Mary Alta Kerr Hendricks, my paternal grandmother, was born 130 years ago. She went by the name Alta. When my father was born they lived in Farmersville, Illinois. One summer my brother and I stayed with our grandparents and she taught me to knit. I was four years old.
Written inside the cover of her copy of The Book of Common Prayer.
Heritage from a post. May 2017. Ben H at WordPress says “This week, share a photo of something that says “heritage” to you. It can be from your own family or culture — a library, a work of public art, a place of worship, an object passed down to you from previous generations.”
She knit the blue Afghan and handstitched the quilt. She could tat and crochet, too. Made egg noodles and hung to dry on a broom stick.
Here’s another post for Throwback Thursday
My paternal grandmother, Mary Alta Kerr, born February 7, 1892 and her brother and sister. I need to do more research, dig around in a box, to get info on her siblings details. I know she called her sister “Sis”.
This is the grandmother who taught me to knit when I was little. No date on the photo. She looks to be 5 or 6? Maybe 1900-1901?
Mary Alta Kerr Hendricks passed March 13,1979 and is buried in Morrisonville, Illinois.
Great grandson Shawn Hendricks posted a photo of this tag found on his father’s (John)Afghan
Morrisonville, Illinois
This is a beautiful post, Ruth. “A grandma’s heart is a patchwork of love.”
Awww that’s sweet!
This is a beautiful tribute to your grandmother. I think she would be pleased to see it.
Thanks V.
Beautiful tribute Ruth, she would be so proud of this. Loved seeing all the family photos and her recipe box. Thank you for sharing!
Thanks for looking and writing, Carrie.
How lovely that you have so many things, particularly the photographs, from your grandparents
Yes it’s amazing to have these treasures as it was so long ago. Thanks, Sheree.
What a treasure trove! Wonderful photos of relatives and hand-made items!
Thanks, Erica.
Absolute treasures!
I agree Pam. Thank you.
I enjoy your heritage posts and love that recipe box! And the afghans list (looks like you got two!)
I do have two and my son Mark got a bicentennial one the year he was born. He keeps it on a chair back in his home office. Thanks, Yvette.
My FIL passed away in December and had two very old afghans – I ga e away one but cannot yet part ways with the older one (he said early
1900s from great grandma Bess) but it seems nobody wants these in our family.
So to hear your son has his in his office is nice!
No one else wants any of what I consider heirlooms.
Yes – and so maybe another good reason to take pictures of them and release (like you did with your other blog —)
That keep or pitch plan was supposed to help me get stuff out the door. It didn’t really help. I’ve listened to Swedish Death Cleaning while I try to release more! I don’t find it easy to do.
Haha / I have not heard of Swedish death cleaning ?
But for me – years ago – anytime I watched an episode of hoarders I found myself cleaning the garage cupboards – hahaha
Half kidding but funerals also
Help me release stuff / when you see folks leave a bunch of stuff behind – yikes –
It does help me scale back – but keeping stuff is nice too – hm
The Gentle Art of Swedish Death Cleaning: How to Free Yourself and Your Family from a Lifetime of Clutter
Book by Margareta Magnusson.
I think I need to listen to the audiobook again.
Sounds like a great book!
Wonderful post Ruth. So many beautiful heritage items, photos. I love the recipe box! And, your grandmother and I share the same birth date. A few years apart.😁
That is a fascinating story! And now we know why Ruth E knits so well.
Amazing tribute.
Thanks for sharing all of these historical family treasures, including how/when you learned to knit. I was also excited to read that you have an Aunt Vesta. Vesta is the name of my hometown, named after the postmaster’s daughter.
That’s fun to know about Vesta! Thanks Audrey.
Such amazing keepsakes and memories. You are doing your family proud.