{"id":11907,"date":"2015-11-17T11:33:08","date_gmt":"2015-11-17T16:33:08","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/blog.genealogybank.com\/?p=11907"},"modified":"2017-10-02T10:50:07","modified_gmt":"2017-10-02T14:50:07","slug":"family-history-research-finding-blue-ribbon-winners-at-the-fair","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.genealogybank.com\/blog\/family-history-research-finding-blue-ribbon-winners-at-the-fair.html","title":{"rendered":"Family History Research: Finding Blue Ribbon Winners at the Fair"},"content":{"rendered":"

Introduction<\/em><\/strong>:\u00a0 In this blog article, Mary\u00a0Harrell-Sesniak demonstrates an important genealogy search tip: stories about your ancestors can be found in all parts of the newspaper. Consider, for example, articles about blue ribbon contest winners at country fairs. Mary is a genealogist, author and editor with a strong technology background.
\n<\/em><\/p>\n

An online collection of newspapers, such as GenealogyBank\u2019s Historical Newspaper Archives<\/a>, is a great resource for genealogy research. But don\u2019t just stop at the obvious choices: birth notices, wedding announcements, and obituaries. Stories about your ancestors can be found in all parts of the newspaper. Consider, for example, articles about the local, county or state fair.<\/p>\n

It\u2019s the rare family that didn\u2019t attend a country fair \u2013 and many had a family member who won a blue ribbon. Perhaps the local newspaper wrote a nice article about your ancestor when he or she won the blue ribbon at the local fair.<\/p>\n

\"illustration<\/a><\/p>\n

It may have been your Aunt Be, Uncle Mo, Cousin Shirley or Grandpa Joe. Do yourself a favor and go look for these sweet tidbits of family memorabilia. They were almost always featured in old newspapers.<\/p>\n

When researching old newspaper articles about fairs, don\u2019t stop at the obvious keyword searches such as: livestock, quilts, and pies. Many other fun and unusual awards were bestowed. Here are some of my picks of Americana blue ribbon awards.<\/p>\n

Horsemanship<\/strong><\/p>\n

Starting from a very early time, country fairs offered financial prizes for horsemanship.<\/p>\n

In 1855 there were not enough contestants for the prize at an Illinois county fair, so the judges announced there would be no financial premium (a first place prize of $50 had been offered originally).<\/p>\n

\"article<\/a>
Daily Illinois State Register (Springfield, Illinois), 29 September 1855, page 2<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

However, the judges did present two ribbons among five ladies who rode for the honors, \u201caccompanied by their knights.\u201d Misses Poorman, Archer, Cass and Orr, along with Mrs. Rosette, \u201crode around the ring many times\u201d in front of the spectators. Miss Cass took home the blue ribbon and Miss Poorman the red.<\/p>\n

By the early 1920s, photos accompanied the newspaper articles about ribbon winners at the fair. This one depicts Miss Katherine Kennedy Tod riding her horse Sceptre; they won the blue ribbon \u201cin the saddle horse class ridden by boy or girl not over sixteen.\u201d<\/p>\n

\"photo<\/a>
Colorado Springs Gazette (Colorado Springs, Colorado), 23 October 1921, page 42<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

If you search GenealogyBank\u2019s Historical Newspaper Archives<\/a> as well as the Web, you\u2019ll find that Miss Tod won a number of other prizes for horsemanship in her riding career.<\/p>\n

Blue Ribbon Babies<\/strong><\/p>\n

Who doesn\u2019t love a baby photo!<\/p>\n

Many babies of yesteryear were dressed in their cutest garb and taken to the fair \u2013 and entered in contests.<\/p>\n

\"photo<\/a>
Salt Lake Telegram (Salt Lake City, Utah), 1 November 1921, page 3<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

In 1921, Mrs. Anna McNamara displayed her two-year-old daughter Nancy at the Long Island fair.<\/p>\n

She won for being the prettiest and healthiest of the babies out of hundreds entered \u2013 and don\u2019t you adore the little shoes and her mama\u2019s hat. Just an observation, but perhaps the lack of a beaming smile tells us the little girl struck too many poses that day.<\/p>\n

Root Beer \u2013 Better than Beer<\/strong><\/p>\n

I\u2019m sure many people from 1920 \u2013 and even today \u2013 would agree that root beer is better than beer. Becker Products won the blue ribbon at the Utah State Fair in 1920 for its root beer, and this photograph appeared in the local newspaper. This image was timely, coming as it did right before the country entered into the prohibition of liquor.<\/p>\n

\"photo<\/a>
Salt Lake Telegram (Salt Lake City, Utah), 10 October 1920, page 15<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Scientific American\u2019s Flying Machines (Heavier than Air) Trophy<\/strong><\/p>\n

Although not a blue ribbon contest per se, when aviation fever hit the United States there were many prizes awarded. One was a magnificent trophy from the Scientific American valued at $2,500 that was awarded in 1907. The prestige of blue ribbon trophies was echoed in this article\u2019s text:<\/p>\n

The trophy is valued at $2,500 and its beauty at once brings to the lips the words “Blue Ribbon of the Air.”<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

\"article<\/a>
Plain Dealer (Cleveland, Ohio), 7 September 1907, page 2<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

It\u2019s thought that these prizes spurred the rapid advancement of air travel in the United States. If this is one of your interests, go look for more details in the old newspapers<\/a>. There are many lovely reports, including the names of winners.<\/p>\n

Bicycle Races<\/strong><\/p>\n

Aviation wasn\u2019t the only transportation method of contests.<\/p>\n

In 1901, Bobbie Walthour of Atlanta, Georgia, won a six-day bicycle race that ended at Park Square Garden. Once again, the prestige of blue ribbon trophies was echoed in this article\u2019s text:<\/p>\n

Hardly a foot separated Stinson from the leader [Walthour], and these two demonstrated beyond question that they were far superior to even the redoubtable foreigners who came to America for the purpose of winning these blue ribbon events of the indoor season.<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

\"article<\/a>
Boston Herald (Boston, Massachusetts), 6 January 1901, page 1<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Needlework and Quilts<\/strong><\/p>\n

Let\u2019s not forget blue ribbon quilts and needlework. Notice that in 1936, there were dozens and dozens of winners reported in this Texas newspaper. A special \u201cQuilt of States\u201d drew merited attention. It was constructed with blocks embroidered in state flowers with the colors and shields of each location.<\/p>\n

Let\u2019s hope this quilt has been lovingly preserved somewhere.<\/p>\n

\"Exhibition<\/a>
Heraldo de Brownsville (Brownsville, Texas), 6 December 1936, page 14<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

As part of your family history research in old newspapers<\/a>, include searches for articles about blue ribbon contests and award winners at country fairs. You just might discover a story about your ancestor that you won\u2019t find in any government record, vital statistics archive, or other genealogy resource.<\/p>\n

Have you found a blue ribbon winner in your family tree? If so, please let us know in the comments section.<\/p>\n

Related Articles:<\/strong><\/p>\n