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Frank was born in 1915. He was president of his high school class, served in the U.S. Navy Supply Corp from 1941 to 1945, had an illustrious career in sales and marketing, and has an impressive resume as long as your arm! He was nominated for inclusion in "Who's Who in America" for 1996-1997.
In 1941 Frank married Lorraine A. Burdick in Chicago where they lived. In 1978 after retiring to Florida, Frank decided to track the history of the Burdick family. He was, of course, familiar with Nellie Johnson's book, but he wanted to do something different -- he used Robert Burdick as his starting point and went back from there!
The result is the Burdick International Ancestry Library in Sarasota, Florida. After 12 years of correspondance with over 2000 people and the names and addresses of over 15,000 Burdicks, Frank self-published a book entitled "The Burdick Family Chronology." Unlike "The Descendants of Robert Burdick of Rhode Island," which he refers to as a "dictionary" of Burdicks in America, his book is a history of the our family. Within its 500 pages is a thorough examination of the Burdick family throughout recorded history.
Frank has researched the journey of Hugo and Robert Bordet of Normandy with William the Conqueror and how others of the northern French clan helped the Pope push the Muslims from Spain. He follows the family's Irish connections, the Burdick influence on the Magna Carta, its position during the English Civil War (which may be why Robert Burdick came to America) and, what I find most interesting, the pre-Norman history back to the Vikings of Norway.
But that's only the beginning! Mr. Mueller's book chronicles the famous and not-so-famous Burdicks throughout American history. Here's a few of his numerous findings:
Unfortunately, all of Frank's books have been sold. Right now, it looks like no more will be printed, but that may change. If enough people are interested, we may be able to do another printing -- let me know what you think.
Unfortunately, Frank is now gone, too.
Click here to see a picture of Frank and Lorraine taken a few years ago.
I had the pleasure of knowing Frank for the last years of his life. I wish I had known him sooner. Some viewed him as abrasive, even combative. To me, he was an endless source of information. He was not your typical genealogy researcher. His interest, as he stated to me on several occasions, was not to simply produce a "dictionary" of names, dates and places. He wanted to delve into the story behind the details, as demonstrated by the items listed above.
The Burdick family has lost a great supporter and promoter. You can say what you like about Frank's research, temperment, etc., but there is no argument that he was a salesman. A natural saleman. Our family had the benefit of his salesmanship for the last 3 decades. No one can know for sure, but my belief is that the name Burdick would not be as well known as it is today without Frank's effort. Thank you, my friend.
I received a card from Lorraine the other day. It was Frank's "In Memory..." card. In fitting style, Frank wrote it himself! It brought a tear to my eye and a smile to my lips. I was not surprised. I hope you agree with me that this is how I will remember him...
Mrs. Lorraine Mueller
acknowlwdges with grateful appreciation your
kind expression of sympathy.
Do not stand there and weep
for I'm not there and I'm not asleep.
I am a thousand winds that blow,
I am the diamond glints on snow,
I am the sun on ripened grain,
I am the gentle autumn rain.
When you awake in the morning's hush,
I am the swift uplifting rush
of quiet birds in circled flight,
I am the stars that shine in the night.
So, do not stand there and cry
for I am not there,
I did not die.
by Mary Elizabeth Frye
Once again I am re-fired,
My favorite pastime since I retired!
AUF WIEDERSEHEN
Compiled by Frank P. Mueller, 1992