The House I Grew Up In

I grew up on the sixty as we called it. Actually, I only lived there until I was in the ninth grade. My great-grandmother, Estella Smith, owned the farm and my dad farmed the sixty as well as her other two farms. However, in March of 1959 she died and all of her property was sold.  This house had been built new for her as a young bride. I never really thought about it until I started working on the family stories. There are so many extended family pictures taken in that yard from when my parents moved there in the spring of 1941.  But, I would like to know more about the very early years. After the farm was sold in 1959, numerous families lived there including one of my very dear high school friends. The house was torn down in the fall of 2002.

As I said, there are so many pictures which were taken in that yard. Some with the porch open, some with it after it was enclosed. Sometimes it looks really rough and other times, it looks like it got a little paint.

This is a picture from 1959. It is fun to also recognize my Grandma Grisso's blue 1954 chevy in the photo.



2002

Just before the house was torn down.



 I was thrilled to find the following picture in a pile of photos.



This photo has to be closer to when the house was first built (1910). Could that be Great- Grandpa Hiram Smith with his three oldest kids. Even though his stance makes me think of my Grandpa Grisso, I think it must be Hiram, Nina, Merroll, and Neva. I could be wrong.



 



M.T.A.

     Recently, we attended a music program and heard the well known Kingston Trio M.T.A. song about poor Charlie who couldn't get off the Massachusetts Transit Authority.  "Oh, will he ever return?  No he will never return, and his fate is still unlearned. He may ride forever 'neath the streets of Boston. He is the man who never returned."
     I am betting that some of my regular readers think I am the family genealogy/history storyteller that will never return. After all, I think it has been about two months since my last post. However, I checked my stats and found I have had about 700 viewers in the last two months. Good heavens, I have a following or there are lots of just accidental hits out there. Now I feel like I need to get back. Can I get off the M.T.A. which seems to be my euphemism for being an absent blogger.
     I was quite excited in January when I accepted the challenge of Amy Johnson Crow, a genealogy blogger who suggests a different topic to write about once per week for 52 weeks.
     The challenge started with "Start".    Then, went on to topics like Favorite photo, Longevity, Invite to Dinner, In the census, Favorite  Name, Valentine, Heirloom, Where There's a Will, Strong Woman, Lucky, Misfortune, The Old Homestead, Maiden Aunt, Taxes,  Storms, Cemetery, Storms, Cemetery.
      My only contributions have been those highlighted above. They are all linked to the post for your convenience if you missed one or just want to enjoy it again. (Happy Face)
      I attempted Valentine and Heirloom. They remain in draft form.
     And then I got busy reading, taking classes, entertaining company, and being sick. Lots of excuses. 

      So there we have it.

      Your guess is as good as mine as to when Charlie might get off the M.T.A or when I might post another blog. I am open to requests if any of the above topics sound like they could be interesting.

     The ball is in your court, as they say.