As a girl, Becky was called "Sally Nally" by most of her family. According to Ted Whittenkraus, "Rebecca acquired the nickname of Sally because it sounded funny to call her Sally Nally. It never sounded all that funny to her and she much prefers the more formal." Her mom told me that her siblings teased her that if she married Bill Nally, her first child would have to be named "Sally".
Born during World War II in the south, where her parents were living. A little while later, Beck and the baby Sally got on a train bound for Worcester. Bill and the family dog followed. They lived for a while with the extended family, where Sally was very spoiled. About 3 years later the family moved to their own house up the street.
I graduated from Classical High School (Worcester) in 1962 and from Bates College in 1966. My formal education includes 30 hours of graduate studies. Three years of teaching math followed my college graduation. About 1970 she relocated to Hartford, CT and was employed by Travelers Insurance Company off and on until my retirement in 2005.
I have been married for about 45 years. We had 2 children, one of whom is now deceased, and two grandchildren. My husband is an avid motorcycle racer. We are active in their church and other community organizations.
My interest in genealogy started at about age 12, when my grandparents retired and moved into our neighborhood. It was a classic start for family history: Grandma told stories about her family, grandparents, and great-grandparents. "... and who was her mother ..." I would ask.
Winter, 1978. My parents had recently retired. Dad, who was always and intensely interested in history, started researching some old family papers. He took a diploma to the Antiquarian Society in Worcester, Massachusetts. From there came a wonderful journey of discovery of our forgotten heritage, including Mayflower pilgrims. Dad and Ma researched in Worcester during the fall and winter and at Cape Cod at the Sturgis library summers. They made day trips around New England and spent several weeks in Nova Scotia. I worked some at the Connecticut State Library Hartford, learning about the resources there and working on the documentation that was required membership in the Society of Mayflower Descendants or the DAR. I visited various town clerk's offices with my Dad to obtain the needed certificates. Dad would send me shopping lists for additional documents. My mother was the family secretary. She made ancestor charts, recording the research in progress.
Dad and Ma researched in Worcester during the fall and winter and at Cape Cod at the Strugis library summers. They made day trips around New England and spent several weeks in Nova Scotia. I worked some at the Connecticut State Library Hartford, learning about the resources there and working on the documentation was required membership in the Society of Mayflower Descendants or the DAR.
Summer 1989, Ma ("Aunt Beck") went to nurse her sister Millie Whitten, who was quite ill. Millie's family became interested in Aunt Beck's stories of the ancestors.
Meanwhile, I had earned my living by working for Travelers Insurance Company and I was busy raising a family.
Fast forward to 2007. Ma turned 90 and we gave her a big party. Millie's family all came. Several asked me for ancestor information - Chris had an online family scrap book. He wanted pictures and other genealogical information, which I sent him. I always find working on WikiTree to be a huge learning experience.
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On June 19, 2008: 13:35: Chris Whitten edited the Biography, Current Last Name, Preferred Name and Gender for You. [Thank Chris for this]
13:34: Chris Whitten created You. [Thank Chris for this]
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Becky is 25 degrees from Zendaya Coleman, 27 degrees from Sting Sumner, 18 degrees from Josh Brolin, 24 degrees from Timothée Chalamet, 19 degrees from José Ferrer, 16 degrees from Frank Herbert, 16 degrees from Richard Jordan, 21 degrees from David Lynch, 17 degrees from Virginia Madsen, 22 degrees from Charlotte Rampling, 25 degrees from Patrick Stewart and 18 degrees from Denis Villeneuve on our single family tree. Login to find your connection.
N > Nally | S > Syphers > Rebecca Elizabeth (Nally) Syphers
Categories: Mayflower Descendants on WikiTree | Daughters of the American Revolution | Worcester, Massachusetts