J is for Joseph

 

A Christian name found many times in my maternal family tree and still being passed down.

 

The name Joseph is a biblical name. Its earliest origins can be traced back to the Old Testament of the Bible, where it was defined as: “he will add” in Hebrew. 

Origin: The name Joseph comes from the Hebrew verb yasaf (to increase). 

In the Old Testament, Joseph is a favoured son of Jacob and Rachel. And in the New Testament, Joseph the carpenter has the role of father to Jesus. 

 

I have checked back to find the Josephs in my mother’s line, start in the Partington Family in the early 1700s:

2019. #52Ancestors in 52 Weeks. Week 2, Prompt: ‘Challenge'

#52ancestors

‘Challenge’

A Challenge for many in the Cottam ancestry line of my family has been coping with the genetic skin disease “Hailey-Hailey”

Those members of the family who I know have suffered from it are circled in this rough family tree:

(I have since learned that George's daughter also has it.)

I probably won’t be able to trace it back any further as none of the 6 siblings are still alive.

My mother (4. Lilian) said that her father (Joseph COTTAM) had a bad rash at times but they didn’t know what it was.

Genetic and Rare Diseases Information Centre (GARD)

  ( Last updated: 31/05/2017)

Hailey-Hailey disease is a Congenital and Genetic Skin Disease.

Also known as Benign familial pemphigus; Benign chronic pemphigus; Familial benign pemphigus.

Hailey-Hailey disease causes blistering. Signs and symptoms include a painful rash and blistering in skin folds, such as the armpits, groin, neck, under the breasts, and between the buttocks. 

Secondary bacterial, fungal and/or viral infections are common and may exacerbate an outbreak. Some people have found that outbreaks are triggered by certain foods, hormone cycles, and stress.  Symptoms are often worse in the summer months due to heat, sweating, and friction. 

Hailey-Hailey disease is caused by mutations in the ATP2C1 gene and is inherited in an autosomal dominant manner.^[2] 

 A mutation on one copy of the gene causes only half of this necessary protein to be made and the cells of the skin do not adhere together properly due to malformation of intercellular desmosomes, causing acantholysis, blisters, and rashes. There is no known cure.

The differential diagnosis includes intertrigo, candidiasis, and frictional or contact dermatitis. A biopsy and/or family history can confirm. The lack of oral lesions and intercellular antibodies distinguishes familial benign pemphigus from other forms of pemphigus.

Treatment focuses on reducing symptoms and preventing flares and may include topical medication, laser, and other procedures.^[1][3][4]

^{http://www.atlasdermatologico.com.br/disease.jsf;jsessionid=6106A2841F3E8A7ABCEB7F94FCD89E42?diseaseId=176}

I have found that it has a peculiar action: a blister forms and then there is a spread of blisters outwards in a sort of circular fashion across the skin. As they heal – they leave a reddened area which turns to a brownish discolour and takes a long time to disappear. If the blisters break, crust scabs form and become itchy as they are irritated by clothing, etc. The process can go on for months, with other blisters forming close by or in more areas of my body.  

With sores often over my back, under my arms, chest, knees, and on my neck. I stay inside waiting for healing.  I have tried many so-called cures but the only thing that works is time and patience as the blisters seem to have their own idea of when to give in. At their most debilitating I take prednisone tablets, which do help in healing the current ones, but have the side effect of thinning the skin!  And make me feel queerer than usual as if I am 'out of my body' and as hungry as a hunter.

My blisters form when my body gets heated in any way such as hot weather; body being heated up from warm clothes or temperatures in cold weather; skin rubbing together as in folds or body parts; anything rubbing on skin such as tight elastic, wrinkles in sheets, a loose thread or tag on clothing; stress causing build-up of heat as in being ‘hot under the collar’.

It is a case of always being aware of my body and changes in temperature and mood.

I will research further to find out if any more family members have also been unlucky in inheritance.

Having said all of this though I do appreciate that many people inherit far worse things than I have done.

#52 Ancestors in 52 Weeks. Week 43, Prompt - ‘Cause of Death'

Week 43 Prompt: 'Cause of Death'

The first person who came to mind for this prompt was my Grandmother Violet Maude Cottam nee Palmer.  The reason not to do with the cause of death, but the fact that she died 20 days before I was born, the 6^thJuly and my birth 26^thJuly.  I totally missed out on meeting her.  I like to think that she had a few words to me whilst I was in utero, because she and my mum were very, very, close, and I would have loved to have known her.  

I have always thought what a difficult time it would have been for my mother.  Grandma and Grandpa Cottam were living with my Mum and Dad at the time in Shepparton, Victoria. 

Mum explained to me that it was easier knowing that she died in communion with God, that it was a beautiful way for her to die. What did she mean by that? 

Well, when Mum went into her bedroom to say goodnight, she found Grandma kneeling, leaning on the bed in the act of saying her prayers. 

Still, Mum was close to having me and to walk in and find her like that – it must have been an awful shock. 

Grandma was 66 years old, not that old really especially now I have passed it some time ago.  

I was named after both my grandmothers, Isabel from Dad's mother Maude from Mum's mother. I always thought to myself I would have preferred Violet ! 

Violet Palmer - as a young girl - family photo

Violet Maude Palmer was born on 16 October 1879 in Belfast Victoria  – the original name for Port Fairy. She was the fifth child of six to Arthur Samuel Palmer and Eleanor Wells, both from the Sussex/Kent area of England. 

Violet was 18 going on 19 when her mother Eleanor died 01 June 1898 and the family all went to different places depending on their work. Violet went to her Aunt Ett’s (Henrietta Carmichael née Wells).  I have a Needlework Book with Violet’s name and address inside -  North St, Coburg - 18 June 1900 .

Violet 's Needlework Book frontispage

According to the Electoral Rolls, she was living out at her Uncle’s farm  - Henry Wall Palmer at Jindivick in 1903.

When she was 24, residing at Ackland St, St Kilda, Violet married Joseph COTTAM, son of James COTTAM and Eliza SHANKS, on 27 Jan 1904. The wedding was held at St John’s Church of England in Footscray, Victoria.  (Maybe she stayed with a friend that night?)

Joseph Cottam and Violet Palmer - Wedding - family photo

Grandpa and Grandma Cottam lived in the electoral district of Gisborne, Victoria in 1909. Then they were in Kew, Victoria in 1914 (where my mother was born in 1913). They had six children all up - four boys and two girls.
They had moved with the family to a farm at Jindivick, Drouin by 1919 and were still living there in 1925. 

 Two Show Prize cards 1925, for Cooking and Sewing.

Their next move took them north to Numurkah, where they were farming in 1936.  However, by 1942 they were in Shepparton at our place and still there when Grandma died.

Violet and Joseph at their second youngest son, George's wedding.

Violet by her mother, Eleanor's grave 

Joseph and Violet on the farm in latter years.