>regarded by some as underdogs in the field
Well.....
Where to begin. I guess with the positive stuff.
We've been very fortunate since we started writing in earnest last January, in that we had and still have a large circle of really great people working with us. And who we, in turn, support 100% in their respective projects. Peter, Craig, Paul, Shelley, Mike, Anthony and so many others have on so many occasions come up with missing pieces or rendered sound advice that years have been shaved off the compilation end of LWF and the cliche about 'we could not have done it without them' is, in this case, true. What's more, in 99% of the cases, we've become friends above and beyond the shipwreck link and in a field fraught with (alleged) "backstabbing" we've not had a single encounter with it since commencing this phase. So, if "underdog" is the case of our standing, we have had the backing of a truly first rate bunch of researchers anyone would be proud to have as friends, and we do not take that lightly. However the project turns out (material exists for at least another three parts as long as this one), either trendsetting epic or epic fiasco, we're winners in the important sense of the word because of the quality of those with whom we work and socialise. And also made winners by the absense of those with whom we don't.
Fact is, we never wanted to be 'the best.' That is setting oneself up for a good mudballing. What we wanted, and still want, to do is write a series of articles that speak for the forgotten survivors and victims, entertain those who read them, and in the long term cause us no embarrassment. In short, we want our articles to be 'the best' we can do, because it is the articles and the memory of the Lusitania's people, not our standing in any community, which ultimately matter. We like what we have achieved so far and are glad that others seemingly do as well.
There are two particular days which, to me, sum up the charm of this project. One was a pleasant day last May on which we met with Mike Findlay, meandered around NYC for a bit, ate in an excellent restaurant and, quite by accident, found Josephine Brandell in Woodlawn Cemetery while searching for someone else. A great day with a lot of laughs and a research find as well. The second was a day that Mike, Shelley, Mike and myself set out on a road trip (still classified, it is their story to tell) during the course of which I laughed so hard that it seemed physically dangerous and, incidentally, found the home address of a Lusitania survivor I had not had before. In either case, although the research finds were pleasing, it was the fun and social interaction which, long term, meant more. Both days would have been equally pleasant without the research material, but the research material would not have half as much meaning without the memories of a pair of days well spent behind them.
>the example they have become of selfless researchers
Thanks! The answer here is two-fold. Our friends have given so freely that hoarding would not only be hypocritical but also bordering on larcenious. Also, should our lives become so devoid of any deeper meaning that we begin posting "teaser" references on the board, or hoarding material I would hope that someone would knock some sense into us. We are one chicken bone or poorly refridgerated salmon away from the void, and I hope that at the end my ultimate life achievement does not consist of finding a survivor photo and hiding it.
>This guy who took the photos —— Jim, you say he was on Lusitania in early May 1912? Was this the May 8 voyage?
Yes, it was.
>I ask because the Duff Gordons returned to England aboard Lusitania on the May 8 trip. (Any chance of the noble couple lurking in the background of some of the pictures!?
I will post the only group shot from the series in a separate posting. There is a man with a camera....
