Rope Beds? Want to sleep on one?

Last May 2013, I visited New England and toured Sturbridge Village, a recreated typical New England village of 1830. There was one house/building were folks were encouraged to lie on the beds and pick up the objects. So I did..... can't say it was very comfortable but I'm sure rope beds were a vast improvement over sleeping on the floor (often a dirt floor). If you want to know more about rope beds (and our ancestors from the 1600s to the 1800s slept on such beds), click the UTube link below or Google "rope bed history."

1. Weaving an early 19th century Rope Bed at Hope Plantation (North ...

   ► 11:17► 11:17

   www.youtube.com/watch?v=uguDeZnmJF4‎

   Apr 25, 2011 - Uploaded by Patrick Day

   A late 18th - early 19th century rope bed is being re-roped. This is the raw video (no frills or commentary) of ...

Washington State Digital Archives..... Want To Visit?

 Charles Hansen and I attended a meeting in Cheney at our Washington State Digital Archives yesterday. Assistant Secretary of State Terry Badger was there, too, and among all the business conducted Mr. Badger  invited our group to come out for a tour and/or a day of research. This is a fabulous place; we are so lucky to have it so near to us. I think this would be a great EWGS Saturday meeting in 2014; what do you think??

They have Washington records. These records document the interaction between our ancestors and the state government.... vital records, land records, naturalization records, mortgages, school records, probate records, etc. Yes, all these are slowly being digitized and will be available on their website:  www.digitalarchives.wa.gov     but wouldn't it be such great fun to hold the actual record in your hand???

We also got to meet The Sentinel (aka the movie Matrix). He is the unofficial guardian of our Washington State Digital Archives (see him between the computer monitors to the left of Harold). Great to know he's always on guard!  (And see Charles reflected in the glass.)

It was a wonderful afternoon; I hope we all vote yes for a Saturday visit in 2014.

Donna

Susan Faulker: June 1st Speaker

Susan Davis Faulkner presented a terrific program on "Using The Family Bible As A Genealogical Resource" at our June 1st EWGS meeting. I goofed and did not take her picture but here is an image of her book..... she worked with the Images of America folks to produce a book on Early Pasco. Tiz a great read.

The concept that Susan presented to us was a new one to me and perhaps many of you too. She suggested that we consider the family Bible as a total resource to help us fill in the gaps to understanding the life and times of our ancestor. They can contain: personal notes, addresses, memorabilia, official papers (100-200 years ago where was a safe place to tuck a land deed?), funeral cards, letters, etc. etc. etc. It is surely these things that put the flesh on the bones of a grandmother.  If you're lucky enough to find a Bible and it still has all this ephemera in place, you are a lucky researcher indeed.

Her handout was a listing or table of "some of the more popular places that Bible Records can be found online." The handout also included a "sampling of book available at the Spokane Public Library.... that will either assist in a deeper understanding of items left in family Bibles or are promoted for having Bible Records information."

Susan explained that the book Religions of the World is not in the Genealogy Section but in the general reference area and is a most valuable aid to researchers. "If great-grandma was a Bible reader she likely went to church and if she mentions the denomination in her Bible and you're not familiar with it, then this book will give you that understanding."

Thank, Susan, for coming up from Kennewick to share your time and talents with us.

June 1, 2013 What You Missed Bible Records

Got to the library a little early so I wandered across the Monroe Street Bridge and took this picture of the Spokane Falls and the Spokane Public Library  (the glass windows near center) across the river from where I was standing.

The program was on Bible Records and Susan Falkner from the Tri-Cities Genealogical Society presented the program. She had several examples of the the importance of looking for the family bible. Also check for the date of publication of the bible as information entered before the publication date may be suspect.

 

I know my family bible has some information not available anywhere else. When the Civil War started Thomas Kelly and his family got on a wagon train to California from Illinois. and in 1865 they got on a ship to Panama, crossed the isthmus, caught a ship to New York and back to Illinois. Without this story written in the bible, no one would have ever known that the family had moved to California, and why Thomas never served in the Civil War.

EWGS & Memorial Day @ Heritage Funeral Home

Big thanks to Shirley Penna-Oakes and her crew (here are two, Jan Bueckers, and "Chaplain" Mike Chandler) for all the hours of publicity they gave EWGS and Walking with Ancestors over Memorial Day Weekend at the to-do at Heritage Funeral Home. Her display and picture board were impressive. 

EWGS offers great meetings, wonderful classes and seminars and workshops, and volunteer opportunities that foster friendship and networking. Come along next opportunity and see for yourself.

EWGS & Memorial Day Weekend at Heritage Funeral Home

Shirley Penna-Oakes crafted a nice flyer for EWGS about this event which was handed out at the recent meeting. Here is the information from the Heritage website. Shirley, Dani Lee and Mike will be there most of the time telling folks about EWGS. YOU are invited to come to enjoy the displays, the tours and the day.... or to help Shirley, Dani Lee and Mike man our EWGS display station. See you there!

Calendar

May 2013   |   June 2013   |   July 2013   |   Recurring Events

May 2013

Saturday 25

Saturday May 25th MEMORIAL WEEKEND OPEN HOUSE -- 9:00 a.m. MAY 25, 26, 27, 2013 9:00 AM TO 5:00 PM EACH DAY This year we are honoring ALL who have served our nation in the Armed Forces--living and dead. We ask that you share this experience by bringing in a military photo (veteran, deceased or currently serving) to place on our "Wall of Honor". In addition, you can enjoy the following: --Musical entertainment each day at Noon and 1:30pm in the Heritage Chapel. This will honor the Korean War and Vietnam War era and is titled "From Inchon to Saigon". Popular songs from the era will be highlighted. --Extensive Veterans display and memorabilia --Aerospace Display --Display of special Packard automobiles --Antique and Classic car display --Tree of Remembrance --Refreshments in our Heritage reception room --Brass Band Concert on Sunday evening at 6:00pm at the Cross of Inspiration in Greenwood Memorial Terrace Cemetery Plan on joining us Memorial Weekend--Saturday, Sunday or Monday, 9:00am to 5:00pm (exhibits close promptly at 5:00pm each day). Contact: Heritage Funeral Home Phone: (509) 838-8900

Genealogy Article in this Weeks Inlander

The Inlander has a a nice article on genealogy today "How We Got Here". Lisa talked to my fellow genealogist Miriam Robbins and also to my friend Vicki Dalton the Spokane County Auditor.