Tuesday, February 28, 2012

Wordless Wednesday: Dad gets a promotion



Fresno Bee Republican
approximately 1960
 

I'm an Ambassador, too!

I never thought about being an Ambassador before, but this opportunity was one I couldn't pass up.  We're just 34 days away from the release of 1940 US census and the geneaworld is buzzing!

For those of you who might not be familiar with the release of the US census, this event occurs every 10 years and since there is a 72 year wait until the census details are released, we are eagerly awaiting the release of the 1940 US census.  When the census is released on April 2, there will be no index available so people are volunteering to index the information in order to make the information more readily accessible.

Are you interested in helping?  You can!  Anyone can index and no experience is necessary.  Read all about it here 1940 census and take the plunge.  You may find one of your ancestors listed!

Sunday, February 26, 2012

Sentimental Sunday: My own scanfest


It's quiet today so I took this opportunity to go through a box of things my mother has had in her garage for who knows how long.  Many years ago we found a carboard box lying open on the floor and I just knew it was filled with treasures.  Several months ago my sister boxed everything up and sent it to me and after a quick look-through, off it went to the upstairs cavern.  I found a gazillion letters that were written to and by my father when he was off in WWII, a bunch of newspaper clippings, and various other things that were just waiting to get out of that box.  So today is the day and here's a few things I've found.


My Dad - Gordon Levy
March, 1942
This is my dad when he was just 15 years old - wasn't he a cutie?

Here's his discharge papers from the Army.  I requested this information from St. Louis a year or so ago and got something back that I could barely read.  I knew this had to be around somewhere and now I've found it!




And here's Mom and Dad on vacation.  I'm guessing it was about 1960-1965.  I love seeing how happy they were!









These weren't in the box but because I'm being sentimental, I decided to scan them and add them here.





My paternal grandmother

Mildred Loraine Gunzendorfer Levy
March, 1974































My maternal grandmother

Clara Maxine Fitzgerald Martin Hunter
March, 1974



























My maternal step grandfather

Sheldon Abb Hunter
March, 1974































My paternal great uncle and his wife
Wilton Louis Gunzendorfer and Natalie Traube Gunzendorfer
1978

What fun this has been and I can't wait to read all of the letters!

Tuesday, February 14, 2012

Wordless Wednesday: What is this document?



This document is wordless, at least words in English!  I have no idea what it is or where it came from but I do know this - it belonged to my grandfather, Sigmund Levy.  We were recently cleaning out an extra room and amongst all of the photos of our kids, this document emerged.  I have no recollection of how I got it or even who I got it from but I thought it was cool enough to frame.  And my husband has decided that matting and framing would be a good hobby so this was his debut project.  It turned out very nice!

A closer view shows a little more detail.


You can see his name and what you can't see is the date - 1913. 

And off to the side he even signed the document.



Isn't it odd that I have so few memories of my childhood yet I can remember this signature as clear as a bell?

Anyone have any clues about this document?  I don't care what it signifies or what it says, I LOVE IT!

Wednesday, February 8, 2012

Wordless Wednesday: The McAboy girls


Clara McAboy (left) and Lilly Gay McAboy
circa 1890
Clara McAboy (1872-1960) and Lilly Gay McAboy (1867-1949) were the older sisters of my great grandmother, Mabel Viola McAboy (1883-1966) and the children of Rebecca Moriah Waller and William Warren McAboy

Thanks to my "new" cousin, Kris, for sharing this photo with me!