It only just occurred to me . . .

I was talking to a friend a few days ago about my blog and how I was mostly posting the journal entries from Journal #1 on the same day that Mary wrote them.  In other words, if Mary’s journal entry was dated September 8, 1930, I posted that entry on September 8, 2015. Well, it seemed like a great idea at the time. But it now occurs to me that it will take many years to get through that journal, let alone the other two journals, if I stay the course.  So, I’ve decided to drop that idea — and just get posting!

So here’s the next entry in Journal #1. Continue reading

On this day in 1930: A little work on the house

black-woman-girl-thinking-white-cartoon-writingEntry from Journal #1: September 5, 1930

Papered and painted the dining room.


There are only a few photos of the interior of Mary’s house.  None are of the “dining room” – but there is this photo of George Schenk‘s portrait, hung proudly above the piano.  This photo is not dated but I have often wondered whether it might have been taken shortly after George died in 1915.  Notice the flowers draped across the top of the portrait.  Sadly, we have not come across this portrait among Mary’s collection of items.  Also notice the sheet music on the floor next to the piano.  It reminds me of the pile that seemed to sprout on the floor next to our piano as my sister and I played happily together for hours when we were young.

George Schenk portrait on wall in house

Continue reading

Just hangin’ out by the swing

There are only a few men identified in this photo – but it’s a good one to share and has lots of interesting detail.  It appears to be a special occasion1 of some sort, as the men are dressed in suits and ties.   The man standing left of the man in the swing appears to be holding a pitcher of beer in his right hand and a mug in his left.  And several of the men are smoking cigars or cigarettes.  The young boy standing to the right of the swing is holding something in his hands but I can’t make out what it might be – a tray of beer mugs?  There’s only one female in the photo – the little girl in white between the last two men on the right.  Just to the right of the man on the far right is what appears to be a hammock.  And the shed behind the trees contains a couple of wagon wheels, or perhaps a wagon.Swing photo_with ref to photo collection added

Men on swing_back_with ref to collection added

Transcription of photo back:

1900- about Sept.

1

2

3

4

5  Jack Judd

6

7  Gus Johnson on swing

8

9  Oscar Ford behind swing rope

Mike Herzog

Swanson

Beaver

Marysville, Montana


1. special occasion.  Mary and George were married on August 29th of 1900 but the date on the back says “about Sept.”

Happy 115th Wedding Anniversary!

On this day 115 years ago, my great grandparents George Schenk and Mary Gertrude Rumping were married in Helena, Montana.  I feel so fortunate that our family has a few items to commemorate the event.  It must have been a special day indeed!

I like to imagine that if there was a reception that day, the wedding couple would have danced to this lovely little waltz, which George once referenced in a letter to Mary ~

Only One Girl In The World For Me

Left to right in the photo below:

Maud Rumping, George Schenk, Charles Schenk, Mary Rumping

98320009 copy

 

wedding giftsPhoto back reads as follows:

“Mr. and Mrs. Geo. Schenk’s wedding presents

1900 Marysville, Montana

On my mother’s porch”

 

wedding cake

Back of photo reads as follows:

“Mr. & Mrs. Geo. Schenk’s Wedding Cake”

 

And finally, their Marriage Certificate.

Mary and George Marriage Certificate