Top 10 Genealogical Finds of 2021

Here we are again at the end of a year - time for me to post my Top 10 Genealogical Finds for 2021.  Once again I don't feel that I've been too productive but I just keep plugging away.  So in my best David Letterman voice, I give you my Top 10 Genealogical Finds for 2021.

You can read my previous year's discoveries here: 2020 2019 2018 2017 2016 2015 2014 2013 2012 2012.5 2011

Number 10:  The original post was from 2020 Large - Marks Schwartz  but I received some follow up information in 2021.  I was hoping to identify these two photos in the hope that they might be Marks.

I contacted the Photo Genealogist (www.sherlockcohn.com) and I sent her photos, information, and anything else I had related to the family.  She analyzed everything, researched, studied and did her magic to conclude that these two boys were not Marks but his brother, Colman.

Colman Schwartz, 1890, age 5

If you want/need photos identified, I encourage you to get in touch with Ava for assistance.  She is very busy so you'll need to be patient but it is so worth it.

Number 9:  In the Kitchen  I was glad to finally document my mother's 'famous' Tamale Pie.  I realize it's only famous to my siblings and me but someday, maybe someone will find the recipe and make it famous again.

Number 8:  Dick Crawford was a very special friend to my grandfather, Sig Levy, and I was thrilled to be able to learn more about him.  I don't remember ever meeting Dick Crawford or even hearing about him but I'm glad that he's now been "found" (at least in my blog).

Number 7:  With the exception of one decade, my dad spent his entire career working for Dean Witter.  Sure the name changed over the years and today is known as Morgan Stanley but he stuck with them until his death.  I'm glad I was able to find his scrapbook/album and learn more about his time there.

Number 6:  After some anxious moments, we found a photo of my husband's great grandfather, Winfield Scott Byrd.  And as luck would have it, we found ourselves driving through Pocatello, Idaho on a road trip this fall which is where Winfield (and many other ancestors) is buried.  We were happy to have been able to stop and pay our respects.

Mountain View Cemetery, Pocatello, Idaho

Number 5:  I discovered a photo and learned a lot about the 1902 class of Fresno Grammar School and it really gave me a sense of what life was like for my grandfather.

Number 4:  Connecting with people is one of the greatest gifts of blogging.  This year I met two New Friends and was able to obtain a copy of a book that features the home of my grandparents which they owned for nearly 50 years.  

Number 3:  I'd procrastinated for years getting my blog put into print and am happy to say that I accomplished it this year.  Once I found a platform to use and figured things out, it was actually sort of fun to put these together.  In fact, now I'm putting the book together as I blog so that when I finish this post, I'll add it and get the book ordered.  Preservation - Blog Books

 

Number 2:  Who knew Mrs. Gunzendorfer made a Nut Cake?  It wasn't an actual cousin that I baited but with a name like Gunzendorfer, it's not hard to "hook" others who know the name.  I'm so thankful that George connected me with Ann - hey, another new friend!

Number 1:  This year has helped me learn so much about my dad's time in the Army, particularly when he spent time in Germany in 1946.  I'd always wondered how it was that he found himself at the War Trials and after transcribing all of his letters, I learned about that time and his feelings about seeing the Dachau camp.  I only wish he were here so we could talk about - I bet I'd learn even more.

I've started putting together a book with his letters and accompanying photos.  It's going to be a long ride but I'm happy to have the opportunity to document it in one more way.  Hopefully, that will be my top genealogical find in 2022.  I think I'll incorporate this photo, with his caption, in the title.  Watch for a best seller!

While it hasn't been a full year of discoveries, I do feel like I've made some headway with some of my projects.  On to 2022!

52 Ancestors: Lines - Telegrams

This weeks' blog prompt brought to mind telegrams, where someone could send a few lines of important information to their loved ones.  You might say that today's telegrams are known as texts. 

My family left a lot of telegrams for me to ponder.  During the courtship of my paternal grandparents, Sig Levy and Loraine Gunzendorfer, Sig spent time preparing for war in 1918 and wrote to Loraine about what was going on with those preparations.  And, of course, he sent a few telegrams along the way.  Loraine kept a scrapbook during those times and fortunately for me, kept a lot (was it all?) of those telegrams.  You can read about them HERE.  

They've clearly seen better days!

It was fun to see the things that Sig found important enough to drop her a line with the information.  Such sad news when he said that his father, Herman Levy, had passed away....

March 6, 1918

But then there was happy news when the war was over......

November 12, 1918

Loraine's brother, Wilt Gunzendorfer, sent a telegram to my dad on his 1st birthday.  The problem with telegrams was that you were unable to proof before it was sent so Wilt was changed to Will.

My dad sent a few telegrams home telling his parents when he was moving from one base to another.

I wonder what the present was?

I love that he added "tell Gerry" (that was my mom).

My parents received telegrams congratulating them on their marriage.

A few samples.  That's Loraine's handwriting giving them the address of the sender so they could write and thank them.  

Aunt Bella was Bella (Schwartz) Benas

First cousin of Loraine's mother, Bertha Schwartz

Lionel Traube was the brother of Loraine's brother, Wilt Gunzendorfer's, wife Natalie Traube

What's really interesting about all of this is that my mom's step-father, Sheldon Hunter, worked for Western Union Telegraph for most of his life.  He was an "office clerk" in San Francisco in 1910 and 1920 - being that he was born in 1895 he started pretty young.  Sometime in 1920 he moved to Fresno and was the manager there - did they relocate him?  And there he stayed in 1930, 1940 and as late as 1942.  He retired sometime between 1942 and 1959 so I'll be interested to learn what he was doing when he was enumerated in the 1950 census which comes out NEXT YEAR!

As I was going through some things I came across this photo which shows Managers Attending Seminar Number 16.  Based on the pictures on the wall I'm assuming this was a meeting of the Western Union Managers.  Shell is kneeling, 2nd from the right.

I wish telegrams were used today - what a fun look into the past.

52 Ancestors: Thankful - New Friends

Over the last few months, I've connected with two new friends and am so thankful for the connections.

The first was an artist who contacted me about the book he was publishing.

Painting the Grand Homes of California's Central Valley by J.P. Lane

James spent nearly 2 years traveling, researching, and painting.  The book covers 52 homes in 30 towns throughout the Central Valley with 20 architectural styles, painting tips, and even jokes.  And just guess which home is included in the book?  That's right, the home of my grandparents, Sig and Loraine Levy!

What a thrill to see the painting he did of their home.

James wrote:

Sigmund Levy was the son of Herman Levy, who emigrated from Germany to Fresno and signed the Fresno City Charter, and mother Goldie Benas Levy.  As a young man he was training to be a WWI Army Air Service when the armistice was signed and the war ended in 1918.  Later in life he became a prominent real estate and insurance broker together with his brothers in the Fresno area.  Herbert and Leon also lived in Wilson Island.

Sig and his wife Loraine had this Spanish Revival home built, which contains Monterey influences.  It featured modern amenities for the 1930s and was shown in local newspapers and magazines of the day.

The image I painted from the front makes this home look big, but the view from the side shows that it is immense!  This is one impressive home.

Sources: "Wilson Island Stories of the 1900s: The Sigmund and Loraine Levy Home at 1549 Echo Avenue.  Austen, Debi Levy.

Year Built: 1934

Architectural Style:  Spanish Revival

Architect:  Orville R. Taylor

Builders:  Taylor-Wheeler

Visitor status:  Private residence, please admire from afar.

FUN FACT:  The neighborhood is called Wilson "Island" because Rosanna created a few dead-end streets, essentially cutting off parts of the neighborhood from outside traffic (and riff-raff).

You can read some blog posts I've done about the house HERE and HERE.

Within a day or two, I had another new friend reach out to connect.  Turns out her father used to work at Levy Bros., the business of Sig and his brothers, Herb, Leon, and Ben.  

We spent some time talking by phone and one thing led to another and when she told me how old she was, I figured out that she probably knew my parents which she did!  My parents graduated from Fresno High School in 1944 and 1946 and she graduated in 1945.  She remembered so many friends of my parents and she was so happy to reminisce.  We've 'talked' a few times since and it's fun to share stories and pick her brain about Fresno history.  She remembers hearing stories that her dad would tell when he came home from work in the 1930s-1940s.

Levy Bros. office, c. 1920, Sig Levy on right

I'm so thankful that I was able to connect with new friends!

52 Ancestors: Stormy Weather - Snow!

For most of the country, snow isn't an unusual event and people, particularly adults, dread winter arriving because of snow.  

But I grew up in San Jose, about 40 miles south of San Francisco, where snow is something kids (and I'm sure, secretly, adults) wished for.  Almost every year we were severely disappointed but on January 21, 1962, the unexpected happened and it SNOWED!  It was an event worthy of the front page of the Oakland Tribune the following day.

Oakland Tribune, January 22, 1962, page 1

I remember waking up that Sunday morning and running outside to see for myself.  Sure enough, there was a light dusting of the white stuff on our front lawn.  Somewhere I remember seeing a photo of my mom standing there but because my memory says she was in her bathrobe, maybe it's a good thing I can't put my hands on that photo now.

But I found a few photos and this one from that day in San Bruno shows the amount of snow I remember.  

I really don't have memories of going to the snow as a child but as I looked through my dad's slides, I found proof that we did, in fact, have at least one visit.

Not much snow here!

Yosemite, 1958

Big sister explored and found a little more.

I don't know when or where this was but it goes to show you that Dad had some photography "issues" and often times the subject lost all or part of their head.

Big Sis, Me

Not sure where this was but by my brother's age, I'd guess it to be about 1964.

Did I really try to ski?  I do remember going as a teenager and after one trip down the hill I vowed I would never try that again.  And I haven't!

Being that my parents and all grandparents/great grandparents grew up in California, I don't have many photos of any of them in the snow.  But my paternal grandfather, Sig Levy, must have strayed away from Fresno at least once to play in the snow.

That's a big snowball!

Now that we live in Washington, we see snow more than I'd like but it does provide a peaceful and beautiful setting.  Just keep me off the roads!

 

52 Ancestors: Fun and Games - Let's Play!

Over the years I've learned that my favorite blog posts are those which show pictures - lots of them!  So in that light, I've put together photos of my ancestors (and me) at play.  I sure wish I had more of them because it really brings them to life.

First up, my grandfather, Sig Levy, loved to play tennis.  I not only have a photo of him as he played, but even have some of his tennis racquets hanging on my wall.

Sig Levy

I also found a photo of my grandmother's brother, Wilton Gunzendorfer, in the 1915 Monterey High School yearbook, El Susurro, when he was a freshman - turns out he liked to play tennis, too.  Yep, he was known as "Champ Gunzy".

It makes me wonder if Sig and Wilt ever played tennis together.  I do know that he played with his brother, Ben Levy, as he wrote on November 2, 1916 to his future wife and my grandmother, Loraine Gunzendorfer:

What do you know about my young brother and myself qualifying in the semi-finals in the county tennis tourney.  Well he is tickled stiff as we have worked our way up to the real fast players.  I had never played with him before and it must be good-fortune that is with us.  Our next opponents are real sharks so I have no hopes of winning but we are getting a lot of fun and good exercise out of it.

I've read a lot about my grandmother, Loraine Gunzendorfer, rowing on a lake in Oakland with her cousin, Hyman Steen.  Since she lived close to Lake Merritt, I assume that's where they went - boy would I love to find a photo of that!  But this picture of her with her Mermaid friends will just have to do.

1915 Monterey High School, El Susurro

Loraine, second from left

I don't have too many photos of my mom and her ancestors, especially of them playing.  But I thought this photo of her with her parents, Clara Fitzgerald and Earle Martin, showed a playful side of the family.

My dad liked to play games and sports - he was ready for football in the backyard on Christmas Day, 1937.

And even when he wasn't actually playing, he found an opportunity to be playful while watching others play.  He must have been watching a granddaughter play softball while he sported her high school letterman's jacket.

Of course the playful gene didn't stop with Dad - he made sure his kids followed in his footsteps.  We had A LOT of board games as kids - one entire shelf in the storage room was filled with them.  I don't remember too many specifics about what we played (or who won) but it was fun to see this 'canned' pose (for a Christmas card, I'm guessing).  Was I paying off little brother.....or was he paying me off?

I sure wish I had some photos of playing games with our next-door neighbor, Mary.  Our favorite places to play were in the far back of their station wagon parked on the driveway (what?) and under the ping pong table with blankets over the top and sides to make a tent.  Not only board games but paper dolls - oh, those were the days!

We also liked to play dress up and produce plays.  Looks like we were here with our cousin putting together some sort of dance routine.  Remember those candy cigarettes with red coloring on the end so you felt like you were smoking?

Cousin, me, sister

My parents loved to play and watch golf - looks like they tried to get big sister interested, as well.  Or at least I think that's big sister?

Dad was not much of a fisherman so not sure how this happened?  Were we at family camp at Camp Campbell?

Little brother liked to play, too!

Maybe my grandmother's love of rowing rubbed off on me and little brother.  Not sure where this is or even how far we got but for a brief moment in time it looks like we were having fun.

As time marched on, I dabbled in different playful activities.  While maybe not exactly play, I remember the March of Dimes charity walk we participated in a few times.  I don't remember exactly how far we walked but I do remember it was a LONG day and my feet hurt like crazy by the time I took the last step.

That's me on the right with the sunglasses

It's fun to see my ancestors at play - I've learned a lot about how they spent their free time and what gave them joy.  Not to mention it's fun to see myself at play as a child.  I just hope I wasn't playing here.  Artillery?????

52 Ancestors: Character - Dick Crawford

This week's prompt really had me stumped, probably because I'd already written about my grandfather, Sig Levy, for last year's prompt Quite The Character.  So I felt like I should get a little more creative and interpret the prompt a little differently.

I wondered if my grandparents had written about any characters in the letters they wrote back and forth from 1916-1919.  In checking Loraine's letters to Sig, the word was never mentioned.  But when I opened Sig's letters to Loraine and searched on 'character', a new world opened up to me.  

November 11, 1917

And what do you think my dear.  Dick did not pass his examination.  He came home last night really sad and if he can't pass, I don't think I would have stood a chance, as he is a young giant and one of the best athletes in this part of the country.  He has an excellent moral character and is high class in every respect, but the physical examination was too stiff for him.  They don't give any reasons, just "pass" or "don't pass".  But I think I'll be happier now because if we enlist, we will both go together or else wait for the draft.  You know they are to classify on the 15th of December, and call us out on February first.

I'm glad that you appreciated Dick's phoning you and that answers your question:  "Am I thinking of you?"  Now do you love me a lot for that?  Dick is a swell fellow - my closest friend and the only one in the world whom I would have ring you.  And I didn't want to miss the opportunity as I thought you would enjoy it, and you did, didn't you my dear?

I've read a lot about Dick in my grandfather's things so decided this would be a good time to research my grandfather's closest friend.

Dick Crawford, Fresno High School, The Owl, June, 1908

Dick was born Edwin Dickey Crawford to Annie Lee (Dickey) and James Malcom Crawford on 2 June 1892 in Temple, Texas.  I don't know the reason but somewhere between 1900 and 1910, the family moved to Fresno.  

January 13, 1918 - letter from Sig to Loraine

I am enclosing a clipping of a picture that I received from Dick.  As usual the paper got it all wrong and has him training for an aviator when in fact he is in the non-flying branch, but he will be all swelled up to learn that he is training for a flier.  So your friend is in the same camp.  Yes my dear, I think it would be great if he would meet Dick.  According to your address they are in the same camp but Dick is in the 10th squadron.  He most likely is registered as E.D. Crawford.  He will surely like Dick as they don't come any better.

Sig was probably referring to this picture (newspaper article) he had received from Dick.

Fresno Morning Republican, 13 Jan 1918, Page 14

Fresno has many proud sons in the service of Uncle Sam, but above is shown seven Fresnans who are in training for the aviation service at Camp Waco, Texas.  The picture was received here yesterday by Sig Levy, who has been recommended for the officers' training school for aviators, from Dick Crawford, who recently enlisted in the aviation service.  The boys report that they like the life.  In the picture reading from left to right they are:  (Upper row):  Dick Crawford, Fritz Prather, Hollis Pierson, Heitzig, Bouden, Kellog, Owen, all of Fresno; and Wikarons of San Diego.

Then on January 27, Sig wrote:

Haven't heard from Dick for weeks but saw his best girl this afternoon and she told me that he hasn't been at all well and is a little discouraged.  He is making a big fight again to get in the officers camp for flying and I certainly hope he makes it, because he would be a wonder.

Things didn't sound great in Sig's letter to Loraine on January 31, 1928:

I had a long letter from Dick and he has been very sick - and really sick at heart.  The poor fellow is certainly not in his regular company, but he is so game that I think he will get hardened to it.

A few weeks went by and on February 10, 1918 Sig wrote:

Haven't heard from Dick lately and I imagine he is about to depart for France as they are starting the aviation officers eastward - those who have been training in Texas.

Finally, a week later, February 17, 1918, Sig mentioned Dick again:

At last had a letter from Dick.  He is feeling better but not any too happy.  He says he is glad that I have a chance for a real job because his life is certainly tough and he said he would give anything to be back home.

And the weeks went on.  March 3, 1918:

Had a long letter from Dick last night.  He says for me to have all the fun I can while the going is good and he says this army life is a regular monk’s life.  However, he is now feeling fine and has gained ten pounds.  But all his Fresno comrades have left to parts unknown and he is very lonesome and has no idea when he will leave.  The weather down there is now getting dreadfully hot, but that is better than cold.

March 19, 1918.  Dick is still waiting to go - sounds like he and Sig were very close friends.

I heard from Dick today.  He is feeling fine and says he was given almost all his battle equipment which means France any day – and he can’t wait to go but said he wished hard to be with me for a few days before leaving, but of course that is impossible.

March 21, 1918.  

Later tonight I’m going to write Dick and it will most likely be the last he will get in U.S. as I think he will be on his way any day.  Poor kid, I hate to see him start without a higher position.

March 28, 1918.  Sounds like Dick was on his way during this past week.

Haven’t had a line from Dick so I think he must have departed so I soon expect to hear from him “over there” – you never can tell.

April 2, 1918.  Apparently, Dick hasn't left yet.  I'm glad to hear he had an opportunity to visit with friends - maybe friends from Texas?

I suppose you read where the yanks were about to enter things head first in France.  You know what that means – everybody all aboard soon and a big shift for “over there”.  But we are going to beat them dear and beat them terrible.  Heard from Dick yesterday.  They are letting him have a glorious time visiting friends as the time for leaving for France he says is any moment.

A few weeks before Sig mentioned Dick again.  April 18, 1918.

Today has been a rather peculiar one.  I heard from Dick last night – he is in Omaha and he is in training for a master truck driver and is very enthusiastic but working awfully hard.  But what do you think sweet – his mother died last evening.  It was very sudden and the cause was apoplexy.  It will surely wreck Dick as he was so fond of her.  She was a very fine woman and very young.  I suppose Dick will come home for the funeral.

Sure enough.  Annie Crawford died on 17 April 1918 at the young age of just 46.

Sadly, Dick was unable to return home for the funeral.  The 'little girl' mentioned was, apparently, his girlfriend.

Dick’s mother’s funeral was yesterday and he could not come.  Isn’t that tough.  I guess he feels pretty blue and his little girl is still in the sanitarium improving rather slowly.

After a few brief mentions of Dick, Sig wrote on May 14, 1918.

Haven’t heard from Dick for an age.  Several balloons exploded in his camp but his folks tell me that he didn’t happen to be in the midst.  He most likely will write me all about it.

Just a few days later - May 19, 1918.  I can't get enough of the loving words Sig and Loraine wrote to each other.

Heard from Dick and the poor fellow is certainly working hard.  He is driving a truck all day long and says he works until he is “all in”.  He will be one boy who will be happy when the war is over.  The girls out there treat the soldiers very nice but he says he craves for the company of the real western girl – and then he would be happy.  I supposed when I am on my way I will be worse in that regard than is he.  Saw a Red Cross picture last night of a girl in love with a soldier boy.  Sweetheart it reminded me of you so much because she loved him so much, and I really thought deeply of you all night.

June 2, 1918

Had a letter from Dick yesterday.  He likes Omaha better every minute.  He says the girls out there are just showering the boys with attention.  It won’t be long before Fresno will not have any young men left.  Every day bunches are leaving.  

Not much news about Dick until November 22, 1918.

Read in the paper that Dick Crawford is home on a furlough.  Isn’t that great. 

November 29, 1918 - SPECIAL DELIVERY

And I first just left Dick and Helen - poor kid leaves at 3 a.m. for Virginia.  He is on a furlough and tried to get discharged while here but nothing doing.  They wouldn't allow him an extension or anything - wired him to come right back.

December 11, 1918.  Was Dick heading home now?

Had a card from Dick en route and he said his train was crowded with aviators homeward bound.  

December 12, 1918.  Sounds like he was on his way home.

Just had a letter from Dick – he has arrived safely and expects his discharge before the 15^th.  He says he is crazy to get back into God’s country.  

December 26, 1918.  Just in time for Christmas.  I wonder what "quite natural" looks like.

Dick arrived home last night and is back for good.  He changed his clothes at once and looks quite natural.

January 5, 1919.

I’ve only been with Dick once or twice since he is back as I have spent most of my evenings writing to you and then home to bed and then thinking of you.  

January 14, 1919.  Sounds like Dick is busy catching up.

Don’t hardly see Dick at all – I fear he is too busy with dates.  

January 17, 1919.  Now Dick is planning to catch up with Sig.

Don’t see any of the fellows anymore, even at night.  They say they are all too busy, but I have a date with Dick tomorrow night.  I even sold his home this week – can you beat that.

January 18, 1919.  And they did!

I am up to the club with Dick and we are having a nice visit.  Just before dinner tonight I made a deal netting $200.00 commission.  Pretty good finish for the week.

January 19, 1919.  And now Dick is back to catching up with Helen.

It is a beautiful sunshiny day but I am too lazy even to go riding.  Dick just came in and he is half asleep and left to go out and see Helen.  He will have to wake up or she won’t enjoy his company. 

January 29, 1919.  Lots of changes in Dick's life.

I had a glimpse of Dick today – never get a visit with him as he is too busy with his women.  And tomorrow he is moving away out to their new place which I leased them so I guess he won’t get down town much at nights.  With all my deals I am changing many homes on the first of the month. 

February 14, 1919.  

Dick & I are going to visit a little while tonight.  There is a soldiers night at the armory but I’ll not go. 

February 15, 1919.  I'm glad Sig and Dick are still 'hanging out' and I'm sure they looked dapper in their uniforms - where are the photos of that?

What do you think?  I went out last night to the soldiers and sailor ball.  They requested me to come so Dick & I went in uniform.  It was simply packed and quite a sight.  The music and life was quite a change for me after all my strenuous grind of hard work. 

And as my grandmother would say, that was that.  Sig and Loraine were married just 4 days later so that was all I read about Dick.  It sounds like he was a special friend of Sig's but I don't know if their friendship continued after Sig was married.

I did learn that Dick followed in his father's footsteps and became an optometrist.  He went on to marry Estelle Kuster and together they had two sons, Stanly Francis Crawford (1920-2009) and Edwin Dickey Crawford (1926-2013).  

Edwin Dickey Crawford died on 13 Dec 1954, coincidentally the day before I was born.

Fresno Bee, December 14, 1954, page 1

I've contacted a few people on Ancestry who might have some knowledge of Dick but since it looks like he only had one grandchild, I'm not sure I'll hit pay dirt with those contacts.

I never heard Dick's name mentioned but since he died before I was born, I guess that's to be expected.  But I'm happy to learn what a great friend he was to my grandfather during a very difficult time for both of them.

 

 

52 Ancestors: Health - Sig takes a fall

Sig Levy, c. 1966

This week's blog prompt reminded me of a letter that my grandfather, Sig Levy, had stashed away in the metal box where he kept many (all?) of his "important" papers which now resides in my home.  I've looked through it several times and there really isn't much other than insurance policies and jewelry appraisals but each time his notes about a fall piqued my interest.  So, here it is.

September 18, 1966 

This is what happened to me at the Community Hospital Fresno.  I was a patient under Dr. Knudson’s care in room 429.

He had taken me over to the hospital I believe on Monday Sept 12 for Xrays because I had terrible pains & a swelling in my right chest under my ribs.  He suspected a stoppage in the ducts of my pancreas and came to the house in the morning of that day and gave me two injections.  He came back again around noon time & the pain was still severe so he gave me another apparent stronger injection and ordered me to the hospital for Xrays but by the time I arrived at the hospital the pain had subsided & the swelling was down.  But he had the Xrays performed which took about an hour or more & he and Dr. Mayhee (?) said they could find nothing serious after reading the Xrays.

I was sent to my room & put to bed and ordered on a liquid diet.  During that afternoon Dr. Nielsen came to my room; examined me & said I was OK.  I was on a liquid diet for 2 days – during that time I was given several pills, a cup of liquid & a shot in the arm – all this was given me to get ready for more xrays.  This medication caused a stoppage of passing any urine so that night they dumped (?) my bladder.  In the meantime they took 2 blood tests & reported all OK.  Then on Thursday they took me down for another complete almost 2 hrs xray & forced liquid thru my veins.  The result was that all showed OK so I wanted to go home on Thurs but Dr. Knudsen said he wanted me to stay another night for medication which he gave me causing me to go to the toilet to urinate about every 20 minutes or so.  So late Thurs aft I asked the nurse if the side of the bed could be left down so I could go to the bathroom & she said yes but that I was not to get out of bed at night.  And I said then you will pull up the side of the bed & she said she would before she could go home from her shift & that was the last I saw of her.  Later that eve another nurse came in and gave me 2 large red pills & a sleeping pill and shortly after I fell in a dead sleep.  Later on I was awaken by having to urinate so in a daze I was feeling on the bed to reach for the urinal which the previous nurse told me to do.  I reached the tube alongside the bed which moved & I together with the urinal fell on the side of the bed & landing on my head & shoulders on the hard floor.  It hurt terribly & I grabbed ahold of the sides of the bed & tried & tried to get on my feet but the floor was so slippery I kept falling flat on my face.  After about 10 minutes or more of struggling I finally made it into bed.

At once I buzzed for a nurse and an orderly & nurse came in.  I told them I had a bad fall on my head which was cut & I hurt badly.  They put a tape on my head & left the room.  I & the bed was soaking wet & I thot they came back change my wet bed clothes etc. but that was the last I saw of them.

Later about 10 minutes I couldn’t stand the pain & wet any longer so I buzzed again and a different nurse came in I told her of my fall & condition & she at once changed the bedding & gown to make me comfortable.  She said no one told her that I had fallen on the floor so I asked her to notify my doctor which she said she would.  Later I called again & asked a different nurse to bring me aspirin to relieve the pain which she did.  I also asked to notify my doctor & she said it had been done.

The doctor finally arrived about 9:45 the next morning Friday.  I told him of the accident & he said they notified him during the night & told him I wasn’t hurt badly.  He at once ordered Xrays to ascertain if I broke any bones & the result was that I had not.

When I hit the floor on the floor [sic] it almost knocked me out completely but I finally struggled to bed with a painful chest & ribs.  He released me for home by my wife later Friday.

Sig Levy

And almost as an afterthought, he added this.

When the second nurse came in Thurs eve and gave me a sedative even tho the previous nurse forgot to pull up the side of the bed rails the nurse should have taken care of it because she might know I would become dazed later in the night.  It appeared to be gross negligence on the nurse’s part. 

Why did he write this?  Was he anticipating a lawsuit of some kind?  Was there a lawsuit that I just haven't found evidence of?  So many questions.

I wasn't quite 14 when Sig died so don't have a ton of memories of him but I'm learning that he might have been a bit quirky.  He also, apparently, like to document things "just in case".

What's interesting is that just 2 years later, August 17, 1968 Sig died from pancreatic cancer.  You can see that the death certificate states he'd had it for 1 year.  

Was this event he describes above the beginning of the illness that took his life?  Who knew?