My grandmother kept diaries as a teenager and I happened to get her diary from 1944-1946. I’m not sure what made my grandmother keep this one, but after she passed, it landed in my hands (with permission).
A bit about my grandmother:
My grandma was born Mary Jane Hummel in 1930, making her about 15 at the time of the diary. She was the youngest of seven (her oldest brother, Jack, was born in 1914) and came from a loud German family (as she told me anyway). She only had one older sister, Betty, who was four years older than her, the rest were all boys. I think the 1943 entries were actually by Betty and she probably gave the journal then to my grandmother.
She was a big movie buff and you’ll see that in her entries as she talks about movies she has seen and what star she loves at the moment. She was pretty much a normal teenager really – concerned about her hair, boys, and movie stars.
Here are the entries on her journal:
1943 (these are not written by my grandmother but are in the same journal)
1944
May 15-17, Aug 1, 7-8, Dec 24-25 1944
1945
1946
'CC' Richards, Daytripper Sippers
What a wonderful thing to do. Sadly I don’t have diaries, letters or photos but I took notes of the family memories my Dad shared with me over the last four years. When I feel able to transcribe them it will be a wonderful legacy. CC
NikiMarie
Diaries and letters are the rare find most of the time, sadly. I’m glad to have something like this from her! Notes of family stories from your dad will be a lovely family legacy one day 🙂
'CC' Richards, Daytripper Sippers
A beautiful and rare insight into your Nan’s thoughts as a young person. Can you ‘recognise’ her in her words?
My Dad started me on the family tree hunt when I was a teenager so it was a lovely way to spend the last few years with him, talking about what I’d found.
A history / family history blog is in the wings. I’ve posted recently on my Daytripper Sippers blog but a separate blog will be better.
I’m enjoying seeing how you’ve created your space here. CC
NikiMarie
You know, I can and sometimes I can’t recognize her in the entries. Sometimes she comes through very clearly as the grandma I knew and loved and others, it’s very clear she was a teenager. I love that though. I feel like I’m getting to know her so much better than before.
Good luck with your own new blog! It is a lot of fun and keeps me on task with my genealogy goals. I hope to read yours soon!
Sheryl
You are so fortunate to have your grandmother’s diaries. You can learn so much about both your ancestors and yourself from them – at least I did with my grandmother’s diary.
Nichelle Barra
So true! I wish I had more diaries of ancestors 🙂