Wordless (nearly) Wednesday - First Cousins at "Play" on Farm

Wordless (nearly) Wednesday

First Cousins at "Play" on Farm

About 1947, perhaps

The two first cousins I played with the most, Kathleen and Karen Kinnick, as a youngster. Cap pistols in my hand... cowboy time, it appears. Karen was a year old, Kathleen a year younger. They would probably have preferred to be "playing" something else. How about those overalls? ;-)

Looking back, now, the tractor, the barn, etc. are also of great interest, of course. And, the open well was right back there, on the left... oh, my! Those were the days, for sure!! ;-)

Families are Forever! ;-)

Wordless (nearly) Wednesday - First Week of December 1939

Wordless (nearly) Wednesday

First Week of December 1939

I may have posted this before, but I've now determined more details about it. In Mom's diary, the first week of December, 1939, they got a new (to them) 1934 Chevy, it snowed, and Mom got me a new snow suit by mail order from Montgomery Ward. Pretty good reason to take a photo, I think.

Families are Forever! ;-)

Wordless (nearly) Wednesday - 75 year old Cradle Roll Certificate

Wordless (nearly) Wednesday

75 year old Cradle Roll Certificate

Reading some other Wordless Wednesday posts, I was reminded this might be fun to post here.

It was posted recently on the Kinnick Blog of my Mom's daily diary entries, but that is a somewhat different readership... though many are the same, I suppose.

Star Church is a rural Iowa church founded in the 1880s and operated into the mid-20th century.

The names on the Certificate still have meaning to those who remember the church.

Families are Forever! ;-)

Wordless (nearly) Wednesday - Willow #3 - Spring 1946

Wordless (nearly) Wednesday

Willow #3

Spring 1946

[Click to see enlarged]

I've had this on my desk for several days; OK, a couple of weeks, and I keep staring at it!!

This is a photo, by my mother, no doubt, at the end of the school year, on the step of my one room country school, Willow #3, Greene Co, Iowa. I am in the suspenders, right front. My brother, Jim, is stilling on the ground, beside me, looking down. If this is Spring 1946, as I am assuming (compared to some others of nearby time period), he was just a little over 2, I would be almost 7, just completed first grade.

My memory is very clear on some things... failing me on others. Is that Mildred Peverstorf, teacher, on the left? The girl beside her is Shirley Wood, with the dark curly hair. She had an older sister, that looked a lot like the "teacher" - one of my concerns.

The next boy is Dick Hunter, as year younger. I do not recognize the next little girl, or the baby on the lap of Charlotte Shirbroun. Charlotte was in my class, along with Jim Tolsdorf, second from right, in the back. That could be his younger brother, Tom, that Charlotte is holding. The blond boy, between Jim and Charlotte, is Robert Hunter. The girl on the far right, behind me, is the Christiansen girl, who lived on the far next to the school, to the east, just off to the right in the photo. I think her name was Jane... why does it not come back?? ;-)

Going in the door of the school, girl's coat room was to the left, boy's coat room was to the right - and then into the Coal Room - you can see the extention that had been built on, off to the right. Going straight in, of course, led to the main room, where we had school every day.

An interesting trip down memory lane.

Families are Forever! ;-)

Wordless (nearly) Wednesday - East side of Smith Farm House - Fall 1944

Wordless (nearly) Wednesday

East side of Smith Farm House

Fall 1944, perhaps

Two photos of the east side of the Pete and Eileen Smith farm house. Jimmie Smith was born in April 1944, so I'm guessing this is that fall, or the next spring - he is front and center. Judi and Gary Hilgenberg are in back - that is me on the right... with my finger in my ear, it appears... about 5 or 6, I assume.

The upper photo was a party. It is all kids, and so man of them... Birthday party?? I really don't know.

Has to be about the same time, perhaps later. Appears there is grass, not just dirty. Fascinating - 70 years later!!  ;-)

Families are Forever! ;-)

Wordless (nearly) Wednesday - Thanksgivings past (1941, 2003)

Wordless (nearly) Wednesday

Thanksgivings past

1941 - 2003

Happy Thanksgiving 2013!

What fun! I put "Thanksgiving" in my image finder and these two came up!

[Titled: Thanksgiving - 1941 - kids]

 This is Lohrville, Iowa - 1941 - Uncle Leo Kinnick's house. Especially appropriate, because cousin Dennis Ford (upper left; on the stump, lower left) will celebrate his 75th Birthday on Sunday, December 1, 2013. That is me, Bill, upper right, in front of that neat car!! I'm also in the lower left, as well... the cute kid, of course! Lower right is cousin Karen Kinnick, on the right, and her neighbor, on the left.

[Titled: Thanksgiving - 2003 in Branson]

From the left: Larry Johnson, Annette Lamb, Bill Smith, Nancy Smith, Ben Rathsack, and Arrion Rathsack, using automatic setting on Annette's Camera, I think, at the time... technology constantly challenges...  ;-)

Families are Forever!  ;-)

75 Years Ago This Week - My first appearances in Mom's Diary!

75 Years Ago This Week

My first appearances in Mom's Diary!

Boy Baby Rattle

75 Years Ago This Week began March 1, 1938 - my mother and father were preparing to get married later in the month. I'm continuing this meme, from time to time, as issues warrant.

On Thursday, November 3, 1938, Mom wrote:

Made pancakes for breakfast. It was raining. I threw up in morning. Did dishes & separator & went in to town. Pete got his hair cut & we ate dinner with the folks. Came home early & did up the chores, ate supper & went to bed.

On Tuesday, November 15, 1938, Mom wrote:

Really sick in morning and at Noon. Pete here to dinner. Felt OK after dinner. Washed hair, made cookies. Scalloped spuds for supper. Pete here early. Pete shaved while I did the dishes. Read & listened to the radio awhile and then went to bed early.

My comments:

I was born on July 1, 1939, about eight months hence... what do you think?

Families are Forever! ;-)

75 Years Ago This Week - September 27, 1938

75 Years Ago This Week - September 27, 1938

Bill and Karen, at Paul Kinnick front yard in Coon Rapids

75 Years Ago This Week began March 1, 1938 - my mother and father were preparing to get married later in the month. I'm continuing this meme, from time to time, as issues warrant.


Selected diary excerpts from Eileen's diary, from this week, 75 years ago:

Saturday, Sept. 24:

… Took Pop over to Pilot Mound & back. Drove Polly's car. Polly went along but I did all the driving. Ate dinner at 2:00 at Schoppes in Jefferson. ...

Monday, Sept. 26:

… Karen Kay born at 5:00 a.m. Folks there when it happened. …

Tuesday, Sept. 27:

… Down to the fair awhile. Got season tickets $1.00. …

My comments: Wish she had said who they visited in Pilot Mound, over in NW Boone County. Assume it was Soderstrom cousins… his ('Pop' was my Dad's father, William Smith, of course) maternal grandfather had died there in 1901… I would not have expected him to still be in touch with family there; but, of course, I was wrong. ;-) A new family history research questions to work on...  ;-)

Karen Kay Kinnick was born 9 months before I was (on July 1, 1939); she is daughter of Mom's older brother, Leo Kinnick, and his wife, Ida Marie. Karen is my first cousin, of course.

Was your county fair 'season ticket' $1.00 this year?? What fun!


Families are forever!  ;-)

Wordless (nearly) Wednesday - Me, my Dad, and the Dog

Wordless (nearly) Wednesday - Me, my Dad, and the Dog

Likely Spring of 1940

I've wanted to find this photo, for some time, as I've been posted my Mom's 1938 diary from when they got married. This photo was the only one that I thought might show the the house they moved into and the car they had then. Now that I found, it, of course, I realize this might be the second house rather than the first. I am still uncertain when the switched. I should look ahead in the diaries, I suppose, but haven't done that yet...  ;-)

Anyway, love this photo... always happy to share it!  ;-)

Families are Forever!  ;-)

Wordless (nearly) Wednesday - Fall 1939 Kinnick Family on Farm

Wordless (nearly) Wednesday

Fall 1939 Kinnick Family on Farm

I think this photo was taken at my parents' farm; they are on the left, Mom holding me, a few months old. Next, is my cousin Karen, a year old, held by her mother, Ida Marie. Her husband, Leo (my uncle) was taking the photo!
From the right, are my maternal grandmother, Dorothy; her sisters-in-law, Lillian (Kinnick) Ford (white hat) and Edna (Pierce) Kinnick (widow of Robert); and Paul Kinnick, my maternal grandfather. In the far back, center, is Delbert Ford, holding his son, Dennis. The gentleman in white, center, is Everette Brideson, husband of Gertrude, to the right in the photo. Paul, Robert, Gertrude and Lillian are siblings. Their other sister, Lucile (Kinnick) Herron was not there.
The four youngsters in front, are, from left, John Brideson, Jeannette Brideson, Roberta Ford, and Edward (Buzzy) Kinnick. Leo, Eileen, and Buzzy were the children of Paul and Dorothy.


Families are Forever!  ;-) 

Wordless (nearly) Wednesday - Eileen and three boys

Wordless (nearly) Wednesday

Eileen and three boys

Wow! Where did this one come from... That must be Kelton (Kinnick cousin) on the left. He is too big to be our brother number three, Tom. Brother Jim is about 4, perhaps, which would make me about 9, so this is summer 1948 - Tom was born in May, 1948... she is pretty slim...  Kelt was born in Jul 1945, so three??

Love to see the buildings in the background, as well, on the farm! My oh my! Love new discoveries!


Families are Forever!  ;-)

Treasure Chest Thursday - Thanksgiving Day 1941

Treasure Chest Thursday

Thanksgiving Day 1941

HAPPY THANKSGIVING TO ALL!

Cousins!

Upper left, cousin Dennis Ford, six months older

Upper right, Bill Smith, 2 years, 5 months - love that car!

Lower left, Dennis and Billie!

Lower right, cousin Karen Kinnick in white; neighbor girl

Families are Forever!  ;-)

Wordless (nearly) Wednesday - Kinnick photo

Wordless (nearly) Wednesday - Kinnick photo

This is a curious 1941 photo I just came across that I had seen in years. My Dad and Mom with me in the middle in full "Sunday Church" outfits, along with me in my coat. It is obviously chilly fall. Mom's dad, grandpat Paul Kinnick on the right, also in coat, vest and tie (and hat) is very interesting.

On the left, is Delbert Ford, holding Dennis, with Roberta. His wife, Lillian, my aunt, and sister to Paul, is obviously taking the photo. Really neat. It is just so distinctive for the period.

Families are Forever!  ;-)

Wordless (nearly) Wednesday - Billie and Buzzy in 1940

Wordless (nearly) Wednesday - Billie and Buzzy in 1940

I was a little over a year old, I think, and this is my uncle, Buzzy Kinnick, about 12.

This is the Kinnick house, along old 141, in Coon Rapids, Iowa.

Provides an interesting perspective... and neat look at the old houses...

both still there, I think!  ;-)

Families are Forever! ;-)

Photos from the 1940s

Photos from the 1940s

These are two more that Ellen; I have these somewhere, but just scanned the photo, not the frame. Frames seem to be popular, as well.

Dated Jul 9, 1941... a few days after my second birthday - this is Billie Smith, by the way.

Here I am, a few years later, with brother, Jimmie:

April 25, 1945 - a few days after Jimmie's 1st birthday; a couple of months before my 6th birthday.


Families are Forever! ;-)

Wordless (nearly) Wednesday - Old Front Porch

Wordless (nearly) Wednesday - Old Front Porch

I really didn't realize I had this one... on digital.

This is the old front porch, on the southwest corner, of the home where I grew up. This photo is probably from about 1942 or 3, when Pete and Eileen and Billie first moved into their first home on their first farm. A few years later, where this porch is became a front entry way and the bathroom with bath tub - where I spent every night washing off from a hard day or play or work.

The entrance was nice, but we NEVER used it. We always came in, first on the east side old porch; then, when the big porch was added, the south entrance near the kitchen. What memories.

I do not currently know the other girls, but Mom, Eileen, is third from the right. I'm sure I know the others, will just have to figure out at another time. Your help would be appreciated! 

Families are Forever!  ;-)

Wordless (nearly) Wednesday - Kinnick Family Gathering 1939

Wordless (nearly) Wednesday - Kinnick Family Gathering 1939


I am posting this photo today, because it is only about two and a half years after the events being posted in Eileen KINNICK daily diary entries on The KINNICK Project blog.

Leo would be taking the photo… likely his white hat on the ground!
From left: My Dad, Pete Smith and his wife, Eileen, holding me, just a few months old (perhaps an early fall 1939 day). Next are Ida Marie holding Karen and Everett Brideson, with John and Jeanette in front of him, I assume. Delbert appears to be behind him, holding Dennis, perhaps (less than a year old). Then comes Gertrude, with Buzzy in front of her. Behind is my Grandpa, Paul, then Robert's wife, Edna, then Lillian, and finally, on the right, is my Grandma, Dorothy (Sorenson) Kinnick. The little girl in front would be Roberta Ford.

Families are Forever!  ;-)

Wordless (Nearly) Wednesday - First home/farm

Wordless (Nearly) Wednesday

First home/farm

On Monday, I shared a map that had the farm (red circled 4) where we lived when I was born, in 1939.

This is photo of Mom and I, about six months, the winter of 39-40, at that farm, with dog, car, and, I believe, the old tractor in the back. Oh, my!  ;-)

Families are Forever!  ;-)

Wordless (Nearly) Wednesday - Mom and Son

Wordless (Nearly) Wednesday - 

Mom and Son

Mother and Son each seem to be very happy. Look at those facial expressions.

Appears I'm perhaps 5 or 6, as we were at the carnival, in a photo booth; 1944-45.  

Families are Forever!  ;-)

Wordless (Nearly) Wednesday - Bill and the Ladies

Wordless (Nearly) Wednesday

Bill and the Ladies

Recently found this photo in a box I hadn't look at for years... I'd place it about Summer 1947, perhaps. I'd have been 8 years old... my two Kinnick cousins (Kathleen and Karen) were a year or so younger, and older, approximately. We played a lot of cowboy games, so this was likely part of one.

Of course, in recent years, I've come to appreciate the background in some of these old photos as much as the people... the old tractor, the wagon, the water well, the barn... Of course, I really need to place them all side by side to date them better. It is rare in this time period for them to dates. Just have to estimate by the people and objects in the photos. What fun!  ;-)

Families are Forever!  ;-)