#52Ancestors52Weeks...Week 52 Theme...Resolution...Past, Present and Future

A New Year's postcard from 1915

 From the Hansen Family Postcard Album

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  This postcard was sent to my great grandmother Vere Burrows Hansen from her sister Maud Burrows Morrill in 1915.  It made it to its destination, despite missing street numbers. 

 "The pkg. came at last.  Everything was lovely and we all send thanks.  I will be in L.A. until Feb. 1st at 488 California St.  Best wishes to all.

Maud

The Hansen Family Postcard Album

   A New Year is fast approaching!  With it comes the opportunity to  reflect on the year 2024 and make new genealogical resolutions for 2025.  A year ago I started Amy Johnson Crow's 52 Ancestors in 52 Weeks writing challenge. It kept me busy researching, archiving and writing on a regular basis.  I hope my family and others enjoyed the journey with me. 

  I managed to finish 48 out of 52  themes for this year.  I am giving myself grace for the missing 4 and will call it a day (or year).  I shared my stories with you on social media or through email, as well as with the genealogy community on FaceBook.  I had three stories featured by Amy Johnson Crow (Nino's Immigration Story, The Narrow Gauge Railroad, and the origins of Nino's swaddling band) this year in her Generations Cafe group.  I appreciated the feedback I received from all these platforms; it makes writing more meaningful when you write for an audience! But most of all, I write for my present family and for my future descendants.  You cannot possibly know who you are if you don't know where you came from. The past is important and needs to be recorded for the future. Write it down. 

   So, where do I go from here?  I am opting out of the writing challenge for 2025, but will be busy with lots of other projects.  I still have cemetery visits to make (I need to recruit some cemetery buddies!).  I have a tape recorder sitting next to my computer waiting for Grandpa's tapes...it will be good to hear his voice again and finish what Auntie Claire started with that project.  I have John Hansen's original manuscript he wrote of his adventures in San Salvador that still needs to be scanned and properly preserved.  I have an idea for a family book documenting  our Virginia City family history that needs to be started.  And still soooo many pictures to be scanned and saved before going into their archival boxes.  Oh and not to mention, every genealogist's New Year's resolution....getting more organized! 

    I think my daughter has caught the genealogy bug!  She has shown an interest in learning about her Alden relatives and is beginning her dna journey there.  She may end up as the keeper of those family stories in time.  Which is just as it should be.  

   My resolution for 2025 is simple.  Keep going!

Happy New Year!

#52Ancestors52Weeks...Week 51 Theme...Good Deeds...Glaedelig Jul and Godt Nytaar!

    This  little pocket-sized booklet was found with the John Hansen family papers and was something Vere Hansen saved.  It measures 3" by 5" and is bound by a once-colorful cotton string. The front is translated "The Seamen's Mission's Christmas Carols".  Who were these Seamen and what was their mission?  

  

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    The Norwegian Church Abroad or the Norwegian Seamen's Church is a religious organization that serves Norwegians and other Scandinavians traveling abroad. It was originally founded in Bergen, Norway in 1864 and was devoted to serving Norwegian seamen where ever they found themselves in the world. The religious organization was commissioned by the Norwegian Parliament in order to secure the moral and religious education of Scandinavian sailors far from home.  The church also served as a safe haven abroad where seamen could visit and converse with fellow countrymen. 

  Contents: 

It looks like these are a combination of Norwegian religious songs and Christmas Carols.  

   The Norwegian Church Abroad is still in existence and has 28 Norwegian churches across the globe.  It now serves expatriates and changing generations of traveling Norwegians.  The organization makes visits to hospitalized Norwegians in different countries, and also performs weddings. Its national celebrations and religious rituals allow expatriates across the world to stay in touch with their heritage, and they help to alleviate feelings of isolation.  For most Norwegians living or traveling abroad, the Sjomannskirken is a nice place to rest where one can read newspapers from home, buy Norwegian food and speak the language with others.  Many Norwegians living abroad use the seamen's churches as their home church. 

The locations of the Seamen's Missions at the time of this publication (unknown). The United States and Spain currently have the most locations due to large Norwegian populations in those countries. 

Merry Christmas! 

Happy New Year! 

    I do not know when this little booklet was picked up, or where it was picked up.  Several family members traveled to Norway  or traveled from Norway over the years and I'm sure it was saved as a memento of one of those trips.  Grandpa was in Antwerp, Belgium on his way back from Norway in 1930 and he may have stopped at the church there.  It is one of those mysteries!  But someone, somewhere in the family received the benefits of the Seamen's Mission and church abroad.  

References: 

Sjomannskirken--Norwegian Church Abroad by Anna Akopyan May 9, 2024 

https://euroweeklynews.com/2024/05/09/sjomannskirken-norwegian-church-abroad/

Norwegian Church Abroad  https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Norwegian_Church_Abroad

 

  

#52Ancestors52Weeks...Weeks 38 and 45...Symbol and Colorful....An Invitation to a Straw Wedding..."One Is For Paper, Two Is For Straw"

 

 This card measures 4 1/2" X 3 1/2" and was an invitation to the wedding anniversary gathering of Robert and Sallie Hayes, my great great grandparents. 

 

   This colorful little card was found with papers from the Hayes side of the family, and dates from 1884.  The colors in the corner decoration are as vibrant today as they were when they were printed 140 years ago!  What was a "straw wedding"? It was a mystery...

    The little invitation was found in its original envelope, addressed to J.W. Crawford and Wife (Sallie's parents).  At the bottom, the word "Present" was written.  Did John and Sarah need to bring a present, or were they counted as being present?  I'm not sure! 

   I did some research on wedding anniversary customs during the Victorian period. The earliest known references to wedding anniversary symbols and gifts were silver for the 25th and gold for the 50th; these customs originated in the Germanic region during the Middle Ages. Wood became a symbol around 1875 and gifts made of wood were given at the 5 year mark of marriage to reflect strength and durability.   Queen Victoria popularized the 60th Diamond Anniversary after she  used her Diamond Jubilee to celebrate 60 years on the throne.  Diamonds symbolized passion and commitment. 

  Anniversary gift lists became popular in the mid to late 1800's, along with the societal rage for the proper format in invitations. The symbols on the invitation had to match the year (if you notice on the above invitation, it shows grass or reeds to symbolize straw), and had to be worded "just so".  The annual dates also needed to be on the card.  The dates above are 1881 and 1884.  Robert Franklin Hayes and Sallie Crawford were married February 18, 1881 in San Francisco.  

All of these gifts were symbolic of how the marriage was progressing and maturing through the years.  These could change, depending on which list you were using! 

  This was the only list I could find that mentioned straw.  Cotton was a more popular symbol, but straw was an older and more traditional symbol, especially in England and Germany.  Since Sallie's mother Sarah Crawford was born in Wurttemburg, Germany, choosing a straw wedding may have been a reflection on Sarah and Sallie's German heritage. 

    What does straw symbolize? It may symbolize humble beginnings, or that straw can bend and flex (think compromise) or that straw is ready for the next phase of growth (the harvest is yet to come after starting out as shoots full of potential).  Just as humble straw forms the foundation of a mature wheat field, a couples' steady devotion during the early years establishes a field ripe for a lifetime of love. 

     I wonder what would constitute a gift relating to straw? A nice picnic hamper perhaps? A straw door mat? A rattan basket?  Per custom, all gifts were displayed for guests to see, and they were mentioned in the local newspaper along with the giver.  I wish I had been invited to the celebration at 10 Elgin Park to witness the event! Robert's parents Robert Hayes and Lillie Ross Hayes lived at 10 Elgin Park in San Francisco, and it looks like Robert and Sallie were living there at this time also. 

What to buy?

Taken from the Eureka Herald and Greenwood County Republican of Eureka, Kansas April 20, 1894

    What is interesting is that this appears to be a three year anniversary, not a two year anniversary.  Robert and Sallie were married in February of 1881, and their only son Lester was born April 2, 1882.  This "wedding" was held on February 21st of 1884.  There is some debate on what constituted an anniversary (as we use the term today) and a "wedding" after the initial marriage as it was used in Victorian times;  dates may have been calculated differently.  At any rate,  Robert and Sallie were married 37 long years, as Robert passed away in 1918.  

   Any way you look at it, using genealogical ephemera is a fascinating way to use items to help provide insight into the lives of our ancestors.  Sometimes the research is just as fun as holding and wondering about the actual object!

References:

 Victorian-American Wedding Anniversaries by Kristin Holt l Mar 6, 2020  https://www.kristinholt.com/archives/22267

 Traditional Second Year Anniversary Symbol-Straw  anniversaryideas.co.uk

 Now You Know: Why Are There Special Gifts For Each Anniversary Year? l Merrill Fabry July 6, 2017

 https://time.com/4771179/history-anniversary-gifts-paper-silver-gold/

Relationship Reference:

Me->Margaret Hansen Boothby->Margaret (Betty) Hayes Hansen->Emma King Hayes m. Lester Hayes ->Robert and Sallie Hayes

    

    

#52Ancestors52Weeks....Week 49 Theme...Handed Down....Have I Told You About Our Rocking Chairs??...

 This  Glider Rocker belonged to Anna King. 

The crewel work California Poppy pillow was made by Margaret Boothby for Dorothy Arthur. 

   Handed down...most families have unique, treasured items that have been handed down through the generations. These items serve as a bridge between the past and the present.  Our family seems to have acquired an eclectic collection of rocking chairs over the years, each with attached precious memories of family members that used them and the stories that accompany each rocker.  These are some of our handed down rocking chairs, as well as some rocking chairs that are still waiting their turn to be handed down in the future.  Pull up your favorite rocking chair and a cup of tea and read on....

  This first rocking chair belonged to my great great grandmother Anna Levers King (1862-1941).  

 Anna King with Spot.

 Turn of the century, photograph taken somewhere in the Bay Area (on the ranch?)  From the King Album. 

  This rocker is a platform glider rocker, first patented in the late 1880's.  Anna's daughter Emma (my great grandmother "Nana"), took off the arms and added a padded back after it was handed down to her.  She handed it down to her daughter Dorothy who took it all apart.  Auntie Dot handed it down in a box to my mother, and luckily all the pieces and parts were still together. Mom had a furniture restorer in Grass Valley strip off the old black finish and remove the padded back which revealed the spindles. The rocking chair was given a new life and now graces Mom's living room. It is still used during get togethers.  Because of the frame mechanism the chair gently glides back and forth instead of rocking.  It still creaks a bit, but that just adds to the charm!

Fun Fact:  Did you know that rocking chairs were considered to be feminine chairs uniquely suited to the needs of  women? In the mid 1800's men were never seen in public in a rocking chair.  Rocking chairs were generally limited to private use at home. Kovel's Antique Trader  antiquetrade.com

  

 Antique child's rocker from 1906.  It has always been referred to as "Uncle Jack's rocker".  

 

 I have posted a picture of this next rocker before...it belonged to Master Jack Hansen and I am sure it was used by his little brothers Bob and Harold (my maternal grandfather) as well. It made its way to Mom's house; it has recently been handed down to little JackF. who is the great great nephew of Jack Hansen. I think Uncle Jack would get a tickle out of knowing that his rocker is still in use today by Jack and his little sister Audrey...

 Jack Klemmet Hansen (1906-1986).  He was photographed with his younger brother Robley (Bob) Hansen (1909-1986) sometime in the summer or fall  of 1909.  From the Hansen Family Album.

  

 Little Mary's  vintage cane rocking chair.  

   This precious little rocking chair was handed down from Little Mary Macioccos to my paternal grandmother Terry Boothby (Nino) and now to me.  It is of unknown vintage and origin but looks like it may have been re-caned and stained at some point.   Nino added the padding in the 90's to match her living room decor, and the padding has been there ever since. I requested Little Mary's  chair in 1995 after Nino's passing; I have used this little rocking chair to rock my grandbabies and read them stories for the last 8 years. It is surprisingly comfortable and I fit perfectly! I am sure it was a perfect fit for Little Mary  also.  

The padding has helped protect the cane weaving over the years. 

   Mary Negri  Macioccos was born in Rocca d'Arazzo Italy in 1909 and married Antonio Macioccos (also known as Nino) in San Francisco in 1929.  Somehow, Nino and Little Mary became lifelong friends of my grandparents Nino and Sterl, and attended many family get togethers and dinners over many years.  I have fond memories of Little Mary always laughing and joking with my Nino and Uncle Frank.  Nino Macioccos passed away in 1973 and Little Mary passed away in 1990.  

 Can you spot Little Mary? 

L-R:  Nonna, Dottie, unknown couple, Nino, Little Mary, Aunt Dena and Uncle Frank in the back row, and Nino (Little Mary's husband) on the far right.  Photograph taken at my parents' wedding held at the Grass Valley Methodist Church June 25, 1961. 

Little Mary seated next to Dad.

Photograph taken at Nino's home in Sonoma, California during Easter celebrations.  This may have been in 1986 or 1989, as there is a stork on the table next to the Easter Bunny...

Also pictured are Dottie (on the left) and Chet and Muriel on the right. 

 An Eastlake rocking chair that was in the Hayes family home and is now in the possession of StephanieE. 

The Eastlake detail....

  This Eastlake chair was in the home of  Franklin and Sallie Hayes (my great great grandparents) at 3818 22nd Street, San Francisco.  The home, built in the 1880's, was found to be structurally sound after the Great San Francisco Earthquake in 1906.  The rocking chair, along with a matching  side chair and another larger chair, were in the home until the death of Lester Hayes (my great grandfather) in 1969.  All three pieces were restored by my grandmother, Betty Hayes Hansen, and then distributed to family members after that.  The rocker was handed down to my sister. 

 Lester Hayes

Photograph taken before 1969 at an unknown location. 

   

   Mom's maple rocking chair

Photograph taken in Stockton, California 1962 right after my birth. We spent a lot of time together in this rocker...

With a sculptured seat and curved back spindles, this rocker is very comfortable...and this is a stock photograph from the internet.  I could not find a good picture of just the rocking chair itself... it was always occupied!

   This is Mom's maple Boston-style rocking chair that was purchased before my birth.  Mom says she sat in about 50 rockers before she choose this one.  This rocking chair was always in my parents' living room on Banner Mountain and must have a thousand coats of Pledge on it by now, liberally administered by my sister and myself every cleaning day.   It is a beautiful rocker with many beautiful memories that go with it.  

 Mom's rocker is a Nichols & Stone Boston Rocker, circa 1961

 

   This is my rocking chair, and was given to me by my husband for our first Christmas together.  It is very similar in style to Mom's chair, but is a little smaller in proportion and fits me perfectly.  I rocked both of my children in this rocker.  

AmyA.'s rocking chair circa 1990 or so...

   One last rocking chair to share in this post.  This reproduction press-backed child's rocking chair was given to our daughter after she was born in 1989 by my parents.  It has gotten quite a bit of use not only from our daughter and her collection of dolls, but from our granddaughter who uses it when she stays at "Nana and Papa's" house.  I hope it lasts as long as some of our other rocking chairs! 

  I am sure I may have missed a rocking chair or two here and there, but these are the ones with the most memories.  They have been  taken care of, lovingly used and handed down to new generations.  It doesn't matter how old or new they are, they all are family treasures that hold sentimental value and give us tangible connections to our loved ones.  They help keep our family history alive. 

#52Ancestors52Weeks....Week 48 Theme...Too Funny....Little Girls in Hats on Dolores Street

These little girls are too funny.....!

 "Dolores Street"  written on back of photograph in Vere Hansen's handwriting.  This photograph may have been taken around 1923. 

Found in the Hansen family photographs. 

Back of photograph

Same little girls with the same hats. They look like they are wearing jackets with collars over their dresses. 

From the Hansen Family Album

    I originally posted the top picture way back in 2021 as part of my Friday's Featured Photo idea.  At that time I did not know the identity of these two precious little girls; I think I have solved the mystery!

  The first photograph was found with other Hansen family photographs and had no context.  The second picture I found in Vere Hansen's photo album and I immediately recognized the cute little hats the girls were wearing. Those pictures went together!  Most pictures in Vere's album were not identified in any way; the only clue to these little girls' identities was that they were photographed on Dolores Street (San Francisco).  Who could they have been?

     Vere's youngest sister Gladys married Joseph Davis and they had three daughters and a son.  Virginia Rose Davis was born in 1919, Elizabeth Burrrows Davis was born in 1920 and Ethelreda Croyland Davis was born in 1922.  Son Milton Smith Davis was born in 1926. 

    The family lived on Dolores Street in San Francisco as of the 1920 Census; Rose was just a few months old at the time.  Based on dating of clothing styles I believe these little girls were sisters Virginia Rose and Elizabeth, photographed around 1923.  The family was still living on Dolores Street. 

Gladys with (right to left) Virginia, Elizabeth and Ethel. Photograph taken on a Santa Cruz vacation sometime before May of 1929. Everyone had the sun in their eyes for this picture.

From the Hansen family photographs.

The Davis children: Virginia, Elizabeth, Ethel and Milton.

Elizabeth still had her smile! 

From the Hansen family photographs. 

Relationship Reference:

Me->Margaret Hansen Boothby->Harold Hansen->Vere Burrows Hansen.  Gladys was Vere's youngest sister and the Davis children were Vere's nieces and nephew.