Francis Woodruff Family
The last ten days or so have had me turning my attention to the Francis Woodruff family. Seems like every now and then, a variety of circumstances come together and put the spotlight on one particular person or family line. So why Francis Woodruff and his wife Mary Jane Trowbridge? Well, it began when I heard from a Find a Grave volunteer photographer who notified me she had photographed the graves of their son…
I remember trying to find family information before the internet, but it was a slow and arduous job. Now, with the internet, fast computers and the plethora of online documents -- it is so pleasurable that it can become an addiction. I "met" the author of the blog titled "Chips Off the Old Block" online because we share many common ancestors. My Dickinson ancestors married into the Woodruff family (or vice versa). The Dickinson family is my link to the Mayflower. Rather than rewriting "Chips" blog post about Francis and Mary Jane Woodruff's family, I am going to reblog it. Their daughter Emma married John W. Dickinson. I've written about John being a dentist in Brooklyn, NY, in an earlier post. And his father was a coroner in Williamsburgh (Williamsburg), NY. (please see earlier posts)
An Update on The Mayflower Society . . . they actually let me in!
I wrote earlier about my application to the Mayflower Society. My application was approved and I recently received my membership certificate to “The General Society of Mayflower Descendants”. To become a member, I had to document that I was descended from one of the Mayflower passengers. My Mayflower Ancestor was John Howland.
I have a few photos to share, but they are terrible because the Marriott Hotel has really bright lighting. And, I swear, their lights seem to add at least 40 lbs. to the subjects wearing navy blue in each photograph! (ha)
The Group of New Members who received their certificates. Jane Hurt (dressed in green) is our Historian. I am far right, bottom row, dressed in navy blue.
I’ve copied the text below from Wikipedia –
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_passengers_on_the_Mayflower
Of the passengers, 37 were members of the separatist Leiden congregation seeking freedom of worship in the New World. The Mayflower launched with 102 passengers, as well as at least two dogs, and a crew of 25-30 headed by Captain Christopher Jones. One baby was born during the trip and named Oceanus Hopkins. Another, Peregrine (meaning “wanderer”) White, was born on the Mayflower in America on November 20, before the settlement at Plymouth. About half of these emigrants died in the first winter. Many Americans can trace their ancestry back to one or more of these individuals who, ‘Saints’ and ‘Strangers’ together, would become known as the Pilgrims.
List of Mayflower Passengers with Proven Descenants
During the luncheon, a list of the passengers’ names was called. I need to rephrase that to read “a list of the passengers who lived long enough to breed” names were called. When your ancestor’s name was called, you were asked to stand. It was fun seeing the people who shared your ancestor.
One gentleman stood at the calling of almost every name! Plymouth had a very small gene pool in those days and as soon as one Pilgrim died, their spouse remarried another Pilgrim. So it is possible to be related to almost everyone who survived the voyage. Eventually they got some new blood in their community or the Pilgrims would have all ended up looking alike. Sort of like the history of the Hapsburg Dynasty. The Hapsburg’s inbreeding led to the inheritable trait titled the “Hapsburg Lip” or “Hapsburg Jaw” which is medically known as Prognathism.
Again, copied from Wikipedia http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hapsburg_Lip#Mandibular_prognathism_.28progenism.29
Prognathism is well recorded as a trait of several historical individuals. The most famous case is that of the House of Habsburg, among whom mandibular prognathism was a family trait; indeed, the condition is frequently called “Habsburg Jaw” as a result of its centuries-long association with the family. Among the Habsburgs, the most prominent case of mandibular prognathism is that of Charles II of Spain, who had prognathism so pronounced he could neither speak clearly nor chew as a result of generations of politically motivated inbreeding.
Charles II
Poor Charles II, all of the inbreeding had also taken its toll on his mental capacity and his ability to sire offspring and produce an heir (he was impotent). And this led to their downfall. But I digress. . .
Joining a genealogical society such as “The Mayflower Society” is only interesting to me because I was adopted and had no clue what my background was. As it turns out, it I am pretty much a W.A.S.P. (White Anglo Saxon Protestant). I have an occasional Catholic or Reformed Latter Day Saint mixed into the gene pool, but my Haplogroup is H, which includes about 40% of Europeans. I’ve copied this info. below from http://www.familytreedna.com
Mitochondrial haplogroup H is a predominantly European haplogroup that originated outside of Europe before the last glacial maximum (LGM). It first expanded in the northern Near East and southern Caucasus between 33,000 and 26,000 years ago, and later migrations from Iberia suggest it reached Europe before the LGM. It has also spread to Siberia and Inner Asia. Today, about 40% of all mitochondrial lineages in Europe are classified as haplogroup H.
In today’s world of political correctness, the only ethnic or cultural group you can make fun of is the one you belong to — so that gives me the perfect opportunity to segue into a few horrible WASP jokes –
Q: What’s a WASP’s idea of social security?
A: An ancestor on the Mayflower.
Q: How does a WASP propose marriage?
A: “How would you like to be buried with my people?”
Q: How many WASPS does it take to change a light bulb?
A: Three. One to call the electrician and two to mix the martinis.
Q: How do you tell the Bride at a WASP wedding?
A: She is the one kissing the golden retriever.
And Finally, a quick look at the Urban Dictionary to get a current definition of WASP — http://www.urbandictionary.com
White Anglo-Saxon Protestant
Descendants of colonial-era immigrants from the British Isles–especially England, but also from Wales and Scotland (irrespective of the fact that Scots and Welsh people are predominantly descended from Celts, not descendants of Angles and Saxons)–who belonged to the Presbyterian, Congregationalist, and Episcopalian (Anglican) denominations of Protestantism.
The term is redundant because all Anglo-Saxons are white.
To this day in America, the W.A.S.P.s are the one group about which–in a politically correct atmosphere–jokes can be made with impunity.
Receiving My Certificate from Jane
More photos of people I don’t know — only this time they are all mothers in honor of Mother’s Day. And a few of the Mother’s Day cards from my daughter (who is now a mother)
We Love Thrift Stores. . .Like Daughter, Like Mother
Snoogy is my nickname for my daughter. She responded with Momoogy for me.
Mother’s Day 1947 is written on the back of this photo.
More Old Photos of People I’ve Never Met . . .and Never Will
I made another trip to the Andover Antique Mall to check out my favorite booth of old photos and postcards. If you live in the Wichita, KS area and haven’t been to this antique mall, you must check it out. It is also a great stop if you have guests in town and run out of other shopping venues.
First up are two photos of young people with strange raccoon eyes. These kids are scarey. Perhaps they were so thin that their eyes look abnormally large. Or maybe they weren’t well. Anyway, these are wonderful additions to my old photo collection.
Raccoon Eyes
Arthur, Dora and Clarence Stilgenbaurer
The people in the old photos I find are always thin. Food wasn’t as plentiful as it is now and some of the photos were taken during the depression. Plus they didn’t have the vast assortment of Ding Dongs, cookies, Cheetos, etc. that grace our present day grocery shelves. I finally found a photo of a chubby couple. And I must say, especially the Mrs., they look fat and happy.
Chubby Couple
The next photo was taken in 1938 and is of a sweet little girl on the occasion of her First Communion. It is so sad that most of the photos I find have no names or places written on them. Remember to always write names and dates on the back of your photos so you and your relatives will be able to identify who is in them.
First Communion, 1938
Below is a photo from 1921 titled “Everts Family”. I don’t know where they lived, but the man on the far right has on overalls and the woman next to him looks like Granny Clampitt, so maybe they lived on a farm.
Everts Family, 1921
The couple on the couch in the next photo may be celebrating the Holidays in some fashion. The date on the photo is January 1960, but doesn’t say anything else. The man taking the photo is reflected in the mirror behind them.
January 1960, Couple on Couch
Hazel Palmer is the subject of the photo below. I wish I knew more about her. I love her hair and she has a sweet expression.
Hazel Palmer
No clue as to what the next couple is doing. On the back is written, “isn’t this good of the clothes line? Nearly strung up – eh? what? Note the big toes clinging fearfully to the shoulders, ha”. And I also don’t have any idea what that meant either!
Couple with Clothes Line. Taken at Oswego, NY
I didn’t realize men had comb overs this long ago, but the wind certainly has his hair standing on end. Taken at a beach.
Man with Comb Over Holding a Baby at the Beach
This couple will be fashionable forever. They look so sporty in their summer attire — sort of like an early version of a Ralph Lauren ad.
Early Fashionable Couple in Summer Attire
And last, some twins. This photo is of Richard and Russell Lahm (twins) and their little brother Arthur, Jr. Taken about 1930. And including their dog.
Richard, Russell and Arthur Lahm. Taken about 1930.
. . .and Surprise! . . .more on The Kelley Family and Winfield, Kansas
Cowley County Historical Society Museum
The Kelley grandkids may remember the stone schoolhouse on the next corner down from Granny’s house on Mansfield Street. It had a playground and we used to go over there when we were visiting Granny. It is now the home to the Cowley County Historical Society Museum.
This is their web site — http://www.cchsm.com/home
The Cowley County Historical Society Museum is housed in one of Winfield’s original schools built in 1886. The native stone building and its historical displays keep local history alive and available to the people.
I emailed the historical society today and asked how I could get a copy of Dr. Kelley’s obituary and they emailed a copy back very quickly. Many thanks to Shawn at the Cowley County Historical Society! That is the fastest response to a genealogical question I have ever received.
Dr. Forrest A. Kelley’s Obituary
I have also wondered why Forrest and Mary Kelley ended up in Winfield. In a book (that is online) titled “The Cowley County Heritage Book”, I found that Dr. Kelley bought Dr. Rall’s general medical practice and I bet that is why they ended up living in Winfield.
http://skyways.lib.ks.us/genweb/cowley/people/heritage/heritage-book.html
This piece is actually about the Ralls family, but tells how Dr. F.A. Kelley took over Dr. Ralls’ practice. The section on delivering babies sounds like the same stories I heard from Mom about her father.
The ironic thing is that the Ralls returned to Winfield and lived on the corner across the street from Granny on Mansfield. The Ralls and the Kelleys were great friends.
The first home of Dr. & Mrs. Ralls was on Fuller Street. About a year later they built a house at 801 East Eleventh. In 1910 Dr. Ralls realized he could not keep up physically with the night work required of general practice. Dr. F.A. Kelley took over this practice, while Dr. Ralls and his wife and children went to New Orleans and Chicago where he again entered medical schools to practice eye, ear, nose, & throat. Thinking he would not return to Winfield, he had sold his home on Eleventh. He bought the family’s present home at 922 Mansfield.
Dr. Ralls retired from practice in early 1965. The next months were spend driving around the back roads in this part of the county. He loved pointing out who had lived at this or that place, that he had attended a birth at this or that place, and had slept on the kitchen floor awaiting the birth. The standard obstetrical fee was (hopefully) $10. Often it was paid with chickens, vegetables, eggs, or most anything else available.
Traveling to these rural areas was done by horse and buggy, if the roads were reasonably dry. If not, the trip might be made to the Tisdale area by hand car on the tracks, a farmer perhaps meeting him with a horse.
915 Mansfield Street, Winfield, Kansas. Granny Kelley’s Home.
Granny’s stone house seemed like a mini castle to me as a child. It doesn’t seem as big these days. It had a mysterious basement that was actually just a dirt cellar. On the front porch, someone had carved a likeness of their dog into the stone. It was probably carved by one of the masons or the builder. I remember hearing that the house was a “Caton” stone house. There are many beautiful buildings and bridges in Winfield made out of this native stone.
This is the link to the official Winfield site and a slideshow titled “Historic and Caton Homes”.
http://www.winfieldks.org/gallery.aspx?AID=25
The Kelleys were staunch Presbyterians. Tim and I were christened at Granny’s house probably in 1951.
Kelley Grandchildren Christened Here Sunday
Below is a photo of my family with Dr. Jackson, formerly of the First Presbyterian Church in Winfield. Dr. Jackson officiated at the service.
Dr. Jackson with Page Family
Below is a photo of Granny with the newly christened grandchildren. Granny is holding Joe’s arm still to keep him from launching a plane at the cameraman.
After christening at Granny’s house.
I included this photo of Joe on a pony in front of Granny’s house to show the native stone work. Joe must have been pleased by the pony because he is actually sitting still for this photo.
Joe on Pony in Front of Granny’s House in Winfield, Kansas
And More Kelley Photos!
Left: Dr. Kelley
Right: Dr. and Mrs. Kelley
Above right is a photo of Grandfather Kelley with Granny
The Kelley family — children Harriett, Margaret, Robert and Patricia
Virgil and Pat Moreland with baby John
The Beginnings of the Moreland Family
John with his Father
Above is a photo of John landing an airplane in Granny’s back yard.
John as a baby
Little Baby John
Harriett and Baby Susan
Aunt Harriett with her Niece Susan
Earl Page (Ray’s brother) and Margaret Kelley in NY during WWII.
Margaret Kelley studied at Columbia University in NY for her Master’s Degree. While she was there, Earl Page stopped (either coming or going) during WWII. It looks like they are at the Empire State Building in NYC.
Two Kelley sisters, Harriett and Patricia with their husbands Raymond and Virgil.
Harriett with John
John with his Everloving Aunt Harriett
More on the Kelley family. . .yes, they go way back!
Kelley Homestead
This home was built by Aaron Kelley (son of Ezekiel) on the Kelley Homestead south of Hillsboro, Ohio in 1862/3.
Below is the lineage back to Ezekiel –
Ezekiel Kelley, born 1771 Maryland – died 1858 Ohio (father unknown)
son of Ezekiel –
Aaron Kelley, born 1817 Ohio – died 1893 Ohio
son of Aaron –
John Weller Kelley, born 1845 Ohio – died 1931 Nebraska
son of John –
Forrest Aaron Kelley, born 1878 Iowa – died 1945 Kansas
son of Forrest –
Robert Wilson Kelley, born 1912 Kansas – died 1977 Missouri
Below was Copied from The Highland Press, Hillsboro, Ohio
9/10/2012 11:22:00 AM
Southern Ohio Genealogical Society to conduct program on Ezekiel Kelley and Troutwine CemeteryThursday, Sept. 20 will be the first fall program of the Southern Ohio Genealogical Society.
The guest speaker will be Howard Kelly of Webertown, a community just west of Lynchburg in Highland County. Howard will be sharing the story of Ezekiel Kelley and the Troutwine Cemetery.
Howard’s ancestor, Ezekiel Kelley, first came to Highland County (circa 1797) as a meat hunter for the survey crew of Nathaniel Massie. Massie was one of the first surveyors in the Northwest Territory.
The hunters led the party, followed by the surveyors, the chainmen, the markers then the pack horses with the baggage. Also, about 200 yards in the rear of the others, a man called the spy made sure the party would not be attacked in the rear.
Ezekiel Kelley was among the party that made the first surveys of the territory that is now Highland County. He received $10.50 for his services.
Ezekiel homesteaded on Ballard Survey No. 2,352 some four miles southeast of Hillsboro, near New Market. A burial plot on the farm was selected when a member of the family died in 1806. Today, the cemetery on the hill overlooking the old home site is enclosed in a cement wall.
Howard Kelley, speaker, has also done extensive work at the Troutwive Cemetery which is located near Webertown just north of Route 50 near the Brown and Clinton county lines.
The land for this cemetery – one acre – was originally deeded March 7, 1847 to the trustees of the Methodist Episcopal Church. Then again on March 7, 1873, another deed conveyed the “public burying ground” to the Trustees of Dodson Township.
Howard Kelley has been building muzzle-loading rifles since the early 1960s and also builds fiddles, banjos and is a fiddle player himself.
Below is Information on the Kelley Cemetery, copied from ancestry.com
And if you want to see who is buried there, go to http://www.findagrave.com/cgi-bin/fg.cgi?page=cr&CRid=41669&CScn=kelly+cemetery&CScntry=4&CSst=37&
Name: Kelley Cemetery Map No. 122Location: Liberty Township Page: 261Remarks: This cemetery was in the KELLEY name for over 150 years. On July 18, 1806 Ezekiel KELLEY, the pioneer from Maryland, bought 100 acres from Henry MASSIE, recorded in Transcribed Book 11, page 20, Highland County Deed Records. His son Aaron KELLEY lived and died on this farm. M.G. and Esie Kelley owned the farm in 1916, and Florence D. KELLEY, their daughter-in-law, owned it until 1967.On June 28, 1841, in Original Book 9, page 83, Highland County, Deed Records, Ezekiel KELLEY and Catherine his wife conveyed to James KELLY, William LONG and Andrew HOTT the following described real estate “for a burying ground anf for no lives”. On July 27, 1882, in Original Book 59, page 423, Aaron KELLY conveyed to James KELLY, William LONG and Andrew HOTT ” for a burial ground 20 feet off of the west side of the grave yard on my farm in Little Rocky Fork in Liberty Township in Highland County, Ohio, the graveyard being described in deed date 1841 of Ezekiel KELLY to same parties…containing 20 ft off the west end thereof. “This cemetery is enclosed by a cement wall and broad cement steps as a stile give easy access into the cemetery. All stones copied. Copied word for word out of the “CEMETERY INSCRIPTIONS OF HIGHLAND COUNTY, OHIO, Complied by David N. McBride, Attorney at Law and Jane N. McBride, Past Regent, Waw-Wil-Way Chapter, Daughters of the American Revolution Past President, General Duncan McArthur Chapter, Daughters of 1812, National Society Daughters of the American Colonists.
Land Office Record for Ezekiel Kelley
Ezekiel Kelley, Land Office Record
Dr. Forrest A. Kelley, Graduate of Creighton Medical School, Class of 1906
Dr. Forrest Kelley
I knew very little about my adopted mother’s father, Forrest Kelley, as he died before I was born. I knew that he was a doctor in Winfield, Kansas, but I never knew where he went to school and what kind of training he had. Medicine and medical school is very different now than it was at the turn of the 20th century. Thanks to google and ancestry.com, I quickly found out where he went to school, when he graduated and all about the Kelley family. Dr. Kelley graduated from Creighton School of Medicine, class of 1906. Creighton is in Omaha, Nebraska.
I found the following biography of the Kelley family on ancestry.com. I remember visiting Beaver City, NE as a small child but didn’t understand the connection with Mom’s family. Forrest was born on May 18, 1878 to John Weller Kelley and Rosa Eveline Wilson. Rosa’s father was Robert Wilson and probably why Forrest named his son Robert Wilson Kelley.
Nebraska, The Land and the People, Vol. 3 [database on-line]. Provo, UT, USA: The Generations Network, Inc., 1998.
Original data: Sheldon, Addison Erwin. Nebraska: The Land and the People. Vol. 3. Chicago, IL, USA: Lewis Publishing Co., 1931.Mr. and Mrs. Kelley became the parents of four sons and one daughter, all of whom were graduated from the Beaver City High School and all of whom survive the loved mother with the exception of the second son.
Charles M., eldest of the children, was born December 14, 1871, and is now a resident of Beaver City, where he is engaged in the real estate business. June 6, 1894, he married Miss Millie Robbins, of Stamford, Harlan County, and they have three children: Jay Sterling, born March 3, 1895; Elizabeth A., born September 26, 1896; and Clark W., born July 10, 1906. These three children were graduated from the Beaver City High School. In May, 1917, the month following that in which the nation became involved in the World war, Jay Sterling Kelley enlisted for service in the United States Army, and prior to his embarkation for overseas service he was commissioned a first lieutenant of infantry in the command that became the Eighty-eighth Division of the American Expeditionary [p.50] Forces. He had nineteen months of active overseas service, received his honorable discharge in October, 1919, and in 1922 he was graduated from the celebrated Massachusetts Institute of Technology, he being now sales manager for a large automotive equipment company in the city of Chicago. Elizabeth A., second of the three children of Charles M. Kelley, is the wife of Harry A. Rollings, to whom she was married August 6, 1923. Clark W., youngest of the three children, is, in 1926, a successful teacher in the Nebraska public schools.
Alonzo W., second son of Mr. and Mrs. John W. Kelley, was born in the year 1873, and his death occurred September 5, 1924. In 1916 he married Miss Irene Henderson, of Atwood, Kansas, where she now maintains her home, with her three children: Mary E., Ruth and Lonnie Eve.
Dr. Forrest A. Kelley, the third son, was born in 1878, was graduated from the medical department of Creighton University, Omaha, and is now engaged in the practice of his profession at Winfield, Kansas. He married Miss Mary Romick, of Beaver City, in 1908, and they have four children—Margaret, Robert, Harriet and Patricia.
Winfield T., youngest of the sons, was born January 15, 1881, and in 1905 was solemnized his marriage with Miss Eve Hinshaw, of Beaver City, where they still reside and where he is engaged in the meat and grocery business. Of their home circle the honored subject of this review has become a member since the death of his wife.
Lavina A., the only daughter, was born September 7, 1887, and February 14, 1918, she became the wife of Carl Theobald, their home being maintained at Beaver City, and their children being four in number: Robert and John, twins, born November 7, 1918, Martha, born in June, 1921, and Carlton Kelley, born February 6, 1927.
I have copied the “Course of Study” from the Creighton School of Medicine Archives, Early Years 1892 – 1910
The curriculum included courses covering principles and practice of surgery, theory and practice of medicine, military surgery (“particular attention will be given to the primary care of gunshot wounds”), eye and ear (with weekly clinic at St. Joseph’s) and throat and nose (also one weekly clinic). Obstetrics was thoroughly covered, with an operative course conducted “upon the manikin”, and “a fresh foetus. . .employed in order to accustom the student to feel and recognize the different sutures and fontanelles.” also included were “Gynaecology”, anatomy, practical anatomy, chemistry and toxicology (3 years of lecture and lab), and physiology (illustrated by vivisection)., etc.
The requirements for graduation were fairly rigorous by the standards of the day. The candidate had to be at least 21 and of good moral character; he must have studied medicine for 3 years, meaning 3 full courses of lectures of 6 months each, the last year of which must have been at Creighton, etc., etc.
My mother told us a few stories about her father. Because he practiced in a rural community, he made a lot of house calls outside of Winfield to area farms. Sometimes he let his children go along for the ride. And Dr. Kelley’s father, when he was old and very forgetful, would just stay seated in the front seat of the car waiting for Dr. Kelley to get called out so he could also go for a ride.
Dr. Kelley in his Car
The Kelleys did better during the Depression than a lot of folks, as Dr. Kelley often was paid with chickens or vegetables when the patients didn’t have cash. At least the family always had something to eat.
Forrest Kelley delivered so many babies in Cowley County, Kansas that he had a lot of babies named for him. Forrest became a very popular first name while he was practicing medicine. He kept a horse near Winfield and enjoyed riding.
Forrest A. Kelley
Forrest A. Kelley and his Horse
Creighton School of Medicine, Class of 1906
Dr. Kelley’s death was devastating for the family as he had been such a strong father. He had the last say on everything, even on the Kelley girls’ boyfriends and husbands. But my mother adored her father and Granny loved her husband. After Forrest died, someone asked Granny if she was ever lonely being by herself and she replied that she was only lonely for one person.
Forrest A. Kelley
Random Photos of People from Wichita, Kansas, or another ebay gotcha!
I bought a packet of photos on ebay that were described as “Vintage Lot of 40 old black and white photographs/portraits Wichita, Kansas WOW”. I ended up being the winner, although that title is dubious in this case. Guess I was curious to see if I knew anyone in the photos. I just received them today, but only recognized a couple of people.
I’ll post a few of them to see if there is any recognition and if anyone wants one! Please! Some of them are press photos taken by LuVerne Paine. She was the first woman photographer at the Wichita Eagle. I’ve copied some text from an online remembrance of her — she died at the age of 91 in 2009.
LuVerne Paine
The Eagle lost another alum this week. LuVerne Paine, the first woman to be hired on the Eagle’s photo staff died this week at age 91. I visited LuVerne last year on her 90th birthday and despite failing health at that time she still had fond memories of her many years spent at the Eagle.
Read more here: http://blogs.kansas.com/photo/2009/06/17/remembering-luverne/#storylink=cpy
Area Group Says They Enjoy Standing Up Straight
First Call Center in Midwest
Solemn Occasion for Area Couple
Two area women reading about Yet Another Unsuccessful Run by Gene McCarthy for President
The Unknown Roller Skater from Wichita
Kansas Cowgirl
Area Woman Giving High Colonic to Dead Chicken
confused local says she is Southern, doesn’t remember “bleeding Kansas”
Area Fashionistas
You Must Have Been a Beautiful Baby . . .Not So Fast
Ugly Children
Joan Rivers says that when she comes across an ugly baby and can’t think of what to say, she comments on how nice the crib is!
Here is some background in case you haven’t read my earlier posts. My older brother and I were both adopted from The Willows Maternity Sanitarium in Kansas City, Missouri. We aren’t related genetically, but grew up together and are close. As close as two complete recluses can be.
My brother is four years older. After my parents adopted him, they immediately set the wheels in motion to adopt another baby. Single child households were not common back in the late 1940′s – early 1950′s as these were the baby boom years after WWII.
In order to adopt another child, my older brother was taken to a child psychologist and interviewed. I’ve copied what the psychologist wrote about him.
Psychologist’s Evaluation
And she was dead on about my brother. From an early age, he showed incredible mechanical genius. He was a mad inventor even as a little kid. My brother made rocket fuel in the basement. He created a mechanical witch that popped out of the clothes hamper in the bathroom to scare me when I got up in the middle of the night to pee. And on and on. Mom said that whenever she visited his elementary school unannounced, he was always standing out in the hall being punished for one thing or another. Honestly, he was just bored. A.A. Hyde Elementary School didn’t appreciate his aptitude and also didn’t know how to handle him with the exception of making him stand in the hall.
In 1951, my parents were given the opportunity to adopt a baby girl (me). One month after my birth, they drove to Kansas City to pick me up. As you can see, I was skinny, very red and hairy. My eyes appeared oversized, much too big for my face.
Me at One Month. Taken when Mom & Dad picked me up in Kansas City
My big brother and me.
Four Month’s Old
The state of Missouri has finally changed their laws on Sealed Adoption Records. If both biological parents are dead (and you can prove it), you can petition the Court to receive a copy of your adoption file. (I have written more on this subject in earlier posts)
I finally received a very thick manila envelope of paperwork from the Circuit Court of Jackson County. Inside were pychological evaluations of my parents, letters of reference, copies of receipts, etc.
Of course, I have read through this file several times. I thought I had thoroughly read everything until yesterday when something new caught my eye!
Luckily for me, Mom didn’t see me through other people’s eyes. If she had known what the home visitor had written, that I was not pretty and not precocious, she would have driven to Kansas City and kicked her in the butt! Once they got us, Mom and Dad were the most loyal parents ever.
Below is copied from a letter that Mom wrote to the social worker in Kansas City. (a copy of her letter was in my big manila evelope)
Her hair is very dark for a tiny baby and her head is beautifully shaped. I have seen pretty babies, but none as pretty as Jan. Now, if we can just teach her all the things that must go with her being so beautiful.
I wish our pictures truly could show you how sweet our baby is, but some day we will be in Kansas City and we will bring her to see you.
Thanks Mom and Dad! R.I.P.
