As one does when one has a spare hour I have been working on the family database today and seeking sources for a branch of the tree that was sent to me by a cousin several years ago.
I found an obituary (via the Ryerson index) for my Dad's second cousin's husband's death last month in the Sydney Morning Herald, I observed that his wife (Dad's second cousin) is still alive and I saw that his eldest son, my third cousin had been noted as deceased. Checking my database I saw that this death was noted as taking place in 2001 but that it wasn't sourced (as was the whole tree branch I was given). My next step was a Google search for my cousin's name, Stephen Kevin Tompsett, just to see if I could find his death date. I was rewarded with more than a page of hits that sent shivers down my spine.
Stephen was one of the ten Australians who lost his life in the September 11 terrorist attacks at The World Trade Center, New York in 2001. As I read through the various reports of Stephen's terrible end I felt so sad for the victims of this senseless attack and the families they left behind. It has been a very sober afternoon.
I won't summarise or paraphrase the articles I found about Stephen and his family, I will post a list of links (all accessed today) to several so that those who wish can read about my third cousin.
Remembering 9/11 http://longisland.newsday.com/911-anniversary/victims/Stephen-Tompsett
Remembering September 11 http://www.realsimple.com/work-life/life-strategies/inspiration-motivation/remembering-september-11-00100000065243/page4.html
September 11: The Australian stories http://www.sbs.com.au/news/article/2011/09/08/september-11-australian-stories
Stephen K. Tompsett http://parramattamaristobu.org.au/our-old-boys/science-education/
Stephen K. Tompsett: Family, Faith and Job http://www.legacy.com/sept11/story.aspx?personid=139438
Stephen K. Tompsett Memorial Fund for Technology in Education http://stevetompsettmemorialfund.org/
I found an obituary (via the Ryerson index) for my Dad's second cousin's husband's death last month in the Sydney Morning Herald, I observed that his wife (Dad's second cousin) is still alive and I saw that his eldest son, my third cousin had been noted as deceased. Checking my database I saw that this death was noted as taking place in 2001 but that it wasn't sourced (as was the whole tree branch I was given). My next step was a Google search for my cousin's name, Stephen Kevin Tompsett, just to see if I could find his death date. I was rewarded with more than a page of hits that sent shivers down my spine.
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| My relationship to Stephen K Tompsett |
Stephen was one of the ten Australians who lost his life in the September 11 terrorist attacks at The World Trade Center, New York in 2001. As I read through the various reports of Stephen's terrible end I felt so sad for the victims of this senseless attack and the families they left behind. It has been a very sober afternoon.
I won't summarise or paraphrase the articles I found about Stephen and his family, I will post a list of links (all accessed today) to several so that those who wish can read about my third cousin.
Glimmer of joy, five years after 9/11 http://www.smh.com.au/news/national/glimmer-of-joy-five-years-after-911/2006/09/09/1157222379596.html
In Memoriam: Stephen K. Tompsett http://www.voicesofseptember11.org/dev/memorial_biography.php?idbio=152
Remembering September 11 http://www.realsimple.com/work-life/life-strategies/inspiration-motivation/remembering-september-11-00100000065243/page4.html
September 11: The Australian stories http://www.sbs.com.au/news/article/2011/09/08/september-11-australian-stories
Stephen K. Tompsett http://parramattamaristobu.org.au/our-old-boys/science-education/
Stephen K. Tompsett: Family, Faith and Job http://www.legacy.com/sept11/story.aspx?personid=139438
Stephen K. Tompsett Memorial Fund for Technology in Education http://stevetompsettmemorialfund.org/
STEPHEN KEVIN TOMPSETT: Worrying Enough for Two http://www.nytimes.com/2006/09/11/nyregion/11pog-tompsett.html?_r=0
Strength of Faith Brings Comfort to Australian Parents of 9/11 Victim https://www.sydneycatholic.org/news/latest_news/2011/201198_1188.shtml
When I visit the 9/11 Memorial in New York laer this year I will be thinking of this amazing cousin I never knew.
3 comments:
Shivers up my spine, too, reading this. We lost a neighbor and Vincent's co-worker on 9-11. I haven't been able to work up the courage to go to the memorial in New York. The memories of those funerals and widows are too much for me. Bless you for making the trip to Ground Zero.
Yes I also got shivers also and the feeling of sadness for someone that I didn't even know or who wasn't related.
I found visiting Ground Zero very moving but it will be even more so for you Jill.
So sad Jill,
Friends that I grew up with and went to school with died in the Bali bombings, along with some of their children and spouses. It was, and still is surreal to think that they died so young and unnecessarily.
Sympathies to you and your extended family
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