Linda Huesca Tully

Born Going Up in the World

Joan Joyce (Schiavon) Huesca (1928 – 1987) 1928 was a year of prosperity, hope, and bravado. It was the middle of the Prohibition era, and Calvin Coolidge was president of the United States. The U.S., along with 14 other countries, signed the Kellogg-Briand Pact, also known as the Pact of Paris, a treaty that condemned … Continue reading

Amanuensis Monday: “This is the Wish of their Mother”

[Note: Amanuensis is an ancient word meaning one who performs the function of writing down or transcribing the words of another. Derived from the Latin root manu- , meaning manual or hand, the word also has been used as a synonym for secretary or scribe.] Inside cover of my mother’s baby book, as inscribed by her mother, Alice (McGinnis) Schiavon ca. July … Continue reading

Sentimental Sunday: Not Just Another Name on a Family Tree

My Mother, Joan Joyce Schiavon (1928 – 1987) Far from being “just another name on the family tree,” my mother was the reason for my passion for our family history and traditions. She came from a long line of storytellers and entertained us with her tales of not only her own family but my … Continue reading

My Wonderful Mother

Joan Joyce Schiavon (1928 – 1987) My mother, Joan Joyce Schiavon Age 26 Chicago, 1954 “So when are you going to write about my Grandmother?” A few evenings ago, my son, Michael, asked the question I have avoided for far too long. I told him I was trying to work toward … Continue reading

Amanuensis Monday: A Grand Aunt

[Note: Amanuensis is an ancient word meaning one who performs the function of writing down or transcribing the words of another. Derived from the Latin root manu- manual, or hand, the word also has been used as a synonym for secretary or scribe.] Benita Elizabeth McGinnis (1889 – 1984) From my Grand Aunt Benita … Continue reading

1940s Radio Days

Welner “Bing” Tully – (1922 – 2007) This week, the 1940census.com Ambassador program has asked its “1940s Ambassadors” to write about technology, science, or transportation during the decade of the Greatest Generation. And when the 1940 United States Federal Census is released in a mere 18 days, one of the first people I will look … Continue reading

Talented Tuesday: The Great Gene Sheebo

Francis Eugene McGinnis (1891 – 1961) Because both Irish immigrants and Irish-American were, in general, looked on with disdain during the late 19th century and even into the early 20th century, many are said to have taken to appearing in vaudeville as a way of gaining recognition and respect. It is said that by appearing … Continue reading

Thankful Thursday: The Wonders of Modern Medicine

Francis Eugene McGinnis (1891 – 1961) It was one of those trying weeks some years ago, the kind most families experience, when our three children, at the time preschoolers, came down with colds that developed into ear infections and strep throat. Between calling the doctor and flipping through parenting books to check symptoms, my … Continue reading

Mystery Monday: The Railway Men of Orizaba, Part 2

Edward Joseph Organ (1859 – 1893) Looking over the collection of photographs that belonged to my great-great grandmother, Catherine (O’Grady) Perrotin, I found one that was especially compelling and have been wondering about its subject for some time now. Though he was not my ancestor, he certainly was related to someone, and it seems only … Continue reading

Mystery Monday: The Railway Men of Orizaba, Part 1

Who are these men? This cabinet card photograph is part of a larger collection of “mystery pictures” that belonged to my great-great grandmother, Catherine (O’Grady) Perrotin. From the date on the back, it appears she received the photograph while living in Orizaba, Veracruz, Mexico, perhaps as she was preparing to move to England in 1895 … Continue reading