Durand Heritage Foundation Newsletter

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Durand Heritage Foundation Newsletter Summer, 2003 in the prime of their lives, especially young Durand families. These two awards go to Lt Col James Durand (USMC) and his wife Leslie, and to his brother Commander Robert T. Durand (USNR) and his wife Lea Ann. These fine young men are the sons of Eugene Durand and his wife Florence (deceased). Both Robert and James are graduates of the United LtCol James F Durand, his wife Leslie (Stephens), and their two sons, Thomas (center) born 2000, and Andrew, born 1998.in Seoul, South Korea. States Naval Academy. Let me tell you why I am so impressed by these young men. A year ago in May I attended the memorial in Madison, Wisconsin for John Adelard Durand, who passed away unexpectedly and suddenly leaving a huge void for his family and friends. John was also a veteran who served in the Wisconsin National Guard as a tank commander for 17 years. The memorial was held at the Wisconsin State Capital in an ornate, historic chamber. Part of the ceremony was the presentation of colors and a salute to John. Lt Col James Durand and his brother Robert attended the memorial in full dress uniforms to facilitate this ceremony. I was so impressed with these young men that when it came time to present this award this year I thought, who better deserves this award than these fine young men? James and Robert and their families make us all proud, as they were willing to come at great distances to provide their presence and comforting ways during a time of great sorrow and sadness. They helped us though the pain and suffering. Additionally, James and Robert have volunteered to organize the Foundation’s Durands in The Military pro- 14 ject and have both put many hours into this project. I appreciate all their hard work and the difference they make in everyone’s lives. Thank you, James and Robert, and your families. Robert T. Durand, his wife Lea Ann (Flanagan) and blondhaired Logan (born 1991). In front Chase (born 1996) and Claudia (born 2000). And Speaking of Fine Young People…. We owe a special thanks for the centerpiece of this issue to Anna (Annie) Olson Webber and her sister Jennifer Olson, both of St. Paul, Minnesota, Several weeks ago I asked Annie whether she would be willing to produce an original piece to accompany the theme “Durands We Ain’t.” Annie has always had a talent for art. (She recently completed her degree in architecture) Of course she said “yes,” a model of cooperation that I hope will set the standard for the rest of our talented younger generations. Annie and her sister Jennifer (who is no less talented than her older sister) created the center spread in about a week of intensive effort. Annie wrote in an email, “...we had fun and worked hard. My favorite combination!” Thanks, Annie and Jennifer. You’re the greatest! Of course, none of the color we’ve been seeing in the Newsletter would have been possible without the investment that President Mike Durand made in an expensive color printer. Thank you, Mike, for helping us climb up the next rung on the ladder.
Summer, 2003 Durand Heritage Foundation Newsletter 2nd Edition of Jean Durand et sa Posterité Will Include Complete Family Tree By Roger Durand Shake your family tree before the new edition of Jean Durand et sa Posterité is published to insure that all known apples (even the rotten ones) are listed. A new edition of Ron Balding’s remarkable translation will contain a list of Jean Durand descendants, and an index to the names. The descendant list used will be the same database as that used for the www. durandfoundation.com family tree. So, if you or your grandchildren are not in the website’s family tree you won’t be in this new edition either! Blanche Durand Hammer is ready to enter your family names and information if you send it to her at mbmn@attbi.com She has a new computer and is anxious to put it to work! We request that you provide, for each person to be included • Name (first, middle, last) • Place and date of birth • Marriages (to whom, and wedding date) • Date of death. Make sure that you indicate the relationships also. I’m sure that Blanche is whistling a tune whenever she can add a new branch to our tree, but when she climbs out on the branch to enter information on the individual a second time because it wasn’t provided initially, the work can become tedious. It is our policy to enter any person into our database that is a descendant of Jean Durand and carries or carried the Durand surname, and their children. Spouses My Farewell (Continued from page 12) dation efforts, none of us have been paid. That is, unless you count the numerous letters we receive from members that seem to make all our efforts worthwhile. Let me just give you one example. In a letter from Peter and Julie Durand from Minneapolis, Minnesota, I will extract two paragraphs. Dear Mike ...I feel remiss in not having communicated to you the pleasure I have had in watching you build the Durand Heritage Foundation over the last four years. You have done a tremendous service to all of the family, and it is greatly appreciated. My children have no idea the gift you have given them. Thank you again for planting the seeds of the eternal memory of the history of our family… Peter E. Durand For all of us who have worked so hard, getting this kind of letter is what makes it all worthwhile. And so my friends, I bid you farewell. May God bless each and every one of you. 15 will be included. Additionally, we will enter a direct lineage to any current Durand Heritage Foundation member, regardless of the surnames, if a connection has been made to Jean Durand. Other notices will announce the timing, style, and quality of the new edition of this important book. Letters from Alberta (Continued from page 9) "On May 14, 1910 their last child, Esther Louise, was born. Albert always called her his ‘little Canuck.” As the wide-open prairies around Albert and Mary's farm drew more homesteaders, neighboring townships began to sprout up. "The first post-office was located in Sundial, twenty miles away. Later on there was Sweet Valley, seven miles distant, then Badger Lake, and finally, with the building of the railroad, the town of Lomond." "One thing that stood out in the minds of Mary Durand and the children was their first visit from the Northwest Mounted Police. They were worried until the Mountie told them it was his duty to visit the settlers, and then he asked them to sign a paper saying he’d been there." Youngsters growing up on homesteads had a rugged life, and responsibility came early. "When Leonard (Mavis’s father) was 14 years old his father gave him a team and rack and sent him out with a threshing crew. That fall was warm and long so they threshed for 48 days. The pay was $10 a day so Leonard came home with $480. His father let him keep the $80 and used the $400 to pay on the mortgage." "Once Leonard needed a tooth pulled so he loaded a wagonload of wheat, probably 90-100 bushels, and hauled it seven miles to town and received $8. When he left the dentist’s office he gave him the check for the wheat. Another time Leonard and his sister Alma were fighting until his father broke it up. For punishment Albert made Leonard kiss his younger sister. For the rest of his life, Leonard maintained that he’d rather have had a licking than kiss his sister!" Thank you, Mavis, for sharing your family history. Your letters have expanded yet again our understanding and respect for the courage, fortitude, and determination embodied by so many of our ancestors. The information and family photographs you sent have been entered into the family archives of the Durand Heritage Foundation and are available for future generations. I hope that by your example others will take the time to sit down and write about their own families. Stories such as yours–simply stated in a letter or two–are priceless contributions to our rich and shared heritage. Mavis Anne Durand Johnston can be reached at: Box 1770 Hanna, Alberta, Canada T0J 1P0
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