For many years, women claimed they should have a right to vote, but Congress disagreed. At first President Wilson said that he agreed with women's suffrage, but he didn't do anything. Supporters of women's suffrage began picketing the White House and were arrested. While in jail, many women went on hunger strikes and were being force fed which horrified President Wilson.
Then the United States joined the Great War, later to be renamed World War I. The women on the home front were expected to support not only their husbands and sons but also the nation's workforce. Was it fair that their wages were being taxed now, when they did not even have the right to vote on how those tax dollars were spent? On September 30, 1917, President Wilson spoke powerfully on behalf of women's suffrage but the first bill died in Congress. It took another year before women were finally given their right to vote!
Which of your ancestors were the first women to vote? How did they choose to use that vote? I hope that our descendants will be proud of the changes we're trying to make. Do you talk to your families about the awesome privilege it is to be able to vote and remind them of what it was like before women were given this privilege?
Friday, September 30, 2011
Monday, September 26, 2011
Abigail Adams
What an amazing women the wife of John Adams was! During the times of the courtship and during the married lives when they were separated because of his ministerial duties, they wrote long letters to one another. The letters between them shed light on early American life, but also gave insight into one of the first women who could be considered "liberated."
Abigail Adams once wrote to her husband while he was part of the Continental Congress drafting the first Constitution to "remember the ladies" because most men "would be tyrants if they could." She and her husband agreed on many points, but where their ideas diverged, she had no issues with debating with her spouse.
Many of us cherish letters written by husbands and wives or their children. I treasure the poetry letters my grandmother wrote to her father and the ones he wrote back. They are a joy to read and share!
Abigail Adams once wrote to her husband while he was part of the Continental Congress drafting the first Constitution to "remember the ladies" because most men "would be tyrants if they could." She and her husband agreed on many points, but where their ideas diverged, she had no issues with debating with her spouse.
Many of us cherish letters written by husbands and wives or their children. I treasure the poetry letters my grandmother wrote to her father and the ones he wrote back. They are a joy to read and share!
Saturday, September 24, 2011
Preserving Historical Documents (Part Two)
There are few substances for harmful to historical (or even current documents you wish to keep) than acid. Scrapbooking supplies are full of non-acidic papers, items we don't always think about, but there are other items we don't always realize are acidic.
There are few historical items more acidic than newspaper clippings and storage boxes. The mere presence of newspapers in with birth certificates, death certificates, deeds, or photographs can ruin any items in with the newspaper material. For this reason it is essential to store all newspaper clippings separately from important papers and photographs to protect the integrity of those items. Before the year is out ArtisticAncestry.com will introduce a new technology that will allow you to share your treasures without them being damaged by handling.
There are few historical items more acidic than newspaper clippings and storage boxes. The mere presence of newspapers in with birth certificates, death certificates, deeds, or photographs can ruin any items in with the newspaper material. For this reason it is essential to store all newspaper clippings separately from important papers and photographs to protect the integrity of those items. Before the year is out ArtisticAncestry.com will introduce a new technology that will allow you to share your treasures without them being damaged by handling.
Friday, September 23, 2011
Reaching Out to Family for Help
Once upon a time, genealogists would put together small packages of information with a letter to relatives for help filling in missing information. The cost could become astronomical and the frustration through the roof! at the lack of response.
Now it's possible to put the same information together, the same letter for help, but you can put the information out on a blog such as this or the upcoming ArtisticAncestry.com to share with family members and to ask if they have any of the missing information.
Technology is available and wonderful, so use it! Take advantage of the options it has to offer.
Now it's possible to put the same information together, the same letter for help, but you can put the information out on a blog such as this or the upcoming ArtisticAncestry.com to share with family members and to ask if they have any of the missing information.
Technology is available and wonderful, so use it! Take advantage of the options it has to offer.
Thursday, September 22, 2011
Pick 3
I, Gayla Mendenhall, do hereby admit that I am semi-obsessed with those books that tell you how much cost of living expenses were at various years. Average income in 1930 was $1,612? Really? That is an average income almost below the poverty level today. Women's trouser sales skyrocketed in 1942? Makes sense since women were beginning to work in wartime factories and didn't want to wear dresses to work.
I suggest to give your descendants a good look at your life, pick three years that were important to you (e.g. the year you were born, the year you got married, the year your first grandchild was born) and record some statistics for those times. Record what the average yearly income was, the top songs in the country, clothing styles, political leaders, cost of fuel, where you lived and major events that happened in the world that year.
I suggest to give your descendants a good look at your life, pick three years that were important to you (e.g. the year you were born, the year you got married, the year your first grandchild was born) and record some statistics for those times. Record what the average yearly income was, the top songs in the country, clothing styles, political leaders, cost of fuel, where you lived and major events that happened in the world that year.
Monday, September 19, 2011
National Museum Day
September 24, 2011 is National Museum Day! Hundreds of museums across the country will offer free admittance of up to 2 members per household. You'll need to fill out an online form and receive your tickets via email. Click Here to fill out the form. Just about every state has a museum participating, so go to one close to you and soak up the history!
Saturday, September 17, 2011
What 9/11 Can Teach Us
What words do we associate with 9/11/01? Hatred. Revenge. Anger. Genocide. Acceptance. Forgiveness. Love. I'll be the first to admit that I felt anger and the need for revenge against those who did this. Was there a reason for it? To them it was genocide ( "the deliberate and systematic destruction, in whole or in part, of an ethnic, Race (classification of humans) , religious, or national group" ). We did not believe as they did.
It was difficult to face Muslims in public without having feelings of blame. But we needed to remember what Jesus Christ would have done. It's important to remember that there are good and bad alike in all religions and people. We need to learn acceptance of one another. Hope for forgiveness for feelings of hatred towards people who because of the color of their skin or the clothes they wore, took the brunt of America's anger. And we need to love one another in the spirit of God, Allah, or Buddha.
Gayla Mendenhall
More 9/11 Memories
The following memories and comments are posted just as they were given. This is a blog about genealogy and how we preserve our heritage and we hope everyone will remember that when adding their own messages. We thank all those who contributed to our remembrance and of the attack made upon this great country 10 yrs ago.
Every generation has one. A date that will "forever live in infamy". That phrase may have originated by President Franklin Delano Roosevelt, but it could be said for so many days. Whether it's the Twin Towers, the Challenger explosion, the Moon Landing, assassination of President Kennedy, or the attack on Pearl Harbor, we remember important events in our lives. I am sure that even dates back to the days of ancient Rome when the citizens were talking about what they were doing when they saw Mount Vesuvius erupt from afar. And that's the important part. We must remember.
That day, I was at school (the beginning of my last year teaching before retirement. My planning period had just begun and I was headed down the hall to the office to check my mail box. As I passed by the first couple of classrooms, I noticed the televisions were on and the students and teachers were watching them intently. When I reached the library, there were several teachers there, also watching the TV, so I stepped in to see what they were all watching. Just then, the second plane hit the World Trade Center... a moment I will never forget.
The impact of this event will live in American memory forever, just as the assassination of President Kennedy has. I was also at school, in mixed chorus, that day when the vice principal came over the school intercom and announced he had been shot in Dallas and he dismissed school for the rest of the day. We had no TV at school in those days, so they wanted us to be aware of what was going on.
Doug McCarter
Computer Guardian Angels
Computer Guardian Angels
Every generation has one. A date that will "forever live in infamy". That phrase may have originated by President Franklin Delano Roosevelt, but it could be said for so many days. Whether it's the Twin Towers, the Challenger explosion, the Moon Landing, assassination of President Kennedy, or the attack on Pearl Harbor, we remember important events in our lives. I am sure that even dates back to the days of ancient Rome when the citizens were talking about what they were doing when they saw Mount Vesuvius erupt from afar. And that's the important part. We must remember.
Wednesday, September 14, 2011
More 9/11 Memories
The following memories and comments are posted just as they were given. This is a blog about genealogy and how we preserve our heritage and we hope everyone will remember that when adding their own messages. We thank all those who contributed to our remembrance and of the attack made upon this great country 10 yrs ago.
I was at a workshop for diabetics. The secretary came in and interrupted our class. We all stood around a very small TV. During that time it was established this was an act of terrorism because we saw the second plane hit the other tower. It was so unbelievable. But I remember saying a prayer for those people trapped in the fire. Then suddenly the first tower fell. It was so heart wrenching that they dismissed the class. We all went home. I spent the next 48 hours glued to the TV. But even today I don't need the TV to see all those images and then the faces of loved ones searching for their love one. How can American forget any of that? We came together in prayer then. Prayer is more important today than it was then. GOD BLESS AMERICA.
Ann London
Each and every one of us has a memory burned into our heads from that day that we don't need pictures or videos to remind us. Whether it was the imagine of the towers falling or people jumping from the buildings to avoid the fire. I believe that many people who once scoffed at prayer were saying a few prayers on their own that day.
I was at a workshop for diabetics. The secretary came in and interrupted our class. We all stood around a very small TV. During that time it was established this was an act of terrorism because we saw the second plane hit the other tower. It was so unbelievable. But I remember saying a prayer for those people trapped in the fire. Then suddenly the first tower fell. It was so heart wrenching that they dismissed the class. We all went home. I spent the next 48 hours glued to the TV. But even today I don't need the TV to see all those images and then the faces of loved ones searching for their love one. How can American forget any of that? We came together in prayer then. Prayer is more important today than it was then. GOD BLESS AMERICA.
Ann London
Each and every one of us has a memory burned into our heads from that day that we don't need pictures or videos to remind us. Whether it was the imagine of the towers falling or people jumping from the buildings to avoid the fire. I believe that many people who once scoffed at prayer were saying a few prayers on their own that day.
Office Security Changes
I remember 9/11 quite vividly. It was my first day on the job as a security guard, with a post at the Westar Building. Westar, of course, is the main Electricity supplier in Kansas. I was supposed to have one or two days training on the day shift, and then go to evenings. About two hours after our shift started, we started hearing people talking about something had happened in New York, and thought that a plane had hit the World Trade Center.
They weren't sure if it were a terrorist attack or some kind of accident. By the time the plane hit the second tower, it was pretty well confirmed that it was NOT an accident. By noon, the Topeka Capital-Journal newspaper had a special edition out showing what had transpired. It was enough of a shock to the mangement of Westar that an extra security guard was kept for the day shift, and use of Employee ID badges, or visitor badges became mandatory for every person entering the building.Blaine Smith
For awhile almost every federal building had a police officer posted out front taking down the Driver's License number of every person entering the building. Offices for electricity and water were concerned about safety. Nobody knew if, when, or where another attack could come. Would it be in a major city or in the Heart of America?
Tuesday, September 13, 2011
More 9/11 Memories
The following memories and comments are posted just as they were given. This is a blog about genealogy and how we preserve our heritage and we hope everyone will remember that when adding their own messages. We thank all those who contributed to our remembrance and of the attack made upon this great country 10 yrs ago.
On 9/11/2001 as all mornings of a work week, I had showered and came out and turned on the TV, to the news and BANG, right in front of me on TV was a horrible sight I was looking at the smoke and fire from the first Twin Tower and they were saying a small plane had hit the tower. Like anyone I stood glued to the TV as much as possible to see what they had determined might have happened. Then out of nowhere another plane headed towards the towers an in an instant the plane ripped thru the other tower at a lower level. Then as I was trying to process this over the next few minutes, then the reports of two other planes that hit the Pentagon and in PA., only then like millions of other people, then understood we were being attacked, but not knowing by who. As I went on to work the news began telling of all the events that were going on, and I was glued to the TV at work as the day unfolded to learn more of this tragedy.
I am still stunned to this day of 9/11/2001, and I am stunned again as they in New York will gather on the 10th year of this, for a Memorial, and that the Mayor of New York, a Liberal, won't allow Policeman, Fireman and the Clergy to attend this Memorial. This Mayor says that we should be ashamed of ourselves for not wanting a Mosque to be built on those grounds near GROUND ZERO! This to me is unforgivable, as much as what those TERRORIST, did to those fallen in the Twin Towers, and those whom died in those planes that were used to do this destruction.
God Bless America, and the true people of this country, we now know what happened and I for one will never forget, and nor will I forgive the Liberals of this country for siding with the very ones who caused this tragedy, by not allowing the HEROES and Clergy to attend this Memorial on 9/11/2011.
Terry Schnee
Monday, September 12, 2011
Authors 9/11 Memories
The following memories and comments are posted just as they were given. This is a blog about genealogy and how we preserve our heritage and we hope everyone will remember that when adding their own messages. We thank all those who contributed to our remembrance and of the attack made upon this great country 10 yrs ago.
The Service of Others
Marvin and I were at my father's home in Mitchell, Oregon when the twin towers fell. It was so unbelievable. Mind numbing. We felt like we should hurry home to Idaho and finish packing for our move to Missouri but we knew it might be years before we saw Dad again.
On our way (9/12) we picked up 3 young men on their way to New York City to help with the rescue operations. Sadly I didn't ask, so I don't know their names, but they were determined to help the rescue operation in New York City, even though they were without money, food or extra clothing. We fed them and took them on to Ontario, Oregon where they planned to catch rides straight East. I wish I knew if they had made it and what their experiences were, but our prayers went with those young men, who we knew would return home Men and for our country which was being attacked by evil men.
Cristina Besendorfer
Service seemed to be the rule of the day. If you had the means to help, you did. If you could help in the rescue effort, you did. Donations of food, money, and blood flowed. People felt the need to respond by doing instead of watching. Americans showed their love and faith that day and their determination not to allow such a thing to happen again.
I had just gotten married three days earlier and was on my honeymoon. I woke up early and turned on the TV. I saw the reaction to the first plane hitting the World Trade Center on the Today Show. While I was trying to wake up my new husband, suddenly the second tower was hit. It became suddenly obvious that it was an act of terrorism. We watched in amazement as the news of the Pentagon came in followed by the news that a fourth hijacked plane was still in the air.
The sadness soon became too much for me. I left to take a shower. Mark soon yelled to come quick, one of the towers had just fallen. I got there just as the second tower collapsed into a heap of burning rubble. We knew then how truly awful it was going to be. The chance for finding survivors was close to none. After awhile, we felt the need to escape, to feel almost normal if just for a little while. We went to Silver Dollar City, but the atmosphere was one of shock and sadness. It took weeks to feel normal again.
Gayla Mendenhall
The Service of Others
Marvin and I were at my father's home in Mitchell, Oregon when the twin towers fell. It was so unbelievable. Mind numbing. We felt like we should hurry home to Idaho and finish packing for our move to Missouri but we knew it might be years before we saw Dad again.
On our way (9/12) we picked up 3 young men on their way to New York City to help with the rescue operations. Sadly I didn't ask, so I don't know their names, but they were determined to help the rescue operation in New York City, even though they were without money, food or extra clothing. We fed them and took them on to Ontario, Oregon where they planned to catch rides straight East. I wish I knew if they had made it and what their experiences were, but our prayers went with those young men, who we knew would return home Men and for our country which was being attacked by evil men.
Cristina Besendorfer
Service seemed to be the rule of the day. If you had the means to help, you did. If you could help in the rescue effort, you did. Donations of food, money, and blood flowed. People felt the need to respond by doing instead of watching. Americans showed their love and faith that day and their determination not to allow such a thing to happen again.
I had just gotten married three days earlier and was on my honeymoon. I woke up early and turned on the TV. I saw the reaction to the first plane hitting the World Trade Center on the Today Show. While I was trying to wake up my new husband, suddenly the second tower was hit. It became suddenly obvious that it was an act of terrorism. We watched in amazement as the news of the Pentagon came in followed by the news that a fourth hijacked plane was still in the air.
The sadness soon became too much for me. I left to take a shower. Mark soon yelled to come quick, one of the towers had just fallen. I got there just as the second tower collapsed into a heap of burning rubble. We knew then how truly awful it was going to be. The chance for finding survivors was close to none. After awhile, we felt the need to escape, to feel almost normal if just for a little while. We went to Silver Dollar City, but the atmosphere was one of shock and sadness. It took weeks to feel normal again.
Gayla Mendenhall
Sunday, September 11, 2011
10 Year Anniversary of Sept. 11
Ten years ago on a beautiful, sunny, Tuesday morning, Americans came under attack because we do not believe as other people believe. Our country was FOUNDED on the principles of freedom FROM religion and freedom for religion. We have the choice to choose not only what we believe, but what we don't want to believe. Unfortunately, others believe that if we do not believe as they do, we are their enemy.
Four planes hurtled towards American landmarks trying to destroy the economic heart of our country, the military heart of our country, and the governmental heart of our country. The twin towers fell, the Pentagon was damaged, but the brave members of United 93 joined together to prevent the hijackers from reaching their ultimate destination of the White House.
Four airplanes were hijacked to decimate our country's buildings, families, and peace of mind, but we showed the world once again we are ONE COUNTRY UNDER GOD and ONE PEOPLE regardless of color and creed. We joined together each September to mourn those souls lost that terrible day and every day since, even if we did not know a single one personally, in our fight for LIFE, LIBERTY, AND THE PURSUIT OF HAPPINESS.
Please join again with our great nation in prayers and appreciation to our leaders who continue to fight for the United States of America, and especially for those soldiers, and citizens who have given their all in this war against tyranny. Thank you.
Saturday, September 10, 2011
Genealogy Websites for Kids
Family Tree Magazine online has launched a website for kids! It gives kids a chance to build their own family tree, be a family detective, and even has a section for teachers and parents. Give it a try at kids.familytreemagazine.com. I think you'll be pleasantly surprised at how involved it is. And to tell the truth, it's not a bad website to use for beginners even if they aren't children!
Friday, September 9, 2011
Importance of Consistency
I know that I'm not alone having several email addresses. I also know how many times I have sent out emails only to have them returned "undeliverable," because the person that I am trying to reach has moved or changed internet providers or multiple other factors that make the ONLY email address I have for the defunct.
I have a suggestion. Create a Google Mail account and use that email address for everything genealogy related. Use it for all websites you "follow", use it for your login on websites, and especially use it for mail lists. Why Gmail? Frankly, I just like Google. The iGoogle homepage makes it easy to not only check your email but several other websites most recent posts, plus it separates your many genealogy contacts from your normal email address, thus preventing a message from getting lost in the shuffle of spam and junk.
To find an email address you have lost or misplaced try going to http://my.email.address.is/ehowto.htm. Also, if you haven't tried yet, search for your last name using search engines or at http://www.rootsweb.ancestry.com/~websites/. It is amazing what you can search for on the world wide web!
Monday, September 5, 2011
Happy Labor Day
Labor Day began in the late 19th century, but it wasn't until 1894 that it became a Federal holiday. When the observance began, it was the height of the Industrial Revolution where many workers would work a 12 hour day in abhorrent conditions, leave and work another 8 hour shift at a second job, go home to get 4 hours of sleep, and then start the cycle over again.
The first Labor Day holiday was celebrated on Tuesday, September 5, 1882, in New York City, in accordance with the plans of the Central Labor Union. The Central Labor Union held its second Labor Day holiday just a year later, on September 5, 1883.
But the need for Unions, to prevent overworking and underpaying people, isn't what it was 130 years ago; maybe it's time to remove this expensive middleman between workers and the employers.
According to the SLC Tribune... (http://www.sltrib.com/sltrib/home2/52519199-183/angeles-los-workers-labor.html.csp)
But the need for Unions, to prevent overworking and underpaying people, isn't what it was 130 years ago; maybe it's time to remove this expensive middleman between workers and the employers.
According to the SLC Tribune... (http://www.sltrib.com/sltrib/home2/52519199-183/angeles-los-workers-labor.html.csp)
Are you wondering how genealogy can apply to labor unions? Unions kept very accurate records and according toLoretto Dennis Szucs, Sandra Hargreaves Luebking, co-authors of their book: The source: a guidebook to American genealogy, their accurate records are a treasure trove waiting to be sifted. (http://books.google.com/books?id=Jw3kn_AgNTkC&pg=PA112&lpg=PA112&dq=labor+unions+and+genealogy&source=bl&ots=2MWy0otbSH&sig=dSVJPbGGx1CWVygzmkKlRmIJVTc&hl=en&ei=nWZkTubfLerr0gGgsMCTCg&sa=X&oi=book_result&ct=result&resnum=2&ved=0CC8Q6AEwATgK#v=onepage&q=labor%20unions%20and%20genealogy&f=false)
Saturday, September 3, 2011
How the Great War Helped Women's Suffrage
For many years, women claimed they should have a right to vote, but Congress disagreed. At first President Wilson said that he agreed with women's suffrage, but he didn't do anything. Supporters of women's suffrage began picketing the White House and were arrested. While in jail, many women went on hunger strikes and were being force fed which horrified President Wilson.
Then the United States joined the Great War, later to be renamed World War I. The women on the home front were expected to support not only their husbands and sons but also the nation's workforce. Was it fair that their wages were being taxed now, when they did not even have the right to vote on how those tax dollars were spent? On September 30, 1917, President Wilson spoke powerfully on behalf of women's suffrage but the first bill died in Congress. It took another year before women were finally given their right to vote!
Which of your ancestors were the first women to vote? How did they choose to use that vote? I hope that our descendants will be proud of the changes we're trying to make. Do you talk to your families about the awesome privilege it is to be able to vote and remind them of what it was like before women were given this privilege?
Then the United States joined the Great War, later to be renamed World War I. The women on the home front were expected to support not only their husbands and sons but also the nation's workforce. Was it fair that their wages were being taxed now, when they did not even have the right to vote on how those tax dollars were spent? On September 30, 1917, President Wilson spoke powerfully on behalf of women's suffrage but the first bill died in Congress. It took another year before women were finally given their right to vote!
Which of your ancestors were the first women to vote? How did they choose to use that vote? I hope that our descendants will be proud of the changes we're trying to make. Do you talk to your families about the awesome privilege it is to be able to vote and remind them of what it was like before women were given this privilege?
Friday, September 2, 2011
Preserving Historical Documents (Part One)
Once upon the time, we believed that lamination was the best thing for preserving documents ever invented! Decades later, we discovered the truth, the heat and pressure of the laminating process, mixed with the acid in the adhesive on the plastic, work together to cause the items laminated to become brittle and deteriorate. There are even some types of paper where the laminating process immediately destroys the image on the paper.
Now we know that the best way to preserve historical documents is in a cool, dry location with very little light. Still, that leaves few options, after all, you don't want to store documents in attics because of the usual lack of insulation and the risk of the roof leaking. And while a basement may stay cooler than the attic, the risk of moisture is too great to store delicate artifacts. Possibly a light-proof plastic container on the shelf of a closet?
Now we know that the best way to preserve historical documents is in a cool, dry location with very little light. Still, that leaves few options, after all, you don't want to store documents in attics because of the usual lack of insulation and the risk of the roof leaking. And while a basement may stay cooler than the attic, the risk of moisture is too great to store delicate artifacts. Possibly a light-proof plastic container on the shelf of a closet?
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