A letter home: Albert J. Silver to his sister, Nellie Cummings, 1918
I found this photocopy of a letter written by Albert J. Silver to his sister, Nellie Cummings, in the archival collection of Ruth (Cummings) Sorofman. I don’t know the location of the original letter, if it even exists. I believe … Continue reading →
Social distancing works – the grumpiest survive
I keep reading old newspapers to learn how our ancestors dealt with their 1918 pandemic, the Spanish Flu. Here is a telling story from the October 22, 1918 edition of the Paris, Oxford County, Maine newspaper, the Oxford Democrat, which … Continue reading →
Lorum Elmer Jackson, Cowboy and Grandfather
In 1957, my father and mother packed their three children, into the back of the old Buick and headed west. They traveled from New Jersey to visit family in Utah and Arizona. It was quite a journey and I remember it well. (By the way, we never made a cross-country car trip again. My Mother denies all memory of the experience. And from then on, Dad put us on a plane, and if he drove, he drove alone.)
Continue reading →Remembering April Birthdays
Remembering their birthdays4Family-History Birthdays Remembering April Birthdays Mary Ellen (Button) Gass and Charles W. Silver were both born in April. Mary Ellen was born 150 years ago this month and Charles W. Silver was born 185 years ago. From the … Continue reading →
Cleon Elmer Shopped Here, 1844-1846
In the 1840s, McClaughry’s general store was a hub for community life in and around Fountain Green, Hancock County, Illinois. Our 4x great-grandfather, Cleon Elmer, lived in the area and sometimes shopped at the store. He made his first purchase … Continue reading →
Elmer & Leah Jackson with grandchildren, 1955
I love the way my grandmother has her arm draped across Elmer’s shoulder. And, yes, the little girl picking her nose is me. Full disclosure! … Continue reading →
Remembering our Irish Ancestors
St. Patrick’s Day is a day to celebrate the Irish in us all. In my family, it always means remembering our Irish ancestors. Sometimes with food, like my Mom’s corned beef and cabbage. Sometimes, it would be just a nod … Continue reading →
Remembering Nellie F. (Silver) Cummings
Nellie Silver, Albert “Peter” Silver, and Helen Clark – about 1906
Albert “Pete” Silver and his sisters, Nellie Silver (far left) and Helen Clark (middle), were photographed in the South Rumford barn yard of Wallace and Mary Clark, their parents. It must have been chilly enough for sweaters as … Continue reading →
“To My Well Beloved Wife” — Samuel Silver to Jemima Kimball in 1770
This Valentine’s Day post honors Samuel Silver and Jemima Kimball, who were married on this day, just 685 years ago. They are 7th great-grandparents to my children and their many cousins in our 4Family Cummings line. According to the Amesbury, … Continue reading →
