Hi there. My name is Dawn, and I am a Bickerstaff attending Dickinson College in Carlisle, PA, USA. I am twenty-one years old, and am originally from Paintertown, PA. That is a very small town east of Pittsburgh. I don't know very much of our history, other than what my uncle once told me: "Bickerstaff is a Welsh or English name...I think." Pretty sad, isn't it?
Anyway, I was playing around one day with whois and found BICKERSTAFF.COM on the net. Intrigued, I began to attempt to contact this domain, to no avail. Using Lycos, I looked up Bickerstaff, thinking perhaps they have a web page. I did not find one, but I found something more intriguing... a "Global Bickerstaff network!" Wow. So here I am. It is really wonderful reading about other Bickerstaffs around the world and about our history... (or at least the history of the name...)
Anyway, I just thought I'd drop a line and say hello to you...and maybe get a mention on the great Bickerstaff page! Sadly, I do not have a homepage of my own yet. In fact, I'll be giving up this address when I graduate in May...*sigh* So anyway, write back, as I will be waiting anxiously to hear from you. Happy Thanksgiving in three days (or just Happy November if you are elsewhere in the world!)
Bye! Dawn
Re: All about Dawn ... or at least some!
Hi again, my Down Under cousin (or something!)
Sorry to have taken so long to write back. It has been VERY hectic here and with finals approaching, things are not slowing down at all. Well, let's see...what can I say about me?
Name: Dawn Ellen Bickerstaff Age: 21 (until January!)
Parents: Robert Glenn Bickerstaff and Norma Louise Bickerstaff
Brothers: two, David and Dale. Both older. Both with families
Sisters: none, but one sister-in-law and one ex-sister-in-law
Nephews: four, David, Christopher, Matthew and Kennith
Nieces: one, Helena
Pets: I used to have a dog, Crash, but he passed away at age 14. =(
Let's see, what else? I live in Paintertown, PA, a very small town about half an hour from Pittsburgh. The town is basically comprised of four main families and their varied relations...I live on Bickerstaff Road. Yes, I'm serious. At one time, the Bickerstaffs owned a large farm here, and when it was sold and developed, it was named for us. At least four houses of Bickerstaffs still live here (mine included.) My family of Bickerstaffs can be found mainly there in Westmoreland county, but we have some of our own in places like Georgia, Texas, Virginia, and even Germany (with the military).
In surrounding towns, in Westmoreland County, there are two other clans of Bickerstaff, neither of which is (immediately) related to ours. We are the "Paintertown Bickerstaffs." The "North Huntingdon Bickerstaffs" also have a Bob, which makes my dad's life confusing at times. The "Jeannette Bickerstaffs" are Catholic, as I met Father Bickerstaff one time. (We are Lutheran from way back.) Hmmm...I'm not sure what else to say. Oh! I have an uncle in Austin, Texas, and I'm planning to call him over Christmas break to inquire about "Bickerstaff.com" If I find anything out, I'll be sure to post! I can't think of much else now...Write back if you have any burning questions or areas of curiosity about me...and let the new Bickerstaff on the page know that there are a LOT of Bickerstaffs north of the Mason-Dixon line! Just come to Pennsylvania! Until next time, take care. db
ps...I leave for home on Dec. 16 or 17, so I will be offline until January 20 (1996) or so. You can still write to me, just don't expect an immediate answer. *cheers*
Dawn Ellen Bickerstaff Class of `96, Dickinson College
Double Major: English & Dramatic Arts/Dance
Computer Consultant Teaching Assistant -- Astronomy
Overachievers Anonymous:
ODK, APO, S&D, LGT, DTG, CAB, College Bowl, DickDems, Mermaid Players, etc.
Bruce Bickerstaff writes to US Postal Service:
Hi. I just visited your site to look up a zip code for Paintertown PA. Tried all the options I could think of, but no luck. Would you mind advising me of the correct zip code. Thank you.
... who wrote back saying:
Internet NCSC at USPS-NAICPO
Subject: Zip code
Thanks for your message. We checked with the local Address Management office, and they said that Paintertown is unknown. Nothing is even close in our ZIP Code Directory or the common name file. Sorry we could not help you. Thanks for using our Web site.
OK Dawn, come clean, which mirror do you walk through to get to Paintertown eh??? (in the background the theme tune from "Twilight Zone" can be clearly heard at this point). Guess who misses out on a Christmas card?
... and Dawn responds:
Hi! Just wanted to let you know, I did get the Christmas card. Thank you sooooo much! My mom & dad thought it was really cute, and the rest of the family thought it was neat too. (bunch of computer illiterates...I told them about the web page and our overseas "cousins" but until the card, I don't think they got it.)
Anyway, here is the scoop. Paintertown is just a little teeny-tiny speck on a map that is not really an entity of its own. Technically and legally it straddles North Huntingdon township and Penn township in Westmoreland County.
(So) Your card got to me. Sheer coincidence that the sort-of zip code you put on it was one town over...they had a clue, at least, and forwarded it. So thanks. And sorry I didn't send you one. (Reminder to me...put Bruce on 1996 Christmas Card mailing list)
Anyway, must be nice having a tropical spell down there...Suffering from serious blizzards up here...Three or more feet in a pop. Geez, I hate winter! (well, I like it, just not for three months in a row!) Anyway, I just got back to school on Saturday. Classes don't start until Wednesday. As for after graduation, I'm working...that is, if i get a job...still interviewing. I'll keep you posted.
In the mean time, keep in touch and make sure that you wear Black and Gold on Sunday, January 28! It's a big time national holiday here in the States: SuperBowl Sunday!! That's right, the ultimate game of American football (not soccer, but the other football)! And this year, it is a contest between the dastardly and devious Dallas Cowboys *hiss, boo* and the heroic, the eternal, the monstrously fantastic Pittsburgh Steelers! So wear your Black and Gold and remember to cheer: Here we go, Steelers! (Sorry Bruce...not a sports geek, but geez, I was raised on these guys...Born right in the middle of their four consecutive SuperBowl titles...Its in my blood...can't help it.)
Well this letter is long enough. Take care and I'll keep in touch. Til next time... db
(Oops.. bad luck about the game Dawn .. you 'woz robbed...BB)
Dear Bruce
Hi. Just a short note to fill you in on developments over the past eight months .... I am so sorry to have taken so long to get in touch with you again ... Well back in May I graduated Dickinson College cum laude with two Bachelor's degrees (I missed magna cum laude and phi beta kappa by 4/100ths of a GPA point *pout*) .... I have since taken a job with Westinghouse Communications in Pittsburgh, a short commute .... I am currently working on updating and revising my web page ... I am back online, but only at work at the present time ...
Here's something FYI:
Turns out that George William Bickerstaff (and family) from your web page is a direct relative of mine. Bill (as he likes to be called) is my dad's first cousin. He saw my name and Paintertown on your page and called my dad's brother (who lives next door) to ask if they knew me and where I was. Uncle Tony said yes, she's Bob's daughter and lives next door. So they gave him my number and he called me. We talked for a while and my dad talked to him too (they hadn't seen one another or had a chance to talk in decades).
So anyway, Bill sent a short family history on a William Bickerstaff ancestor of ours who fought for the Union in the Civil War. Apparently three Bickerstaffs fought for the north in that war, and 12 to 20 Bickerstaffs fought for the south. Anyway, if nothing else ever comes of this page of yours, you reunited long-lost cousins and discovered some cool family history for me. Now I know that an ancestor on each side of my family died in Andersonville Prison in Georgia during the Civil War. OK, so it's not exactly pleasant news, but it is historically interesting and cool. *grin*
Well must run. Take care - best wishes to all Bickerstaffs Down Under - Quit gloating about the current weather situation. Makes us northerners cranky. Of course, we could ALL send snide little remarks around July or August ... hmm.. something to organise...*grin*.
Till next time. db
hey bruce,
Greetings from an american cousin! here's an update on my life:
Much happier since my last letter. met someone new who is simply wonderful. he's put everything in perspective and i'm happier than i think i've ever been. In two weeks (april 20) i am moving to Eldersburg, Maryland (just outside Baltimore) for several reasons: first, the job market in PGH is dead, whereas Baltimore is booming. I already have one firm job offer and two or more prospective interviews upcoming. second, i am twenty-three and have never lived on my own. college doesn't count because they feed and shelter you there. i am going to have to get my own first car, insurance and pay rent and budget my money and....well you get the picture. i love my folks with all my heart, but if i stay, i'll never grow up and also, we may just kill one another! *grin* finally, oh yeah, Harry lives in Baltimore and we have a house together....well us and two roomates! close enough...we aren't engaged (yet) and the extra two bodies in the house make it a roomate thing, not a "living in sin" thing. GRIN!!
So anyways, i'll be located in
eldersburg, md in a couple of weeks, i'll forward my new address then (my
parents will still be located at the address you have!) Thanks a lot and i'll try to keep in touch more
often! take care and i hope all is well down under!
hugs,
Dawn
Subject: A Dawn Update! 26 Aug 1997
Dear Bruce,
Hi! How're things down under? Good, I hope.
I'm living in Eldersburg, MD, in a cool house with Harry (still my sweetie - and heaven forbid, talking marriage!) and our very cool housemates.
I am gainfully employed as Traffic Manager/Jr. Account Executive at DolCom LLC, a Baltimore-based advertising/public relations agency [Also, NetVertising - DolCom's web-design subsidiary]. I have my own office overlooking Baltimore's famed inner harbor and all the benefits I could possibly want.
I recently bought a car [used, but its new to me!] and am well on my way to being a real grown-up...or so they tell me! *grin*
Things are going wonderfully. It is amazing how great things are after that nasty patch I went through last year. I guess the Lord works in mysterious ways...If none of that mess had happened, none of this would be happening. Ok, end of pseudo-spiritual/philosopical sidebar.
I look forward to hearing from you soon!
Hugs,
Dawn
Subject: Holiday Greetings! (Wed, 24 Dec 1997)
Bruce--
Glad to hear from you! I had you on my Christmas card list this year...but have been so busy that NO ONE got Christmas cards from me...not even Mom!
Anyway, glad to hear things are going well down under. As for me, life is fantastic! Maryland is wonderful -- I've already gotten a promotion at my new job [Jr. Acct. Exec. at DolCom LLC & Netvertising, Inc., an ad agency and web design company!] and life with Harry is wonderful. He's a darling. Best of all, he and I and two roommates rent a great house in the Baltimore suburbs for less than most folks around here pay per month for a wee apartment! So my life is ok... *grin*
I received your email and noted the new address for the bick page. I'm working on finding time to update my homepage...but I'm like the shoemaker who has no shoes...I build pages for a living now, but don't have time to update my own. Sooner or later though....
Also, I just finished the first annual Bickerstaff and Hobaugh family birthday calendar for 1998. I've taken every relative on both sides of my family and put them in...everyone from my mother's parents and father's parents down, that is...[Beyond that, there are too many of them...large families back a generation or two!] I've mentioned the bick page to a few relatives, and will be including its address in the calendars for those interested.
Well, I must run...I'm at work and we get half a day off for the holiday. I get to leave soon! Again, Happy Holidays! I'll write again soon, I promise!
Merry Christmas - Happy Hanukkah - Joyous Solstice - Happy Kwaanza - and Have a Happy New Year!
-- Dawn
Hi Bruce [and all online Bickerstaffs!]
Just a very short update on the Life of Dawn --
It is official. After 8/99, Dawn will no longer be a Bickerstaff. That wacky wonderful Harry of mine proposed on 1/15/98 and I joyously accepted. So after August of 99, I shall be a Meade in name, but I will always be a Bickerstaff in my heart!
I'm sure I'll keep you all posted as the wedding plans progress. Right now we have it narrowed down to either the 14th or the 21st and we know the gents will be kilted. [Harry's of Scottish descent and an officer in a competition pipe band..so of course, they're kilted! Besides, he has cute knees!] I'll get back to you all with more later!
*still grinning ear-to-ear after two weeks*,
Dawn
Date: Tue, 21 Apr 1998
Subject: A favor from a virtual cousin abroad
Hi Bruce --
It's that time again...time for a brief update in the ever changing Life of Dawn [not to be confused with the Life of Brian...Solidarity.]
Anyway, short form: I quit my job at the ad agency when the boss went bonkers...she's a looney...just ask my fiance who met her or anyone else who met her! For my own mental sanity I quit and was immediately hired by Advanced Video Systems, Inc. [AVS]. This is a video production/duplication house that employs both my fiancee and our housemate, Jeff -- they hired me as Senior Web Designer...so I'm blissfully happy once more...Geez, my life is a roller coaster!
Anyways, you may be wondering why you got a phone call from Maryland on your machine at work at almost 1am Maryland time...[I think its afternoon tomorrow over there...] Well, I am asking a favor of you. I have this cousin in Texas...a genetic one, not a virtual one. Allison Bickerstaff is in fourth grade, the youngest daughter of my Uncle Jerry Bickerstaff. Long story short, her 4th grade class is doing one of those geography projects where you mail an object [in this case, a felt and posterboard character] all around the world, with a person at each stop telling a little about their home, and then sending it on.
I received her character the other day, and thought it would be really cool if I could send it to Australia before it has to go back to Texas...I hope this is OK with you and that you can take a few minutes to help out a little kid [who may be a relative way back somewhere!]
I'll be sending Carol [the character] in the next couple of days. All you have to do is write a short paragraph about her "visit" in her little "passport", enclose a postcard of where you live and ship her on back to the Texas address I'll enclose. Carol is due home on May 1, but if she is a day or two late, it's OK.
Please let me know ASAP if you cannot do this and I'll send her to my fiancee's grandparents in Minnesota, USA...a place far from Texas, but not nearly as cool as Australia!
Thanks!
Dawn Bickerstaff
(Well, Carol made it over to Sydney. To witness some of the mischief which Carol got up to during her visit just click here ... BB).
Date: Mon, 4 Oct 1999
Hello Bruce!
Long time, no email, eh? "Cousin" Dawn in the US here to update the woefully out-of-date info on the Bick Pages.
As of 8/21/99, I am no longer Dawn E. Bickerstaff. Now, I am Dawn E. B. Meade, having married Harry, my sweetie in a church wedding back in Paintertown. [A room full o' Bickerstaffs, staring agog at the men in kilts! We did have a full Scottish wedding.]
We are living together [roommate free!] in the same little brick house in Eldersburg, MD, as mentioned in my previous emails. We are both blissfully still working at Advanced Video Systems, Inc., where he is Senior Installation Engineer and I am head of Marketing/Web Design.
Right now, life is bliss and karma is good. I promise I'll try to keep in touch more often.
I look forward to hearing from you again.
Dawn Meade
P.S. My husband still finds it a riot that I have a "cousin" Bruce in Australia. He's a huge Monty Python fan. G'day, Bruce! =)
To contact Dawn, write to dawnbick(at)yahoo.com
To go to Dawn's home page
