The Root of Things (Megan Vanaski)

It's no secret that I have a passion for Victorian history yet what I enjoy even more than the subject is the research process itself. In the past month I've begun investigating our ancestry through the Winters and Chalifoux line. Though I've read what is printed in the Chalifoux calendars and I've poured over the photo albums at Grammie's house I still long to learn more. There are fascinating details and discrepancies found in census reports, marriage certificates, and draft registration cards. It adds color to the family members that some of us have had the pleasure to know and insight to those long before. There is something very special about reading a letter or document in one's own handwriting. I am enjoying this process immensely and wanted to share some findings here. 

WWI Draft Registration Card, 1917- 1918: Amor Cunningham

I find his occupation (line 7) as a waiter at the "Busy Bee Lunch Room" (line 8) particularly charming (though anyone who has worked in the food service industry may disagree!) 

The Registrar's Report (at right) lists his eye color as "Grey" which is a minor yet interesting detail.

[This is a downloadable JPEG]

Christmas Morn' (as told by Sam LaBarbera)

The fam and I would go up to Chicago every Christmas to celebrate with Gram.  Ideally, we aimed to go to midnight mass (which didn't really start at midnight) with Gram on Christmas Eve.  After mass, we would sit by the tree with some cocoa and cookies as mom read a Christmas story to us.  Sometimes Gram would sit in the living room with us if she wasn't too tired.  When the story was over, we would all crawl into our beds and sleep the night away....

One year, mom slept with Gram in her room.  The tale is told that at 7am Gram anxiously shook mom awake because she thought she heard the pitter patter of our feet upstairs.  Gram was up and ready to open presents :) 

Through routine, the fam would sit scattered around the living room with each of our stockings' contents spilled on the floor.  Michael was in front of the couch, mom in a chair on the right side of the room, gram in a chair closest to the entrance to the room, amanda by gram's feet, I was near the plants, and Megan filling in the gap on the floor/ couch between michael and me.  

After stockings, Mom and gram would work in the kitchen to get food started.  Sometimes we would help out simply because we were excited to open presents and it was approaching 11am already and the bellies were a rumblin'.  The traditional Christmas Breakfast: Egg Casserole, Muffins (as of the later years the flavors were blueberry and cinnamon chip), fruit, and on occasion, coffee cake.  

As the food cooked away, we opened presents.  After that was done, we went in the kitchen to chow down.  But before we did that, we all placed a birthday candle in our muffins/ casserole and sang an enthusiastic "Happy Birthday" song for Jesus.  Then, we would blow out the candles.  This was my most favorite breakfast of the year....

Sometimes our Christmas stay would extend into the upcoming year.  As we waited for it to be midnight on Decemeber 31, 1999, the fam decided to spend our time playing poker.  Gram had poker chips made from buffalo bones... so the story goes.  After several intense hands and one box of fannie may later, the winner showed herself.....ME! What a delight it was indeed.  But this story isn't about my winnings, but rather about the look on Grams face as she wore an aluminum foil tiara.  A priceless smile indeed.