Happy Mother's Day to My Mom

 

My mother always wanted to be a writer. One of her first jobs as a teenager was working for a published writer. She would proofread his work, type his drafts and prepare for publication. Mother was always good with the written word. 

One thing she liked to write was poetry. Several years before her death, I surprised her with a gift on Mother's Day ... a hard bound book filled with the poetry she had written over the years. She often wrote poems about family, friends, and life's events. So her poetry was illustrated with the pictures of family and friends that she had written about. That Mother's Day was one of the best I ever celebrated with my mother. Love you, Mom! Hope you have a Happy Heavenly Mother's Day 

My Mother's Legacy of Service

 My mother loved working with her hands.. Sewing, crochet, gardening, cooking, and many other works of art. This little video was created from the photos taken at her funeral. We asked everyone to bring the hand made blankets, the crocheted dresses, the baby Teddy Bear blankets, the doll clothes, everything she made them for display at her funeral. The result was breath taking.

Grandpa Taught Me Honesty

My grandfather taught me to be honest. As a young child I remember being a passenger in his car and on our way home to my house. On the way he stopped at a local store to buy something. We were in the car ready to go and he noticed the change the clerk gave him was too much. Grandpa said he needed to go back into the store for a minute to return the extra change, so he walked back in, returned the extra change, and then took me home. I don't remember how old I was, but the memory of hearing him tell me that the clerk gave him too much change and then watching him return to the store to give the extra change back is as vivid today as it was over 50 years ago. A small moment in time for me, but a very valuable lesson was taught that day. I will always be grateful for his good example of honesty.

• Aldred Erskine was born at Superior, Douglas, Wisconsin on 30 January 1896 (1)
• Aldred completed grammar school on 30 June 1914 (2) 
• Aldred filled out the WW I Draft Registration form on 5 June 1918 (3)

Aldred served in WW I as a cook and was assigned to Camp Kerny, California (4). At the end of the war and while waiting for his discharge papers, he wrote a letter home to his Aunt. The letter (5) was dated 28 February 1919:

Dear Aunt:
Received your kind and ever welcome letter and was glad to hear from you. Am in the best of health and hope these few lines finds you the same. I haven't heard anything about my discharge yet, I expect to be out within a month anyway. I sure do wish I were home, this kind of life sure gets tiresome. I got a letter from home the other day, they are all well, only wishing I were home with them. It sure did make me feel blue when my brother left and nearly all of my friends from around home have gone also, well I guess my turn is coming some time. I signed the pay roll yesterday, expect to be paid Monday. When we are discharged we get $60 paid too us by the Government, that will help out a little bit. The time seems to pass so slow here waiting for my discharge to come, but sure will injoy [sic] it when I do get it. The Knight of Columbus are moving over close to us, they are moving in one of the mess halls just a few steps from my tent. It is nearly time for the mail to go so will close as ever yours.
Your Loving Nephew, Aldred
P.S. Give Jossie and all the rest my best regards. Love to all.

Two months later, on 24 April 1919, Aldred was honorably discharged (6). After his discharge, he returned to Provo, Utah and met a young lady named Frances Berniece Hartley. They were married 28 December 1920 at Provo, Utah (7) and then moved to California.

Aldred and Frances raised their family in Burbank, California. Aldred was a police officer for the City of Burbank (8). In 1935 he completed his Scout Master training and was awarded a certificate for the training (9). Unfortunately we do not know if he ever served as a Scout Master in the local community. He completed his WW II Draft Registration in 1942 (10), so we find him in both the World War I and II draft registration records. He loved the pies his wife made and often brought home his coworkers from the Police Department to enjoy a piece of pie. On 1 November 1951, Aldred officially retired from public service as a police officer for the City of Burbank, California (11). His monthly retirement benefit was $183.10, which continued until his death in 1964 (12).

My grandfather, Aldred Erskine, had a full life. I will forever be grateful for the lessons he taught me through the way he lived his life each day. Honesty will always be my special memory about grandpa.

Citations:
1) "Wisconsin, Births and Christenings, 1826-1926," index, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/pal:/MM9.1.1/XRNB-HDD : accessed 12 Jan 2014), Erskine, 30 Jan 1894.
2) Mendocino County, California Board of Education, Pepperwood District Grammar School Diploma of Graduation for Aldred Erskine, 30 June 1914, privately held by Fran Jensen [ADDRESS FOR PRIVATE USE,] Utah, 2025.
3) "United States World War I Draft Registration Cards, 1917-1918," index and images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/pal:/MM9.3.1/TH-1971-26276-49431-91?cc=1968530&wc=M9W1-SYF:n1828462159 : accessed 5 May 2025), Utah > Utah County; A-R; citing NARA microfilm publication M1509 (Washington D.C.: National Archives and Records Administration, n.d) Date the form was filled out was 5 June 1918.
4) United States War Department, Certificate in Lieu of Lost or Destroyed Discharge Certificate for Aldred Erskine, discharged 24 April 1919, privately held by Fran Jensen [ADDRESS FOR PRIVATE USE,] Utah, 2025.
5) Aldred Erskine letter to his Aunt, 28 February 1919, Letter to "Dear Aunt", privately held by Fran Jensen [ADDRESS FOR PRIVATE USE,] Utah, 2025.
6) United States War Department, Discharge Certificate for Aldred Erskine.
7) "Utah, County Marriages, 1887-1937," index, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/pal:/MM9.1.1/VRLY-17K : accessed 12 Jan 2014), Aldred Erskine and Frances Berniece Hartley, 1920.
8) City of Burbank, Office of Chief of Police, Los Angeles County, California, Aldred Erskine, certificate of appointment to police officer 27 January 1930, privately held by Fran Jensen [ADDRESS FOR PRIVATE USE,] Utah, 2025.
9) National Council Boy Scouts of America, Verdugo Hills Council, Elements of Scoutmasterhip-Part 1 Diploma, Aldred Erskine, 4 December 1935, Burbank California, privately held by Fran Jensen, [ADDRESS FOR PRVATE USE,] Utah, 2025.
10) "United States World War II Draft Registration Cards, 1942," index and images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/pal:/MM9.3.1/TH-1-16367-4192-13?cc=1861144&wc=MMRW-1VP:n1454227852 : accessed 12 Jan 2014), 004669303 > image 691 of 2807.
11) State of California, Board of Administration, State Employees' Retirement System, City of Burbank, retirement notification for Aldred Erskine, police sergeant, 1 November 1951, privately held by Fran Jensen, [ADDRESS FOR PRVATE USE,] Utah 2025.
12) State of California, Board of Administration, State Employees' Retirement System to Aldred Erskine, Burbank, California, 5 February 1952, privately held by Fran Jensen, [ADDRESS FOR PRVATE USE,] Utah 2025. 

George, Rebecca, and Andrew Hartley

George and Rebecca [Richards] Hartley, with their son Andrew.

Taken about the time they immigrated from England to America in 1889.

2 Obituaries for Friend William Curtis

A few of years ago my parents visited the historical office for Big Timber, Sweet Grass, Montana. My grandmother Ada Curtis (my Dad's mother), was born at Big Timber and lived there during her childhood and some of her early youth. The historical office has a collection of newspaper clippings for the early residents of the town that included many of the extended Curtis family members. Friend William Curtis and Ada Curtis were cousins. Friend grew up in the same area, but eventually moved to Washington with his family. Even though he died and was buried in Washington, the Sweet Grass historical office had two obituaries on file for him. I don't know the name of the newspaper the obituaries were published in, but with so many newspapers going online, I hope it won't be too hard to find out.

   First Obituary - Last Rites Held for Friend W. Curtis Funeral services for Friend William Curtis, 66, were conducted from the Einan's Deseret Memorial Chapel in Richland, Wash., April 22, at 2 p.m., under the direction of Richland, Wash., third ward, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. Bishop Harold Derricott officiated. 
   Pallbearers were Frank Standefer, L. P. Conner, N. E. O'Connor, R. E. House, Ray Culver and R. B. Turnipseed. Interment was in the Richland cemetery. 
   Mr. Curtis, who retired about a year ago as a maintenance worker for General Electric at Richland, died of a stroke in Kadlec Methodist hospital in Richland April 20. He had been ill with a heart condition for the past year. 
   Mr. Curtis was born in Preston, Idaho, April 19, 1890. He came to Sweet Grass county with his parents at an early age and had resided here until moving to Richland about 13 years ago. 
   Surviving include his widow: four sons, Benjamin W., Donald K.; Dean H. and Leo C. Curtis, all of Richland; two daughters, Mrs. Arthur (Jene) Roppe of Kennewick, Wash., and Mrs. Dwight (Maribel) Manning of Richland; a sister Mrs. Madge Otis of Madera, Calif., and 18 grandchildren.

Second Obituary - Friend Curtis  Dies in Washington
Dies in Washington Relatives here have been notified of the death of Friend Curtis at Richland, Wash., Saturday. Cause of death was not given but it is known that he had been ill for some time. Burial was at Richland. The deceased is well known here having lived in this community most of his life until moving to Washington a number of years ago.

Source: The historical society that my parents visited and obtained copies of both obituaries was the Crazy Mountain Museum. The museum is located south of Big Timber on Cemetery Road.

Brothers Separated for Twenty-five Years Reunited

My grandfather Aldred Erskine had an older brother named Cyrus Melvin Erskine. Sometime after Cyrus filled out his World War I registration card in 1917 he disappeared. No word, no connection was made with Cyrus for a long time. The story in the family is that Cyrus was declared legally dead after he had been missing for about 25 years. I have not found an official death record to verify this part of the story, but today we know more about Cyrus because of the newspaper record that documented his sudden return to the family. My mother had this newspaper clipping in her scrapbook. Her father, Aldred Erskine was a police officer for Burbank, California. One day when he was at work, Cyrus showed up to surprise him. Here's the full story from the newspaper account:

Burbank 

If Police Desk Sgt. Aldred Erskine could duplicate at will that expression of suspense, surprise and joy that he enacted spontaneously last night, he probably would be snapped up by the movies. His eyes popped, his mouth flung open as if moving automatically on hinges and his face turned pale momentarily as he looked up from his desk at police headquarters to peer into a smiling face that seemed familiar. Suspense across his face faded to surprise and then joy, "Cy!" exclaimed Erskine as he hopped off his chair and lunged forward to clutch an extended hand.

Clutches Extended Hand
It was the hand of Cyrus Erskine, a brother the police officer hadn' t seen for twenty-five years. The story goes back a quarter of a century when the four Erskine brothers - Aldred, Cyrus, John and Thomas were living in the family home at Richmond in northern California. The eldest of the four, Cyrus, a young man then, decided to go east. He settled at Dallas, Tex. Later he moved to Miami, Fla., where he engaged in the real estate business during the Florida boom.  

Address Lost 
Meanwhile, the other three brothers, now grown, moved from the family residence. Cyrus left Miami. Addresses were lost and correspondence, previously only occasional, ceased entirely. Last fall Cyrus decided to return to the coast. On Christmas day he arrived in San Francisco , hoping to find his brothers somewhere in the bay region. Thumbing through the telephone book, he found the name of Thomas Erskine at Richmond. Not sure that was his brother, he telelphoned. A few hours later the pair was reunited at Thomas' home. Aldred and John, the latter a resident of Glendale, soon received word that the "long, lost" brother, feared dead, was very much alive.

Arrives Without Warning
 John drove north during the week-end to see Cyrus. He returned last night and without any previous warning dropped Cyrus off at police headquarters, and the third of the series of reunions followed. A sheet metal man, Cyrus has decided to settle here, and seek employment in the aircraft industry. He is making his home for the present at the police officer's residence.

Research To-Do

• This Blog post was originally posted on 25 Jan 2012. Updates were made in 2025.
• The date and name of the newspaper is unknown. Aldred retired from the police department on 1 Nov 1951, so this brother reunion was before that date. I expect to be able to find the article in the local Burbank newspaper. 
• 1910 Census 
• 5 June 1917 WW I Draft Registration, residence listed as Oakland, Alameda County., California
• 1920 Census, residence unknown
• 1930 Census, residence unknown 
• 1940 Census, residence unknown
• 1950 Census, residence was Long Beach, Los Angeles Co., California. Wife was listed as Jessie B.

Johan's First Sweetie

My grandfather, Johan Roy Tolve Johansen, is seated on the right. He is five years old. His sister Alma is next to him, the one in the dark colored dress. I love this photo. The "Bough" children were neighbors and the photographer was their father. He had his studio in Ringsted, Iowa when this photo was taken. 

My grandfather wrote in his scrapbook that the little Bough girl was his "first sweetie" - he had a crush on her! I love all the children's toys in the photo and often wonder if this was a picture taken at Christmas time. I bet his sister Alma got the doll she is holding for a Christmas gift. A lot of stories are buried in this picture and I can only imagine what they were.

The Unknowns

It's fun to discover family photos among our own collections or in collections that belonged to our parents or grandparents. We always hope to find the photos already identified, but sadly, there are always some photos totally unidentified. This photo is an example of the saddest type of unidentified because only the photo itself remains in tact. The photo was mounted on a heavy card-stock, but was cut away. Maybe facial recognition will help. A date based on the clothing worn by the young lady might also help. With the ability to easily share the photo with thousands of other people, maybe someone will recognize this young lady!

Calendar Date is 1914

On the wall is a calendar and May 1914 is the month and year. On the opposite wall is a big Montana map. We want to find out who these people are and where this photo was taken. On the back of the photo is a small clue, the names "Lou, Grace, Mother" are written along with another word that cannot be read. I believe the names are referring to sisters Lou Curtis, Grace Curtis, and Florence Curtis. Can anyone positively identify the ladies and maybe even some of the men? Does the room they are in look familiar to anyone? Maybe an employee break room at one of the railroad stations that Clifford Brown worked at.

My Grandfather Was A Scrapbooker!!

My grandfather, Roy T. Johansen, was an avid scrapbooker. I remember watching him write on the pages in his scrapbooks. He always used a ruler. Placing the ruler on the page, then writing each letter above the ruler, but ending the word at the straight edge. If any letter needed finishing below the ruler's edge, he completed the letters after removing the ruler from the page. As a result, his writing was always perfectly straight and very legible.

Each scrapbook was given a title, a purpose for it's creation. Most often, the purpose for the scrapbook was to document a vacation both grandma and grandpa had taken. Consequently, the pages were often filled with photos, postcards, maps, napkins from restaurants, receipts for gas, hotels, and food. Some of the trips were not vacations, but were taken to attend family funerals or family weddings. Consequently, some of the scrapbooks contain wedding invitations, funeral service programs, and newspaper clippings for births, deaths, and marriages. We know of at least 18 scrapbooks that were created by my grandfather. A few of the titles are:

• Our Family Fun Times
• Trip to Oregon, Idaho, Nevada, and Utah
• Ada Curtis Family
• Dona and Reed; Brigham City; Jackson Hole; Hayden Lake; Crater of the Moon; Glenn Canyon; Monument Valley; Moab (The longest title of all the scrapbooks)
• Clayt and Mel
• 1961 Trip with Florence and Clifford
• 1965 Southern California Edison Company Retirement

Literally, thousands of photographs are in the scrapbooks. Grandpa did not write a lot of the details in the scrapbooks, but we could still piece together hundreds of stories based upon what he saved in each book. The maps he saved plot the exact route they took while on their trips. Grandpa was a map-maker and worked for the Southern California Edison Company. I'm sure that his profession was the reason he included so many maps. I also think his meticulous writing was a result of his work as a map-maker. Unfortunately, he did not write a lot in the scrapbooks and rarely were people in the photos identified. But I can still imagine what it was like for him to take a trip back home to his place of birth, a place he had not seen since he was four months old. I wish his thoughts and feelings were recorded in the scrapbooks about the places they traveled to and the friends and family they visited. My father and his sisters have helped identify some of the people in the photos, but not everyone. I've learned a lot about my grandparents, Roy and Ada [Curtis] Johansen from the scrapbooks. I'm grateful grandpa took the time to create each book and I'm grateful we still have them in the family. They are a treasure in our family that we will always cherish. Thank you Grandpa for taking the time to create your scrapbooks!