“Family Archaeologist” explores a century of family letters, diaries, and artifacts, and how they illuminate history and our shared humanity. To get an overview of the blog, click: “Welcome to Family Archaeologist”
LATEST BLOG POSTS
Trouble in Paradise—Love and War
All is not well on the Lil and Fred front. Lil meets another fellow who gets into serious contention with Fred for Lil’s affections. (To start at the beginning of Lil’s charming diary posts about her budding romance with Fred Gartz, go to Falling in Love 70 Years Ago and follow the weekly posts to the present). Tuesday [...]
“If I’m never happy again…” Giving Thanks redux
Lil turns 24 and parties with her Freddie, and several others. The next day after celebrating with her favorite girlfriends, she reflects on how lucky she is. (See Lil’s baby picture on her birthday post at Happy Birthday, Mom. If you’d like to start at the beginning of Lil’s diary postings about falling for Fred, go to Falling [...]
Hello, Darling. Hello, Sweetheart.
Lil and Fred are at it again–this time it’s a date to go horseback riding–if rain doesn’t interfere. These two knew how to party—Lots of kissin’, a good deal of drinking, out till 4 a.m—and an ambiguous “snack” described near the end. Sunday, October 5, 1941 Here I am again! Fred phoned my home yesterday afternoon….Mom [...]
Family Archaeologist—First Blogiversary!
It reads “Heartfelt Good Wishes for your Name DayDated November 18, 1910, Josef Gärtz sent this postcard to his sweetheart, Lisi Ebner to arrive on her Names Day, Nov. 19th, 1910 One year ago today I posted the oldest missive in my collection, this sweet postcard sent from my grandfather, Josef Gärtz to his [...]
A little jealousy doesn’t hurt
Lillian Koroschetz, 1937, age 20, about 3 years before meeting Fred We’ve been following along with Lillian Koroschetz, my mom, as she writes about the joy of falling in love with my dad seventy years ago, in 1941. To start at the beginning of Lil’s diary entries of falling for “Freddie” see Falling in Love 70 [...]
Happy Anniversary, Fred and Lil 1942 – 2011
Fred and Lillian Gartz, Nov. 8, 1942, outside church I’m getting a little ahead of myself here, but this post isn’t really a spoiler. After all, you did know my parents would be getting married—right? So even though I’m posting entries from my mom’s diary from seventy years ago, describing her and my Dad’s [...]
Love is dancing by ourselves
Lil and Fred, 8/27/1941—This is the first photo of the two of them together, and this diary entry confirms the date. North Ave. Beach, Chicago Charles Schultz wrote two memorable square-shaped little “Peanuts” books in which each page expressed a single, simple thought about love or happiness. You can click to see these classics [...]
I never thought anything so wonderful could happen to me!
Friday, August 22, 1941 Well, my Friedrich phoned me again on Tuesday, and wanted to go swimming with me Wed. But I couldn’t make it till Friday so we made our date for tonite. I picked him up at his office, Locust and Franklin Streets, and we went to the beach – North Avenue. It was [...]
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