(I take after my Aunt Louise and Great Grandma Amelia). Everyone seems to
know they can give me all the old stuff and I'll find something to do with it.
* * * * *
Here are pictures of what I've done with some of the old postcards I've inherited.
I cannot believe I actually decoupaged the real items (what was I thinking) before
I later decided to color copy them first. This was back in the day before I actually
read what was written or before Ieven scrutinized the postmarks. I have been
fascinated by the stories which have come together after archiving and organizing
all the correspondence. As my sister-in-law Julia (Philip Wright) described it,
it's as if a window to the past has opened, and a gentle breeze has blown in...
Getting to know a little bit about family members and people who lived several generations back. Some names, of course, are familiar but many were new to me. Bits and pieces of their lives on these cards from a hundred years ago (or more) reflect the very same sorts of daily events that make up life today.
* * * * * * * * *
My very favorite is my grandmother's (Pearl Brockman) card to her parents, written from summer camp asking for...what else, but money.
This is an old pine onion box which I whitewashed and decoupaged.
My favorite part is the "to mama from Pearl" ...she must have been practicing
her cursive since she writes it several times in round, childish style.
A Valentine greeting to
Miss Pearl Brockman
115 Ave A, Schenectady, NY is dated Feb 11, 1908;
my grandmother would hve been 10 years old...
Remember exchanging Valentine cards in school? This card reads:
My true love hath my heart, and I have hers
By just exchange one to the other given.
I hold hers dear, and mine she cannot miss
There never was a better bargain driven.
My true love hath my heart and I have hers.
Not sure who this card was from, perhaps a very young suitor,
or a loving aunt?
* * * * * * * * *
One of the other cards is addressed to
Mrs. Fred Wallace, Schenecdaddy (love that spelling)
NY 115 Ave B
Merry Xmas and best wishes. We are all well. We are at our girls. I expected to get a letter from a long time ago. As soon as you got back Home. Henry said you you (sic) would let me know. Mrs. Cook
On one side of the box I pasted a Christmas card addressed to
Rika (Frederika) from Mrs. C.H. Smith with best wishes, Christmas 1883.
Not sure if this is Amelia's sister Frederika, born Sept. 11, 1863, d. Oct 7, 1894
(she would have been 20 years old?)
or could be Frederika Krull, second wife of Carl Brockman,
stepmother to Henry C. Brockman, Amelia's husband.
Frederika Krull was born Aug 4, 1846, d. Aug 7, 1926.
This Rika would have been 37 years old in 1883....
