Gannam-Saraf Display
September 2003

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Orlando Public Library
Genealogy Department

These photos are of a display at the Orange County Library System's Orlando Public Library in downtown Orlando, Florida during the month of September 2003. The theme, "Grandparents.... Bridging the Generation Gaps," was to honor grandparents during the month of September and Grandma Beecher in particular because that's what she did for our family.

The top shelf was dedicated to Great Grandpa and Grandma Gannam, the middle row is dedicated to Grandma Beecher and the bottom row is dedicated to Grandpa Saraf - our links to the past and our inspiration for the future.

The cabinet is filled to the brim with photos (small sections cropped and enlarged in Photoshop), copies of documents I've acquired through research and period pieces I've collected from all the cities the relatives have lived.

There are books relevant to our ancestors: Ellis Island, Armenia, Armenian cookbook from Antoine and Anoush, Syrian cookbook and an old mixing bowl of Grandma's that I rescued from her garage where it was being used to soak clothes.

I made small signs for each shelf with names of locations, nationalities, various spellings of names, etc. to help explain and inform the viewer.

You'll also notice that I ran out of room quickly and there are photos plastered on the sides facing inside and facing out!






Gannam Shelf

Items of note:
Grandpa's hoe.
Postcards of Amoskeag in Manchester, N.H. where Great Grandpa and Grandma worked in foundry and mills.

Postcard of Derry, N.H. where Grandpa bought apples and sold them to make money.

Photo of George Gannam in his military uniform and an American flag which was such a great part of Grandpa's life on Hopkins Street.

Grandpa was always very biblical when he talked to me about the important things in life. The image of the vine and the branches and being fruitful was expressed to me on more than one occasion. He spoke often about the importance of owning my own piece of land and that the most valuable possession is my name.
       In response to his teachings and the impact they made on me, the foundation of each shelf in the cabinet is a glorious vine with bunches of grapes to say that all his children heard and understood - his first children, his grandchildren, his great grandchildren, his great great grandchildren and all those to come until the end of time.


Grandma's Shelf

Items of note:

Front door numbers from Grandma's house, one of Grandma's hair combs, one of Grandma's aprons that she always wore in the kitchen.

Grandma's garlic jar and the old kibbee pan which she had vanquished to the garage to use for soaking clothes. I spent hours with metal cleaners removing the tarnish and now use when I make mishi and kibbee.

Photos of Grandma from childhood to the end.

Copy of the funeral program and birth certificate.

Photos of Grandma with her family, especially with her grands and great grands.







Grandpa Saraf's Shelf


Items of note:

Postcard of the Ship Rochambeau on which Grandpa came to America.

Postcard from Jacksonville in 1920's showing on left the entrance to Grandpa's Taylor Shop.

Detroit Map from 1920's. Postcard of Aleppo, Syria circa 1920.

Photo of Stamboulian Reunion in Savannah.

Reproductions of Grandma and Grandpa's wedding photos.

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