This week's blog prompt is Mother's Day. I've written a lot about the mothers in my life - you can read some of them at Memorial Tributes The Mothers in My Life Meet My Grandparents Memories of Mom - but this time I'm going to focus on my maternal great grandmother, Mabel Viola McAboy.
Mabel was the sixth (and youngest) child of William Warren McAboy and Rebecca Waller. Years and years ago I sent away for Mabel's birth record and once I received it, I stuck it in a file for "later" (you've done the same thing, right?) and today is finally "later". Back in 1883, the birth was hand noted in a "register" that seemed much like the old financial ledgers we used 50 years ago.
Yep, that's her - born 6 June 1883 in Clinton, Illinois to Maria Rebecca (I've always seen it Rebecca Moriah) Waller McAboy and Wm. W. McAboy. Interesting to see that she was the sixth child. I have record of all six children, although the oldest, William L., died in 1881 at the age of 17.
I recently was given a photo of Mabel from a cousin I connected with - it is so wonderful to see her as a young woman because, of course, I only knew her as an older woman. I think she's beautiful!
Sometime around Mabel's 4th birthday, the family moved from Clinton, Illinois to Fresno, California. I can't imagine what it was like to move halfway across the country with five children. Did they take a train? What took them there?
The first time Mabel shows in the census is 1900 (darn that missing 1890 census!) where she is living in Fresno with her parents and brother, John.
November 18, 1901 marked the marriage of Mabel and my great grandfather, Edward Francis Fitzgerald. One interesting note is that the two honeymooned at a cottage at Copper King Mine - you can read about it HERE - but I've added the photo of the honeymoon cottage below. Quite the spot!
Their first child, my grandmother, was born 22 January, 1903 and two children followed within the next few years.
By 1910, the family was complete and living in Fresno on Butler Avenue, although the census shows Butter Avenue. And in 1920, they were all still together on Dwight Way.
One thing I've learned about this family is that they moved around - a lot. In 1924 they were at 3844 Liberty, in 1930 they were at 3833 Lyell, 1932 back to Liberty, 1934 at 338 Michigan, and by 1940 at 1023 Thorne Avenue. Some of those addresses found their youngest child, Stanley, with them so I can't be sure if he was living with them or they were living with him.
I loved Mabel dearly but I do recall that she always looked a little stern as evidenced here with her first great grandchild, my sister.
And in the blink of an eye, Mabel died on 12 November, 1966. She was the first person close to me who died - I remember that I didn't know what to say or do. There was a nice service for her but I don't even remember if we attended or not. You can read about it at the Memorial Tribute link above.
Interesting to see that her mother is listed as Rebekah M. - the spelling is something I've not seen before.
RIP, Mabel Viola McAboy Fitzgerald, my great grandmother.
Oh yes, that portrait of Mabel as a young woman is beautiful. Even as a great-grandmother, she kept her good looks. Your sister certainly was happy even if Mabel wasn't.
ReplyDeleteSomeone must have told a joke that my sister liked and my great grandmother didn't approve of.
DeleteShe was beautiful. I wonder if she really was stern or just one of those people who hated smiling for a photograph. I hate it myself. And do you have any idea why they moved so much in Fresno? Were they renting or owning?
ReplyDeleteGood point, Amy. I checked and see that in 1930 they owned and by 1940 they were living in the home that my mother and her parents had owned in 1930 prior to their divorce so I'm assuming they bought it from them. I knew her until I was nearly 12 years old and don't remember her being stern but a lot of years have passed since then.
Delete