Friday, December 23, 2011

WHAT'S IN A SURNAME – TARR


















[Photo Source: Google online images]

Submitted by: Dorothy Hazel Tarr.


Introduction

It is always interesting to me to research my Family and the origin and meanings of our Family names.   Below is what I have found so far regarding my surname "TARR". 



Last Name: TARR


This unusual name seems to have originated in the Bristol area of South West England, which explains the use of the word as an occupational surname for one who worked with tar or bitumen in waterproofing ships, Bristol having been an important trading port for centuries.  The derivation of "tar" is from the Old English "te(o)rn".  The parish records of West Bagborough in Somerset show the marriage of one Elizabeth Tarr to Henry Thrasher on the 23rd of April 1639.  Sara Tarr was christened on the 14th June 1667, at Chipstable, Somerset.  The first recorded spelling of the family name is shown to be that of Francis Tarr, married Ann Day, which was dated 1584, Stockland, Bristol, during the reign of Queen Elizabeth 1, 'Good Queen Bess', 1558 - 1603.  Surnames became necessary when governments introduced personal taxation.  In England, this was known as Poll Tax.  Throughout the centuries, surnames in every country have continued to "develop" often leading to astonishing variants of the original spelling. 


(It is interesting to note that the surnames "TARR" and "DAY" appear in my Family Tree. dht)



Tarr Name Meaning


English (southwestern England and South Wales): apparently from tar (Old English te(o)ru), and applied perhaps to someone who worked with tar or bitumen in waterproofing ships.


Tarr Meaning:   dweller in, or near a tower; dweller near a tower-like rock or hill; one who worked with tar or bitumen in waterproofing ships.

The name "TARR" has its origin in England, Wales, Ireland, Scotland, Germany, Prussia, Preussen, Vavaria, and Baltum. 

Tarr Coat of Arms / Tarr Family Crest



This surname of TARR was an English occupational name for someone who worked with tar or bitumen in waterproofing ships.  The name was originally rendered in the Old English form TEORU and is familiar to the Bristol area.  Many of the modern family names throughout Europe reflect the profession or occupation of their forbears in the Middle Ages and derive from the position held by their ancestors in the village, noble household or religious community in which they lived and worked.  The addition of their profession to their birth name made it easier to identify individual tradesmen and craftsmen.  As generations passed and families moved around, so the original identifying names developed into the corrupted but simpler versions that we recognize today.  Early records of the name include Reigland de TERRE, who was recorded in the year 1190 in London, and John de TAR was recorded in 1212 in County Dorset.  Over the centuries, most people in Europe have accepted their surname as a fact of life, as irrevocable as an act of God.  However much the individual may have liked or disliked the surname, they were stuck with it, and people rarely changed them by personal choice.  A more common form of variation was in fact involuntary, when an official change was made, in other words, a clerical error.  A later instance of the name includes Edward TARR, who was documented during the reign of Edward III (1327-1377), and Symon TARRE of Yorkshire, was listed in the Yorkshire Poll Tax of 1379.  Among the humbler classes of European society, and especially among illiterate people, individuals were willing to accept the mistakes of officials, clerks and priests as officially bestowing a new version of their surname, just as they had meekly accepted the surname they had been born with.  In North America, the linguistic problems confronting immigration officials at Ellis Island in the 19th century were legendary as a prolific source of Anglicization.  The eagle depicted in the arms is emblematical of fortitude and magnanimity of mind.  The Romans used an eagle for their ensign, and their example has been often followed.  It is the device of Russia, Austria, Germany, and the United States of America.  In the Middle Ages, heraldry came into use as a practical matter.  It originated in the devices used to distinguish the armored warriors in tournament and war, and was also placed on seals as marks of identity.  As far as records show, true heraldry began in the middle of the 12th century, and appeared almost simultaneously in several countries of Western Europe.


Summary
 
So this is what I've found so far: That my family origins using the surname TARR came from mostly the United Kingdom area and were living near towers in the Middle Ages and were probably working in the shipbuilding trades.

Tuesday, December 20, 2011

THE SISTERHOOD



















[Photos  L-to-R: Dorothy Hazel Tarr and younger sister Betty Lucille Tarr]


(20 DEC 2011 – Time cures all ills and heals all wounds – so say many quotations.  Forgiveness is a blessing one bestows on oneself.  Shame me once, Shame on me – Shame me more than once, Shame on you.  Enough is enough – I've had enough.  It's time to move on and let the past fall away with all the hatred.  The only way it seems to let it "go", is to let you "go" too.  Therefore, I release you from this day from any familial connection to me.  dht)




 I remember you, little Sister, as a little girl, but now I feel that we are strangers with little to nothing in common - but our DNA.  I know I won't hurt your feelings as I say this with complete honesty – you have forfeited your 'sisterhood' and 'familial ties' !!   Dredging up the past only brings painful memories back, and when I see your photos, hear your voice (so like my own), I'm reminded of how deep your betrayal in ALL THINGS!!

[Dorothy Hazel Tarr – 2011]





Saturday, December 17, 2011

SOUP – Chicken Tortilla



(17 DEC 2011 - This is one of my favorite homemade soups.  It is very healthy, especially if you use olive oil and low-fat or non-fat milk.  The soup is a warm red color and looks delicious with side garnishes of cilantro, chives, green onions, diced fresh tomatoes, and some shredded low-fat cheddar cheese, sour cream, diced bell pepper, or even guacamole.  I like this soup with sour dough bread, but bread sticks or even crackers are great too.  I make it a MEAL by serving a great garden salad and chilled green tea — but that's just me!  Also, I like to add my own dash of TABASCO Green Pepper Sauce or Original Sauce to my individual serving, so I can "spice it up" – but mildly!!!  dht)





Makes about 4 quarts of soup – that's a LOT, so I freeze the soup in small portions (about 2 cups).  It freezes GREAT!


So here are the ingredients:


1 T Olive Oil
      (Olive Oil is best for taste and healthy
      too;  but you can use canola oil)
2  medium onions
      (yellow or white, cut in thin strips)
1 T chopped garlic
      (fresh or bottled; or 1 tsp dried)
2 pounds cooked boneless chicken
      (cut in thin strips; I prefer white chicken
      for this recipe that has been baked or
      broiled)
1 tsp salt (or salt substitute)
1 tsp ground black pepper
1 quart chicken stock
      (or use water; I prefer using my own
       homemade chicken stock or chicken
       stock from grocery store)
6 cups Enchilada Sauce (see below)
1 quart water
1 quart cream
      (half-and-half, low fat milk, or
       non-fat milk; you decide what you
       prefer; or you can even use
       canned milk)
10 corn tortillas
      (cut in one-inch squares; I prefer the
       tortillas that are made without LARD)


NOW the mixing and cooking steps.

Sauté the olive oil, onions, garlic, chicken, salt, and pepper on medium heat in a large saucepan, until the onions are soft and the garlic (if you used fresh) is golden.

Simmer chicken stock, Enchilada Sauce (see below), water, cream (or milk), and tortillas together until tortillas are soft.  Stir by hand or take the pan off the heat and use an electric hand mixer to blend.

Then combine ALL INGREDIENTS and simmer for 10-15 minutes.  Serve HOT or WARM – delicious!

---------------

OKAY, so here is the homemade Enchilada Sauce for this SOUP (or you can use this sauce for homemade ENCHILADAs – YUMMY!!)


HOME MADE ENCHILADA SAUCE

2 T olive oil (or canola oil is good too)
1 T minced fresh garlic (or bottled)
1 T minced fresh yellow or white onion
1 tsp cumin dry spice
1 T chili powder
     (I prefer 2 T just because
      I like chili flavoring)
1 tsp oregano (dried is okay)
6 diced red ripe tomatoes
     (I prefer the fresh Roma tomatoes;
      but canned diced tomatoes are okay
      to use too)
1 red bell pepper
     (or you can use the orange or
      yellow bell pepper)
3 cups water
½ tsp salt
½ tsp ground black pepper

To make the Enchilada Sauce.

Sauté the Enchilada Sauce ingredients together in large sauce pan over medium heat.  Then add the 3 cups of water and season with salt and pepper to taste.  Then let cool for 5-10 minutes. And then pour into a blender to puree until smooth -- (I prefer it a little lumpy so I can see the lumps of tomatoes – but that's just me).

[Dorothy Hazel Tarr - 2011]