Barbara shares memories of her early years of family and community. As the oldest daughter of six children, she had many duties to provide a helping hand within her family. She was a leader of the Jolly 4-H Flower Club, became a member of Vernon Grange # 52, and belonged to the Talcottville Congregational Church. She attended OgdensCornerSchool for primary grades, a one room school, and graduatated from RockvilleHigh School in 1939. She married Francis Hambach at St Catherine’s Church in Broad Brook in 1942. She has three daughters – Janice, Nancy and Roberta.

Barbara learned from her Grandmother, Florence Preston Thrall, that she was a descendant of William Bradford, who arrived on the Mayflower, and that she had both Revolutionary War and Civil War ancestors. Barbara has always been very proud of her heritage and is aware of the sacrifices that Americans in service continue to make. She has written several patriotic pieces to reflect this. Barbara enjoys being a grandmother and great-grandmother. A section of her writings are for Karen Thalia, a little family gem. She also writes about her favorite vacation place, Greenville, Maine.