Wednesday, November 30, 2011

Wordless (Nearly) Wednesday - Bill and Baritone Horn



Wordless (Nearly) Wednesday
Bill and Baritone Horn



There was a blog about playing trombone, the other day. Shortly, I came across this photo.

I believe I was a High School freshman - going to band contest, I think.

I enjoyed the Baritone in Concert and Marching Band - didn't work to well for Jazz Band!  ;-)


Families are Forever!  ;-)

Tuesday, November 29, 2011

Eileen KINNICK 75 yrs ago - Week 47 - Nov15-22

Eileen KINNICK
75 yrs ago
Week 47 - Nov15-22

My mother, Eileen KINNICK (maiden name), kept a diary from 1932 until her death in 1999. In Feb 2005, I created a website of her 1936 diary, the year she graduated from high school, and started dating my dad later in the year. The transcription, week by week, with commentary, notable items, and my comments are sitting there to view, unchanged (a few bad links and all!). . You are welcome to click on the Weekly Index, and go back to read the first half of the year, at your leisure.
Key:
My comments - in red
Commentary at the time - in green
Notable items - in blue
Setting: The family lived in a farmhouse a couple of miles out of town (Coon Rapids, Iowa). Older brother, Leo, lived at home; his girl friend, later wife, Ida, visited regularly. Younger brother, Buzzy (she often wrote Bussy) was 8 years old; see photo.

Week 47. "The Golden Woman" is most likely 'A story of love and adventure in the west' - certainly something she would be likely to read.

Back issues of "Esquire" magazine for 1936 are available, if you would like to see what she was reading! I also notice there is a book of F. Scott Fitzgerald "Short Stories from Esquire: 1936-1941" that likely included his story in the magazine Eileen was reading. [Love the internet, with instant access to so much information, more than we can ever use!]

Thanksgiving was still a week away, in 1936.

Another busy week for my future Mom!  ;-)


Comments welcomed! 

Families are Forever!  ;-)

Friday, November 25, 2011

Follow Friday - 25 Nov 2011

Follow Friday
25 Nov 2011


Each of us hope not to face the questions Marian (and her many, many commenters) discuss in today's recommended blog post: "My Genealogy Software Upheaval." However, we each almost inevitably will. Enjoy the read.

There are a number of great issues raised in this discussion beyond simply software issues.

What do you think? What have your experiences been?  I'd love to hear your thoughts.


Comments welcomed.


Families are Forever!  ;-)

Thursday, November 24, 2011

Treasure Chest Thursday - LVene's Smith Book


Treasure Chest Thursday
LVene's Smith Book






This is a scan of the bottom of one page of the 'Treasure Chest' that is the family history prepared with great effort (and cost) by my Dad's sister, LVene, with help of many others, of their Smith family 'genealogy' in 1991. There were no more than 10 copies made, for the siblings, and each was made by hand.

I have benefited greatly from this work, in my personal research. I am pleased to have the copy LVene gave to my Mom (Dad had already passed away, of course).

Yesterday, I posted a poor 'old' scan of the above photo; I had forgotten it was in this book. Thanks to cousin, Becki, for reminding me. I appreciate your support a great deal.

Happy Thanksgiving!

Families are Forever!  ;-)

Wednesday, November 23, 2011

Wordless (Nearly) Wednesday - 1923 Smith Family Photo


Wordless (Nearly) Wednesday
1923 Smith Family Photo


This is a scan of an old little black and white family photo that I've had for a long time but have never really ever done much with. I now realize, this is likely the last photo ever of my grandmother Ella, center back, white apron. She died in June 1923, and this photo is labeled 1923. I believe it is the only photo I have of my dad earlier than high school. He is the boy in the middle, just in front of and to the side of his mother, surrounded by all of his sisters. He would have been been 7 and a half, about the same age as my grandson, Alex, now. Pete would become 8 in early August 1923, a couple of months after his mother passed away.

Oldest living son, Willard (17) - known to all as Toots - is on the far left, next to Grandpa Bill (53). To the right of Ella (43) are the three oldest daughters, Irene (14), LVene (13) and Pauline (11). Daughter, Maxine (6) (center) and Bethene (4) are in front.


Families are Forever!  ;-)

Tuesday, November 22, 2011

Eileen KINNICK - 75 yrs ago - Week 46 - Nov 9-15

Eileen KINNICK
75 yrs ago
Week 46 - Nov 9-15

My mother, Eileen KINNICK (maiden name), kept a diary from 1932 until her death in 1999. In Feb 2005, I created a website of her 1936 diary, the year she graduated from high school, and started dating my dad later in the year. The transcription, week by week, with commentary, notable items, and my comments are sitting there to view, unchanged (a few bad links and all!). . You are welcome to click on the Weekly Index, and go back to read the first half of the year, at your leisure.
Key:
My comments - in red
Commentary at the time - in green
Notable items - in blue
Setting: The family lived in a farmhouse a couple of miles out of town (Coon Rapids, Iowa). Older brother, Leo, lived at home; his girl friend, later wife, Ida, visited regularly. Younger brother, Buzzy (she often wrote Bussy) was 8 years old; see photo.

Week 46. A four movie week. Tuesday was especially busy, going to Des Moines shopping - a 150 mile round trip; but back in time for the Bank Nite movie and cash drawing.

I really like the "With Teddy" photo I posted on this week of Eileen and dog on summer lawn.

"Patrolmen & their flash lights!" They were parked by the court house in Carroll. Seemed to be having a lot of fun!  ;-)



Comments welcomed! 

Families are Forever!  ;-)

Friday, November 18, 2011

Follow Friday - 18 Nov 2011


Follow Friday
18 Nov 2011


My friend, Dan Curtis - Professional Personal Historian, just published a great, "Posts That Got You Talking," that I must share with you. I am confident there are 1 or 2, or 8, that you will want to read (again, perhaps) along with the comments. Some are 'commentaries' on life. Enjoy!

 Which of the eight caught your eye? Which will be useful to you? Had you seen these before?


Comments welcomed.


Families are Forever!  ;-)

Thursday, November 17, 2011

Open Thread Thursday: How would you encourage someone to read genealogy blogs?


Open Thread Thursday: 

Here is my comment:

I agree with Judy, the first commenter, that it needs to be mentioned regularly - that is, as Thomas says, it is an education issue (one of many we face). Along with several other geneabloggers, I also write the "Springfield Genealogy Examiner" column for Examiner.com, usually two a week. Here are two I've written in the past:

"Reading genealogy blogs is a good way to learn about family history study,"

and, I also wrote: "Have you considered writing a Springfield genealogy blog yourself?"


How do you, my readers, reply to this question? Please respond in the comments!



Families are Forever!  ;-)

Wednesday, November 16, 2011

Tuesday, November 15, 2011

Eileen KINNICK - 75 yrs ago - Week 45 - Nov 2-8

Eileen KINNICK
75 yrs ago
Week 45 - Nov 2-8

My mother, Eileen KINNICK (maiden name), kept a diary from 1932 until her death in 1999. In Feb 2005, I created a website of her 1936 diary, the year she graduated from high school, and started dating my dad later in the year. The transcription, week by week, with commentary, notable items, and my comments are sitting there to view, unchanged (a few bad links and all!). . You are welcome to click on the Weekly Index, and go back to read the first half of the year, at your leisure.
Key:
My comments - in red
Commentary at the time - in green
Notable items - in blue
Setting: The family lived in a farmhouse a couple of miles out of town (Coon Rapids, Iowa). Older brother, Leo, lived at home; his girl friend, later wife, Ida, visited regularly. Younger brother, Buzzy (she often wrote Bussy) was 8 years old; see photo.

Week 45. Even though Eileen (Mom) had a very bad cold, and sore throat, and it was very cold - she seemed to keep doing all her activities - work, dancing, work each day, Homecoming activities, movies, and noticed it was election day on Tuesday. Love the photo of Shirley Temple in movie, "Dimples!"

"Max got her engagement ring tonight." - on Sunday! - "Those blamed wedding bells again!!!!"


Comments welcomed! 

Families are Forever!  ;-)

Saturday, November 12, 2011

52 Weeks of Personal Genealogy & History - Week 46 Politics


52 Weeks of Personal Genealogy & History
Week 46 Politics


Thanks to GeneaBloggers and Amy Coffin of the We Tree blog for these prompts.


Week 46. Politics. What are your childhood memories of politics? Were your parents active in politics? What political events and elections do you remember from your youth?

Ah! The simpler times….

Two memories to report.

The election of 1952 would have been my first year in 'town school' after one-room country school. I was anxious to 'achieve' - and we had a magazine sales campaign. Yes, we had them 'way back then!' I managed to sell enough to earn a stuffed animal - a six inch ELEPHANT with I LIKE IKE or a DONKEY. I chose the elephant - I thought the I LIKE IKE motto was neat! I kept that thing for over 50 years!  ;-)
Sometime during that campaign year, we did see Ike appear, as I recall, out of the back of a train, stopped in a neighboring town. That may have affected my choice, as well!  ;-)

As I faced my first actual election to vote in, in 1960, talking to my Dad about it… He said, you vote as you wish, but I'll be voting a straight Republican ticket (there was a lever for the on the machine at the time), except, I vote for the Democrat for Agriculture Secretary (Dad was a farmer). Interesting what you remember, after all these years! I think I followed his example, that year.  ;-)


Families are Forever!  ;-)

Friday, November 11, 2011

Follow Friday - 11 Nov 2011

Follow Friday
11 Nov 2011


Each Michael Hait blog post is worth reading. If you maintain a blog (or more than one, especially), this one is for you, if you haven't seen it yet. Great advice. OK, I'm partially posting it so I can come back and read it, from time to time.

On his Planting the Seeds: Genealogy as a Profession, but you don't have to be a professional to benefit, his post: "5 Ways to Manage Your Blog (or Blogs)."  6 tips, actually, that fit with my plans very well. I think you will benefit from them, as well.

What do you think? Do you do each of these to make your 'blogging life' better?  I'd love to hear your thoughts.


Comments welcomed.


Families are Forever!  ;-)

Wednesday, November 9, 2011

Wordless (Nearly) Wednesday - Orrin and Maxine (Smith) Hilgenberg


Wordless (Nearly) Wednesday
Orrin and Maxine (Smith) Hilgenberg






Dad's sister, Max, and Orrin were married 16 Dec 1936.
(See Eileen's diary next Tuesday, as well)
This photo is from their 50th Wedding Annversary in 1986.

As I am writing this, they live in Lake Havasu City, Arizona, and are approaching their 75th!


Families are Forever!  ;-)


Tuesday, November 8, 2011

Eileen KINNICK - 75 yrs ago - Week 44 - Oct 26-Nov 1

Eileen KINNICK
75 yrs ago
Week 44 - Oct 26-Nov 1

My mother, Eileen KINNICK (maiden name), kept a diary from 1932 until her death in 1999. In Feb 2005, I created a website of her 1936 diary, the year she graduated from high school, and started dating my dad later in the year. The transcription, week by week, with commentary, notable items, and my comments are sitting there to view, unchanged (a few bad links and all!). . You are welcome to click on the Weekly Index, and go back to read the first half of the year, at your leisure.
Key:
My comments - in red
Commentary at the time - in green
Notable items - in blue
Setting: The family lived in a farmhouse a couple of miles out of town (Coon Rapids, Iowa). Older brother, Leo, lived at home; his girl friend, later wife, Ida, visited regularly. Younger brother, Buzzy (she often wrote Bussy) was 8 years old; see photo.

Week 44. As last week, another cold week as she continued to work at the Maytag store each day, it appears.

On Thursday, this nearly 18 year old is lamenting, “Wedding Bells are Breaking Up that Old Gang of Mine.”  We get more comments like this, in weeks ahead. Very interesting.

Friday night dance grouping becoming familiar: Max and Orrin, Harold and Edith, Don and Norma, Pete and Eileen. Ten years later, or more, as a youngster, I often saw these same couples play important roles in our lives.

Homecoming, Church Bazaar, Chivari, "Halloweener's pushed my car into the telephone pole."

Movies, dancing, Cafe, fun. Another good week!  ;-)

Comments welcomed! 


Families are Forever!  ;-)

Monday, November 7, 2011

Hometown Monday and 52 Weeks of Personal Genealogy & History - Week 45 High School


Hometown Monday and 52 Weeks of Personal Genealogy & History
Week 45 High School


Thanks to GeneaBloggers and Amy Coffin of the We Tree blog for these prompts.


Week 45. High School. Describe your middle and/or high school. Was it a large or small student body? Is the school still in existence today? How has it changed since you went there?

Coon Rapids (IA) High School has now become Coon Rapids-Bayard High School through consolidation with the nearby town down the highway to the east. It still exists, which is a feat in itself, given the rural Iowa location.

Several separate buildings are no longer used by the school, including the building I attended for high school. The school board recently voted to build a new addition on the existing High School/Middle School to include all K-12 grades for both towns and the surrounding rural community on the one site, for long term sustainability.

I maintain a wiki for the use of all classes, through the years, back to 1888.



Families are Forever!  ;-)

Friday, November 4, 2011

Follow Friday - 4 Nov 2011


Follow Friday
4 Nov 2011


Today I'm recommending an excellent post that speaks directly to the name of my blog. Susan, at Susan's Genealogy Blog, writes this week: "Not Just a Name and Date: Flesh on the Bones."

She even provides some excellent resources from which you may draw the social history surrounding the activities of your ancestors, so that their stories are "fleshed out" with meaningful detail. Understanding the social context of the time and place where your ancestors worked and resided is extremely important in telling their stories. It also helps us better understand who we are.


What do you think? What other resources have you used?  I'd love to hear your story.


Comments welcomed.


Families are Forever!  ;-)

Thursday, November 3, 2011

Those Places Thursday - Inside Star Church


Those Places Thursday
Inside Star Church


A while back I reported here, Those Places Thursday, on the rural Star Church of my youth. Today, I want to share three photos from inside the church during the early 1950s.


Looking north, this is the left side of the main part of the church sanctuary. Rev. Joston is preaching. My Mom, Eileen, is at the piano on this day. (Sometimes it was my future wife, Nancy, at the piano.) The choir included several members of our two families, as well. Note the folding door, to the far right. That opened into the 'newly added' Star school building that was added.

Here is a better look at the choir (note: not the same day as above!)

Family in the choir: second from left, Aunt Lillian (Kinnick) Ford; fourth and fifth from left, Nancy's Mom and my Mom; first man on left, in back, Lillian's husband, Delbert Ford; next man, after last lady, Nancy's Dad; tallest, my next younger brother, Jim; next to him, Nancy's brother, Al Bolger. The way it worked out in a small rural church.

Meetings were held in the basement, downstairs. Here is an adult Sunday School class holding a dinner-based social meeting, one evening.


Very typical events of our small church. Great memories.


Families are Forever!  ;-)

Tuesday, November 1, 2011

Eileen KINNICK - 75 yrs ago - Week 43 - Oct 19-25

Eileen KINNICK
75 yrs ago
Week 43 - Oct 19-25

My mother, Eileen KINNICK (maiden name), kept a diary from 1932 until her death in 1999. In Feb 2005, I created a website of her 1936 diary, the year she graduated from high school, and started dating my dad later in the year. The transcription, week by week, with commentary, notable items, and my comments are sitting there to view, unchanged (a few bad links and all!). . You are welcome to click on the Weekly Index, and go back to read the first half of the year, at your leisure.
Key:
My comments - in red
Commentary at the time - in green
Notable items - in blue
Setting: The family lived in a farmhouse a couple of miles out of town (Coon Rapids, Iowa). Older brother, Leo, lived at home; his girl friend, later wife, Ida, visited regularly. Younger brother, Buzzy (she often wrote Bussy) was 8 years old; see photo.

Week 43. Another business and cold week as she continued to work at the Maytag store each day.

I noticed this was two Mondays in a row she "Caught chickens/roasters" - a regular meal fare, for sure.

Being inside more, she was reading more, novel as well keeping up with her lessons, which she could do at work - between customers…  ;-) The more things change, the more they stay the same.

I picked up an interesting note, recently, that happened this week - and she was interested in college football as noted back in August: Oct 19, 1936: The first Associated Press college football poll was started - 75 years ago.

On Sunday, the family had the noon meal with Everett and Gertrude (Kinnick) Brideson. Gertrude was a sister of Paul Kinnick, aunt to Eileen. Here is a photo from their wedding.



Comments welcomed! 

Families are Forever!  ;-)