American Legacies Organization, Inc.

The History of Halloween

By Jennifer Thompson

By Connie Sychowski

Editor Genealogy Corner

Halloween was brought to America in the 1840's by immigrants fleeing Ireland’s potato famine. Favorite pranks of today, egging, shaving cream or toilet papering differ from those that happened in New England which included tipping over outhouses and unhinging fence gates.

English style Cranberry Sauce

Makes 8 - 10 servings

12-ounce bag fresh cranberries
½ cup firmly packed light brown sugar, or to taste
1/4 cup port or sherry, more or less to taste

Combine the ingredients in a large saucepan. Cook over low heat, covered, until the cranberries have burst and the mixture thickens, about 20 to 25 minutes. Let cool, then refrigerate until needed. Serve cold or at room temperature.

By Ella Goethe Henry

Grandma’ Kitchen Comments

Rootbeer
My Grandfather, William Sturgen was born around 1874 and was almost 100 years old when he died. He used to make his own rootbeer. He would dig up sassafras root and cut it into 4 to 6 inch long pieces. Then he would split it lengthwise into ½ inch pieces about the diameter of a pencil to help it dry faster. After it sat on a shelf for a month to 6 weeks it was dry enough to use. 

Author Unknown

I was six years old in 1941. My parents had divorced and my mother was trying to provide housing for my two teenaged sisters and me in San Diego. There was nothing to rent as the city was bulging with military.

That Sunday we (the four of us) were busy converting my Grandpa's old chicken house into a house for us. My job was straightening the used nails for reuse via hammer and a big flat stone.

By Ethel Geary

Ma Mayfield

Johnnie Headrick Mayfield age 57 in 1945

By: Joe Mayfield

During the 1940s and 1950s people had to have a way to take care of the everyday things that occurred, from cuts, to burns, or just a splinter. There was no way to go to the doctor every time someone had a scrape, or scratch, it was necessary that they know what to do to take care of themselves.

BEFORE IT WAS WRIGLEYVILLE

by Mike Fak

Authors Note: I was born in 1948 in Chicago Illinois. Until 1960 I lived at 3824 North Sheffield, just a block and a half from Cubs Park. The following is a compilation of memories that for whatever reason I found myself compelled to turn into this story.

A picture of Mike Fak in 1955 outside Horace Greeley School yard.

The photo is of one of Alice's childhood homes with brother Curtis standing at the left corner. The old building is being restored by Danny Copelan.

To read Part One Click here