“Lily” Rebecca Jane Young Niven

1851-1882

Lily is the author’s great-grandmother and one of the main characters in Whispers Across A Sea. She is the daughter of Thomas Urry Young and Sarah Anne Wilderspin who lived at 14 Belgrave Road in the Rathmines neighborhood of Dublin. Lily married James Simpson Niven in 1873 and they moved to London, Middlesex County, Ontario, Canada where they raised their daughter, Lucie and two sons, Hugh and Knox. This painting is from 1868-69 when Lily was about 19-20 years old. It hangs in the author’s home. The artist is unknown.

Christmas 1858

Elfie, Lily and Frances with their brother, Henry, who died when he was 8 years old. Taken in a studio for Christmas, Dublin.

Wedding of Lily Young to James Simpson Niven

Guests gather at the wedding of Lily Young and James Simpson Niven in 1873.  To see a larger image with participants identified CLICK HERE.

Thomas Urry Young

Thomas was the father of Lily, Frances and Elfie and lived at 14 Belgrave Road in the Rathmines neighborhood of Dublin. He was a painter and taught art classes at the Royal Hibernian Academy’s National School of Art and later at the Royal Irish Academy. His painting of Dublin Bay is used on this website. A widower for 41 years after the death of his wife, he features prominently in WHISPERS ACROSS A SEA.

Lucie, Hugh and Knox

Lucie pulls a sled with her brothers Hugh and Knox in tow. Photo dates from 1881.

Lucie Mary Niven

Lucie was born in 1874 in London, Ontario, Canada. She was the eldest of Lily and James’ three children. This photo was taken in about 1894 when she was about 20, and a debutante in Ireland. She returned to Canada shortly afterwards. Lucie is the author’s grandmother.

Lucie Mary Niven

Lucie married Shepherd Ivory Franz in London, Ontario on June 15, 1902 when she was 27 years old and Shep was 28.

Lucie & Shep

Lucie and Shep met in Boston 1901. She came from Canada with her friend Edna who was visiting her fiancé. Shep was at Harvard Medical School and about to move to Dartmouth College where, in 1902, they started married life.

Visiting Ireland

Lucie and Shep went to Ireland on their honeymoon. She wanted her aunts to meet her brilliant new husband. The newlyweds are pictured at tea in the garden at RockView.

Shepherd Ivory Franz

Shepherd had a distinguished career as a psychologist. He was a native of Jersey City, New Jersey. His career took him from Columbia University to Harvard and Dartmouth and on to the University of California at Los Angeles where he made many important contributions to the field of psychology. He was the first chairman of psychology at UCLA and Franz Hall was named in his honor in 1996.

Christening of Elizabeth Knox Franz

In 1911, Lucie took her elder daughter, Theodora, and new baby Elizabeth “Betty” Franz back to Ireland to be christened in St. Patrick’s Cathedral in Dublin with the aunts in attendance. This photo was taken at that time and shows Frances, seated at left, and Alfreda (Elfie) holding baby Elizabeth. Lucie stands in the back.

Family Portrait

Lucie with her daughter, Theodora, on the left and holding Elizabeth, “Betty”, on her lap. Taken around 1912. Betty is the author’s mother.

Lucie, Theodora and Betty

Lucie with her daughters, Elizabeth, “Betty”, and Theodora, around 1914.

Betty and her Sisters

From the top, Theodora, Betty, and Patricia outside St. Elizabeth’s Government Hospital, Washington, D.C.

Wedding of Betty Franz and Ynvge Ahlm

Yngve Ahlm and Elizabeth, “Betty” Franz’ wedding, July 15, 1933, St. Alban’s Episcopal Church, Westwood, California. Left to right: Patricia Franz (bride’s sister), Virginia Molony, Betty Franz, Yngve Ahlm, Philip Ahlm (Yngve’s fraternal twin), Clem Molony.

Wedding of Christina Ahlm and Charles Holloway

Christina and Charles were married at St. Alban’s Episcopal Church 26 years later, July 11, 1959. Christina carried the ivory covered Book of Common Prayer that belonged to Frances. Lily Young also carried it when she married James Niven in 1873.

Christy and Chuck

64 years later Chuck and Christy have three children and seven grandchildren. With the completion of Whispers Across A Sea she has documented her Anglo Irish family heritage for her children, grandchildren and generations to come. Her hope is that knowing their roots will offer stability, personal and cultural identity and a broader sense of belonging.