George Washington's Personal Flag

 

Would you have guessed that General George Washington had his own personal flag? Well, he surely did.

His flag, known as the Commander-in-Chief Standard, marked his location on the battlefield and at his headquarters. The flag features 13 white, six-pointed stars representing the original colonies arranged on a faded blue silk background.

One of his original flags still survives. It measures roughly 27-inches by 35-inches; the six-pointed stars (unlike the five-pointed stars on our U.S. flag) mimics the English heraldic designs found on Washington's military epaulets. The blue background was chosen because it was the same color he used for the sash and ribbons that designated his rank. 

If you would like to see the original of General George Washington's flag, you will have to visit the Museum of the American Revolution in Philadelphia. Here is what it now looks like, faded with time:

Thanks to the Flag Museum in Spokane and Google for the information and images.

In Honor of July 4th

 

Did you realize that each fold of the United States flag, when taken down at retreat of used at a military funeral, has a specific meaning. The flag is folded from the stripes end to the stars to acknowledge the thirteen original colonies that have now become fifty states represented by stars.

* First fold:  the symbol of life

* Second fold: the belief in eternal life

* Third fold: honors the veteran who gave his/her life

* Fourth fold: American citizens trust in God

* Fifth fold: is a tribute to our country

* Sixth fold: represents where our hearts lie (holding our hands over our hearts)

* Seventh fold: is a tribute to the Armed Forces, protecting our country

* Eighth fold: is for mothers of those "entered into the valley of the shadow of death"

* Ninth fold: is a tribute to womanhood

* Tenth fold: is a tribute to fathers

* Eleventh fold: is a tribute to Jewish citizens

* Twelfth fold: is a tribute to Christians

When the flag is completely folded with only the stars showing, it represents our National Motto, "In God We Trust." 

How many of us, good American citizens, know this? I did not.

Trivia Time!

 

* We here in the Pacific Northwest do love our often-immense Douglas Fir trees. Did you know that this tree was named for David Douglas, born in Scone, Scotland, in 1799? This famous botanist arrived at the mouth of the Columbia River in April 1825 and during the next two years he traveled up the Columbia, Snake and Okanogan rivers, some 4000 miles. Why? He was noting, comparing, gathering and preparing specimens for shipments back to London. In July 1834 he was on the island of Hawaii, planning to walk the 100 miles to Hilo. He met his death on July 12th by falling into a rock-walled pit, built to trap wild bulls. Unfortunately there was also in the pit an angry bull. There is a small monument on the spot but today it is rather inaccessible.

* Did your ancestors come from Alsace-Lorraine? Where is this, Germany or France? Alsace-Lorraine is a region in the northeastern part of France, located on the border with Germany. The small area covers only about 12,000 square miles of territory. Switzerland lies to the south and Luxembourg to the north. For hundreds of years, the inhabitants of this territory have been part German and part French. The area has seen wars of conquest many times beginning about 300A.D. Both France and Germany sparred over ownership of the area but after World War II the region became part of France.

* Ever been to a podunk  town? A common implication of Podunk is that it's a place so dreary and remote that it's not even worth situating on a map. One of the most famous people to refer to Podunk was Mark Twain, who in 1869 wrote that a certain fact was known even "in Podunk, wherever that may be." Would you guess that there was a town originally known as Podunk in Washington? Yepper, tiz so. On the Lewis River, sixteen miles north of Vancouver is the bitsy town of LaCenter. John Pollock claimed a homestead there in 1865 and folks have lived there ever since. Early on, the only access to the town was via the river for there were no roads. Do you know anybody from Podunk? (There are also towns by that name in Connecticut, Michigan, Vermont, Massachusetts, Nebraska and New York. Now you're ready for Jeopardy!)

Future Proofing Your Genealogy Research

 

Thomas MacEntee is a wonderful genealogy resource and has been for several years now. On his website, genealogybargains.com he offers many of his resources for free.  

For instance, here's the link to the above 26-page book:  https://genealogybargains.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/04/EBOOK-After-Youre-Gone.pdf

I urge you to download this resource and read it and heed it! To help ensure you do (smile), I'll only list the highlights of the book:

* Know the perils of inaction: lost genealogy. I could chill your bones with stories of things I've seen of boxes of family heirlooms tossed into the weeds by the side of the road (YES!) and in thrift stores:

* Create an inventory of your research so you know what you have that merits saving.

* Create a list of websites where you posted your tree, or anything about your family, online.

* Realize that you cannot plan just to leave your stuff to your kids, your local genealogy society or library (even the FamilySearch Library in Salt Lake City). They do not want your unorganized boxes of stuff and will not accept such. 

Thomas also includes in his book a list of "Best Practices for Genealogy Future Proofing." 

I might add my two cents worth to this: I've long preached the importance of "Leaving A Legacy & Not A Mess." YOU gathered all the stuff; it's totally up to YOU to leave it in an organized, worthwhile fashion. 

Northwest Passage: The Great Columbia River

 

May I share a book review with you all today? I just finished reading this book, Northwest Passage: The Great Columbia River, by William Dietrich, 1995 (my book says that; Amazon description has later dates).  Since all Washingtonians are in some fashion connected to this mighty river, I do recommend the book to you, all 400 pages.

Chapters in the book span the early history of mankind's contact with the river, and how it was "in the beginning," to how mankind tamed and changed the river to his liking. With easy to read prose, Dietrich explains how using the river changed settlers and settling over the decades. He describes the plight of the salmon, the poisoned ground of Hanford and how, thanks to dams, electricity from the river changed lives. The first chapters explain the geology of the entire area and how the river was ultimately formed. 

Readers are introduced to "Suzy the Chinook" as she makes her migratory journey to the sea and back. Several pages detail why most do not make it. Why? Suzy's body begins to change to adapt to salt water as she begins her down stream journey which used to take 20 to 30 days to reach the ocean and now, because of all the "lakes" behind the dams, the journey takes 2 to 3  months. See the problem?

Why did the government pick the Columbia River community of Hanford to build the nuclear reactors? The area was along the Columbia and plenty of cold water was needed.  I quote:  "B Reactor was deliberately built in what was considered the middle of nowhere in 1943: the sagebrush desert there was a remote location ensuring  that if anything went wrong , a minimum number of people would be killed. Engineers looked for an empty 'hazardous manufacturing area' of at least 12 by 16 miles for plutonium production. The 'gawd-awful' waste in the rain shadow of the Cascade Mountains fit that bill."  One Army lieutenant was quoted to say, upon surveying the area, "It is a desolation where even the most hopeful can find nothing in its future prospects to cheer." 

Author Dietrich begins his book with this quote from Baba Dioum, Senegalese conservationist (born in 1937):  "In the end, we will conserve only what we love, we will love only what we understand and we will understand only what we are taught."

If you want to "be taught" more about our magnificent and wonderful Columbia River, I do recommend this book as a great read. It is available on Amazon. 

Museums To Visit

 

We be well into summer and have you any travel plans? Why not visit a museum...... especially a weird museum. Guarantee you (and your kiddos) will enjoy such a visit. Except for the one in Iceland. 

*Mutter Museum in Philadelphia features anatomical specimens, including Einstein's brain and a cast of Chang and Eng, the famous Siamese Twins joined at the abdomen.

** International UFO Museum and Research Center in Roswell, NM, focuses on the 1947 Roswell UFO incident and alien lore. 

** SPAM museum in Austin, MN is dedicated entirely to the history and culture of the canned meat product. Great gift shop.

** National Mustard Museum in Middleton, WI, displays over 5000 types of mustard from around the world.

** Pizza Brain Museum in Philadelphia showcases the world's pizza culture and pizzeria.

** Devil's Rope Museum in McLean, TV, explores the history of barbed wire. 

** Museum of Salt & Pepper Shakers in Gatlinburg, TN, features thousands of sets of these.

** Lunchbox Museum in Columbus, GA, is the world's largest collected of lunchboxes featuring over 5000 vintage metal and plastic lunchboxes.

** Hammer Museum in Haines, AL, is dedicated to hammers; founded in 2002 it contains over 1400 hammers and related tools ranging from ancient times, through colonial days to the industrial age.

** Museum of Jurassic Technology in Los Angeles is a surreal institution blending fact and fiction.

** Probably not for children, the Penis Museum in Reykjavik, Iceland features "more than 200 penises and penile parts representing almost all Icelandic land and sea mammals."  (Yes, hubby and I visited this museum  in 2019 and it wasn't so bad.) 

Time for Funnies!

 

1910 swimming costumes

WikiTree & Geni: Have You Looked?

 

I heard a respected genealogy expert (Arlene Eakle) once say that you could and should check 50 sources to fully document any one family group. Bet we've not been doing that, right?

Two places we might look are places were family trees are posted and genealogists collaborate. WikiTree has been around since 2009, currently (as of March 2026) has 1,326,162 community members with 44,622,928 ancestors on trees. Geni offers 208,319,099 profiles connected in its trees. 

Both websites are free so why not check them out?

Wikitree Strong Points: strong focus on accuracy and sourcing; collaborative environment, free access and helpful community.  Potential Weaknesses:  relies on user input; potential for inaccuracies and unsourced claims, not a record repository and can be clunky and unintuitive.

Geni Strong Points:  collaborative world family tree; curator program, DNA features, GEDCOM support. Limitations: reliance on user-generated content; lack of internal record database and does offer subscription for premium features.

Recommendations: always verify information; focus on well-sourced profiles, consult original sources whenever possible, don't rely on any one tree for all your information; use these collaborative websites as starting points not definitive sources; always cite your sources. 

Money Laundering

No, not the illegal process of making large amounts of money generated by criminal activity. I'm talking about with-soap-and-water WASHING money. No, not in a wringer washing machine.

Spotting this tidbit in the March 19, 1910 issue of the Colville Examiner, I just had to share it with you:  "Representative Wiley of New Jersey has a bill before Congress providing that all paper money which reaches the treasury be burned and new clean currency furnished in lieu of it. In support of this measure he had a current $1 bill microscopically examined and the report on its condition laid before the house committee on banking and currency. The bill in question had on it 92,000 germs of different diseases and paper money generally has been found to carry germs of smallpox, scarlet fever, typhoid, tuberculosis and diphtheria.

"Desiring to aid in this crusade against diseased paper money, the Examiner hereby announces that anyone having dirty paper money in their possession may bring it to this office and receive in exchange a clean paper every week in the year. An editor takes so many chances in this world that a few million germs more will not make any great difference. It's the absence of these money germs that makes trouble for us."

This is a hoot!  I think the newspaper is saying "Baloney!" to the idea of "dirty money" and just telling folks to come in and subscribe to the paper......... bring your money to this office and exchange it for a clean paper every week????  Too funny. 

What is really too funny is that Spokane's historic Davenport Hotel, during this same time period, offered the service to its guests of washing their coins and pressing their currency as part of a high-end service idea. Supposedly this added to the prestige of the hotel. 

McNeil Island & Prison

First off, McNeil Island was, indeed, a tiny seven-square-miles island in Puget Sound west of Tacoma. Its name comes from William Henry McNeil, a captain of some Hudson Bay Company steamers. Oregon Trail pioneer and advocate, Ezra Meeker had a homestead on McNeil Island where the prison yard would be but sold it in 1862. (Isn't it interesting how history overlaps?)

In 1867, Congress authorized a territorial jail in the Washington Territory; in 1875 this became a federal penitentiary. The original cellhouse was built in 1873; by the end of 1875 the total prison population was nine. There are several websites available to you giving a chronological history of the place and are most interesting reads. At one time, the island provided for itself by raising vegetables, fruit, pork, beef and milk. By 1947, the incarcerated population was 320 individuals. Additional prison cells were added as the inmate population increased as did the housing facilities for the prison staff. McNeil ultimately had a capacity of 853 prisoners; the prison was closed in 2011and the land was deeded to the Washington State Department of Fish & Wildlife for continued use as a wildlife refuge. 

One of the more famous inmates was Robert Franklin Stroud whose story was portrayed by Burt Lancaster in the movie Birdman of Alcatraz. (He was at McNeil but the movie was Alcatraz??)

Perhaps one of your family members was a "guest" at McNeil Island? Want to find out? 

The McNeil Island Penitentiary records, spanning 1875-2010, are primarily held by the National Archives at Seattle and the Washington State Archives, Digital Archives. They include inmate case files, mugshots and registers of prisoners received. Key digital records are accessible through Ancestry.com and the Washington State Archives, Digital Archives (www.digitalarchives.wa.gov). 

Indian Princes Buried in Utah?

 Some time ago, a friend told me that as a youngster, she enjoyed roaming a nearby cemetery where she lived in Beaver, Utah. She clearly remembers seeing this tombstone and asking folks who this was? Here's what Google taught us:

"The "Indian princess" story associated with Beaver, Utah, is a family legend about an East Indian woman who converted to the LDS faith and moved to Beaver. The narrative is a specific family tale and there is no historical record of an "Indian princess" of this kind in Native American history or in the founding of Beaver, Utah. The concept of an "Indian princess" is often a romanticized and inaccurate portrayal of Native American nobility which didn't exist in the European sense."

Just for fun, I did some sleuthing on FindAGrave. Entering "King" in the first name box yielded 15,958 hits.  Entering "unknown" showed 307,472 hits.  What really was sad was the entries for "baby" as the first name:  786,412. This one really was awfully sad. 

FindAGrave vs. BillionGraves

I'd bet we all use one of these cemetery-searching websites. Maybe some of us use both. Is one better than the other? What's the difference between the two? Well!

The focus of Findagrave.com is on the individual. Contributors can create a "memorial" (web page) for anyone. There is no requirement for a photograph of a headstone or anything else but a name. BUT a Findagrave memorial can potentially contain much additional information such as biographical information, photos, obituaries and information on other family members.

The focus of Billiongraves.com is photographs of headstones with their geolocation tags. To submit a photo to BillionGraves, one must use their app and a GPS enabled camera or smart phone. Having these GPS coordinates, can save hours of wandering time when visiting a large cemetery. 

Both websites are free to use, so you decide. Just do realize that all of the information on these two websites is secondary, not primary (with the exception of the location of the grave). Despite efforts to ensure accuracy, there is no way on either site to document the primary sources of the information.... with the exception again of folks adding other forms of documentation. Even though a date is "carved in stone" the stone is a secondary source, not a birth or death certificate.

Women's Safety Bicycles

 

In the carriage house adjacent to the Campbell House in Spokane was a most interesting display of  a Woman's Safety Bicycle in the 1890s. "Medium-sized wheels and a chain drive eased the physical strain of bike riding. A string skirt guard, hygienic breathable leather seat, and pierced metal chain guard made riding safer for women." The image is of Helen Campbell riding on the handlebars of just such a bicycle. Below is that bicycle. 

Bicycles revolutionized women's lives. It necessitated changes in clothing (shorter skirts and (horrors) trousers); it offered independence from home or husband; it became a symbol of women's liberation and a tool for the feminist movement. 

These early bicycles were heavy (up to 50 pounds) compared to today's bikes at 20-30 pounds. In 1890, a new safety bicycle cost between $100 and $150, roughly $3000 to $4500 in today's money, making it a luxury item for the wealthy. Prices did drop to an average of $75 by the mid-1890s due to increased competition. They represented a significant investment, often costing one to two month's wages for an average worker. So Google says. 

What garb do you wear when riding your bike? And what is your bike like? Aren't you once again you live today and not in the 1890s?

WWII Potato Piglets

 

World War II was especially hard on England, specifically English citizens. And most specifically English housewives striving to feed their families on limited and rationed food. Quoting from a 2024 article on the BBC History website by Eleanor Barnett:

"Sharing information on the benefits of potato eating and recipes for potato-based breakfasts, dinners, teas, snack and desserts, Potato Pete's Recipe Book aimed to educate those on the home front on the benefits of potato-eating. Potatoes could be easily grown at home or bought cheaply, providing a rich source of nutrients." 

"When rationing was introduced in January 1940, the amount of butter, bacon and sugar you could buy was limited and by August 1942 almost all foods other than home-grown vegetables, fruits and game were in some way restricted."

Here's the recipe for Potato Pete's Potato Piglets:  "Take 6 potatoes, 6 sausages and 1/2 head of cabbage. Remove the centre (sic) of the potatoes using an apple corer or knife. Remove the skins from the sausages and fill the potato holes with sausage meat. Bake for 45" at 200oC (400oF). Meanwhile, chop the cabbage and boil on the hob (stove) for five minutes. Once baked, serve your potato piglets on top of the cooked cabbage."

If you try this recipe, please let us know how it turned out and how your family liked it.

Spokane's Trent Alley

 

Then (above) and Now (below)

Richard Sola probably knows more about Spokane's history than anybody else I know. He shares his expertise with folks via presentations to EWGS and with local tours via the Southside Community Center. Along with an eager group, I recently took his tour where I learned a bit about Spokane's historic Trent Alley. Read about Trent Alley below, quoted from the Spokane Historical website: 

"In 1913, the east side of Spokane's downtown teemed with small businesses run by Japanese, Chinese, Italian, Greek and German immigrants. Their restaurants, laundries and baths, barber shops, hotels, groceries and pool halls mainly served the city's working-class residents. Japanese photographer Ryosuke Akashi captured the lives of Spokane's Japanese entrepreneurs in an album entitled Spokane Japanese Business Men and their Enterprises. Akashi carefully photographed each Japanese business and proprietor, as well as Japanese farmers, Japanese baseball players, and a Japanese cemetery. "We are always discriminated based on our race in this foreign place," he wrote. "I would like to share our story."

In the 1880s, downtown Spokane had a bustling international district. Known as Trent Alley, the four block stretch between Spokane Falls Boulevard and Main Avenue, contained a network of alleys filled with Chinese and Japanese businesses such as Kotaro Konishi Barber Shop, located where you are standing. The neighborhood attracted workers passing through to work for the various railroads and mines in the region.

Scattered with bars, gambling houses, opium dens and bordellos, Trent Alley started out with a bad reputation. Edith Huey describes Trent Alley as "a small but busy community living to a considerable extent apart from the rest of the city." As more families moved in and businesses grew, the area became a thriving international neighborhood. A 1912 newspaper article observed residents of Trent Alley celebrating Christmas "in true American fashion . . . all along the alley the rattle of ivory chips and dominoes could be heard . . . and the click of the cue ball was also in evidence."

During the 1930s, Trent Alley was hit hard by the Great Depression. After the bombing of Pearl Harbor in 1941, the neighborhood experienced a brief renewal, as many Japanese-Americans attempting to escape internment settled in Spokane. Through the 1950s and 1960s, most of Trent Alley’s Asian residents relocated into other parts of the city or passed away from old age. In 1972, the Spokesman-Review described the area as derelict: "Spokane's 'Chinatown,' centered along Trent Alley just south of Trent and east of Washington, is now a series of empty, boarded-up buildings. Gradually the old hotels and stores once occupied by Chinese [people] are being torn down." The one surviving building was the Hip Sing Association's headquarters, which hosted tea and conversation for a handful of elderly men who remembered Trent Alley in its heyday. In late 1974, the Hip Sing left Trent Alley for a new headquarters on the north side of town. Its headquarters and the other buildings of Trent Alley succumbed to urban renewal efforts over the subsequent decades. The last building associated with the Trent Alley area was torn down in 2009."

So now you know about Spokane's Historic Trent Alley. Ever wandered there? 

Digitally Accessing Newspapers

 

The full title of this post should have read "Digitally Accessing Newspapers State by State," and it's from an article by Kyle Hurst appearing in the American Ancestors magazine for Winter 2026. I quote:

"Appreciating the importance of preserving US newspapers, all fifty states have participated in at least one project to digitize their newspaper collections."   WOW, indeed.

Your first click-to-website for finding digitized newspapers should be the Library of Congress's Chronicling America (ChroniclingAmerica.loc.gov). This site "contains millions of newspaper pages from nearly every state and territory in the U.S. published through 1963." Hurst states in her article that "about one third of the states have elected to keep their (digitized newspapers) solely accessible via Chronicling America." 

Other states offer their digitized newspapers via different institutions such as state archives, state universities or libraries. Our own Washington Digital Newspaper website brings together over 600,000 pages from Washington's earliest Territorial newspapers to the present day. Freely accessible to the public, this growing collection complements the Washington State Library's physical collection of more than 6500 newspaper titles. 

I suggest you ask Google for "free digitized newspapers in XXXX" state and prepare to be amazed and rewarded. 

Scottish Flag

 

Did you realize that Scotland has its own flag? The image of the white Saltire cross against a blue background is the oldest flag in Europe and the Commonwealth, the Saltire, or St. Andrew's Cross, is a symbol of Scotland and its history of freedom, bravery, courage, valor, hope and pride. 

I read various figures but it seems to that millions of Americans claim some Scottish ancestry. The 2000 census reported nearly five million. I have some Scottish ancestry, do you?

The Saltire flag is believed to have its origins in a battle fought in the year 832 AD during a raid into what is now Scottish territory. The English and Scottish armies came together at the Firth of Forth, a wide vale of a protruding ocean. In fear for his men and the outcome of the battle, King Angus of the Picts (old term for Scots) led prayers for a safe deliverance and, so legend has it, was overwhelmed by a blinding light the night before the battle. That night while he slept he had a dream that the next morning he would see a cross in the sky and conquer his enemies. The following morning, King Angus looked into the rising sun and was rewarded by seeing a cloud formation of the white Saltire (the white diagonal cross on which St. Andrew had been martyred) against a clear blue sky. Angus vowed then and there that is the Scots won this battle ahead of them that St. Andrew would become the patron saint of Scotland and his symbol, the Saltire, would be on their flag. And so it was. 

When you might be lucky enough to visit Scotland, you can visit the birthplace of the Scottish flag. Saltire, the East Lothian village of Athelstanford, where that historic battle and King Angus's vision took place, is not home to the Scottish Flag Heritage Centre. Houosed in a 16th century doo'cot (a dovecot) admission is free and it's open April to October. 

Mt.St. Helens & Ritzville

 

The Spokesman Review,  Wednesday, May 21, 1980

"Once a quiet little agricultural town, Ritzville has been turned overnight into a Sahara of volcanic ash, and the last refuge for thousands of travelers trapped on the roads Sunday when Mount St. Helens violently erupted.

"While the rest of Eastern Washington received only 1/4 of an inch to one inch of ash, Ritzville, sixty miles southwest of Spokane, was buried under 4 to 6 inches of the fine debris. In spots, the ash has drifted as high as two feet. The city is in a state of disaster."

Lynn Krogh and I had a delightful field trip to Ritzville recently and I took this picture in the railroad museum. This is a scene of downtown Ritzville! I did first think it was snow. Then I read the blurb. 

Remembering this day, as many of us do, I learned that the total ash spread over an area of 22,000 square miles with far-away Oklahoma and Minnesota receiving some. Before compaction by rainfall, the total ash deposited was equivalent to a football field piled with ash 150 miles deep. 

Ritzville, with 2-4 inches, and Yakima, with 4-6 inches, and little Lind, with 6 inches, were the hardest hit Eastern Washington towns. Ephrata and Othello each received 3 inches. Google states that Spokane received one-half inch but my memory surely remembers more than that. 

What are your memories of May 18, 1980? Even if you were not living in Washington then, did the news impact you or your family? 

I Love Lucy

 

Did you grow up with I Love Lucy on TV? Perhaps watching it with your mother? Perhaps you still watch it today? And what does this TV show have to do with genealogy? Lots!

When you're scribbling your memories, have you thought to include how these early TV shows impacted your life? The first TV show I remember watching (on our little B&W screen) was 1954-1955 series Flash Gordon........... remember Ming, the evil emperor? That show planted the Sci-Fi seed in me and Star Trek still is my favorite. Shouldn't I have written in my memories how these shows impacted me? 

I Love Lucy ran for six seasons, 1951-1957, 180 episodes, and has never been off the air since. The show's syndication was the brainchild of Desi Arnaz. Getting money from re-runs of a TV show was a new concept pioneered by Desi Arnaz. 

A new book, Desi Arnaz, the Man Who Invented TV by Todd Purdun, was the topic of a video that I watched recently. The book tells the story of Desi, born in Cuba in 1917, and grew up in Florida when his parents emigrated. He struggled with his music career and his big break came only after his marriage to Lucy in 1940 (they eloped). Lucy was already a rising star, with a radio show "My Father's House," which was morphing into a TV show. They wanted Lucy to continue with the show but she would agree only if Desi were her husband. 

That presented a problem in those days. A white woman married to a Cuban? But this problem was overcome; the people loved the show. When their son, Desi, Jr, was coming, they wrote the pregnancy into the show. This was the first time "sex" had been hinted at and a pregnant woman featured. The show of "Little Ricky's" birth in January 1953, was seen by 44 million Americans. 

Well, the couple had a volatile relationship even as their businesses and fortunes grew. They founded Desilu studios which still produces movies and TV shows. But apparently the strain was too much for Desi; they divorced in 1960 and Desi died in 1986 of lung cancer. Lucy died in 1989. 

What was the most memorable I Love Lucy show to you? To me, it was the "vitameggavegimine" show where Lucy became drunk during the many takes of the ad she was filming in her quest for her own stardom. Yes, I Love Lucy was part of my younger life. What about YOU? 

American Historical Society of Germans from Russia

 

The EWGS program for the upcoming May 2nd meeting will feature Richard Scheuerman teaching us about the Germans who migrated from Russia to America and specifically to the western states of America and western provinces of Canada.

If your ancestry includes these folks, you surely will not want to miss this program. And even if you don't have this lineage, learning about any facet of American history is fascinating and worthwhile.

Who were these Germans from Russia? They were people from Germanic states who settled in Russia at the invitation of Catherine the Great, Czarina of Russia, who promised the colonists many enticements. They were to keep their own religion, have their own government, in their own language, would be given loans for building homes and buying livestock. Catharine also promised exemption from military service forever. 

By 1768, some 23,000 German farmers had settled along the central Volga River region in 104 villages. By 1914, the German population along the Volga had grown to 668 villages. Under Alexander II's reign, 1855-1881, things changed for the worse for these Germanic peoples. 

Significant social change threatened the German way of life in Russia. Exemptions were eliminated and civil unrest brought chaos and hardship. The result was a movement of German Russians to the Americas. Most did not emigrate. Those choosing to stay suffered through the revolution (1914) and under Soviet policies. Theirs is a sad story. 

The story of what it means to be a "German from Russia" is epic with many twists, turns, tragedies and triumphs. The American Historical Society of Germans from Russia has been passionate since its start in 1968 about sharing what they know. Their library and research center has an extensive collection of resources to help patrons learn about the history, folklore, genealogy and ethnic heritage of these German Russian peoples. 

Where did the eastern Washington town names of Odessa and Blue Stem originate? Guess! 

For more information, click to their website, www.ahsgr.org 

Boeing Plant In Disguise

 

You may find this hard to believe but during World War II an elaborate camouflage was crafted on the roof of Seattle's Boeing Plant 2, turning the factory's appearance into a serene suburban landscape. Why? To deceive potential aerial attackers. 

Boeing's Plant 2 was a pivotal production facility during World War II, primarily responsible for the manufacture of the B-17 Flying Fortress and B-29 Superfortress bombers and components. Recognizing its strategic importance, this elaborate camouflage was engineered to cover the entire plant site.   

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, along with Hollywood set designers, artists and painters, took on the mammoth task of making the vast Boeing factory invisible from the air. The solution they arrived at was remarkable: transform the factory's 26-acre roof into a serene public landscape. 

This "town" on top of Plant 2 was not just a patchwork of colors and patters; it was a detailed and convincing three-dimensional illusion. Trees, some 300 houses, lawns, roads and even cars were crafted. They weren't real trees or cars but artistic representations that, when viewed from a height, blended seamlessly with the surrounding terrain. Fake houses, grass and bushes were added to make it look as real as possible. The buildings were constructed of wood; the ground was canvas fabrics and netting; the trees were made of chicken wire, coated in tar and then dipped in chicken feathers. 

The object was to make any enemy pilot question their coordinates or believe they were looking at an innocuous suburb, thereby diverting any potential threats. 

Boeing's Plant 2 was never directly attacked during the war, allowing it to produce thousands of aircraft that significantly impacted the Allies' aerial campaigns. Also, the psychological impact on the workers below, knowing that there were measures in place to protect them and their work, was significant. 

In 2010, Boeing decided to close Plant 2. Recognizing its historical significance, Boeing preserved certain artifacts and elements for posterity. 

Source:  PlaneHistoria.com,   "Boeing Plant 2, the Factory Disguised as a Town."

Ivar's Clam Chowder

 

Ivar Haglund operated his famous restaurant on Seattle's Pier 54 beginning in 1938. Haglund, born in 1905 of Swedish and Norwegian immigrant parents, was a graduate of the University of Washington in 1928. He did well for himself, buying the Smith Tower in 1976. Ivar died in 1985, leaving no heirs and leaving his estate to the U. of WA School of Business to support their Restaurant Program. 

Who hasn't enjoyed a bowl of Ivar's famous clam chowder? Would you like the real recipe? First I want to tell you about the Seattle Channel on YouTube. This free series on YouTube features a series of stories of the history of Seattle, each about 60 minutes long. They're really interesting and well done.

Here's the recipe:  2 (6 1/2 oz) cans minced clams;  1 c finely chopped onion;  1 cup finely diced celery;  2 cups finely diced potatoes;  3/4 cup butter;  3/4 cup flour;  4 cups half-and-half, warmed;  1 tsp salt or to taste;  1 dash pepper; 1/2 tsp sugar. 

In saucepan, combine drained clam juice with the vegetables. Add water to cover and simmer until potatoes are tender, about 20 minutes. In small saucepan, melt the butter and stir in the flour and then slowly whisk in the warmed half-and-half. Whisk and cook until smooth, about five minutes. If you want a thinner chowder, add 1/2 to 3/4 cup water or clam broth. Add the vegetables with their cooking liquid, clams, salt, pepper and sugar to the pan. Stir well and adjust the seasonings if necessary.

My note: This burns easily! Heat very slowly and carefully!!

Does anybody remember Ivar's famous Super Bowl advertisement? The Running of the Clams?

Tip: Findagrave.com has a nice photo and short bio of him.

Queen Elizabeth's Encounter

 

How could anybody out walking (in England) come upon this face and not recognize her? Well, according to a cute story I found said it happened in 2005 and I share it with you for your reading pleasure:

Richard Griffin, a former royal protection officer, shared this anecdote about a time when he and Queen Elizabeth met two American hikers who did not recognize her while walking near the Balmoral Estate in Scotland.  The Queen was dressed in typical off-duty attire and was not immediately recognized.

One of the hikers spoke with the Queen, sharing their travel plans. When asked where she lived, the Queen mentioned living in London but having a holiday home "just the other side of the hills."

Upon learning that she had been visiting the area for over 80 years, the hiker asked if she had ever met the Queen. She responded that she hadn't, but that "Dick here meets her regularly." 

The tourist then asked Griffin what the Queen was like and Griffin jokingly described her.

The hiker asked the Queen to take a photo of him with Griffin. After she did, they switched and Griffin took a photo of the tourists with the Queen.

As they parted ways, the Queen reportedly expressed her amusement at the thought of the hikers discovering her identity later.

Can you imagine the hikers' astonishment when they showed off their photos to friends??

Question of the day: Why do so many Americans have such great interest in British royalty? 

Knickers In A Twist

 

Ever heard the phrase "Don't get your knickers in a knot?" I've used it myself when a friend is worried over something trivial. What were knickers? In a word, they were old English underpants..... see the image and notice the split in the middle????

I'm not dwelling further in English underwear, but on British slang. Found a fun little book, Dictionary of British Slang, by Jonathan Bernstein, 2006:

    bunk off --  to play hooky

    do a runner --  leave a cafe without paying

    wobbly  --  refers to somebody untrustworthy

    the trouser department  --  referring to male genitals

    braces  --  suspenders

    glossies  --  magazines

    corker  --  an enthusiastic opinion

    panda car  --  small police car

    gammy  --  the injured part of the body

    twit  --  idiotic behavior

    paddy  --  catchall term for Irishmen

    poxy  --  most unpleasant

    number plate  --  car license plate

    dustman  --  garbage collector

    lollipopman  --  crossing guard

    brolly  --  umbrella

    that takes the biscuit  --  that beats anything I've ever heard

    tickety boo  --  everything's going great

Please feel free to employ any of these in your daily dialogs. 

Chief Kamiakin's Skull

 "Although the famous Yakama chief, Kamiakin (1800-1877) was born near Starbuck, in Columbia County, and lived the largest part of his adult life in the Yakima Valley, he spent his last 17 years in the Palouse. In fact, he is one of Whitman County's most famous residents, if not THE most famous. Washington schools, streets, parks, a butte and a creek bear his name. Sadly, the desecration of his gravesite near Rock Lake and the theft of his skull are an appalling episode in the final chapter of Kamiakin's life." 

So began an article in a 2019 edition of the Bunchgrass Historian, publication of the Whitman County Historical Society in Colfax. The rest of the article, the rest of the story, is a grizzly one.

In the 1870's, fossil and relic hunters plagued the midwest seeking museum specimens to sell. In 1878, some of these rascals were in Eastern Washington and  learned that Chief Kamiakin had been buried nearby the previous year. One of these men were later quoted as having said, "the old chief's head would look good in the Smithsonian." 

"Shortly later, a group of Kamiakin's relatives discovered that the chief's grave had been desecrated and that the head and shoulders were missing. His enraged family reburied his remains in a secret location, reportedly on the other side of Rock Lake."

"For 70 years the culprits' identities were unknown. In 1948 a son of one of those culprits came forward with details of the crime. Under cover of darkness, the men had ....... unearthed Kamiakin's body. One then removed the head and placed  it in a burlap sack, saying that he needed to 'make certain measurements.' It was never seen again, at least not by anyone willing to disclose its whereabouts."

"In all probability, the skull of Chief Kamiakin will never be found. Meanwhile, the theft of his skull and the desecration of his grave continue to provoke justifiable outrage, particularly among Kamiakin's descendants and among members of the Colville and Yakama Confederated Tribes." 

How did this story make you feel? 

Pickle Jars

 

I'd be willing to bet that I'm not the only one who loves poking around old abandoned homesites, barns and even thrift shops looking for "treasurers." I say that in quotes because we are looking for interesting things, not necessarily valuable things. How many of you are with me here?

Recently I found a jar just like this one. Embossed on the bottom were these words:  H.J. Heinz Co. 381. WELL! Knowing Grandma Google can find most anything, I asked her about this jar......and here's what I learned.

"Vintage H.J. Heinz Co. glass jars, often embossed with identification numbers on the base like 305, 381, or others, are collectible condiment containers from the late 19th to mid-20th centuries. These jars typically held relish, mustard or pickles, featuring early clear glass to showcase product quality."

That's late 1800s to mid-1900s, so perhaps I have a very old jar! What am I going to do with it? Fill it will marbles and set it on a shelf to be admired. 

My point with this post is this: when you're poking around old abandoned homesites, barns, thrift stores and even boxes of "old family things" in your basement or garage, don't just toss some rather plebian items (like a pickle jar) for it just might have been held by your ancestors' hands. 

Revolutionary Roots

 

I surely do hope you're registered for the EWGS Spring Seminar with focus on Revolutionary War research. This will be a 3-lecture, all day (with lunch) learning day...... and EWGS will furnish two 4-page handouts: Researching Patriot Roots and Researching Loyalist Roots to all registrants!!  FREE!! 

The aim of the day is to discover the stories of our Patriot ancestors in the American Revolution....those who fought for independence, freedom and unity. You'll also discover the remarkable stories of Loyalists ...... ancestors who upheld allegiance to the Crown amid turmoil and change. These handouts, offered by American Ancestors (formerly The New England Historic Genealogical Society), will be your printed roadmap to success.

Today's Priceless Tip:  Click to www.revolutionaryroots.AmericanAncestors.org. There you will find a long list of free handouts for researching the various aspects of research in this period of history. 

Parable of the Hot Dog

 

Henry was a skinny, sallow fellow who ate nothing but hot dogs.

He craved these meaty tubes morning, noon and night. He ate them with or without buns, relish, onions, beans or condiments. He ate them with scrambled eggs for breakfast. He occasionally chewed them raw from the package. 

Loving family and friends tried to convince Henry that a hot dog diet was not healthy. Henry ignored them.

Eventually, Henry's body revolted. His arms and legs swelled like those balloon dogs. His torso became an elongated chubby tube. The chemicals in those hot dogs rotted his teeth, elevated his blood sugar and blood pressure, blurred his vision, sapped his memory, constipated him and magnified his arthritis.

In short, Henry became what he craved above all else. Henry became a hot dog.

Moral of the story: We do become what we crave, what we do and certainly what we eat. And April Fool's to you!!

Postcards Tell Stories

 

My husband's ancestors came west from Troup County, Georgia. Imagine my delight to come upon a book of old historic postcards of that county! Arcadia Publishing, in business for decades, offers affordable small books on hundreds and places in America and offers many similar books of historic postcards from some areas.

Old historic postcards are about the only way we'll ever get to "see" what the place was like where our ancestors lived. 

Another place to search for old postcard images is the Newberry Library in Chicago. Their historic postcard collection numbers over 500,000 with nearly 8000 of places in Washington State.... this one states A Trainload of Pears, postmarked Walla Walla.  

Ask Google for "websites for historical postcards," and you'll have a full day's fun! One such site mentioned is eBay.... this one (below) you can order from the seller for $12. (It's the Spokane Club,1915.)