Dorothy's Diary

I am reading Dorothy's diary which covers the years 1948 to 1953. I am so excited to find details! First of all, I now know that Florence's birthday is Jan. 8.

While Dorothy and her husband had four young kids at home, her mom Helen and brother Al and sister-in-law Flo were part of her life. She saw her mom Helen about every week or two. Helen "came up" and sometimes even spent the night. The three also joined Dorothy's family each Thanksgiving. Someone would bring the pies. Flo and Dorothy gave each other gifts throughout the year. The kids got presents from their aunt and uncle. I am guessing each lived 30-60 min. away. Al and Flo bought a house in Temple City, CA on July 27, 1950. That is east of Alhambra.

More to come!

Starting Helen Pollock mystery

So, I have been researching my Grandmother Dorothy's dad's line. Now, I am attempting once again to research her mom's line. Helen Bell Pollock Kozub died 40 years ago yesterday (Feb. 25, 1975). I was born shortly before that.

Today, I visited my local Family History Center. Les was still there, but this time Allison helped me. We attempted to find new info. for either Helen or her parents or grandparents. We didn't find anything.

But I walked away with an assignment. I need to find the cemetary in Farrel, PA where Helen's mom was buried. Then, I can find more clues.

Also, there may be news articles on her mom, who lived in the same community for 50 years. I should check the local family history center and the churches as well.

Dorothy's Scrapbook Pictures

I recently visited my parents. While I was there, we scanned pictures from Dorothy's old scrapbooks, which are falling apart.

 She had taken a lot of pictures! Here are some pages from her scrapbooks, showing her handwriting:

The Two Grandmas. First Grandson.

Grandma Kozub Day before leaving. April 12, 1947

Mr. and Mrs. A.A. Kozub, married in Las Vegas April 5, 4[???]

Al the Civilian "Thanksgiving Day" Nov. 1945.

And here are some of her pictures!!

The first ones are of her brother Alexander "Al" and his wife Florence. Alexander had changed his last name to "Alexander."

"Al and Florence married LV April 5, 4-"

"Al and Florence September 1947"

We were not sure when Al changed his last name to Alexander. I thought it was later in life, when he was married to his second wife Millie. But I came across the funeral program for his first wife Florence. Notice that her married last name is "Alexander," not "Kozub." My dad thinks Al changed his last name during WWII.

Anyway, now I know this about Florence E. Alexander: She is a native of California. She died Oct. 3, 1980. She is burried in Rose Hills Memorial Park in Whittier, California.

Also, from the pictures, I now know that Al and Florence were married in Las Vegas, NV on April 5 in the 40's.

Here is another picture of Al, but I do not know who his is with.

"Uncle Al 1940"

Here is a picture of Dorothy's mother Helen Bell Pollack Kozub:

"Grandma August 1963"

 

I think I have posted a copy of this picture before. It is of Helen Bell Pollock Kozub with her two children Alexander "Al" and Dorothy (Dorthea in one census). This was most likely taken in Pennsylvania before they all moved to California following August's death.

And here is Dorothy in 1965: