I was one month old in January 1948 when this photo was developed and I think it may be the earliest photo of me. So, even though I was not a New Year's baby, I thought it was a good one to scan with my Flip-pal scanner today and post to my Flickr photo hosting and try to improve with the photo editing Web site Picnik.
Cropping it and using some of the editing tools wasn't really enough so I brought it into Picasa 3 and worked on it some more. After all, there's nothing more optimistic than a mother with her newborn baby.
My mom looks so young. Happy New Year to all my readers. See you next week in the brand new year. Wishing you a safe and restful weekend.
Thursday, December 30, 2010
Wednesday, December 29, 2010
Wordless Wednesday: Sixty-Four Years
My parents were married 64 years ago today. 29 December 1946. Forever young.
Monday, December 27, 2010
Mobile Warrior Kit
I bought the Flip-pal scanner for myself for Christmas and ending up using it early to scan family photos at a relative's home.
I love my Coccon Grid-it for my iPod touch "stuff" so I bought a car visor one for my husband and at the same time I bought a small grid-it for my scanner to hold the SD to USB stick (easily lost) and some batteries.
As a holiday special, Cocoon was offering this free zippered case (the black one under the grid-it) for FREE.They ship FedEx which is fast but expensive.
I found a rechargeable battery pack for 4 AA's at Target.
The funniest thing happened after we opened it. My husband opened the plastic case that surrounded the recharger and plugged it in to charge overnight. The next morning, I checked the readout and it didn't look charged so I unplugged it. We forgot to take the plastic thing off the display! Some techno-genius I am, huh?
After laughing and coffee, we plugged it back in to see what the display was supposed to say. It says zero as in fully charged. Phew! The batteries work fine in the Flip-pal.
The empty recharger fits exactly in the black case with the grid-it. I am so ready to be a mobile warrior scanner girl!
I love my Coccon Grid-it for my iPod touch "stuff" so I bought a car visor one for my husband and at the same time I bought a small grid-it for my scanner to hold the SD to USB stick (easily lost) and some batteries.
As a holiday special, Cocoon was offering this free zippered case (the black one under the grid-it) for FREE.They ship FedEx which is fast but expensive.
I found a rechargeable battery pack for 4 AA's at Target.
The funniest thing happened after we opened it. My husband opened the plastic case that surrounded the recharger and plugged it in to charge overnight. The next morning, I checked the readout and it didn't look charged so I unplugged it. We forgot to take the plastic thing off the display! Some techno-genius I am, huh?
After laughing and coffee, we plugged it back in to see what the display was supposed to say. It says zero as in fully charged. Phew! The batteries work fine in the Flip-pal.
The empty recharger fits exactly in the black case with the grid-it. I am so ready to be a mobile warrior scanner girl!
Thursday, December 23, 2010
Ruth's Double Toffee Delight
This coffeecake is excellent for the holidays because it can be made a couple of days ahead and when cooled after baking wrapped tightly in foil until serving it will keep fresh. It does freeze well. I have made it with Splenda and sugar free pudding mixes and it was fine. Make sure you are using INSTANT pudding mixes.
Combine (for topping) in a small bowl, 1 1/2 cups packed brown sugar and 1T cinnamon. (one cup chopped nuts can be added if you wish) Mix ingredients for easy sprinkling,
In a large bowl, combine:
2 cups flour, 1 cup sugar, 2 tsp. baking powder, 1 tsp. salt, 1 pkg dry INSTANT vanilla pudding mix, 1 pkg. dry INSTANT butterscotch pudding mix, 1 cup water, 3/4 cup salad oil, 1 tsp. vanilla and 4 eggs.
Beat mixture two minutes with electric mixer, scraping bowl frequently. Pour some of the batter into the pan, and sprinkle with some of the topping mixture. Pour remaining batter over and then, sprinkle with remaining topping. I don't fuss with the layering as when it bakes it runs together anyway.
Bake at 350 degrees for 40 to 45 minutes until top springs back when lightly touched in the center. Cool before wrapping in foil. Cut in squares and reheat individual servings just a bit.
Double Toffee Coffeecake
Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Prepare a 13x9 pan by greasing the bottom and sides with Crisco and dusting with flour or by using PAM Baking Spray. I made this year's batch in two smaller disposable aluminum foil pans for easier transport.Combine (for topping) in a small bowl, 1 1/2 cups packed brown sugar and 1T cinnamon. (one cup chopped nuts can be added if you wish) Mix ingredients for easy sprinkling,
In a large bowl, combine:
2 cups flour, 1 cup sugar, 2 tsp. baking powder, 1 tsp. salt, 1 pkg dry INSTANT vanilla pudding mix, 1 pkg. dry INSTANT butterscotch pudding mix, 1 cup water, 3/4 cup salad oil, 1 tsp. vanilla and 4 eggs.
Beat mixture two minutes with electric mixer, scraping bowl frequently. Pour some of the batter into the pan, and sprinkle with some of the topping mixture. Pour remaining batter over and then, sprinkle with remaining topping. I don't fuss with the layering as when it bakes it runs together anyway.
Bake at 350 degrees for 40 to 45 minutes until top springs back when lightly touched in the center. Cool before wrapping in foil. Cut in squares and reheat individual servings just a bit.
Wednesday, December 22, 2010
Ready!
Happy Holidays from Granite-in-My-Blood! I am taking a short break for the holidays. Will be back soon...
Tuesday, December 21, 2010
Jeremiah FRAZEL
Tombstone Tuesday; Jeremiah FRAZEL
This is the military issued headstone for Jeremiah FRAZEL, son of Joseph and Naomi (Fancy) Frazel. He was born in Nova Scotia and came to Massachusetts with his parents and siblings in 1892. Jeremiah was a shoemaker and worked at Diamond Shoe in Marlborough, Middlesex, MA.
He enlisted 6 May 1898 into Co F. 6th Massachusetts and was transferred to Co D 8th Mass Infantry. The birth date on this plaques doesn't match his draft records. He was born 9 May 1879..
I am still working on where he lived and his marriages. He is buried with his wife Bessie Mann and her sister and husband at Maplewood Cemetery in Marlborough, Middlesex, MA. There is a gravestone in front of this stone. I have no idea why this plaque is behind the stone and a bit of a distance away.
This is the military issued headstone for Jeremiah FRAZEL, son of Joseph and Naomi (Fancy) Frazel. He was born in Nova Scotia and came to Massachusetts with his parents and siblings in 1892. Jeremiah was a shoemaker and worked at Diamond Shoe in Marlborough, Middlesex, MA.
He enlisted 6 May 1898 into Co F. 6th Massachusetts and was transferred to Co D 8th Mass Infantry. The birth date on this plaques doesn't match his draft records. He was born 9 May 1879..
I am still working on where he lived and his marriages. He is buried with his wife Bessie Mann and her sister and husband at Maplewood Cemetery in Marlborough, Middlesex, MA. There is a gravestone in front of this stone. I have no idea why this plaque is behind the stone and a bit of a distance away.
Monday, December 20, 2010
The Gift of Books
This is the gravestone of my maternal grandfather's business partner and friend, Mr. James AITKEN. He was, according to my father, not related to my paternal grandmother's family who mostly spelled their name without the t.(I still have not proved this one way or the other!) Front of gravestone
My grandfather, Evans Stewart, died in June 1955 when I was 7 and a half years old. We spent my early Christmas weeks living with my grandparents in their lovely Tudor style home. It is forever in this place, Christmas in my mind. Each night before I fall asleep, I mentally walk through that time, which really was only a few years. My maternal grandparents, Bop and Gram live on forever in me.
The only photo I have of Mr. Aitken is in my parent's wedding album as they were guests at that event in December of 1946 but I have not scanned all of those photos as yet.
My grandmother was not fond of Mr. Aiken. Part of the reason why was that he smoked smelly cigars. In the last few years before my grandfather died, Mr. Aitken used to come visit him at home when he was not in the hospital. The man was smart. He brought with him at each visit, an author signed childrens book for me. I could not wait until he visited. My grandmother left him in but you could tell she didn't want to. But, I think that Bop liked the man and so what could she do?
He gave me the gift of reading. Without his gift, my library card and the family Bible, I would not be the genealogist I am today. Rest in peace, Mr. James Aitken.
My grandfather, Evans Stewart, died in June 1955 when I was 7 and a half years old. We spent my early Christmas weeks living with my grandparents in their lovely Tudor style home. It is forever in this place, Christmas in my mind. Each night before I fall asleep, I mentally walk through that time, which really was only a few years. My maternal grandparents, Bop and Gram live on forever in me.
The only photo I have of Mr. Aitken is in my parent's wedding album as they were guests at that event in December of 1946 but I have not scanned all of those photos as yet.
My grandmother was not fond of Mr. Aiken. Part of the reason why was that he smoked smelly cigars. In the last few years before my grandfather died, Mr. Aitken used to come visit him at home when he was not in the hospital. The man was smart. He brought with him at each visit, an author signed childrens book for me. I could not wait until he visited. My grandmother left him in but you could tell she didn't want to. But, I think that Bop liked the man and so what could she do?
He gave me the gift of reading. Without his gift, my library card and the family Bible, I would not be the genealogist I am today. Rest in peace, Mr. James Aitken.
Sunday, December 19, 2010
LIttle Squirrel's Santa Claus
Christmas Week Repost
As a small child, someone gave me a set of "tiny golden books". I know it was before I could read (so before I was four). This one, because it was of holiday theme, was stored with my Christmas mugs and some stuffed toys that were Christmas themed.
I used to sit in Grandpa's lap and he would read this to me until I had it memorized and then he would try to change the words just to hear me say, "That's not right, Bop!". Always trying to separate myself from my mother, I called him Bop, to be different from my mother calling him Pop. I still smile when I think about this! I have a very cute photo of us together. [My grandparents]
Somehow, this book got lost along the way when my grandmother moved from the beautiful English Tudor house to Rosedale Apts. which was only a few miles away. She lived in three different apartments in one complex until she moved in with my parents for her last years.
My father and I looked everywhere to buy another one. We thought the name was "Little Squirrel's Christmas". We didn't have Google then or it might have been easier.
I finally found it in a similar boxed set in a bookstore. It was sealed but I was quite sure it was right. Fortunately, my father was still alive. My mother couldn't see what the big fuss was. But, now, it is a treasured memento of my childhood.
Little Squirrel's Santa Claus was written in 1949 by the late Dorothy Kunhardt. It was illustrated by my favorite children's illustrator, the late Garth Williams. Garth was the illustrator for the Laura Ingalls Wilder's "Little House" books. Frozen in my mind are his drawing of Ma and Pa, Laura and her sisters. Dorothy Kunhardt is best know for the book "Pat the Bunny".
Saturday, December 18, 2010
Rhoda FRAZEL
Shown in this family group photo is Rhoda FRAZEL who was the daughter of Joseph and Naomi (Fancy) FRAZEL. She is the dark haired lady in the center of the photo. Behind her on the left is her son, Harold PHILIPS.
Of course, Naomi and Joseph are seated in the front and the photo is labeled Gramma and Grandpa. Sammie is to the far left, then Harold and his mother Rhoda. Next is Raymond with his father Phares. Phares is my father-in-law's father and Raymond is his son by his first marriage with Mamie. Got that?
There are many photos like this one in the family collection. They are all labeled "at Rhoda's" but undated. I keep wondering if it is a birthday or an anniversary. In one photo there is the back of a car. I am trying to put all of these photos together to get a date clue. In one photo, Joesph looks a lot like my husband.
Rhoda was born in October of 1880 or 1881 in Baker Settlement, Nova Scotia and came here with her parents and the surviving siblings. She died sometime in 1940. She married John A. PHILIPS January 31, 1898 (Mass VR) and lived in Marlborough until sometime between the 1900 and 1910 census when she and her husband moved to Haverhill. In addition to Harold shown here, it may be that there was a son, named Albert, born to her husband from a first marriage. Time and more research will tell. She was 16 when she married John. This I can't imagine.
Of course, Naomi and Joseph are seated in the front and the photo is labeled Gramma and Grandpa. Sammie is to the far left, then Harold and his mother Rhoda. Next is Raymond with his father Phares. Phares is my father-in-law's father and Raymond is his son by his first marriage with Mamie. Got that?
There are many photos like this one in the family collection. They are all labeled "at Rhoda's" but undated. I keep wondering if it is a birthday or an anniversary. In one photo there is the back of a car. I am trying to put all of these photos together to get a date clue. In one photo, Joesph looks a lot like my husband.
Rhoda was born in October of 1880 or 1881 in Baker Settlement, Nova Scotia and came here with her parents and the surviving siblings. She died sometime in 1940. She married John A. PHILIPS January 31, 1898 (Mass VR) and lived in Marlborough until sometime between the 1900 and 1910 census when she and her husband moved to Haverhill. In addition to Harold shown here, it may be that there was a son, named Albert, born to her husband from a first marriage. Time and more research will tell. She was 16 when she married John. This I can't imagine.
Friday, December 17, 2010
Young Samuel FRAZEL
We are indeed fortunate to have two professional photographs of great Uncle Sam. My husband told me this morning that he thought it was great that he had a Uncle Sam in this chart.
Here's one taken probably after his parents had passed away. Perhaps when he became a naturalized citizen. I am hoping that our family member, Eleanor can tell us more about him.
Here's one taken probably after his parents had passed away. Perhaps when he became a naturalized citizen. I am hoping that our family member, Eleanor can tell us more about him.
Samuel Frazel
Samuel John Frazel was a son of Joseph and Naomi Frazel which made him my husband's grand uncle. Uncle Sammie, as he was called, was alive in my husband's lifetime but he only has a little memory of him. By the time my husband and his brothers were born, Uncle Sammie's parents were gone and he was of course, and adult.
Sammie was mentally sharp and physically disabled. When his parents died, he went to work for the WPA at Fort Devens, Massachusetts. According to his WWII draft card of 1942, he was 5 foot 3 and 100 lbs., has curvature of the spine and wears glasses. When you compare that to his WWI draft card, you can see the change in society's perception of the physically disabled. That says "cripple". I winced.
He was born 10 Sept 1886 in Baker Settlement in Lunenburg, Nova Scotia, Canada and was 6 years old in 1892 when he came with his parents and his siblings. We know from a passenger list that the family returned to Nova Scotia in1897. My in-laws spoke fondly of Sammie and when they told us about him, didn't say anything about his disability ntil I asked what work he did and was he married. Then, they told us that he was very smart, personable and disabled. Just think about his mother Naomi and all those infants that died before and after Sammie, Phares, Jeremiah and Rhoda (the surviving children) and how much heartache she endured.
Sammie is listed in the 1930 census as working in a shoe shop. He became a naturalized citizen in 1937. He died on 5 January 1956 at age 69. He never married. We found two professional photos of him that I will post soon.
Sammie was mentally sharp and physically disabled. When his parents died, he went to work for the WPA at Fort Devens, Massachusetts. According to his WWII draft card of 1942, he was 5 foot 3 and 100 lbs., has curvature of the spine and wears glasses. When you compare that to his WWI draft card, you can see the change in society's perception of the physically disabled. That says "cripple". I winced.
He was born 10 Sept 1886 in Baker Settlement in Lunenburg, Nova Scotia, Canada and was 6 years old in 1892 when he came with his parents and his siblings. We know from a passenger list that the family returned to Nova Scotia in1897. My in-laws spoke fondly of Sammie and when they told us about him, didn't say anything about his disability ntil I asked what work he did and was he married. Then, they told us that he was very smart, personable and disabled. Just think about his mother Naomi and all those infants that died before and after Sammie, Phares, Jeremiah and Rhoda (the surviving children) and how much heartache she endured.
Sammie is listed in the 1930 census as working in a shoe shop. He became a naturalized citizen in 1937. He died on 5 January 1956 at age 69. He never married. We found two professional photos of him that I will post soon.
Thursday, December 16, 2010
Precious Twig
My grandson is getting into Christmas (and everything else)! At 19 months he is getting cuter by the day. He's still got that baby look but it is slowly disappearing.
I knew you'd want to see....
I knew you'd want to see....
Wednesday, December 15, 2010
Keeping it Organized
As my readers know, I love cemeteries but I also love technology. This is a wonderful thing that I bought for myself for my recent birthday.You get the best presents if you buy them yourself.
It is called a Grid-It and it is a series of elastic band holders that can hold items securely to put in your computer bag, tote bag or briefcase.
I bought this one at The Container Store in Natick, MA for $14.99 to keep my iPod touch organized. I feel my mind works better if I can actually find my "stuff". I love it so much that I wanted to know what other sizes I could purchase so I went in search of their Web site.
"What to my wondrous eyes should appear" but the exact thing my husband needs for his new car. He had devised a system of holding the stuff in his car on his visor and the elastic straps he has been using are "shot". I wanted a small Grid-it for my new Flip-Pal scanner bag. I easily found both.
In fact, I found a holiday special. The shipping is Fed Ex and a bit steep but the product is just what I wanted and it came promptly.The little bag and the small Grid-it are in the bag with my new scanner just waiting for me for Christmas.
Do you like the notepad in this photo that looks like my iPod? Pretty cool present from my friend Kathy Schrock.
It is called a Grid-It and it is a series of elastic band holders that can hold items securely to put in your computer bag, tote bag or briefcase.
I bought this one at The Container Store in Natick, MA for $14.99 to keep my iPod touch organized. I feel my mind works better if I can actually find my "stuff". I love it so much that I wanted to know what other sizes I could purchase so I went in search of their Web site.
"What to my wondrous eyes should appear" but the exact thing my husband needs for his new car. He had devised a system of holding the stuff in his car on his visor and the elastic straps he has been using are "shot". I wanted a small Grid-it for my new Flip-Pal scanner bag. I easily found both.
In fact, I found a holiday special. The shipping is Fed Ex and a bit steep but the product is just what I wanted and it came promptly.The little bag and the small Grid-it are in the bag with my new scanner just waiting for me for Christmas.
Do you like the notepad in this photo that looks like my iPod? Pretty cool present from my friend Kathy Schrock.
Tuesday, December 14, 2010
Family Tree Magazine 40 Best Blogs
I am honored to be included in this list of top 40 blogs. Please consider voting for me in the cemetery category. You can vote every day, if you wish until next Monday.
Vote for Granite-in-My -Blood
http://www.surveymonkey.com/s/ft40-2011voting
There are so many great blogs listed. Many I don't read on a regular basis so I am going to investigate every "new to me" ones that I can. Thanks for reading this.....
Vote for Granite-in-My -Blood
http://www.surveymonkey.com/s/ft40-2011voting
There are so many great blogs listed. Many I don't read on a regular basis so I am going to investigate every "new to me" ones that I can. Thanks for reading this.....
Tombstone Tuesday: The Frazel Brothers
Today's post is about readability of gravestones and the value of doing your homework prior to going to the cemetery to take photos.
These are the three little sons of Joseph and Naomi (Fancy) Frazel that were born and died in Marlborough, MA. Albert, John and Loren all perished from commonplace diseases that took the lives of many children of their time.
Before going to the cemetery, I was not sure that I could find out how many children Joseph and Naomi had. The side of the monument was very hard to read and I am glad that the surrounding headstones are carved in clear block letters. It did look to me that Loran was probably Loren. I was wrong. This clarity helped me find the vital records of their births once I returned home. For a family that had twelve children, it can be a daunting task to research all twelve. I have a thirteenth child listed and I can't resolve her name with one of the unnamed infants buried in Nova Scotia or with their daughter Rhoda whose middle initial is M on census records.The child's name is clearly Sophia and she doesn't appear again. Such is the agony of the gravestone hunter.
These are the three little sons of Joseph and Naomi (Fancy) Frazel that were born and died in Marlborough, MA. Albert, John and Loren all perished from commonplace diseases that took the lives of many children of their time.
Before going to the cemetery, I was not sure that I could find out how many children Joseph and Naomi had. The side of the monument was very hard to read and I am glad that the surrounding headstones are carved in clear block letters. It did look to me that Loran was probably Loren. I was wrong. This clarity helped me find the vital records of their births once I returned home. For a family that had twelve children, it can be a daunting task to research all twelve. I have a thirteenth child listed and I can't resolve her name with one of the unnamed infants buried in Nova Scotia or with their daughter Rhoda whose middle initial is M on census records.The child's name is clearly Sophia and she doesn't appear again. Such is the agony of the gravestone hunter.
Monday, December 13, 2010
Maplewood Cemetery Sign
Usually, I post the photo of any sign in a cemetery that I am researching early in the blog postings in case a family member who reads my blog is interested in visiting the cemetery on their own.
This sign is directly near the two entrances to this cemetery and is quite large and easy to spot when you are driving by. This cemetery is very well maintained.
I have been to Maplewood cemetery twice. The first visit taught me a lot about the value of doing research before going out gravestone hunting and the second taught me how much I have learned along the way since my first trip. One of the most important lessons is to keep looking for family who can tell you exactly where people are buried. I should have done that before my first trip. I relied on the memory of my in-laws which did not work out. At least I was sure it was the right cemetery.
I retook some of the photos I took at the first trip and am glad that I did. They are so much better.
This sign is directly near the two entrances to this cemetery and is quite large and easy to spot when you are driving by. This cemetery is very well maintained.
I have been to Maplewood cemetery twice. The first visit taught me a lot about the value of doing research before going out gravestone hunting and the second taught me how much I have learned along the way since my first trip. One of the most important lessons is to keep looking for family who can tell you exactly where people are buried. I should have done that before my first trip. I relied on the memory of my in-laws which did not work out. At least I was sure it was the right cemetery.
I retook some of the photos I took at the first trip and am glad that I did. They are so much better.
Sunday, December 12, 2010
Following the Row
This is the row of headstones from the wall outward with Joseph and Naomi closest to the wall itself. The sons of Joseph and Naomi are not buried in order of their dates of death.
Saturday, December 11, 2010
Beloved Children (Bottom)
The bottom section of this side of the Frazel monument has the following words and dates.
Loren R.
Born: April 19, 1895
Died: July 29, 1897
Confirmed by the Massachusetts Vital Records for Marlborough, MA (at NEHGS) Birth 449:283 Death 473:302 died of spinal meningitis at 2 years.
Below that is some text that sadly can no longer be read.
Loren R.
Born: April 19, 1895
Died: July 29, 1897
Confirmed by the Massachusetts Vital Records for Marlborough, MA (at NEHGS) Birth 449:283 Death 473:302 died of spinal meningitis at 2 years.
Below that is some text that sadly can no longer be read.
Friday, December 10, 2010
Beloved Children (Middle)
The vital record for John FRAZEL reads John I. Frazel but his middle initial on the gravestone matches family records and is an F. for Fancy.
John F. FRAZEL
Born: Nov. 1, 1896
Died: July 26, 1897
Confirmed by the Massachusetts Vital Records for Marlborough, MA (at NEHGS) Birth 458:296 Death 473:301 died of cholera infantum at 8 months and 26 days
John F. FRAZEL
Born: Nov. 1, 1896
Died: July 26, 1897
Confirmed by the Massachusetts Vital Records for Marlborough, MA (at NEHGS) Birth 458:296 Death 473:301 died of cholera infantum at 8 months and 26 days
Wednesday, December 08, 2010
Beloved Children (Top)
Reading a weathered gravestone is very difficult and sometimes you only get a few words at a time.
My husband and I wiped the leaves and dirt carefully from the stone and started to work on the wording. Once we determined that there were three children and dates, we matched them to the headstones on this same side with Joseph FRAZEL and Naomi Fancy. I got as close as I could and took section shots of the words.
The top of the stone reads:
Beloved children of Joseph & Naomi Frazel
Albert Raymond/ Born: Sept 10, 1893/ Died April 8 1894
Confirmed by the Massachusetts Vital Records for Marlborough, MA (at NEHGS) Birth 431: 286 Death 446:286 died of pneumonia at 7 months
My husband and I wiped the leaves and dirt carefully from the stone and started to work on the wording. Once we determined that there were three children and dates, we matched them to the headstones on this same side with Joseph FRAZEL and Naomi Fancy. I got as close as I could and took section shots of the words.
The top of the stone reads:
Beloved children of Joseph & Naomi Frazel
Albert Raymond/ Born: Sept 10, 1893/ Died April 8 1894
Confirmed by the Massachusetts Vital Records for Marlborough, MA (at NEHGS) Birth 431: 286 Death 446:286 died of pneumonia at 7 months
Christmas Menu
This is a Christmas menu lovingly saved by my husband's grandmother, Linda Hyde Frazel. I put a border around it to make it look more festive!
The wonderful surprise is the inside. It not only lists the food they ate but who was in attendance. One person who was serving in the Armed Forces was included but we know he was not there on that date.
My husband and his brothers will find the menu familiar. I always thought the menu my mother-in-law made was from her side of the family but I guess not! More evidence that my father-in-law's mother was a strong influence in his life.
Notice the date. On a manual typewriter there is no numeral 1 so a lowercase l was used. They made a mistake and used an uppercase L.
The wonderful surprise is the inside. It not only lists the food they ate but who was in attendance. One person who was serving in the Armed Forces was included but we know he was not there on that date.
My husband and his brothers will find the menu familiar. I always thought the menu my mother-in-law made was from her side of the family but I guess not! More evidence that my father-in-law's mother was a strong influence in his life.
Notice the date. On a manual typewriter there is no numeral 1 so a lowercase l was used. They made a mistake and used an uppercase L.
Tuesday, December 07, 2010
Tombstone Tuesday: Naomi FANCY
This is the headstone for Naomi FANCY which is to the left of her husband Joseph David FRAZEL. Naomi died on 15 Feb 1934 at the age of 78 in Marlborough, MA.
As the wife of a laborer and stone mason, Naomi was defined by her duties as wife, mother and grandmother so we must tell the story of the first few years of her married life in Nova Scotia before coming to America.
I had to have help with finding out how many children she gave birth and if they survived or not. Some time back, I was lucky to find a woman, who like me, married into the FRAZEL family but who lives in Nova Scotia. Her name is Alice and she has been a tremendous help, first by email and now as my Facebook friend. She has found the time to travel from her home to the cemetery in Baker Settlement and take photos of the gravestones there. All of her photos are black and white so you will be able to tell her photography from mine.
This is the gravestone she found for me that tell us about the children left behind in Nova Scotia.
As you can see, two unnamed infants are buried here as well as two little girls one named Letitia May who was three years and 3 months old and Wilhilmina who was nine months. By using census records, we also know that another little girl named Olive Fancy Frazel was born to Joseph and Naomi and died at about age 9. Notice that the surname is spelled FRAUSEL.
As the wife of a laborer and stone mason, Naomi was defined by her duties as wife, mother and grandmother so we must tell the story of the first few years of her married life in Nova Scotia before coming to America.
I had to have help with finding out how many children she gave birth and if they survived or not. Some time back, I was lucky to find a woman, who like me, married into the FRAZEL family but who lives in Nova Scotia. Her name is Alice and she has been a tremendous help, first by email and now as my Facebook friend. She has found the time to travel from her home to the cemetery in Baker Settlement and take photos of the gravestones there. All of her photos are black and white so you will be able to tell her photography from mine.
This is the gravestone she found for me that tell us about the children left behind in Nova Scotia.
Monday, December 06, 2010
Naomi FANCY
Naomi FANCY is still somewhat a mystery woman. Until recently, we didn't even know what she looked like or even for sure that Naomi was her first name!
In the jumble of photographs left by my husband's family was this great photo. I immediately separated it from the others because I liked the pose, the chair and what she was wearing. I examined it for a few minutes before turning it over.
Naomi was the wife of Joseph David FRAZEL. She was a daughter of John Levi Michael FANCY and his first wife Lucy BOLIVAR. She was born in Nova Scotia, Canada on 11 Dec 1855.
This date, December 11, is the birthdate of my daughter and is part of the week in which I am writing this.
Family lore tells us that she may be partly Canadian Indian. I have no idea how we are going to determine the truth in this legend. But, I think it is significant to show you this photo before showing her headstone.
The back of this photo simply states:
28 July 1913
58 Y, 7 M and 11 days
Dec 11 1913 58 years
It doesn't give her name. In fact, none of the photos give her name as she is just listed as "Gramma".
We do know that she can be found in the 1871 Canadian census as 16 and living with her parents and her siblings in Bridgewater, Lunenburg, Nova Scotia, Canada. Three years later on 7 May 1874 at the age of 18, she married Joseph David FRAZEL at Pleasant River.
Naomi's mother, Lucy died in 1901, and her father remarried. Naomi and Joseph were already living in Marlborough, MA at that time, having come to America in 1892.
What Naomi left behind and what was to come in America is part of her story...
In the jumble of photographs left by my husband's family was this great photo. I immediately separated it from the others because I liked the pose, the chair and what she was wearing. I examined it for a few minutes before turning it over.
Naomi was the wife of Joseph David FRAZEL. She was a daughter of John Levi Michael FANCY and his first wife Lucy BOLIVAR. She was born in Nova Scotia, Canada on 11 Dec 1855.
This date, December 11, is the birthdate of my daughter and is part of the week in which I am writing this.
Family lore tells us that she may be partly Canadian Indian. I have no idea how we are going to determine the truth in this legend. But, I think it is significant to show you this photo before showing her headstone.
The back of this photo simply states:
28 July 1913
58 Y, 7 M and 11 days
Dec 11 1913 58 years
It doesn't give her name. In fact, none of the photos give her name as she is just listed as "Gramma".
We do know that she can be found in the 1871 Canadian census as 16 and living with her parents and her siblings in Bridgewater, Lunenburg, Nova Scotia, Canada. Three years later on 7 May 1874 at the age of 18, she married Joseph David FRAZEL at Pleasant River.
Naomi's mother, Lucy died in 1901, and her father remarried. Naomi and Joseph were already living in Marlborough, MA at that time, having come to America in 1892.
What Naomi left behind and what was to come in America is part of her story...
Saturday, December 04, 2010
Advent Calendar: Grandparents Christmas Card
As today is my birthday, I decided to post this scan of one of my grandparent's Christmas Cards.
As the inside lists both my grandparent's names, I know that this card was pre-1955 as my grandfather died in June of 1955.
My grandmother bought her cards (and mine too when I was a teenager) from a lady who she described as a "cousin or something of my grandfather". I have figured out who that was and discovered they lived in East Bridgewater, MA which is the next town over from where we just moved away from. Margaret Alexander, the cemetery caretaker and a friend who knows her genealogy stuff helped me locate the gravestones there. That's a story for another day. Margaret even showed me where they lived.
I did not send out cards this year as we sent out change of address cards just prior to moving. However, this card shown here and some others were discovered by the movers we hired. I think it is a Christmas miracle. I thought they were lost.
As the inside lists both my grandparent's names, I know that this card was pre-1955 as my grandfather died in June of 1955.
My grandmother bought her cards (and mine too when I was a teenager) from a lady who she described as a "cousin or something of my grandfather". I have figured out who that was and discovered they lived in East Bridgewater, MA which is the next town over from where we just moved away from. Margaret Alexander, the cemetery caretaker and a friend who knows her genealogy stuff helped me locate the gravestones there. That's a story for another day. Margaret even showed me where they lived.
I did not send out cards this year as we sent out change of address cards just prior to moving. However, this card shown here and some others were discovered by the movers we hired. I think it is a Christmas miracle. I thought they were lost.
Wednesday, December 01, 2010
Down on the Farm
I love this photo of Joseph FRAZEL and his son Phares on the farm. I wonder if the woman next to Phares is his first wife Mamie?
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