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Tag: family history

Newspapers From the Past, Part 1

On March 4, 2021March 4, 2021 By nanasworldweb5 Comments

Ludington Daily News The postcard on the left shows the Ludington Daily News building in the early 1900s. My grandfather, Emil, (the one typing) worked there for several years starting in 1913. There was also the Record Appeal, a weekly publication that would condense the main stories from the Daily News, and add other news …

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Finding Frank, Part 1

On February 2, 2021February 2, 2021 By nanasworldweb9 Comments

No, I sincerely doubt if that's him. Frank is first mentioned on this blog by Foster in "Why You Probably Shouldn't Try to Eat a Broom". I guess you know I haven't given up on finding Frank. I won't go so far as to say it's become an obsession with me, but I've spent hours …

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Letters to Emil, Part 1

On November 19, 2020 By nanasworldweb20 Comments

Learning Swedish from "Google Translate" This is my great grandfather, Nels Johnson, in his tailor shop in Ludington, Michigan. I'm not sure of the date, or of the exact location, because he had a few different shops in Ludington over the years. If you remember, he's the one who made the wool quilt that Foster …

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What’s in a Name?

On November 2, 2020November 3, 2020 By nanasworldweb7 Comments

One of my great uncles was named Kermit. Whenever I mention this fact to people outside the family, they always question me: "Kermit? Really?" Today, people immediately associate the name with Kermit the Frog. But in 1916, well before the Muppets were ever thought of, little Kermit Johnson had a feeling his name would become …

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The Front Room

On September 27, 2020 By nanasworldweb11 Comments

You might remember... That ever since I was little, I have helped Mom paint. The first thing she painted after I came to live with her was the "Talavera Kitchen". That was when I discovered my natural artistic talent. It was also when I discovered the step stool, which enabled me to get into the …

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Daddy and Some Babies

On August 13, 2020 By nanasworldweb13 Comments

Okay, you've seen this photo before... It seems almost universal; we just don't think we will ever forget the people in our family photos. And most likely, we ourselves won't. But what about our descendants, when those of us who knew the subjects of the photos are no longer around?  The man in the red …

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International Panda Day

On August 11, 2020August 11, 2020 By nanasworldweb14 Comments

"International what??" Panda was busy looking at Mom's laptop. I turned quickly when I heard him talking to himself as he scrolled attentively through various international maps and images. "International Panda Day!" he responded to my startled question, as he continued to scroll. "I think there should be an International Panda Day, don't you?""Is this …

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The Rest is History

On August 2, 2020September 1, 2020 By nanasworldweb11 Comments

"Dude, have you seen Mom's desk lately?" Foster's words woke me up from a sound sleep. We were in the front living room, where we had been helping Mom go through some family history information earlier in the day. "Not recently," I replied. "I can't see the top of the desk unless somebody puts me …

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Mainly Concerning Books

On May 30, 2020May 30, 2020 By nanasworldweb10 Comments

"Books!" said Tuppence. After producing the word "rather with the effect of a bad tempered explosion", Tuppence then explains to her husband that it's incredible how much space all the books take up, and that she really doesn't know what she's trying to do with them.That is the beginning of "Postern of Fate," one of …

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Raised By Swedes (and at least one Dane)

On September 23, 2017January 28, 2021 By nanasworldweb

Perhaps you have picked up on the fact that I was "raised by Swedes"...and, to be accurate, a few Danes too. You have to be raised by Swedes (or Danes or Norwegians) to really understand the meaning of the phrase. Or maybe you've read enough of Garrison Keillor's "A Prairie Home Companion" to get it. …

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