Ephemera, those little bits and pieces you find of someone's life, like ticket stubs, postcards, souvenirs etc. can really help tell a story.
Just as you keep little mementos from special events and trips, your ancestors did too. Don't make the mistake of going through a scrapbook or box of "stuff" and throw it out.
Take a good look at what was important enough to save and let it speak to you. If you listen you may hear the story it tells.
My maternal grandmother Azile Juanita (Daughrity) Roberts Sullivan (1921-2009) and her second husband Francis "Frank" Sullivan, Jr. (1922-2004) took a trip to New Orleans in November of 1960.
An adventure I had not known about until I discovered several items saved from the time they were there.
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| Azile and Frank Pat O'Brian's New Orleans November 1960 ©Cheri Hudson Passey |
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| The napkin is seen in the photo above under Azile's glass. |
City Guides for all the best places to see.
Post Cards to remember what they saw.
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| Canal Street |
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| La Fitte's Blacksmith Shop Bourbon Street |
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| French Quarters |
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| Restaurant Antoine Front |
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| Restaurant Antoine Back |
The menu from a restaurant.
This postcard sent to my dad while he was at basic training in the U.S.A.F. tells of their visit to the restaurant in November of 1960.
My grandmother writes "we were not too impressed".
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| Photo Post Card of Antonine's Restaurant |
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| Back of Antoine's Restaurant Postcard Sent to my dad John Allen Hudson by Azile Juanita (Daughrity) Roberts Sullivan November 1960 |
And a map to find their way around. Did they stay in the Bel-Air Motel?
This was a once in a lifetime trip for a small town couple.
Grandmom and Frank went to New Orleans!
What prompted their visit, how long did they stay and how did they travel?
Wish they were here so I could ask.
Thankfully, the ephemera kept throughout several decades tells a part of the story.
Have you discovered clues to your ancestor's travel? What types of items tell their story?
Thanks for stopping by!
Helping you climb your family tree,
