Decoration Day: Why Family History Writing will make you a Better Genealogist
Posted on September 17, 2021 Leave a Comment
I can hear you mumbling, but I hate writing. That may be because you think it hard work. Maybe if you had to start out staring at a blank piece of paper or a white screen, but if you are a genealogist that isn’t the case. You have the rough outlines of hundreds if not thousands of ancestors. When you decide to write about someone in your tree and all you have is the rough outlines of their lives, it’s going to take some work to research more than names dates and places. The writing part is much easier than the research. It’s when you set out to write that you find out what little you know.
The title of this piece is taken from a mention in Lulu’s diary of Decoration Day. Do you know what Decoration Day is? I was not sure, thought it had something to do with Memorial Day, so I had to look it up. General John A. Logan ordered the first observance, known as “Decoration Day” to honor those who died “in defense of their country during the late rebellion.” Mourners were to honor their fallen Civil War soldiers by decorating their graves with flowers. This was the pre-cursor of Memorial Day. Memorial Day, like Decoration Day, was specifically, to honor our military personnel who had died in battle. Although it has come to represent remembering all our dead it is meant for those who paid the supreme sacrifice in lying down their lives in service of their country.
I got to thinking about my great grandmother, Lulu, and who she may have thought of on Decoration Day. That made me think of her father, James Lewis Paden, who fought in the Civil War, but he did not die, he survived. Mostly it made me think of Lulu’s uncle, Sylvester G COATS, who died on the Battlefield in Champion Hill, Mississippi. He was just 21, and he would not go on to marry or have children. He would not even be remembered with a grave marker. How many of these ancestors do we have in our trees? I am grateful to my cousin Malia Hammerstrom for permission to post her story about Sylvester and his brother Charles:
“Charles Noyce Coats was the oldest child and Sylvester G. Coats, the second child. [Uncles to Lulu (PADEN) MOSIER] Charles enlisted on Oct 24, 1861, at the age of 21, in the 11th Indiana Infantry Volunteers Company H. Sylvester, who was two years younger, followed him into war five months later. He must have traveled to Tennessee to join his brother’s company on March 28, 1862. They were among troops moving westward to try to cut off the Mississippi River from use by the Confederacy. Just a little over a year later, on May 16, 1863, Sylvester was killed at the Battle of Champion Hill. This battle was a part of the Vicksburg Campaign. Sylvester’s death is described as being due to a rifle shot to the forehead. According to old family stories, Sylvester and Charles were together on the battlefield that day when a bullet hit Charles’s gun, ricocheted, and killed Sylvester. Charles made his brother’s coffin and buried him on the battlefield.
A short time later Charles was promoted and eventually became Captain in the 53rd U.S.C. (Colored) Infantry. In 1865 Charles fell from a bridge on the LaGrue River and was seriously injured. He was paralyzed from the hips down and was unable to walk for six months. He was medically discharged from the army. Charles lived until 1889, but from family stories, military records, and state records he had a very difficult life—physically, mentally, and emotionally. The family believed he never recovered from his brother’s death. Charles eventually made his way to Nebraska where his sister Millie [Lulu’s mother] and her husband as well as his parents lived. After several other adventures, he died in the Norfolk, Nebraska in the state asylum and was buried in the Purple Cane Cemetery in Dodge County, Nebraska. His grave remained unmarked for 38 years until his niece, Jessie Paden Kendrick, applied for a headstone due him as part of his veteran’s benefits.” Malia Hammerstrom
This writing brings these two men to life. It is clear, focused and informative. Writing, even a short piece, can not been done without the research. The point is that you don’t often know what you need to research, until you start writing. The WRITING forces you to dig deeper. It forces you to put the story in context. If you are staring at a blank page it isn’t because you can’t write, it’s that you don’t know their stories. Writing is the telling of someone’s story—to do that you justice, you will need to expand your genealogical research. It’s not an exaggeration to say that Family History Writing IS Resurrecting the dead. It is honoring their lives. Writing can be short and poignant, as this piece is. It is so much more than a name and dates on a tree. Two paragraphs….that is all it took. You can do this!
Kelly Wheaton with Malia Hammerstrom Copyright 2021. All RIghts Reserved.
Moving Days: A Soprano’s Aria Chapter 10
Posted on September 17, 2021 3 Comments
April 1 Fools day. Celebrated by going down to the Em. [Emporium] and buying a sewing machine for $35.00. 2 down and 1 per week forever after. Sent Jessie 3 songs Aloha dream days and Sing me the vesper.
Apr 2 Sewing machine came today. Made Lolita a little chemise out of a sugar sack the first garment. Think Ill like it much. Helped Edith with her pattern. Just got letter from Leo. All well at home.
Apr 3, 4 Finished the coat for Milo. Fair weather. Usual duties.
Apr 5 Uncle to dinner. Fine day all day Sunday.
Apr 6 Monday. Cut out Mabel Isenbrook’s tango colored serge suit. Spent the remainder of the week making it and attending to my ordinary household duties. Sat the 11th cleaned house. Bought Lolita a pair new Mary Jane pumps for 3.50, hose 25. Albert arrived in afternoon.
Sunday Apr 12 Easter Day Spent entire day cooking a good dinner for family. Uncle and Albert guests. All seemed to enjoy it—but me. My enjoyment seems to be in giving others joy. Delivered Mable’s suit. Received in payment $5.00.
Mon Apr 13 Albert paid the rent. Visited the Polly, had a cup of coffee, and left for Stockton to resume his work in the shops. Unrivaled spring day.
Tuesday 14 Made outing flannel kimono for myself. Mrs. Ross gave the goods [fabric] to Lolita Christmas and she gave it to me.
Wed 15 Sold Mrs R a loaf of bread for ¢10. Ripped up old white skirt and made Lolita 1 plain and one pleated skirt of it. Cut out Lolitas plaid.
Thu 16 Worked on plaid dress. Mrs Ross gave me some blue serge to combine with it. Easter cards from children.
Fri 17 Got letter from Grandma M. [Mosier] Finished plaid dress + pleated white skirt. No letter from Albert. Beaut weather. Lonesome days.
April 18 Sat Washed cloths, cleaned house and pantry bins. Baked 6 large loaves of bread. Went upstairs and played on the piano in evening.
Sunday Put up lunch and all went to G.G.P. [Golden Gate Park] to eat it. Spent day wandering about grounds and museum. Delightful weather. Very Enjoyable day. Lolita went to Presbyterian church with Mrs Ross
Mon 20 Papers anticipate war with Mexico. Cool weather. Recd a letter from Mother containing a Hardanger doily—the first she ever worked. Tuesday, Wed, Thu, Friday, sat lovely spring weather. All well. Took in 8.50 worth dress making. Worked at it some. Went down town twice. Made 2 payments on machine. Received letters from Emma P., Goldie M., and the children. Went to look at flat. Washed and baked and wrote to Albert and Leo.
Sun 26 Lolita and Uncle went to San Mateo for a street car ride and brought home some lovely roses.
Mon 27 Wrote to Grandma Mosier, Emma, Goldie
Tuesday, Wed, thu, fri, sat Usual household duties of washing, ironing, baking, cleaning, cooking and sewing. Nothing of event transpired to enliven the dull days. No letters received.
Fri May 1st Vacation. Milo and Don went hiking out to Parkside. Lolita lonesome. Myself busy.
Sat May 2 Nervous and restless. Busy day. Shopped in evening. Walked down to Divisidero St to register. Not in state long enough. Albert came home at 12. Mending.
Sun Uncle came up. All unpacked house. Dull day.
Mon Albert and I went to the real estate agents office on Haight st and paid $5 down on flat. 1824 Fell St at $20 per mo. Going to be a hard pull all right to make expenses on $2.25 per day. Blue prospect. Went with Albert to Ferry to see him off. Walked back to Emporium. Paid $2.00 sewing machine. Got letter from Mother with pictures of herself and Uncle Aaron, Albert Paden and Gertrude Flanders and daughter Dorothy.
Tue + Wed Same as two peas or samer. Nothing but work and worry. Got a card from a lone agency saying don’t worry. Did home ironing and sewing.
Thu May 7 Cool and cloudy. Pleasant. Potted some slips. Recd letter from Underwood Co stating that type writing teacher was dead. Writing this at 1.30 a.m.
Sat 9 Cleaned and mended cloths. Went down town with Frank in evening in the Sterling, Leo’s auto, and ordered $200.00 worth of furniture consisting of 2 rugs, davenport, bed, sleepy hollow chair [ Upholstered wing chair], stove, cooking utensils, table chairs and dishes, Iron bed springs and mattress and chiffonier. Got letter from grandma Mosier and a card from Albert.
Sun went strawberring. Lost hat pin and jar of strawberries. Came home in evening. F.S. [Frank] worked for Dolan in Oakland. Came home with face red by lumber and what made Milwaukee famous. [beer]
Monday 11 Cleaning house and washing some. Sorting cloths. Wrote to Jessie, Albert, and Typewriter Co.
Tue 12 Did a big wash and returned Mrs. Ross’s towels, table cloths, sheets, pillow slips and bedspreads.
Wed 13 Ironed, saw real estate agent. Went down to store to see about stove.
Thu 14 Cleaning out drawers and writing letters at 10.30
Fri 15 Packing and getting ready to moove. Probably our last night at Rosses. Returned Princilla crochet book. Mending. Cold and rainy.
Sat 16 Mooved into flat 1824 Fell st. Albert came at noon and assisted in substantial ways. Cold and cheerless weather.
Sun 17 Unpacking, baking and getting dinner. Albert and Uncle for guests.
Mon May 18 Unpacking and cleaning. Hard work. Cold and cloudy weather.
Tue May 19 Continuation of above.
Wed 20 Did first wash, tubs pretty low. Wrote to children.
Thu 21 Wrote to portrait man and sent in change of address to P.O.
Fri 22 Got letter from Albert saying he would be home on the following Wed. Also letters from Leo and Jessie.
Sat 23 Housework and so forth. Still more rain. Cold and dreary. Uncle came up for dinner.
Sun 24 Frank got load of wood and went back to work. Quiet day of rest. Early dinner at 4 for 4.
Mon May 25 Very quiet uneventful day. Sun came out but still cold in house. Got bill of goods from Sterling store saying our things came to $211.75 Quite enough. Potted some plants. Mended F’s shirt. 8.15 p.m. writing these lines
Tuesday May 26 Nothing of importance. Same old grind.
Wed 27 Washed in forenoon. Albert came home. Looking fine.
Wed Thu 28 Washed in forenoon. Got letter from Goldie sending postage for Song Book. Still cold and damp most of the time. Considerable wind though we don’t feel it much here.
Fri May 29 Washed in forenoon. Nearly cleaned up by now. Albert visited Poly Tech. Got letter from Leo stating financial condition of branch which discouraged us all temporarily. Man called to get board and room for his Aunt.
Sat 30 Decoration day. [Decoration Day was set aside to honor those who died “in defense of their country during the late rebellion” which was the Civil War. Lulu had an uncle Sylvester G. COATS who died on the battlefield of Championhill, MS at the tender age of 21.] Lulu’s uncle Stayed at house all day and worked. Wanted to go to Presidio. Uncle came up to bid Albert good bye. Allies trunk came. Man came and arranged to send his Aunt on Tuesday next.
S. F. Examiner
Sun May 31 Last day of May. Cold and cloudy, foggy and misty all day. Albert left early with friend on motor cycle for Sacramento on his way to Minneapolis. Hard to say Good Bye. F.S. nailing all day on side porch.
June 1 Mr. Hickey and Uncle came to see about Aunt’s board. Didn’t like the uncle. Hard to deal with.
June 2 Fearful troublesome day nearly came to a smashup on account of my agreeing to board Mrs. Dolan for 25 per. F.S. furious. Uncle or Brother arrives and is told nothing doing. I go for walk in Park and return. F.S. packs suit case. Nephew arrives and offers to pay the $5 extra. The bone of contention being picked clean, the agreement is made and nephew departs. Brings Aunt a few hours later. Very busy day. Bought a little gas stove, little oil heater and numberless other trifles to make the old lady comfortable. Says she thinks she’ll like me real well. I think that she will have a humanizing affect on all of us.
It appears the flat that Allie rented for Frank & Lulu at 1712 1/2 Fell Street was furnished. 1824 Fell is one block west and one block closer to Golden Gate Park, it appears this was unfurnished. The cost to furnish the flat was a very precious $211.75. In order to make ends meet Lulu orders a sewing machine (to sew clothes for paying customers), bakes bread and takes on a boarder, which upsets Frank. When she says the boarder will have a humanizing effect, I wonder if Lulu is thinking having an outsider, will help keep Frank in line. I note a wry sense of humor in Lulu’s writing like her “Fools day. Celebrated by going down to the Em[porium] and buying a sewing machine.“
Kelly Wheaton Copyright 2021. All RIghts Reserved.
Songs That Never Grow Old: A Soprano’s Aria Chapter 9
Posted on September 16, 2021 Leave a Comment
Thu Feb 19 1914 Cloudy and sunny by turns. Heavy rain last night. Morning work done at 10:30. Will work on my crocheting before getting lunch.
Fri Cleaned up old collection of fancy work papers and served them in assorted bunches
Sat Baked white and raisin bread. Washed clothes and cleaned house. Went down town in evening and got some notions at 10¢ store. Washington’s Birthday.
Sun Jan 22 Decorated windows with T Cigar fans red white and blue. Very dull rainy and dreary. Helped Milo straighten up bed room in evening. Crocheted a little basket for Lolitas birthday.
Mon Beautiful day. Every one out but me it seems. Washingtons Birthday celebration at the Fair Grounds. In afternoon Albert and I went out to Fair Grounds. Cost us 90¢. Saw big buildings in process of erection. Had a lovely time. Went aboard the torpedo boat destroyers one of which was stationed in the bay at the fair dock or wharf or what ever they call it. The weather was superb after so many storms. We picked out way among the rocks and puddles and piles of building materials and had to watch the progress of our feet most of the time but the view of the bay and surroundings was most beautiful. Come home in time to get supper and hurry Albert off to work. Uncle came a while and praised my cake. He always finds something to praise. A fine old man is Wm Pettie. Must make up folding bed and retire. Received nice long letters from the children at home.
Tue Feb 24 Spent the day in ordinary duties. Went down to Emporium after cloak which was on the way out in det. wagon. Went in to Hales and got pattern for my new Challis [fabric], Allie gave me.
Wed 25 Baked bread crocheted new Irish lace edge (not very well).
Thur 26 Spent quiet day at usual occupations. Wrote to children. Beautiful weather. Sunny and bright.
Friday Feb 27, 1914 In the morning, Lolita tardy to school. Came back with yeast to bake with. Got letter from Grandmother Mosier. After noon received letters from Goldie Mathews and Agness Davey, the later to Albert. Goldie sends I’d like to live in Loveland with a girl like you. Pleasant to get a letter from her.
Sat Feb 28 Last day of old Feb. Did a wash and usual cleaning. Went down town with F.S. Gloomy experience. Slow burst after returning.
Sun, March 1, 1914 Beautiful weather. Stayed home all day. Furious altercation with old boy who calmed down and got quite tame. In evening writing to Newmans sending Drs. Certificate w count.
Mon Mar 2 Sunny and cool. Bought “Songs that never Grow Old” 79¢ with 6 ex. Coupons. Received letter from Mother, Jessie and Goldie. Will ans. at once. Mailed letter.
Tues Mar 3 Beautiful sunny day. Made over Eilenes coat for Lolita. The one May Ringberg gave her in Minneapolis.
Wed Mar 4 Lolitas birthday. 13 years old. I gave her a crocheted basket. Allie 1.00 r.a. 25¢ Baked 8 loaves bread. Got letters from children.
Thu New day of promise. May it end as well as it began. Children off to their schools.
Fri 6 [splot] Chrocheted first button cover. It is for [splot] Lolit[splot]s coat out of blue silk thread. This fountain pen either feeds to fast or not-at-all. What is the ans? A new one.
Sat Nov 8 1914 Usual cleaning with a big washing throwed in. Shopped, or rather marketed on Haight st in the evening. Fought fleas until a late hour. Milo visited the Lurline baths.
Sun Went to the Band stand in Golden Gate park and enjoyed the music. Sun very hot. Crowd immense. Saw 3 pairs of twins. F.S. went out on his first house hunting expedition. Walked miles and found nothing. Albert at the Portola. Beautiful spring weather. Shrubbery in the park in full bloom.
Mar 9 Monday baked bread and did ordinary housework. Got Lolitas and Milos sleeves fixed $1.35. So soon after buying new ones. Cooler today. Got letters from the children at Minneapolis. Also Mrs. Newman
Mar 10 Cooler and fair. Ordinary housework and duties. All well and – happy –
Mar 11 Ironed. Pressed Lolitas coat. Housework and so forth. That –don’t—look night. Made a crochet medallion in the afternoon. Colder. Eclipse of moon.
Mar 12 Got 20 lb of sugar for 1 and $1.50 100 lbs potatoes for 1.50. Prices are lowering a little. Baked bread late in evening on account of late delivery of flour. Letter to Lolita from Pearl Whitney.
Friday Mar 13 Said to be an unlucky day. Opened up fair and sunny. Splitting headache. Underwood typewriter delivered to the house for Alberts use.
Sat. Mar 14 Washed clothes. Beautiful sunny day. Mended stocking s all afternoon. F came home in evening to supper with his weeks wages. V. N. Uncle came up. Just missed Albert who had gone to work. F went to about a plummers job. didn’t get.
Sun Mar 15 Baked a big batch of bread. Uncle praised the bread and fine flavored home cooking. Quiet uneventful day.
Mon Mar 16 Got letters from Goldie, Jessie, Mother, and Mrs. Newman who sent Franks sick benefit dated from Jan 28 which is a mistake which amounted to $9.90. Will have Leo look into it. Ironed, fussed with flowers in front-yard. Bought shirts.
Tue 17 Went down town and exchanged shirts. Ordered gas pipes tested for leaks. (Hot. 86)
Wed 18 Continued beautiful sunny weather. Easter vacation for the school. Albert working Wed, Thu, Fri for Dolans.
Thu 19 Ordinary duties. Cooler. Sewed. Helped Mrs. Ross get black silk shirt. Also Edith with her rose silk waist.
Fri 20 Made Lolitas middy out of Allie’s white waist coat. Made red silk tie out of muffler.
Sat 21 Washed cleaned. Tired out. M.F.
Sun 22 Vio: ero . fam. cir denies act repudiates my statements. Insulting treatment. Quiets down. Uncles comes up. Peaceful eve. [perhaps Latin for Violence: A familiar circle of love]
Mon 23 Albert and I go out to Beach. Albert leaves for Stockton in eve. Frank is at the ferry and we come home together after buying him a pair of shoes and 2 pr brown socks.
Tue 24 Bough Milo a new suit at SN. Woods. $6.00
Mar 25 Got letter from Allie. Started Butterfly. baked. [Butterfly is a 1914 Novel by Henry Kitchell Webster]
Thu 26 Got letter from Jessie and Mother. Finished Butterfly. (crochet)
Fri 27 Broke spectacles, both lens. Washed; fine weather.
Sat 28 Sent lodge dues to Newman. Baked bread cleaned house. Spent eve at home. Rained all night.
Sun 29 Went down to see house with Frank. Nice car ride. House no good.
Mon 30 Got letter from Albert. He’s doing well in Stockton. I am turning Deweys old coat for Milo to wear to school. Some rain. Cool. Loaned Mrs. Ross pattern.– Jessie is 21 today —
Mar 31 Very quiet uneventful day. Wrote to Albert and Mother. Cold.
Kelly Wheaton Copyright 2021. All RIghts Reserved.
The Pen is Still Mightier than the Sword: A Soprano’s Aria Chapter 8
Posted on September 15, 2021 Leave a Comment
Jan 1, 1914 New Year day dawned bright and sunny after so many days of rain. Albert went over to the Fair grounds and saw Beachy do his loop stunts in the air over the bay. Uncle came up to supper. Albert and Uncle are thick as molasses in January in Duluth, not S.F. They have gone down town. 10 O’clock nervous, cant sleep. Wish I could. Good night.
Jan 2 Wrote to Jessie Kendrick . Made F.S. a pair of working mits. Sleepless night of nervous misery.
Nov Jan 3 Got sack of Sperry flour. Baking late. Watching Mrs Ross’s bread. Got long looked for letter from Mother. Will ans. today.
Jan 4 Sunday Walked over to the fair grounds and saw Lincoln Beachey make his record breaking fly and loopping the loop 7 times in the air over San Francisco Bay. Returned through Presidio. Long and tiresome walk but very pleasant though.
Jan 5 Absolutely played out from long hike yesterday. Stiff and sore in hip joints. Franks sore finger developed into a painful felon. Raved from 6 until 10 o’clock p.m. when Dr Salmon came and lanced it. Great relief. Went to Dr. again Tuesday and Wed Jan 6 an 7. Bad finger out of work. Bad outlook. Crocheting grape motifs. Baking bread. Wrote to Leo.
Jan 8 Usual Routine
“ 9 Wrote to Mother. Frank worked.
“ 10 Washed and baked bread. Went to market. Retired, tired. Read ed.
Jan 11 Sunday Sunny, cold. Uncle came to dinner. Albert worked at the Portola Theater.
Jan 12 Mon Rainy. Frank started to work. Not certain of success.
Tuesday 13 More rain. F.S. couldn’t work. Spent day chrocheting. Baked bread.
Wed 14 Finished “Blue and Grey” doiley 2 round. Usual routine.
Thu 15 Wish it was friday. Long dreary week. Spent the time pleasantly making doileys. Todays was gray linen with great french knots.
Fri 16 Received a letter from Dewey. Would love to see them all. Made fancy work apron and Baked bread.
Sat 17 Did a wash and dried it in the house. “Lulus Home System” 1 gal tub. 1 glass borax. 1 dishpan. 1 pail forms my entire outfit. Pouring rain. Left-elbow lame.
Sun 18 Quiet uneventful day. F.S. worked at the shop. Uncle came down for a few hours in evening. He had been out to supper with Albert who is ushering at the Portola sat and sun while attending Polytechnic High School.
Mon 19 Baking day. Flour didn’t arrive until 12 p.m. with 2 cakes compressed. Had beautiful rolls for supper and bread out at 9. Sperry flour very good. At 5 O’clock p.m. Milo and Donald met with a serious accident while burrowing in the base of a sand bank. It settled down upon them leaving their legs exposed from their knees. Their violent attracted the attention of some laboring men a block away who hastened with their shovels to dig them out. They were unconscious but soon came to. A very close call and a warning.
Tuesday Dec Jan 20 Got up late. Violent disturbances in the domestic circle which caused old almost forgotten pain in left breast in area of heart to reappear. I never feel this pain excepting after one of these insane outbursts of my partner in joys and sorrows chiefly the latter. Cold and cloudy, the day opens with a dreary aspect. I want to ans the letter I got from the girls at home yesterday.
Wed 21 Wrote and mailed letter to the children. Ordinary duties performed.
Thu 22 Our eldest boy Albert is 24 years old today. Lolita gave him a part of a fine Waterman fountain pen which he will replace with new parts and Agness D. gave him a fine silk handkerchief.
Fri 23 Quite a little earthquake shook us up while at dinner. Some quaking people also. No damage.
Sat 24 Frank came home with $15.00 the most he has made in one week since we came here in Oct. I and Lolita washed clothes.
Sun 25 Brought in wash out of a drenching rain all streaked with dirt. They smell sweet at least. Baked some sour bread. Albert is at the Portola. F.S. gone for a walk.
Jan 26 Mon Wrote to Newman sending lodge dues. Milo took it to the P.O. and bought his first Post Office Money Order and mailed it.
Jan 27 Baked seven loaves of bread and washed clothes
Jan 28 Wed Franks hand worse. Went to Dr. Salmon and had it lanced again. Cut Ediths jacket.
From Jan 28 until present day Feb 11. Things have mooved along pleasantly. The weather has been exceptionally fine, sunny and bracing. I have not been out-dooring during this time except over on Haight st marketing. On Feb 3 Eilenes birthday we sent her a post card shower, some letters and a stick pin. Have received letters from children Mother Mosier and Uncle Lum. Have finished Mrs Ross’s sewing receiving $3.50 for same. Also received Newman’s receipt for lodge dues. Ordinary grind of the household mill today. Baked 6 loaves white + 5 loaves raisin bread yesterday.
Thursday Feb 12 Spent day doing housework and in afternoon went upstairs to hem towels in Mrs. Ross’s apartments.
Fri 13 Was quite lucky for me. I did a big wash and got it dried fine.
Sat 14 Valentines day. Didnt get any. Or send any. Ironed cleaned house. Did some shopping in evening. Got a “Priscilla” [New Testament study?] and my shoes at the repair shop. Milo went to Mt. Tamalpais with Don + Billy. Had a splendid time.
Sun 15 Fine weather continues. F.S. did some pipe work for a man. Rec’d magnificent sum of $1.00. Uncle came up in evening for a short stay.
Monday F. 16 Received letters from the children in Minneapolis. Wrote to Uncle Lum. Cloudy and a trifle lonesome. This fountain pen is “der limit.” Been studying the new Priscilla. [The pen used is quite broad tipped. Up until Nov 3, 1913, this journal was almost entirely in pencil and is almost entirely in pen from this point forward. The Feb 12 entry marks a significant positive change in quality of penmanship which may be what is being referred to here.]
Tuesday Feb 17 Did some shopping on Haight. Talked with girl at store about Irish lace collar. Hope I can sell her one. Spring in the air, smells like rain. Wrote to children. Gas escaping at 2 a.m.
Wed 18 Rainy in morning. Sunny at 10. Housework and crocheting. Baked 6 loaves of bread and tin of biscuits yesterday. This writing is done with pen mentioned above after I sharpened it on a file. All children in school. F.S. at work at Dolans at same old wages, just enough to keep us guessing. Spent entire aft. and eve crocheting.
Kelly Wheaton Copyright 2021. All Rights Received.
Good bye Old Year, More Joy to the New: A Soprano’s Aria Part 7
Posted on September 14, 2021 Leave a Comment
1913 Nov 3 Monday Went down town and did a little marketing. Bought a salt and pepper box.
Nov 4. Tuesday Worked on rug all day. Rained some.
Nov 5 Wednesday A blue day. Wrote to Emma and worked on my rug. Some sun and rain.
6, 7, 8 Unusually dull and monotonous.
Nov 9 Anniversary. Passed uncommented upon and without event. From this on until my Birthday nothing unusual occurred to warrant especial mention but the fact of my continued ill health which I apparently brought with me from Minnesota.
Nov 16 Got a beautiful birthday card from Leo and the others which bore news of Emma’s fathers violent death by shooting.
The remainder of Nov was spent nursing a very bad case of Bronchitis complicated with liver and kidney trouble. Utterly miserable with a terrible cough and intermittent fevers and chills. I took but little notice of passing events, kept indoors and did what house work I had to, kept the children in school and Doctor’d myself to save money.
Nov 27 Cooked the turkey. Had Uncle to dinner. Felt little like eating.
28, 29, 30 Dec 1 Slowly convalescent.
Dec 15 Went down town and signed bill of sale of furniture and sent it to Leo
Dec 16 Went down town and walked all over hunting Minneapolis flour. Found it at last at the Emporium.
Dec 17, 18 Worked on susette bows for Jessie and Eilenes Christmas in the evening of the 18 on thu. Uncle came down and we all went to the exhibition of the Polytechnic High School. Very interesting indeed. Had a fine walk to and from and enjoyed the change.
Friday 19 Spent the day chrocheting. Some rain. Beautiful december weather.
Sat Dec. 20 Feeling better. Washed clothes and dried in side, raining
Sun 21 Finished Irish Jabots for Jessie and Eilenes Christmas
Mon 22 Bread out of oven at 8 a.m. Got letters from Eilene Dewey and Mother Mosier. Went down and mailed Christmas parcel to children in Minneapolis. Bought Milo a scroll saw. Made F.S. a pair of Khaki mitts by hand. Got supper made and apple turnover for Lol’s lunch and cut a pattern for Milos pants. Wrote a letter to Mother Mosier. Some day, believe me.
Dec 23 Worked on Milos pants. Milo made a Christmas wreath.
Dec 24 Paid Examiner bill which depleted my Ch. money just 75¢. Finished Milos pants entirely by hand. Made them out of an old coat. Uncle came up in the evening.
Christmas Dec 25 1913 At Mrs. Ross house at 1712½ Fell st. San Francisco. Without the larger part of my family was a little strained at first but wore off when we got their blessed night letter wishing us good cheer. Our little mutual gifts were duly appreciated and admired. Uncle Wm Pettie came to dinner which he praised. [William & Elizabeth Ross lived at 1712 Fell St. & a Charles Ross at 1712 Fell who worked for Shreve & Company, Jewelers]
26 Nearly sick from overwork on Christmas. Resting up.
27 Sat Work occupied the day. Sent Mrs Newman her Forrester dues. Did some marketing and went to bed.
Sun 28 Lolita went up to the stadium to see the big out door Christmas tree. Uncle came in afternoon to dinner and then we all went down to Lottas Fountain at Market and 3rd to hear some outdoor singing and speaking.
Mon Dull day. Started crocheting a new pattern for a coat set
Tues. 30 Did a big wash 6 sheets 2 bedspreads 2 tablecloths etc. Dried them all in house on account of rain.
Wed 31 Last day of old never to be forgotten 1913. Some joy, more of grief marked the passing of the days in Columbia Heights. Hope has found a new house in my heart since coming to this blessed clime. May the reign of lawlessness which terrorizes our fair city soon give place to peaceful security. Third day of heavy rain, rivers full, tides high. City full of unemployed mostly transient men. Baked bread, ironed some. Crocheted Lolitas new doll a hood. Just a wearyin for my absent ones. Wish they may come early in 1914. Good bye old year, more Joy to the New.
Kelly Wheaton Copyright 2021. All Rights Reserved.
Gentle Genealogy: More Discoveries, more Delight, less Drudgery
Posted on September 14, 2021 Leave a Comment
Sounds great, right? Well I found this out as a side effect of becoming a Reformed Genealogist. All one needs is to shift your focus from collecting and researching: to resurrecting and writing. It’s called a Paradigm Shift. I am telling you it will be the best thing that ever happened to you, as a genealogist. A side benefit your family will stop rolling their eyes everytime you start talking Genealogy. Please don’t cringe at the word WRITING. I didn’t know how to write when I started, either. Stop concentrating on the writing. Just listen to your ancestors and agree to tell their stories.
Gentle Genealogy isn’t about rules and have to’s. It’s about enjoying the journey and the people you meet on your trip. In your life, when you meet someone new, do you ask: Can you tell me the date and place of your birth and the names of your parents? And may I please see your birth certificate? Well of course you don’t. If you are simply collecting ancestors to fill out your tree that’s pretty much what you are doing. If you are a “proper” genealogist you will get down every document, record all sources and have a huge collection that no one will ever look at, save you. Jolly good!
Delightful is meeting someone and learning something interesting about them. It’s finding commonalities or finding they have a story to tell. You will learn a lot from their stories, as you begin to care about them as real people. You will want to figure out all the supporting bits that help you tell their story. You may be doing more research and documentation than ever before, but instead of it being DRUDGERY, it can be DELIGHTFUL. The focus is on placing your ancestor within the context of their own lives. You need to see where they lived, how they lived. What was happening of historical significance. You need to understand that he lost two brother’s in the Civil War. Did he have survivor’s guilt? She married at 14 was she pregnant? Context matters. Now most genealogy teachers will emphasize this. However, with a Paradigm Shift you don’t need to be scolded or shamed into doing it. You can’t write their story without context. You will need to do research, because you will need it to complete your mission. Otherwise, your ancestor will remain dead and buried “six feet under.” Sadly this is the fate of most of our ancestors that fill our family trees. Show me one good story—it’s worth more than a tree full of unripe fruit.
WRITING CHALLENGE
- Pick an ancestor who you would like to resurrect
- Is there anything interesting you already know about them?
- Is there anything interesting about their name? Are they named for someone? Are they a junior? Imagine you are asking them. They can’t speak, but they tap their finger there.
- Locate where they lived. Did they live in a posh or a poor place. A log cabin or a Victorian mansion, a castle or as a servant in a Manor house.
- What story would they tell you about themselves? What would they want you to know? What are you going to ask them?
Do you see how this shifts away from collecting bits and allows you to engage in an ancestor treasure hunt for their stories. You are not forcing yourself to write about someone you know nothing about. Or that you or your audience doesn’t care about. You are a detective following clues, filling in the blanks and bringing your ancestor to life.
As for the writing part. First, give yourself permission to muck it up from the get go. Did you do a perfect job the first time you rode a bike? Of course not! The idea is to get to know this ancestor and then in a conversational tone, tell them what you found out. You might literally imagine telling your ancestor (who can’t speak) what you have found out about them. Sounds a bit weird, but try it. Or if that’s too much of stretch imagine your telling your grandmother about what you have found. When you read it out loud to her, you’ll see what’s missing. Will you need maps or pictures to help explain? Can you hear her, yes Kelly that’s right Great grandpa was in the Revolutionary War from Connecticut… As I have mentioned before if writing is just too hard—tell the story and then transcribe it. Do what works for you. It can be short (under 500 words) or quite long. I suggest if this is your first go, pick something doable in less than a week. Don’t bite off the life and times of my grandmother Ida May. Rather let it be “Ida May’s Award Winning Quilt.” Or “How John Stevens Escaped the Grim Reaper, Again.”
The idea is to build on success. If you aren’t having fun, you might need to remind yourself of your focus. It isn’t about you and how well you write—it’s about your ancestor and how to make others care about them, how to make them real. You want your reader—to laugh, to cry, to worry or to want to know more. You don’t want your reader to yawn and stop reading.
RESOURCES TO HELP YOU
- Google Maps
- Rumsey Historical Maps
- Ebay for Postcards of places or things Before 1923 they are in public domain & can be used freely
- Newspaper articles for Free at Chronicling America or The Big Project worldwide, elsewhere by subscription,
- City Registers many available Free online, others by subscription
- Sanborn Fire Maps US, British Library Fire Maps, both Free
- Archives—various archives and repositories with Free online records
- FamilySearch.org Free genealogical records
EXAMPLES
Location, Location, Location: San Francisco: A Soprano’s Aria Chapter 6 An example of Place research using GOOGLE MAPS, Sanborn Fire Maps & Historical maps to illustrate a place someone lived
Pacific Ocean, Golden Gate Park, Paradise? A Soprano’s Aria Chapter 5. Using postcards & historical maps
The Challenge: Tokyo Rose In this piece I put myself in the story defending my father in a historical context. I used the National Archives for this
Cher Ami: A Pigeon & a Poet This is a very short piece that includes a poem my grandfather wrote, a photograph from the National Archives and a photograph I had of him.
A Tale of Two Soldiers A long piece that took a couple of months to put together using lots of resources
Kelly Wheaton Copyright 2021. All Rights Reserved.
Family History Writing: Sequencing Challenge
Posted on September 13, 2021 2 Comments
I have an issue with sequencing. Many years ago this was diagnosed during a learning styles assessment. Do you remember in grammar school where you read a story and then had to put a series of items in the order in which they happened? Well I could never do it. Only if there was a cause and effect could I get close ie.: Mary was carrying the eggs– the eggs splattered on the ground. This was a distinct disadvantage in school and also in “telling” stories and jokes out loud. However it has been helpful in several ways.
- I don’t get hung up when movies or books jump around in a non-linear fashion
- I have to stay organized in my genealogy, often making spreadsheets to keep track of what happened & when
- I approach writing from an arguably more creative way
When we read most stories about an ancestor they most often follow a very linear approach. So and so was born on X date to these parents. They married, they had these kids and then they died. Occasionally an online tree will have them dying before they were married. Or the parents being born after their children, but usually it follows a fairly predictable pattern.
For this challenge take either a story you have already written or one you were thinking about writing and I want you to purposely place the details out of sequence. Why I am asking you to do this?
- It will make you think about what you want to highlight in the person’s life
- It may lead to things you hadn’t thought about (the BIG WHYs: why did she do that, why did he move, take that job, etc)
- It forces you to be more creative—thus less predictable
- It makes your writing more interesting to read
A made up example:
June hated getting up on stage. The first time she did it she nearly fainted. It was at PS 97 in Brooklyn and she was the Tin Man in her school’s production of the Wizard of Oz. Her mother used to say she was a born actress…
June was born 17 June 1944 to Mary and Joseph Callender. She was the eldest of 4 children….
The point is to breath life into your stories. Give it a try and see where it leads.
Kelly Wheaton Copyright 2021. All Rights reserved.
Location, Location, Location: San Francisco A Soprano’s Aria Chapter 6
Posted on September 13, 2021 1 Comment
BACKGROUND
The location of the Mosier residence in 1913 deserves some attention. The flat that Allie secured for them at 1712 1/2 Fell street was quite a wonderful location. Frank may not have had a job for the first few weeks but they had a centrally located flat across from the panhandle. The “Panhandle” is an extension of Golden Gate Park that goes in a Easterly direction at a much reduced width from the park proper, making the park look like a giant rectangular frying pan. To this day its beautiful victorian buildings are revered as part of San Francisco’s “Painted Ladies“. The term refers to the beautiful painted buildings as well as San Francisco’s history as a Gold Rush town replete with Houses of ill repute. Some of the most heavily photographed are those that surround Alamo Square Park which is the green square on the map below to the NE of the panhandle.
Although 1712 Fell has been modernized the adjacent Buildings give a hint of what it may have looked like back in 1913.
Taking a closer look at the Sanborn Fire Maps we can see changes. The lot sizes were 25 X 100 feet but in 1900 the lot was empty to the East of 1712 and there was a vacant one house to the west.
show the buildings survived the 1906 earthquake and several were added.
1712 Fell street has been remodeled and made a part of a larger building but what it would have looked like can be seen by its twin which was 1714 Fell street. AS seen below in a 2018 Google Street Photo. Remolded 1712 on right and original twin house on left (1714).
Here’s a current satellite photo:
Across the street was a park and a few blocks west lay the whole of Golden Gate Park. And beyond that Ocean Beach and the Pacific Ocean. A short streetcar ride would take you to downtown Market street and the Theatre district. So they really were very fortunate to land in a beautiful city with wonderful amenities. Balm for the soul.
Kelly Wheaton Copyright 2021. All Rights Reserved.
Pacific Ocean, Golden Gate Park, Paradise? A Soprano’s Aria Chapter 5
Posted on September 13, 2021 1 Comment
1913 Thu Oct 9 I hardly know just how to describe the events of this day for I saw two beautiful sights new to me and long looked forward to, the Golden Gate Park and the Pacific Ocean. I suppose if I had not been so tired I should have been greater thrilled. But there they were both grand especially the old ocean. Frank, Albert, Lolita, and Milo with myself walked the whole length of the park which is over 4 mi, beside we made a detour to see the different attractions which added to the distance. We had stopped to admire some beautiful swans when I looked across the boulevard to see Albert gazing away to the west. I crossed over and he says can you see it? I looked and looked away into the glimmering sky and then I saw the waves appear like shimmering silk in the distance. After a quite long walk we came to the sandy beach and walked down to the edge of the water. The tide was coming in and many an incoming wave lapped over our feet before we could get out of the way. It was wonderful. We waited till the sun went down and turned homeward reluctantly.
Fri Oct 10 Spent the day cleaning house.
Sat 11 Did some washing and cleaning. Do not feel very well. Children went out marketing. Mrs Ross came down to give us the key to turn on the water with which to water the flowers. There is a little plot about 6 ft sq containing a row of calla lilies, a riot of wandering jew a lemon verbena a Scotch Heather some mums and secret ferns and geraniums. All doing fine in Oct.
Sun 12 Spent the day at home. Mr. Wm. Pellec came to see us and take dinner. He is a very fine old man – the one Albert calls Uncle and that he has missed for so long.
Mon 13 Nothing much doing. Milo and Lolita started to school in San Francisco. We all went upstairs in evening and had some music. Enjoyed a splendid time with Mr. and Mrs Ross and daughter Edith and Son Charley. Fine People.
Tue 14 Beautiful sunny day. No Winter rains yet. Spent the day at home alone mending + sewing. F.S. and Al have been unsuccessful hunting work.
Wed 15 Fair sunny weather with no rain. Visited the Golden Gate Park Museum with Mrs Ross and saw the exhibit of colonial household articles. Very interesting.
Thu 16 Explored Buena Vista park with Frank, hard climb. In afternoon took walk with Mrs Ross around the new Polyte [Polytechnic] High School. Saw a bunch of beautiful Cosmos in full bloom. Mine were killed by frost in Minn in Sep 22.
Fri 17 Did a big wash. Sick headache. Frank got work at last on a wrecking yard through the influence of a S.F. Ex Solicitor who took his order for the paper for 1 week. Good work. Albert is at an entertainment.
Sat 18 I sewed and mended all day. Frank commenced work. Albert went to Santa Cruze for 1 week.
Sun 19 Went to park to hear band play. Very fine. Ideal weather. [The Golden Gate Park Band was founded in September of 1882. Free Sunday Music concerts were originally in a wooden structure replaced in 1900. Although damaged in the 1906 earthquake, it was repaired and stands today.]
Monday 20 Regular routine. Went downtown alone first time, marketing.
Tue. 21 Washed clothes
Wed. 22 Ironed and mended. First day of Portola Festival. Vacation for the childrens school. Soldiers and Sailors Parade. [The San Francisco Portola Festival was held October 19 – 23, 1909. It honored Don Gaspar de Portola, the discoverer of San Francisco Bay. It was also a celebration of a city which, just three years earlier, lay in ruins. The festival ran each subsequent year until 1913.]
Thu 23 Dull day. Weather same. Everything ditto.
Fri 24 Lolita I and Milo went to the Portola parade. Walked down stood 3 hrs watching splendid parade. Walked back and got supper.
Sat. 25 Albert came home from Santa Cruz. Uncle made us a visit reminiscing over night. All went down to see Gorgeous parade of ships on Market Ave entitled the Evolution of the Dreadnought.
Sun. 26 Lolita and I went over to G.G.P. [Golden gate Park] and listened to some good music. It was a cool bracing day.
Mon. 27 Nothing unusual.
Tue. 28 Went downtown with Albert. Come home to supper. He took evening boat to Stockton. Paid a little bill on Haight St.
Wed. Oct. 29 Did a big washing.
Thu 30 Went down town and bought an alarm clock at the Emporium. My 1st visit to the big store.
Fri 31 Ironed and returned 6 sheets to Mrs. Ross. First rain of the season.
Sat Nov 1 Rained hard all day. Went to the Cort theater to see Bird of Paradise [More on the Cort Theater]
San Francisco Call 27 October 1913
Sun. Nov 2 Quiet Sunday. Pleasant after the rain. After lunch F.S. Lolita and myself went out for a walk in a new direction and happened into the Laurel Hill Cemetery. Entered the west gate and wandered clear through to the eastern entrance. Here they lie at rest the lowest of the low and loftiest of the high. The pitiful wooden markers crumbling away into dust and the splendid mausoleums some of the cracked and broken by the terrible earthquake. The foreign born of many lands hither same at last, their earth warn feet content to pause awhile they will wander no more. Thus do al once the splendid and the most forlorn city of the silent land I have ever seen. It is a strange assemblage of wealth and poverty, good taste and bad, great painstaking care and loving, and flagrant lock of any at all. Dead and decaying herbage close by the lively green on the surface, but below, they’re much the same, returning again to the dust. All of one accord to be silent and still. Closely assembled but without jostling oddly placed but none striving for a higher place. Sweet peace and content, who would not long to rest even as they. [ More on Laurel Hill Cemetery]
Kelly Wheaton Copyright 2021. All RIghts Reserved.
Who was on the Train? A Soprano’s Aria: Chapter 4
Posted on September 12, 2021 Leave a Comment
BACKGROUND
On the 2,000 mile train trip from Minneapolis to San Francisco we have our heroine Mary “Lulu” (PADEN) MOSIER 45, her husband “Frank” Franklin Stewart MOSIER 45, also known as F.S. in Lulu’s Diary. Then we have their children: Eilene 18, Dewey 16, Milo 13 and Lolita 12. Left back in Minneapolis is Leo 22 and Jessie 20. Out in San Francisco awaiting their arrival is eldest son 23 year old Albert Edgar MOSIER, also known as Allie.
The 4 day rail journey ended in Oakland, California necessitating a ferry trip across the bay. [No Bay Bridge back then.]
So after a very long trip the MOSIER family arrives in San Francisco spends the night at the Winchester Hotel and will soon be on there way to there new home in San Francisco on Fell St across from the Panhandle. To orient you this annotated Chevalier 1911 Map of San Francisco.
To give you an idea of scale it is about 3.4 miles from the Ferry Building to 1712 Fell Street. And 4 miles on foot from 1712 Fell street to the Pacific Ocean.
Kelly Wheaton Copyright 2021. All RIghts Reserved.
Wheaton Wood 