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The Bootsie Quest

Our Quest for Saigon Kids continues …

We are now looking for and hoping to locate Saigon Kid – Barbara “Bootsie” Lynn McMains. She was at American Community School during the 1958 to 1960/61 time frame. She is in the 1960 Gecko Year Book on Page 30. The yearbook is located in our Photo Gallery.

Anyone having information about “Bootsie”, please leave it in the Comments section below.

Thank you in advance for your help!      🙂

Bob

31 comments to The Bootsie Quest

  • Mike Erickson

    Bob, about how old do you think Barbara would be now? Do you know if she had any siblings (and their names)?

    • Admin

      Mike – Bootsie would probably be in her mid-60s. I don’t recall if she had sibblings or not. But, I’m sure Glenn Parker would know!! – after all she was his steady girl back then … 🙂

      Glenn where are you??? Get in here and HELP us!!! – LOL – 🙂

      Bob

  • glenn parker

    Not sure if it is McMain or McMan-The year book may have the spelling wrong. She had 2 younger twin brothers who should be in their 50’s now. I don’t remember their names.

    Her father was, I think, her step father, and I don’t remember his name, but he was one of the high ranking members of the USIS at the time. The twin boys were his. From Saigon, they moved to Washington D.C. and lived there during Summer of 1960. From there he was posted in Austria, where I lost touch. One of her closest friends was Susanna Oliver, another Saigon kid, whose picture is posted next to Bootsie in the year book. Her father was Admiral Oliver, a military attache in Saigon, I think, and they were posted in South Carolina after Saigon. Susanna and Bootsie were in touch with each other after I lost touch. Find her and you’ll probably find Bootsie. This all I know, and I hope it helps.

    • Admin

      Thanks, Glenn – We’ll see what turns up. Your info gives us more to go on in our attempts to locate her. Every little piece of information helps, in the search. So, if you remember anything else, please let us know.

      Bob

      PS: I just checked the 1960 Gecko Year Book with these findings:

      Suellen Oliver in same year as Bootsie McMains

      Mrs. Wiltse’s 3rd Grade Class 1959/60 school year shows:

      James MacMains
      Steven McMains

      Note: Mac and Mc spelling of name. Since out of the 3 only one is spelled as “Mac” I’m assuming “Mc” is the correct spelling.

      Jane Reiser was in this class also. Jane is a member of our Blog, maybe she can remember something about her classmates. Ohhhhh Jane, please step forward – LOL 🙂

      The Quest continues ….

      I Googled “Suellen Oliver” – one result was a “Suellen Oliver Campbell” of Texas. See this PDF from Landers University, Spring of 2008.

      CLICK HERE to read the magazine

      Look on page 4, “Heart and Soul …. ” see caption under pix of people standing under blue umbrella’s. Shows Suellen Oliver Campbell from Texas (class of 1967). Suellen is also referenced several other place throughout the Magazine. This would be about the correct time frame given the time she was in Saigon and grade in school there.

      Getting closer …. LOL 🙂

      According to this article – Bootsie’s parents would have been “Philip D. McMains and Helen Muir Ware”. It appears her ‘baby brother’ Mick (who was born just before the family departed Washington DC for Viet-nam) has become an accomplished musician and recording artist, rubbing shoulders with the likes of David Bowie and Julian Lennon. Read the complete article here: CLICK HERE

      Getting closer …. 🙂

      Bootsie’s father Philip D. McMains, is listed in this book “Foreign Service List, April 1, 1953”. CLICK HERE to view the it in eBook format (PDF). We might even find other Saigon Kids parents in this book 🙂

      Leave it to the State Department to publish a book on “April Fools Day” – LOL

      Philip D. McMains is also listed in the 1952 Foreign Service List as an Admin Officer in Germany – CLICK HERE to view.

      (Note: TIPS: to find people in these types of list documents, use your browsers ‘find’ or ‘search’ tool and it will take you right to them.)
      The Quest continues … 🙂

  • Kevin L. Wells

    All,

    I have news in the quest for Barbara “Bootsie” Lynn McMains and incidentally, Suellen Oliver.

    I married one of the Lander Lillies and we have on our bookshelf, the 1962-1966 collection of the Lander Yearbooks. Back in those days, it was Lander College, and men were admitted as day students only. It was probably safer for them (the men) that way.

    Suellen Oliver is listed as a Junior in 1966, with the home town of Charleston, SC. There is no other biographical information. Back in those days, Charleston navy Base was a major surface and submarine base.

    Working in higher education has taught me that contact with alumna is life itself and alumni associations are very, very good at keeping up with graduates.

    Stand by, investigation continues.

    Kevin

  • Admin

    Kevin … Suellen being a Junior in 1966 year book fits with the mag. article above showing her as “Class of 67”. Mag. article shows her with married name of ‘Campbell’ and having come to the reunion from Texas (Spring of 2008).

    Wow! What are the odds of all this … Saigon to Lander and 40+ years later now … amazing, isn’t it?! It’s such a small world!

    Bob

  • Mike Erickson

    A search of White Pages records an address for a Suellen O Campbell in Houston, Texas: [*address hidden by Admin for Privacy/Security reasons]. I cross-checked this information against results from a free search engine called ZABA, which recorded the same address and provided this phone number:[*number hidden by Admin for Privacy/Security reasons]. The ZABA search also indicated this person was born in January of 1945, which would make her 64 (about the age Bob surmised she would be). I can’t vouch this is the Suellen you are looking for but it might be worth a stamp or phonecall.

    * [Admin Note: Thank you very much Mike. I’m 99% certain this will be our Suellen. I’ve hidden Suellen’s address and phone number above. But, I have it on file if anyone wants it – please email me. I’ll attempt to contact her by phone and report back. – Bob ]

    • Admin

      CONTACT MADE – with Suellen. I just got off the phone with Suellen’s husband having had a wonderful conversation with him. Suellen is out of town at the moment. We exchanged contact information. Suellen’s husband didn’t know how to get in touch with Bootsie, but said that Suellen did. So, we should make contact with Bootsie also in the near future.

      Mission accomplished 🙂

      Bob

  • Ken

    Wow, better than the CIA could do. Ken

  • Mike Erickson

    Happy to help. In the future, if I run across contact information on ACS alumni I will e-mail you directly, Bob, so you won’t have to amend the blog.

    • Admin

      Thanks Mike – Actually, it is not a problem for you to post directly to the Blog. Feel free to continue to do so. The only thing we have watch is not revealing people’s specific personal information (such as address, telephone number, DOB, email address, etc. ) without first having their permission. What works best is if you just go ahead and make the posts directly to the Blog, then just add something like – detailed contact information has been sent to Site Admin. Some people are very “touchy” about having their contact information displayed on the Internet and/or having it given out without their permission, etc.

      Thank you again for all your time and effort you contribute, Mike. Very much appreciated by everyone!

      Bob

  • glenn parker

    I believe you guys and girls are on the right track. I believe Philip was Bootsie’s Father’ name, and her brother is like I would picture him. Suellen is different than I would picture, but the rest fits perfectly. If I could have her E-Mail address, I would appreciate it. If contact is made with Bootsie and she agrees, I would appreciate contact with her also. Great job – thanx.

    [Glenn email sent – Bob]

  • glenn parker

    Have contacted Suellen-we had a great E-Mail conversation. She lost contact quite awhile ago with Bootsie, and Bootsie was in Florida. I have asked Suellen if she rememberd Bootsie’s exact name at that time, and I am awaiting a reply. The Bootsie quest continues. Maybe, the musician brother can help us. Am crossing my fingers! Thanx for all of your help! If anyone has info, feel free to contact me at my E-Mail address.

  • Suellen Oliver Campbell

    Second attempt here.
    I am thrilled to have been found, and am amazed at the lengths you all went through to find me. Thank you so much.
    After reading the search letters, I am amazed that Osama Bin Laden is still at large. The US govt. should put you on the trail and I believe he will be in our sites by next week, at the latest!!
    Sorry not to have more Bootsie info for you. We lost touch right after returning stateside. Last letter was from the FL. panhandle area, I think, but don’t hold me to that. She did have 2 twin half brothers(from her Mom and step dad) and they were 8 at the time we were over there. Dad was with USIS.
    Is there any info on Janet Bogardus? we were good friends, too, and I wondered what became of her.
    Again, thank you for searching and not giving up. I am so excited about your web site and all the info about beloved Saigon. Such wonderful memories and friendships of days’ past.
    My best to all.
    Suellen

    • Admin

      Suellen – I think I do know where we might find Janet Bogradus. I’ll post some info about her over the weekend as I have time.

      Welcome to the Blogosphere, Suellen … and, welcome back home with Saigon Kids 🙂

      Bob

  • Suellen Oliver Campbell

    Just e-mailed my brother, David Matthew Oliver, who was in the ACS 6th grade in 1960…one of the younger ones, back then. He was active in Scouts and hopefully will enjoy the website, too.
    He lives in Beaumont, TX.

    Thank you for your e-mail tonight. I look forward to becoming more proficient with my computer skills, with your advice. And sharing some Saigon memories of the 1958-60 era. Thank you, Bob.
    Suellen

  • Suellen Oliver Campbell

    Am sending Bootsie’s info to a friend who has access to many websites. Perhaps she will have some luck for us. Will let you know if I hear anything of importance..she loves a challenge, lives in Alaska and has time for hunting ancestors. Maybe she can find Bootsie, too, in her searches.
    Enjoy your day.
    Suellen

  • glenn parker

    Bootsie’s brother , Mick , is, I believe, Michael M. Mc.Mains and resides in Pasadena, California and has a brother James Mc Mains both of which are about the same age of 52. It fits, but I’m having trouble with unlisted numbers and addresses, etc. Maybe your super search network can help. Thanx, Glenn

    • Admin

      Glenn – Mick is in fact Michael M. McMains and lives in Pasadena, CA area. He also has a music studio there and runs an on-line rare sheet music shop. You can read about him by CLICK HERE to view the Rescue Records web site article about him. You might try calling Rescue Records at the phone number on the site as it is a Pasadena, CA phone number – might be his studio even. They may be able to get a message to him to contact you. He was born just a few days/weeks before the McMains family departed Washington DC for Viet-nam. So, he was just a ‘baby’ when the McMains family lived in Saigon. I would estimate him to be around age 52 now.

      James and Steven McMains were ‘twin brothers’. They attended ACS and were in the 3rd Grade for the 1959/60 school year. I would estimate them to be around age 58 to 60 now.

      Rock ONNNN …. Saigon Kid …

      Bob

  • Admin

    The following is shown in the University Of Southern California – El Rodeo Yearbook – Class of 1973:

    James McMains, B.A., Drama.
    Steven McMains, B.A., Music.

    These are Bootsie’s twin brothers.

    Bob

  • Admin

    The following is shown at American International School, Vienna, Austria, Alumni.

    Jim McMains – Class of 1969
    Steven McMains – Class of 1969

    These are Bootsie’s twin brothers.

    Bob

  • Admin

    A pay for information site shows the following preliminary information without paying (I’m not paying for more detailed information – LOL):

    Steven R. McMains, age 57, wife Geraldine B. McMains, age 56, Pasadena, CA.

    James W. McMains, age 57, wife Jennie P. McMains, age 60, Pasadena, CA. (Also, shown in Duarte,CA.)

    Being that most of the information on these pay for information sites is generally out dated by 1 to 2 years, they would be about age 58-60 now. Appears these would be Bootsie’s twin brothers.

    Getting closer …

    Bob

  • Admin

    Okay, I now have addresses and telephone numbers for Steven R. McMains in Fullerton, CA.; and, James and Jennie McMains in Duarnte, CA.

    Now to attempt to confirm them – LOL.

    Getting closer … LOL

    Bob

  • Admin

    Have now confirmed the phone numbers are still active. But, it is getting a bit late so – I’ll try actually placing calls to them sometime in the next few days. Will let you know what I find out. 🙂

    Bob

  • Admin

    I believe Bootsie has connected with us. More later after I’ve received confirmation. 🙂

    Bob

  • Admin

    Bootsie HAS CONNECTED with us!! And, contact has been made with her brothers also!

    Mission accomplised!! 🙂

    Way to go gang!

    Big thank you to all who helped out locating her – much appreciated!

    Rock Onnnn … Saigon Kids … 🙂

    Bob

  • glenn parker

    Great job everyone ! As Bob said, “Life is good !”. I have now connected with my 2 favorite friends from Saigon, Suellen and Bootsie. You guys are awesome ! Thanx from the bottom of my heart.

  • Jim McMains

    I just googled myself and found this blog. I had no idea all this was going on, but I know Glenn Parker tracked Bootsie down through my other half, Steven McMains. If you don’t already know, Boots & Glenn have reunited in Cocoa Beach, FL. As for the McMains boys, all 3 of us, Michael “Mick”, Steven “Moose” and myself are living in the Los Angeles area and are performing as The McMains Brothers (I was rooting for “The Hyperventilaters”, but got out-voted) in the area. I’ve been working at Musicians Institute in Hollywood for the past 23 years. Mick runs his own Recording studio and online Sheet Music business in El Monte.

  • Bruce Giza

    Hi Jim,glad to see that you have found this site.
    There are pictures that I posted that include one of you and Steve,as well as my little brother and me.
    I have connected with your brothers on Facebook,as well as Bootsie on the Saigon Kids F.B. site.
    It’s a lot of fun looking up old friends and saying hi.

    [CLICK HERE TO VISIT PHOTO GALLERY]

  • Deyaun Boudreaux, (Brown)

    Very interested in the 20/20 reunion!

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