Hi Charlotte, I wonder if you can help me. I don’t know how to work with Facebook, and I am trying to find someone. The background is this:
Old friends of my husband who live in Switzerland, have a relative, through marriage, to a lady who lives in London. She is in her high 80s, (named Elisabeth B.) and she has no family here in Canada. Her husband died a month before mine. Rene’s friends suggested that it would be good for both this lady and I if we had some communication. I would love to help her, because I know Rene and his friends would be very happy if I could help.
I have found one old friend of Elisabeth’s, and she is very happy about this. They are in contact frequently now, and will be coming to visit me this Friday (weather permitting).
There is another old friend that Elisabeth would dearly love to find. They were nurses at the Victoria Hospital in London, Canada, and graduated in the class of 1961. They lost touch about 6 years ago. Elisabeth has given me some background, but nothing that brought any results, i.e.
1) Elisabeth’s friend was Beatrice Bettesworth; she was a nurse, and graduated in 1961 from Victoria Hospital, London, Canada.
2) She had a brother in Brantford, Ontario, but I haven’t been able to trace him. I have one more lead on that.
3) Beatrice did podiatry for elderly people later in her career in London, Canada.
My friend Elisabeth said they were very good friends for a long time, and she has a Class Reunion book and some items from Beatrice that she wants to give her.
I have checked the Ontario Nurses Assn. – no luck
I phoned the VON (Victorian Order of Nurses), thinking because she did podiatry for elderly, there might be a trace – no luck
I’ve tried obituaries, but haven’t found anything there.
I have tried calling Bettesworths around Canada, but no luck so far.
How can I safely post something on Facebook asking if anyone knows of this lady’s whereabouts?
I don’t know if Elisabeth would like her surname mentioned. Because she’s alone, she would probably be nervous about that.
Thanks, Charlotte, if you can help (thanks, anyway!) Margaret
Ah, Charlotte, No need for the above. I kept working on this, and found that Beatrice's brother lives in Arizona. I got the phone number and spoke with him and his wife. Beatrice still lives in London, and they will pass along the information for her, so she can contact Elisabeth.
Thank you anyway, Charlotte. This has just made my day .... 2 friends found within a week, and Elisabeth is VERY happy, and Rene will be smiling down with thumbs up!
when I am trying to find someone, often I just google their name and if they have a facebook page that is open it will show up. In this case you had the brother's name which led you to her.
Hi Charlotte, I feel like a Detective (ha, ha). It took lots of work, but was well worth it. YOU know Facebook, and I'm not familiar - the only thing I ever did on Facebook was to do a recommendation for a young man (Sulayman Mokhtarzada) who was an Alzheimer's Volunteer visitor, and for about 2 years came once a week to visit with Rene. At first Sulayman would take him for walks (when Rene could walk), and later would just sit and spend time with him. His young man was a treasure in the way he gave respect to Rene, who was beginning to lose so many things, including his confidence.
I was afraid of Facebook, but just felt I needed to thank this young man, and do anything I could to help him ... who is now doing research work in Sweden ... well deserved! He is really a wonderful human being!
I tried googling all of the Bettesworths, but no luck, so ....
Anyway, I began researching on the internet, checking names and phone numbers. I had a lead to Brantford, Ontario where Bea's brother worked, and phoned there. He had retired to Arizona, but a co-worker who keeps in touch at Christmas, told me that he lived in Sun City....from there it was going via the internet again, and finding the phone number. I spoke with Bea's brother and his wife, and they will pass along the info to Bea, who can contact Elisabeth.
It's such a good feeling to know you did something that helps ... (not bragging, just happy it worked).
Take care, Charlotte, and thank you. You are always so helpful.