Tuesday, June 25, 2013

Tombstone Tuesday- Victoria Stravapodi Hurst



Victoria Stravapodi Hurst
Daughter of Joseph F. Stravapodi and Josephine Strahan
Mother of Francis W.J. Ladner and Franklin Hurst
Standard Sand Hill Cemetery





Saturday, June 22, 2013

Ancestors on Vacation

I just came back from a much needed vacation. Which led me to think about my ancestors and the types of vacations that they took.

Looking through the local news archives has led me to find various family members taking a vacation from their homes in New Orleans to what was then considered the Riviera of the South. The beaches of the Mississippi Coast.

The Mississippi Coast was a get away from city life. Here families could fish, boat, swim, relax and take advantage of the healing waters of the many natural hot springs.

My great uncle and aunt took one of those Mississippi Gulf Coast vacations in 1910 and their simple vacation getaway ended up being captured by the local paper. Thanks to the capture of a different kind.... 



Another popular place for my ancestors seemed to be Lake St. Catherine in Louisiana where they had a fishing camp. One of my great uncles sent a post card photograph home of himself holding his fish. On the back he wrote, "Fishing in Lake St. Catherine. Lovely weather, having a good time. Your Son, Henry"

My grandfather loved to spend his free time fishing. He and many of the residents of the Louisiana and Mississippi coasts enjoy fishing in the Rigolets. Which is an area on the Louisiana coastline. They spent a lot of time in the marsh hunting fowl as well. As is evidenced by the many photographs of family members holding their prized ducks.

My grandfather and relatives fishing in the Rigolets in the 1930's


They also liked to explore the historic areas while out fishing in the Rigolets. They took several photos of a local fort in the 1930's. Fort Pike was built in 1818 and was used by the Confederacy in 1861 and then claimed by the Union in 1862. It is presently decaying due to the many storms and time.


Fort Pike 1930's
Fort Pike 1930's


This past week I too visited  an old historic fort, Fort Pickens in Pensacola, Florida. While there I relaxed, swam, explored, and saw many people fishing. So, I guess when it comes to getting away from the stress of life for a few days not much has changed.




Tuesday, June 11, 2013

Thursday, June 6, 2013

Treasure Chest Thursday- Finding Family Heirlooms

The feeling you get after spending many years searching for a rare family book. When suddenly out of the blue a family member discovers the very thing you have been searching for. Packed away in their mother's old treasures and they actually scan it and send you a copy without your asking!!!
Priceless!!!

First Edition 18 pages, printed in New Orleans in 1875



Thank you so very much dearest cousin!!





Tuesday, June 4, 2013

Tombstone Tuesday- Sedonia Favre Mazarakis


Sedonia Favre Mazarakis
Daughter of John Baptiste Favre and Felicite Nicaise
Spouse of John Mazarakis
Waveland Cemetery
Hancock County, Ms