Graduation time

I guess it is Graduation time again. This picture is from Dad's Eighth Grade Graduation Day, 1957.

Bertha Shelton - May 28

May 28, 1885 was the birthdate of Bertha (Farleigh) Shelton. This photo, taken in 1966 at he Shelton homestead, is with her grandson Raymond (J.R.) Shelton. I think Jay would have been about 7 or 8 then, depending what month the picture was taken. I have only vague memories of her - I mainly remember that at one time I had TWO Grandma Sheltons. Bertha died on May 30, 1970 at the age of 85.

Seneca and Amanda Bunnell

This is a picture of Harvey Bunnell's parents - Seneca and Amanda (Chaney) Bunnell Seneca was born in 1825 to Noah and Catherine (Conley) Bunnell and died in 1891. Amanda was born in 1831 to James and Ann (Wilikinson) Chaney. She only lived until 1875 - although she certainly looks a lot older than 44 in this picture. Seneca and Amanda lived in a log home that later (after many renovations) became the house in which my Mom grew up. Seneca and Amnada both died in Wayne county, but I am not sure where they are buried. They either never had a tombstone or it has gone missing over the years. Granddad didn't know where they were buried, but I am guessing it might have either been in Johnsonville, or the old Stine Cemetery.

Harve & May Bunnell

I believe this picture of Harvey and May Bunnell was taken around 1934 - 37, probably at Harold Smith's house. I'm not sure where Harold lived at the time, though.

Doug

I ran into Doug Shelton this week at Wal-Mart. Doug is now working for Pepsi -Cola. I told him about the website and I think he will be checking in now that he is back online. Doug, here is a pic from Dec, 1980. It is Shari, you and me. Hope you and Gina and kids can make the family reunion next month.

May 1979

This picture was taken in May of 1979. I can't recall if it was Mother's Day or if we were celebrating Granddad and Grandma's 40th anniverary. We had eaten at Two Tony's in Carmi and the photo was taken by my Dad in our front yard. Garnddad and Grandma were married May 20, 1939. I'm pretty sure it was a Mother's Day dinner, though.

Jennifer

This is cousin Jennifer taken in Ottawa, Summer, 1974. She is carefully balanced high atop her tricycle - I had to take a second look. At first I thought she was standing on the front step, but nope. Maybe she was practicing for a career as a stunt artist. Hope all is well down in FL, Jen - miss you.

Happy Birthday Dad

Happy Birthday Dad (May 21, 1943).

May 21 - Robert & Rollie

Robert and Rollie Smith, seen here with their mother Gracie in Cisne, IL. Both born May 21, 1923.

Happy Mother's Day

Happy Mother's Day!

Happy Birthday Emily and Megan

Happy 19th birthday to Megan and Emily! Maybe I will get to see you in Florida next year - just couldn't make it down this year.

Me 'n' Carol

I forget where this picture was taken - I think in Richmond, Indiana, but it might have been taken in Tampa Florida. I'm guessing 1993 - 96. The lady on my arm is my good friend Carol from Xenia Ohio. Carol, like myself is a devotee of Big Band, Jazz and Dixieland music. We've trommped through a few cemeteries together as well - in three states - ha! Just thinking about a good friend this evening and thought I would share a photo.
Carol is a part of a special group of music lovers that I became acquainted with about 15 years ago. We used to congregate every year in Clearwater, Fla. I've not seen Carol in about 7 years, but hope to get together with her this summer in Richmond, Ind. (Home of 1920s Record label Gennett Records)
By the way - not sure what Dustin Hoffman has to do with the place we were eating (I know we were in a resteraunt), but that is him in the photo behind us. I'll have to show this to Carol, because I honestly can't remember a thing about the photo.

Gracie

Here is a picture from the 1950s of Gracie Smith (1888 - 1967). I have a hymnal with her name written inside. She was a long-time member of the Blue Point Free Will Baptist Church.

Starved Rock?

Here is Granddad and Grandma Smith in the 1940s. I'm not sure of the location,but am guessing it is Starved Rock, Illinois. I've not been to the Rock in about 10 years - can't recall if there was a bridge right there.

Twins and the wagon

Here are Mom and Uncle Wayne in their wagon. I'm not sure of the place or the man pulling them (George Block?). Maybe mom can help here.

Jake and Clara Mathes

This picture was taken in late Summer 1974 of Jake (1891 - 1979) and Clara (1900 - 1980) Mathes. After Jake died, I worte Aunt Clara a letter and told her about the move to Colorado and having Uncle Charlie to the house for Easter dinner. She sent back an Easter card and then along came a letter about a week after that. She died about a month after that. Clara was very much interested in family history. I wish I could have gotten to talk to her at length about some of the people she remembered.

Shari

Here are three pictures of Shari taken in 1970 at Grandma Smith's house. They are taken from slides and are uncropped.

200th Post

This marks the 200th post on this blog. Two-hundred posts and 349 photographs. I hope everyone who checks in from time to time enjoys what they find here. I'd like to hit 500 posts by the end of the year, and 1000 photographs. Keep on checking in - I always enjoy the comments from those who leave them.

Kids and Cat

Mom and Uncle Wayne are about thre or four in this picture. That is a cat they are holding. I'm not sure where the picture was taken.

Aunts at a Picnic

This picture was taken about 1976, probably in Leo French Park. My Grandma and five Aunts. L-R are Leone, Janis and Janet Shelton, Emma Jane Wiebold, Edna Walker and Clara Mathes.