TERRE HAUTE —
I recently came upon a collection of old picture postcards, possibly saved more for the pictures on the front than the messages on the back. But being a genealogist, I immediately wanted to discover clues about the family who wrote and received these cards.
First I determined that the cards were sent between 1903 and 1922, with the majority being dated 1908 through 1913. This grouping would provide an intimate snapshot of a family during several years of their lives. I read the cards and noted that most of the messages were between young children and their parents; the children saying they were having fun, were coming home soon, and missed their Papa or Mommie. All of these cards were postmarked Dana, Indiana, and mailed to the same parents at several different addresses in Terre Haute. A few more cards were mailed from Dana by other people and addressed to the parents or children back in Terre Haute.
I established a timeline for the addresses. From 1903 to the summer of 1909 the family lived at 729 N. 4th St. By September of 1909 they had moved down the block to 735 N. 4th St., and lived there until the summer of 1911. By August 1911 they were living at 908 N. 4th St., and lived there until 1913 and maybe beyond that date because this trail of postcards ended in 1913. A couple of later cards, dated 1922, showed the family, or part of it, lived in the 600 block of Elm Street. I concluded that this family rented rather than owned a home, at least during this period of time. For further research, a genealogist could go to the Terre Haute City Directories to trace the family’s movement from home to home.
The next step I took was to make a list of people writing the cards or mentioned on the cards. I got the names of five children: Margaret/Maggie, Mary, Edward/Ed, Lawrence/Larry, and Jesse (once referred to as Little Teddy). The parents were usually listed as Mr. L.J. (sometimes Lawrence) Monaghan and Mrs. L.J. Monaghan, but one card addressed to the Mrs. called her “Aunt Sally,” so now I had her first name. Following up on the census revealed that these people started out living in Dana and then later moved to Terre Haute.
There might have been something wrong with the child Edward because in one card he refers to his “brace.” (This makes sense because I learned from a relative of this family that he had contracted polio as a child.)
Four of the cards were addressed to people named Peer from Dana. One card addressed to Mrs. J.L. Peer from one of the children who called her “grandma.” Another was addressed to Mrs. Keziah Peer, so now I had her first name. The census revealed a Jesse Peer in Dana with a wife of that name. These were Sally’s parents. I collected other names of people in Dana, such as “Nell,” who didn’t sign their last names, but my working hypothesis is that they were cousins. It appears that the five Monaghan children, at least during the years of these postcards, frequently went up to visit their grandparents and other relatives in Dana.
One man, Frank Peer (often signing FOP), seemed to be a brother of Sally and in 1922 had gone to Casper, Wyo., to work for Standard Oil. Another cousin, Myrtle Conn, sent a card postmarked Winfield, Conn.
The final card, a “gold mine” for the genealogist, was from the Department of the Interior and referred to the pension application of Emily Mohnahan, former widow of James Daily, Indiana Co. H, for service in the War with Mexico, 1846-8. That definitely bears further research.
All of this information came from an innocuous pile of picture postcards sent by children missing their parents. Don’t just look at the pretty pictures.
History
GENEALOGY: Postcards are more than just pretty pictures
- History
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Looking back: In 1988, the drought caused water shortages in Parke and Vermillion counties
The drought caused water shortages in Parke and Vermillion counties. Both Montezuma and Cayuga were selling record amounts of water to farmers and residents of neighboring towns.
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Federation of Genealogical Societies conference in August
The Federation of Genealogical Societies will stage its 2013 conference Aug. 21-24 at the Grand Wayne Convention Center in Fort Wayne.
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Historical perspective: Engraver Fahnestock among local headlines in 1856
While perusing antique Terre Haute newspapers, the following story by editor-publisher Robert N. Hudson in the April 2, 1856 issue of the “Terre Haute Daily Express” attracted attention:
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Terre Haute fortunate to have a fine symphony orchestra
We are fortunate in Terre Haute to have a fine symphony orchestra as one of our entertainment venues.
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Looking back: In 1988, the Children’s Science and Technology Museum of Terre Haute opens in Central Christian Church
Eighty persons attended the opening of the Children’s Science and Technology Museum of Terre Haute, housed in the lower level of Central Christian Church, 720 Larry Bird Ave.
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Genealogy: Any community can take advantage of cultural tourism
Cultural tourism is a subset of the tourism industry that focuses on a region’s cultural heritage, lifestyle, history, geography, art and architecture. We may think of it as something elaborate and grand, like traveling to Europe or Africa to experience the culture of our ancestors, but it can take place in almost any community.
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Historic treasure: Fold-up map fit in glove box of Model T
My maternal grandparents used to love to tell the story of how they decided on the driver/navigator orientation on their road trips after their retirement.
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Histori9cal perspective: Mace and Hyde included among significant educators
Since this column was launched in January 1995, it has emphasized notable accomplishments of past and present Wabash Valley residents.
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Historical perspective: The death of newspaper publisher George M. Allen
The name of George Murdoch Allen, editor and publisher of the Terre Haute Express for 16 years, is rarely mentioned today.
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Genalogy: Gen Gathering site a great opportunity to volunteer
Gen Gathering is a website that aims to match volunteers who have access to resources and are willing to do someone a favor, with researchers who need help.
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Looking back: In 2003, Terre Haute Police Department resumes bicycle patrols downtown
In 2003, members of the Terre Haute Police Department resumed bicycle patrols in the downtown area.
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Historical treasures: Horses, buggies and the Fouts and Hunter Carriage and Manufacturing Company
In her history of the Fouts and Hunter Carriage and Manufacturing Company, Mae Hunter Weinstein wrote that her father, William Robert Hunter, always had a song in his heart. Maybe that joyful spirit helped Hunter and his son keep the company going from the Civil War through World War I.
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GENEALOGY: Info sought on people buried in Clay County
This week, we have several queries.
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HISTORICAL PERSPECTIVE: O.C. Simonds’ ideas launched Fairbanks Park
Among the first serious efforts to beautify the landscape near the Wabash River in Terre Haute occurred early in the 20th Century.
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LOOKING BACK: 1988: The Waffle House closes after 21 years
Dorothy Jerse looks back at local history from 10, 25 and 50 years ago as reported in the Tribune and Tribune-Star.
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Historical Treasure: Davis Gardens: Once one of the largest greenhouses in world
Another rainy spring day kept me out of the garden so I decided to research some gardening history at the Vigo County Historical Museum.
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Historical Treasure: The 1947 Terre Haute Phillies and the history of baseball in America’s Crossroads
As another spring blossoms, it is time for another season of baseball to descend upon the city of Terre Haute.
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HISTORICAL PERSPECTIVE: George Lance dominates intercity golf rivalry in 1927
What was expected to be a close match between two Terre Haute golfers for the 1927 Indiana Amateur Golf championship turned out to be a cakewalk.
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GENEALOGY: Follow ‘Tips on Caring for Documents and Photographs’
I recently read an article called “Tips on Caring for Documents and Photographs,” by Tamara Hemmerlein, Hoosier Heritage Alliance Coordinator for the Indiana Historical Society
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LOOKING BACK: 1988: Teachers issued rubber gloves to use in management of blood, other body fluids
Dorothy Jerse looks back at local history from 10, 25 and 50 years ago as reported in the Tribune and Tribune-Star.
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Historical Perspective: Wabash Valley is home to prominent comedy opera stars
Comic opera, a genre consisting of light hearted musicals, was introduced in Europe during the 17th century.
In the 19th century, several female vocalists from the Wabash Valley, earned national celebrity by using that art form to excel. -
Looking back: In 2003, Storm rips off half of Honey Creek Fire Department’s roof
A Saturday morning storm ripped off half of the Honey Creek Fire Department’s roof and caused heavy damage in Allendale. Wind gusts topping 60 miles an hour brought down power lines and trees throughout the county. Hail almost an inch thick and 1.5 inches of rain fell in less than an hour.
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Abundance of shoe stores existed downtown
Spring to me means putting away heavy winter sweaters and bringing out fun lighter sundresses. It also means the possibility of shopping for a new dress or even new shoes.
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Genalogy: Handwriting in 1700s-1800s Copperplate or English Round Hand
The primary style of old handwriting in the mid 1700s through the 1800s is sometimes called Copperplate or English Round Hand. This style of writing is much more recognizable and readable than the older Secretary Hand style discussed last week, and it is much less ornate as well.
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The death of Irish Kate Preston
The lifeless body of Catherine Preston, commonly referred to as “Irish Kate,” was found Saturday morning, Oct. 5, 1895, on a sandbar at the western edge of the Wabash River wagon bridge.
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Looking back: 2003: Sherertz sets nine-hole school record
Terre Haute North Vigo High School’s nine-hole record at Hulman Links was broken by golf team member Matt Sherertz who shot a 4-under-par 32 in a team-record win over Northview.
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Historical perspectives: Railroads were models of innovation and growth in Haute
Railroads have played an important part in the building of our nation and in the history of Terre Haute. It is no small wonder that these amazing machines were turned into children’s toys, as well as models for the more mature train enthusiast.
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‘Foreign’ letters to confuse a genealogist
Any serious family researcher will at some time or another encounter old documents in an older handwriting style that need to be read and deciphered.
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1988: 700 teachers unite in protest
At least 700 teachers were absent from their Vigo County School Corp. schools as part of a job action to protest lack of progress in contract negotiations.
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Genealogy: Vigo County Gold Star Honor Roll
FamilySearch International recently announced “the release of significant new enhancements to its web services that allow visitors to collaboratively build their family tree online, preserve and share precious family photos and stories, and receive personal research assistance–all for free.”
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