DENIED (Again)

Yesterday afternoon, as I was searching through the garage looking for a hat that I'm supposed to wear in a parade this morning, I came across a surprising find:

In a box in the center of the garage, buried underneath a down comforter and a bunch of paint supplies, were several old photos, a bag of my baby clothes, and two special books.

I know I must have seen these items at some point because I removed them from my mother's hope chest and put them in this box. But for the life of me, I cannot remember ever having seen them before.

One of the books was my baby book. You know... the ones in which parents are supposed to record all the important events of their child's life: first tooth, first word, how they celebrated their first birthday, a lock of baby's hair, etc. There's even a page on which to record the family tree.

My father had sworn on several occasions that such a book existed, but I swore that it did not.

Dad, if you're reading this... you were right. I do indeed have a baby book.

The other book was my parents' wedding book, or "Bride's Book," as it was called back then. Again, such a books were/are used to record important events from the wedding, such as who attended, what gifts were received, where the couple went on their honeymoon, etc. And there was a page on which to record the family tree.

I should be jumping for joy, right? I mean, who wouldn't be thrilled at such a terrific find!

Well... I'm not jumping. The books are incomplete.

The Bride's Book has a bit of information - a guest list (actually signed by the guests), a list of gifts, locations of the ceremony and honeymoon. There's even a postcard with a picture of the wedding chapel. The family tree page, however, is blank.

And my baby book? Almost completely empty.

Yes, I understand how busy a new mother can be. It's difficult to find time to take a shower and brush your teeth, much less fill out pages in a book.

But... wow. To say that I'm disappointed doesn't quite cover it.

So, let this be a lesson to you, folks:

Fill out those baby books! Don't spare the details in your wedding albums! Label your photos! And when your kids or grandkids give you those corny books about your life to fill in? DO IT!

DO IT because they love you and want to remember who you are.

You just never know when your time is up. Don't put it off until tomorrow because... well... there might not be a tomorrow.

Oh, and in case you don't hear from me for a few days, I'll probably be catching up on some pages in my daughter's (sorely neglected) baby book.

(See the sidebar for suggested items to help you tell YOUR story for future generations.)

P.S. That parade I mentioned? Check out the Elk's Rodeo Days Parade today at 9:00 a.m. on KCOY, if you don't have anything better to do - I'll be riding with the DAR!

Copyright © 2008 by Elizabeth O'Neal

Celebrating Memorial Day

Since today, May 30th, is the true Memorial Day (or Decoration Day, as it was once known), I wanted to share a few photos of how my family and I spent our weekend.

Last Saturday, we ventured up to the Santa Maria Cemetery where we "planted" flags on the graves of veterans. There were so many volunteers present that it only took about an hour to cover the entire cemetery (and it's not a tiny cemetery, either).

We were with a group from our local Children of the American Revolution (C.A.R.), but there were also representatives from the VFW, 4-H, Boy Scouts, DAR, and a few groups I couldn't identify.

My daughter loved carrying the flags around, and tried hard to plant a few herself. Unfortunately, the ground was as hard as concrete, so without a trusty screwdriver to make the hole first, it was almost impossible to get the flags in the ground... even for a grown-up.

It was a pretty amazing sight to see all those flags go up.









On Monday, we went back to the Santa Maria Cemetery for the official Memorial Day Ceremony, sponsored by the American Legion, Post 56, and the Veterans of Foreign Wars, Post 2521.

A few kids - including my daughter - presented a wreath from the C.A.R. Wreaths were also presented by the Daughters of the American Revolution (DAR), and several other groups.









It was a very moving experience.

At one point, the ceremony was paused while Lee Greenwood's "God Bless the U.S.A." played. Several veterans in the audience were in uniform and removed their hats to slowly wave them to the music. I swear, there wasn't a dry eye in the place, including mine.

By the end of the weekend, my daughter was saying, "Flag" all by herself.

I think I got the point across... even to an almost-2-year old. In our house, Memorial Day isn't just a BBQ or a sale at the department store.

News coverage of this event by KCOY and The Santa Maria Times.

Copyright © 2008 by Elizabeth O'Neal

Back to the Beach: 1940's Suimsuit Edition

Pictured here, modeling the most lovely of late-1940's era children's swimwear, are my mother, Judy Dagle, and her older sister, Sharon Dagle.

As is the custom with my family, NONE of the photos are labeled, so I have absolutely no idea where they were taken, when, or what the occasion was (grrr). I'm lucky if I can figure out who is in the pictures.


Sharon and Judy in matching swimsuits, ca. 1943. Picture probably taken in Iowa. I'm guessing from the shoes and socks that both are wearing that there must be no water to play in nearby.

I do love the border around the photo. It says "ELKO" in the corners; apparently the Elko Photo Company was based in Kansas City, Missouri, so it's possible that they also did business in other midwestern states. (Digital Image. Original privately held by Elizabeth O'Neal, California, USA, 2008)


Judy and Sharon, a few years later. This time, no matching suimsuits. Notice the daring, yet subdued, tummy-baring "bikini" my mother was wearing! To my knowledge, she was never caught wearing one of these ever again. Photo was taken ca. 1947. Based on the background, they appear to be in northern Washington, at a lake or river. (Digital Image. Original privately held by Elizabeth O'Neal, California, USA, 2008)


This photo appears to have been taken on the same day as the previous photo.
(Digital Image. Original privately held by Elizabeth O'Neal, California, USA, 2008)

Perhaps someone from the Washington State area might recognize this spot? I do know that the family lived in Tacoma in the late 1940's/early 1950's, which is probably when these photos were taken.

A Visit to Operation Gratitude

On May 17th, I had the priviledge of visiting the headquarters of Operation Gratitude in Van Nuys, California.

The mission of Operation Gratitude is to lift troops' morale and bring a smile to their faces by sending care packages to service members overseas. These care packages contain food, toiletries, entertainment items, and personal letters of appreciation, all wrapped with good wishes of love and support.

Through the collection drives, letter-writing campaigns, and donations of requested items or funds for shipping expenses, Operation Gratitude provides civilians anywhere in America a way to express their respect and appreciation to the men and women of the U.S. Military in an active, hands-on manner.

Support of Operation Gratitude is this year's state project for the California Society Children of the American Revolution (C.A.R.), a group to which my daughter belongs.

Below are photos of some of the many volunteers working to pack the thousands of boxes which will be sent to our troops.










Here I am, modeling the latest in OpGrat t-shirts!

Operation Gratitude is a 501(c)(3) non-profit, all-volunteer corporation, funded entirely by private donations. Want to contribute? Visit their web site or contact me for information.

Photos of Operation Gratitude (Van Nuys, Los Angeles Co., California) taken by Elizabeth O'Neal, May 17, 2008. Thanks to Sharman B. for the photo of me!

Copyright © 2008 by Elizabeth O'Neal

Wordless Wednesday: In Honor of Memorial Day

"Remembering Those Who Have Fallen" (Santa Maria Cemetery, Santa Maria, Santa Barbara Co., California). Photographed by Ben O'Neal, May 24, 2008.

About Wordless Wednesday.

Copyright © 2008 by Elizabeth O'Neal

7th edition of the Carnival of Central and Eastern European Genealogy is Posted

The 7th Edition Carnival of Central and Eastern European Genealogy has been posted at Jessica's Genejournal. Jessica has done a terrific job hosting this carnival!

The topic for this edition was in honor of Mother's Day: articles were to be about a female ancestor from the region of Central or Eastern Europe.

My post, Anna Susan Bires: From "Cinderella" to a Happy Ending, discussed the life of my husband's great-grandmother from Czechoslovakia.

Many thanks to my mother-in-law for sharing her fond memories of her grandmother in preparation for this article. My husband and I used a digital voice recorder to record our telephone conversation with her. We hope to copy, transcribe, and share these memories (and hopefully others) at a later date.

In honor of Father's Day, the topic for the 8th Edition will be about a male ancestor from Central or Eastern Europe. The deadline for submissions is June 12th.

Copyright © 2008 by Elizabeth O'Neal

Anna Susan Bires: From "Cinderella" to a Happy Ending

My husband’s great-grandmother, Anna Susan Bires, was born on July 14, 1892 in Czechoslovakia. She was the daughter of George Bires and Susan Dudas.

Anna had a very unhappy childhood. Her mother Susan died following the birth of twins when Anna was about two years old. Sadly, the twins both died, as well.

George remarried shortly afterwards, and he and second wife Mary had five children. Mary treated Anna almost like the evil stepmother treated “Cinderella”: her own children had beds to sleep in and plenty of food, while Anna slept under the kitchen table and had barely enough to eat. When she was old enough, she was made to work during the week and give her earnings to Mary. On weekends, she worked at home for no pay.

Mary wanted Anna to marry an older man who was quite wealthy, but Anna refused. She said she would “jump in the well” before she would marry that man.

Anna eventually met John Andrew Pado (b. March 25, 1887), whom she married in May 1910 in Czechoslovakia.

Their first child, Mary, was born November 26, 1911, in Czechoslovakia.

John immigrated to the United States in 1911, and by 1914 had saved enough money to bring Anna and Mary to New York.

Five more children were born to John and Anna:

• Anna Marie, born April 10, 1916 in Endicott, New York; died February 2, 2007 in Melbourne, Florida.

• John, born May 3, 1918 in New York; died May 1978 in Johnson City, New York.

• Beverly, born November 26, 1928; died March 9, 2003 in New Jersey.

• Two other daughters are still living.

John took good care of Anna, and she was very happy with him and her life in the United States.

Granchildren called Anna, “Baba.” and John, “Zedo,” meaning grandmother and grandfather in Czech.

My husband’s mother remembers Anna as being a kind and thoughtful grandmother. She has fond memories of Anna cooking and baking whatever the children wanted to eat, and says Anna never had an unpleasant word to say about anybody. She remembers her as always smiling and happy.

One year on Anna’s birthday, when my husband’s mother was a young girl and did not have money to buy her grandmother a present, she went upstairs to Anna’s room and got a piece of jewelry from Anna's jewelry box, wrapped it up, and gave it to Anna as her “birthday gift.” Anna opened the package and acted surprised and thrilled to receive such a lovely piece of jewelry for a gift, never letting on that she knew it was her own.

John died in February, 1967. Anna stayed in Endicott, New York, until she died on October 20, 1979. Both are buried in New York.

Following her death, Anna was mourned by many family members and friends, and Masses were held for several days in her honor.

She had found her prince and got her happy ending after all.

Copyright © 2008 by Elizabeth O'Neal

Another One Bites the Dust

Since we moved to lovely Lompoc almost 3 years ago, I've meant to get involved in the local genealogical society. Every month, I would see the meeting notice in the newspaper and make a mental note to attend the meeting. Sometimes I even put it on my calendar.

Life got in the way most months, but a couple of times - including last month - I actually got off my behind and went to where the meeting was supposedly being held. Oddly enough, there were never any cars in the parking lot, and the place was deserted.

Weird.

So, when I saw the meeting notice again in Sunday's newspaper, I decided to do the smart thing and call for information.

The first number I called was disconnected. Not a good sign.

My call to the second number was answered by a very surprised lady.

Where did you get my number?

In the newspaper, I told her.

Really? And what was the name of the group listed in the newspaper?

The Lompoc Valley Genealogical Society.

Wow, that's odd. I haven't been to meetings for that group in a long time. And they don't meet at the LDS Church anymore.

I'd guessed that already.

They're called the Lompoc Genealogy Club now, and they only meet occasionally in members' homes.

She gave me a contact name and number for someone in this "new" group, and asked me to please ask him to call the newspaper and have the meeting notice with her phone number in it stopped.

I called, and the gentleman on the line was quite surprised that the ad for the "old" LVGS was still running in the newspaper.

There's only one newspaper in town - doesn't anyone read it?

Turns out that the "new" group is now defunct, too. Membership had dwindled to about five regular members, and as he put it, it's hard to find officers and run a society with only a handful of members.

So true... and sadly, so common these days. It's often hard to find officers and run a society with 100 members.

He did offer to help me with my research, but I declined. I really wasn't looking for help so much as "fellowship" with live genealogists. Thankfully, I get that with my fellow genea-bloggers, but sometimes that face-to-face interaction helps in the motivation department.

So, how's the health of your local genealogical society?

Mine passed away... leaving no obituary in the newspaper.

Copyright © 2008 by Elizabeth O'Neal

Mom Knows Best: The 48th Edition Carnival of Genealogy

For the one or two of you out there who haven't heard... The 48th Edition Carnival of Genealogy: Mom, How'd You Get So Smart? was published on May 17th.

My mom always told me that she had eyes in the back of her head. I know now that it's just some special "smartness" that comes with being a mom.

And the need to stay at least one step ahead at all times.

My COG entry is here.

You won't want to miss the next edition of the Carnival of Genealogy: Swimsuit Edition - just in time for the beach!

Momsense: How'd You Get So Smart?

Several years before my mother died, I gave her a book. It was one of those "All About Mom" personal history books, which asked a bunch of questions about life, and had blanks on which to fill in the answers.

Mom died in 2001. I found the book among her belongings... still full of empty blanks.

So I'm at a loss for information about much of her life.

I do know a little bit about her school years, mostly from the few stories she told and from the photos and news clippings I found after her death.

From what I can determine, Mom attended grade school at Sacred Heart School in Tacoma, Washington.


2nd Grade Class, Sacred Heart School (Tacoma, Pierce County, Washington). Photo taken May 20, 1949. Original in possession of Elizabeth O'Neal.

On the back of her second and fourth grade photos, she meticulously wrote the names of all of her classmates.


3rd Grade Class, Sacred Heart School (Tacoma, Pierce County, Washington). Photo taken c. 1950. Original in possession of Elizabeth O'Neal.

On the back of her third grade photo, she wrote, "This is the third grade when I had Father Kelly and Sister Mary Paula for my teachers, and Father Kelly for my priest." Mom always did have beautiful penmanship.


4th Grade Class, Sacred Heart School (Tacoma, Pierce County, Washington). Photo taken c. 1951. Original in possession of Elizabeth O'Neal.



High School Diploma of Judith Ann Dagle (St. Bernadine's High School, San Bernardino, San Bernardino County, California). Dated June 3, 1959. Original in possession of Elizabeth O'Neal.

After the death of her father Marvin Dagle, Mom, her mother Mary, and her sister Sharon moved to San Bernardino, California, where she attended St. Bernadine's High School. St. Bernadine's was an all-girl, Catholic school.


High School Graduation Photo of Judith Ann Dagle (St. Bernadine's High School, San Bernardino, San Bernardino County, California). Photo taken 1959. Original in possession of Elizabeth O'Neal.


St. Bernadine's High School Graduation Announcement from Unknown Newspaper. Date Unknown, estimated June 2, 1959. Original in possession of Elizabeth O'Neal.

After high school, Mom was accepted as a flight attendant (or "stewardess," as they said back then) with an airline - I believe it was American Airlines, but I'm not certain. She did not finish her training, as she decided to marry my father instead of becoming a flight attendant.

Mom never attended college, but always had a great love of reading. She voraciously read dozens of books each year, and instilled this love of reading in me with numerous trips to the library when I was young.

She was also the best "speller" of anyone I knew. Unfortunately, whenever I asked her how to spell a word, her favorite answer was, "Look it up."

I'm sure I'll be passing this wise bit of "momsense" on to my daughter someday.

Copyright © 2008 by Elizabeth O'Neal