January 24, 2015 7:08 am
The object that I have chosen to discuss is a necklace that was passed down to my family a couple of years ago. This piece of jewelry was unbeknownst to me until a couple of weeks ago.
Inside this gold box lay a piece of jewelry that has remained in my family line for little less than a century. This piece measures approximately 8 to 10 inches long and the chain itself is about one and a half to two inches wide. This necklace is entirely embroidered in blue, silver, gold, and hints of brown glinting beads. The necklace 
was mainly made with blue beads, but alternates in a maze-type pattern of silver beads with minor gaps of brown beads. Toward the bottom of the necklace is inscribed the initials PB, which stood for Paulena Byllott, my great grandmother. Just below her initials, the very bottom of the necklace is lined with beaded tassels.
Inside the golden box writes ” Given to Grandma Paulina Byllott, by Capuchin Monastery.” This necklace was a gift to her from a Monastery in Detroit, Michigan.
Up until the evening after our first class this necklace was sort of mystery to me. I knew it was a piece of jewelry worn by my great grandmother, whom I am partially named after (Caryn Paulena Byllott), but there was not much context behind who had given to her or why she might of received such a beautiful gift. However, through further investigation I was informed that a letter was sent to my family along with the necklace describing just that.
Paulina Byllott, who I mentioned above, was born in 1868 and immigrated to America in 1886 from Germany. She married in 1887 to August Byllott and lived on McDougall ave, which was walking distance from the St. Bonaventure Monastery. Apparently, they were both great benefactors and supporters of the monastery and the Capuchin Friars there as well. For years they walked to the Monastery at 6a.m. for Sunday Vespers and my Great grandfather, August was a occasionally an usher too. Additionally, August was a blacksmith by trade and made iron hooks that were affixed to the church and used to hold the doors open. Around the turn of the century this gift was bestowed upon Paulina by the other Capuchin Friars for her work and dedication to the church.
This necklace was sent to my family by relatives, whom I have never had the opportunity to meet, from Michigan. Two sisters, now in their nineties, who I have been told hold practically hold all the information regarding my heritage on my fathers side of the family.
Up until this point I have been rather blind to my heritage due to early passings of my grandparents and lack of communication among extended family. However, wIth this tidbit of information that I have recently received about this precious necklace, I am inspired to continue to discover more knowledge about my roots! I am planning on writing to these women in Michigan to voice my curiosity and interest in the past with the hopes of learning more and also making new connections with these members of my family.
Posted by carynbyllott
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I found your post very interesting and your grandmother’s necklace quite beautiful. With the history of the necklace being a mystery, it moved you to find out more, which is a great quality in an object. I think it is amazing that the necklace has inspired you to get in contact with your family and learn more about your heritage.
By n02496882 on January 27, 2015 at 4:26 am