Wedgwood ceramics, hand-fans, Acadian Genealogy, Irish Genealogy, weaving, antiques, history, dance, classical music and opera, are all interests of Ron Frazier or his family. And when we get involved, we jump in with both feet. We belong to the major organizations concerned with these subjects, and we have information on all of them, which may be of use to viewers. Check out the links located in the various paragraphs on this page and feel free to contact us.
This page will be under construction for a while. It was only on 10 October 1996 I decided to create page de la maison, to share with those who may have any interest the things to which my family and I have given our time and energy, or simply those things we enjoy. Much more will come.
The FRAZIER part of this family is descended from the Acadian FOUGÈRE family, originally of Acadia, now known as Nova Scotia. The name was changed from 1850 on, as Fougères came across the border from Nova Scotia to the United States. I've done extensive research on the FOUGÈRE ANCESTRY, including the people whose names were changed to FRAZIER, or in some cases Fraser, Frasier, Frazer, etc. My records include approximately 2,000 people who carry one of those names. If you'd like more information on Jean Fougère who settled in Acadia about 1630, or any of his descendants, contact the e-mail address below. I may be able to help you. (I also have access to a number of researchers of other Acadian and French Canadian families.)
Genealogy is the number one hobby in the country today! And I was ahead of my time. I began 35 years ago, and it was too late then. By then, my grandparents were gone and I had to rely on the information I could gather. But I'm happy to say, most lines are now back to 1550 or earlier and one line is back to 1069. That's pretty good. If you have Acadian or French Canadian ancestry, or want to know who the Acadians were and why they have a special place in history, go to the: Acadian Cultural Society
For an extensive look at the history of the Frazier name, the Fougere coat of arms and the Fougere/Frazier Genealogy click on Fougere/Frazier Genealogy
To see some of my ancestors take a look at The Family Portrait Gallery
For a picture of Ron Frazier's immediate family and their offspring, taken after his father's funeral, one of the few times the entire family was together, having come in from around the country, click on Immediate Family . p>
For some really early pictures of my father, primarily for the benefit of my immediate family, go to: Bernard's Early Life
For some early pictures of my mother, primarily for the benefit of my immediate family, go to: Lucille's Early Life
My father's family grew up in the town of Braintree, Massachusetts. To take a look (more than 27 pics now) at some of what they saw over the years go to: Early Post Cards of Braintree
Originally one member of the family was interested
in Wedgwood (note, there's no middle "e" in Wedgwood), so the author of this page started to study it. It was fascinating from all perspectives: the business of manufacturing (which from 1759 employed the most modern techniques available, and later invented new ones), the marketing (some of the sharpest in the business world), to the simple beauty of the product. Eventually I became a lecturer and author of articles on Wedgwood. That's why.
Click here to visit:
The Wedgwood Society of Boston
One member of the family was thrust into installing a hand-fan exhibit in conjunction the the Museum of Fine
Arts, Boston. Being a scientific individual she
was ultimately acknowledged as the world authority on
American Hand Fans. She has served on the
board of directors of the Fan Association of North
America, but had to give that up when she went back to work full-time.
She's on the lecture circuit and has authored the only book,
and a number of articles on American Fans. Come back later to see some of the fans made in the fan factory in the town of Braintree, the location of the largest collection of Hunt and Allen Fans. We will put up examples of Hunt and Allen Fans, but you'll have to come back when we've had an opportunity to upload them.
If you'd like more information about fans, send us an
e-mail by clicking on our address below.
,,,,,Classical music and opera are a very important part of my life. I believe the arts feed the soul and
allow one to find beauty even when it appears, at times, nowhere else. No matter how bad things
may seem, music can elevate the spirit to heights unknown, and make one aware that there is a beauty
that can transcend even the most trying or difficult of times. Listen to a Puccini aria and even the worse
frustrations of the day melt away. At any rate, some of the sources of musical pleasure are:
.....Classical Radio Station, WCRB (99.5 FM)
Classical Radio Station, WCRB (99.5 FM)
It's the first thing I listen to in the morning when I
awake and as I have breakfast. It's on my car radio (well most of the time, except for when there are certain pieces
I can't endure!), and with dinner. To top it off the early morning announcer, Laura Carlo, is a real doll. She
has what I call The Voice with a Smile . She always sounds happy and makes you feel that way
too.
..... Another joy in my life is to hear the
Dedham Choral Society .
This particular group performs in St.
Mary's Church, Dedham, and has more than one hundred singers which are accompanied by a symphony
orchestra. They produce a magnificent sound when they stick with tried and true masterpieces. Unfortunately
even the best musical groups have to try out new compositions at times and the results aren't always what
one would desire. It has been said that the human voice is God's greatest creation. The Dedham
Choral Society proves this to be true.
.....Another group, with which I have some involvement, is the
Quincy
Symphony Orchestra . . Local symphony orchestras are very often grossly under appreciated. They are
a wonderful way to enjoy great symphonic music at reasonable prices, usually in locations that are much
easier to get to. The QSO has some very talented players and is worthy of far greater support.
,,,,, Finally
what would a Saturday be without the
Metropolitan Opera. Sadly, the cost and availability of opera
on a local level is either far too expensive or unavailable. The Saturday Met performances on the radio
fill that need to hear the greatest voices in the world.
The highlighted links above will let you learn more about these musical joys in my life.
That story goes back -- way, way back. When I was a kid, movie stars were really movie stars. They were in a class of their own, and often they could be admired. Today's generation can't possibly understand that. "Stars" today are generally about money, sex, drugs, degradation, who's sleeping with whom, etc. I was a Maureen O'Hara fan as a kid, and even when I served in Viet-Nam she would take time to write to me. About ten years ago I had an opportunity to meet her and she was absolutely wonderful and worthy of my many years of admiration. I was very happy to accidentally find the Maureen O'Hara link. You can too, just click on her name.
To see some of my memories of Maureen, click on Memories of Maureen
One member of the family recently graduated from
Saint Anselm College, and while it's not the
one from which I graduated, it has to be my favorite.
If you're considering a tough, excellent college
which is family oriented, relatively small
(about 2,000) students, in a delightful location,
Saint A's is one to consider. I wish I could go back
to school just to go there. The
Saint
Anselm CollegeChoir
has to be
one of the best in the country. When they give their
concerts it's like being in heaven. Their dinning
hall is like a large chalet and the food is excellent.
It's a place you can't do anything but feel good
about.
For a super college, visit
Saint
Anselm College
Having lived in the same town for generations, one tends to have connections to a particular church. Our connection is to Saint Francis of Assisi. I have a really great picture of my grandparents leaving the church, in a one-horse open-sleigh, on 21 January 1909, after their wedding, To see the picture, click Isaac Fougere and Sophia Lavandier at Saint Francis of Assisi. And to see a Close-up picture of Isaac and Sophia
I guess most of us have to work for a living, so after having run a number of non-profit organizations and having served on the boards of directors of a number of arts, genealogical, historical, etc., organizations, and being deeply invoved in antiques and genealogy, I was offered a position as the executive director and CEO of a historical society. When I took over the organization had become somewhat sleepy, but today is a very exciting organization. Visit a really super historical society at Dedham Historical Society
The Wedgwood Society of Boston is already listed above. I also served as president of the Braintree Historical Society, and as president of the Acadian Cultural Society, listed above. Other organizations currently do not have web sites.
I currently serve on the Braintree Historical Commission, which includes the Braintree Historic District Commission. Our web information may be reached through the Town of Braintree web site.
