Thanksgivings Past

Newspapers can give us a clue as to what was going on in our ancestor's lives.  A search of the word Thanksgiving in the historical newspapers of Sumter County, South Carolina gave some interesting results about the way the day may have been celebrated by my ancestors who lived in that area over the years.

The Watchman and Southron
(Sumter, South Carolina)
Dec. 6, 1905, pg 5
Image from Newspapers.com

As much as things change, they stay the same. In this article from 1905, an opinion was given about stores being open on Thanksgiving Day. 
It was thought it showed a lack of being thankful. 

The Watchman and Southron
(Sumter, South Carolina)
9 Nov. 1887, pg. 6
Image from Newspapers.com

  This announcement in 1887 shows a list of those businesses who were committed to staying closed.


















Getting ready for the traditional turkey dinner was a little different years ago. For most, heading to the grocery store was not an option.
Most of my ancestors were farmers and would have gone out to hunt for their main course. They were given notice as to whether turkeys were plentiful or in short supply in a given year and in this case, where to find them.

The Watchman and Southron
(Sumter, South Carolina)
Nov. 22, 1881 pg. 3
Image from Newspapers.com

My in town ancestors may have been lucky enough to order theirs.

The Watchman and Southron
(Sumter, South Carolina)
Nov. 10, 1897 pg 3
Image from Newspapers.com

What about cooking and serving? Here's an add for those essentials.

The Watchman and Southron
(Sumter, South Carolina)
28 Nov. 1906 pg. 6
Image from Newspapers.com

The Watchman and Southron
(Sumter, South Carolina)
Nov. 19, 1911 pg. 4
Image from Newspapers.com

Does your family dress up for the big 
day? Wearing your best is a tradition held in many families.                               

The Watchman and Southron
(Sumter, South Carolina)
Nov. 23, 1912 pg. 2
Image from Newspapers.com

Did your ancestors travel to visit family on Thanksgiving Day?

The Watchman and Southron
(Sumter, South Carolina)
Nov. 17, 1897 pg. 4
Image from Newspapers.com

What kind of celebrations were held in your ancestor's neighborhoods? Here's some reports from Bishopville and Sumter.

The Watchman and Southron
(Sumter, South Carolina)
30 Nov. 1886 pg.2
Image from Newspapers.com

The Sumter Watchman and Southron
(Sumter, South Carolina)
Dec. 1, 1920 pg. 3
Image from Newspapers.com

Pisgah Baptist Church Services

The Watchman and Southron
(Sumter, South Carolina)
Nov. 13, 1909 pg. 4
Image from Newspapers.com

And a not so celebratory one

The Watchman and Southron
(Sumter, South Carolina)
Dec. 2, 1884 pg. 3
Image from Newspapers.com

Then there were the football games!

The Watchman and Southron
(Sumter, South Carolina)
Nov. 30, 1931 pg. 6
Image from Newspapers. com

You know that stuffed feeling we all get after eating too much Thanksgiving dinner? Our ancestor's felt it too.

The Sumter Watchman and Southron
(Sumter, South Carolina)
Nov. 26, 1902 pg. 2
Image from Newspapers.com

Finally, a holiday is always a good excuse for advertising business.

The Watchman and Southron
(Sumter, South Carolina)
Nov. 29, 1905 pg. 7
Image from Newspapers.com

What was Thanksgiving like for your ancestors? Take a look at the newspapers from their communities to get an idea. Most likely they celebrated in much the same way you do today. You may even discover traditions that have been passed down through the years. 

Happy Thanksgiving!

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Together we can find our people.

Thanks so much for stopping by!