January 1, 1879 To: Margaret Stinehart From: Julia Allen, Comstock, MI Daily accounting of the family life. Comstock, 1879 Dear Sister Margaret[1] January 1st, We[2] went to Keiths[3] and held New Years, Hanks family[4] there too. Nancys Pa plays on a violin, & her Brother[5] on the Organ so we heard good music. Hank give… Continue reading January 1, 1879 letter to Margaret Stinehart from Julia Allen
Many stories recounting forays into the realms of Spiritualism involving members of both the families of Ambrose & Matilda Brown and Charles “Luke” & Sarah Keith Jr. have been passed down through the generations. Letters and diary entries of various family members also mention spiritualism or attending a “circle.” The following are just a few:… Continue reading Forays Into Spiritualism
December 4, 1876 To: Luke Keith From: Sarah Keith Sarah is writing to Luke who is visiting relatives in Perry, New York, filling him in on things at home and also about their grandson, Claude, who is lonesome in their new home. Mondy Moring half past ten.[1] All able to eat our rations this morning.[2]… Continue reading December 4, 1876 letter to Luke Keith from Sarah Keith
October 23, 1876 To: Frank Tomlinson From: Ethan Keith, Galesburg, MI Uncle Joe Lee died. Ansel Lee, who lived in Titusville, Pa., was able to come in time for the funeral and will stay until everything is settled. It appears that Uncle Joe didn’t leave a will. Uncle Charles thought it was “pretty bad to… Continue reading October 23, 1876 letter to Frank Tomlinson from Ethan Keith
September 15, 1876 To: Frank Tomlinson From: Ethan Keith, Galesburg, MI Has a job with the Kalamazoo Valley Agricultural Works making pulleys & patterns for castings. The iron works in Lawton which employed 300 men has closed for a while and that “just about kills the place.” Nancy and Hannah are coming home to spend… Continue reading September 15, 1876 letter to Frank Tomlinson from Ethan Keith
October 17, 1875 To: Frank Tomlinson From: Ethan Keith, Galesburg, MI Writes about a robbery at the County House and Mr. Hopkins. Also an update on George Ives’ drill-tooth invention. Scan of 1875-10-17 Ethan Keith to Frank Tomlinson Galesburg Oct 17 1875 Cousin Frank It is over a month since I received your letter &… Continue reading October 17, 1875 letter to Frank Tomlinson from Ethan Keith
September 6, 1875 To: James Keith From: Nancy & Henry Brown, Lawton, MI Nancy and Henry were writing to her brother Jimmie to tell him all about their baby, Claude, and how cute he was and the fun things he did. Nancy had been working on sewing her dress, but it had been so warm… Continue reading September 6, 1875 letter to James Keith from Nancy & Henry Brown
August 18, 1875 To: Hannah Keith From: Nancy Brown, Lawton MI Elder Shepherd of the Baptist Church called on them. He knew Pa’s and Father’s folks and wanted to know if they had experienced religion yet. Told him no, not what he called religion. He could not answer the questions Hank asked him so they… Continue reading August 18, 1875 letter to Hannah Keith from Nancy Brown
December 10, 1874 To: Luke Keith, Galesburg, MI From: Sarah Keith, Lawton, MI Sarah is updating her husband on her travel plans. She will be staying until the fifteenth as Lois and Mr. Brown thought it would be best for her to stay until then. Lawton Dec 10th 1874 We have concluded it is better… Continue reading December 10, 1874 letter to Luke Keith from Sarah Keith
In Luke Keith’s 1873 diary, he made the following entries: Jun 5 – Worked on road. Warm day. Bot Sewing Machine $60. Paid twenty, gave note for forty payable in Eight Months. Jun 6 – Worked on road in forenoon, finished my tax. Warm and dry. Mr Ralph washed his sheep. Below is a document… Continue reading Luke Keith’s Road Tax
Digging through the stacks to find my family's history
~creating a legacy through story genealogy
A genealogical site devoted to the history of the DeKorn and Zuidweg families of Kalamazoo and the Mulder family of Caledonia
Cultivating Conversations on Family & Faith
Reflections
Sharing a love for Indycar with my sons
Letters & Diary Entries From the 1860s through the 1890s 