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
October 23, 1878 To: Sarah Keith, Galesburg, MI From: Hiram Crawford Jr., Chicago, IL Hiram is writing his sister, Sarah Keith, and trying to address some issues that have apparently been raised by her daughter, Louese, about her living arrangement within Hiram’s household. Hiram senses that Sarah is concerned about the level of work and… Continue reading October 23, 1878 letter to Sarah Keith from Hiram Crawford Jr.
January 21, 1877 To: Frank Tomlinson From: Ethan Keith, Galesburg, MI Didn’t write earlier as he figured that since his father was visiting Frank’s family and his mother was writing all the news, he didn’t need to write. His father returned about 1:00 Saturday morning and was pleased with his visit to the family. Scan… Continue reading January 21, 1877 letter to Frank Tomlinson from Ethan Keith
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
December 2, 1876 To: Luke Keith From: Sarah Keith, Galesburg, MI Recounts happenings at home while Luke was away visiting relatives. Between ailments that Alfleda and Ethan had she hadn’t gotten much sleep the last two nights. Fills him in on the rest of the family. Galesburg Dec 2d/76 Luke I received your letter last… Continue reading December 2, 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
January 27, 1876 To: Frank Tomlinson From: Ethan Keith, Galesburg, MI General news regarding family. Scan of 1876-01-27 Ethan Keith to Frank Tomlinson Galesburg Jan 27, 76 Cousin Frank, I guess I have waited as long as you did before writeing. Should have written before but Hannah[1] wrote to Nellie[2] so I thought I had… Continue reading January 27, 1876 letter to Frank Tomlinson from Ethan Keith
November 28, 1875 To: Keith and Brown Families, Galesburg, MI From: Nancy Brown, Lawton, MI They got a lamp burner. Now they can see to read or sew in any part of the room by turning the reflector. The lamp cost $1.40. Just after they had gone to bed they were awakened and told their… Continue reading November 28, 1875 letter to Matilda Brown from Nancy Brown
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 