Concerning my Great Grandmother Margaretta :
My Great Uncle Mike, Great Aunt Tilda Granroos (Margaretta’s Half sister), My Great Uncle Joe ( Mike and Joe were my Grandfathers brothers.)
My Great Grandfather Isak built a cupboard for Margaretta.
I will assume that this cupboard is still in existence and some part of the family has it…most likely Great Uncle Bill’s family.
There are not very many photos of Margaretta. I think she was pregnant in this photo most likely with her last child Uncle Bill.
My Dad said the other day that I look just like her. He remembers her fondly, she used to give him coins when he visited. Sometime just a penny or two but sometimes a nickel or a dime. That was a lot of money to a youngster.
Margaretta or Greta died in 1944. My Dad was 18 years old.
The newspaper obituary has Yliniemi spelled wrong…something that has plagued the name all of my life.
Warning: Casket Photo
Three of my Dad’s brothers were pallbearers…Oscar and Ervin on the left and Wilbert on the right.
We know from the death certificate that she died of Liver Cancer and from the obituary that she was ill for two months before her death. She was 76 years old.
I love the stories about your family. The cupboard is gorgeous - would love to have it my house.
ReplyDeleteShe was only sick for two months before she died at what seems more and more like a young age as I approach it myself. I like that smiling picture.
ReplyDeleteI love the old obituaries they used to write especially when trying to find information on ancestors, they have been a great source of information for me in my searches. She sounded like an amazing lady!
ReplyDeleteGreat story with pictures, always look forward to your Wed. Post.Blessings Francine.
ReplyDeleteMy family has trouble with the spelling of its name too - and it's a lot simpler than yours! Your family had a bunch of those tongue-twister type names! But they have a character to them - unlike "Johnson," "Peterman" and "Smith"! For one thing, you know anyone with the name is likely a cousin! I mean, how many Tilda Granroos could there be in Minnesota? :)
ReplyDeleteThe 'casket' photos are common to my family. My husband thought it is so strange to take pictures of our deceased relatives, my family did it all the time. I'm thinking the practice began because family members were spread out all over the country, and many could not make it to the funerals...so photos were sent. My theory and I'm sticking to it!!!
ReplyDeleteI find it interesting how some families do casket photos….
ReplyDeleteShe looks great!
She was evidently a much-loved lady. I do have some casket photos of my parents and my husband's mother. Not sure why, just do?
ReplyDeleteYou are blessed to have all this info and to document it here on the blog. Hope you and FG are doing ok.
ReplyDeleteThis is an amazing amount of information about someone from long ago. Here, I've seen very few coffin photos and none that are open.
ReplyDeleteGetting a nickel or even a penny back in the days of your dad's childhood must have been a treat, indeed! My husband remembers receiving a dime for each birthday from an aunt--and that was years after your story--and thinking it was a big deal! Sure beats schlepping around the mall, desperately hunting for just the right gift--not that they would have had that, or even done that back then ;).
ReplyDeleteYou certainly have gathered a lot of information on your extended family. Sharing photos with distant cousins is such a great help! I know you really appreciate receiving those from Verniel.
I think "Wistful Wednesdays" are my favorite postings, love Chance and everything you share. Thanks.
ReplyDeleteSo important to establish a health family tree, too.
ReplyDeleteShe must have been an amazing woman.
Wonderful to have so much family history in your hands...those photos are amazing.
ReplyDeleteJen
How fascinating. I've heard of people taking pictures of the open casket but I've never seen any. 13 children....I though she looked pretty tired in the photo where she was pregnant. The other photo does look like what I think you look like from your childhood photos. The cupboard is beautiful. I love all things old even as a child I did..old houses, furniture, people...if it was old I loved it! Thank you for sharing your family with us.
ReplyDeleteI never quite understood the casket photos that were so popular. Who wouldn't love a grandma that gave you coins--LOL! She sounds like a nice lady. :)
ReplyDelete