I captured a memory this morning. It was something my mother told me in the early days of my obsession with genealogy. At the time, I wasn't wise enough to explore the clues and then the memory was forgotten.
What she told me was this. As a young man, my father would go to the post office in our little town on this side of the river and talk to sons of Civil War veterans about their experiences. How cool was that? My father actually knew sons of Civil War veterans, but I never thought to ask what they had told him. Did they tell him where they served or if they were injured? Did they tell him how they felt to leave their families or how it felt to come home after the war? I know Our Town had a number of men who served in the war - one or two even served on the Other Side. How I wish I knew who my father listened to and what they told him.
Lots of people are Sons of This or Daughters of That and some are even members of several of these groups. Why, I even know one person who is a Daughter of the South and also a Daughter of the North. Maybe she wants to be safe just in case fighting breaks out again. Honoring your dead ancestors is an art in some areas and I guess my honoring will take the form of learning everything possible about them, but realizing they were ordinary people of their time.
Now, back to the subject at hand. Take a minute, think about stories your parents or grandparents told, review any notes you took and try your hand at capturing some memories. And then transcribe those memories for your children.
Wednesday, February 2, 2011
Tuesday, December 7, 2010
December 7, 1941
Always
Remember
On this day in 1941, Pearl Harbor was attacked by the Japanese. The next day the U.S. declared war on Japan and became embroiled in World War II.
This is a day to remember our fathers, grandfathers and others who fought so gallantly until the war's end.
Thinking of my late father-in-law, Arnold K. Jerome Sr., who served in the Army Air Corps in Egypt and Africa.
Arnold K. Jerome Sr.
1916 - 1979
Sunday, October 24, 2010
Just When You Think ...
Just when you think you have seen it all, something comes along to prove you wrong.
In this morning's newspaper, there was a wedding announcement that made me shake my head, look at it again and then burst out laughing.
Under the title of "H*ll Froze Over!" the notice says that the couple "took the fiery plunge" recently. "We swore that day would never come to pass, we are quite certain that Hades has completely frozen over." No mention of where the wedding occurred or the names of the attendants. The parents' names were not listed, although I wouldn't be surprised if that was at the request of the parents.
I can't decide if this young couple just has a great sense of humor or if they are thumbing their noses at the rest of the world. Whatever the case may be, I wish them luck.
In this morning's newspaper, there was a wedding announcement that made me shake my head, look at it again and then burst out laughing.
Under the title of "H*ll Froze Over!" the notice says that the couple "took the fiery plunge" recently. "We swore that day would never come to pass, we are quite certain that Hades has completely frozen over." No mention of where the wedding occurred or the names of the attendants. The parents' names were not listed, although I wouldn't be surprised if that was at the request of the parents.
I can't decide if this young couple just has a great sense of humor or if they are thumbing their noses at the rest of the world. Whatever the case may be, I wish them luck.
Wednesday, October 6, 2010
The World We Live In
Each generation sees changes in the way we live. During our own lifetime we have seen man land on the moon, the de-segregation of public schools, the anti-war movement during the 1960s and the impeachment of a president. Think about the changes earlier generations have seen. For example, our grandparents saw the advent of the telephone, automobile and travel by airplane.
The following article, which appeared in the Henderson Gleaner and Journal on Sunday, 14 April 1929, is how the world looked at that time.
"The world moves. The George Delker wagon and buggy company at Henderson has closed doors and will be sold in the near future. Sixty-three years ago the concern was established and within a few years was known all over Kentucky, Indiana and Illinois. It made buggies and wagons that served well and lasted.
But the wagon and buggy business is on its last wheels, so to speak. The wagon and buggy gave us only poor roads and it took a great deal of time to travel via a horse-drawn vehicle between Henderson and Evansville. Nowadays an auto makes the trip easily within an hour's time.
There are those of us who miss the old-fashioned buggy ride when the chap with a green derby and a rubber-tired spring buggy was the Beau Brummel of the town and the envy of all the other young men who treated their sweethearts to long walks along lover's lane in lieu of vehicular transportation. But the buggy is a memory along with peg top trousers, the watering trough, the cigar store Indian, the village smithy and the tandem bicycle. The horse-drawn vehicle played its part in the settlement of the country as prairie schooner after prairie schooner wended its way across the continent, as Virginian and Kentuckian forded the river and came to Indiana and Illinois.
It was the symbol of another era, the pioneer era, even as the auto is the symbol of the present age."
Another article in the same issue of the newspaper says:
"Today the world is literally at our doors. A spin of a dial, and we listen to the President in Washington, or a football game in San Francisco. From our talking machines the greatest of operatic stars sing to us, the foremost dance orchestras play lively syncopation of our choosing. Our automobiles stand ready to whisk us over smooth boulevards to new scenes. Monday is no long blue; the family washing is done by electricity; so too is the cooking, and the preserving of food, and the sweeping of floors. Yes, the world we live in has changed ... changed marvelously for the better."
If they only knew.
Look how far we have come since 1929. What would our grandparents have thought if they heard us talking about cyberspace, instant messaging or computers?
The following article, which appeared in the Henderson Gleaner and Journal on Sunday, 14 April 1929, is how the world looked at that time.
"The world moves. The George Delker wagon and buggy company at Henderson has closed doors and will be sold in the near future. Sixty-three years ago the concern was established and within a few years was known all over Kentucky, Indiana and Illinois. It made buggies and wagons that served well and lasted.
But the wagon and buggy business is on its last wheels, so to speak. The wagon and buggy gave us only poor roads and it took a great deal of time to travel via a horse-drawn vehicle between Henderson and Evansville. Nowadays an auto makes the trip easily within an hour's time.
There are those of us who miss the old-fashioned buggy ride when the chap with a green derby and a rubber-tired spring buggy was the Beau Brummel of the town and the envy of all the other young men who treated their sweethearts to long walks along lover's lane in lieu of vehicular transportation. But the buggy is a memory along with peg top trousers, the watering trough, the cigar store Indian, the village smithy and the tandem bicycle. The horse-drawn vehicle played its part in the settlement of the country as prairie schooner after prairie schooner wended its way across the continent, as Virginian and Kentuckian forded the river and came to Indiana and Illinois.
It was the symbol of another era, the pioneer era, even as the auto is the symbol of the present age."
Another article in the same issue of the newspaper says:
"Today the world is literally at our doors. A spin of a dial, and we listen to the President in Washington, or a football game in San Francisco. From our talking machines the greatest of operatic stars sing to us, the foremost dance orchestras play lively syncopation of our choosing. Our automobiles stand ready to whisk us over smooth boulevards to new scenes. Monday is no long blue; the family washing is done by electricity; so too is the cooking, and the preserving of food, and the sweeping of floors. Yes, the world we live in has changed ... changed marvelously for the better."
If they only knew.
Look how far we have come since 1929. What would our grandparents have thought if they heard us talking about cyberspace, instant messaging or computers?
Saturday, September 11, 2010
Remembering ...
When the events of 9-11 began to unfold, we all knew something terrible was happening. When the first airplane struck the Twin Towers, I immediately called my brother and each of us watched on TV as the second plane struck the other tower. We talked about how these attacks on our country would affect us and wondered who was responsible.
But that was not the last life-changing event we would see that fall.
About a month later, my brother was hospitalized for the removal of a brain tumor. 24 hours later he had suffered a stroke and began to sink into a coma. It was painful to watch the connection to him wither. When it became evident that his condition could not be reversed, we let him go.
So, every year on the anniversary of 9-11, I remember not only what happened in New York, Washington, DC and Pennsylvania, but also what happened a month later in Kentucky. The two events are intertwined in my mind. The pain of the two events has dulled with time, but neither will be forgotten.
R.I.P.
But that was not the last life-changing event we would see that fall.
About a month later, my brother was hospitalized for the removal of a brain tumor. 24 hours later he had suffered a stroke and began to sink into a coma. It was painful to watch the connection to him wither. When it became evident that his condition could not be reversed, we let him go.
So, every year on the anniversary of 9-11, I remember not only what happened in New York, Washington, DC and Pennsylvania, but also what happened a month later in Kentucky. The two events are intertwined in my mind. The pain of the two events has dulled with time, but neither will be forgotten.
R.I.P.
Saturday, September 4, 2010
Labor Day and the First Day of School
In my day many years ago, Labor Day signaled the official end of summer. School didn't start the middle of August as it does today. School waited until we were done with summer and ready for Fall.
Labor Day itself was spent with my best friend's large extended family. The whole clan gathered at a park and spent the day playing volleyball, softball or dodge ball. The only person allowed to rest in the shade of the big, old trees was Grandma. Seated on a fold-up chair with cushions, she yelled at us if we missed a return or dropped the ball, but was quick to call us over for a hug or pat on the back. But her primary job was to shoo hungry children away from the food waiting on the picnic tables and that was a full-time job!
Late in the afternoon we stopped to rest and share a meal. Pop-tops were removed, dishes unwrapped, paper cups brought out - fried chicken, ham, salads of every variety, deviled eggs, chips and then dessert. Oh my! Apple pie, chocolate cake, cookies and brownies - we had it all. Of course, we had iced tea, lemonade and Kool-Ade for the little ones.
After the meal, some people dozed, others read and the rest pulled their lawn chairs together to visit and reminiscence about previous picnics. By the time we left, the youngest ones were dragging.
My thoughts were already turning to the next day - the First Day of School.
The past few weeks had been spent finding just the right clothes to start out the new school year. No slacks or shorts in those days; we always wore a dress and new shoes, often of the black and white saddle variety. Baths on that Labor Day evening were extra long, hair was washed and clothes were laid out for the next day. There was no arguing about staying up late -I was exhausted from the long day outside and, besides, I was anxious for the next day to arrive. After what seemed like just a few minutes, it was time to get up, eat, dress and start the new school year. Nothing could surpass the anticipation of a new clothes, new books and a fresh start.
School days are behind me and my children are grown now. Although I have no one to get ready for the first day of school, I can't help thinking of those days back in the '50s.
Labor Day itself was spent with my best friend's large extended family. The whole clan gathered at a park and spent the day playing volleyball, softball or dodge ball. The only person allowed to rest in the shade of the big, old trees was Grandma. Seated on a fold-up chair with cushions, she yelled at us if we missed a return or dropped the ball, but was quick to call us over for a hug or pat on the back. But her primary job was to shoo hungry children away from the food waiting on the picnic tables and that was a full-time job!
Late in the afternoon we stopped to rest and share a meal. Pop-tops were removed, dishes unwrapped, paper cups brought out - fried chicken, ham, salads of every variety, deviled eggs, chips and then dessert. Oh my! Apple pie, chocolate cake, cookies and brownies - we had it all. Of course, we had iced tea, lemonade and Kool-Ade for the little ones.
After the meal, some people dozed, others read and the rest pulled their lawn chairs together to visit and reminiscence about previous picnics. By the time we left, the youngest ones were dragging.
My thoughts were already turning to the next day - the First Day of School.
The past few weeks had been spent finding just the right clothes to start out the new school year. No slacks or shorts in those days; we always wore a dress and new shoes, often of the black and white saddle variety. Baths on that Labor Day evening were extra long, hair was washed and clothes were laid out for the next day. There was no arguing about staying up late -I was exhausted from the long day outside and, besides, I was anxious for the next day to arrive. After what seemed like just a few minutes, it was time to get up, eat, dress and start the new school year. Nothing could surpass the anticipation of a new clothes, new books and a fresh start.
School days are behind me and my children are grown now. Although I have no one to get ready for the first day of school, I can't help thinking of those days back in the '50s.
Monday, August 16, 2010
Beyond My Understanding ...
Some things are just beyond my understanding. For example ...
Why does it take twice as long to pack for a trip as it does to unpack from the trip?
The library book you reserved and hoped to read while on vacation isn't available until the day after you leave on your trip.
The picture on the box of that low-fat, low-calorie frozen dinner looks nothing like what is inside the box. And tastes nothing like real food either.
The only missing issue of the newspaper is the one containing the obituary for your ancestor?
The class reunion and street festival you have been looking forward to all year are scheduled on the same day.
You have never used that item and probably never will use it, but it's on sale so you buy it.
The lost TV remote turns up the day after you buy a replacement.
No matter how much we plan otherwise, frustrations seem to be part of life.
Why does it take twice as long to pack for a trip as it does to unpack from the trip?
The library book you reserved and hoped to read while on vacation isn't available until the day after you leave on your trip.
The picture on the box of that low-fat, low-calorie frozen dinner looks nothing like what is inside the box. And tastes nothing like real food either.
The only missing issue of the newspaper is the one containing the obituary for your ancestor?
The class reunion and street festival you have been looking forward to all year are scheduled on the same day.
You have never used that item and probably never will use it, but it's on sale so you buy it.
The lost TV remote turns up the day after you buy a replacement.
No matter how much we plan otherwise, frustrations seem to be part of life.
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