James William Halvangis (1920-1973)

The 1954 Lionel Golden West Special Train Set: "Let the Story Continue"

The 1954 Lionel Golden West Special Train Set: "Let the Story Continue"

A 1954 Lionel “Golden West Special” train set, rediscovered in my parents’ basement, led to an old family story, a genealogy connection, and a new home more than seventy years later.

A Family Bible from the Teamsters Local Union 299 - Family Artifact Challenge (Day 6)

A Family Bible from the Teamsters Local Union 299 - Family Artifact Challenge (Day 6)

My maternal grandfather, James William Halvangis (1920-1973), drove truck for a living in the city of Detroit, Michigan. He was a member of the International Brotherhood of Teamsters, Local Union No. 299. When he died, his Teamster Brothers presented our family with this Holy Bible.

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Home From War, A Soldier Visits His In-laws (1944)

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Home From War, A Soldier Visits His In-laws (1944)

This is an interesting grouping of men in my family tree. My grandfather, James William Halvangis (1920-1973) stands with his father in-law, two brothers in-law, and two nephews some time between 1943 and 1945. Photo was colorized by Okkama Colorizations at The Psychogenealogist (2019).

My Grandfather and the Greenlandic Inuit During WWII

My Grandfather and the Greenlandic Inuit During WWII

In May of 1943 my grandfather, James William Halvangis (1920-1973), made his way to Greenland as a member of the U.S. Army Air Forces during World War II. There he met some of the indigenous people of the island, The Greenlandic Inuit. Here are some of his amazing photographs.

The Psychogenealogist Pic of the Week (#115) - The Oak Hotel of Presque Isle, Maine

The Psychogenealogist Pic of the Week (#115) - The Oak Hotel of Presque Isle, Maine

The Oak Hotel in Presque Isle, Maine was probably the temporary home of my grandparents in the early 1940s. My grandfather, James William Halvangis (1920-1973) was stationed their briefly during WWII.

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Baptisms and Moon Landings

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Baptisms and Moon Landings

The baptism of my grandparent’s first grandchild happened on the same day humans stepped on the moon for the first time. Here is that story.

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"Dziadzio" - My Polish Great Grandpa: Adam Pawlowski (1879-1959)

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"Dziadzio" - My Polish Great Grandpa: Adam Pawlowski (1879-1959)

My great grandfather, Adam Pawlowski (1879-1959) was known as “Dziadzio” by my mother and her generation. He was a quiet man, perhaps because he spoke little English. His hands seemed permanently yellowed from cigarettes and he had false teeth that he kept in a glass next to his bed. This is his story.

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James William Halvangis (1920-1973): "Meeting" My Grandfather Through Photographs

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James William Halvangis (1920-1973): "Meeting" My Grandfather Through Photographs

James William Halvangis (1920-1973), my maternal grandfather, was the only one of my four grandparents who died before I was born. I’ve enjoyed “meeting” him through photographs. I hope you will too.

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A Boy's Life Cut Short: Michael Anthony Karr (1954-1964)

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A Boy's Life Cut Short: Michael Anthony Karr (1954-1964)

There is little, if anything, more tragic in life than the death of a child. This is the story Michael Karr (1954-1964) and his life that was cut tragically short in 1964.

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When Friends Become Family: The Elissavitis Siblings of Kokkari

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When Friends Become Family: The Elissavitis Siblings of Kokkari

The deep friendship between the Elissavitis and Halvangis families that began in Kokkari in Samos, Greece spanned two countries and many decades. Here is the story of how from friends they became family.