Monthly Archives: September 2013

Sep 26 2013

Eula’s Sunbonnet Sue Quilt

Sunbonnet Sue Quilt made by Eula Mae HOLDER LINN

Sunbonnet Sue Quilt made by Eula Mae HOLDER LINN

Eula Mae HOLDER LINN with her 'sunbonnet' on.

Eula Mae HOLDER LINN with her ‘sunbonnet’ on.

Eula Mae HOLDER LINN made this quilt for one of her granddaughters in the late 1950’s.  The pattern she used is now known as “Sunbonnet Sue”.  In the American south (including southern Indiana) the pattern was commonly called “Dutch Doll” . Eula probably came across the pattern in the Nov 1945 issue of the “Work Basket” handicraft magazine that she subscribed to for years.  Click here for a more extensive history of “Sunbonnet Sue”.

Eula hand appliqued the doll figures on the pink fabric with black embroidery floss, using a blanket stitch.  The backing of the quilt is pink and white plaid flannel and the whole is hand quilted.  It is interesting that she did not use any batting in the quilt, making this a perfect summer quilt.

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Sep 16 2013

They’ve Never Seen the Light of Day

There are millions of them.

They’re being photographed at record speed.

They’re all over the place and amazingly enough Google doesn’t have anything to do with it.

So, what hasn’t seen the light of day?  Historic records.

It took over 80 years to make a billion records readily searchable but volunteers made another billion available in the last 7 years. 400 million images a year are collected.  230 camera teams in 45 countries are now photographing historic records some of which have never seen the light of day according to Paul Nauta with FamilySearch.

The online website ‘Genealogy in Time‘ keeps a running list of what new historic records are on the internet, how many of what kind and if the service is free or fee based.  Some of their information states:

  • FamilySearch.org has added 2 million WWI draft registration cards from 1917-1918 which is 86% of the entire lot. Almost all men age 40 and under in the U.S. filled out one of these even if they didn’t serve in the war.
  • Archives.com has 3 million Continue reading →
Sep 13 2013

‘Mattie’ Elizabeth STEPHENS DENTON

‘Mattie’ was her nickname.  Born Martha Elizabeth STEPHENS to parents Levi and Rachel on the 11 Oct 1871.

She married Joseph Martin DENTON on the 1 Oct 1889 in Chattanooga Tennessee.

The place of her birth has not been firmly identified so if anyone has a source please share.

The picture below is a favorite because she is holding a doll in her lap. Note the hair bows.

Picture of 'Mattie' STEPHENS DENTON with children and doll

From left to right: Effie DENTON, Ernest DENTON, ‘Mattie’ Elizabeth DENTON, Gladys DENTON, Myrtle DENTON

Here is a picture of Mattie several years later:

Martha 'Mattie' STEPHENS DENTON in later years

Martha ‘Mattie’ STEPHENS DENTON

Sep 8 2013

Living in the Good Old Days

During hard or confusing times, we sometimes wish we could live back in “the good old days” when life was simpler.  Well, maybe simpler in some ways but not the way we imagine.  Let’s take a look at some of those days our kindred lived in:

  • Simple washing boards for the care and cleaning of clothes would be considered an upper body workout at the local gym today.  Many living today remember the introduction of the ‘wringer’ washing machine.  A true hand and time saver.  You would push the clothes through two large rolling pins, turned by a handle, to squeeze out water after washing.

    woman washing with wringer washing machine

    The newest technology in cleaning

  • War was simpler:  no drones or poison gas to complicate things.  You would probably see the face of your enemy and in some cases lay in bed at night and hear the simple sounds of cannon and rifle fire.

    Medalion ofDicey LANGSTON protects her father Solomon LANGSTON from Torries in SC

    Dicey LANGSTON protects her father Solomon LANGSTON
    from Torries in SC

  • Hey, food was organic for many years but Continue reading →