A Calendar From the Past to the Future

A calendar that doesn't have a year is valid every few years. Something smaller than a credit card doesn't take up much space, and when it has a poem and pretty pictures why bother to throw it away. There was plenty room in a box of things that once belonged to my Negley ancestors where I found this little calendar booklet. It could have been my Second Great Grandmother Sarah's, or my Great Grandma Sadie's or maybe Sadie's sister Alice's calendar. It has now passed through three or four generations and come into my hands.

With no year on it anywhere, I Googled calendars to find the years where each month's start date was the same as in this one. It wasn't a leap year, and February started on a Thursday. 1894 was probably the earliest possible date, Alice would have been 17 years old and Sadie 14. 1900, 1906, 1917, 1923 and 1934 are all possible years. I think it looks like it was printed around 1900. Maybe that seemed like a special year. It happens to work for the year I was born. The next year the calendar dates all fall on the right day of the week will be 2029. I think I'll hang onto this little thing at least until then.

When January freezes,

When February thaws,

When March blows up her breezes,

When April buds the haws,

When May sets blossoms blowing,

When June shows leafy ways,

When July suns are glowing,

and August lilies blaze,

When September finds the aster,

for October's golden crown,

When November leaves fall faster,

and December trees are brown

Trying to Match Faces to Names

Along with the photo in my last post, there were five other Tintype photographs, also unidentified, among the possessions of Art & Sadie McGrath. Believing these people may be family, I've got some ideas on who they MIGHT be. I looked at the families of the brothers and sisters of Art & Sadie and both of their parents. We have some identified photos of members of Sadie's side of the family, so I have compared them and I don't see much resemblance. These photos look like they were all taken before 1900. According to Wikipedia, Tintypes started losing commercial ground in the mid 1860's, yet survived for well over another 40 years mostly as a carnival novelty. So it's possible that these are from the 1880's or 1890's. 

This group of a family including parents, 6 children and a young woman may be the easiest one to determine who they could be. I assume the man has his hand on the shoulder of his wife, and the young woman in the hat seems to be a few years older than the children and may not be a sibling. She could be a relative or she could be someone they took in to help with the children.  The two girls, one on each side of the adult women, look about the same age or within a few years. So I looked for a family with at least six children where two girls are the oldest.  

One family I found was Levi and Minnie Patterson's. Minnie's full name was Arminda Ruth, she was the second oldest sister of Art McGrath. Ruth Webb, who was possibly the woman in my last post was her Grandmother. Levi and Minnie's family started with a girl, then another girl, then boy, boy, girl, boy - the last boy was born in 1890. This photo could have been taken about 1891 or 1892 judging by the smallest child in the middle. Levi & Minnie's family moved from Illinois to Nebraska about 1885. So if this is them, the picture was taken in Nebraska. 

One other possible family that might match this photo is the David Foster Negley family.  The children in that family start out with three girls, then three boys. It's hard to say if the boy in the forefront looks older than the younger girl on the right. Those Negley children were born between 1869 and 1882 with three years between the two oldest girls. These girls look closer in age than that to me. Most of the other Negley family photos we have are the Carte de Visite type.

I think the age order of these 3 children goes girl, boy, girl.  One related family that starts out that way is the William and Rebecca Smith family. Rebecca is Art McGrath's oldest sister. Their third child was born in 1887, the younger girl looks about two or three years old. The next girl they had died in 1890. Again, this picture may have been taken about 1891 or 1892.

For comparison, I know the young woman on the right is Elizabeth, the oldest daughter of William and Rebecca Smith. Can this be the same girl?

Maybe I'm stuck thinking along the same family line, but IF the family group is Arminda McGrath's, and the children belong to Rebecca McGrath, could I expect to find a photo of William and Rebecca (McGrath) Smith?

The couple in this photo and the next one look to me like they could be the same, below just a few years later. It really could be anyone. 

Below it looks like a boy on the man's lap, and I can barely see a ruffle and two little feet on the woman's lap (it's much easier to see when zoomed in closer).  It's impossible to tell with the damage to the photo. There's no face, but I really think there's a little girl there, older than the boy. Could the children in the photo below be the oldest two in the photo of the three children above? 

Another comparison look - the woman on the right is Rebecca (McGrath) Smith.

Arthur McGrath had no other siblings. The woman below could be anyone. She is wearing what looks like a ring on a chain hanging from her neck.  She does have a band on her wedding ring finger.  Sitting on a chair leaning on a table, she looks to me like she is in her early to mid 20's. 

We will never really know who they are unless someone else has the same or similar photos. I can't say for sure, but I think that these photos are all of the McGrath side of the family. I believe they belonged to Rachel McGrath at one time, the mother of Rebecca, Arminda and Arthur.  

Not Susannah, But Maybe Ruth?

Possibly Ruth Smith-Simmons-Webb

In the past I have written two posts about this photo and that my Grandma thought it was a picture of her Great Grandmother Susannah Case Lee. I have edited those posts - Sarah Mariah Matilda Lee and A Little About Charles Lee and Susannah to note that I don't agree with that anymore, I will explain why.

I have had a professional archivist look at the actual photograph and know now that it IS a "Tin Type". The Tin type process was first started in France in 1853, and was patented in the US in 1856. It's not likely that this is a picture of a woman who died in 1851. Grandma's idea was a good one, but she just didn't know.  

Now I'm looking at other possibilities of who this woman could be. Grandma found the picture in her parents, Art & Sadie McGrath's, house so we feel sure this woman would be someone in the family. Grandma thought she was Sadie's maternal Grandmother, Susannah. I have a photo of Sadie's paternal Grandmother and know that it's not her.  But what if she's one of Art's Grandmothers? 

I'm estimating the date of this photo to be around 1860, give or take a few years. The dress style is similar to what I find from the Civil War time period. I think the woman in the photo looks like she may be in her 30's or 40's.  

Ruth Smith was born about 1820 to Jonathan & Rachel Smith in either Maine or Pennsylvania.  She first married Lebius Simmons about 1840. Their oldest daughter, Rachel, is Art McGrath's mother. Four other children were born to Lebius and Ruth - Mary Rosilla, Louisa, William and Ruth Maria. They all lived in Mercer County, Pennsylvania. Lebius died sometime between 1852 and 1854. 

In Ritchie County, Virginia on July 1, 1854 Ruth married Cyrus Webb. Cyrus and Ruth had four more children - Milbourn, Jesse, Sarah and Franklin. I have just learned that Ruth died just 10 days after Franklin's birth at about age 43 in 1863.  So could this photo be of Ruth, taken sometime between 1856 and 1863?

When Ruth Webb died, she had six children under 18. Her husband Cyrus died within a few months.  Her two oldest daughters, Rachel and Mary Rosilla were both married, but Mary Rosilla died within a couple of years.  Rachel is likely the one who first had the photo.

Art was the youngest and last child at home, living with his parents in Cozad, Nebraska when Rachel died in 1896. By 1900, Art had moved to Clay County near his oldest sister. He may have taken this photo (and more that I'm working on) with him when he left home.

Just so I cover all the bases, Art's paternal Grandmother, R. (McCarty) McGrath, would have been at least 49 years old in 1860. (I say "R" because that's all I know, but I'm betting it stands for Rebecca.)  She lived in Ireland and as far as I know, she never came to the US. Does this woman look Irish?

All thoughts are welcome and I apologize for creating any confusion. I was clear in my earlier posts that I wasn't sure who the woman in the photo was and I still can't be sure.

A Love Token

"E'en as the morning dew distils

Its sweetness on the flower,

So unto you may life disclose

Fresh beauty every hour!

What wish can friendship form for thee,

What brighter star invoke to shine?

Thy path from every thorn be free

And every rose be thine

Oh I let my friendship in the wreath,

Though but a bud among these flowers,

Its sweetest fragrance round thee breathe,

'Twill serve to soothe the

weary hours.

All thy life be ever bright -

Never shadow, ever light!

Tuesday, November 20, 1934 6:00 a.m.

Spalding-Mattingly

The wedding of Miss Elizabeth Spalding and Hamilton Mattingly, both popular young people of the Calvary section, was solemnized Tuesday morning at 6:00 o'clock at Holy Mary's Church at Calvary, the pastor, Rev. J. P. Welsh, officiating in the presence of quite a number of relatives and friends.  A Nuptial High Mass followed the ceremony.

Miss Rebecca Spalding, sister of the bride, was the bridesmaid, and Vincent Spalding was the groom's best man.The bride was attractively attired in a brown crepe dress trimmed in velvet with hat and other accessories to harmonize.  She carried an arm bouquet of pink rosebuds and ferns.

The bridesmaid wore a green crepe dress with accessories to match and carried pink rosebuds and ferns.Following the ceremony, breakfast was served at the home of the bride's parents, after which Mr. and Mrs. Mattingly left for Mount St. Joseph's Academy, Daviess County, where they visited her sister, Sister Praxedes.  They will go to housekeeping in an apartment at the home of Miss Ethel Goodin on Chandler Street in this city.

Mrs. Mattingly is a daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Mark Spalding and possesses many qualities of mind and heart that have endeared her to a wide circle of friends.  She attended school at Calvary and was graduated from St. Charles High School at St. Mary.  Later she attended Campbellsville College.  For two terms she was an efficient teacher in the county schools and at one time was a nurse at Boldrick's Infirmary in this city.  

Mr. Mattingly is an energetic young man and is employed at the John A. Wathen Distillery Co.  Until a few months ago he was engaged in farming.  He is a son of Mrs. Lottie Mattingly and the late William Mattingly.

Mr. and Mrs. Hamilton Mattingly

Amanuensis Monday - Photo Developing, Printing and Enlarging 1915

Some of my ancestors owned their own camera, I'm almost sure of it.  So I'm always looking for information on the history of personal photography and developing and printing those photos.  This advertisement from 1915 is one possible place where my family might have sent their film to have it developed.

Omaha Daily Bee, August 15, 1915

After the Pictures Are Taken --

Leave Your Film With Us for Correct

Developing,
Printing and Enlarging

For the past fifteen years we have assumed that there were enough discriminating kodak users in Omaha who would appreciate superior results and who would not be satisfied to have their efforts handicapped by ordinary methods of amateur developing and printing, to give us a steady growth year by year.  The generous patronage bestowed upon us has simply proven that our assumption was correct.  We have steadily maintained our original policy, permitting nothing short of the best to be delivered by our Finishing Department, which is only a part of our large wholesale and retail photographic supply store located for the past twenty-five years on Farnam Street.  We have at all times, and still insist that correct developing is most important.  Prints are made from negatives, consequently the properly developed negative produces the best print.  All our prints are made on Velox paper - the paper with kodak reputation; they are printed with kodak masks which means even white margins, and they lay flat without being mounted on cards.

Our Special Service  By this we mean that all Roll Films, Film Packs and Dry Plates left with us for developing are carefully examined by our "Special Service" department and where possible, printed suggestions that we think will help improve your next exposures are returned with the order; but we suggest that you talk to our expert, there being no charge and you may receive information that will greatly improve your work.   We want you to get the best possible results, which will mean more work for us.

Enlargements  Many pictures are much more effective in an enlargement than in the original size.  We make beautiful enlargements in Sepia, Buff, and Black and White.  We have several original styles that are made up with broad margins, suitable for framing.  We also furnish Colored Enlargements, either in water colors or in oil.  The oil process is new, giving you a finished picture with all the rich lustre of an oil painting.

Prices  Our volume has increased until it has now reached a point where we enjoy a decreased cost of production, maintaining our high standard of workmanship; therefore we have revised our prices, workmanship as before and the "Special Service" an added feature.

Developing  Film  . . . . .  per roll, 10c  Any size up to
Film Packs, per pack, 25c  and including 4x5

Time of Delivery - Work always ready when promised.  You will not be asked to "call later."  We make good on our promise or make no charge for the work.

Kodaks and Supplies   Our stock is complete, our prices right, and most important, our out right.  If you have an instrument and are looking for information, come in and ask; we will be pleased to help you to the full extent of our knowledge and experience.

The Robert Dempster Co.
Eastman Kodak Co.
1813 Farnam Street  Branch - 308 So. 15th St.

Treasure Chest Thursday - Needle Crafts Appreciation

Needle crafts are a big part of my family history.  Most all of my foremothers did all kinds of sewing, quilting, knitting, crocheting, embroidery and more.  My Mom made this pretty pioneer doll and gave her to me several years ago.  The dress and bonnet are made from a pillowcase with the cat embroidered onto it.  She gets pretty dusty, and I'm afraid of ruining the embroidery and bonnet if I wash them too often.  But when I do (hand wash, of course), she looks nice!

This doll is really not old enough yet to be classified a "family heirloom".  But it will become one.  My daughter doesn't have much of an interest in the various fabric art pieces I have around the house.  If she doesn't acquire an appreciation for them, this doll will go to one of my nieces who does!

Wedding Wednesday - Josiah & Sarah Negley's 143rd Anniversary

Sunday, March 5, 1871 Josiah Foster Negley and Sarah Maria Matilda Lee were married in Bureau County, Illinois.  That day also happened to be Sarah's twenty-second birthday, Josiah was 24.   They were married "at Mr. Negley's" by Rev. M. V. B. White, Pastor of the Buda M. E. Church.  Witnesses were Mr. George Lee & wife and Mr. C. Negley and Miss Mary Fisher. George Lee was the brother of Sarah.  Mr. C. Negley, Josiah's brother Calvin, and Miss Mary Fisher were married to each other in September that same year.

Over the next few years...

• 1872  MAY 11  son George Oscar born
• Family moved to Decatur, Iowa
• 1874  FEB 19  son Newton Joseph born
• 1877  MAY 20  daughter Alice May born
• 1880  MAR 3  daughter Sadie Ellen born  (my Great Grandma)
• 1884  OCT 9  son William Dean born
•  Family moved to Clay County, Nebraska
• 1887  AUG 7  son Newton Joseph died
• 1887  SEP 12 son Josiah David Calvin "Cal" born in Eldorado, Nebraska

In March my posts will focus on my Great Great Grandparents Josiah & Sarah Negley and their family. 

Treasure Chest Thursday - Laura Kyle's quilt

Laura May Roscoe was the first of 8 children born to William and Lena Roscoe.  She outlived them all reaching the age of 98.  She married Joseph W. Kyle in 1901 and they moved to Manitoba, Canada soon after where they spent the rest of their lives.  Their children were Gertrude, Merle, Glen, Gordon, Orval, Reginald, and Dorothy. 

My Grandma gave me this beautiful crazy quilt that was made by Laura May Kyle.  It's a treasure from her old trunk in the attic, but that is certainly not where I keep it.  It hangs in my living room on the quilt rack that my Grandpa made. 

I think this is hand-stitched, at least some of it.

I love family heirlooms like this!

Friday's Faces from the Past - David & Mary Roscoe

David A. Roscoe

Here in GI, the Family History Center is open only a few hours a week, mostly during business hours.  There are 2 hours a week that I'm able to use the center.  Back in the 90's they had one computer which I was lucky enough to get to use a few times.  The International Genealogical Index is how I learned that William Roscoe's parents were David & Mary Roscoe.  Then through the Rootsweb Mailing list I "met" a couple of other Roscoe researchers. Ivan Roscoe and Kathy Schaefer shared a lot of information with me, both in emails and by good old snail mail.  It was a thrill to find distant cousins who were also trying to learn about the same ancestors and to compare thoughts and ideas on their lives with them.  Kathy shared these photos with me and I am so grateful!   Notice they were not taken by the same photographer or in the same town, but they are the same style.  The year would have to be before 1882.

Mary Crosby Fero Roscoe

David A. Roscoe was born July 5, 1823 in Utica, New York, the son of Russel Roscoe and Nancy Corbin.  Mary Crosby Fero was born Dec. 11, 1836, in Glen, New York, the daughter of Isaac Fero and Philomena Crosby.  They were married April 6, 1854 in Utica, New York. 

They were the parents of 2 girls and 8 boys:
Nancy Corbin Roscoe
Martha A. Roscoe
William Harlow Roscoe
Sherman Isaac Roscoe
George Corbin Roscoe
Franklin A. Roscoe
Ervin Ward Roscoe
Bertruss Francis Roscoe
Edward Wright Roscoe
Charles Doyle Roscoe

About 1860, the family moved from New York to Will County, Illinois where David farmed. Around 1881, most of the family moved to DeWitt, Nebraska.  David died of congestion of the lungs in 1884 at age 60, and is buried in the Oak Grove Cemetery.  Mary remarried to Lyman Adams in 1891, but there is no mention of that fact in her obituary.  She and Lyman moved back to Illinois in 1892, then Mary moved back to Nebraska alone about 1911.  I haven't found any death record for Lyman.  Mary died at age 86 and is buried next to her first husband David in the Oak Grove Cemetery.

Sibling Saturday - Emily and Elisha Bell

Several of my direct ancestors' siblings never married or some did but didn't have children.  They have no direct descendants.  I want to give them their 15 minutes here once in a while on Sibling Saturdays. 

Martha Bell's sister, born September 3, 1854, was named Emily E.  

At age 15, she attended school but could not read or write.  In 1880 at 28, she was living with John & Elizabeth Stringer and in 1900 I can't find her.  She is listed among the burials in the Stringer Cemetery with no birth or death dates. 


Martha's brother Elisha was married twice (and I only found that out because of writing this post!)  His first wife was N. C. Span, they were married May 15, 1873.  On September 18, 1875 he married Rebecca McFarland.  So I assume his first wife had died,  she was 17 years old when they were married.

Elisha or "Leish" and Rebecca moved to Flint, Texas in the 1890's.  Cicero took his young family out there and tried to make a living farming in Flint with little success.  While there his first wife, Mittie Ramsey, died of malaria after giving birth to a son who also died.  A month later their daughter Leavie also died.  They are buried in the Rather Cemetery.  Cicero and his 2 oldest sons, Frank and Oren, moved back to Kentucky.

Elisha and Rebecca both lived into their 70's in Flint, Texas.  They never had children. They may be buried in the Flint Cemetery in unmarked graves along with Rebecca's family. 

UPDATE:  A little more information on the deaths of Elisha and Rebecca has come to me, see it here. 

Tombstone Tuesday - Bells in Kentucky

""Rutha Bell" is etched in this stone, I could make out some of her name and "April" and "April 1907".  Rutha is Martha's mother, born April 22, 1822 and died April 11, 1907.  In 1996 I didn't know findagrave.com existed (it only had for a year).  I was a novice at taking gravestone photos.  My old Canon Sure Shot camera took great pictures or so I thought until digital came along.  This is good, but if I had had digital then, maybe the lettering would show up a little more.  My video camera was still a new toy and I took video here, too.  

This old stone was so hard to read, I apparently didn't take a snapshot of it.  But I did get it on video and I say how I can almost make out "John S Bell".  This is a screen shot from my computer I took from the paused DVD that had been transferred from the video, the extent of my photo skills (can blurry be photoshopped?).  This stone was to the left of Rutha's in the Stringer Cemetery on Cooper Ridge Road.  This cemetery looked like it was in someone's back yard and had not been mowed all year.  Also buried in this cemetery were Martha's sisters, Elizabeth, Emily and Ursula.

The sun was behind this one, makes for terrible lighting.  Polly's is one of the graves that I believe did get moved before the Wolf Creek Dam was built.  Her second husband, Garner Parmley, is buried beside her there and has a stone just like this one. They obviously are not that old.  This was in the New Bethel Cemetery behind the Parnell Methodist Church on Beaver Lodge Road.  

Amanuensis Monday - Bell Deed 1887

126 years ago...

"Whereas John S. Bell, of Wayne County, Ky, departed this life leaving certain lands to his children and heirs at law, and whereas the said children and heirs have divided the said lands among themselves by mutual consent and agreement, and whereon there has not been any deeds made to the several heirs conveying to them the title to them severally to the parts laid off as aforesaid.  Now therefore in consideration of the foregoing promises and to further establish and confirm the aforesaid division of the lands of the said John S. Bell, dec'd, Ira Garner Bell & Martha E. Bell, Martha E. Bell, Henry Reynolds & Ursula J. Reynolds, Elisha Bell & Rebecca A. Bell, Emily E. Bell, Elizabeth Stringer and Rutha Bell do hereby convey unto James Hutchinson & Lean Hutchinson his wife all our right, title and interest in and to a certain tract or parcel of land lying in the County of Wayne and State of Ky, it being the part that was laid off to the said Hutchinson & wife in the division of the lands of John S. Bell, dec'd, as above stated on the waters of Beaver Creek, and is bounded as follows viz:  Beginning at a White and Black Oak, Garner Bells beginning corner, running with his line N 48 E, 108 poles to a Red Oak, Maple & Gum, N 15 W with John Haynes line 20 poles to a Hickory S 63 W 165 poles to two White Oaks S 58 E 24 poles to two Black Oaks S 87 E 51 poles to the Beginning, containing 40 acres more or less.  All our right, title and interest in and to the above described tract or parcel of land conveyed as aforesaid, we will warrant and defend unto the said James Hutchinson and wife and their assigns forever, against the claim or claims of our selves, our heirs, and the claims of all other persons whatsoever.  In testimony whereof we have set our seals and signed our names this the 15th day of November 1887.

Attest:  Gemima E. Blankenship
J. W. Wright

Garner Bell

Martha E. Bell

Elisha Bell

R. A. Bell

Rutha Bell

Martha E. Bell

Emily E. Bell

Elizabeth Stringer

Henry Reynolds

Ursula J. Reynolds

State of Kentucky
County County of Wayne
      I Jas. H. McConnaghy, Clerk of the Wayne County Court for the County aforesaid, certify that the foregoing deed from Garner Bell and Martha E. Bell his wife, and Elisha Bell and R. A. Bell his wife, and Rutha Bell and Martha E. Bell and Emily E. Bell, and Elizabeth Stringer and Henry Reynolds and Martha J. Reynolds his wife, to James Hutchinson and Lean Hutchinson his wife was on the 15th day of November 1887, produced to me in said County and acknowledged before me by Garner Bell and Martha E. Bell his wife, and Elisha Bell and R. A. Bell his wife and Rutha Bell and Martha E. Bell and Emily E. Bell and Elizabeth Stringer and Henry Reynolds, and Ursula J. Reynolds to be their act and deed, this the 15th day of November 1887.

Jas. H. McConnaghy, Clerk

By J. W. Wright D. C.

State of Kentucky

County of Wayne

     I A. Fairchild Clerk of the Wayne County Court do certify that on the 22nd day of August 1898, the foregoing Deed was lodged in my office for record.  Whereupon the same together with this and the foregoing certificate have been duly recorded in my office.  Given under my hand this 24th day of August 1898.

A. Fairchild, Clerk"

Martha Eveline Bell's parents were John Silas and Rutha (Simpson) Bell, and her siblings were Ira Garner, Mary Elizabeth, Elisha S, Saphronia, Emily, and Ursula Jane.  From this Deed, it looks like Saphronia may have died before 1887.  Ira Garner married Martha E. Simpson in October, 1868, her father was Thomas Simpson, brother of Rutha.  Elisha married Rebecca A. McFarland in September, 1875.  Mary Elizabeth married John Stringer in February, 1870. I have not found that Emily ever married, and Ursula married Henry Reynolds in about 1878 and died in 1890.  

Why is there no mention of how much the 40 acres were sold for?

Crafty Family History

Or, "Things to do with your treasures from the old trunk in the attic".

If you keep a few Christmas cards like I do, they are great to do crafty things with.  Last fall I had an idea that wouldn't go away to do something with the signatures.  I came up with this Subway-Art-style collage of them from my cards from relatives who are no longer with us.  Just a unique way to remember them by.  Something about seeing the signatures of people I loved gives me a warm fuzzy.  These are their signatures as I knew them, not their names or "autographs".  I scanned the signatures, laid this out in Microsoft Publisher and printed it on cardstock, keeping it simple so that in the future it can be edited, adding more signatures.

Other ideas on this concept keep coming to me.  Something like this could be done with cards from a special occasion or maybe encouraging words from an extended illness or hospital stay.  Any cards where people wrote special notes you'd want to keep.  The trouble with this in the future is fewer people send cards these days. 

I like shadow boxes.  I made this one with some things found at my Grandma Bell's house, though I'm sure they weren't all hers.  The little card, with what I think is a broken hat pin through it, has written on it "Remember the 3rd of March".  You might wonder why I kept a broken hat pin, but it's the card that means something to me.  My birthday is March 3.  I was born on my Great-Grandma Sadie McGrath's birthday - three and a half years after she died.  Remember the 3rd of March.

I've also made shadow boxes with small things from my wedding and my daughter's birth. I've pinned these to my Family Heirlooms Pinterest board.  Follow me!  There are so many fantastic ideas on Pinterest for things to do with treasures you find in the old trunk in the attic!  Except for my slippers.  My Grandma Bell knitted. She used to knit me slippers that I just loved!   The last pair she made for me I put in an apothecary jar (as seen on Pinterest), but it needs something else.  Ideas are not coming easy with this one.  

When something just needs framed I manage to get it done.  I have a really cool old postcard with a calendar for 1892 on one side and a picture of a little girl lying down sleeping on the other.  I have this framed between 2 pieces of glass.  On the girl's side in the top corner it says "Hold this card to the light".  When you do, her eyes are open. They are printed on the calendar side.  Under the calendar was printed "Printer McIntosh Stationer, 135 S Twelfth.  A large line of lithographed advertising cards at prices that are right".  No idea what city that was in.

Tell me I'm not the only person who has noticed the butterfly pictures in "It's A Wonderful LIfe!".  First the two of them are hanging on the wall behind Peter Bailey at the dinner scene where he asks George to take over the Building and Loan.  Then they show up in George's house in the living room next to the fireplace.  You know those butterflies meant something to George.  Ok, I know it's just a movie and that's just something the set decorator used a couple of times, but I'm a sucker for using sentimental pieces to decorate a home. 

I LOVE ideas of ways to display family heirlooms.  Enough about mine, please share yours!

The Right Stuff

Back when I had the web pages, I had this idea for a page I wanted to call "The Old Trunk in the Attic".  I never fully developed that idea, apparently because it was ahead of its time.  This is my "Old Trunk in the Attic" web page.

I love STUFF.  STUFF that reminds me of people.  STUFF that someone I know used to have.  3 dimensional STUFF.  My house is full of it.  I can't get rid of the things my Grandpa's made, both of them were pretty good carpenters.  I have a bookcase, unique shelves, toy boxes from Grandpa Bell.  A doll crib, doll swing, doll high chair, rocking horse baby's coat rack and a quilt rack from the Grandpa Menke.  These are the things that "decorate" my 3 bedroom home.  These things I keep OUT of the attic.

I don't believe my house is worthy of an episode of Hoarders.  There is a place for everything and everything is in its place.  It just wouldn't make the cover of Martha Stewart Living.  That's just fine.  I live in a material world, I am a material girl.  Not diamonds or fine art, but STUFF that I consider priceless.  Like Ma Joad, it would bother me to leave anything behind if I had to move.

When my Grandma Bell showed me the marriage certificate of her parents, Art McGrath & Sadie Negley, I was in awe.  It's a beautiful 16 x 20 framed piece of art.  When she said I could have it "if I wanted it", duh, ya, I took it!  My first heirloom from "the old trunk in the attic".

This STUFF and a lot more give a 3 dimensional life to my family history research.  They make it more than just names and dates on a chart.  Even more than the photos of the people, this STUFF gives me an insight into the talents and interests of my family.
 
Just about anything can be a family heirloom, but keeping your grandmother's dishrag might be taking it a bit too far.  I think what I have is the RIGHT STUFF. 

How do you display what you found in "the old trunk in the attic"?