In the early 1870s, smallpox was widespread throughout Europe and claimed more than 170,000 lives in the German Empire alone. In response to the dire circumstances, the German Imperial Vaccination Law went into effect on April 8, 1874. This law required every child in Germany to be vaccinated before the age of three. This certificate of… Continue reading Smallpox
The Roosevelt Connection
Alice Lee Roosevelt died February 14, 1884, shortly after giving birth to Teddy Roosevelt’s first child. Her death rocked Teddy’s world and changed the course of history – he spent two years in the Dakotas mourning her loss and came back ready to reenter public life. Our family historian told me long ago that we… Continue reading The Roosevelt Connection
In the Kitchen
As someone who wears an apron every day, I have long appreciated their usefulness. I prefer a full apron with plenty of coverage to keep food splatters and dish water off my clothes – and I find myself accidently wiping my hands on my clothes if I’m in the kitchen without one. According to my… Continue reading In the Kitchen
Mystery Photo #1
This photograph was in a box of my grandfather’s memorabilia, alongside high school photographs and ration cards from WWII. Best guess? Mary Lucretia Duncan, my grandfather’s grandmother She was born in 1845, and would be in her teens when I think this photograph was taken (c. 1860s) The photograph is on a 2 ¾ x… Continue reading Mystery Photo #1
A Boy Named Manly
Manly Graves Langston was the first to be given the name Manly. The origin of the name remains a mystery – there are no family members before him with the name, and it was not especially common in 1872 (or ever, for that matter). The middle name Graves is also a mystery. Based on available… Continue reading A Boy Named Manly