In all my years of family history blogging, I see I have somewhat neglected my maternal great-grandfather. This is the story of his life from 1867 to 1917, as told by my grandfather. By Laurence M. Smith, edited by Eilene Lyon Charles Edward Smith was my father, as well as the father of four other... Continue Reading →
Lila’s Quilt
Week 49: #52 Ancestors – Homemade By Eilene Lyon Recently my Aunt B emailed me to say she had “discovered” an old family quilt in her closet. It came down through my Smith ancestors and appears to have been made by my great-grandmother, Mary Lila (Reams) Smith. This crazy quilt is embroidered with the names... Continue Reading →
That Is Mighty Cold
Week 51: #52 Ancestors – Winter By Eilene Lyon My grandfather, Laurence M. “Smitty” Smith left us with a small stack of typed memoirs written in brief spurts. The following passage opens a piece he titled “The Early Years.” “During the winter of 1921-22 the religious fanatics in California were predicting the end of the... Continue Reading →
Motoring
Week 12: #52 Ancestors – Popular By Eilene Lyon I doubt I’d get much argument if I say that motor vehicles have been one of mankind’s most popular inventions. My great-grandfather, Charles Edward Smith, adopted the technology as soon as he could afford it. He had a grocery delivery business in Moscow, Latah County, Idaho,... Continue Reading →