Bobby, Bryant & Lucy Kate in MS
Lucy Kate having a "pouty" moment
Still cutting up after all these years
It was certainly very sad news today to hear of Jimmy's passing last night in Birmingham, AL. His family is bringing him home to Memphis.OBITUARY FROM "The Commercial Appeal" Memphis, TN
Alabama, Birmingham - JAMES “Jim” P. CORKREN, JR., passed away on August 7, 2010 at Brookwood Hospital in Birmingham due to coronary heart disease. Jim was employed by Laboratory Corporation of America. He graduated from Memphis University School in 1972, attended Covenant College in Chattanooga for two years and graduated from The University of Memphis in 1976. He leaves behind his mother, Mary B. Corkren of Collierville; his brother, Frank B. Corkren and wife, Sri of Germantown; his sister and her husband, Cindy C. Blum and Charles G. Blum of Memphis; his nephews, Paul L. Blum and J. Michael Blum, both of Memphis; many cousins from Alabama and Mississippi, and a host of other loving family members and friends. He was preceded in death by his father, James P. “Bud” Corkren, Sr. The family will receive friends from 1-2 p.m., Thursday, August 12 at Covenant United Methodist Church, 8340 Walnut Grove Road in Cordova, TN, with services to follow. Interment will be in Memorial Park Cemetery immediately following services. Memorials can be made to Covenant United Methodist Church. Arrangements have been entrusted to: High Point Funeral Chapel.
Lumpy took Bobby fishing at the Loosahatchee River
My sweet niece, Candice :)
These awards & gold records, etc. literally fill the walls inside Elvis's racquet ball court. It's pretty amazing when you see it all like this. Plus there were many more inside the house.
It's still sad to know he's gone
The formal living room and the piano room
Lucy Kate & her water wings
My son, Charles, always the comedian; even Lucy Kate knows "he just ain't right"..LOL!
Bryant is fearless; here he is going down a huge slide
Baby Emma's first trip to church with mommy & daddy
Bryant literally floated like this for nearly an hour! He was like an old man on a cruise or something! LOL!
Here's Uncle Bobby taking the twins for a spin in their covered wagon.
Yep, it's a guy thing.....
Bobby & Lucy Kate after church
Bobby, baby Emma, and Charles after Emma's first trip to church
Evan had such a good time with Uncle Bobby!
Paige & Chris
It's okay Bobby!
Bobby's 6th grade year ended with a bang when first, he was elected Class President of his upcoming 7th grade class :) Then on awards day he was presented with the following: Principal's Award (all A's all year), Highest Average in Science, Highest Average in Math, Highest Average in Reading, Highest Average in History, Highest Average in Spelling, and Highest Average in English. WOW BOB! We are soooo proud of you! Fantastic Job!
Early 1950's: my father, Jack, in his Air Force uniform and in the 60s, my bio-mother, Eleanor.
Maternal aunt, Lorelei Antoinette Szafran Gleason
This is my maternal grandmother,
Lydia Arlene Bernard Christina
Great step-Grandfather Dominic & Great Grandmother Anna Bernard
Florida (probably in the 40's)
Another shot of Grandmother Bernard
Above is the only known 4 generation photo on the maternal side of my family. Aunt Lori is holding her baby, Cheryl; Seated is Great Grandma Bernard and standing is Grandma Christina.
This is Giovanni Bernardo, my real great grandfather. Once he immigrated to the USA from Italy, he went by the name "John Bernard". They say this guy was a real mean piece of work! He's also the brother of Dominic! Giovanni Bernardo was born sometime in 1886. His last residence was Collendanchise, Campobosso, Italy. He left Italy from the port of Naples at the age of 21 and arrived in the US on 12-07-1907 aboard the ship Re 'd Italia.
ANCESTORAL HISTORY
My great-grandmother was born on January 27th in 1889 in San Pietro, Guarano, 
Cosenza, Italy. She came to the USA from Cosenza to Ellis Island when she was 24. Her name was Anna Panza but Customs spelled it "Pansa". She left Italy from the port of Naples and she arrived at Ellis Island on April 1, 1913. The name of the ship was The Stampalia. (shown left)
Below is a partial graphic of the actual ship's manifest. I've reprinted what the lines actually say. Immigrants from the steerage (not 1st or 2nd class) were actually asked 29 questions but I cannot yet locate 
that questionnaire. You can click on this pic and see where my great-grandmother was "checked in" at Ellis Island. Anna first settled in Stubenville, Ohio and that's where my grandmother, Lydia Arlene, was born.
As for my step-great-grandfather, Dominico Bernardo (Dominic Bernard), he was born in Feb., 1890. His last residence was Collendanchise, Campobosso, Italy. He left Italy from the port of Naples at the age of 17 and arrived in the US on 1-31-1907 aboard the ship Konigin Luise, Manifest Line Number 0012. He died on 4/13/61 at Kaiser Hospital in Fontana, CA and was entombed at Bellevue Mausoleum, Ontario, California, where my great grandmother Bernard is also entombed.
*Here are a couple very interesting articles that describe
the real immigration scenario:
brownvboard.org/brwnqurt/04-1/04-1a.htm
http://www.ohranger.com/ellis-island/immigration-journey
Thanks to my cousin, Cheryl, for the following pix!
The back of this photo says "Sis, Bud, Lena & Bernardo girls"
The 1st child is Audrey & the 3rd child is Eleanor, the 5th child is Lorelei.
The kids are all holding their Easter Baskets.
This is Great Grandma Bernardo & Step-Grandpa Bernardo
with Audrey, Lorelei & Eleanor. Wow, it's like looking at
a photo of myself at that age! This was taken at a house in
Sharpsburg, PA which I visited when Aunt Lori took me on a tour.
This photo was taken at St. Anthony's Orphanage, Oakmont, PA
where my bio-mother & her 2 sisters were raised.
Far right is their mother, my grandmother, Lydia Arlene.
The child is Aunt Lori (Lorelei) and she was in the 8th grade.
This is the ONLY photo I've ever seen of my
great grandmother Bernardo SMILING!
