Here We Go Again

Dear Blog Readers,

     It is the middle of July in the middle of the 2020 Pandemic. If there was ever a time to get back to blogging, it should be now. It has been over two years since I wrote about This Old House where I grew up in my Cousins blog. So what happened you might ask. The first reason is a normal one. I just got out of the habit, temporarily lost interest, the dog ate my computer. Pick one.

     The truth is I haven’t really been disinterested that long. Since the beginning of this blog in 2015, I have enjoyed the process, the family discoveries and the chance to get acquainted with other bloggers. When I finally decided to get involved again, I couldn’t find my dashboard. This is the second reason for this long hiatus. The dashboard is the management site of the blog where posts are written, corrections made, pictures added, fonts changed, anything that needs to be done before publishing. I could see my blog in its finished state that readers see, but I couldn’t add anything. Well, this went on for at least a year. I finally brought the problem to my son-in-law who got me headed back to where I needed to be. Thank you, Marc. You are the best!

     So, I am back.

     I was thrilled to find many comments to read which I will respond to soon. Also, I am hoping the readers who automatically receive this blog each time I publish will still receive it. Please, let me know if this is the case.

     Until next time. Stay safe. Wear your mask.

January 1, 1900

   

     At the turn of the century, Ginevra and John Mac Vorhies were about to see the first of their three children marry.  Estella, my great grandmother, was married on January 1, 1900 to Mr. Hiram Smith.

     When my husband and I lived in Springfield, Illinois, we had a friend who was a judge. He preferred not to marry young couples that wanted to marry on January 1, 2000 thinking it was too faddish.  Personally, I thought it was cool that my great grandparents were married on the first day of the 20th century.

     I wonder who witnessed this marriage. Were Estella's grandparents, Sarah Jane and Joseph Withrow in attendance? My guess is that they were since they lived so close.

     The following is the newspaper article about the marriage:

      "Mr. Hiram Smith and Miss Estella Vorhies were married at the residence of the bride's parents Monday evening at 7 p.m., Rev. Snodgrass  pronouncing the ceremony.  This union is in every way a strong and happy one.  Mr. Smith is one of Scranton's exemplary young men.  His character is irreproachable, his industry indefatigueable and his manner that of a gentleman.  His wife has been one of the community's most highly esteemed girls.  In her youth she has borne well her part in society and church work, and she is especially well qualified for the responsibilities of womanhood.  Her parents rank amount Greene county's best and most substantial citizens, and it goes without our saying that Mr. Smith has drawn a splendid prize from the matrimonial lottery.  From such an auspicious beginning it is not enthusiasm to predict a happy and successful married life for these new sailors upon the matrimonial voyage.  May their bark sail in pacific waters for many years, and anchor, when anchor it must, in the harbor of comfort, safety and blessedness is the wish of their many friends amount whom The Journal wishes to be permitted a humble place."

      Wedding write ups were somewhat different a hundred plus years ago. I think you would agree.