Category: parenting

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The Scarlet Letter: Women’s Names and Identity in 1908

To: Mrs. Oscar Lee Masters, From: Anna 1908

Dear Sadie,

Rec’d Oscars card and am sorry to hear you were so sick. Hope you are better ere this reaches you. Am coming home Saturday and will see you then. Weill try and write you this week. With love,

I am,

Anna

In 1908, Teddy Roosevelt was president, the ball dropped in Times Square for the first time, and Henry Ford launched the Model T, pricing the car at $850. The Progressives were in power, and despite their work dismantling monopolies and establishing national parks — they also came from a strict moral backdrop. “Reform” often came from religious motivations.

There are two things I find especially unique about this postcard. The first is that it seems to have been written in red ink. Now, I did not expect my research to lead me down an ink-enthusiast rabbit hole…but this did. Why? Because I wasn’t sure if the ink used started out black, and dried red over the century+ it’s been exposed to air, or, if it could have been written in actual red ink. Spoiler…I still don’t know. I found an advertisement in 1908 for a red inked fountain pen…perhaps that’s what Anna had? On the physical postcard the ink is a vibrant red–not rusted or brown. So, I lean toward the thought that it was written in red ink. If this is the case…it’s a style choice by Anna that I sort of love.

The second think I find unique about this postcard is that Anna uses Sadie’s name. In a time where so many women’s names hid underneath their husbands, here we have a situation where Anna specifically addresses the letter as “Dear Sadie.” If you’ve followed along with me for a while, you’ll know this actually rarely happens. Once a woman is married, it’s almost like her name totally disappears from the record. This is from the laws of “coverture” in which a woman is literally “covered” by her husband. So, not only did Anna defy convention by using black ink, she provided us with Sadie’s name.

So, starting out my research I felt I was already in a good position. I had a date, a place, and two names: Oscar Lee Masters (or master) and Sadie Master(s). It felt easy.

That was my first mistake.

I got lucky with my postcard yesterday, but today I had no luck at all. There were a few hits on Oscar Masters, but none that showed me his wife or family. I had nearly nothing on Sadie Masters…this tells me Sadie was probably a nickname for something (maybe Saundra?).

Here’s what I suspect: Anna was likely a sister or maybe a close cousin, and a flamboyant one at that. I’d like to think she was like one of the Aunt’s in Practical Magic. Of course, I don’t know for sure. But her use of the red pen has me thinking that she was definitely someone who stood out in a crowd. As for Sadie, I hope she felt better by the time Anna arrived. I imagine the two of them strolling down a spring street arm and arm catching up on life.

Center Street, Ashland, Ohio

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Education History parenting Photographs Postcards Teaching Vintage Writing Prompt

“Take Care of Puff and Fluff”: Exploring 1957 Through a Family Postcard.

To: Master David Thomas. From: “Mom” 1957

Tues Eve.

Dear David,

How are you today. The water looked like this, so John hasn’t been swimming yet. We had dinner with Stella yesterday and we drove around. We crossed on the ferry boat today. I should get your Canadian dollar tomorrow.

Love, Mom

Take good care of Puff and Fluff

In 1957, Dwight D. Eisenhower was president (with Nixon has his VP), and despite the attempt at gilded edges, the nation was entering a massive era of change. Elvis Presley moved his family into Graceland, Rodgers and Hammerstein’s Cinderella was shown on television, and West Side Story opened on Broadway. The Little Rock Nine were enrolled in Little Rock Central High School, and eventually the National Guard had to be sent in to allow the students to enter. The 50’s were in full swing, an era of prosperity for some and civil action for others.

For those of you who read my blog daily, you may notice that the front of this postcard is the exact same as the front of my postcard from yesterday. The difference between the two, however, is 30 years. While yesterday’s postcard was written by a young man to his friend, this postcard is much more maternal. Signed only “mom” and filled with family news about the vacation. My favorite part about this particular message is the name of the pets, who I’m guessing are cats? Puff and Fluff are the most adorable names for animal friends. I also love that mom referred to her son as “Master David Thomas” as though he’s lord of the house while they are away. It’s very sweet.

Ironically, I struggled to find “Master David” in the archives. I suspect this is because he’s still alive. I could find record of a David M. Thomas still living in Wheeler, Michigan. This David was born around 1948, which would have put him at 9 years old at the time of the postcard. This feels fitting. It’s possible he stayed home with a grandparent while the parents and older children (or aunts and uncles?) went to Lake Michigan. It’s also possible the parents were doing a college tour with the elder son (John, perhaps?). Anyway, if a person is still alive, they don’t really exist much in the archive except through census records.

If I knew who “mom” was, I’d probably be able to find the family. But, alas, that’s the way it goes sometimes.

Nonetheless, I do hope that puff and fluff were well taken care of, and given lots of extra treats by the man of the house, Master David Thomas.

As an aside, I also tried to research the postcard itself, and it turns out that they were fairly popular! Which, considering I have two of the exact same image 30 years apart, isn’t too surprising. But, I do wonder who sold them. Was the postcard picked up at a local shop? Was this image so popular it was constantly in print? For anything to survive multiple editions over 30 years is quite the feat. If only my endeavors could be so prolific!

“A Rough Day on Lake Michigan” Photo Postcard

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Education family History parenting Poems Postcards Teaching Vintage Writing Prompt

The Mystery of Mabel Setz: A Glimpse into the Roaring Twenties

To: Miss Mabel Setz From: Ernest 1928

Dear Mabel,

I haven’t seen the kettle on the picture but expect it is supposed to be scenic.

Don’t play too much tennis and give my love to “Bertha”. We’re having a lot of fun.

Ernest

In 1928, Calvin Coolidge was president, alcohol was illegal, and no one knew it quite yet, but the “Roaring Twenties” was coming to a close. Amelia Earhart was still alive, and Mickey Mouse made his debut. The age of entertainment brought to us by screens was beginning. It’s shocking how far it’s come since then.

Perhaps it’s because this postcard comes from 1928, perhaps it’s the joke about tennis and “Bertha,” perhaps it’s simply that there is a full picture postcard of the “Kettle” which appears to be a cauldron decorated by forest loving witches (or if you’re an ACOTAR girlie, by Elaine). BUT, this whole postcard feels like it could be straight out of the Great Gatsby. All that’s missing is a pier with a green light, fancy parties, and the most beautiful shirts you’ve ever seen.

East Ellsworth is a small town located in Pierce County, Wisconsin. Apparently, the train companies couldn’t build in Ellsworth proper, so they set up a depot about one mile away. This became “East Ellsworth.” At least, according to the internet. As far as I can tell, “the old kettle” doesn’t exist any longer, though it certainly looks like it used to sit on a quaint camp/hiking area. Maybe Ernest was there on a camping getaway with family, or maybe hanging with friends? Hard to know, but we know he thought of Mabel.

Mabel Setz was born on January 21, 1907 to Robert Setz and Eda Langlot Setz. At the time of this postcard, she would have been 21, and by the census of 1930, she was working as a book keeper at a local company. I wonder whether she worked by choice or by circumstance, since the stock market tanked in 1929. However, her parents were mid-sixties. Since she was the youngest, and still living with her parents, it makes sense that she might have worked to help with expenses. Mabel married Melvin Henry Else in August of 1936, and passed away in March of 2004 at the dignified age of 97.

As for Ernest, unfortunately I couldn’t find him. Without a last name, it’s fairly difficult unless he happened to be attached to the family in some way. He was neither brother, cousin, or husband. So whatever Ernest’s relationship to Mabel may have been must remain a mystery to us. I won’t lie, whenever I’m researching postcards between young people, I always hope to find out that they ended up married. I suppose it’s the hopeless romantic in me.

Maybe Mabel and Ernest suffered the same romantic fate as Gatsby and Daisy (though hopefully without the murder…), maybe they loved each other, but could never quite find their way to be together. Maybe, they simply remained friends. Whatever the case, I hope Ernest finally got to see the Old Kettle while in Ellsworth.

“The (old?) Kettle” Tourist Park, East Ellsworth, WIS.

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Miss Isabell Cox: Exploring 117 Year Old “Junk” Mail

To: Miss Isabell Cox From: Pittsburg Press 1907

Take my advice — Stop the Saturday Evening Post and take the Pittsburg Press

When I first scanned this card into my digital collection, I didn’t take much notice of it other than the postmark. It had come to me as part of a bulk lot, and I was new to collecting. The card looked old, and it felt old, and the postmark confirmed that it WAS old, and that was all I needed. So I scanned it in.

Only once I really started to create this blog did I realize what I had.

Junk mail. I have 117 year old junk mail. This junk mail is almost as old as Edward Cullen. Now, if this were an actual connection, of course this would be so super cool. But junk mail? It’s a little disheartening to know that people were getting non-desired mailers even during the undivided back period. Though something about it does feel so…human?

For a western town, Greeley, Colorado was quite up and coming. Originally founded as an “agricultural utopia” based on farming, temperance, and religion, the town seemed always on the forefront of modernity. Telephones were installed as early as 1883 and electric lights graced the Greeley downtown by 1886. It’s fitting, therefore, that the residents were interested in the Saturday Post, since it truly was the bees knees. It’s just as fitting that the Pittsburgh Press was trying to get a hold on the burgeoning town.

And what of Isabell Cox? First, I suspect the name was misspelled (does nothing change?), though it could be Isabella Cox, I suppose. I thought for sure I’d be able to find some semblance of her, but of course the archival Gods laughed at my certainty and left me stumped. In the end, there were a few good options. One Isabella Cox who was living in Colorado, but moved to New York by 1910, and an Isabel Cox who lived in the correct city…but was 4 in 1907.

I’d like to think this was sent to the 4 year old. Because of course it was. We’ve all received random junk mail for our children, and it seems that the turn of the 20th century was no different than the new millennia. Proof that times change, methodologies change…but capitalism never changes.

Undivided back, addressed to Miss Isabell Cox

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Across the Pond: Exploring the Innuendo of a British Postcard

To: Miss D. Ekins From: Unknown Date: 1902-1920

Do you like this. If so don’t have to much

First, I want to give a huge shout out to Gemma at The Seafood Picnic Gift Company for this postcard. She sent the image to me about a week ago and we had fun trying to dissect what all of the innuendo might mean. I apologize in advance that I cut your thumb out of the card!

Second, what’s wonderful about this postcard is that it’s from Northampton, UK. I love this so much, but I don’t know postcard lore, nor have I tried to research outside of the United States. But, there’s always a first, so thank you again for giving me the opportunity to share this amazing card.

My guess is this card stems from around 1915, but it could date as early as 1902 and as late as 1930. For those of you who have been around for awhile, you might be thinking “but the divided back began in 1907!” You’d be right — for the United States. The UK introduced divided back postcards in 1902, a full five years before the US. Seeing as the image on the front is late 19th and early 20th century attire, and seeing as the handwriting is still flowery, I’d guess this was written 1902-1915.

I also think it was written by a man. Partly, because honestly a ladies handwriting would be significantly better (sorry dudes). Also, there’s a weird innuendo going on in the whole card. There’s the front of the card, which says “methinks the lady doth protest too much” (which smacks of Baby it’s Cold Outside“), and the vague (threat?) of “Do you like this, if so don’t have to much.”

I wonder what the card is actually asking Miss Ekins. Does she like what…dancing? Being forced to dance? The sender? Gemma thought maybe it’s a strange affair saying something to the effect of do you like me (the sender) if so don’t have too much (dancing with other men). I think it could be something like do you like dancing? If so, don’t have too much (liquor).

And what of D. Ekins? I found a decent match. A Mary Dolly Ekins lived in Northamptonshire and married John Bennett in 1919. The dates and places seem to align with our D. Ekins, and I’m inclined to think this may be her, but I’m not confident enough in my research abilities to say that it’s more than 50/50.

It feels like a long shot, but let’s say this is our Miss D. Ekins. She was born in 1888 and passed in 1926 at only 38 years old. This is a tragedy, as she was taken both too young, and only a few years after her marriage. With the date of 1919, I have to imagine the marriage was put on hold due to World War I.

Also, if this is our couple, could it be that John sent the card to D during the war? Perhaps he’s imploring her not to dance too much while he’s away? It’s hard to tell since both the stamp and the postmark are missing on the card. But it’s an interesting story…if it’s true.

What do you think? What vibe or story do you get from the card? What could the sender be implying? Let me know!

Front of Card: “Methinks the Lady doth protest too much.”

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May 8, 1945: A Momentous Day

To: Mrs. S.G. Zoeger From: K.B 1945

I hope you had a good time while away.

K.B.

May 8, 1945 was a momentous day for the Western World. In the lead up to this day, we were nearing the end of the storm that was World War II. With the knowledge that allied forces were advancing on Germany, Adolf Hitler took his life and effectively ruined any hail mary on Germany’s part. And, on May 8, 1945, the Allies accepted Germany’s unconditional surrender.

This was Victory in Europe day.

Which is likely why the date was added posthumously, perhaps by Mrs. Zoegler herself. As historical dates often do, when we wake up and go about our lives, we don’t imagine that particular day will become important. But, of course, some days are filled with significance, and this was one of those days.

After hitting such a jackpot yesterday, I decided to choose a card that I’d been holding off on, particularly because I had the feeling that the research would be difficult. Not only is this card not postmarked or addressed, but the two people involved are obscured beneath their initials. However, we still have the clue of the card itself: an image of the City Investing Building in New York City, so that’s where I started.

Surprisingly, I found a few Zoegers. One family in Illinois even seemed promising, though not promising enough for me to be confident in telling their story. Alas, we will never know about the trip they took, or who K.B. may have been. My instinct tells me that K.B. may have been a neighbor who dropped a card into a mailbox when they saw their neighbors were back. From what trip? We won’t know.

But, perhaps that’s not the story this postcard is supposed to tell. Maybe, this card is to remind us that eventful days are just like all the others. They stream in and out of our lives like spider silk. It’s only once we step back for a moment that we can see the huge web of significance that tells our own stories.

Front of Postcard: Image of the City Investing Building

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“Greetings”: The Art of Succinct Messages From A 1908 Postcard

To: Mr. Andrew Berlin From: Martin 1908

Greetings from Martin

The beauty of this postcard is astounding, and I’ve loved it since I first saw it. Yet, I’m in the business of connections, not art and the brief greeting on the back of the postcard always left me a little sad. Unlike so many of my cards, there’s almost a lack of connection here. It’s cold, formal, almost a card of obligation rather than desire.

In my (limited) experience, there’s two reasons why a greeting might be so short on a postcard. First, the writer is young. Let’s face it, kids can pepper you with questions, and string stories from their imaginations, but when asked to write a card or a thank you — they freeze up.

Second, short greetings are usually reserved for undivided back postcards sent before 1907. Those required the sender to write on the front and often left little to no space to send more than a “wish you were here.”

This card doesn’t seem to fit any of the above. The handwriting is too elegant to be considered a childish scrawl, it’s dated 1908 with a divided back, AND there’s plenty of blank space on the front for the sender to write a message if they had wanted.

In going into my research on the addressee, I now have a set of questions in my mind. Like, how old were they when the postcard was sent? Is there a Martin in their family tree? And why might the postcard be postmarked in the same city?

It would be a lovely thing if archives opened up and the answers to all our questions spilled out of their coffers. Unfortunately, that’s not the case. I am not positive that I found our Andrew Berlin. However, I did find record of an Andrew Berlin living in Minnesota at the 1910 census. In that year, he was 7 years old.

If this is our Andrew (which I am not positive that it is) then the short greeting is appropriate for a five year old. Perhaps an Uncle or a cousin sent the card in the cold March months to cheer the boy up. It’s plausible. A beautiful picture, a succinct greeting, calling him “Mr. Andrew Berlin” as though he’s older than his five years. It’s certainly something I might send to my niece or nephew.

The only sort of broken cog in the machine is that I couldn’t find a relation named Martin for this Andrew. But, I didn’t scroll through the myriad of cousins on both sides of the family, so we can hope.

In the meantime, please enjoy my own maiden meditation.

“Maiden Meditation” front of postcard

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Tripping the Light Fantastic: Exploring Chicago Through a 1942 Postcard

To: Mr. Jim Henry From: Private Shorty Martin, 1942

Taken in the big city of Chicago. We would like to have sleepy here. I am having the time of my life with all the trimmings. Just got here, budies are waiting , tell all hello, will see you all later.

Pvt. Shorty Martin

By November of 1942, the United States had entered into World War II with fists swinging. Although the US had instituted a peacetime draft in 1940 — which required all able bodied men ages 18-45 to register, many of the enlistees were volunteers. Chicago, a city bustling with industry, was a vital crossroads for war preparation.

Not only was Chicago a major industrial city, producing parachutes, bombs, metal sheeting, and airplane engines (among many other things), but was also within easy reach of various military training facilities like Fort Sheridan, Glenview Naval Air Station, and Great Lakes Naval Training Station. It’s no wonder, then that Pvt. Shorty Martin tripped the light fantastic in the bustling streets of Chicago.

Unfortunately, I couldn’t find Jim or Shorty. There were a few decent contenders, but none that I could link to Waco definitively. Though, there were more than two “Shorty’s” running around Texas before and after the war. Although I couldn’t find our sender or recipient, it’s fairly easy to imagine a young soldier experiencing a big city for the (maybe) first time in his life.

I do love that he’s meeting up with some of his buddies. I wonder if these are military friends, or simply connections he has in Chicago. It’s feasible that Shorty was African American. As industrialization boomed in the United States — and racism spread after the fall of Reconstruction — Black men and women left the south in waves and traveled north, many of them landing in cities like Chicago. Perhaps Shorty had friends or connections already who had made the move?

I also puzzled over the “would like to have sleepy here.” I couldn’t figure out if he wanted to spend the night, but couldn’t, or if it was a misspelled word (or a mistake in transcription). But, after a minute, I came to the conclusion that I think “sleepy” is a person. He would have “liked to have sleepy here” seems like it’s too bad another friend couldn’t join. I assume Jim knew who sleepy was but nothing is certain in the postcard game.

The card itself is a linen postcard published by Curteich with a vibrant and stunning image of the Chicago skyline. While the scan did bring out many of the colors — it’s even prettier in person.

I do hope Shorty had a fabulous time exploring Chicago. Cheers to him and Jim.

Curteich Postcard: Michigan Avenue North from River, Chicago

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Decoding a Vintage Postcard: Untangling Lois’s family ties

To: Mr. A.D. Keese From: Lois 1940’s

Dear Aunt and Uncle;

Glad to get your card. I will write just as soon as I get time. I really like my job. I really get a kick out of it. I went home this last week in. Saw all of the family but Lee and they are all well.

I will close. Write to me soon.

Love,

Lois

Have you heard from Grandma?

This is one of those sneaky little postcards that has a half legible stamped date. I can see it was sent on September 8, but I don’t know the year! It’s smudged out and lost to time. But, we know it has to be past 1907, since it has the divided back.

The publisher, MWM, appears to have been active in the 30’s and 40’s. I was able to find this same postcard in a few places, but no date. Finally, I found one for sale on ebay with a date of 1947. I think this one likely dates slightly before that, but it’s safe to say Lois wrote to her Aunt and Uncle in the 1940’s.

Even casual students of history know that the 40’s were a time of sweeping change. World War II took up half the decade, and in the United States, the war years saw a great gush of women in the workplace as they stepped in to fill jobs left by men.

For the first (and last) time, we created a country that allowed women to work. Childcare was subsidized by the government, women were not only allowed to work, but encouraged to work. Many found fulfillment in wartime jobs, only to be shuttled back to the suburbs when men came home from the war.

And what of A.D. Keese and his niece, Lois? Without a first name I was not confident that I’d find A.D. and his niece. Yet, magically, the family popped up under my first search! It took some time to make sure I had the *right* A.D. and even now, of course I’m never 100% confident. But, I feel pretty good about these ones.

A.D. Keese was born Arthur David Keese on December 29 or 1883. In the census of 1930 he was listed as a farmer, and by his draft registration in 1942, he was living in Florence, Texas. On December 19 of 1915 he married Myrtle Farmer. Arthur died in 1976, and Myrtle passed four years later, in 1980. They are buried together.

Myrtle is integral to the story, however, because Myrtle is the blood aunt of Lois. Lois Donham Carr was a Christmas Eve baby, born December 24, 1924. Unfortunately, the record on Lois is a bit thin. I know that she married and had children, but as for what job she was doing when she sent the postcard, I’m not sure. Perhaps some sort of secretarial work? What is clear is that she had a sweet connection with her extended family and took the time to — not only write, but type — a card to them in her early 20’s.

As for Grandma, Lenora Farmer (Lois had Lenora’s middle name, by the way), she lived until the age of 81, and died in 1955.

What a wonderful opportunity to tell their story. I can see why this postcard has survived through many hands.

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Ida’s 1958 Postcard: Desperately Seeking Summer

To: Mrs. Chas C. Green. From: Ida Lyon

Dear Bea(?) (or Beau?)

Just a card and few. lines — hope yous are well and enjoy yourselves. I’ll be glad(?) when Spring is here so I can be outside. Love snow now. Must close for now. Write when you can.

Love as always,

Your Friend,

Ida Lyon(?)

In 1958, Eisenhower was President, Bobby Fisher won the US Chess Championship, the plastic hula hoop is first marketed, and the space race is in full swing. The country may have been leaning into scientific progress, but it would be another two years before Ruby Bridges stepped into the halls of a white school, and another seven before the Civil Rights Act was passed that outlawed discriminatory voting practices.

It took me a while to research this card, in part because the names aren’t super clear. Again, we have a card that’s being mailed to a woman, but her name is obscured by her husband. I started there, with “Chas Green”. Quickly, I found that Chas is often short for Charles (yay internet!), so I then started to search Charles, Charles C, etc etc, all to no avail. I thought I might get a hit off the address, but no luck.

And what about Ida? Well, I can’t be sure that her last name IS Lyon. Nonetheless, I searched the name on Family Search, and started weeding through the Ida’s. Sometimes searching the archives is like trying to find breadcrumbs lost in a dirt path. They are there, and you can find them, but it’s very difficult.

Since I’m fairly certain this card starts out with a pet name (Bea or Beau) I considered that it was a possibility Ida was writing to her sister. I went to every Ida that would fit the timeframe, and followed the family trees to check sisters and their husbands. On very rare occasions, this tactic has worked and I’ve been able to find the subjects of my postcard.

This time, it did not work. I did find an Ida with a slew of sisters, one of whom was a Betty. Betty was married four times, and as I kept scrolling I hoped that one of them had the last name “green.” She did not, so I kept searching to no avail.

Despite the fact that I couldn’t find Ida or Mrs. Chas Green, the postcard itself is lovely. I get the sense that Ida is a bit cooped up, though she seems to love the snow (I think), she’s already longing for the warm days of summer and looking for connection in the dark and chilly season. It’s also very typical of a 1950’s postcard. It has the divided back, a two cent stamp, and the image on the front has a white border around it that was normal for the era.

Whomever they were, I hope they connected via a longer letter, and managed to see each other in the warmth of Summer.

Mississippi River Lock and Dam, Fountain City, Wis