Monthly Archives: July 2015

History: the men in my life

12 Sunday Jul 2015

Posted by in Personal History

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In August 1999 I created a framed photographic storyboard titled The Men in My Life.  It was a significant day – 10 years since my adored Dad had died far too early.  It was great therapy putting it together and embraced more than my Dad but the influence other men in my family had on my life.  I admit there were more than a few tears that day but lots and lots of smiles since when I look at it on my wall – for the wonderful memories that flow from it.  [My family tree]

Susie and Dad Susie and Graham [Fussy] Grandpa [left] and Great Uncle Jim [right]

The Men in My Life !

My Dad, John Joseph FUSSEN was born in 1922 – that’s him with me in 1953 (top left) and just a couple of weeks before he died in 1989 (lower left). Dad was production manager of Peter’s Ice Cream and the creator of the Drumstick.   He was also the driver of the Peter’s vehicles (below) in various parades. Dad taught me to sail, build furniture and keep my old car finely tuned. My maternal grandfather, Harry NIALL (top right), and great uncle James NIALL (on the right), also played an important part in my education. Uncle Jim taught me to fish and to ask questions, and Grandpa taught me to love cricket. I can’t claim the great Don Bradman (lower right) as family but my grandfather would whisper in awe when he mentioned his name. You can imagine my great delight when I was given this advertisement he did for Peter’s Ice Cream! And I was so proud when my brother produced the video tribute to the great man. Grandpa would have been over the moon! My brother (above) taught me about the importance of older brothers. As kids, we were forever fighting but if I ever needed help he was always there. As we grew older, we stopped fighting, but he’s still there if I ever need him!
 Dad  Don Bradman advertising Peters Ice Cream
 Peters tanker  Peters tanker  Peters float in parade

Why it’s Susie and not Suzie

12 Sunday Jul 2015

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Susie and FussyMore people spell my first name wrong than get it right! I can understand that because I generally sign off my emails as ‘Susie Z’ and of course my surname starts with a ‘Z’ [Zada] so people have ‘Z’ in their mind.  I’m a forgiving person and as my adored Grandpa used to say … “as long as they don’t call us late for dinner”.

But people spelt it with a Z in the 20 years before I acquired that name by marriage so the ‘Z’ in the surname might be an excuse but not the reason.

I thought if I explained HOW I got the ‘S’ and not the ‘Z’ in my first name might help people understand.

It all began way back in 1944 when my Mum’s baby sister was born.  Jan [Janette] caused quite a stir in the family because there was 20 years between Jan and Mum – in other words she wasn’t quite expected.  Subsequently things happened a little differently.  No name had been planned for the new baby so Mum and her older brother were given the task.  How did they choose it?  From the list of girls names in Cole’s Funny Picture Book.  Blindfolded and armed with a pin – it landed on Janette – and Jan cursed them throughout their lives as she wasn’t at all keen on her name!

Coles Funny Picture BookFast forward to 1950 when my older brother was born – out came the Cole’s Funny Picture Book!  Mum & Dad agreed that if it was a boy Dad’s pin would be the first name and Mum’s the second name.  And if it was a girl it was reversed.  So that’s how Graham John and Susanne Marie came about – well their names at least!  Oh – they’re the cute pair at the top of this blog!

Sadly we don’t have the book anymore and I have no idea which edition / number it was – there were many editions published over the years.

As an avid family historian I was devastated to learn that I wasn’t named after any of my ancestors – that was until I did a lot more research!  My Mum’s maiden name was NIALL and here’s what I’ve found for the oldest girl in four generations:

  • Susanne NIALL born c.1728
  • Susanna Maria NIALL born 10 Sep 1752
  • Susanna NIALL born 13 Oct 1780
  • Susan NIALL born 12 Apr 1812

My Family Tree and my Ancestor Arrivals Web site and Blog

So who was really guiding Mum’s pin?