house that they own and let me tell you it is a doozie! a big white thing from the film "The Patriot" or "Gone with the Wind". Looks like it is in an orchard so perhaps we could make some scrumpie?

 

John and Judy

John and Judy are a great laugh, I had such a good time with them when they visited. John was in the Army then the Air Force Reserve so naturally we got on like a house on fire.

We went to see Mary Kings Close and afterwards we went for a mexican meal, it was such a nice night that I promised them that I would get back in touch with Jill (the superhero for helping me with all this). Judy was so funny, she kept whipping everyone with superb one liners and John just clowned around. John told me a few home truths about being brought up with two older sisters, and nearly being killed by a runaway horse on Leith walk.

Years ago (the last time he was over) John sent me over a pilots jacket (which I still have) and he was amazed when I told him I still have it (although it is a little on the worn out side now!).

 

John and Judy have 3 kids

Lisa (Murray) Chapman - she has 2 girls Haley and Justine Chapman
John Murray - he has 3 kids, Robert, Douglas & Olivia
Jill (Murray) Maniscalco - she has Jessica and Rachel Maniscalco

Its weird, I know nothing else about them (please send me some pictures or Bio?) but I know I want to get to know them.

Jill designs and sells Air con, and for those of you in Scotland this is a magic box that blows cold air on you if the air in your house is to warm. I know it's a difficult concept to grab, but try thinking about it like a fire that works backwards. Not content with all that Jill also Project Manages the whole kit and caboodle which must suck ass, having to deal with slippage and people all day (no, wait that's what I do all day!) Without Jill that company would be on it's knees in a week, I think she should get a wage rise. Jill works 4 days in the office and 1 day at home which is great so she can be with the kids more.

Joe is a sparky, a breed of people that I distrust after getting zapped by 420V in the shop I used to work in, but I have not held this against Joe, I am sure he is one of the good ones and doesn't walk into peoples houses and look at the socket and suck air in through his teeth and go "Oh dear, this is going to cost you big style". Only kidding Joe, I am sure you do a bang up job. Being a member of the local 103 sounds great but I am not sure what that is, I mean obviously it is some form of trade union, but do they have a club house and if so do they throw foam parties?

Now I aim to get photos of everyone and post them on the page but for now I am going to post this picture of Jill's two wee gems (how cute?)

 

And to finish off a clan gathering

 

OK so now I have more information on the American Side of the Family, and I can start to lay out the family tree, if you notice any mistakes then please let me know as soon as possible.