Tag: Family History

“We were 50 years old…”

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Marie (nee Lawrence) Loraas and Mildred (nee Lawrence) Kaiser on their 50th birthdays on May 31, 1950.

This photograph is from the day that my great-grandmother Mildred and her twin sister, Marie, turned 50 years old. Mildred wrote on the back, “We were 50 years old…” with the date. Family tales explain that Mildred was born just before midnight on May 30, and Marie was born shortly after midnight on May 31. Both of their birth certificates list May 31, and apparently both of them always celebrated their birthdays together on May 31. Even when they grew older, they still looked very much alike! It’s sometimes hard to tell them apart in photographs.

Celebrating graduations

It’s that time of year again… graduation! Whether it’s high school, college or beyond, graduations are always a time for students to be proud of what they’ve accomplished and look forward to what lies ahead.

This is a photo on my grandparent’s graduation day. The met at college, were both part of campus Greek life, and sang in the choir. They were engaged in March 1957, graduated that spring, and got married within a month after graduation! Two of their children also attending the same university, where one of them also met his future wife!

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My grandparents at college graduation in 1957.

Continue reading “Celebrating graduations” →

It runs in the family… Birthdays

 

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My Papa and I at my first birthday, and close to his 69th birthday.

Sometimes I’m amazed at how often certain dates repeat themselves in my family tree. For instance, five living members of my family have birthdays in July, three of which are on consecutive days. My birthday is within a week of my sister’s and my grandfather’s consecutive birthdays, and sometimes we would have a triple birthday party together! My paternal grandparents and cousin share birthdays within 5 days of each other in November. My husband’s family also have birthdays within a few days of members of my family. Further back on my family tree, certain generations will have close birthdays as well.

Although our birthdays were close together, my mom would always make sure that each of our days was special. But some of my fondest birthday memories are the birthday parties with three delicious cakes- especially Papa’s favorite, German Chocolate cake! Continue reading “It runs in the family… Birthdays” →

Wordless Wednesday: Day with Grandma

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Look at these cuties! My dad and his sister with their grandma, Dorothy (nee Mueller) Jordan in 1962.

Nana was a WWII veteran

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At the age of 20, my Nana (Millie Kaiser) joined the Navy WAVES. She served for 22 months during WWII.

When I was in elementary school, my teacher asked us to interview a veteran as part of a Veteran’s Day project. While asking my grandpa and uncles if they were veterans, I was surprised to discover that my sweet, pie-baking Nana was the World War II hero of our family. She has recently passed away, and so I’d like to share her story in honor of Women’s History Month. Continue reading “Nana was a WWII veteran” →