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The Christmas Tie

12/24/2020

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The Christmas Tie

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1By Sherri Onorati

Who came up with the idea of the Christmas tie and why is it still a Christmas present tradition
for many families?

It's become Dad's, and really any male family members go-to gift when you have nothing else to
give - a Christmas tradition ... sometimes, even when the recipient doesn't wear ties. It was a
tradition in my family for many years when my husband was in the United States Marine Corps,
which actually, I have no idea why because he wore uniform ties. But every year, he received a
tie from his sons and I, whether he needed or wanted one. In later years, it became a
challenge to find the goofiest tie to see if he'd wear it anywhere.

​Ties, or some semblance of a tie have been around for centuries. There's evidence of ties on the
terracotta soldiers found in the tomb of China's first emperor Qin Shi Huang in 221 BCE. But most experts date the initial appearance of the "tie" in the 17th century. Reportedly, "Croatian
mercenaries, hired in Paris by King Louis XIV, wore cloth bands around their necks to ward off
natural elements, which in their line of work included sword slashes." In addition to warding off fatal blows," neckwear took on an inflated importance, as even novelist Honore de Balzac wrote in 1818 that a cravat was protection against "colds, stiff necks, inflammations, toothache."
1

It's really not known for sure when the Christmas tradition of giving neckties begin, but it's most
likely during the Victorian age. It's definitely been around for at least a hundred years,
because this short commentary, found reprinted in the Fayette Falcon out of Sommerville, Tenn.,
is proof that even in 1919, men were already over that particular Christmas tradition!

Buying Unsuitable Ties
Tragedy Enough in Such Christmas Presents Purchased by Women, But They Might Do Worse.
"Look at the trouble that is being stored up there," sneered the morbid pessimist as he pointed
to a group of women around the necktie counter.

"It would be funny," he continued, "if it were not so tragic. Why it is that lovely women with all
her eye for the beautiful and with all her accomplishments cannot select a necktie for a man is
one of the things that rank with the unfathomable mysteries of life. I would sooner send a blind
man to buy me a "warranted sound" horse than I would enlist the services of a women to select
a necktie.

"Think of the fat men that will wake up on Christmas morning to find in their stockings a delicate
emaciated baby pink necktie that will look like a consumptive shoestring when it reposes on
their bountiful expanse of white shirt bosom. Then on the other hand, 'Bones, the human skeleton,' will probably get delirium tremens when he is made the recipient of a spotted necktie big enough to make a shawl for grandmom. Of course nothing will do for the nice, dignified old gentleman who never wears anything but a little black bow, but a flowing sash of passionate hue. Willie, the gay sport, on the other hand, will get something that would look nice on grandpa, and so it will go on down the line.

"Oh, the Christmas necktie! What tragedies are written in thy name!"

The pessimist paused.

Then he added thoughtfully, "I would, though, rather have my wife buy me a necktie than pick

out my cigars!" - Philadelphia Inquirer.

Printed in the Fayette Falcon (Somerville, Tenn.) Dec 19, 1919.

1 Turnbull & Asser "The History of Neckwear"
https://turnbullandasser.com/blogs/off-the-cuff/off-the-cuff-history-of-neckwear

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Dear Santa

12/20/2020

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Seeing isn't Believing but Believing is Seeing

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Whether known as Saint Nicholas, Sinterklaas, Father Christmas, Kris Kringle, Babbo Natale, Père Noël or Santa Claus, this legendary gift-giver is well-known around the world.

Along with an annual visit to sit on Santa's lap to tell him of their heartfelt desires, the tradition of writing a letter to Santa has been in practice for generations around the globe. Every year, children all over the world write their letters to Santa professing their good behavior throughout the year, testaments of minding mom and dad, and hoping that Santa will reward them with their wish list of toys.

The children of West Tennessee are no different, and although their letters and demands have changed through the decades, their dreams and wishes are still the same.

The belief in Santa helps them to
 believe in goodness and hope, motivating them to never give up... that anything is possible. Children learn that the invisible magic of the world is what helps make it more bearable and that seeing isn't be believing but believing is seeing.



Dear Santa Claus:
I love you very much. I want you to bring me a heap of things Christmas. I want a bridle. I have a saddle. My little brother Charlie wants a rocking horse. I hope your cotton crop was not like all the crops around here - short. This is what my papa says about his crop. Although I am only eight years old I have a little baby nephew. He wants a rattle. I forgot, I want some marbles and a pair of martin gails, and a heap, heap, heap of things, and oh! oh! fire crackers and anything you can get, and good things like little boys like to eat. Oh! I do wish Christmas was here right now. If it is cold I will have a big fire for you. I hope it will snow so you can come on your sleigh. Your boy, Robert W. Smith.
 
Memphis Daily Appeal (Memphis, Tenn.) Dec. 14, 1884

Dear Santa Claus, I have been a good boy. I want a cowboy suit and a pencil box, and I want a pair of gloves and a ruler about 12 inches long, and I want an Army Air set, and a baseball and bat, and a doctor's set. Your little friend, Billy Wayne Weaver, Rt. 1, Jackson, Tenn. 
The Jackson Sun (Jackson, Tenn.) Dec, 13, 1944


Dear Santa Claus: I am a little boy, won't be a year old until January 1, but want you to bring me a lot of things for Christmas. First, a snow suit, a big micky mouse, top, drum, and wagon. But most of all an automobile I can ride in so I won't have to have my auntie leave her work to take me riding. Be good to all the other little girls and boys, and I will be looking for you Christmas Eve.  Buford Wayne Ranson, 264. North Liberty. 
The Jackson Sun (Jackson, Tenn.) Dec. 3, 1936


Dear Santa, I am a little boy just six years old and have been very smart helping Grandpa cut wood and making Grandma good fires. Bow I want you to cram my sock from the top to the toe. I will place a box near the fire side for you put my big toys in as I want you to bring me a gun, toolbox, red wagon, and a Buick car now Santa please bring me the things I have asked for, for if you dont I will be a disappointed lad on Xmas morning and Santa please dont forget the Dear little Orphan children. Now Santa I will go by asking you to bring Virginia Nell a Doll so by by. From Cecil S. Brammer.
The Covington Leader (Covington, Tenn.) Dec. 20, 1922


Dear Santa, I am a little girl 5 years old. I have been a good little girl. I want a rocker, doll, house shoes, blackboard, set of dishes and nuts and fruits. Santa don't forget my little cousin J. T. Kolwyck, who is spending the night with me tonight. He is 4 years old, he has a little brother 2 weeks old, don't forget him either. J. T. wants a knife, a wagon, a little truck, fruit, nuts and candy. WIll my love Patsy Allen. Humbolt, Tenn. Ps. Don't forget all the boys in service.
The Jackson Sun (Jackson, Tenn.) Dec. 13, 1944

Dear Santa, I go to school at West Jackson but the building is being torn down and I have to go to school at West Jackson Baptist Church and I have a fine teacher, Miss Stone, and I hope you remember her too. I want you to bring me a Betsy Wetsy doll and a pencil box and lots of fruits, nuts and candy.  Kathryn Shires, Jackson
​The Jackson Sun (Jackson, Tenn.) Dec. 11, 1938


Dear Santa, Gee! It has been a long time since you were here. Santa, I promise I will be a better boy next year, so I want you to bring me a pair of skates, a bicycle, a size 26 satchel, and some kind of a game that I can play with in the house. Remember all the other little boys and girls and carry them as much. I will always be your boy and looking for you every year.   Bobby Senter, Medina, Tenn. 
The Jackson Sun (Jackson, Tenn.) Dec. 3, 1936

Dear Santa Clouse - How are you fine I hope I am a little boy 8 years old I want a air rifer and a tool box and lots of fruits.  Therman Turnage, Munford, Tenn. 
The Covington Leader (Covington, Tenn.) Dec. 20, 1922


Dear Santa Claus: Please bring me a kite, an automobile, a top, a ball, a harp and some a b c blocks, and I want some candy, apple, oranges, bannas and nuts – Big Charlie Brooks. 
The Dresden Enterprise and Sharon Tribune (Weakley, Tenn.) Dec. 24, 1915

Dear Santa Claus, I am a little girl nine years old. I have three brothers. Thomas Earl wants a stroller. Charles wants a tricycle. Kenneth wants a tram and a coloring book, and a book satchel. I want a book satchel that goes on my back and a little sewing machine. 
Bring us plenty of nuts and fruits and candy. Don't forget Daddy and Mother, Mama Carnell and Papa Fred, and Mama and Papa Wyatt. Santa look on the dining table and get you a piece of cake.
Hoping you and Mrs. Santa Clause a Merry Christmas. Love Betty Jean Wyatt, Jackson, Tenn. 

The Jackson Sun (Jackson, Tenn.) Dec. 11, 1938

Dear old Santa Claus: Will you please bring me a doll that has curly hair and opens and shuts its eyes, some rasins, apples, candy, oranges, bannas, and lemons and all kinds of nuts,  - Annie Skagg.
The Dresden Enterprise and Sharon Tribune (Weakley, Tenn.) Dec. 24, 1915
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West Tennessee family bible found in Oregon

12/18/2020

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OGS Library seeks descendants of the Alexander Erskine Scott family 

The Oregon Genealogical Society was recently donated a family bible belonging to the Alexander Erskine Scott family, whom they soon discovered was from the West TN area, specifically Hardeman and Madison Counties. Because they were unable to find a connection for the family to Oregon, they are looking for a family descendant to return the bible to. The following scanned pages have substantial family data. If this is your family, please contact the TN Genealogical Society at (901) 754-4300 for further info. 
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Help Bring the Blackwells to Life!

4/9/2020

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It's been just 100 years since women were given the right to vote as a part of their fight for equality. Lucy Stone, the first woman to earn a college degree in Massachusetts, dedicated her life to battling inequality.

The Library of Congress is looking for assistance in transcribing over 200 years of her family's documents to make these documents searchable and accessible and YOU can help from home while social distancing and helping to flatten the curve against COVID-19. Can you imagine the stories you may come across?!  It's a great project for older teens to help with too!
https://crowd.loc.gov/cam…/blackwells-extraordinary-family/…
@Crowd_LOC
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We're Living History... DOCUMENT IT!

3/31/2020

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Written by Sherri Onorati

From a historian and genealogist point of view... right now, what we're going through with the COVID-19 pandemic is a part of living history... and it includes EVERYONE! No matter gender, age, race or financial status.

And just like when JFK was shot, when the first man landed on the moon, and 9/11 ... people will talk about this for years to come ... generations even.

Our schools are closed, businesses shut down, necessities and food shortages, sports and event cancellations, and people are quarantined on a GLOBAL level! Thousands have died all over the world from this. Document it now! Whether you are an adult or a child. Keep a journal and document your feelings and thoughts. Handwritten or typed. Attach photographs or draw pictures of what you see or how you feel. Make a video, write a poem or song. Just write down ... document in some way what you're feeling... scared, worried, mad. Document your daily activities. What did you do for fun, safety, or sanity? Write about how you feel having to stay home... or if you didn't stay home. Did your school year-end early? Was your graduation year forever changed? Explain how serious or not serious this is to you. If someone you know caught the virus, how did you react or deal with it? Interview someone in person, virtually, or by phone. How are they dealing with this situation? How do you feel being away from the ones you love?

Record your life during this pandemic. This is history in the making. And we're all a part of it.

And then save it when it's all over. Take good care of it. Tuck it in with the other family mementos and precious memories. But save it for generations to come. Your grandchildren and great-grandchildren will learn from it. Help create a first-hand account of your life.

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Use your new indoor free time transcribing rare documents for the Library of Congress

3/24/2020

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​By Shaye Weaver
Thursday March 19 2020

It's easy to while away the hours inside your apartment watching feel-good shows or trying to make headway on some spring cleaning, but if you're looking to do contribute something, the Library of Congress will have you.

The federal cultural institution is asking for help in transcribing thousands of significant written and typed documents, from Rosa Parks' writings to personal writings of the leaders of the Women's Suffrage Movement and more.

If transcribing Rosa Parks's writings, you'll find that she was loving, compassionate, and nonjudgmental in the relationships that mattered most to her, according to the Library of Congress.

You can also explore the papers of leading suffragists such as Susan B. Anthony, Elizabeth Cady Stanton and Anna E. Dickinson, read through letters to President Abraham Lincoln or transcribe historical legal documents written in Spanish.

You don't need to sign up to try it, you just type on the page next to the document. When you're ready to submit, tag it with keywords and then sign up to edit your text.
​
So if you're up to both learn and help further society's understanding on a historical event or leader, now's your chance to contribute.

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Submissions Needed

2/16/2020

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Ansearchin’ News is the Tennessee Genealogical Society’s quarterly magazine which highlights historical stories, photos, documents, databases, etc., about Tennessee's past. 

Tina Sansone is the editor for Ansearchin' News and she is currently taking submissions: articles, photos, documents, Bible pages, transcriptions, etc. 

​While membership to the Tennessee Genealogical Society is welcome, it is not mandatory for submissions. The only condition is each submission must have a Tennessee connection - either lived in or had family in Tennessee or have taken place in Tennessee. 

She is also looking for one-time submissions, or even regular writers who will submit an article each quarter. If someone is transcribing microfilm or documents that pertain to Tennessee, that would be welcomed as well. If there is any question on ownership, such as photos, a release form may be requested. To view if a topic or surname has been written about, use our Ansearchin’ News search box.

If interested, email Tina at editor@tngs.org and tell her about your idea. She can send you the specifics such as font, etc. There is no limit on word count – if the article is too long she can divide it into parts.

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Closing out Family History Month

10/31/2019

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We hope you have enjoyed this series and learned a little more about researching your Tennessee ancestor. There are so many more topics and resources available than we have touched on here. Some of the topics are explored in more detail in the “Researchin’ Tennessee” series in past issues of Ansearchin’ News; members have access to these articles on-line at the Tennessee Genealogical Society website. These blog entries have sparked ideas for more topics; you’ll see more “Researchin’ Tennessee” posts in the coming months.
 
Some of the key resources that we lean on, and that were consulted for these blogs include:
  • Germantown Regional History and Genealogical Center;
  • Tennessee State Library and Archives;
  • FamilySearch Wiki;
  • and two great summary publications – the NGS Research in the State Series for Tennessee by Charles A. Sherrill, and from the Genealogy at a Glance series, Tennessee Genealogy Research by Michael A. Ports.
 
Special thanks to Sherri Onorati for posting the blog entries and attaching the graphics; to Carla Maitland and Lisa Junkins for sharing the blogs on the Tennessee Genealogical Society FaceBook page; and especially to my fellow researchers, Debra Kienzle and Barbara Hermann, for helping to research and write these posts.

                                                                                        ~ Nancy Walczyk, Director of Research
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Nashville

10/30/2019

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Fire in East Nashville 1916. This photo and more are located at the Metro Archives.
Nashville, in Davidson County, was originally founded as Fort Nashborough about 1779. It became the permanent capital of Tennessee in 1826.
 
The Metro Archives of Nashville and Davidson County are a major repository and source of Nashville records. Located on the third floor of the Nashville Public Library at 615 Church Street in Nashville, the Metro Archives hold a wealth of information about Nashville, including the records for the Metropolitan Government of Nashville and Davidson County, city directories, vital records, cemetery records, wills, court records and manuscript collections. A future blog will discuss the Metro Archives holdings in more detail.
 
As one of Tennessee’s major cities and the home to state government offices, Nashville began keeping vital records earlier than some other parts of the state. Nashville began recording births in 1881 and deaths in 1874. Indexes and scanned images of this data are available in two Ancestry.com databases, Tennessee, City Birth Records, 1881-1915 and Tennessee, City Death Records, 1872-1923. These databases are available to Tennessee residents through TEL.
 
Marriage records in Davidson County date back to 1789. Many of these can be found at the Metro Archives.
 
Nashville first published a City Directory in 1853. City directories from 1860-1960 are available at Ancestry.com. Hardcopies of the directories from 1853-1997 are available at Tennessee State Library and Archives (TSLA). The Metro Archives have directories from 1853-1929 on microfilm, and hardcopies from 1929 to 2002.
 
More information about Nashville/Davidson County genealogy research can be found through the Middle Tennessee Genealogical Society, the Davidson County TSLA Fact Sheet and the FamilySearch wiki.
 

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Memphis

10/29/2019

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PictureA page from the 1863 Elmwood Cemetery Daily Burial Record. Shelby County Register of Deeds has Elmwood Cemetery Daily Burial Records from 1853-1919, among other records.
Memphis, in Shelby County, was founded in 1819, and is celebrating its 200th anniversary this year.

As one of Tennessee’s major cities, Memphis began keeping vital records earlier than some other parts of the state. Memphis began recording births in 1874, deaths in 1848, and marriages as early as 1820.

One of the best resources for early vital records for Shelby County is the Shelby County Register of Deeds website. This site contains indexes and/or images for births 1874-1917, deaths 1848-1967, and marriages 1820-2014. The site also contains a state-wide index to Tennessee death records for the years 1949-2014 and many other databases of interest to a genealogist.
 
The Memphis and Shelby County Room on the fourth floor of the Benjamin L. Hooks Central Library has many valuable resources for genealogists, including microfilmed copies of local newspapers, a surname index, and funeral home books.
 
Memphis published the first City Directory in Tennessee in 1849. City directories from 1855-1960 are available at Ancestry.com. City directories from 1849-1943 are available on the Register of Deeds site. Hardcopies of the directories from 1850-2017 are available at Tennessee State Library and Archives (TSLA) and some are also available at the Memphis Public Library.
 
In addition to the resources listed above, more information about Memphis/Shelby County history and genealogy research can be found through the West Tennessee Historical Society, the Shelby County TSLA Fact Sheet, and the Shelby County FamilySearch wiki.

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