Don, Thanks for all your hard work. I've been utilizing the website for a few years now. It became a starting point for research on my maternal grandmother's family (Ortt/Wellard in the Forestville and Mt. Jackson areas). We had family living in Shenandoah Junction, WV (Jefferson County) area in the 1920's. My paternal grandfather (married Gladys Ortt from Mt. Jackson) was born in Harpers Ferry and his father was working at that time with the railroad. I believe my relatives living in Jefferson County were working in some capacity with the rail system. We also had family who lived in Shepherdstown during the Civil War as my great great grandfather was pastor of the New Street Methodist Church (Rev. William G. Coe). I discovered this information when I lived in Shepherdstown myself in the 1970's and 1980's. The descriptions of your family Christmas celebrations are similar to my childhood ones. My grandmother - Gladys Ortt Coe - from Mt. Jackson was definitely the "ring leader" and put many of our traditions in place. We also had the Christmas Eve celebrations with the entire family present. There was music playing and parents actually "rocking" around the Christmas tree just like Brenda Lee described in her 1950's era song. Santa decorated our tree when he dropped off our toys. My father would string the lights but the ornaments, candy canes and spray snow were always applied by Santa. We always had an orange and nuts in the toe of our stocking in addition to toys under the tree. Christmas Day meant more visiting and dinner at one home with the dining table extended to the maximum and the entire family at the table (no kid's table allowed). My Mt. Jackson grandmother prepared so much food and always had both turkey and ham. I remember a dessert she called "Ice Box Cake" which was chocolate and angle food cake based. We thought of her as the best cook in the family and she'd tell us it was because of her "up in the country" upbringing. Oh....and there was always some dessert item with coconut. Once again....thanks for your hard work and inspiration to pursue my own intricate family lines. Best holiday wishes to everyone. Patricia Ginalick (Mt. Airy, MD) -----Original Message----- From: [email protected] [mailto:[email protected]] On Behalf Of Don Silvius Sent: Sunday, December 09, 2007 8:56 AM To: [email protected] Subject: [VASHENAN] Catching up on things Hello all, Wanted to update you on what's happening on the web site, etc. I am doing work behind he scenes, correcting errors, changing some formats to make them easier to read and adding photos, etc. Look for this to happen almost continuously - again, behind the scenes. The site is so large that maintaining what is there could be a full time job if I had that much time to devote to it. On a personal note, as many of you know, I live in Berkeley County, WV, which is about 45 minutes north of Strasburg. I am active in researching in Berkeley County as well and have written a book which was published by the Berkeley County Historical Society as Berkeley Journal issue 33, "A History of Inwood, West Virginia." Inwood, WV is the place I have called home for most of my life and no one had ever researched its history, let alone written about it. The book is $10 plus shipping at http://www.bchs.org Two things I'd like to accomplish with this email - first - does anyone else have family that, during the 1920s, moved from Shenandoah County north into Eastern West Virginia? My maternal grandmother and paternal grandparents did - around the year 1925 (there are also Racey and Bly families that appear to have done the same). During the 1920s this part of WV had a flourishing apple industry as well as a number of textile mills. Second, I'd like to start a thread, since we're heading into the Christmas holiday - of family holiday traditions. Here is the Silvius family holiday tradition started by my grandparents (at least) who were both from Shenandoah County. As long as I can remember, Christmas Eve has been a time when "extended" family got together for a big meal and visitation. What once was held in someone's house and had 20-25 people in attendance is now held in a church social hall with as many as 75-100 people in attendance. This holiday tradition draws more people than the family reunion does. Of course, when my grandparents were living, this was usually followed up by a return visit to their house on Christmas Day. What our kids will remember about Christmas is that we always burn cedar in the fireplace on Christmas Eve (after the big dinner) and Christmas Day is always a long and busy day, rising early, opening gifts, going to first one, then another family dinner and arriving home late that night exhausted. >From my recent research (which took place over a period of more than >three years) I can tell you that if you don't record verbal history, what you're going to find is very bland. Newspapers, vital records, etc., leave out all the "characters." Names and dates are facts, personal memories are stories. Facts are critical, but personal recollections are fun. Who wants to read a family history (or any history) that details "John married Jane and they had Jim, Mary and Susie" over and over again. You'd rather read that John was a blacksmith, but he was also a bear hunter and a very successful one, and known only by certain people, he also could make some mean moonshine! Don't forget the pictures! Pictures of the people, where they lived, where they worked, where they're buried, things they saw every day. This is, of course, my opinion - all our methods are different - all our stories are different - but put them all together and it is history - and our genealogy is our personal history. Don Don Silvius coordinator Shenandoah County GenWeb Project http://www.rootsweb.com/~vashenan/vashenan.html ------------------------------- To unsubscribe from the list, please send an email to [email protected] with the word 'unsubscribe' without the quotes in the subject and the body of the message

Patricia, You reminded me of a couple things - one other reason people migrated north into eastern WV - B&O Railroad. There were two roundhouses and shops in Martinsburg - also the Pennsylvania Railroad and its predecessor, the Cumberland Valley Railroad. It was quite the rail center. The B&O Roundhouse complex is being restored and is one of THE most photographed sites in the Shenandoah Valley - I would bet the farm on that! Also, I remember grapefruits, oranges, hard candies, chocolates, apples, nuts, those orange-flavored jelly sugar-coated pieces of candy, etc., being handed out at church programs - and best of all - of all the things I have ever eaten in my life, best of all was my grandma's buttery and lumpy mashed potatoes (mashed by hand even though she had an electric mixer). Every time I eat mashed potatoes, that is the standard by which they are measured - and butter has cholesterol in it, but it sure tastes good! In my grandma's kitchen was a wood fueled stove on which she cooked until the last time she ever cooked - and on the other side of the kitchen was an unused electric range. Only when her health had failed her and she was in her last months do I ever recall that electric range being used, and then, not by her, but by my aunts. I also remember an old "pie safe" that she had - and used - the old style bowls and plates she had that I now see in antique shops. My grandfather always drank Pepsi and Mountain Dew in the 16 ounce returnable bottles and when I see these in antique shops I am also reminded of my grandparents and their old-fashioned ways. Water came from the pump outside and yes, there was an outhouse out back complete with Spiegel catalogs for reading material! My grandma was so afraid of thunderstorms that whenever she heard thunder, she unplugged everything electric in the house, if it couldn't be unplugged it was turned off, the windows were closed and the blinds were drawn, the doors were closed and locked - and many of you know how plentiful our Shenandoah Valley thunderstorms can be! The more I type, the more I remember! I am no expert on the subject by any means, but I think these are the stories that need to be recorded for our descendants. My grandparents were deeply religious people - and in such a way as we do not see today. They were raised in an environment where community life revolved around the church. Schools and churches were bound so tightly together that they often met in the same buildings. Of course, you can't even say a prayer in a school today, but when I was in school, and I'm sure most of you were the same - we started the day with a prayer and the pledge to the flag. Until about the 1970s, we were, at least in rural America, a front porch society. If you visited someone's house, you ended up sitting on the front porch drinking iced tea or lemonade and talking. Now, we start and end our visits in front of the TV. Thanks for your contributions to the thread, it all goes to the list's archives, which are searchable. Don -----Original Message----- From: [email protected] [mailto:[email protected]] On Behalf Of Patricia M. Ginalick Sent: Sunday, December 09, 2007 10:56 AM To: [email protected] Subject: Re: [VASHENAN] Catching up on things Don, Thanks for all your hard work. I've been utilizing the website for a few years now. It became a starting point for research on my maternal grandmother's family (Ortt/Wellard in the Forestville and Mt. Jackson areas). We had family living in Shenandoah Junction, WV (Jefferson County) area in the 1920's. My paternal grandfather (married Gladys Ortt from Mt. Jackson) was born in Harpers Ferry and his father was working at that time with the railroad. I believe my relatives living in Jefferson County were working in some capacity with the rail system. We also had family who lived in Shepherdstown during the Civil War as my great great grandfather was pastor of the New Street Methodist Church (Rev. William G. Coe). I discovered this information when I lived in Shepherdstown myself in the 1970's and 1980's. The descriptions of your family Christmas celebrations are similar to my childhood ones. My grandmother - Gladys Ortt Coe - from Mt. Jackson was definitely the "ring leader" and put many of our traditions in place. We also had the Christmas Eve celebrations with the entire family present. There was music playing and parents actually "rocking" around the Christmas tree just like Brenda Lee described in her 1950's era song. Santa decorated our tree when he dropped off our toys. My father would string the lights but the ornaments, candy canes and spray snow were always applied by Santa. We always had an orange and nuts in the toe of our stocking in addition to toys under the tree. Christmas Day meant more visiting and dinner at one home with the dining table extended to the maximum and the entire family at the table (no kid's table allowed). My Mt. Jackson grandmother prepared so much food and always had both turkey and ham. I remember a dessert she called "Ice Box Cake" which was chocolate and angle food cake based. We thought of her as the best cook in the family and she'd tell us it was because of her "up in the country" upbringing. Oh....and there was always some dessert item with coconut. Once again....thanks for your hard work and inspiration to pursue my own intricate family lines. Best holiday wishes to everyone. Patricia Ginalick (Mt. Airy, MD)

Don, The more you type the more I remember! My grandmother called thunderstorms "electrical storms" and she had the same reaction your grandmother did. All electrical devices were "cut off" and no one was allowed to sit near windows which of course were closed and drapes pulled shut as we sweltered on those hot summer afternoons. We weren't allowed to be near the kitchen sink or in the bathtub and the telephone was off limits. Mashed potatoes? I use a hand masher in honor of my grandmother to this date! Butter? My grandmother made them with butter AND half 'n half (which was a staple in her "ice box" as well as cream). Until the day my grandmother died the refrigerator was called the ice box and a gas station a filling station. Not long ago while at a friend's home I commented about my "pocketbook" and the friend who claims to be a local dialect expert said she could tell I had family who were from VA. My grandmother also carried a "change purse" and my grandfather carried a "bill fold." I hear my grandmother's way of speaking more and more in my mother (who is now 80 yrs old) as well as my sister and I and to a degree my own daughters. When my great grandfather (Lemuel Ortt) became to old to live by himself in Mt. Jackson my grandmother loaded us into her old black Chevrolet (probably a 1945 or so) and we drove to pick him up and return with him to live with my grandparents. He wore "long johns" year round and slept with the bedroom window open in the dead of winter. If only.....if only I had asked as many questions as possible about our family history - but I was just a small child. The route we took from DC to Mt. Jackson was much different than today's route. We drove through the city to northern VA - taking route 7 west to Winchester and then the "valley pike" south to Mt. Jackson for what seemed like forever. My mother recalls the same ride during her own childhood when the family would return to Mt. Jackson for regular family gatherings as well as funerals. I remember the apple orchards and small towns that pretty much look unchanged as I drive around the area these days. Your shared memories have given me much food for thought on this rainy Sunday afternoon and I plan to head to the kitchen to finish dinner and think about all the family times we spent on our front porch..... Patricia -----Original Message----- From: [email protected] [mailto:[email protected]] On Behalf Of Don Silvius Sent: Sunday, December 09, 2007 1:34 PM To: [email protected] Subject: Re: [VASHENAN] Catching up on things Patricia, You reminded me of a couple things - one other reason people migrated north into eastern WV - B&O Railroad. There were two roundhouses and shops in Martinsburg - also the Pennsylvania Railroad and its predecessor, the Cumberland Valley Railroad. It was quite the rail center. The B&O Roundhouse complex is being restored and is one of THE most photographed sites in the Shenandoah Valley - I would bet the farm on that! Also, I remember grapefruits, oranges, hard candies, chocolates, apples, nuts, those orange-flavored jelly sugar-coated pieces of candy, etc., being handed out at church programs - and best of all - of all the things I have ever eaten in my life, best of all was my grandma's buttery and lumpy mashed potatoes (mashed by hand even though she had an electric mixer). Every time I eat mashed potatoes, that is the standard by which they are measured - and butter has cholesterol in it, but it sure tastes good! In my grandma's kitchen was a wood fueled stove on which she cooked until the last time she ever cooked - and on the other side of the kitchen was an unused electric range. Only when her health had failed her and she was in her last months do I ever recall that electric range being used, and then, not by her, but by my aunts. I also remember an old "pie safe" that she had - and used - the old style bowls and plates she had that I now see in antique shops. My grandfather always drank Pepsi and Mountain Dew in the 16 ounce returnable bottles and when I see these in antique shops I am also reminded of my grandparents and their old-fashioned ways. Water came from the pump outside and yes, there was an outhouse out back complete with Spiegel catalogs for reading material! My grandma was so afraid of thunderstorms that whenever she heard thunder, she unplugged everything electric in the house, if it couldn't be unplugged it was turned off, the windows were closed and the blinds were drawn, the doors were closed and locked - and many of you know how plentiful our Shenandoah Valley thunderstorms can be! The more I type, the more I remember! I am no expert on the subject by any means, but I think these are the stories that need to be recorded for our descendants. My grandparents were deeply religious people - and in such a way as we do not see today. They were raised in an environment where community life revolved around the church. Schools and churches were bound so tightly together that they often met in the same buildings. Of course, you can't even say a prayer in a school today, but when I was in school, and I'm sure most of you were the same - we started the day with a prayer and the pledge to the flag. Until about the 1970s, we were, at least in rural America, a front porch society. If you visited someone's house, you ended up sitting on the front porch drinking iced tea or lemonade and talking. Now, we start and end our visits in front of the TV. Thanks for your contributions to the thread, it all goes to the list's archives, which are searchable. Don -----Original Message----- From: [email protected] [mailto:[email protected]] On Behalf Of Patricia M. Ginalick Sent: Sunday, December 09, 2007 10:56 AM To: [email protected] Subject: Re: [VASHENAN] Catching up on things Don, Thanks for all your hard work. I've been utilizing the website for a few years now. It became a starting point for research on my maternal grandmother's family (Ortt/Wellard in the Forestville and Mt. Jackson areas). We had family living in Shenandoah Junction, WV (Jefferson County) area in the 1920's. My paternal grandfather (married Gladys Ortt from Mt. Jackson) was born in Harpers Ferry and his father was working at that time with the railroad. I believe my relatives living in Jefferson County were working in some capacity with the rail system. We also had family who lived in Shepherdstown during the Civil War as my great great grandfather was pastor of the New Street Methodist Church (Rev. William G. Coe). I discovered this information when I lived in Shepherdstown myself in the 1970's and 1980's. The descriptions of your family Christmas celebrations are similar to my childhood ones. My grandmother - Gladys Ortt Coe - from Mt. Jackson was definitely the "ring leader" and put many of our traditions in place. We also had the Christmas Eve celebrations with the entire family present. There was music playing and parents actually "rocking" around the Christmas tree just like Brenda Lee described in her 1950's era song. Santa decorated our tree when he dropped off our toys. My father would string the lights but the ornaments, candy canes and spray snow were always applied by Santa. We always had an orange and nuts in the toe of our stocking in addition to toys under the tree. Christmas Day meant more visiting and dinner at one home with the dining table extended to the maximum and the entire family at the table (no kid's table allowed). My Mt. Jackson grandmother prepared so much food and always had both turkey and ham. I remember a dessert she called "Ice Box Cake" which was chocolate and angle food cake based. We thought of her as the best cook in the family and she'd tell us it was because of her "up in the country" upbringing. Oh....and there was always some dessert item with coconut. Once again....thanks for your hard work and inspiration to pursue my own intricate family lines. Best holiday wishes to everyone. Patricia Ginalick (Mt. Airy, MD) ------------------------------- To unsubscribe from the list, please send an email to [email protected] with the word 'unsubscribe' without the quotes in the subject and the body of the message

Don, Patricia, and everyone, Oh, gosh, I still say "pocketbook", and didn't know it showed my provinciality! My husband asked me for something tonight and that's where I told him it was --in my "pocketbook". Both my parents carry "billfolds", and if they were going to drive somewhere they had to have their "permits". "Filling station" is more familiar to me than "service station". Is that Valley-speak? My mother never says "Route 11", it's "Number 11". I love this sort of thing, and it will be a sad day when we all sound alike. Along this same vein: As a child, I would drop in to visit my grandmother in Hawkinstown. If she wasn't around, I would call for her. She would always answer back with "who-o-o-o-o-o-o". Is anyone familiar with that response? She spent her married life in Mt. Jackson, but grew up in Fort Valley. Pat Shelton ----- Original Message ----- From: "Patricia M. Ginalick" <[email protected]> To: <[email protected]> Sent: Sunday, December 09, 2007 5:08 PM Subject: Re: [VASHENAN] Catching up on things > Don, > > The more you type the more I remember! > > My grandmother called thunderstorms "electrical storms" and she had the > same > reaction your grandmother did. All electrical devices were "cut off" and > no > one was allowed to sit near windows which of course were closed and drapes > pulled shut as we sweltered on those hot summer afternoons. We weren't > allowed to be near the kitchen sink or in the bathtub and the telephone > was > off limits. > > Mashed potatoes? I use a hand masher in honor of my grandmother to this > date! Butter? My grandmother made them with butter AND half 'n half > (which > was a staple in her "ice box" as well as cream). > > Until the day my grandmother died the refrigerator was called the ice box > and a gas station a filling station. Not long ago while at a friend's > home > I commented about my "pocketbook" and the friend who claims to be a local > dialect expert said she could tell I had family who were from VA. My > grandmother also carried a "change purse" and my grandfather carried a > "bill > fold." I hear my grandmother's way of speaking more and more in my mother > (who is now 80 yrs old) as well as my sister and I and to a degree my own > daughters. > > When my great grandfather (Lemuel Ortt) became to old to live by himself > in > Mt. Jackson my grandmother loaded us into her old black Chevrolet > (probably > a 1945 or so) and we drove to pick him up and return with him to live with > my grandparents. He wore "long johns" year round and slept with the > bedroom > window open in the dead of winter. If only.....if only I had asked as > many > questions as possible about our family history - but I was just a small > child. > > The route we took from DC to Mt. Jackson was much different than today's > route. We drove through the city to northern VA - taking route 7 west to > Winchester and then the "valley pike" south to Mt. Jackson for what seemed > like forever. My mother recalls the same ride during her own childhood > when > the family would return to Mt. Jackson for regular family gatherings as > well > as funerals. I remember the apple orchards and small towns that pretty > much > look unchanged as I drive around the area these days. > > Your shared memories have given me much food for thought on this rainy > Sunday afternoon and I plan to head to the kitchen to finish dinner and > think about all the family times we spent on our front porch..... > > Patricia > > > > -----Original Message----- > From: [email protected] [mailto:[email protected]] > On Behalf Of Don Silvius > Sent: Sunday, December 09, 2007 1:34 PM > To: [email protected] > Subject: Re: [VASHENAN] Catching up on things > > Patricia, > > You reminded me of a couple things - one other reason people migrated > north > into eastern WV - B&O Railroad. There were two roundhouses and shops in > Martinsburg - also the Pennsylvania Railroad and its predecessor, the > Cumberland Valley Railroad. It was quite the rail center. The B&O > Roundhouse complex is being restored and is one of THE most photographed > sites in the Shenandoah Valley - I would bet the farm on that! > > Also, I remember grapefruits, oranges, hard candies, chocolates, apples, > nuts, those orange-flavored jelly sugar-coated pieces of candy, etc., > being > handed out at church programs - and best of all - of all the things I have > ever eaten in my life, best of all was my grandma's buttery and lumpy > mashed > potatoes (mashed by hand even though she had an electric mixer). Every > time > I eat mashed potatoes, that is the standard by which they are measured - > and > butter has cholesterol in it, but it sure tastes good! > > In my grandma's kitchen was a wood fueled stove on which she cooked until > the last time she ever cooked - and on the other side of the kitchen was > an > unused electric range. Only when her health had failed her and she was in > her last months do I ever recall that electric range being used, and then, > not by her, but by my aunts. I also remember an old "pie safe" that she > had > - and used - the old style bowls and plates she had that I now see in > antique shops. My grandfather always drank Pepsi and Mountain Dew in the > 16 > ounce returnable bottles and when I see these in antique shops I am also > reminded of my grandparents and their old-fashioned ways. Water came from > the pump outside and yes, there was an outhouse out back complete with > Spiegel catalogs for reading material! My grandma was so afraid of > thunderstorms that whenever she heard thunder, she unplugged everything > electric in the house, if it couldn't be unplugged it was turned off, the > windows were closed and the blinds were drawn, the doors were closed and > locked - and many of you know how plentiful our Shenandoah Valley > thunderstorms can be! The more I type, the more I remember! > > I am no expert on the subject by any means, but I think these are the > stories that need to be recorded for our descendants. My grandparents > were > deeply religious people - and in such a way as we do not see today. They > were raised in an environment where community life revolved around the > church. Schools and churches were bound so tightly together that they > often > met in the same buildings. Of course, you can't even say a prayer in a > school today, but when I was in school, and I'm sure most of you were the > same - we started the day with a prayer and the pledge to the flag. > > Until about the 1970s, we were, at least in rural America, a front porch > society. If you visited someone's house, you ended up sitting on the > front > porch drinking iced tea or lemonade and talking. Now, we start and end > our > visits in front of the TV. > > Thanks for your contributions to the thread, it all goes to the list's > archives, which are searchable. > > Don > > > > -----Original Message----- > From: [email protected] [mailto:[email protected]] > On Behalf Of Patricia M. Ginalick > Sent: Sunday, December 09, 2007 10:56 AM > To: [email protected] > Subject: Re: [VASHENAN] Catching up on things > > Don, > > Thanks for all your hard work. I've been utilizing the website for a few > years now. It became a starting point for research on my maternal > grandmother's family (Ortt/Wellard in the Forestville and Mt. Jackson > areas). > > We had family living in Shenandoah Junction, WV (Jefferson County) area in > the 1920's. My paternal grandfather (married Gladys Ortt from Mt. > Jackson) > was born in Harpers Ferry and his father was working at that time with the > railroad. I believe my relatives living in Jefferson County were working > in > some capacity with the rail system. We also had family who lived in > Shepherdstown during the Civil War as my great great grandfather was > pastor > of the New Street Methodist Church (Rev. William G. Coe). I discovered > this > information when I lived in Shepherdstown myself in the 1970's and 1980's. > > The descriptions of your family Christmas celebrations are similar to my > childhood ones. My grandmother - Gladys Ortt Coe - from Mt. Jackson was > definitely the "ring leader" and put many of our traditions in place. We > also had the Christmas Eve celebrations with the entire family present. > There was music playing and parents actually "rocking" around the > Christmas > tree just like Brenda Lee described in her 1950's era song. Santa > decorated > our tree when he dropped off our toys. My father would string the lights > but the ornaments, candy canes and spray snow were always applied by > Santa. > We always had an orange and nuts in the toe of our stocking in addition to > toys under the tree. Christmas Day meant more visiting and dinner at one > home with the dining table extended to the maximum and the entire family > at > the table (no kid's table allowed). My Mt. Jackson grandmother prepared > so > much food and always had both turkey and ham. I remember a dessert she > called "Ice Box Cake" which was chocolate and angle food cake based. We > thought of her as the best cook in the family and she'd tell us it was > because of her "up in the country" upbringing. Oh....and there was always > some dessert item with coconut. > > Once again....thanks for your hard work and inspiration to pursue my own > intricate family lines. Best holiday wishes to everyone. > > Patricia Ginalick (Mt. Airy, MD) > > > > ------------------------------- > To unsubscribe from the list, please send an email to > [email protected] 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 > [email protected] with the word 'unsubscribe' without the > quotes in the subject and the body of the message > >

my grandfather called margarine, Oleo - he was born in Wisconsin, and grew up in Iowa, and eventually moved to Chicago. Julie in CA Pat Shelton <[email protected]> wrote: Don, Patricia, and everyone, Oh, gosh, I still say "pocketbook", and didn't know it showed my provinciality! My husband asked me for something tonight and that's where I told him it was --in my "pocketbook". Both my parents carry "billfolds", and if they were going to drive somewhere they had to have their "permits". "Filling station" is more familiar to me than "service station". Is that Valley-speak? My mother never says "Route 11", it's "Number 11". I love this sort of thing, and it will be a sad day when we all sound alike. Along this same vein: As a child, I would drop in to visit my grandmother in Hawkinstown. If she wasn't around, I would call for her. She would always answer back with "who-o-o-o-o-o-o". Is anyone familiar with that response? She spent her married life in Mt. Jackson, but grew up in Fort Valley. Pat Shelton --------------------------------- Looking for last minute shopping deals? Find them fast with Yahoo! Search.