Eclectic Ann

Tuesday, February 7, 2023

Lots of Backyard Visitors

I've always had an interest in nature. This interest has pointed me to raising Monarch butterflies, planting some native plants in my yard and feeding the backyard birds to name a few of my activities. I have to share what happened today.

When I got up this morning, pre-dawn, I spied 4 Whitetail deer lying down in our backyard just resting. I'm glad they feel safe enough to do so in my yard.

Later, within 10 minutes of filling the feeder on my deck, many, many birds showed up. It is a mild but cloudy day that may have contributed to all of the activity. I began to notice that there were more than the usual customers arriving.

First, the 4 Eastern Bluebirds that came yesterday, showed up again. They are not frequent visitors to my yard, but have been seen the last few years, maybe once a year. Then I noticed a Mockingbird. I have seen them in other parts of my neighborhood but never at my feeders. Later, a Flicker came to the suet feeder. They are around but do not appear very often. A Pileated Woodpecker appeared at the edge of our woods. Lastly, the local Sharp Shinned Hawk flew in and scared everyone away. This all happened over the space of about an hour and a half. Some only made one appearance and others were back and forth all morning. A special day of bird watching for me. All I need now is for the local turkey flock to come by!

And, of course, the resident squirrels made their appearances. We have the Gray, Fox and Red Ground Squirrels. The chipmunks are not out and about yet.

Here is a list of the 19 different birds that I observed today.

Chickadee

Tufted Titmouse

Goldfinch, both male and female

House Finch, both male and female

Cardinal, both male and female

Blue Jay

Junco

Carolina Wren

Mourning Dove

Starling

Mockingbird

Eastern Bluebird

White Breasted Nuthatch

Red Belly Woodpecker

Downy Woodpecker

Hairy Woodpecker, both male and female

Pileated Woodpecker

Flicker

Sharp Shinned Hawk

Some photos from today

Some Valentine's Day History

While you are out buying those valentine cards for those special someones, think of Esther Howland. Who is she? you might ask. Well, Esther was born in 1828 in Worchester, Massachusetts. And as the story goes, after graduating from Mount Holyoke Female Seminary in 1847 at age 19, Esther received a valentine card from a friend. In those days most valentine cards were imported from England and were very elaborate and expensive. Esther felt that she could make a better one and less expensive at the same time. Her father owned a book and stationery store and she convinced him to order supplies for her to make her vison a reality. She also would import fancy laces, ribbons and specialized papers to create her cards. Eventually she added silk and lithographs to her designs.

Esther's brother was a salesman for his family's book store and took samples of Esther's cards on a sales trip. He returned with $5000 worth of orders. Esther was hoping for $200. She immediately setup an assembly line of local women workers to put her designs together to fulfill these orders. She called her now business, the New England Valentine Company.

In 1866, Esther injured a knee but managed to run her business from her wheelchair for the next 15 years. In 1870, she was incorporated but still operated the business in her home. In 1879, she finally moved the business to a factory. And by 1880, her company was earning over $100,000 in profits yearly. About 2.5 million in todays dollars. One year later, she sold the business to an associate and retired. Esther died in 1904 and sadly never married. Esther is credited with commercializing the greeting card industry in America into what it is today. Her cards are sought after by collectors.

In looking at Esther's ancestry, I saw one coincidence in that her great great grandfather, John Howland, died ON Valentines Day in 1738, 90 years before Esther's birth. Esther could also proudly claim that her 4th great grandfather, another John Howland and his wife Elizabeth Tilley, both arrived in America on the Mayflower. My Heacock family can claim cousinship to Elizabeth Tilley as my 3rd cousin 11 times removed, therefore making Esther Howland my 9th cousin 5 times removed.

So let's remember Esther this year as we give and receive Valentines and other cards and thank her for her contribution to the industry that has helped keep all of us in touch with loved ones far & near.

Esther Howland 1828 - 1904

Some of her Valentines

The Howland Home, Summer St, Worchester, Massachusetts

Sioux City Journal, Apr 7, 1908

Esther Howland obituary - Boston Globe, Mar 16, 1904

Sources

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Esther_Howland

https://www.mtholyoke.edu/directory/alum/esther-howland

http://www.victoriantreasury.com/howland.htm

https://amazingwomeninhistory.com/esther-howland-american-valentine/

www.newspapers.com

Monday, February 6, 2023

Cornish surprise

I ran across the article link below today in a Facebook group that I recently joined. As I read through it, I recognized two surnames that are in my family, French & Toms. So, naturally, I had to look into them. I did not find them related to the French & Toms families who are my ancestors, but I did find another name farther back that was, John Boscawen. John is my 14th great grandfather, born in 1438 in Cornwall, England and William French's (of the article) 9th great grandfather. John Boscawen's son Hugh is my ancestor and his daughter Christiana is William French's ancestor. William French therefore becomes my 10th cousin 5 times removed. The Boscawen family is also from Cornwall, England.

The Boscawen connection to me is Marie Boscowen who married Peter Coffin (my 12th great grandparents and the ancestors of my Coffins who came to Nantucket).  Marie is the granddaughter of the above John Boscawen.  Marie Boscowen-Coffin's tomb has this brass plate attached and is located in St Michael's in Penkevil, Cornwall.  She died in 1622 at age 77.

Anyway, I found it an interesting article to give us a sense of what alot of our Cornish ancestors may have experienced in those times. And you never know what may pop up in front of you. 

https://cornishbirdblog.com/davidstow-moor-a-haunted-landscape/

Tuesday, January 24, 2023

Week 4 (2023) - Education (52 Ancestors in 52 Weeks)

Not every individual has the same opportunity for education. You might think that I am referring to a college education or other post high school education, but that would not be the case in this short story about my paternal grandfather's experience.

Charles Bonadio was born in 1906 here in Pennsylvania. His parents were Italian immigrants who came to America separately between 1900 and 1903. We know from census records, that his father Pasquale completed 2nd grade and his wife Rose, completed 1st grade, but neither one could read or write. Rose could not speak English, but Pasquale could. Pasquale worked at the local brickyard and was able to have enough money to buy a home in 1916 and have it paid for in 13 years time, paying $10 a month. They raised 10 children.

In order of birth, the highest grade that each completed according to various census records:

1. Mary born 1901 in Italy - she was shown to have attended school at age 9 (4th grade) in 1910. She married at 16 (1917) and died the following year.

2. Jennie born 1905 - completed 8th grade, did attend school in 1919

3. Charles born 1906 - 7th grade, did attend school in 1919

4. Rose born 1908 - 7th grade, did attend school in 1919

5. Frank born 1910 - 9th grade, did attend school in 1919

6. John born 1912 - 7th grade, did attend school in 1919

7. Bessie born 1915 - 8th grade, did attend school in 1930

8. Mae born 1917 - 9th grade, did attend school in 1930

9. Tony born 1921 - 7th grade, did attend school in 1930

10. Mick born 1923 - 7th grade, did attend school in 1930 & 1940. Only completed 7th grade by age 16.

Now, according to my grandfather, Charles, he would tell us that he and his siblings had to leave school early due to discrimination towards Italians where he lived. He would say how they were picked on until they just could not attend school any longer. Despite the short educations, they all were able to read and write and with the exception of Mary, held decent jobs over their lifetimes. And many of the next generations completed high school and went on to attend college and enjoy successes in their lives.

In 2006, the local newspaper published an interesting article about what it was like to grow up Italian in their town. It does seem to support a bit of my grandfather's story.

I include images here.

Tuesday, November 22, 2022

Week 47 - Wrong Side of the Law (52 Ancestors in 52 Weeks)

At a family reunion of my mom's paternal side of the family, I heard a story that I had never heard before. My Mom's cousin took me aside and asked if I'd ever heard this and proceeded to tell me about his grandmother, my great grandmother.

Her name was Rose (Dicello) Bonadio. She was born in Italy in 1879 and came to America about 1905 to join her husband who was already here. The years passed and Dennis, our cousin, was told a story one day by friends that Rose used to sell bootleg moonshine of some kind out of her basement to the railroad workers who would pass by her home on their way home from work. He said that she was arrested for this crime. This happened in 1930 during Prohibition.

Quite a few years later, I found a news article that said her husband, Pasquale Bonadio, was the one arrested for bootlegging. I think he may have taken the blame, rather than have his wife charged. Rose never did learn to speak English. I imagine it would have been hard for her to go through the process. But the article proved the story. He pled guilty, was indicted and given a suspended sentence and placed on probation for two years.

This is the kind of story you love to hear about ancestors, good or bad.

Rose & Pasquale Bonadio

Oct 10, 1930 - The indictment of Pasquale, in the article his name is Patsy Bonady of Mill Hall,(Clinton Co, Pa.)

Nov 13, 1930 - Pasquale's sentence

Monday, November 14, 2022

Week 46 - Tombstones (52 Ancestors in 52 Weeks)

Shortly after Memorial Day in 2005, I visited the grave of my 3rd great grandfather, John B Amos, in Bedford, PA. John was born in 1833, was a Civil War veteran and passed away in 1901. I first went to the office in town that held the records for the cemetery and later easily located the gravesite. Once there, I took some photos and found a few other family graves nearby. Being right after Memorial Day, there were many flags adorning other graves in the cemetery. I wondered why there was not one on John's grave. It clearly stated the Regiment that he served in on the stone and the records also stated that he was a soldier. There was not even a GAR flag holder in sight. I asked at the office if I could place one there myself and they said yes. Over time, I found what I wanted, ordered a holder and flag. In 2007, I was able to go back to the cemetery and place both at his grave. In the process of placing the flag holder, I found the original one pushed deep down along the base of the stone. It must have happened during grass mowing and was just pushed deeper and deeper till no one would be able to see it any longer. So now he has two, but will be able to have a flag placed each year now to recognize his service.

This is Lt. John Border Amos

His gravestone before and after

In 2005, with flag at a grave in the background

In 2007, properly honored

Monday, November 7, 2022

Week 45 - Ghost Story (52 Ancestors in 52 Weeks)

This week's is short but intriguing. Ghost Story would normally be one that I would not think that I had a story for, but in researching my 3rd great grandfather Toms Nixon (1807 - 1876), I found a book that was compiled by his son Jabez Hunt Nixon or J.H. Nixon. The book's title is "Rending the Vail" published in 1899 and it details various seance sessions attended by Jabez Nixon around 1890. Quoted here are the transcriptions of the seance sessions involving the Nixon family. The Mr. Nixon referred to is Jabez Nixon, Toms Nixon's son. The medium's name was William W. Aber. Spiritualism became popular in the mid 1800's with many followers including Queen Victoria and Mary Todd Lincoln. Mrs. Lincoln held several seance sessions in the White House after the deaths of their young sons.

You never know what will come up in your research!

" Séance No. 1 :

May 28, 1890

7. At evening-time, and at the residence of J. H. Pratt, Mr. Pratt and wife, Mrs. Phoebe Smith, and J. H. Nixon began a series of meetings with this medium, under promise of the spirits (for we had come to so regard them) that, if we would prove faithful to them, we would be amply rewarded in rare phenomena.

8. The medium being entranced and taken into the cabinet, bust forms appeared at the window, as usual, to eight in number, all
very brilliant and recognized.

Séance No. 2 :

June 5, 1890

19. Circle of the same persons as before. (#7 above)

20. Medium seated in a chair, outside the cabinet, near to the
cabinet doorway.

21. Automatic music organ wound and put to going.

22. Light down to dim twilight.

31. Then there came out a form speaking in a whisper to Mr.Nixon, saving: "Good-evening, brother." This was clearly recognized by Mr. Nixon as his sister Ann, who several years ago passed to spirit life. Mr. Nixon placed a small bouquet of flowers upon the stand table and said: "Sister Ann, please take that to
mother." The spirit said, "I will, brother," and returned into the cabinet, taking the flowers.

32. In a few moments an elderly-looking lady form, in appearance, clad after the manner of the women of the "Society of Friends," came out to the stand table, as bright-looking as if in the mortal form in good daylight, holding that little bouquet in her hand; and, addressing Mr. Nixon as "My dear son," threw the flowers into his lap; giving, in manners, gesticulations, and words, evidences of intense delight, and of identity, and was fully
recognized, at last, as at least a complete facsimile of Nixon's mother, though she long ago made the transition.

33. Next to emerge from the cabinet was a form claiming to be Priscilla Nixon, another sister to Mr. Nixon, and was by him identified as "sister Priscilla," who had passed to the morning land forty or more years ago.

34. These forms were, by all of us, all seen and heard to talk.

41. As this spirit returned into the cabinet there came out another spirit, which said to Nixon: "I am thy father.', All the others of the circle remarked: "He certainly looks like Nixon." Nixon then said: "Father, please be seated." The spirit said, "I will try," and then did sit down on a chair that was at the south end of the stand table, and sat there for two or three minutes, leisurely looking about the room, and, arising, returned into the cabinet.

Séance No. 3 :

July 17, 1890

51. Mr. Nixon took the pains to count his pulse during the writing, and since has counted the writing and timed his pulsebeats, and found thereby that Reed wrote about two lines per second, averaging six and a half words to the line, twenty lines to the page or nearly the astounding rate of six hundred common English words written in full in one minute.52. This writing alone ought to remove these manifestations above the region of fraud to any candid mind witnessing or receiving the facts. (See Faraday writing, par. 2594)

Séance No. 5 :

August 6, 1890

88. Another thrilling event of this séance was that, while the circle were singing the melody "We're Going Home," there stood a spirit in the cabinet door whom we call Zechey, brother to Mr. Nixon, and sang with us in tones clear and loud, away above our loudest and highest key—be that to our utmost.89. Brother on this side singing face to face with brother on the spirit side of life!90. J. H. Nixon from the beginning of these séances kept record of the proceedings of each séance and read the record so kept of each séance to the circle at the next subsequent séance, and so is henceforth known as secretary.

89. Brother on this side singing face to face with brother on the spirit side of life!90. J. H. Nixon from the beginning of these séances kept record of the proceedings of each séance and read the record so kept of each séance to the circle at the next subsequent séance, and so is henceforth known as secretary.

90. J. H. Nixon from the beginning of these séances kept record of the proceedings of each séance and read the record so kept of each séance to the circle at the next subsequent séance, and so is henceforth known as secretary.

Séance No. 6 :

August 20, 1890

93. Brother Zecchey (as we have learned to call him), standing in the cabinet doorway, having his arms folded, asked us to sing the melody "We're Going Home," and as we did so he joined with us, the spirit making such an harmoniously melodious bass as we had never heard before from human voice.

94. It may be of some interest to the reader if we here relate a sample of the psychic tests as given by our colloquial, who is known and designated by the name of Sam. The secretary's father and mother long ago passed to spirit life, and their given names had not been known to the medium nor to any person attending the séance except the secretary.

Sam said: "Mr. Nixon, there is an old gentleman here for you. His name is Zechariah; He is your grosserfader" (grandfather).

Sec: "Well, that is the name."

Sam: "He says your father's initial is T."

Sec.: "What does he say the full name is?"

Sam: "He says it is Toms Nixon. He says that was your father's middle name."
Sec.: "Father had no middle name."

Sam: "Oh vell, it ought to be de middle name ony how. Dond't you ondershtand dot?"

Sec.: "Father had no middle name."

Sam: "I say dot vash a middle name as a family relicum" (family relic).

95. Here was an intellectual test that could hardly be surpassed: The grandfather's name was Zechariah Nixon. The grandmother's maiden name was Martha Toms. To preserve the maiden name as a relic in the family, the youngest son was named Toms Nixon. In such ease it seems custom to make the relic name a middle name. Hence Sam said: "A middle name, or ought to be."

The book in digital form can be found at: http://iapsop.com/ssoc/1899__aber___rending_the_vail.pdf

Wednesday, November 2, 2022

Week 44 - Shadows (52 Ancestors in 52 Weeks)

My apologies to anyone who has been following these stories for not posting these last six weeks. Sometimes personal things get in the way, but I am trying to get back to this writing now.

This week, the theme is Shadows. There are two individuals in my husband's family who just insist on hiding. Sometimes no matter how hard I look or how many times I start over with these two, I just never get past what I think I already know.

The first one, Benjamin Johns, whom I have taken to calling Bennie, is my husband's great grandfather. He was born, I think, in April of 1844 in St Austell, Cornwall, England. The family story was that Benjamin Johns was "supposed to have come from a well to do educated family who owned vineyards. They were a small people with red hair. His mother, Charlotte had red hair and was supposed to have been a teacher."

Bennie's naturalization papers, in the possession of the family, state that he was born in St Austell and left England at age 42, sailing from Liverpool and arriving in New York on May 2, 1869. His destination was Beaver Meadows, PA. He applied for citizenship in 1888 and was naturalized on Oct 2, 1890 in Carbon Co, PA. The date of 1869 would make him born about 1847 not 1844. The only record of a child born in St Austell to a mother named Charlotte was in 1844. I found two references to this. One was the England and Wales BMD Index and the other was an England and Wales Criminal Register. There were two individuals with the surname Johns on the same page in the Criminal Register. Charlotte Johns, age 24, was one and she was charged with "concealing the birth of an infant" and sentenced to two years imprisonment. The second was Joseph Johns, age 27, charged with "disobeying an order in bastardy" and found not guilty. Hmm, makes me wonder if the two were connected and both were Bennie's parents. Was Bennie a bastard child? What happened to him while Charlotte was imprisoned? Was he with Charlotte in prison? And did he make up the story about his family background? I'm inclined to think Yes, who knows and Yes!

But to move on in his story, he cannot be found in either the 1870 or 1880 censuses. Of course! The 1890 one is lost. So no help on Bennie there. He married Emma James, date unknown, but Emma was listed as single in June of 1880 in that census. Emma's first child was born in January 1881. There is a family story that this child was conceived out of wedlock but may still have been Bennie's as Bennie did raise him as his own. Six more children followed with the last born in 1896.

The rest of the family story about Bennie was that "when Bennie came over from England, he came thru Canada to America. One time when he was returning to visit England, he was traveling thru Canada and only got as far as Niagara Falls. Apparently he lost all of his money drinking and gambling and only had enough left to buy his wife a picture of Niagara Falls, which hung in their home for many years. He never did get to England. Benny was murdered by Irishman after one night drinking. He was ambushed and found down a coal bank on the way to his home. The family story as told to me, was that Benny was buried under a sidewalk at the Vine St Cemetery, Hazelton, Pa." Bennie died in 1897, about age 52.

I searched for a news article about the supposed murder, but no luck there either. And I think the sidewalk story leaves a little to be believed. But his wife is buried in that cemetery....

* * * * * * * * * * * * *

The second individual is Amy Light, my husband's 3rd great grandmother. Amy was born about 1820 in New York state according to the 1850 & 1860 censuses. Amy's headstone has been photographed, but the only thing that is readable is her first name Amy. She died in 1869 according to a self published family history scarce on sources. She married about 1839 to Alfred Estus, of New York state, in Pennsylvania. They had only two or three children between 1840 and 1845, all born in Pennsylvania. Amy & Alfred must have each come separately from New York to Pennsylvania. I do have a possible family for Amy but no records that can say for sure that she belongs to them. It is tentative at best. With a name like "Light", she still stays in the shadows.

Friday, September 16, 2022

Week 37 - High and Low (52 Ancestors in 52 Weeks)

I could not find a good story to share this week for the topic High and Low. But I would imagine all of the ancestors had those in their lives just like you or I do today. Whether it was the loss of a job or a home. A sudden loss of a loved one or birth of a long awaited cherished child. Maybe there were health problems that created the ups and downs in life. Someone finally found the love of their life and lived happily ever after. Severe weather events or the vacation of a lifetime. The first in a family to graduate from high school or college. Or maybe as simple as a hug from someone that you haven't seen in awhile. Sometimes I look at the sparse events of an ancestor's life and wonder what they really went through and what events they would call their highs and lows. Did the farmer have a good crop this year to get his family through the winter? Did a family lose a loved one in a war? Some events are both a high and a low. As when a young married couple leave the country of their birth hoping for a better life in a new country, knowing they would never see their family again. All of these highs and lows are so relative to each individual. A low for one person may be a high for someone else. It just wouldn't be life without all of it.

Thursday, September 15, 2022

Week 36 - Exploration (52 Ancestors in 52 Weeks)

It's pretty common for Americans to find a story or two that have to do with crossing the ocean. From the first explorers to Jamestown and Plymouth to a recent immigrant relative. I believe that no matter the reason that brought one here, you are still an explorer to a new land and way of life. I have several seafaring stories that come to mind from our families.

In 1620, my first explorer ancestor came to America on the Mayflower. His name was Myles Standish. He was born about 1584 in England, but there are conflicting theories about where and to whom. He was hired by the Pilgrims in Leiden, Holland to be an advisor on military affairs once they arrived in America. So he and his first wife, Rose, came aboard the Mayflower bound for an adventure in the New World. Arriving near Cape Cod in November, winter was close behind. They lived on the ship until a shelter could be built on the land. Rose Standish died the first winter along with about 50 other Pilgrims. Myles survived and was one of those who cared for the other sick Pilgrims. I reading much about Myles, he was a controversial character. He both befriended and fought the Native Americans. He was both caring, as in the winter sickness time, and was also accused of using too brutal of methods when fighting. No matter what , he survived and around 1634 moved with some other families to found Duxbury, Massachusetts. He took on many roles in running the community but died in 1656. He was the husband of a 2nd wife, Barbara, and father to 7 children.

After reading Nathaniel Philbrick's book, "In the Heart of the Sea", I have come to the conclusion that I must be related to nearly every early family in Nantucket, Massachusetts! This book was the true story of the whaling ship "Essex" and it's shipwreck and sinking in 1820 in the Pacific Ocean. This story was said to be the inspiration for Herman Melville's "Moby Dick". It was a voyage that was supposed to last about 3 years. The trip from Nantucket to the waters where whales could be found was about 2500 miles long having to go south around the tip of South America and north again. As I was reading the book, I kept seeing familiar New England surnames of the crew and other associated individuals making me wonder where they fit into the family tree. Not only was the ship Essex exploring the ocean in her search for whales and subsequent rescue after the Essex sank, but I began exploring the family ties of the crew and others mentioned in the story. In all, I looked at 70 individuals and was able to connect all of them, either by a blood relationship or thru marriage. It was one of the more fascinating family explorations that I have done. Just a few of the names that I descend from are: Coffin, Starbuck, Paddock, Bunker, Gardner, Shattuck & French. The Macy & Sears names are prominent in the families as well, among others. Tristram and Peter Coffin and Thomas Macy were among the 9 original purchasers of Nantucket Island in 1659. Other families arrived later to populate the island. All of these families intermarried for generations and were a tight knit community with many whaling ships coming and going from Nantucket for hundreds of years.

One last story from my husband's family was found in family research done by a distant cousin. I have not found any paper documentation for this yet, so it can be considered a story handed down. Jonas Latham Gray who was born in 1762 in New London County, Connecticut is said to have been a carpenter & cabinet builder by trade. What has been proven is that Jonas was a veteran of the Revolutionary War who served in place of his father, Philip, when he was less than 18 years old. Toward the end of the war Jonas, along with his father and a brother sailed on a trading vessel which went around the horn of South America to the west coast of America. Later they took regular trips to the West Indies. They continued these trips for about 12 years. Jonas and his half brother Asa Gray once pooled all of their money to build a large ship. While Jonas was at sea, Asa sold the ship and absconded with the money leaving Jonas penniless and in debt. By Jan 1, 1819, Jonas had worked hard to pay his debts and he and his wife and three youngest children left Connecticut, on foot in the middle of winter. Stopping for a brief stay in Schoharie county, New York, the family continued, on foot, to Susquehanna county, Pennsylvania. A journey west of about 240 miles. Jonas lived in Dimock, Pennsylvania for the remainder of his life. He died in there in 1832. Having been buried in a small cemetery near his farm, two of his sons moved his body to a cemetery in Dimock in 1845. They opened his coffin in the presence of all his living descendants. The body was in a remarkable state of preservation and his features were as natural as the day of his burial. I'm not sure that I would take exploration quite that far, but an interesting story none the less.

Saturday, September 3, 2022

Week 35 - Free Space (52 Ancestors in 52 Weeks)

"Free Space" this week means just about anything goes. But since I talked about photographic negatives in week 12, I thought I'd continue that into cameras. Believe it or not, we have a collection of every camera that was used to make those same negatives.

Because my husband is an amateur photographer and was usually the one with camera in hand at family gatherings, some vintage family cameras were sent our way. Some we picked up because no one else wanted them. And the rest are cameras that we have owned through our life. Ebay and Etsy have been great in finding some vintage film and flash bulbs and manuals to go along with various cameras in the collection.

We have about 30 cameras that range in age from 1901 to 2011 (not counting cell phones!) My favorite one is the Pocket Kodak 1A because of it's style. It was made from 1926-1932. The one that we have was owned by my grandfather and confirmed as we have a photo of him with the camera in hand.

My grandfather Floyd Heacock in center holding his No 1A Pocket Kodak Series II Camera

My husband became interested in photography when he was a young boy. He had found an old camera in his home's attic. It was an Imperial Debonair camera made from the 1950's to 60's. Over the years, the camera disappeared and he always wished he still had it. We started searching the internet for one, going just by his memory of what it looked like. Through trial and error, we actually found one! A great kid size for a beginner.

Imperial Debonair camera

Sometime in the 1980's my husband, after years of not using a camera, jumped back in. He started out with a Canon AE1P using film, a more professional 35mm camera compared to the usual family camera. He upgraded once to another 35mm film camera and I moved on to a few nice compact film cameras. I kind of became our snapshot and video person, while he developed an interest in outdoor photography, landscapes and such. Over the years my husband built a nice collection of lenses and accessories to go along with his camera. When digital cameras came along, he waited to switch over until he found just the right model to continue his hobby. This was the Canon EOS 5D. He has used it ever since.

I can't forget to mention Polaroid cameras. We have two. One was ours and the other one belonged to my grand aunt. They were fun to use but never became our main camera.

We also have had some movie cameras over the years. The one from the 1950's, a Brownie Fun Saver, is the same one that we used for movies of our children born in the 70's. No sound in those days unless you had one of those bulky VHS movie cameras. We skipped those and later upgraded to the Canon 514XL, still no sound but that was coming. We upgraded once last time to a Canon ZR800, finally sound movies! Each time the upgrade was usually due to the film and then battery packs becoming obsolete or very hard to find in pre-internet days.

After these movie cameras, digital cameras were being made that had the capability of video recording in addition to snapshots, so only one camera was needed. This time, I moved on from a film camera to a digital. With the freedom to take as many photos and videos as I wanted, I also became somewhat more interested in taking photos of things other than family. By this time, we were hiking and traveling to places that we wanted to photograph. Using cameras has taken us to places we may never have seen otherwise. Lot's of fun and memories.

I still break out my last camera, the Canon Power Shot from 2011 once in awhile, but I now rely on my Iphone for most of the photos and videos I take. And I sometimes still get a bit nostalgic for the film camera experience. You take your photo, wait to finish the roll, anxiously wait for the film to be developed so you can relive the memories through the printed photo. Today, we take so many photos with our phones that sometimes they get lost or are not often looked at as much as we used to with film. But we all still take photos. A moment frozen in time that gives us memories every time we see it.

One side story to share is about this ashtray.

The owner of the photographic shoppe advertised here is my husband's 1st cousin 2 times removed. He was Irvin Sinton who was born in 1889 and died in 1945 in the town of Pottsville, Pennsylvania, also our hometown. Irvin's wife Maude, ran the shoppe for many years after Irvin's death. Irvin was also a photographer. A classmate of my husband's, posted a photo of this ashtray a few years back. I knew right away who it was. After sharing a few family related comments on the post, the friend sent it to my husband. It sits with our camera collection. It would also appear that my father in law used the Sinton Photo shoppe to have film developed as well. We found the envelope with some negatives inside. Imagine --- only $1.30 to develop 3 rolls of film!

Photography seems to be prevalent in our immediate Sinton family. Two nephews of this family are making some side income from photography, one with portrait work and the other as a freelance sports photographer for his local newspaper. And both of our children are blossoming amateur photographers. And grandchildren -- we became the ones to buy them their first cameras. Most of them used them for awhile but phones eventually replaced them as well. But happy to see them using something to still take photos.

Here is our complete collection.