Wordless Wednesday: William Christman Children

William Christman Children
Originally uploaded by Andrea Christman

The children of William and Margaret [Kelliher] Christman (my husband's great grandparents). We have only identified the oldest girl. We are unsure if the child to the far left is a boy or girl? The baby could possibly be my husband's grandfather. Circa 1912 in Brooklyn, New York.

Tombstone Tuesday: Harry and Mary A[deline] [McDonald] Anderson

Anderson Headstone
Originally uploaded by Andrea Christman

St. Charles Cemetery (Farmingdale, Nassau, New York). My husband's paternal great grandparents. They are end-of-line for this branch. I have not put much energy into this couple and their common last names don't give me much hope! Adeline's maiden name was McDonald! One day I will have to get busy....The gravestone doesn't even have dates! They were both born in 1882 (exact date not known) in Brooklyn (I'm assuming) and Harry died around 1970.

Alphabet Soup...Oh Brother!

11th Edition of Smile for the Camera!

Prompt: The word prompt for the 11th Edition of Smile For The Camera is Brothers & Sisters. Were they battling brothers, shy little sisters, or was it brother & sister against the world? Our ancestors often had only their siblings for company. Were they best friends or not? Show us that picture that you found with your family photographs or in your collection that shows your rendition of brothers & sisters. Bring them to the carnival and share.  Admission is free with every photograph!

The next Carnival submission for March is on brothers and sisters and I immediately thought of this photo of my brothers and me. If you look closely, you will see wooden blocks spread across the floor and my two younger brothers are bare-foot. That was their usual mode of dress and boy were the bottom of their feet like shoe leather from running wild in the "country" where this house is located (and where my parents still live). The four of us were born within 5 1/2 years, consequently, we grew up together with similiar memories and experiences. I can't say that every moment was filled with loving, tender moments; but now that we are all grown with families of our own, we really enjoy being around each other and have truly grown to be friends! Derek and Craig still live in Texas (San Antonio), Ben lives outside of Denver, Colorado and I live outside of Washington, DC.  Whole family gatherings are not as often as we would like, but we do manage to squeeze visits with each other into our hectic schedules. At least the distance keeps Mom and Dad young by hustling them all over the US to "keep things even" and visit with each family. Thanks Mom & Dad--you have given us a great Legacy!

Our names are alphabetized from A-D; A being the oldest (that's me!)

Left to Right: Derek (3yr 5mo), Craig (4yr 4 mo), Benjamin (6yr), Andrea [me] (8yr)

My Brothers, My Friends

I love my brothers, my brothers love me. 

My friends, my heros, they always will be.

In sundry ways our uniqueness is clear.

I have gone gone far, but my heart is near.

They like playing sports and being outside.

I prefer play music and playing inside.

Sometimes we fight and scream at each other,

but always my friend for they are my brother.

Adapted from poem submitted by: Michele' Cobb

(Submitted by: scrapfauxfun)

Wordless Wednesday: Andrew Kempf

Snapshot of my grandfather (Andrew Kempf) and 2 friends! My grandfather was born 7 May 1897, so this photo is probably early 1900's....he lived to be 96 years old so I guess he always was young at heart!

Tombstone Tuesday: Joseph & Katharina Haldi

My Great, Great, Great Paternal Grandparents

Katharina

Haldi
GEB [born]
8 Mar 1807 [in Fellering, Haut Rhin, Alsace, France]
GEST [died]
18 May 1849

Joseph
Haldi
GEB [born]
6 Feb 1804 [in Echolzmatt, Switzerland]
GEST [died]
10 Oct 1878

Joseph and Katharina [nee Haller] Haldi immigrated to Castroville, Medina County, Texas on 5 Jan 1847. They arrived in Galveston, Texas on the ship, Schanunga.

They are buried in St. Louis Catholic Cemetery in Castroville, Medina County, Texas. The last name Haldi evolved to Halty by 1900 and is currently used today in Medina County with that spelling.

Katharina Haller Haldi died soon after arriving in Castroville, and her grave is the earliest marked grave in St. Louis Catholic Cemetery.

Jello Salad--Which Food Group Is It?

Weekly Genealogy Blogging Prompt: Week #6 - Let readers in to your kitchen. Discuss your family’s favorite foods. What was a typical Sunday dinner in your childhood house? What did grandma make that had you coming back for more? Were there any dishes that the dog wouldn’t even eat? Thanks to We Tree for the inspiration!

Well, I am a tad behind on my blogging, but I wanted to make sure that I blog on a prompt from 2 weeks ago! While I could describe any number of food traditions in my family, I think I would like to talk about....Jello!!!

The phenonomen of Jello Salad is totally lost on my Brooklyn, NY born and bred husband while it was a staple in my house growing up in Texas! In my house, jello was one of the basic food groups, while my husband doesn't even consider it edible! 

The big debate over any gathering, was 1) who is going to bring the jello salad? and 2) which jello salad should they make? 

Would it be the Orange Jello with Pinapple and Grated Carrots? My grandmother Kempf loved to make that one! 

Orange-Carrot Salad

• 1 (6 oz.) pkg. orange flavored gelatin
• 2 cups boiling water
• 1 1/2 cups cold water
• 2 large carrots, shredded
• 1 (11 oz.) can mandarin oranges, drained
• 1 (15 oz.) can crushed pinapple, undrained
• Carrot curls
• Lettuce

Dissolve gelatin in boiling water, and stir in cold water. Chill until partially set.

Fold carrots, oranges and pinapple into thickened gelatin. Spoon into an oiled 2-qt. mold; chill until set. Unmold on lettuce and garnish with carrot curls. Yield: 12-15 servings.

Or would it be the Rosy Strawberry Jello with sour cream topping? Here is the recipe handwritten by me in high school (circa 1975) where I got the recipe from my home economics teacher (I guess I am dating myself here!):

Rosy Strawberry Ring

Note: I usually made this in a glass dish and did not bother to unmold it. I would spread the sour cream topping over it before serving.

A twist that was sometimes served was Green Jello with Pear Halves. That was something special because it involved layering!

Under-the-Sea Pear Salad

• 1 can (16 oz.) pear halves
• 1 pkg. (3 oz.) Jell-O Lime Gelatin
• 1/4 tsp. salt
• 1 cup boiling water
• 1 TBS lemon juice
• 2 pkgs. (3 oz. each) cream cheese
• 1/8 tsp. ginger

Drain pears, reserving 3/4 cup of the syrup. Coarsely dice pears and set aside. Dissolve gelatin and salt in boiling water.  Add pear syrup and lemon juice. Measure 1 1/4 cups into an 8x4-inch loaf pan or a 4-cup mold. Chill until set, but not firm-about 1 hour.

Meanwhile, soften cheese until creamy. Very slowly blend in remaining gelatin, beating until smooth. Blend in ginger. Stir in pears. Spoon over set gelatin in pan. Chill until firm-about 4 hours. Unmold and garnish with chicory or watercress. Serve with mayonnaise, if desired. Makes about 3 1/2 cups or 6 serviings.

Note: Recipe may be doubled, using a 9x5-inch loaf pan.

~The New Joys of Jell-O, General Foods: White Plains, 1974. 69.

I am the proud owner of The New Joys of Jell-O (copyright 1974), and I have a couple of jello molds stashed here somewhere, but since getting married, haven't had a chance to use them much! LOL!!

Maybe on that next trip to Texas......