I found a small paper scrapbook in my grandmother’s belongings after she passed. I didn’t recognize any of the names, it wasn’t my family, so I wondered what to do with it? It was hand-made, very delicate, about 4 inches by 4 inches. The cover was flower shaped on thin, hand-colored paper. Tied with ribbon, each page had a photograph of a young woman along with her signature and a poem.
But where should I file it? None of the names were in my family tree. I wondered had my grandmother picked it up along her life path? Was it her friend? Did she think it was pretty? If it was my family and someone else had it, I would have loved to find it. So I began looking at the names.
The names in the booklet are:
Rosalia Anderson
Dorothy Bodwan
Eleanor Codwallader
Eleanor Clay
Ida Mary Davis
Anise Doup or Houp
Helen Hamilton
Josephine Lambert
Harriet Denkar
Masu Okubo
Alice Pierpoint
Mae Howell
Winifred Sutton
Evelyn Swenson
Marion Totty
The hand cut photos added to its uniqueness. It was clearly a treasure! Thanks to the internet I did a search online for a connection to any name in the book. One unique name revealed a match on Ancestry. I sent a message and got a quick reply back. Yes, it was her grandmother’s sister. After a flurry of emails, I sent her the digital copies of the booklet, yes it was indeed her family member. The Methodist Training school at San Francisco was also referred to as the National Training School. It was a 2 year Methodist college back then. 1932-33.
She sent me photos of her grandmother’s sister, Masu Okubo, wearing the same dress as in this picture. Names were written on the back and we agreed this was the same person.
I sent the precious scrapbook to their family. They were very, very thankful.
What are you thankful for in your family history research?
Geneographer 