Few degrees of separation in community hot tub

Attending an exercise class in the local community pool is a popular spot to be several mornings a week. It’s busy with active people working on keeping in shape and it’s a great place to make new friends.

One day while soaking in the hot tub after an Essence class and while talking to Linda, one of my classmates, we happened to stumble upon the subject of genealogy.

I had been working on the family tree for years. Linda’s husband, Jerry, was also doing research into his ancestry. He was working in the same general location as I was: southern Quebec and northern Vermont.

“If you look far enough back into the histories of old families in that area you will discover that many are related, even distantly,” I told Linda. “What name is Jerry searching for,” I asked? “Buzzell,” she replied. “Buzzell? You know, I think I have Buzzells on my tree,” I told her. “I’ll check it out.”

I was on the board of the genealogical society and while attending a meeting that same afternoon the president who’d come in late told us she had just been talking to Penticton’s new librarian. She described her as “the nicest girl.”

“Her name is Heather Buzzell,” she told us.

“Buzzell!,” I said. “I’m sure I have Buzzells on my tree. I must have a look.”

Looking at the family tree I discovered there were Buzzells. Lots of Buzzells.

In the pool the following day, I asked Linda if she was related to Heather Buzzell, the head librarian here in Penticton. ”She’s my daughter,“Linda told me. That led to a phone call from new-found Cousin Jerry. After lengthy discussions and research we met and discovered we shared a grandfather who had emigrated from New England to Quebec several generations ago.

You might ask why this is important.

To begin with, when a genealogist discovers a new family member it’s like finding a pearl or a gold nugget. In my case, I am a senior citizen living 3,000 miles from my nearest relatives.

I feel a connection to the Buzzells because we descend from a common lineage. I now can say I have relatives who live in Penticton.

Since that first meeting we’ve kept in touch and socialize regularly. When Buzzells spend time in Vermont in the summer and I’m visiting Quebec’s Eastern Townships, but a few miles away, we arrange to meet either in Vermont or Quebec.

Jerry’s 95-year old mother still lives independently in Vermont and my 95-year old mother still lives in Ottawa. They are both in good shape physically and mentally for their age. We’ve arranged for them to be with us for outings and the connection of family is strong at these events.

The 95-year-olds enjoy a glass of wine with us and participate in discussions with great animation during these sessions. And this is all because I discovered a relation in the hot tub at the community pool. Joan Barnes was drawn to the Okanagan after retiring from careers in teaching and real estate