My grandma and grandpa had to uproot their family during the Depression in hopes of finding work. When they moved from Oakland to Salinas, my grandmother was like a fish out of water. She found friendship in her sister-in-law’s sister, Eva Nunes. The young mothers found common cause. There was a 40 year gap in…
Tag: 52 Ancestors
The Smiling Bride
I have several favorite photographs. But, a wedding photo from the early 1900s, has captivated my interest ever since the day it fell into my hands Not Your Usual Dour Turn of the Century Wedding Photo You ever notice that no one seems particularly happy in old wedding photos? It seems that the gravityy of…
A Fresh Start in Oakland: The House at 1935 E. 25th Street
I’ve written many times about how my great grandfather fled Hawaii when he was diagnosed with leprosy. They had a fresh start in Oakland, California, but what kind of a fresh start was it really? I found many details about the home they lived in when they first arrived. At the end of the article,…
52 Ancestors Week 40: My Grandfather was Married on the Same Day as His Great Grandfather
In the 52 Ancestors in 52 Weeks Series, Week 40’s theme is birthdays and anniversaries in October. I’ve already written about my Grandma Lassalle and about my maternal grandparent’s marriage. Who else could I write about? In going through my database, I found something of interest. My maternal grandfather and my maternal great grandfather chose…
52 Ancestors Week 38: The Portuguese of East 25th Street, Oakland
This week’s 52 Ancestors in 52 Weeks is easy. The theme is Favorite Place to Research and I know exactly where that would be. This is a very specific location. It is where my Portuguese research began: E. 25th Street in Oakland, Alameda County, California. What makes this street so special? Why am I drawn…