To Do

I had a call the other day from someone who said she can’t come to our our special heritage event From Hudson’s Bay to Downton Abbey on August 16. But she wanted to let me know that she was writing a check to the DuPont Historical Museum anyway because she believes our small museums are so important. You don’t even have to do that, just plan to be with us next Saturday, August 16, (with lots of surprises, prizes, and a free lunch) all for the benefit of the Dupont Historical Museum.

“I don’t mean to be grouchy, but I don’t think I have time to do all of this research.“ That’s what I said to Dee Fournier last Friday as we talked about family research. “I mean, who’s kidding who. I barely have time to do the bare necessities. I haven’t washed undies in two weeks.”

“That’s too much information,” said Dee, moving back a couple of steps. “How much time do you have.”

Dorothy: Why can’t I find my ancestor’s name? I feel as if this is starting to get more difficult.

Dee: Oh, no! You’re really enjoying yourself. You just don’t realize it. Think of this as a mystery story and in a very real way, only you and your family have the key.

Dorothy: I think someone changed the locks.

Dee: You just have to be patient, and if one lead doesn’t work, you go to the next one. For instance, names are often spelled several different ways. You’d start with Conway – C-o-n-w-a-y – but common different spellings were Conaway, Conoway.

Dorothy: My mother didn’t own a bathing suit in the hot August Days of 1928. Actually, at the age of twelve, she didn’t own much. What clothes she had were hand me downs or made by her mother out of printed flour sacks. A lot of people were in the same situation and like them she was pretty stoic, but on this day it was hot as only the Umpqua Valley of Oregon can be. She watched the throng of kids swimming in the river and she had to – she just HAD to – join them.