{"id":16279,"date":"2016-08-26T11:12:49","date_gmt":"2016-08-26T15:12:49","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/blog.genealogybank.com\/?p=16279"},"modified":"2017-02-01T14:50:11","modified_gmt":"2017-02-01T19:50:11","slug":"use-newspapers-to-supplement-genealogical-memories","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.genealogybank.com\/blog\/use-newspapers-to-supplement-genealogical-memories.html","title":{"rendered":"Use Newspapers to Supplement Genealogical Memories"},"content":{"rendered":"

Introduction<\/em><\/strong>: In this article, Mary Harrell-Sesniak uses old newspaper articles to help tell the story of one of her treasured pieces of memorabilia. Mary is a genealogist, author and editor with a strong technology background.<\/em><\/p>\n

There are several old sayings and jokes that always begin or end with:<\/p>\n

There are two types of people in life.<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

If you want to apply this to genealogy, it\u2019s better stated as:<\/p>\n

There are two types of people in life \u2013 the purgers and the preservationists!<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

I was thinking about this after finding an old postcard of mine in my files. We as family historians are always the preservationists. We reject the notion that purging somehow unburdens ourselves \u2013 and we find stories in the memorabilia of the past, even a simple postcard.<\/p>\n

This is the story about one of mine, and I\u2019ll use old newspaper articles to help tell my story.<\/p>\n

Every Item Has a Story<\/strong><\/p>\n

If you\u2019re ever faced with the inevitable and sinking feeling that some of your descendants will turn your treasures into trash, document what you have.<\/p>\n

Even my postcard has a compelling story.<\/p>\n

\"Photo:<\/a>
Photo: postcard from the Paris restaurant \u201cLa Tour d\u2019Argent.\u201d Credit: Mary Harrell-Sesniak.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

It\u2019s from the oldest restaurant in Paris, La Tour d\u2019Argent. If I neglect to tell its story, then I\u2019m somewhat to blame if this postcard ever ends up in the trash.<\/p>\n

Here are some examples and strategies to enhance the tale your treasured memorabilia tell.<\/p>\n

The Background<\/strong><\/p>\n

Start with the background. Where did you get the item? Was it a gift, and what experiences are associated with it?<\/p>\n

Here is the background of my postcard.<\/p>\n

For high school graduation presents, my maternal grandmother gave her grandchildren money. Grannie, whose mother was a worldwide traveler, instilled that love in all of us, so the stipulation was that we should use the money for a trip.<\/p>\n

My funds went toward a European plane ticket and a Eurail Pass. Joined by my childhood friend Laura, we flew by ourselves to Paris and proceeded to travel all over Europe. It was very easy, as you only needed to show the Eurail Pass to get on a train and ride. No reservations were required, although at every border someone got on to check your credentials. At night we stayed in youth hostels for the grand sum of about $1 a night.<\/p>\n

It was a blast.<\/p>\n

The Other Graduation Gift<\/strong><\/p>\n

What else can you tell about your treasured memorabilia? There\u2019s more to tell about my postcard.<\/p>\n

Laura\u2019s parents were good friends with mine, and together they decided to give us an additional graduation treat: money to dine at a world-class restaurant in Paris, La Tour d\u2019Argent which translates as \u201cThe Tower of Money.\u201d<\/p>\n

We saved this treat until the end of the trip. With a reservation, we proceeded to the restaurant which has a commanding view of the Notre Dame Cathedral. It was all very posh and unless you were the host of the party, you received a menu without prices. No sense burdening your guests with the financial decision.<\/p>\n

As I was deemed to be the hostess, my menu displayed the prices. I\u2019m pretty sure my eyes got as big as quarters, as this was the most expensive meal I\u2019d ever had. Even way back in 1896, when the prices were published, this restaurant was considered expensive. This 1896 newspaper article notes there was even a charge for napkins and cloth. The accompanying cartoon of a diner with sticker shock has the caption: \u201cDo you like bisque [soup]?\u201d<\/p>\n

\"An<\/a>
Evening Star (Washington, D.C.), 27 June 1896, page 17<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

The dinner described in this article costs $12 in 1896 \u2013 about $349 (per person) today! Little wonder the man in the cartoon is suggesting they settle for mere soup instead.<\/p>\n

When Laura and I dined there, the preferred cuisine of the establishment was duck, a long-standing tradition we can read about in this same 1896 newspaper article, which describes Rouen Duckling. At that time, there was an elaborate style of preparation \u2013 \u201cthe bird is jollied up under your eyes\u201d \u2013 which I won\u2019t reprint since it doesn\u2019t seem appetizing by today\u2019s standards.<\/p>\n

\"An<\/a>
Evening Star (Washington, D.C.), 27 June 1896, page 17<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Upon finishing our duck dinner, the staff presented us with postcards enumerating how many ducks they have served \u2013 which is how this postcard came into my possession. As you can see, I was served duck number 438,207. That\u2019s a lot of ducks!<\/p>\n

\"Photo:<\/a>
Photo: postcard from the Paris restaurant \u201cLa Tour d\u2019Argent.\u201d Credit: Mary Harrell-Sesniak.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Colorful Histories<\/strong><\/p>\n

Don\u2019t forget to search for more details about your treasured memorabilia. You never know what secrets they might contain.<\/p>\n

For example, La Tour d\u2019Argent has a colorful past, some of which we learned after being presented with a souvenir playing card denoting its history.<\/p>\n

\"Photo:<\/a>
Photo: playing card from the Paris restaurant \u201cLa Tour d\u2019Argent.\u201d Credit: Mary Harrell-Sesniak.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n