Roots

Mom grew up in small town Ballinagree, Cork. Her family had 8 kids in a quaint 3 bedroom cottage. They would have several kids in one bed, some with their heads along the top and others with their heads along the bottom.

The kids also helped tend to the cows and the land they owned . Their dog Sputnik helped too!

1976, 77 and 78 were tough years for the Hyde family though. Grandma died in March of 1976, Grandpa died in March of 1977, and uncle TimJoe died in December of 1978.  Timothy Joseph Hyde was one of 4 Hyde siblings that immigrated to the US.  He was killed by a drunk driver at the intersection of Meacham and Higgins in Schaumburg (by Woodfield).

After Grandma and Grandpa died, no one was able to take care of the house.  Now most of the windows are broken, shingles are all over the lawn and trees are even growing up inside of it. We always come to visit when we are here, but it is sad to see the house this way, especially for my mother.

The land is still owned by our family. Beautiful, isn't it?

We had always heard that the day my brother, Niall, was born in Chicago was the same day my grandma died in Ireland. But when we saw her stone it said March 4th, while Niall was born March 3rd. Ireland is 6 hours ahead of us, so even though she died on March 4th, my family in the US got word on March 3rd. Niall was born with a 50/50 chance of living, so no one told mom of grandma's passing until a week later- when they knew my brother would survive.

Grandma and Grandpa, I have pictures with you, but I wish I could remember. Uncle TimJoe, we all miss you dearly.