This is my Grandmother's Great Aunt Elsa (right). That makes her my Great-great-grand Aunt!! Say that seven times fast! Born in Finland, she followed her sister to America in 1913 when she was 19 and became a successful seamstress. I bet she made her lovely outfit in the picture above!
In 1923 she married Nilo and they settled on a small farm to raise sheep. Even though she wasn't a seamstress then, my grandmother remembers the lovely things she made and the sheep she raised. Aren't they a dapper couple?
This is one of her sewing books. Years and years ago poking around in Grandma's wonderful closets I came across it.
Published it 1930 by the Women's Institute of Domestic Art and Sciences. The set consists of eight booklets covering just about every subject on sewing. From how to choose the right fabric to basic sewing stitches to making collars and cuffs to fitting and alterations.
One of my favorite sections, how to make a Jabot!!
Another picture of Elsa and Nilo later in life. Love her hat!
They are so cute! It makes me want to go and research more about them!! Maybe I will......
ReplyDeleteYea, we could do a little more research on them. I was going to ask Grandma about them too.
DeleteWhat a neat post! I love the pictures, and I've just been reading some publications from the Women's Institute of Domestic Arts and Sciences on Google Reader. Fun stuff! :)
ReplyDeleteOh neat! I didn't know Google had Women's Institute books. Have to check it out!
DeleteWhat an adorable couple! and so stylish. I wish I had old pictures from my family, but I don't. My parents came to the U.S. from Mexico in 1970. I think all my ancestors are Mexicans. It would be nice to do some research...by the way, all your family members from long ago are very good looking.
ReplyDeletexox,
Jacqueline
Thanks Jacqueline! We do have a few homely realitives, I just haven't posted them yet!:) We really hadn't seen many family photos untill my sister got into genealogy, then they all started coming out of the closets! So maybe you just need to ask at the next family get together. Family history is so fasinating! It is amazing what is inherited. A good place to start research is www.familysearch.com. They have a lot of Mexican records and they are free!!
DeleteLovely ladies. . .I like their outfits, too. And, what a wonderful collection of "family" you have! Always enjoy reading about them. . .
ReplyDeleteThank you! I do love my old family photos! Gives one such a sense of belonging. I will have to post a few more....
DeleteWhat a wonderful story. It is great to have such lovely pictures and heirlooms of your family.
ReplyDeleteHave a great day.
Yes it is! I am always so thankful that I do have so many pictures.
DeleteWow, that is so cool. I love the photos. I am interested in doing research on my family too.
ReplyDeleteResearching family history is so fun! You never know what you are going to uncover. It is also addicting! Have you done any research or just starting?
DeleteThis is such a great post! My question is, what is a jabot? So neat to have the photos of Elsa and books from here, that is so rare!!
ReplyDeleteI thought you would have known the answer to that one! Lol! I am sure I have talked about it before....
DeleteSimply put, a jabot is a neck ruffle. If you look at the third picture of sewing book, you will see a couple different variations.
Yes I should have known what that was, bring on the ruffles!!
Delete