Category Archives: Family History

A Writing Workshop With Donald Davis

Posted on May 5, 2023 by Ann Laemmlen Lewis

This week I participated in a special writing workshop with Donald Davis, Master Storyteller.  I’ve said before, he is a National Treasure.  A small group of us met with him at Karen Ashton’s home to learn and talk about capturing … Continue reading →

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Our Laemmlen Family Reunion, Reedley 2023

Posted on April 22, 2023 by Ann Laemmlen Lewis

We had a great day!!  I loved being with my cousins and uncles and their families once again.  When we were young, we got together every Easter at Avocado Lake or Roeding Park Zoo for an Easter egg hunt or … Continue reading →

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Grandma Elsa’s Kuchen

Posted on April 22, 2023 by Ann Laemmlen Lewis

Every Saturday morning my Grandma Elsa, who lived on the farm next door, baked her bread, rolls and Kuchen. The Kuchen was our favorite. She made her Kuchens using canned apricots, fresh apples or fresh Italian plums. Of course I … Continue reading →

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Visiting the Home Farm–Childhood Farm Relics

Posted on April 21, 2023 by Ann Laemmlen Lewis

It’s hard for me to visit the home farm now.  So much has changed.  What I see now doesn’t fit my memories of where I grew up.  I want to hang on to those memories.  I wish things didn’t have … Continue reading →

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The Binenes Meet Snow and Record Some History

Posted on April 4, 2023 by Ann Laemmlen Lewis

Yesterday morning when we woke, our world was WHITE.  The snow just keeps coming!  They say our mountains have more than 800″ of snowpack this year.  It’s incredible.  But it’s even MORE INCREDIBLE if you are visiting from Africa!!  We … Continue reading →

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Mary Ann Ellis Cragun’s Breast Cancer

Posted on March 17, 2023 by Ann Laemmlen Lewis

I often wonder how women dealt with breast cancer years ago.  How was it treated?  How did they cope?  Were there ways to cure it?  My own grandma, Ruby Smuin died of breast cancer weeks after I was born. I … Continue reading →

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Write Once, Read Forever

Posted on December 12, 2022 by Ann Laemmlen Lewis

I an known to friends and family as “the girl who wrote things down.”  I started writing in a journal more than 60 years ago.  There are some gaps and some years I kept track of things on calendars when … Continue reading →

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Will you share your words??

Posted on December 5, 2022 by Ann Laemmlen Lewis

I suppose the reason I keep a blog is for this very reason.  It is my hope that a child, a grandchild, or a great-grandchild (or beyond) might someday find a comforting word here and feel my love and make … Continue reading →

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Ideas for Family History Christmas Gifts or other Occasions

Posted on December 1, 2022 by Ann Laemmlen Lewis

Here’s a list of family history gift ideas you can make or prepare for your loved ones: Digitize old home videos and make a set or copy for each child. Make chronologies / timelines of each family member’s life. Write … Continue reading →

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Grandma Elsa’s House Dress Quilt

Posted on November 15, 2022 by Ann Laemmlen Lewis

When Grandma Elsa Laemmlen died in June 1988, the family members came to the home to find treasures to remember her by.  According to my dad, what wasn’t taken was put in the yard for anyone to pick from before … Continue reading →

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