Dear Tanya, Did your mother ever ply you with Castor Oil if you were feeling off colour or upset stomach, (I am sure she enjoyed the torture), she only stopped doing it after I had my appendix out. Jenelle. ----- Original Message ----- From: Mrs Tanya Chalker <[email protected]> To: <[email protected]> Sent: Monday, May 26, 2003 10:21 AM Subject: [A-NSW-S] Old remedies, procedures, etc 1880-1940 > Hi List > > I need a few of you to stretch you memories back to perhaps your parents > days or even earlier, and recall some of the old remedies, wives tales, etc, > of those years. They can be on any subject - (fashion of the times, shale > burners in place of petrol, home made medical treatments). > > The reason for this request, is elderly family members have written all > they can remember about their childhoods for my family research - some of > the "old things they did or the way they lived" were amazing and a true sign > of the inventive and tough nature of these people. I feel these quirky > things will soon be lost as that generation dies, so I am trying to record > as many "articles of interest" as possible. Below I have two examples: > > A dairy hint: "Give calves a charge of gun powder in a little milk if they > have taken too much and bursting". > > Buildings: A shack was built of tree saplings for the frame with heshen > around the outside which was covered in white-wash and oil to keep out the > weather. Building was lined with Hessian for warmth, the roof was covered > with kerosene tins - cut open and flattened out. There was a stove at one > end and it had a dirt floor. > > Also, can anyone remember how they used to crimp hair in the 1920's. I have > a vague image of hot tongs heated over the fire. But how did people end up > without their hair being scorched? > > Thanks for your help (and I need it). > > Tanya > Gosford. > > > > ==== AUS-NSW-SURNAMES Mailing List ==== > Feel Free to offer your surname searches to the list at any time for updates. > > ============================== > To join Ancestry.com and access our 1.2 billion online genealogy records, go to: > http://www.ancestry.com/rd/redir.asp?targetid=571&sourceid=1237 >

Dear Tanya, I enjoyed your queries and realise that I am getting old. I remember as a child my mother "rolling" my hair in rag strips to make my hair curley, and I also was given Castor Oil regularly. We all hated it. This was "post world war 2" days, so it wasn't that long ago. The area I live in used to have the "Night Cart" come around to empty the toilet pans. All the little "outback dunnies" as they were called - all became the garden shed once the sewer was connected. The baker would have a horse and cart to deliver the bread - it was our delight to help the baker by taking the horse by the bridle and lead it down the street - it probably did not need our help anyway. There was also a man who would come around calling out "close props". They were the wooden poles used to prop the wire close lines up with (long before Hills Hoists). We used to leave the Billy out and the milk man would come around and fill the billy up. Long before bottles of milk and then later milk cartons. I hope this helps a little. Judy E. ----- Original Message ----- From: Jenelle McCarrick <[email protected]> > To join Ancestry.com and access our 1.2 billion online genealogy records, go to: > http://www.ancestry.com/rd/redir.asp?targetid=571&sourceid=1237 >