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Old 07-25-2007, 12:40 AM   #1
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Smile Who is Helen Byam Schwamborn

In publicastions, websites, and forums there always seems to be a biological mystery to who Helen Byam Schwamborn is.

Loren and Melvina Byam were from Iowa. They had two sons Bertram and Raymond. Bert was 10 years older than his brother Ray. Bert married Carrie Biswell. Ray married Sue Elmore (I'm not real sure of my Grandmother's maiden name, I have it some where filed away).

Bert and Carrie had one child Wallace Merle Byam.

Ray and Sue had two childern Mary and Helen.

This makes Mary and Helen first cousins to Wally.

There is a picture of a vintage Airstream in the 30's. There are two ladies. These two ladies are not Stella Byam, or Helen Byam Schwamborn. Who the two models are remains a mystery. Books, websites, newspapers seem to continue to poliferate this error.

In 1930 my Mother and Father came to Califonia. Wally took them under his wing. As time went by Wally and my Mother became very good friends. Similar friendship that develops between cousins and/or brothers and sisters. From this friendship Wally appreciated the talents that Helen Byam Schwamborn had. When there was an oppourtunity to bring her into the Airstream family he did. This was in 1955. The two became the dynamic duo. Wally the Papa Bear in charge of all aspects of the Airstream world and family; and my Mother delegated to start, watch over, and grow the Caravan Club, which was her baby from the beginning. Through Wally's efforts you have the Airstream, through my Mother's effort you have the WBCCI. Even after after her retirement in 1979 she was soooo proud of her baby, your club. She bled silver and Airstream blue.

If you wish to learn more go to the history section of the Sierra Neveda Unit, I have been working with Diane Liepper to organize and provide history for the WBCCI members.

A strange fact of family history Wally passed away on July 22, 1962 and my Mother on July 22, 2004.

I hope this information clarifies the relationship between Wally and my Mother, they were first cousins. That makes me a second cousin.

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Old 07-25-2007, 07:44 AM   #2
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Thank you for sharing this story with us.
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Old 07-25-2007, 07:46 AM   #3
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Thanks for providing these historical notes and a reference to the larger body of work. Very appropriate and helpful to all of us who love the airstreams and the WBCCI. Keep'm coming.
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Old 07-25-2007, 08:46 AM   #4
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Quote:
Originally Posted by PeeWee
...I hope this information clarifies the relationship between Wally and my Mother, they were first cousins. That makes me a second cousin.

Pee Wee
actually, it makes you Wally's first cousin, once removed. (If Wally had kids, they'd be your second cousins). Not that it matters. We know who you are!
Great having you here, btw!
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Old 07-25-2007, 09:13 AM   #5
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So what are kissing Cousins?

Quote:
Originally Posted by Chuck
actually, it makes you Wally's first cousin, once removed. (If Wally had kids, they'd be your second cousins). Not that it matters. We know who you are!
Great having you here, btw!
Yikes...I always get confused with this stuff!



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Old 07-25-2007, 09:23 AM   #6
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quote: "So what are kissing cousins?"

A song from a 60's Elvis movie!
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Old 07-25-2007, 09:37 AM   #7
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Quote:
Originally Posted by sander17
quote: "So what are kissing cousins?"

A song from a 60's Elvis movie!
Hillbillies!
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Old 07-25-2007, 09:40 AM   #8
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Yup, Chuck and Shari have it right. Good diagram, Shari.

Cousins, etc, follow generations: Share a grandparent (and you are not the brother/sister), you are a first cousin. Share a great-grandparent, you are second cousins. If you are counting from your parents' relations, then you are once removed from whatever their relationship is.

I remember reading, back in my school days, that FDR was a 5th cousin to TR.

Pat
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Old 07-25-2007, 11:28 AM   #9
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PeeWee, Thanks for the history.

RichandSandy, Not nice! Funny though, thanks.
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Old 07-25-2007, 01:03 PM   #10
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Quote:
Originally Posted by pmclemore
Good diagram, Shari.
Thanks to Wikipedia...

Shari
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Old 07-25-2007, 06:10 PM   #11
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Hillbillies!
Some folks in Tennessee have a saying, "Incest is best if you keep it in the family".
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Old 10-02-2007, 10:07 PM   #12
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Helen Byam Schwamborn Portrait

I forgot to include this picture with my first entry.
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Old 10-02-2007, 10:15 PM   #13
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Beautiful picture of your mum.....

Thanks for sharing.
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Old 06-25-2008, 08:24 AM   #14
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Thanks for the history and the picture. Pretty mom!
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Old 06-25-2008, 08:48 AM   #15
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Very interesting information. Thanks for sharing.
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Old 06-25-2008, 09:38 AM   #16
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About what time period was that picture taken of your mom?

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Old 06-26-2008, 05:38 AM   #17
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About what time period was that picture taken of your mom?

Brad
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Brad,

The picture was taken in the mid-1960's.

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Old 06-26-2008, 06:36 AM   #18
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Kissing Cousins

Quote:
Originally Posted by sander17 View Post
quote: "So what are kissing cousins?"

A song from a 60's Elvis movie!
This nickname was actually formed in the southwest, actual place is unclear, kinda sounded like grandma was refering to Miss/Tenn/Ark area, when I talked with grandparents, they explained to me that it was a term used when 2 people married who was related but was so far removed that their only relationship was by geneology.
And yes Elvis made a song about it, kinda funny that he made that song and he is from the same area in which the saying supposedly came from.

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Old 06-26-2008, 06:53 AM   #19
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Pee Wee, for those of us interested in the history of Airstream and the WBCCI, your knowledge is so unique. I wish I could be in Bozeman to to meet you and hear your presentation regarding the history of Airstream. I can not attend International this year, but I will be seeing you and attending your presentations at the Texas Vintage Rally to be held in San Antonio in early February of 2009. I am really, really looking forward to meeting you, asking you questions and hearing you recount our early history.
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Old 07-15-2008, 07:24 PM   #20
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Thanks for coming to Bozeman and sharing with us. Beth and I attended both the VAC discussion and your forum at Brick Breedan. Your mother provided us all with a tremendous gift - the club. We need to do our part to recognize the heritage, fellowship, and adventure the club offers. Thanks for help increase our understanding.

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