Hello, In a small, free newspaper we get in our mailboxes, there is a note that there is a "Battle Road Heroes" event going on in the National Historical Park this coming Saturday - Oct. 10. ".. a dramatic program .. at the Hartwell Tavern Historical area in 'Minute Man National Historical Park. Walk down a candle-lit path to the past. Listen to the personal stories of residents who lived along the Battle Road on April 19, 1775 ...." For more information, visit www.nps.gov/mimaor And, I visited the web site for the Stoneham Historical Society this week and saw that they are having an "open house" at their Museum on Sunday, Oct. 25. http://www.geocities.com/stonehamhistoricalsociety/index.html Are there other events going on this month - which involve Historical Societies or Genealogy Groups? And, many public libraries are now offering events which involve history. I just checked the site for this genealogy-group and see they are having a speaker talking about DNA on Oct. 17. http://www.esog.org/ ALSO, in "The Lowell Sun" this week, there have been 2 articles which might be of interest to researchers. One is about the "Hildreth Cemetery" in Lowell. http://www.lowellsun.com/ci_13487943?IADID=Search-www.lowellsun.com-www.lowellsun.com# One was about the historic "Garrison House" in Chelmsford. I think there was a 3rd article this week, but I don't have time to look for it - right at this moment. www.lowellsun.com Betty (near Lowell, MA) P.S. Don't forget about the "foliage" and "apple orchards" and "hayrides" and "Jack-o-Lantern displays" -- going on this weekend !

Hi Jim, Did you see my note this week on the Boston List? While visiting a consignment-shop, I saw a large photograph of people at a "lodge meeting" in Chelsea. It was taken in 1949 and it looked like almost 100 people were in the photo. The lodge name started with "O ----" and it was an unusual word. Betty (near Lowell, MA) P.S. to others: At the same consignment-shop in Wilmington, I saw in a glass case some antique photos, maybe 10 of them. Some might have been tintypes, and I didn't notice that any of them were identified. This shop has just opened. There is another consignment-shop in Chelmsford which has large photos for sale - like of groups of students in the town's past, or in Lowell. So, there are many reasons to visit consignment-shops. (Disclaimer: I do not sell anything in these shops.) ----- Original Message ----- From: <CARADOC28@aol.com> To: <mamiddle@rootsweb.com> Sent: Wednesday, October 07, 2009 6:23 PM Subject: [MAMiddle] REEVES, STEVENS, d~1900 Everett, MA (Betty) > DONT FORGRET THEY CULD OF DONE STUFF IN CHELSEA REVRE WINTRHOP > > Jim Denning -Ygenealogist-MTgenealogist > using Genetics to connect Genealogy > List owner of > Irish-dna,Piscopo-l-Heslin-l,McHugh-l,Cogan-l-Machelsea-l,Ita-Frosinone-l,Mazzola-l-Duggan-l > Project Manager of Chelsea Ma. Genetics Project,Denning&Variants > Project-Farrell Genetics Project-The Cogan Project- the Duggan Project- > County > Longford Project-Frosinone Italy Project-Parramatta-Sydney Project- > Hannibal > MO-QuincyIL Project-Brighton-NewtonMA Project > > > In a message dated 9/21/2009 3:02:01 A.M. Eastern Daylight Time, > mamiddle-request@rootsweb.com writes: > > REEVES, STEVENS, d~1900 Everett, MA (Betty) > > > >

DONT FORGRET THEY CULD OF DONE STUFF IN CHELSEA REVRE WINTRHOP Jim Denning -Ygenealogist-MTgenealogist using Genetics to connect Genealogy List owner of Irish-dna,Piscopo-l-Heslin-l,McHugh-l,Cogan-l-Machelsea-l,Ita-Frosinone-l,Mazzola-l-Duggan-l Project Manager of Chelsea Ma. Genetics Project,Denning&Variants Project-Farrell Genetics Project-The Cogan Project- the Duggan Project- County Longford Project-Frosinone Italy Project-Parramatta-Sydney Project- Hannibal MO-QuincyIL Project-Brighton-NewtonMA Project In a message dated 9/21/2009 3:02:01 A.M. Eastern Daylight Time, mamiddle-request@rootsweb.com writes: REEVES, STEVENS, d~1900 Everett, MA (Betty)

I have given this post some thought and I think I have some answers to why they seemed to have a good life on a modest income. My parents and grandparents each only owned one home. Mine purchased the house I grew up in, in 1941 and we sole it after my father died in 1981. No mortgage payments for 20 years. Only paid a realter one time. I'm in my 8th house. Though my employer paid costs on 2 if I had all he Realtor fees and bank loan fees I have paid in the last 40 years I too would be mortgage free. They purchased middle class cars usually Pontiac's His 1939 was driven into the 50s. No car payments ever. kids were spread out , 1934, 1938, 1944, 1948 and 1950 (oops) Only one in college at a time. In the early days and during the war gas was at a premium and there was no such thing as a supermarket. Once a week the fellow came from Hanson public market in the morning and took her order and deliver it by the time mother needed it to make diner. Milk and bread were delivered 3 days a week. Mother didn't have to drive much until well into the 50s and then dad carpooled to Quincy. Vacations usually were going to see relatives in Maine, NH and Greenfield MA. After the kids grew up they did take a couple of road trips together. Mother never flew on an airplane. Today everybody fly's. dad took the train for business most of the time. In the mid 50s he took the train to San Fransisco twice. He never flew in anything bigger than a DC3. They only had one phone though because of my fathers job during the war he had to have a private line which the company paid the premium for. When I was at a friends house and had to use the phone to call home I didn't know about party line and was surprised when I picked up the phone and heard people talking. When the owner said to just wait a minute untill the line cleared. When I picked up the phone and didn't hear anything I spun the crank and the operator came on and I told her our number (101) and the said thank you David and mother picked up . A party line cost about 1.50 a month or less than 2% of a years pay today who doesn't have a home phone with a private line and in any household everyone over 12 has a cell phone. In 1981 dad still had the ma bell rotary dial phone they gave him when they installed dial service in the early 50s. Life was simpler then and money spent for what today might be everyday living would have been considered an unbelievable extravagances only for the very rich. Kathy Montgomery wrote: > now, folks - > > I just want to clarify - my mom doesn't have any thoughts that she is due > money she didn't get from her grandparents. neither did her parents or > sibs; they were the only possible "heirs." > > Mom is 80 herself - she just can't think how her grandparents lived as well > as they did, with the money her granddad would have earned. This does puzzle > her, and as I said, it is the only genealogy thing she is curious about. it > would be nice to please her. > > I appreciated the suggestions about taking in wash or sewing. my mom did > not. when I asked if there was any chance of that, she said "surely you > jest - take in wash? she sent her own out! she was no washer woman!" She > says grandma could not have hidden wash or sewing - 6 grandkids in and out > too often. They did not rent out the Billerica house, nor the RI cabin. > > My sister and I laugh over less respectable sources of money. When we said > maybe her grandma was a bootlegger, mom said "NO! that was your dad's > grandma!" > (I think it could have been something like: an Cambridge Irish cop > apparently showed up at the door to ask a Lithuanian immigrant something > along the lines of "what's this I hear, you been making beer?" during the > prohibition. She - the Lithuanian - never could speak much English. But > she did know two things - 1)that if the cops showed up, you better do what > they said, and 2) that if men demanded beer, you better give it to them. > The cop left with a bottle, she thought she got off lightly; govt in > Lithuania was very repressive and to be greatly feared. He came back the > very next week . . . eventually, his cousin married her daughter.) > > My sister and I had less savory ideas, but mom was quite floored. NO WAY! > > Besides, great grand ma was busy being what I guess would be called a club > woman. > > I realize I have strayed off topic again, but I do have genealogy questions: > > 1) how would I find out about probate in 1959 for a Cambridge resident? is > that still the court over by Lechmere? any idea how expensive it could be? > any online source? I am in western Canada, no trip on the horizon. > > 2) I have seen the online property thing on the Cambridge city website. No > help, as they didn't own land in Cambridge. does anyone know how I could > research land records for Billerica, circa the 1920s to the 1940s? I have > not done any land record work in my previous genealogy "diggings," so I am > quite a newby in that regard. > > well, as always, my thanks to you all for listening, er, that is, reading, > and thanks for suggestions. > > > To unsubscribe from the list, please send an email to MAMIDDLE-request@rootsweb.com with the word "unsubscribe" in the subject and the body of the email with no additional text. > ------------------------------- > To unsubscribe from the list, please send an email to MAMIDDLE-request@rootsweb.com with the word 'unsubscribe' without the quotes in the subject and the body of the message > ------------------------------------------------------------------------ > > > No virus found in this incoming message. > Checked by AVG - www.avg.com > Version: 8.5.409 / Virus Database: 270.14.3/2413 - Release Date: 10/04/09 06:20:00 > >

Hello, I am looking for anyone who may know of a photo or drawing... for the wedding dress for Elizabeth Willard mar. Robert Blood 1653 (9th gr grands) in Carlisle / Concord, Mass. I have a photo of the piece that was given to the Carlisle Hist. Soc. from our visit this summer. Unfortuately the donation did not come with a picture of the entire dress. It was worn 'til it fell apart literally at performances in Father Kemp's Concert Co. in the 1800's. If anyone would like a copy of the photo of the cloth piece I have please ask as well. Thanks, Ruth in IL

Hello List- I am attempting to find death information for my gg grandparents, Richard and Amelia (Haggard) Blennerhassett. Richard died between 1900 and 1910, and Amelia/Emily died between 1910 and 1920. Here is what I know about them and their children: Richard Blennerhassett was born in Ireland between 1835 and 1840 based upon US Census ages. He died between 1900 and 1910 in or near Cambridge, Massachusetts. Amelia was born in Ireland between 1846 and 1848 based upon US Census ages. Her maiden name was HAGGARD per her daughter's (Mary E. Blenerhassett, b. 28 May 1871 in Lynn, Massachusetts) birth certificate. She died between 1910 and 1920 in or near Cambridge, Massachusetts (possibly the Cambridge City Home). Richard and Amelia were married in 1860 in Ireland. In the 1870 census they are residing in Hartford, Connecticut listed as Richard and Amelia HASSATT with children: Sarah, 8, b. Ireland Arthur, 5, b. Ireland Elizabeth, 3, Connecticut Richard, 1/12, Connecticut Living next door in the same multiunit dwelling is Arthur and Margaret HASSATT with children Arthur and John. I don't know if/how these families are related. In the 1880 census they are residing in Cambridge, Middlesex, Massachusetts listed as Richard and Emily BLENNERHASSETT with children: Sarah, 18, Ireland Arthur 16, Ireland. Eliza, 12, Massachusetts Mary E., 9, Massachusetts Thomas R., 4, Massachusetts Richard's brother, John Blennerhassett (b. 1838 in Ireland), is residing with them. In the 1900 census they are residing in Cambridge, Middlesex, Massachusetts listed as Emily and Richard B. HASSETT with one child (Rolland, 22, Massachusetts). In the 1910 census Emily Blennerhassett (widow) is living in the Cambridge City Home and the records show that she had 8 children, 5 still living. More on the children... Son, Arthur, married Jennie M. ___ in 1890. They had 2 daughters, Temple and Elizabeth Blennerhassett, born in the Boston area. Daughter, Elizabeth, married George William Cole in 1891. One son is Clarence Archibald Cole, born in Brookline, MA. Daughter, Mary Ellen, married Wallace Alexis Tobey in 1890. They had 2 children, Maybelle Pauline and Chester Wallace Tobey born in Cambridge. Does any one have connections with any of these folks? Are there records for the Cambridge City Home, the last location that I have for Emily/Amelia Blennerhassett? Are there any online records for cemeteries in or near Cambridge? What newspapers should I check for obits? Please point me in the right direction to find the details! Thanks for your assistance. Lorie

I think you don't really appreciate what good managers people were then. Money went further and inflation had not set in. Irene > From: kathym@uvic.ca > To: mamiddle@rootsweb.com > Date: Tue, 6 Oct 2009 19:51:48 -0700 > Subject: [MAMiddle] great grand parents with higher lifestyle than money > > now, folks - > > I just want to clarify - my mom doesn't have any thoughts that she is due > money she didn't get from her grandparents. neither did her parents or > sibs; they were the only possible "heirs." > > Mom is 80 herself - she just can't think how her grandparents lived as well > as they did, with the money her granddad would have earned. This does puzzle > her, and as I said, it is the only genealogy thing she is curious about. it > would be nice to please her. > > I appreciated the suggestions about taking in wash or sewing. my mom did > not. when I asked if there was any chance of that, she said "surely you > jest - take in wash? she sent her own out! she was no washer woman!" She > says grandma could not have hidden wash or sewing - 6 grandkids in and out > too often. They did not rent out the Billerica house, nor the RI cabin. > > My sister and I laugh over less respectable sources of money. When we said > maybe her grandma was a bootlegger, mom said "NO! that was your dad's > grandma!" > (I think it could have been something like: an Cambridge Irish cop > apparently showed up at the door to ask a Lithuanian immigrant something > along the lines of "what's this I hear, you been making beer?" during the > prohibition. She - the Lithuanian - never could speak much English. But > she did know two things - 1)that if the cops showed up, you better do what > they said, and 2) that if men demanded beer, you better give it to them. > The cop left with a bottle, she thought she got off lightly; govt in > Lithuania was very repressive and to be greatly feared. He came back the > very next week . . . eventually, his cousin married her daughter.) > > My sister and I had less savory ideas, but mom was quite floored. NO WAY! > > Besides, great grand ma was busy being what I guess would be called a club > woman. > > I realize I have strayed off topic again, but I do have genealogy questions: > > 1) how would I find out about probate in 1959 for a Cambridge resident? is > that still the court over by Lechmere? any idea how expensive it could be? > any online source? I am in western Canada, no trip on the horizon. > > 2) I have seen the online property thing on the Cambridge city website. No > help, as they didn't own land in Cambridge. does anyone know how I could > research land records for Billerica, circa the 1920s to the 1940s? I have > not done any land record work in my previous genealogy "diggings," so I am > quite a newby in that regard. > > well, as always, my thanks to you all for listening, er, that is, reading, > and thanks for suggestions. > > > To unsubscribe from the list, please send an email to MAMIDDLE-request@rootsweb.com with the word "unsubscribe" in the subject and the body of the email with no additional text. > ------------------------------- > To unsubscribe from the list, please send an email to MAMIDDLE-request@rootsweb.com with the word 'unsubscribe' without the quotes in the subject and the body of the message _________________________________________________________________ Hotmail: Free, trusted and rich email service. http://clk.atdmt.com/GBL/go/171222984/direct/01/

Hi Kathy, The building in Cambridge near "Lechmere Square" (trolley station) holds both "Family & Probate Court" and the "Registry of Deeds" for southern Middlesex County. (The northern area Registry is in Lowell.) For "Probate" I'm told I "might" be able to call and get a "Docket Number" in regards to "wills," etc. But, in order to look at a will, etc., we need to go to the courthouse in person. I walked across the hall and visited the Registry of Deeds a couple years ago and was able to find out they have what you could call "Index books" - where you either need the name of the Seller or the Buyer. And I was able to find a deed from the 1930's without too much trouble. But, when I stopped by in the spring they had changed the system. I was on a "parking meter" so I didn't have time to find out what the new system was. Now, Billerica would be covered by the Registry of Deeds in Lowell. I've never had a need to visit that building. I would think it is set up the same way as the building in Cambridge. So, if I was to visit the Registry in Lowell, I would need the name of the Seller or Buyer. Also, would your family have been on a 1920 or 1930 census for Billerica? Or, was that a "vacation home" always? Some census records for MA after 1900 list the names of the streets. Betty (near Lowell, MA) ----- Original Message ----- From: "Kathy Montgomery" <kathym@uvic.ca> To: <mamiddle@rootsweb.com> Sent: Tuesday, October 06, 2009 10:51 PM Subject: [MAMiddle] great grand parents with higher lifestyle than money > I realize I have strayed off topic again, but I do have genealogy > questions: > > 1) how would I find out about probate in 1959 for a Cambridge resident? > is > that still the court over by Lechmere? any idea how expensive it could > be? > any online source? I am in western Canada, no trip on the horizon. > > 2) I have seen the online property thing on the Cambridge city website. > No > help, as they didn't own land in Cambridge. does anyone know how I could > research land records for Billerica, circa the 1920s to the 1940s? I have > not done any land record work in my previous genealogy "diggings," so I am > quite a newby in that regard.

Hi Kathy........ I checked the listings for Billerica on the Family History Library and came up with what follows. These records are available through your local Family History Center, Massachusetts, Middlesex, Billerica - Cemeteries Massachusetts, Middlesex, Billerica - Census - 1855 Massachusetts, Middlesex, Billerica - Census - 1865 Massachusetts, Middlesex, Billerica - Church records Massachusetts, Middlesex, Billerica - Directories Massachusetts, Middlesex, Billerica - Genealogy Massachusetts, Middlesex, Billerica - History Massachusetts, Middlesex, Billerica - Land and property Massachusetts, Middlesex, Billerica - Public records Massachusetts, Middlesex, Billerica - Taxation Massachusetts, Middlesex, Billerica - Town records Massachusetts, Middlesex, Billerica - Vital records Go to this site and you can find out where your nearest Family History Center is located. http://www.familysearch.org/eng/default.asp Good hunting Priscilla

now, folks - I just want to clarify - my mom doesn't have any thoughts that she is due money she didn't get from her grandparents. neither did her parents or sibs; they were the only possible "heirs." Mom is 80 herself - she just can't think how her grandparents lived as well as they did, with the money her granddad would have earned. This does puzzle her, and as I said, it is the only genealogy thing she is curious about. it would be nice to please her. I appreciated the suggestions about taking in wash or sewing. my mom did not. when I asked if there was any chance of that, she said "surely you jest - take in wash? she sent her own out! she was no washer woman!" She says grandma could not have hidden wash or sewing - 6 grandkids in and out too often. They did not rent out the Billerica house, nor the RI cabin. My sister and I laugh over less respectable sources of money. When we said maybe her grandma was a bootlegger, mom said "NO! that was your dad's grandma!" (I think it could have been something like: an Cambridge Irish cop apparently showed up at the door to ask a Lithuanian immigrant something along the lines of "what's this I hear, you been making beer?" during the prohibition. She - the Lithuanian - never could speak much English. But she did know two things - 1)that if the cops showed up, you better do what they said, and 2) that if men demanded beer, you better give it to them. The cop left with a bottle, she thought she got off lightly; govt in Lithuania was very repressive and to be greatly feared. He came back the very next week . . . eventually, his cousin married her daughter.) My sister and I had less savory ideas, but mom was quite floored. NO WAY! Besides, great grand ma was busy being what I guess would be called a club woman. I realize I have strayed off topic again, but I do have genealogy questions: 1) how would I find out about probate in 1959 for a Cambridge resident? is that still the court over by Lechmere? any idea how expensive it could be? any online source? I am in western Canada, no trip on the horizon. 2) I have seen the online property thing on the Cambridge city website. No help, as they didn't own land in Cambridge. does anyone know how I could research land records for Billerica, circa the 1920s to the 1940s? I have not done any land record work in my previous genealogy "diggings," so I am quite a newby in that regard. well, as always, my thanks to you all for listening, er, that is, reading, and thanks for suggestions.

I'm with Sue! Where is that tree??? My ARNOLD ancestors were early settlers of Providence (1630s), and in that timeframe paid "the highest taxes in the colony." (William ARNOLD and sons Benedict and Stephen). Claimed lands all the way from the Narragansett Bay into the "headwaters" of the river (ie Connecticut!). Apparently were quite controversial folks for generations. (Yes, I know where Benedict is on the family tree, but not my line). Still the will was modest for personal property so the "value" of the estate is hidden until you thoroughly investigate the land records. Marilyn Arnold ----- Original Message ----- From: "Sue J" <macduff@embarqmail.com> To: <mamiddle@rootsweb.com> Sent: Monday, October 05, 2009 11:34 AM Subject: Re: [MAMiddle] People in 1600's in MA with "MONEY" - did you Inheritany? > Hi Betty, > I'm still waiting for my inheritance from the RICHARDSON and WYMAN > families. > I wonder if they buried it and just forgot to tell me which oak tree to > start digging under. LOL > Sue > > -----Original Message----- > From: mamiddle-bounces@rootsweb.com [mailto:mamiddle-bounces@rootsweb.com] > On Behalf Of Betty > Sent: Monday, October 05, 2009 7:46 AM > To: MAMIDDLE@rootsweb.com > Subject: [MAMiddle] People in 1600's in MA with "MONEY" - did you Inherit > any? > > Hi again, > > Kathy has brought up a good subject. It has brought to mind another > thing I've thought about. Because I have so many ancestors who arrived > in the MA Bay Colony in the 1600's, I have read that at least some of > them > were - rich ! Or, at least they had enough money to buy a large piece > of > land ! Or, a large house and property ! Etc. > > For example, James KIDDER, seems to have done this. And, even while > raising 12 children with his wife, Anna MOORE, he was still able to buy > property and have money. And, his sons seem to have had a lot of money > as they lived in large, expensive houses in the area. And then the > grandsons had large, expensive properties in the area, and 3 of them in > New > Ipswich, NH. And, for many descendants this situation existed through > the > > 1800's. > > But, then Calvin left NH at Age 18 and traveled with other families up to > New Brunswick. We have no way of knowing how he spent the next 15 > years > (1784 to 1798). So we don't know if he had money. His only son, born > one week before he was killed in a boating accident, grew up in New > Brunswick and was a "woodsman" / "lumberman" but did he inherit any money? > We have no way of knowing. > > The son, J. Calvin (1799-1891) lived his married life in and near Calais, > Maine, and, as far as I know, all 3 of his sons who survived to > adulthood - > > never had too much money. So, the money that existed back in New > Ipswich, NH, never came down to them. > > And, in New Ipswich, Reuben KIDDER had vast properties and large houses, > and > > several thriving businesses. His homes were full of expensive items > and > some "KIDDER memorabilia." How many generations down did that "family > money" come down? We'll never know. And several of those "KIDDER > items" > > have been "lost." > > There are probably many stories among researchers where people in the > 1600's > > and 1700's had "MONEY" but the descendants in the 1900's - didn't know > about it ! And never saw any of it ! > > Betty (near Lowell, MA) > > > > To unsubscribe from the list, please send an email to > MAMIDDLE-request@rootsweb.com with the word "unsubscribe" in the subject > and > the body of the email with no additional text. > ------------------------------- > To unsubscribe from the list, please send an email to > MAMIDDLE-request@rootsweb.com with the word 'unsubscribe' without the > quotes > in the subject and the body of the message > > To unsubscribe from the list, please send an email to > MAMIDDLE-request@rootsweb.com with the word "unsubscribe" in the subject > and the body of the email with no additional text. > ------------------------------- > To unsubscribe from the list, please send an email to > MAMIDDLE-request@rootsweb.com with the word 'unsubscribe' without the > quotes in the subject and the body of the message -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- No virus found in this incoming message. Checked by AVG - www.avg.com Version: 8.5.420 / Virus Database: 270.14.3/2415 - Release Date: 10/05/09 06:19:00

WEll they were from Everett, Jamaica Plain, Malden Mary and Carmella Uliano, dob 1915 and 1916 respectively. good looking would never have believed my aunt would be in a two piece bathing suit if I had't seen the pcitures. They told me about riding a mortorcyle. However the time would have been mid-late 30s. By 1941 my mom was married and I was born in Everett in 1943. She married Vincent MacDonald. my aunt married George Anderson, divorced him and married Glenn Caldwell who she stayed married till 2004 when he died. cindy. On Mon, Oct 5, 2009 at 9:58 PM, helenware <helenware@comcast.net> wrote: > The tiny town I grew up in has two nice clean lakes and in the 1950's > we made many new friends who had little cottages at the lakes-people from > Boston, Everett, Jamaica Plain, Somerville, Waltham and those areas and we > had two families from New York city. > Two of these families eventually made year round homes on the land by the > lake and moved there as permanent residents. > The cabins (as we called them) were small, dark and smelled very musty-but > they were so close to the lake and beach--the city kids loved country > life!!! > Great memories! > Helen > > To unsubscribe from the list, please send an email to > MAMIDDLE-request@rootsweb.com with the word "unsubscribe" in the subject > and the body of the email with no additional text. > ------------------------------- > To unsubscribe from the list, please send an email to > MAMIDDLE-request@rootsweb.com with the word 'unsubscribe' without the > quotes in the subject and the body of the message > -- Cindyp Lose inches with It Works! body wraps http://LoseWeightin72.com http://grammiesbears.com http://teambeachbody.com/cindylu http://OurGV.com/cynthiaphillips

You know the barter system was in effect also and men were given plots of land(granted). Everyone pitched in a got places built very quickly to provide adequate shelter for families. My lines all came over in the 1620-1630 and had homes, farm, boat building businesses--they moved inland slowly from the coast of Massachusetts-each time purchasing more and more land--but they were mostly farmers and somehow managed to acquire what they needed and left their heirs land and money in their wills. They lived with so much less than we do--when I read the wills, telling how many spoons and trenchers etc., cattle, pigs etc. it was a hard life they lived for us to be where we are today! I actually live on land once owned by ancestors who sold it in the 1890's! Now there are condominiums on it! Helen

The tiny town I grew up in has two nice clean lakes and in the 1950's we made many new friends who had little cottages at the lakes-people from Boston, Everett, Jamaica Plain, Somerville, Waltham and those areas and we had two families from New York city. Two of these families eventually made year round homes on the land by the lake and moved there as permanent residents. The cabins (as we called them) were small, dark and smelled very musty-but they were so close to the lake and beach--the city kids loved country life!!! Great memories! Helen

My aunt and Mother bought a cottage at the beach. probably mid-late 1930s. They only kept it a couple years because everyone wanted to visit and wanted them to feed them , jut like now LOL. I have pictures with their cars and all these guys that I have no idea who they are. No picture of the cottage tho. She had just told me about it. And they were only waitresses in Boston so it was somewhere around there. She never told me where. And they bought it on their salaries from waitressing. I wouldn't sweat whether the preacher relative had his hand in the till. Nothing you can do about it now so I wouldn't worry. Cindy On Mon, Oct 5, 2009 at 12:00 PM, New Englander / Marilyn Arnold < New.Englander@verizon.net> wrote: > RE: Camps > > To follow up on Betty's comments, many folks in New England bought "camps." > ie a summer cottage (unwinterized, weatherized) near the lakes or mountains > or ocean, and in those days the $$ were small. My GF bought two plots of > land on the coast of Maine for ~ $600, and built a "camp" one room at a > time. They first built a room, which was intended to be the garage, but > ended up being their bedroom, then expanded to a (wonderful!) pantry and > kitchen, then two bedrooms out front, and finally a livingroom w/fireplace. > My father and his brothers all helped bring stones up from the ocean to > build the fireplace, which was the last ever built by this man (I'd have to > find his name). > > As an aside, I looked for homes for > 1 year in the DC area, and walked > into > this place, and just gasped, because it had a 2-story stone fireplace, and > reminded me so much of "Maine." Signed a contract w/in an hour. I only > wish grandma and grandpa ARNOLD -- Willard Clark ARNOLD and Julia DAVIES of > Reading, Mdsx, MA, could have seen it. But, every day I think of them. I > am so very blessed. > > I was brought up in Gorham, ME and most folks there had "camps" on the > local > lakes, or a few on the coastal islands/areas. And, yes, they cost very > little in that time period. There were also folks "from away" (ie MA, > NY). > They (the houses) were idle during the winter months. > > Do try the local land/tax records to get more info on your folks. Some > info > will be at the town level; some at the county. > > Best wishes, > > Marilyn > > > ----- Original Message ----- > From: "Betty" <bbffrrpp@comcast.net> > To: <mamiddle@rootsweb.com> > Sent: Monday, October 05, 2009 7:27 AM > Subject: Re: [MAMiddle] odd question . . . > > > > Hi Kathy, > > > > It is not an odd question, but a question that is not asked on the Lists > > very much. > > > > I can offer a few comments. As I lived in Billerica for a long time, > I > > know how many "summer camp" neighborhoods exist (and still exist) in > that > > town. And they started around 1950 when people living "in the cities" > > wanted a place "in the country." I can only guess that "summer camp" > > could be bought for very little money in Billerica (and Wilmington and > > Tewksbury, etc.) And it wouldn't have been too much trouble to > > winterize > > it. And, even a person bought a very small house, he or she might not > > have needed a whole lot of money to buy it. > > > > My husband had 2 sets of uncles and aunts who lived in the city, but > they > > soon bought a small house in Wilmington near the shore of Silver Lake. > > Later they sold that and bought small houses in Hull. I doubt very > much > > they had much money, but perhaps the aunts' husbands had good-paying > jobs. > > > > Also, one husband had been seriously injured while fighting in WW II, > and > > he probably received some money each month from the Army or Navy ! > > Don't > > forget that many couples were reuniting after the "War events." > > > > I have 3 sets of grandparents growing up; that was because one set > > divorced > > in 1935 and both remarried shortly after. Two sets always lived in > > apartments in cities and had very little money. Both grandfathers were > > truck drivers - for small delivery trucks. But, my grandfather, who I > > didn't know very well, as he lived in other parts of the State, > supposedly > > went to college and became an Engineer, and had many important jobs in MA > > as > > an adult. He was living in the Springfield area with his 3rd wife > > when > > he died suddenly. Come to think of it, I have never thought to try to > > find out if he left a "will." (1961) He might have had money to > > leave in a will, and I, his oldest grandchild, would have had no way > to > > find out. (I was still in high school when I lost both grandfathers > > within a year of each other.) > > > > For my parents, and my husband's parents, I can say that in the 1950's, > > they were able to buy a large house for $5000 and $8000 (a duplex) near > > Boston. (And, in the 1960's, my EX and I bought a relative new > house > > for $20,000.) MUCH different nowadays ! > > > > Also, in the 1950's, most adults had survived (or not survived) "The > > Great Depression," and they had to "count pennies" and "waste not, > want > > not," etc. And they would have continued with those ways of doing > > things > > for a long time. And, the "cookie jar" in the cabinet could have > > contained - a little savings ! > > > > Betty (near Lowell, MA) > > > > > > > > > > > > ----- Original Message ----- > > From: "Kathy Montgomery" <kathym@uvic.ca> > > To: <mamiddle@rootsweb.com> > > Sent: Sunday, October 04, 2009 12:56 PM > > Subject: [MAMiddle] odd question . . . > > > > > >> Hi all - I have done a fair bit of genealogy, and learned interesting > >> stories and such about all sorts of ancestors and relatives. I have > >> learned > >> tons about my mom's family, and much less about my dad's. (And wouldn't > >> you > >> know it, my dad was curious about it all; my mom - "not so much.") > >> > >> However, my mom's sense of family mystery is less genealogy, and more > >> financial. She is 80, and the only question she ever asks me about > >> family > >> history is in one area I see very little about. My mom's maternal > >> grandparents (my maternal great grandparents)appear to have modest > income > >> partnered with very comfortable lifestyle. She has tried to think how > >> they > >> did that. It is the only family history mystery that keeps her in the > >> conversation. > >> > >> Her grandparents lived in a rented Cambridge apartment, owned a house in > >> Billerica, and a summer cabin at Point Judith RI. They had nice > clothes, > >> china, sterling cutlery, etc. They ate well during the depression. I > >> found > >> a newspaper article that said she bought shore front land in Scituate. > >> But > >> in contrast, he worked behing the meat counter in a small grocery shop; > >> he > >> did not own it. She did not work. My mom's question - where'd the > money > >> come from? Neither of them came from families where they would have > >> inherited much. > >> > >> Her grandmother did not want her mother to marry - ever. So she eloped > >> to > >> NH at age 17. She would never accept money or anything of particular > >> value > >> from her parents, even while trying to raise 6 kids through the > >> depression. > >> Thus my mom sort of worries that maybe they did something bad; but there > >> is > >> no known evidence of that. If anything, they were pretty strict from > the > >> sound of it; much a part of the Victorian era. (As a 6 or 8 year old > >> budding family historian, I made the mistake of asking my grandmother > how > >> old she was, and where she was born. trust me, I never did that again . > . > >> . > >> I digress) > >> > >> My mom is the oldest of her generation still living; there is no one > else > >> to > >> ask. > >> > >> so, my question - what clues are there to finances? Ideas I have had: > >> > >> 1) man from the above couple died in 1959 (before I was old enough to > do > >> something so naughty as to ask how old he was!). But there doesn't seem > >> to > >> have been a will; or not that my mom ever heard. > >> > >> 2) I don't have any experience in using land records. maybe that would > >> help - any suggestions on land ownership in Cambridge and Billerica say > >> 1900 - 1960 as a timeframe? > >> > >> any suggestions? > >> > >> oh, and I can't resist adding - I do remember this great grand dad; he > is > >> among my earliest memories. I was quite young, maybe just 4. We were > >> visiting him at the Cambridge apartment. They had a huge dining room > >> table > >> with one of those crocheted tablecloths. On it was a small bowl with > the > >> most incredible looking apples I had ever seen; and I knew my apples let > >> me > >> tell you; my favorites for sure. So I asked him if I could eat one. He > >> said no, they were wax. I said that was okay, I liked all kinds. He > >> said > >> no, you can't eat it, it is wax. Well wax was fine with me if that was > >> apples . . . I couldn't understand, I had never met an adult that would > >> not > >> let me eat an apple. We had to be rescued from the conversation by the > >> intervening generations! what a way to be remembered - all the things > he > >> did in his life - and the only thing I remember about him is that he > >> would > >> not let me have an apple! > >> > >> > >> > >> > > > > To unsubscribe from the list, please send an email to > > MAMIDDLE-request@rootsweb.com with the word "unsubscribe" in the subject > > and the body of the email with no additional text. > > ------------------------------- > > To unsubscribe from the list, please send an email to > > MAMIDDLE-request@rootsweb.com with the word 'unsubscribe' without the > > quotes in the subject and the body of the message > > > > -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- > > > > No virus found in this incoming message. > Checked by AVG - www.avg.com > Version: 8.5.420 / Virus Database: 270.14.3/2415 - Release Date: 10/05/09 > 06:19:00 > > To unsubscribe from the list, please send an email to > MAMIDDLE-request@rootsweb.com with the word "unsubscribe" in the subject > and the body of the email with no additional text. > ------------------------------- > To unsubscribe from the list, please send an email to > MAMIDDLE-request@rootsweb.com with the word 'unsubscribe' without the > quotes in the subject and the body of the message > -- Cindyp Lose inches with It Works! body wraps http://LoseWeightin72.com http://grammiesbears.com http://teambeachbody.com/cindylu http://OurGV.com/cynthiaphillips

Both my aunts and uncles have camps just like this... -David Sent from my mobile phone... -----Original Message----- From: New Englander / Marilyn Arnold <New.Englander@verizon.net> Sent: Monday, October 05, 2009 12:00 PM To: mamiddle@rootsweb.com Subject: Re: [MAMiddle] odd question . . . RE: Camps To follow up on Betty's comments, many folks in New England bought "camps." ie a summer cottage (unwinterized, weatherized) near the lakes or mountains or ocean, and in those days the $$ were small. My GF bought two plots of land on the coast of Maine for ~ $600, and built a "camp" one room at a time. They first built a room, which was intended to be the garage, but ended up being their bedroom, then expanded to a (wonderful!) pantry and kitchen, then two bedrooms out front, and finally a livingroom w/fireplace. My father and his brothers all helped bring stones up from the ocean to build the fireplace, which was the last ever built by this man (I'd have to find his name). As an aside, I looked for homes for > 1 year in the DC area, and walked into this place, and just gasped, because it had a 2-story stone fireplace, and reminded me so much of "Maine." Signed a contract w/in an hour. I only wish grandma and grandpa ARNOLD -- Willard Clark ARNOLD and Julia DAVIES of Reading, Mdsx, MA, could have seen it. But, every day I think of them. I am so very blessed. I was brought up in Gorham, ME and most folks there had "camps" on the local lakes, or a few on the coastal islands/areas. And, yes, they cost very little in that time period. There were also folks "from away" (ie MA, NY) They (the houses) were idle during the winter months. Do try the local land/tax records to get more info on your folks. Some info will be at the town level; some at the county. Best wishes, Marilyn ----- Original Message ----- From: "Betty" <bbffrrpp@comcast.net> To: <mamiddle@rootsweb.com> Sent: Monday, October 05, 2009 7:27 AM Subject: Re: [MAMiddle] odd question . . . > Hi Kathy, > > It is not an odd question, but a question that is not asked on the Lists > very much. > > I can offer a few comments. As I lived in Billerica for a long time, I > know how many "summer camp" neighborhoods exist (and still exist) in that > town. And they started around 1950 when people living "in the cities" > wanted a place "in the country." I can only guess that "summer camp" > could be bought for very little money in Billerica (and Wilmington and > Tewksbury, etc.) And it wouldn't have been too much trouble to > winterize > it. And, even a person bought a very small house, he or she might not > have needed a whole lot of money to buy it. > > My husband had 2 sets of uncles and aunts who lived in the city, but they > soon bought a small house in Wilmington near the shore of Silver Lake. > Later they sold that and bought small houses in Hull. I doubt very much > they had much money, but perhaps the aunts' husbands had good-paying jobs

----- Original Message ----- From: "New Englander / Marilyn Arnold" <New.Englander@verizon.net> To: <mamiddle@rootsweb.com> Sent: Monday, October 05, 2009 12:15 PM Subject: Re: [MAMiddle] odd question . . . > Irene: > > Thanks! Yes, I remember the "cookie jars" and have one of them! > (Although > we called it the brownie jar.) The lingering question of $ from the > church > till haunts me, as there were oriental rugs, fine English china, > silverware, > expensive trips to England, Europe, etc. This was long after the purchase > of the cottage. I just somehow think .... the worst, because the $ and > cents just do not add up. > > Thx, > Marilyn Marilyn, Did it occur to you that (1) they may have somehow inherited some money. (2) Maybe someone else paid for those trips, (3) Maybe they were just plain super frugual, and saved saved saved, the little they had. I know none of this really solves the mystery, but its food for thought. You can't do anything about it now anyway can you? But I do understand, I have myster myself. My dad died when I was 12, and left mom with 3 children(I'm the oldest) and a house to pay for.(we'd just moved into it in 1949). Mom, did go back to work, but she could never have made in that job enough money to support us, as well as she did and pay for the house etc too. Dad's insurance went to finish off the upstairs of our house, . What we all think is mom's older sister and husband who had no children, helped mom. They denied this, but its the only thing that makes sense. Sorry for getting off track here. Barbara Marilyn: > To: "MAMIDDLE" <mamiddle@rootsweb.com> > Sent: Monday, October 05, 2009 10:03 AM > Subject: Re: [MAMiddle] odd question . . . > > >> >> Marilyn, To ease your mind, the folks of that era were very good at >> saving. Many had the "summer camp". I came from a poor neighberhood in >> Cambridge but knew several families who managed to buy a house, have a >> car >> and sometimes a summer place. Irene >> >>> From: New.Englander@verizon.net >>> To: mamiddle@rootsweb.com >>> Date: Mon, 5 Oct 2009 06:51:50 -0400 >>> Subject: Re: [MAMiddle] odd question . . . >>> >>> Kathy: >>> >>> Loved your story ...! >>> >>> Yep, as kids, we do have these "selective" memories! I remember my >>> grandmother, Julia Ann (DAVIES) ARNOLD b. RI, married in Stoneham, lived >>> in >>> Reading where husband, my grandfather Willard Clark ARNOLD was a >>> minister. >>> She told me great stories about her Scotish relatives, and how proud she >>> was >>> of her heritage, but at 8, all I could remember was the beheadings, and >>> the >>> head being carted off to Edinborough. All I could think of was the >>> blood, >>> dripping off the back of this horse. Not our links to this incredible >>> "house" (ie castle) in Scotland! http://www.inneshouse.co.uk/ which >>> dated >>> to the 1600s, land to the 1100s, where an ancestor practiced witchcraft >>> in >>> this ancient Celtic circle of stones. (My cousin and I were there in >>> 97 -- >>> an incredible place!) >>> >>> So, suggest you pursue the land records/property records and/or tax >>> records >>> for all that you know. My grandparents, too were in this (Middlesex) >>> county >>> in the Depression, but lived simply ... but also managed to have a car, >>> property on the coast in Maine ($600 for 200+ feet of ocean frontage >>> overlooking Mt. Desert Island and Acadia Nat'l Park!!!) (wouldn't we all >>> like to have THAT now !) and silverware (which I have inherited.) My >>> grandparents built their house in Reading, on a loan by their son, an >>> MD. >>> Haven't followed the Mdlsx land records on that, but .... now that you >>> bring this up, I know that grandpa only made some $3K/year as a >>> minister, >>> so >>> where did he get the $600 to buy the land in Maine? Hmmm. Just rambling >>> on >>> my fingers as I'm typing. >>> >>> Ever get this sudden moment of "knowledge"? A lighhtning bolt ...? Had >>> this about my grandfather, and now have to live with this horrible >>> feeling >>> that as a minister he had his hands "in the till" of the parishinors. A >>> pretty awful realization, about your own grandfather, the "respected and >>> revered" Rev. ARNOLD. I've only told his son and children. Obviously, >>> now >>> the list, although I suspect many would have not read this far and >>> already >>> deleted the message. >>> >>> You have some good and specific questions. Suggest: Land records for >>> Billerica, MA; Judith Pt RI; and Scituate MA. All will give you some >>> clues. >>> Start there, and keep us posted. Also, purse any "probate" records for >>> your >>> grandparents. You suggest that your Mom doesn't know about a will, but >>> it's >>> at least worth a search. (Probate, ie > will). I know that's pretty >>> basic, >>> but so are "wax" apples. [Better go for the good old Macs!] >>> >>> Best wishes and luck, >>> >>> Marilyn >>> >>> >>> ----- Original Message ----- >>> From: "Kathy Montgomery" <kathym@uvic.ca> >>> To: <mamiddle@rootsweb.com> >>> Sent: Sunday, October 04, 2009 12:56 PM >>> Subject: [MAMiddle] odd question . . . >>> >>> >>> > Hi all - I have done a fair bit of genealogy, and learned interesting >>> > stories and such about all sorts of ancestors and relatives. I have >>> > learned >>> > tons about my mom's family, and much less about my dad's. (And >>> > wouldn't >>> > you >>> > know it, my dad was curious about it all; my mom - "not so much.") >>> > >>> > However, my mom's sense of family mystery is less genealogy, and more >>> > financial. She is 80, and the only question she ever asks me about >>> > family >>> > history is in one area I see very little about. My mom's maternal >>> > grandparents (my maternal great grandparents)appear to have modest >>> > income >>> > partnered with very comfortable lifestyle. She has tried to think how >>> > they >>> > did that. It is the only family history mystery that keeps her in the >>> > conversation. >>> > >>> > Her grandparents lived in a rented Cambridge apartment, owned a house >>> > in >>> > Billerica, and a summer cabin at Point Judith RI. They had nice >>> > clothes, >>> > china, sterling cutlery, etc. They ate well during the depression. I >>> > found >>> > a newspaper article that said she bought shore front land in Scituate. >>> > But >>> > in contrast, he worked behing the meat counter in a small grocery >>> > shop; >>> > he >>> > did not own it. She did not work. My mom's question - where'd the >>> > money >>> > come from? Neither of them came from families where they would have >>> > inherited much. >>> > >>> > Her grandmother did not want her mother to marry - ever. So she eloped >>> > to >>> > NH at age 17. She would never accept money or anything of particular >>> > value >>> > from her parents, even while trying to raise 6 kids through the >>> > depression. >>> > Thus my mom sort of worries that maybe they did something bad; but >>> > there >>> > is >>> > no known evidence of that. If anything, they were pretty strict from >>> > the >>> > sound of it; much a part of the Victorian era. (As a 6 or 8 year old >>> > budding family historian, I made the mistake of asking my grandmother >>> > how >>> > old she was, and where she was born. trust me, I never did that again >>> > . >>> > . >>> > . >>> > I digress) >>> > >>> > My mom is the oldest of her generation still living; there is no one >>> > else >>> > to >>> > ask. >>> > >>> > so, my question - what clues are there to finances? Ideas I have had: >>> > >>> > 1) man from the above couple died in 1959 (before I was old enough to >>> > do >>> > something so naughty as to ask how old he was!). But there doesn't >>> > seem >>> > to >>> > have been a will; or not that my mom ever heard. >>> > >>> > 2) I don't have any experience in using land records. maybe that would >>> > help - any suggestions on land ownership in Cambridge and Billerica >>> > say >>> > 1900 - 1960 as a timeframe? >>> > >>> > any suggestions? >>> > >>> > oh, and I can't resist adding - I do remember this great grand dad; he >>> > is >>> > among my earliest memories. I was quite young, maybe just 4. We were >>> > visiting him at the Cambridge apartment. They had a huge dining room >>> > table >>> > with one of those crocheted tablecloths. On it was a small bowl with >>> > the >>> > most incredible looking apples I had ever seen; and I knew my apples >>> > let >>> > me >>> > tell you; my favorites for sure. So I asked him if I could eat one. He >>> > said no, they were wax. I said that was okay, I liked all kinds. He >>> > said >>> > no, you can't eat it, it is wax. Well wax was fine with me if that was >>> > apples . . . I couldn't understand, I had never met an adult that >>> > would >>> > not >>> > let me eat an apple. We had to be rescued from the conversation by the >>> > intervening generations! what a way to be remembered - all the things >>> > he >>> > did in his life - and the only thing I remember about him is that he >>> > would >>> > not let me have an apple! >>> > >>> > >>> > To unsubscribe from the list, please send an email to >>> > MAMIDDLE-request@rootsweb.com with the word "unsubscribe" in the >>> > subject >>> > and the body of the email with no additional text. >>> > ------------------------------- >>> > To unsubscribe from the list, please send an email to >>> > MAMIDDLE-request@rootsweb.com with the word 'unsubscribe' without the >>> > quotes in the subject and the body of the message >>> >>> >>> -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- >>> >>> >>> >>> No virus found in this incoming message. >>> Checked by AVG - www.avg.com >>> Version: 8.5.409 / Virus Database: 270.14.3/2413 - Release Date: >>> 10/04/09 >>> 06:20:00 >>> >>> To unsubscribe from the list, please send an email to >>> MAMIDDLE-request@rootsweb.com with the word "unsubscribe" in the subject >>> and the body of the email with no additional text. >>> ------------------------------- >>> To unsubscribe from the list, please send an email to >>> MAMIDDLE-request@rootsweb.com with the word 'unsubscribe' without the >>> quotes in the subject and the body of the message >> >> _________________________________________________________________ >> Hotmail: Powerful Free email with security by Microsoft. >> http://clk.atdmt.com/GBL/go/171222986/direct/01/ >> To unsubscribe from the list, please send an email to >> MAMIDDLE-request@rootsweb.com with the word "unsubscribe" in the subject >> and the body of the email with no additional text. >> ------------------------------- >> To unsubscribe from the list, please send an email to >> MAMIDDLE-request@rootsweb.com with the word 'unsubscribe' without the >> quotes in the subject and the body of the message > > > -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- > > > > No virus found in this incoming message. > Checked by AVG - www.avg.com > Version: 8.5.420 / Virus Database: 270.14.3/2415 - Release Date: 10/05/09 > 06:19:00 > > To unsubscribe from the list, please send an email to > MAMIDDLE-request@rootsweb.com with the word "unsubscribe" in the subject > and the body of the email with no additional text. > ------------------------------- > To unsubscribe from the list, please send an email to > MAMIDDLE-request@rootsweb.com with the word 'unsubscribe' without the > quotes in the subject and the body of the message >

Irene: Thanks! Yes, I remember the "cookie jars" and have one of them! (Although we called it the brownie jar.) The lingering question of $ from the church till haunts me, as there were oriental rugs, fine English china, silverware, expensive trips to England, Europe, etc. This was long after the purchase of the cottage. I just somehow think .... the worst, because the $ and cents just do not add up. Thx, Marilyn ----- Original Message ----- From: "Irene Landenberger" <landen2@msn.com> To: "MAMIDDLE" <mamiddle@rootsweb.com> Sent: Monday, October 05, 2009 10:03 AM Subject: Re: [MAMiddle] odd question . . . > > Marilyn, To ease your mind, the folks of that era were very good at > saving. Many had the "summer camp". I came from a poor neighberhood in > Cambridge but knew several families who managed to buy a house, have a car > and sometimes a summer place. Irene > >> From: New.Englander@verizon.net >> To: mamiddle@rootsweb.com >> Date: Mon, 5 Oct 2009 06:51:50 -0400 >> Subject: Re: [MAMiddle] odd question . . . >> >> Kathy: >> >> Loved your story ...! >> >> Yep, as kids, we do have these "selective" memories! I remember my >> grandmother, Julia Ann (DAVIES) ARNOLD b. RI, married in Stoneham, lived >> in >> Reading where husband, my grandfather Willard Clark ARNOLD was a >> minister. >> She told me great stories about her Scotish relatives, and how proud she >> was >> of her heritage, but at 8, all I could remember was the beheadings, and >> the >> head being carted off to Edinborough. All I could think of was the blood, >> dripping off the back of this horse. Not our links to this incredible >> "house" (ie castle) in Scotland! http://www.inneshouse.co.uk/ which dated >> to the 1600s, land to the 1100s, where an ancestor practiced witchcraft >> in >> this ancient Celtic circle of stones. (My cousin and I were there in >> 97 -- >> an incredible place!) >> >> So, suggest you pursue the land records/property records and/or tax >> records >> for all that you know. My grandparents, too were in this (Middlesex) >> county >> in the Depression, but lived simply ... but also managed to have a car, >> property on the coast in Maine ($600 for 200+ feet of ocean frontage >> overlooking Mt. Desert Island and Acadia Nat'l Park!!!) (wouldn't we all >> like to have THAT now !) and silverware (which I have inherited.) My >> grandparents built their house in Reading, on a loan by their son, an MD. >> Haven't followed the Mdlsx land records on that, but .... now that you >> bring this up, I know that grandpa only made some $3K/year as a minister, >> so >> where did he get the $600 to buy the land in Maine? Hmmm. Just rambling >> on >> my fingers as I'm typing. >> >> Ever get this sudden moment of "knowledge"? A lighhtning bolt ...? Had >> this about my grandfather, and now have to live with this horrible >> feeling >> that as a minister he had his hands "in the till" of the parishinors. A >> pretty awful realization, about your own grandfather, the "respected and >> revered" Rev. ARNOLD. I've only told his son and children. Obviously, now >> the list, although I suspect many would have not read this far and >> already >> deleted the message. >> >> You have some good and specific questions. Suggest: Land records for >> Billerica, MA; Judith Pt RI; and Scituate MA. All will give you some >> clues. >> Start there, and keep us posted. Also, purse any "probate" records for >> your >> grandparents. You suggest that your Mom doesn't know about a will, but >> it's >> at least worth a search. (Probate, ie > will). I know that's pretty >> basic, >> but so are "wax" apples. [Better go for the good old Macs!] >> >> Best wishes and luck, >> >> Marilyn >> >> >> ----- Original Message ----- >> From: "Kathy Montgomery" <kathym@uvic.ca> >> To: <mamiddle@rootsweb.com> >> Sent: Sunday, October 04, 2009 12:56 PM >> Subject: [MAMiddle] odd question . . . >> >> >> > Hi all - I have done a fair bit of genealogy, and learned interesting >> > stories and such about all sorts of ancestors and relatives. I have >> > learned >> > tons about my mom's family, and much less about my dad's. (And wouldn't >> > you >> > know it, my dad was curious about it all; my mom - "not so much.") >> > >> > However, my mom's sense of family mystery is less genealogy, and more >> > financial. She is 80, and the only question she ever asks me about >> > family >> > history is in one area I see very little about. My mom's maternal >> > grandparents (my maternal great grandparents)appear to have modest >> > income >> > partnered with very comfortable lifestyle. She has tried to think how >> > they >> > did that. It is the only family history mystery that keeps her in the >> > conversation. >> > >> > Her grandparents lived in a rented Cambridge apartment, owned a house >> > in >> > Billerica, and a summer cabin at Point Judith RI. They had nice >> > clothes, >> > china, sterling cutlery, etc. They ate well during the depression. I >> > found >> > a newspaper article that said she bought shore front land in Scituate. >> > But >> > in contrast, he worked behing the meat counter in a small grocery shop; >> > he >> > did not own it. She did not work. My mom's question - where'd the money >> > come from? Neither of them came from families where they would have >> > inherited much. >> > >> > Her grandmother did not want her mother to marry - ever. So she eloped >> > to >> > NH at age 17. She would never accept money or anything of particular >> > value >> > from her parents, even while trying to raise 6 kids through the >> > depression. >> > Thus my mom sort of worries that maybe they did something bad; but >> > there >> > is >> > no known evidence of that. If anything, they were pretty strict from >> > the >> > sound of it; much a part of the Victorian era. (As a 6 or 8 year old >> > budding family historian, I made the mistake of asking my grandmother >> > how >> > old she was, and where she was born. trust me, I never did that again . >> > . >> > . >> > I digress) >> > >> > My mom is the oldest of her generation still living; there is no one >> > else >> > to >> > ask. >> > >> > so, my question - what clues are there to finances? Ideas I have had: >> > >> > 1) man from the above couple died in 1959 (before I was old enough to >> > do >> > something so naughty as to ask how old he was!). But there doesn't seem >> > to >> > have been a will; or not that my mom ever heard. >> > >> > 2) I don't have any experience in using land records. maybe that would >> > help - any suggestions on land ownership in Cambridge and Billerica say >> > 1900 - 1960 as a timeframe? >> > >> > any suggestions? >> > >> > oh, and I can't resist adding - I do remember this great grand dad; he >> > is >> > among my earliest memories. I was quite young, maybe just 4. We were >> > visiting him at the Cambridge apartment. They had a huge dining room >> > table >> > with one of those crocheted tablecloths. On it was a small bowl with >> > the >> > most incredible looking apples I had ever seen; and I knew my apples >> > let >> > me >> > tell you; my favorites for sure. So I asked him if I could eat one. He >> > said no, they were wax. I said that was okay, I liked all kinds. He >> > said >> > no, you can't eat it, it is wax. Well wax was fine with me if that was >> > apples . . . I couldn't understand, I had never met an adult that would >> > not >> > let me eat an apple. We had to be rescued from the conversation by the >> > intervening generations! what a way to be remembered - all the things >> > he >> > did in his life - and the only thing I remember about him is that he >> > would >> > not let me have an apple! >> > >> > >> > To unsubscribe from the list, please send an email to >> > MAMIDDLE-request@rootsweb.com with the word "unsubscribe" in the >> > subject >> > and the body of the email with no additional text. >> > ------------------------------- >> > To unsubscribe from the list, please send an email to >> > MAMIDDLE-request@rootsweb.com with the word 'unsubscribe' without the >> > quotes in the subject and the body of the message >> >> >> -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- >> >> >> >> No virus found in this incoming message. >> Checked by AVG - www.avg.com >> Version: 8.5.409 / Virus Database: 270.14.3/2413 - Release Date: 10/04/09 >> 06:20:00 >> >> To unsubscribe from the list, please send an email to >> MAMIDDLE-request@rootsweb.com with the word "unsubscribe" in the subject >> and the body of the email with no additional text. >> ------------------------------- >> To unsubscribe from the list, please send an email to >> MAMIDDLE-request@rootsweb.com with the word 'unsubscribe' without the >> quotes in the subject and the body of the message > > _________________________________________________________________ > Hotmail: Powerful Free email with security by Microsoft. > http://clk.atdmt.com/GBL/go/171222986/direct/01/ > To unsubscribe from the list, please send an email to > MAMIDDLE-request@rootsweb.com with the word "unsubscribe" in the subject > and the body of the email with no additional text. > ------------------------------- > To unsubscribe from the list, please send an email to > MAMIDDLE-request@rootsweb.com with the word 'unsubscribe' without the > quotes in the subject and the body of the message -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- No virus found in this incoming message. Checked by AVG - www.avg.com Version: 8.5.420 / Virus Database: 270.14.3/2415 - Release Date: 10/05/09 06:19:00

RE: Camps To follow up on Betty's comments, many folks in New England bought "camps." ie a summer cottage (unwinterized, weatherized) near the lakes or mountains or ocean, and in those days the $$ were small. My GF bought two plots of land on the coast of Maine for ~ $600, and built a "camp" one room at a time. They first built a room, which was intended to be the garage, but ended up being their bedroom, then expanded to a (wonderful!) pantry and kitchen, then two bedrooms out front, and finally a livingroom w/fireplace. My father and his brothers all helped bring stones up from the ocean to build the fireplace, which was the last ever built by this man (I'd have to find his name). As an aside, I looked for homes for > 1 year in the DC area, and walked into this place, and just gasped, because it had a 2-story stone fireplace, and reminded me so much of "Maine." Signed a contract w/in an hour. I only wish grandma and grandpa ARNOLD -- Willard Clark ARNOLD and Julia DAVIES of Reading, Mdsx, MA, could have seen it. But, every day I think of them. I am so very blessed. I was brought up in Gorham, ME and most folks there had "camps" on the local lakes, or a few on the coastal islands/areas. And, yes, they cost very little in that time period. There were also folks "from away" (ie MA, NY). They (the houses) were idle during the winter months. Do try the local land/tax records to get more info on your folks. Some info will be at the town level; some at the county. Best wishes, Marilyn ----- Original Message ----- From: "Betty" <bbffrrpp@comcast.net> To: <mamiddle@rootsweb.com> Sent: Monday, October 05, 2009 7:27 AM Subject: Re: [MAMiddle] odd question . . . > Hi Kathy, > > It is not an odd question, but a question that is not asked on the Lists > very much. > > I can offer a few comments. As I lived in Billerica for a long time, I > know how many "summer camp" neighborhoods exist (and still exist) in that > town. And they started around 1950 when people living "in the cities" > wanted a place "in the country." I can only guess that "summer camp" > could be bought for very little money in Billerica (and Wilmington and > Tewksbury, etc.) And it wouldn't have been too much trouble to > winterize > it. And, even a person bought a very small house, he or she might not > have needed a whole lot of money to buy it. > > My husband had 2 sets of uncles and aunts who lived in the city, but they > soon bought a small house in Wilmington near the shore of Silver Lake. > Later they sold that and bought small houses in Hull. I doubt very much > they had much money, but perhaps the aunts' husbands had good-paying jobs. > > Also, one husband had been seriously injured while fighting in WW II, and > he probably received some money each month from the Army or Navy ! > Don't > forget that many couples were reuniting after the "War events." > > I have 3 sets of grandparents growing up; that was because one set > divorced > in 1935 and both remarried shortly after. Two sets always lived in > apartments in cities and had very little money. Both grandfathers were > truck drivers - for small delivery trucks. But, my grandfather, who I > didn't know very well, as he lived in other parts of the State, supposedly > went to college and became an Engineer, and had many important jobs in MA > as > an adult. He was living in the Springfield area with his 3rd wife > when > he died suddenly. Come to think of it, I have never thought to try to > find out if he left a "will." (1961) He might have had money to > leave in a will, and I, his oldest grandchild, would have had no way to > find out. (I was still in high school when I lost both grandfathers > within a year of each other.) > > For my parents, and my husband's parents, I can say that in the 1950's, > they were able to buy a large house for $5000 and $8000 (a duplex) near > Boston. (And, in the 1960's, my EX and I bought a relative new house > for $20,000.) MUCH different nowadays ! > > Also, in the 1950's, most adults had survived (or not survived) "The > Great Depression," and they had to "count pennies" and "waste not, want > not," etc. And they would have continued with those ways of doing > things > for a long time. And, the "cookie jar" in the cabinet could have > contained - a little savings ! > > Betty (near Lowell, MA) > > > > > > ----- Original Message ----- > From: "Kathy Montgomery" <kathym@uvic.ca> > To: <mamiddle@rootsweb.com> > Sent: Sunday, October 04, 2009 12:56 PM > Subject: [MAMiddle] odd question . . . > > >> Hi all - I have done a fair bit of genealogy, and learned interesting >> stories and such about all sorts of ancestors and relatives. I have >> learned >> tons about my mom's family, and much less about my dad's. (And wouldn't >> you >> know it, my dad was curious about it all; my mom - "not so much.") >> >> However, my mom's sense of family mystery is less genealogy, and more >> financial. She is 80, and the only question she ever asks me about >> family >> history is in one area I see very little about. My mom's maternal >> grandparents (my maternal great grandparents)appear to have modest income >> partnered with very comfortable lifestyle. She has tried to think how >> they >> did that. It is the only family history mystery that keeps her in the >> conversation. >> >> Her grandparents lived in a rented Cambridge apartment, owned a house in >> Billerica, and a summer cabin at Point Judith RI. They had nice clothes, >> china, sterling cutlery, etc. They ate well during the depression. I >> found >> a newspaper article that said she bought shore front land in Scituate. >> But >> in contrast, he worked behing the meat counter in a small grocery shop; >> he >> did not own it. She did not work. My mom's question - where'd the money >> come from? Neither of them came from families where they would have >> inherited much. >> >> Her grandmother did not want her mother to marry - ever. So she eloped >> to >> NH at age 17. She would never accept money or anything of particular >> value >> from her parents, even while trying to raise 6 kids through the >> depression. >> Thus my mom sort of worries that maybe they did something bad; but there >> is >> no known evidence of that. If anything, they were pretty strict from the >> sound of it; much a part of the Victorian era. (As a 6 or 8 year old >> budding family historian, I made the mistake of asking my grandmother how >> old she was, and where she was born. trust me, I never did that again . . >> . >> I digress) >> >> My mom is the oldest of her generation still living; there is no one else >> to >> ask. >> >> so, my question - what clues are there to finances? Ideas I have had: >> >> 1) man from the above couple died in 1959 (before I was old enough to do >> something so naughty as to ask how old he was!). But there doesn't seem >> to >> have been a will; or not that my mom ever heard. >> >> 2) I don't have any experience in using land records. maybe that would >> help - any suggestions on land ownership in Cambridge and Billerica say >> 1900 - 1960 as a timeframe? >> >> any suggestions? >> >> oh, and I can't resist adding - I do remember this great grand dad; he is >> among my earliest memories. I was quite young, maybe just 4. We were >> visiting him at the Cambridge apartment. They had a huge dining room >> table >> with one of those crocheted tablecloths. On it was a small bowl with the >> most incredible looking apples I had ever seen; and I knew my apples let >> me >> tell you; my favorites for sure. So I asked him if I could eat one. He >> said no, they were wax. I said that was okay, I liked all kinds. He >> said >> no, you can't eat it, it is wax. Well wax was fine with me if that was >> apples . . . I couldn't understand, I had never met an adult that would >> not >> let me eat an apple. We had to be rescued from the conversation by the >> intervening generations! what a way to be remembered - all the things he >> did in his life - and the only thing I remember about him is that he >> would >> not let me have an apple! >> >> >> >> > > To unsubscribe from the list, please send an email to > MAMIDDLE-request@rootsweb.com with the word "unsubscribe" in the subject > and the body of the email with no additional text. > ------------------------------- > To unsubscribe from the list, please send an email to > MAMIDDLE-request@rootsweb.com with the word 'unsubscribe' without the > quotes in the subject and the body of the message -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- No virus found in this incoming message. Checked by AVG - www.avg.com Version: 8.5.420 / Virus Database: 270.14.3/2415 - Release Date: 10/05/09 06:19:00

Betty: I so enjoy your enthusiasm and posts to the lists! Come to think of it, I have never thought to try to > find out if he left a "will." (1961) He might have had money to > leave in a will, and I, his oldest grandchild, would have had no way to > find out. (I was still in high school when I lost both grandfathers > within a year of each other.) Just wanted to say that this issue of your GF's will can be resolved -- call/write the county, but ask for the PROBATE records, not just the will. (One document vs. an inventory of the estate, clues to the descedents, etc.) These are public records, so you should be able to get them easily. Perhaps, given your location (near Lowell) you could take a drive and go there yourself? Hey, it's leaf season, and would be a beautiful drive! (I miss New England!!!!) Go give a friendly kiss (to the hillsides and moutains and trees) and wave for me. Marilyn ----- Original Message ----- From: "Betty" <bbffrrpp@comcast.net> To: <mamiddle@rootsweb.com> Sent: Monday, October 05, 2009 7:27 AM Subject: Re: [MAMiddle] odd question . . . > Hi Kathy, > > It is not an odd question, but a question that is not asked on the Lists > very much. > > I can offer a few comments. As I lived in Billerica for a long time, I > know how many "summer camp" neighborhoods exist (and still exist) in that > town. And they started around 1950 when people living "in the cities" > wanted a place "in the country." I can only guess that "summer camp" > could be bought for very little money in Billerica (and Wilmington and > Tewksbury, etc.) And it wouldn't have been too much trouble to > winterize > it. And, even a person bought a very small house, he or she might not > have needed a whole lot of money to buy it. > > My husband had 2 sets of uncles and aunts who lived in the city, but they > soon bought a small house in Wilmington near the shore of Silver Lake. > Later they sold that and bought small houses in Hull. I doubt very much > they had much money, but perhaps the aunts' husbands had good-paying jobs. > > Also, one husband had been seriously injured while fighting in WW II, and > he probably received some money each month from the Army or Navy ! > Don't > forget that many couples were reuniting after the "War events." > > I have 3 sets of grandparents growing up; that was because one set > divorced > in 1935 and both remarried shortly after. Two sets always lived in > apartments in cities and had very little money. Both grandfathers were > truck drivers - for small delivery trucks. But, my grandfather, who I > didn't know very well, as he lived in other parts of the State, supposedly > went to college and became an Engineer, and had many important jobs in MA > as > an adult. He was living in the Springfield area with his 3rd wife > when > he died suddenly. Come to think of it, I have never thought to try to > find out if he left a "will." (1961) He might have had money to > leave in a will, and I, his oldest grandchild, would have had no way to > find out. (I was still in high school when I lost both grandfathers > within a year of each other.) > > For my parents, and my husband's parents, I can say that in the 1950's, > they were able to buy a large house for $5000 and $8000 (a duplex) near > Boston. (And, in the 1960's, my EX and I bought a relative new house > for $20,000.) MUCH different nowadays ! > > Also, in the 1950's, most adults had survived (or not survived) "The > Great Depression," and they had to "count pennies" and "waste not, want > not," etc. And they would have continued with those ways of doing > things > for a long time. And, the "cookie jar" in the cabinet could have > contained - a little savings ! > > Betty (near Lowell, MA) > > > > > > ----- Original Message ----- > From: "Kathy Montgomery" <kathym@uvic.ca> > To: <mamiddle@rootsweb.com> > Sent: Sunday, October 04, 2009 12:56 PM > Subject: [MAMiddle] odd question . . . > > >> Hi all - I have done a fair bit of genealogy, and learned interesting >> stories and such about all sorts of ancestors and relatives. I have >> learned >> tons about my mom's family, and much less about my dad's. (And wouldn't >> you >> know it, my dad was curious about it all; my mom - "not so much.") >> >> However, my mom's sense of family mystery is less genealogy, and more >> financial. She is 80, and the only question she ever asks me about >> family >> history is in one area I see very little about. My mom's maternal >> grandparents (my maternal great grandparents)appear to have modest income >> partnered with very comfortable lifestyle. She has tried to think how >> they >> did that. It is the only family history mystery that keeps her in the >> conversation. >> >> Her grandparents lived in a rented Cambridge apartment, owned a house in >> Billerica, and a summer cabin at Point Judith RI. They had nice clothes, >> china, sterling cutlery, etc. They ate well during the depression. I >> found >> a newspaper article that said she bought shore front land in Scituate. >> But >> in contrast, he worked behing the meat counter in a small grocery shop; >> he >> did not own it. She did not work. My mom's question - where'd the money >> come from? Neither of them came from families where they would have >> inherited much. >> >> Her grandmother did not want her mother to marry - ever. So she eloped >> to >> NH at age 17. She would never accept money or anything of particular >> value >> from her parents, even while trying to raise 6 kids through the >> depression. >> Thus my mom sort of worries that maybe they did something bad; but there >> is >> no known evidence of that. If anything, they were pretty strict from the >> sound of it; much a part of the Victorian era. (As a 6 or 8 year old >> budding family historian, I made the mistake of asking my grandmother how >> old she was, and where she was born. trust me, I never did that again . . >> . >> I digress) >> >> My mom is the oldest of her generation still living; there is no one else >> to >> ask. >> >> so, my question - what clues are there to finances? Ideas I have had: >> >> 1) man from the above couple died in 1959 (before I was old enough to do >> something so naughty as to ask how old he was!). But there doesn't seem >> to >> have been a will; or not that my mom ever heard. >> >> 2) I don't have any experience in using land records. maybe that would >> help - any suggestions on land ownership in Cambridge and Billerica say >> 1900 - 1960 as a timeframe? >> >> any suggestions? >> >> oh, and I can't resist adding - I do remember this great grand dad; he is >> among my earliest memories. I was quite young, maybe just 4. We were >> visiting him at the Cambridge apartment. They had a huge dining room >> table >> with one of those crocheted tablecloths. On it was a small bowl with the >> most incredible looking apples I had ever seen; and I knew my apples let >> me >> tell you; my favorites for sure. So I asked him if I could eat one. He >> said no, they were wax. I said that was okay, I liked all kinds. He >> said >> no, you can't eat it, it is wax. Well wax was fine with me if that was >> apples . . . I couldn't understand, I had never met an adult that would >> not >> let me eat an apple. We had to be rescued from the conversation by the >> intervening generations! what a way to be remembered - all the things he >> did in his life - and the only thing I remember about him is that he >> would >> not let me have an apple! >> >> >> >> > > To unsubscribe from the list, please send an email to > MAMIDDLE-request@rootsweb.com with the word "unsubscribe" in the subject > and the body of the email with no additional text. > ------------------------------- > To unsubscribe from the list, please send an email to > MAMIDDLE-request@rootsweb.com with the word 'unsubscribe' without the > quotes in the subject and the body of the message -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- No virus found in this incoming message. Checked by AVG - www.avg.com Version: 8.5.420 / Virus Database: 270.14.3/2415 - Release Date: 10/05/09 06:19:00