On the 5th Day of Christmas
My true love said "I'm sad,
Let's go see your mom and dad."
1) Did your family visit the cemetery at Christmas?
I have specific memories of, as a boy, going with my mother and her parents to put flowers on the wall to honor Georgia Auble, and Austin and Della Carringer, at the Cypress View mausoleum. I think it was at Christmas. My grandparents were very close to their parents, having lived with them, or next door to them, nearly all their lives.
I think I took my mother (since she didn't drive) to Cypress View after her parents died for several years at Christmas. I don't recall going to my father's grave at Fort Rosecrans National Cemetery at Christmas time, although we went occasionally when we had Seaver family visitors.
2) How did your family honor deceased family members at Christmas?
We have never had shrines or anything like that for our deceased relatives. There are pictures on the walls of them.
At the Christmas Day dinner, I usually lead a family prayer and specifically mention those that have gone before, and name them by name (I only go back to my grandparents! It would be a really long prayer otherwise).
I had hoped to gather thumb sized face photos of as many ancestors as possible from my collection of photographs and get them put onto Christmas tree ornaments but that project was put on hold. If I did that, then I could put the photos in my online Family Trees too.
This post will be part of the "Advent Calendar of Christmas Memories" carnival - organized by Thomas MacEntee at the Destination: Austin Family blog. Please go to Thomas' blog and read the submissions for each day.
Wednesday, December 19, 2007
Tuesday, December 18, 2007
Santa comes early - what a gift!
I've been a good genea-blogger this year, Santa, and thank you so much for my early surprise!
I posted last year about an ancestral home in Dodge County, Wisconsin - here and here. An inn (hotel) was built by my 3rd-great-grandfather, Ranslow Smith (Della (Smith) Carringer's grandfather) in the 1850's in Burnett township in Dodge County, Wisconsin. From an email correspondent, I learned that this inn had been preserved and transferred to Old World Wisconsin (OWW - located in southeastern Wisconsin) as part of a living history display.
After contacting OWW, I received an email saying that the inn was there, had been preserved and refurbished to 1870 conditions, and we have a report describing the inn's history. And, by the way, Ranslow Smith's parents were Russell and Esther Smith. The latter was great news for me! The report was promised forthwith, and I waited several months before contacting them again when it didn't arrive even sixthwith. I emailed the fellow several more times over the last year, and received the report in the mail yesterday. It was worth the wait!
The report is titled "The Four-Mile House of Rolling Prairie, Dodge Co., Wisconsin: A Village Hotel in Transition," by Allen F. Johnson, April 30, 1983. This is a report of over 80 pages with contents:
* Introduction -- page i
* Biographical History of the Ranslow Smith Family - I -- page 1
* Biographical History of the Peter Worthy Family - II -- page 24
* A Smalltown Hotel of 1870, and its Evolution as a Type - III -- page 42
* A Historical Overview of Rolling Prairie, Wisconsin, 1841-1890 - IV -- page 61
* Nineteenth Century English Immigration and Settlement in Wisconsin - V -- page 70.
They sent along pages 1 through page 23, then pages 42 through 60, but this beggar can't be a chooser, can he? It's free, and someone has done a lot of work to find out the history of this old house.
The report reads like a college student's term paper, but is probably not a Master's thesis. It has footnotes that provide sources and additional information. There is a recommended reading section at the end of Section IV. The information provided by OWW said that they commissioned to have this report written. My guess is that they commissioned reports for all of the buildings that they brought to Old World Wisconsin.
I will write several more posts about this over the next weeks because the details are interesting (at least to me, perhaps to you), we can all learn from reports like these that may be found in local repositories, and we can all learn from the sources used to compile this type of family and house history document.
I'm still reading it carefully ... I'll be back later!
I posted last year about an ancestral home in Dodge County, Wisconsin - here and here. An inn (hotel) was built by my 3rd-great-grandfather, Ranslow Smith (Della (Smith) Carringer's grandfather) in the 1850's in Burnett township in Dodge County, Wisconsin. From an email correspondent, I learned that this inn had been preserved and transferred to Old World Wisconsin (OWW - located in southeastern Wisconsin) as part of a living history display.
After contacting OWW, I received an email saying that the inn was there, had been preserved and refurbished to 1870 conditions, and we have a report describing the inn's history. And, by the way, Ranslow Smith's parents were Russell and Esther Smith. The latter was great news for me! The report was promised forthwith, and I waited several months before contacting them again when it didn't arrive even sixthwith. I emailed the fellow several more times over the last year, and received the report in the mail yesterday. It was worth the wait!
The report is titled "The Four-Mile House of Rolling Prairie, Dodge Co., Wisconsin: A Village Hotel in Transition," by Allen F. Johnson, April 30, 1983. This is a report of over 80 pages with contents:
* Introduction -- page i
* Biographical History of the Ranslow Smith Family - I -- page 1
* Biographical History of the Peter Worthy Family - II -- page 24
* A Smalltown Hotel of 1870, and its Evolution as a Type - III -- page 42
* A Historical Overview of Rolling Prairie, Wisconsin, 1841-1890 - IV -- page 61
* Nineteenth Century English Immigration and Settlement in Wisconsin - V -- page 70.
They sent along pages 1 through page 23, then pages 42 through 60, but this beggar can't be a chooser, can he? It's free, and someone has done a lot of work to find out the history of this old house.
The report reads like a college student's term paper, but is probably not a Master's thesis. It has footnotes that provide sources and additional information. There is a recommended reading section at the end of Section IV. The information provided by OWW said that they commissioned to have this report written. My guess is that they commissioned reports for all of the buildings that they brought to Old World Wisconsin.
I will write several more posts about this over the next weeks because the details are interesting (at least to me, perhaps to you), we can all learn from reports like these that may be found in local repositories, and we can all learn from the sources used to compile this type of family and house history document.
I'm still reading it carefully ... I'll be back later!
The New Millenium! - Carnival of Genealogy #38 is posted
The 38th Edition of the Carnival of Genealogy has been posted by Jasia on her Creative Gene blog - the post is here.
The theme for this edition is The New Millennium: What were you up to? How did you prepare for the New Year 2000? GeneaBloggers write about their memories of the turn of the century and the turn of the millennium. Take some time out from your holiday happenings and see what these folks were doing. 14 intrepid genea-bloggers could remember what they were doing when the year 2000 came along.
I did not participate in this Carnival - I couldn't remember anything special about the event in my life, and some of the posts I read covered some of my thoughts.
The theme for the next edition of the Carnival of Genealogy will be: New Year's Resolutions. As the year winds to a close in the next couple weeks it's a good time to review the progress made in our genealogy research and to make a plan for next year. So what did you accomplish last year and what road blocks did you encounter? What are your research goals for next year and how do you resolve to attain them? Write 'em up and submit your blog articles to the next edition of the Carnival of Genealogy using our carnival submission form. The deadline for submissions is January 1, 2008.
The theme for this edition is The New Millennium: What were you up to? How did you prepare for the New Year 2000? GeneaBloggers write about their memories of the turn of the century and the turn of the millennium. Take some time out from your holiday happenings and see what these folks were doing. 14 intrepid genea-bloggers could remember what they were doing when the year 2000 came along.
I did not participate in this Carnival - I couldn't remember anything special about the event in my life, and some of the posts I read covered some of my thoughts.
The theme for the next edition of the Carnival of Genealogy will be: New Year's Resolutions. As the year winds to a close in the next couple weeks it's a good time to review the progress made in our genealogy research and to make a plan for next year. So what did you accomplish last year and what road blocks did you encounter? What are your research goals for next year and how do you resolve to attain them? Write 'em up and submit your blog articles to the next edition of the Carnival of Genealogy using our carnival submission form. The deadline for submissions is January 1, 2008.
Day 6 - Christmas Shopping
On the 6th Day of Christmas,
My true love "ordered" me
To go out and buy some jewelry.
1) How did your family handle Christmas shopping?
When I was growing up, I think my mother did all of the Christmas shopping for all of her boys (three sons and a hubby). I hope (but I don't know!) that my father shopped for my mother - I really don't have a memory of gifts that she received. We usually had gifts made at school for mom and dad.
When I became a teenager, I went shopping with my mother to get gifts for my brothers and my father. I also shopped for my mother - but I don't remember any gifts I bought. I do remember one year, when I was probably in college, that I bought a new mailbox for mom and dad - I was so proud of this practical gift. I got some strange looks that year.
Linda now does most of the Christmas shopping for family and friends, including our daughters, their hubbies and kids. I tag along sometimes for consultation. She spoils me with gifts - always including chocolate (for my semi-yearglass figure - fully expanded, needing suspenders, yea verily, the sands of time have not been kind), white socks, printer ink cartridges, and some clothes - necessities.
My only real shopping task is to shop for my Angel Linda. It's a big job, but someone has to do it. I got her a laptop computer last year (I got it early), and a digital camcorder two years ago. These did not excite her, since she doesn't know how to use them yet. I try to buy nice clothes for her - essentially blouses, sweaters, pants. Her favorite colors are aqua, green, blue, purple, and red. She likes fancy things, but not items that have to be dry-cleaned. She sometimes buys things for herself and hands them to me to wrap for her. Jewelry is a must each year - and sometimes she tells me what she would like - last year it was a Tiffany silver bracelet that she wears a lot. Gold earrings, bracelets, necklaces (but most are not long enough or are too fragile) with angel charms or figurines are prized. It is a challenge each year to find something new and different.
2) Did anyone finish early or did anyone start on Christmas Eve?
I always finish early - at least before Christmas Day. Linda usually starts before Thanksgiving, and usually has things well in hand by a week before Christmas. I'm still shopping this year...
Linda's brother is famous for waiting until Christmas Eve to shop. There were years that he and I would go out shopping on the 24th to find gifts for his sister, his dad, his girlfriend, etc.
3) What are the highlights of shopping for you (an added question)?
The first highlight is finding a real special gift for Linda that will make her face light up and earn me a big hug and kiss, even a leer.
The second highlight is watching the little kids sitting on Santa's lap in the little house on the mall walk. I stopped yesterday and watched for about ten minutes while four kids talked to Santa. One cried the whole time, one was scared to death and wanted to get away, but two sat there and talked to him and hugged him at the end. Most of the kids are dressed up, and so are the moms accompanying them. I like watching the Santa helpers too...
This post will be part of the "Advent Calendar of Christmas Memories" carnival - organized by Thomas MacEntee at the Destination: Austin Family blog. Please go to Thomas' blog and read the submissions for each day.
My true love "ordered" me
To go out and buy some jewelry.
1) How did your family handle Christmas shopping?
When I was growing up, I think my mother did all of the Christmas shopping for all of her boys (three sons and a hubby). I hope (but I don't know!) that my father shopped for my mother - I really don't have a memory of gifts that she received. We usually had gifts made at school for mom and dad.
When I became a teenager, I went shopping with my mother to get gifts for my brothers and my father. I also shopped for my mother - but I don't remember any gifts I bought. I do remember one year, when I was probably in college, that I bought a new mailbox for mom and dad - I was so proud of this practical gift. I got some strange looks that year.
Linda now does most of the Christmas shopping for family and friends, including our daughters, their hubbies and kids. I tag along sometimes for consultation. She spoils me with gifts - always including chocolate (for my semi-yearglass figure - fully expanded, needing suspenders, yea verily, the sands of time have not been kind), white socks, printer ink cartridges, and some clothes - necessities.
My only real shopping task is to shop for my Angel Linda. It's a big job, but someone has to do it. I got her a laptop computer last year (I got it early), and a digital camcorder two years ago. These did not excite her, since she doesn't know how to use them yet. I try to buy nice clothes for her - essentially blouses, sweaters, pants. Her favorite colors are aqua, green, blue, purple, and red. She likes fancy things, but not items that have to be dry-cleaned. She sometimes buys things for herself and hands them to me to wrap for her. Jewelry is a must each year - and sometimes she tells me what she would like - last year it was a Tiffany silver bracelet that she wears a lot. Gold earrings, bracelets, necklaces (but most are not long enough or are too fragile) with angel charms or figurines are prized. It is a challenge each year to find something new and different.
2) Did anyone finish early or did anyone start on Christmas Eve?
I always finish early - at least before Christmas Day. Linda usually starts before Thanksgiving, and usually has things well in hand by a week before Christmas. I'm still shopping this year...
Linda's brother is famous for waiting until Christmas Eve to shop. There were years that he and I would go out shopping on the 24th to find gifts for his sister, his dad, his girlfriend, etc.
3) What are the highlights of shopping for you (an added question)?
The first highlight is finding a real special gift for Linda that will make her face light up and earn me a big hug and kiss, even a leer.
The second highlight is watching the little kids sitting on Santa's lap in the little house on the mall walk. I stopped yesterday and watched for about ten minutes while four kids talked to Santa. One cried the whole time, one was scared to death and wanted to get away, but two sat there and talked to him and hugged him at the end. Most of the kids are dressed up, and so are the moms accompanying them. I like watching the Santa helpers too...
This post will be part of the "Advent Calendar of Christmas Memories" carnival - organized by Thomas MacEntee at the Destination: Austin Family blog. Please go to Thomas' blog and read the submissions for each day.
Monday, December 17, 2007
Della's Journal - Week 51 (December 17-23,1929)
This is Installment 51 of the Journal of Della (Smith) Carringer (1862-1944), my great-grandmother, who resided at 2115 30th Street in San Diego in 1929.
The "players" and "setting" are described here. Pictures of some of the players are here. Last week's Journal entry is here.
Here is Week 51 -
====================================
Tuesday, December 17: We made some candy. Washed.
Wednesday, December 18 (warm): Sewed some. Jessie & Fred & Hazel here to Lunch. Fixed them a box for Xmas, they brought Ma & I something & Hazel for Betty. I have not looked at them.
Thursday, December 19 (warm): Packed candy bars made some more candy. Got some Xmas cards. Last day of school for two weeks, Betty was in a play. election on City Charter, our Precinct 113 voted Yes-36, No-70, City No-14,999, Yes-8,661 [difference] 6,338.
Friday, December 20 (warmest day in years on this date): Ma washed her hair. I worked on cards, cut out cushion for Rose, and Xmas things.
Saturday, December 21 (warm): Gave Gilbert poinsettias & Mrs. Paden. Ed over, cut lawn, A[ustin] & Ed put cut leaves off Palm.
Sunday, December 22 (warm): Ma & I went to see Mrs. Putnam, got home ten min[utes] of 4 P.M. Austin watered and put a little manure on fruit trees on West. Miss Thoren went N for Xmas.
Monday, December 23 (warm): We worked on Xmas things. I took box up to University P.O. sent to Kimball's, sent Xmas cards.
------------------------------------
This was a warm week in 1929 - high temps probably in the 70's and 80's. Della is all wrapped up in Christmas things.
One more week for this Journal! I don't know what I'll do without it!
The "players" and "setting" are described here. Pictures of some of the players are here. Last week's Journal entry is here.
Here is Week 51 -
====================================
Tuesday, December 17: We made some candy. Washed.
Wednesday, December 18 (warm): Sewed some. Jessie & Fred & Hazel here to Lunch. Fixed them a box for Xmas, they brought Ma & I something & Hazel for Betty. I have not looked at them.
Thursday, December 19 (warm): Packed candy bars made some more candy. Got some Xmas cards. Last day of school for two weeks, Betty was in a play. election on City Charter, our Precinct 113 voted Yes-36, No-70, City No-14,999, Yes-8,661 [difference] 6,338.
Friday, December 20 (warmest day in years on this date): Ma washed her hair. I worked on cards, cut out cushion for Rose, and Xmas things.
Saturday, December 21 (warm): Gave Gilbert poinsettias & Mrs. Paden. Ed over, cut lawn, A[ustin] & Ed put cut leaves off Palm.
Sunday, December 22 (warm): Ma & I went to see Mrs. Putnam, got home ten min[utes] of 4 P.M. Austin watered and put a little manure on fruit trees on West. Miss Thoren went N for Xmas.
Monday, December 23 (warm): We worked on Xmas things. I took box up to University P.O. sent to Kimball's, sent Xmas cards.
------------------------------------
This was a warm week in 1929 - high temps probably in the 70's and 80's. Della is all wrapped up in Christmas things.
One more week for this Journal! I don't know what I'll do without it!
Census Records - who appears most often?
We have a meme going about census records - let me add another challenge to the meme. Who is your ancestor that appears most often in Census records?
I think mine is probably Henry Austin Carringer (1853 - 1946), who I've found in every available Federal census from 1860 to 1930, and I'm sure he is in the 1940 census as well.
Here is where he resided in each year:
1860 -- In the 1860 U.S. census, Henry A. Caringer (age 7, born PA, attended school) was son of David J. Caringer (age 31, born PA) and his wife Rebecca Caringer (age 28, born PA) and sibling of brother Harvy E. Caringer (age 9, born PA), and sister Epha E. Caringer (age 2, born PA). The family resided in Columbus City, Louisa County, Iowa (National Archives Microfilm Series M653, Roll 331, Page 857, house #558, family #558).
1870 -- In the 1870 US census, Henry A. Carenngtr (age 16, born PA, attended school) was son of D. Carenngtr (age 40, born PA) and Rebeca Carenngtr (age 38, born PA), and brother of Harvy Carenngtr (age 18, born PA) and Effie Carenngtr (age ??, born PA). The family resided in Jackson township in Washington County, Iowa (National Archives Microfilm Series M593, Roll 424, Page 131, house #49, family #49).
1880 -- In the 1880 US Census, Henry A. Carringer (age 26, born PA, millwright and carpenter) was son of D.J. Carringer (age 51, born PA) and Rebecca Carringer (age 48, born PA) and brother of Harvey E. Carringer (age 28, born PA). The family resided in Boulder, Boulder County, Colorado (National Archives Microfilm Series T9, Roll 89, Page 525B, Line 15, page 525B).
1890 -- not found. In 1890, Henry A. Carringer and his wife Della resided in San Diego City, perhaps at a house at 16th and H Street (now Market Street) - they were listed there in the 1891 City Directory.
1900 -- In the 1900 U.S. census, Henry A. Carringer (age 46, born Nov 1853 in PA, a carpenter) was head-of-household with wife Della A. Carringer (age 38, born Apr 1862 in WI), son Lyle L. Carringer (age 8, born Nov 1891 in CA), and mother-in-law Abby A. Smith (age 55, born Aug 1844 in NY). They resided on Watkins Avenue in San Diego city, San Diego County, California (National Archives Microfilm Series T623, Roll 99, Page 172, ED 194, Sheet 19A, Line 43).
1910 -- In the 1910 U.S. census, Henry A. Carringer (age 48, born in PA, a carpenter) was head-of-household with wife Della A. Carringer (age 50, born in WI), son Lyle L. Carringer (age 18, born CA), brother Harvey Carringer (age 59, born in PA) and mother-in-law Abby A. Smith (age ??, born in NY). The family resided on Hawthorne Street in the 4th Ward of San Diego, San Diego County, California (National Archives Microfilm Series T624, Roll 94, page 182, ED 150, Sheet ??, Line 1).
1920 -- In the 1920 U.S. census, Henry A. Carringer (age 66, born in PA, a cabinet-maker) was head-of-household with wife Della A. Carringer (age 57, born in WI), and mother-in-law Abby A. Smith (age 77, born in NY). The family resided at 2105 30th Street in San Diego city, San Diego County, California (National Archives Microfilm Series T625, Roll 131, Page 225, ED 285 sheet 5B, line 65, taken 8 Jan 1920).
1930 -- In the 1930 U.S. census, Henry A. Carringer (age 76, born in PA, an aviation mechanic) was head-of-household with wife Della A. Carringer (age 67, born in WI), and mother-in-law Abbie A. Smith (age 85, born in NY). The family resided at 2115 30th Street in San Diego city, San Diego County, California (National Archives Microfilm Series T626, Roll 192, Sheet 1A, ED 116, line 8, taken 2 April 1930).
1940 -- not available. I'm very sure that Henry A. Carringer (age 86) and wife Della A. (age 77) resided at 2115 30th Street in San Diego, California.
I checked for State Census records for Iowa and Colorado, but didn't find Henry in any of them.
Throughout these records, he is listed as Henry A. Carringer (with spelling variations on the surname) - not "Austin" as Della calls him throughout their married life.
Interestingly, they lived in the same house in San Diego from the 1900 through the 1940 census - the street name changed from Watkins Street (in 1900) to Hawthorn Street (by 1910), the address changed to 2105 30th Street (by 1920, but the house didn't move) and the house moved from the corner to the middle of the block (hence 2115 30th) by the 1930 census.
I think mine is probably Henry Austin Carringer (1853 - 1946), who I've found in every available Federal census from 1860 to 1930, and I'm sure he is in the 1940 census as well.
Here is where he resided in each year:
1860 -- In the 1860 U.S. census, Henry A. Caringer (age 7, born PA, attended school) was son of David J. Caringer (age 31, born PA) and his wife Rebecca Caringer (age 28, born PA) and sibling of brother Harvy E. Caringer (age 9, born PA), and sister Epha E. Caringer (age 2, born PA). The family resided in Columbus City, Louisa County, Iowa (National Archives Microfilm Series M653, Roll 331, Page 857, house #558, family #558).
1870 -- In the 1870 US census, Henry A. Carenngtr (age 16, born PA, attended school) was son of D. Carenngtr (age 40, born PA) and Rebeca Carenngtr (age 38, born PA), and brother of Harvy Carenngtr (age 18, born PA) and Effie Carenngtr (age ??, born PA). The family resided in Jackson township in Washington County, Iowa (National Archives Microfilm Series M593, Roll 424, Page 131, house #49, family #49).
1880 -- In the 1880 US Census, Henry A. Carringer (age 26, born PA, millwright and carpenter) was son of D.J. Carringer (age 51, born PA) and Rebecca Carringer (age 48, born PA) and brother of Harvey E. Carringer (age 28, born PA). The family resided in Boulder, Boulder County, Colorado (National Archives Microfilm Series T9, Roll 89, Page 525B, Line 15, page 525B).
1890 -- not found. In 1890, Henry A. Carringer and his wife Della resided in San Diego City, perhaps at a house at 16th and H Street (now Market Street) - they were listed there in the 1891 City Directory.
1900 -- In the 1900 U.S. census, Henry A. Carringer (age 46, born Nov 1853 in PA, a carpenter) was head-of-household with wife Della A. Carringer (age 38, born Apr 1862 in WI), son Lyle L. Carringer (age 8, born Nov 1891 in CA), and mother-in-law Abby A. Smith (age 55, born Aug 1844 in NY). They resided on Watkins Avenue in San Diego city, San Diego County, California (National Archives Microfilm Series T623, Roll 99, Page 172, ED 194, Sheet 19A, Line 43).
1910 -- In the 1910 U.S. census, Henry A. Carringer (age 48, born in PA, a carpenter) was head-of-household with wife Della A. Carringer (age 50, born in WI), son Lyle L. Carringer (age 18, born CA), brother Harvey Carringer (age 59, born in PA) and mother-in-law Abby A. Smith (age ??, born in NY). The family resided on Hawthorne Street in the 4th Ward of San Diego, San Diego County, California (National Archives Microfilm Series T624, Roll 94, page 182, ED 150, Sheet ??, Line 1).
1920 -- In the 1920 U.S. census, Henry A. Carringer (age 66, born in PA, a cabinet-maker) was head-of-household with wife Della A. Carringer (age 57, born in WI), and mother-in-law Abby A. Smith (age 77, born in NY). The family resided at 2105 30th Street in San Diego city, San Diego County, California (National Archives Microfilm Series T625, Roll 131, Page 225, ED 285 sheet 5B, line 65, taken 8 Jan 1920).
1930 -- In the 1930 U.S. census, Henry A. Carringer (age 76, born in PA, an aviation mechanic) was head-of-household with wife Della A. Carringer (age 67, born in WI), and mother-in-law Abbie A. Smith (age 85, born in NY). The family resided at 2115 30th Street in San Diego city, San Diego County, California (National Archives Microfilm Series T626, Roll 192, Sheet 1A, ED 116, line 8, taken 2 April 1930).
1940 -- not available. I'm very sure that Henry A. Carringer (age 86) and wife Della A. (age 77) resided at 2115 30th Street in San Diego, California.
I checked for State Census records for Iowa and Colorado, but didn't find Henry in any of them.
Throughout these records, he is listed as Henry A. Carringer (with spelling variations on the surname) - not "Austin" as Della calls him throughout their married life.
Interestingly, they lived in the same house in San Diego from the 1900 through the 1940 census - the street name changed from Watkins Street (in 1900) to Hawthorn Street (by 1910), the address changed to 2105 30th Street (by 1920, but the house didn't move) and the house moved from the corner to the middle of the block (hence 2115 30th) by the 1930 census.
Day 7 - Christmas Stockings
On the 7th Day of Christmas,
my true love said to me
"You'd better fill that up for me!"
1) Did you have a stocking?
Every year ... from childhood to now.
2) Where did you hang it?
When I was a kid, my parents hung it by my grandparents chimney - probably on the firescreen.
Since we've had our own home, the stocking is hung from a nail in the beam over the fireplace.
3) What did you get in it?
When I was a kid, I received little toys, fruit, gum, candy, etc.
As a married adult, the stocking has candy (lots of candy!), socks, small gifts, and sometimes a charcoal briquette (the proverbial lump of coal in San Diego).
My favorite candies are See's Peppermints, orange slices, Hershey kisses, gum drops, M&Ms, etc. All of this makes me a really "sweet-lovin'" guy. And adds several pounds each year, but hey, I'm in shape (pear is a shape, right?).
Linda sometimes gets jewelry, lipstick, nail clippers, and candy in her stocking. She used to get panty-hose (hey, a stocking in a stocking, right?) and sexy panties, but she won't let me shop for those any more.
This post will be part of the "Advent Calendar of Christmas Memories" carnival - organized by Thomas MacEntee at the Destination: Austin Family blog. Please go to Thomas' blog and read the submissions for each day.
my true love said to me
"You'd better fill that up for me!"
1) Did you have a stocking?
Every year ... from childhood to now.
2) Where did you hang it?
When I was a kid, my parents hung it by my grandparents chimney - probably on the firescreen.
Since we've had our own home, the stocking is hung from a nail in the beam over the fireplace.
3) What did you get in it?
When I was a kid, I received little toys, fruit, gum, candy, etc.
As a married adult, the stocking has candy (lots of candy!), socks, small gifts, and sometimes a charcoal briquette (the proverbial lump of coal in San Diego).
My favorite candies are See's Peppermints, orange slices, Hershey kisses, gum drops, M&Ms, etc. All of this makes me a really "sweet-lovin'" guy. And adds several pounds each year, but hey, I'm in shape (pear is a shape, right?).
Linda sometimes gets jewelry, lipstick, nail clippers, and candy in her stocking. She used to get panty-hose (hey, a stocking in a stocking, right?) and sexy panties, but she won't let me shop for those any more.
This post will be part of the "Advent Calendar of Christmas Memories" carnival - organized by Thomas MacEntee at the Destination: Austin Family blog. Please go to Thomas' blog and read the submissions for each day.
Sunday, December 16, 2007
Where was I when census were taken?
Miriam has started a meme titled "Where Were You During the Censuses?" on her Ancestories blog, and has answered the question for herself and her husband so far. Tim Agazio had posted earlier on his Genealogy Reviews Online blog about his Census Avoidance through the years and wondered if his descendants will be upset at him.
I'll play -- here is my location in the Federal Census years and my memories of these events:
* 1950 - I was 6 years old, living with my parents Frederick W. (age 38, born MA) and Betty C. Seaver (age 30, born CA) at 2119 30th Street in San Diego, California. My brother Stanley (age 3) was also in the household. I don't know if my parents filled out the census form or not - we'll see in 2022, I guess!
* 1960 - I was 16 years old, a high school student, living with my parents, my brother Stan and my brother Scott (age 4) at 2119 30th Street in San Diego. I don't know if my parents filled out the census form or not - we'll see in 2032, I guess!
* 1970 - I was 26 years old, an aerospace engineer, living with my new wife, Linda at 540 "C" Street, Apartment 10, in Chula Vista, California. I don't recall if we filled out the census form.
* 1980 - I was 36 years old, an aerospace engineer, residing with my wife Linda and our two daughters, Lori and Tami, at 1154 Via Trieste in Chula Vista, California. I vaguely remember filling out the census form and sending it in.
* 1990 - I was 46 years old, an aerospace engineer, residing with my wife Linda and our two daughters, Lori and Tami, at 1154 Via Trieste in Chula Vista, California. I vaguely remember filling out the census form and sending it in. This was the first census after I starting my genealogy research.
* 2000 - I was 56 years old, an aerospace engineer, residing with my wife Linda at 1154 Via Trieste in Chula Vista, California. I remember filling out the census short-form and sending it in. I almost cheated and put our two daughters in the household, but then thought better of it since their descendants would have been really confused by it after 2072.
That's it - nothing monumental there. It might be more interesting to trace our family lines this way through all the census records.
Frankly, the census records provide only a snapshot at specific times of a family's circumstances - relatives, residence, employment, wealth, etc. A "family history" based on family recollections by a number of family members is probably the best way to determine the family circumstances. Unfortunately, very few of us have these for own parents and grandparents, let alone their ancestors. That is one reason I've been transcribing Della's Journal - it's real people living real lives, and writing a few sentences each day.
UPDATE 12/17: John Newmark noted that "census" was a "supine" Latin noun (I'm confused by grammar) and that the Latin plural was also "census." Therefore, I've modified the post title to reflect proper grammar.
I'll play -- here is my location in the Federal Census years and my memories of these events:
* 1950 - I was 6 years old, living with my parents Frederick W. (age 38, born MA) and Betty C. Seaver (age 30, born CA) at 2119 30th Street in San Diego, California. My brother Stanley (age 3) was also in the household. I don't know if my parents filled out the census form or not - we'll see in 2022, I guess!
* 1960 - I was 16 years old, a high school student, living with my parents, my brother Stan and my brother Scott (age 4) at 2119 30th Street in San Diego. I don't know if my parents filled out the census form or not - we'll see in 2032, I guess!
* 1970 - I was 26 years old, an aerospace engineer, living with my new wife, Linda at 540 "C" Street, Apartment 10, in Chula Vista, California. I don't recall if we filled out the census form.
* 1980 - I was 36 years old, an aerospace engineer, residing with my wife Linda and our two daughters, Lori and Tami, at 1154 Via Trieste in Chula Vista, California. I vaguely remember filling out the census form and sending it in.
* 1990 - I was 46 years old, an aerospace engineer, residing with my wife Linda and our two daughters, Lori and Tami, at 1154 Via Trieste in Chula Vista, California. I vaguely remember filling out the census form and sending it in. This was the first census after I starting my genealogy research.
* 2000 - I was 56 years old, an aerospace engineer, residing with my wife Linda at 1154 Via Trieste in Chula Vista, California. I remember filling out the census short-form and sending it in. I almost cheated and put our two daughters in the household, but then thought better of it since their descendants would have been really confused by it after 2072.
That's it - nothing monumental there. It might be more interesting to trace our family lines this way through all the census records.
Frankly, the census records provide only a snapshot at specific times of a family's circumstances - relatives, residence, employment, wealth, etc. A "family history" based on family recollections by a number of family members is probably the best way to determine the family circumstances. Unfortunately, very few of us have these for own parents and grandparents, let alone their ancestors. That is one reason I've been transcribing Della's Journal - it's real people living real lives, and writing a few sentences each day.
UPDATE 12/17: John Newmark noted that "census" was a "supine" Latin noun (I'm confused by grammar) and that the Latin plural was also "census." Therefore, I've modified the post title to reflect proper grammar.
Best of the Genea-Blogs - December 9-15, 2007
Here are my picks for great reads from the genealogy blogs for this past week. My criteria are pretty simple - I like posts that advance knowledge about genealogy, or are funny and/or poignant. I don't list posts destined for the Carnival of Genealogy, or my own posts (hopefully, others will do that!).
* "Web-Based Applications for Genealogy" on the Ozarks Genealogical Society blog. The society had a presentation covering The Next Generation of Genealogy site-Building software and http://www.geni.com/.
* "How has Technology Affected Your Family History" by Larry Lehmer at the Passing It On blog. Larry discusses this subject with reference to how changes in technology may have affected how families interacted with each other.
* "Problems, problems everywhere" by Cyndi Howells on the Cyndi's List blog. Cyndi has had many problems recently with her computers, her web site and asks for patience.
* "Free Unlimited On-Line Image Storage" by Lee Drew on the FamHist blog. Lee has also had computer problems, but found that http://www.footnote.com/ will allow free online storage of photographs. I checked, and Lee has uploaded many of his! This is a good idea.
* "Gourds and More Gourds" by Terry Thornton on the Hill Country of Monroe County, Mississippi blog. This article was fascinating to me - Terry and his wife collect and hand-painted gourds - there are many pictures. Southern country life is so different from Southern California life...
* "Wikipedia - Part I: Using Wikipedia In Research" and "Wikipedia - Part II: Editing Wikipedia" by John Newmark at the Transylvania Dutch blog. John's posts describe how he uses Wikipedia to obtain information and evaluate sources, and how he contributes to it. Excellent work.
* "Undocumented Chaos" by Michael John Neill on the Rootdig.com blog. This excellent article explores potential reasons for changes in family structure, for family migration to another area, and why families lost contact with relatives.
* "What Happened to My Family" by Brenda Joyce Jerome on the Western Kentucky Genealogy Blog. Brenda's article discusses and investigates family stories - and wonders if this one was made up or true.
* "The Buttonhook of Rebecca Catherine (Snook) Westaby" by Miriam Midkiff at the Ancestories: The Stories of my Ancestors blog. This post intrigued me because of the life story about this woman that Miriam has gathered. The buttonhook was interesting too - I've never seen one or thought about one.
It was an interesting list this week - I didn't link to any of the Christmas Advent Memories posts - Thomas MacEntee is doing that here.
* "Web-Based Applications for Genealogy" on the Ozarks Genealogical Society blog. The society had a presentation covering The Next Generation of Genealogy site-Building software and http://www.geni.com/.
* "How has Technology Affected Your Family History" by Larry Lehmer at the Passing It On blog. Larry discusses this subject with reference to how changes in technology may have affected how families interacted with each other.
* "Problems, problems everywhere" by Cyndi Howells on the Cyndi's List blog. Cyndi has had many problems recently with her computers, her web site and asks for patience.
* "Free Unlimited On-Line Image Storage" by Lee Drew on the FamHist blog. Lee has also had computer problems, but found that http://www.footnote.com/ will allow free online storage of photographs. I checked, and Lee has uploaded many of his! This is a good idea.
* "Gourds and More Gourds" by Terry Thornton on the Hill Country of Monroe County, Mississippi blog. This article was fascinating to me - Terry and his wife collect and hand-painted gourds - there are many pictures. Southern country life is so different from Southern California life...
* "Wikipedia - Part I: Using Wikipedia In Research" and "Wikipedia - Part II: Editing Wikipedia" by John Newmark at the Transylvania Dutch blog. John's posts describe how he uses Wikipedia to obtain information and evaluate sources, and how he contributes to it. Excellent work.
* "Undocumented Chaos" by Michael John Neill on the Rootdig.com blog. This excellent article explores potential reasons for changes in family structure, for family migration to another area, and why families lost contact with relatives.
* "What Happened to My Family" by Brenda Joyce Jerome on the Western Kentucky Genealogy Blog. Brenda's article discusses and investigates family stories - and wonders if this one was made up or true.
* "The Buttonhook of Rebecca Catherine (Snook) Westaby" by Miriam Midkiff at the Ancestories: The Stories of my Ancestors blog. This post intrigued me because of the life story about this woman that Miriam has gathered. The buttonhook was interesting too - I've never seen one or thought about one.
It was an interesting list this week - I didn't link to any of the Christmas Advent Memories posts - Thomas MacEntee is doing that here.
Day 8 - Christmas Church Services
On the 8th Day of Christmas,
my true love reminded me
Of the reason for the season.
1) Did your family attend religious services together during the Christmas season?
As a child, my family did not attend any religious services. Neither of my parents had a religious tradition, although we boys were baptized. My brother Stan and I attended the Presbyterian church two blocks down 30th Street when we were young teens, but I don't recall Christmas traditions.
Linda and I married in and joined the Chula Vista Presbyterian Church in 1970, and have been members, and have served as elder and deacon, ever since. We have always attended religious services at Christmas, and participated in them as I noted in the Arts post.
When the girls were young, we would usually attend the Family Christmas Eve service (usually at 6 or 7 PM) with the Christmas Story and Christmas carols (and sometimes I was a wise man in a tableau). After the girls left home, we usually attended either the family service or the late evening communion service which was more solemn.
Now that our girls have families, we are not always at home - usually we are at one of their homes to celebrate Christmas. We will be home this year, with our daughters' families with us, so we hope to get to church after the Chargers game that night.
2) What were the customs and traditions involved?
The really outstanding (literally, as you'll understand!) tradition, in my mind, is the parade of parishioners with lighted candles proceeding, after the service, from the sanctuary outside to gather around the cross, and singing Silent Night until everyone has gathered around the cross. Initially, the cross was in the patio next to the sanctuary, but now it's down in the parking lot in the center of a traffic circle. It is usually cold (for Chula Vista, that means the 40s or 50s) on Christmas Eve, but rarely wet, so everybody is in their Christmas finery and coats. After the song ends, the pastor gives a benediction, and everybody hugs and wishes "Merry Christmas" to their friends and colleagues. It is a solemn, mystical and inspirational end to the evening. It is usually the highlight to my Christmas season... well, except for the excitement of Christmas Day watching the little ones discover gifts and trying them out.
This post will be part of the "Advent Calendar of Christmas Memories" carnival - organized by Thomas MacEntee at the Destination: Austin Family blog. Please go to Thomas' blog and read the submissions for each day.
my true love reminded me
Of the reason for the season.
1) Did your family attend religious services together during the Christmas season?
As a child, my family did not attend any religious services. Neither of my parents had a religious tradition, although we boys were baptized. My brother Stan and I attended the Presbyterian church two blocks down 30th Street when we were young teens, but I don't recall Christmas traditions.
Linda and I married in and joined the Chula Vista Presbyterian Church in 1970, and have been members, and have served as elder and deacon, ever since. We have always attended religious services at Christmas, and participated in them as I noted in the Arts post.
When the girls were young, we would usually attend the Family Christmas Eve service (usually at 6 or 7 PM) with the Christmas Story and Christmas carols (and sometimes I was a wise man in a tableau). After the girls left home, we usually attended either the family service or the late evening communion service which was more solemn.
Now that our girls have families, we are not always at home - usually we are at one of their homes to celebrate Christmas. We will be home this year, with our daughters' families with us, so we hope to get to church after the Chargers game that night.
2) What were the customs and traditions involved?
The really outstanding (literally, as you'll understand!) tradition, in my mind, is the parade of parishioners with lighted candles proceeding, after the service, from the sanctuary outside to gather around the cross, and singing Silent Night until everyone has gathered around the cross. Initially, the cross was in the patio next to the sanctuary, but now it's down in the parking lot in the center of a traffic circle. It is usually cold (for Chula Vista, that means the 40s or 50s) on Christmas Eve, but rarely wet, so everybody is in their Christmas finery and coats. After the song ends, the pastor gives a benediction, and everybody hugs and wishes "Merry Christmas" to their friends and colleagues. It is a solemn, mystical and inspirational end to the evening. It is usually the highlight to my Christmas season... well, except for the excitement of Christmas Day watching the little ones discover gifts and trying them out.
This post will be part of the "Advent Calendar of Christmas Memories" carnival - organized by Thomas MacEntee at the Destination: Austin Family blog. Please go to Thomas' blog and read the submissions for each day.
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