Year: 1936
Sometimes, family history is passed down to those who merely want it or to the eldest, etc–but these heirlooms of human history are best served when it engages with genealogy, not merely ones personal genealogy, but the global genealogy. Shared.
I remember a feeling of gratitude when I stumbled upon a great great uncle’s eldest son’s eldest son’s ancestry page. He being the eldest of the eldest of the eldest had inherited all of the family photos. I as the eldest of the third, of the second, of the sixth, had nothing. But here he was, this distant cousin of mine, having scanned, dutifully attached, and shared this information out into the world. My information, his information… so many distant cousins able to SEE their great great grandfather because of his contribution to his far flung genetic and digital family.
This long ramble is to say, I’m the eldest of an eldest, and now I’m uploading my dearly missed grandfather’s baby book out into the world of current cousins, and the future second of fifth cousins who may become family genealogists, so that they might not be left in the dark.
This baby book is transcribed exactly as it is presented in the original document, which was handwritten and did not have the benefit of spellcheck.
My great grandmother Marion Hankinson (1915-2005) was 21 years old when her first baby was born, and about a year and a half into her marriage with my great grandfather Robert VanNostrand (1909 – 1966).
When I received the baby book I was told, “this is your grandfather’s baby book.” Yes…but also no, this is my great grandmother’s baby book. In this moment of time, she was a young, first-time mother, a decade younger than myself, putting together her baby book with all the same Firsts I look for in my own son 80 years later. She was the taker of pictures, and the one scrawling weights and walking dates.
Original Copy: VanNostrand_JohnRobert_BabyBook
When our Baby Came
Date: Dec 16 1936
Weight: 7lbs 13 oz
Where: Nunda Hospital
Physician: Dr. Insley
(in pencil) Nurses: Doris Slade, Dorthy Glaiser
We Named the Baby
John Robert Van Nostrand after John Thomas Hankinson [Her father] and Robert Bruce Van Nostrand [Her husband]
Telegrams
Ailine and Marcella Didas
Leora Thomas
Mr and Mrs Henry Scholis
W.H. and S.R. Smith …Methodist Minister and wife
Hazel Whiting
Carl and Frances Wheeler
Mr and Mrs Phil Hark and Family
Rachel Stevens
Cousin Melrose
The Christening
The baby was baptized Easter Sunday March 28, 1937 by Rev. Smith at Dalton Methodist Church. He wore his little long sleeved dress and blue silk embroidered jacket, also his first pair of shoes.
Baby goes riding for the first time
First ride. Dec 31 1936… two weeks and two days old. Ethel Smith took him downtown.
Weight
Birth: 7lbs 13 oz
1 Month: 9lbs 12 oz
3 Month: 14 lbs 12 oz
6 Months: 19lbs
1 Year: 25 lbs
2 Years: 30 lbs
3 Years: 34 lbs
4 Years: 42 lbs
5 Years: 45 lbs
Height
Birth: 22 inches
1 Month: 24 inces
3 Month: 25 inces
6 Months: 28 inches
1 Year: 33 inches
2 Years: 35 1/2 inches
3 Years: 37 inches
4 Years: 42 inches
5 Years: 3 feet 9 1/4 inches
Baby Has a Tooth
First tooth at four months and four days
April 20, 1937
Second tooth at four months and seven days
April 23, 1937
Two upper teeth at seven months and two weeks
Eight teeth at nine months
Twelve teeth at fourteen months
Bobby had all his teeth by the time he was two.
Baby Creeps
Bobby creeps at seven month and a half and walks around his pen at eight months. Bobby walked alone at ten months.
The First Word
Said “Ma- ma” “da-da” “bill” and “billy” “dog” (or “do”) > at 9 months
The First Merry Xmas
Baby’s first xmas …Dec 25 1936 … nine days old.
Bobby’s second xmas… Dec 25 1936 one year old. Had a big tree. Grandma and Grandpa were with us Xmas day. Santa brought lots of toys.
The First Birthday
First birthday – Dec 16, 1937
Celebrated by falling out of high chair. No harm done. We also got some new clothes.
Baby’s First Steps
Took First step alone at 9 months and 3 weeks while we were at Mothers. Walked at 10 months.
Journeys
Dec 24 1936 Hospital to Home
Jan 12 1937 First ride to Hornell
Jan 24 1937 First ride to Grandmas in Gorham
[END]
I never got to know you, but I know you were well-loved by your children great grandma. Thank you for all the photos.
Marion with eldest Robert, daughter Penny, and youngest Mike. Missing is second son Fred (maybe the photographer?)
Of the North Shore 