Audio Stories
In the 1980's and 1990's Mike (Gen2) organized audio recordings of various Gen 1 family members, including both Joe and Helen's siblings.
grandma Monica's Life and uncle Dave's (Brother Quentin's) Health
1. Helen, Tess, and Mary – Mary: “Sometimes mom worked all night sewing clothes for the next school day” (8-9 children, in the 1930s). “Alice couldn’t go to school because she had no shoes”.
The family often suffered food insecurity – “they would have only boiled potatoes or cold oatmeal, no sugar and no milk”. For lunch they often had just pancakes or fried cornmeal mush.
2. Dave and Tony talked about Dave’s heart condition, including his heart bypass operation.
The family often suffered food insecurity – “they would have only boiled potatoes or cold oatmeal, no sugar and no milk”. For lunch they often had just pancakes or fried cornmeal mush.
2. Dave and Tony talked about Dave’s heart condition, including his heart bypass operation.
grandpa William's childhood and later years
“Dad was born on Clarendon ave. – the homestead”. He went to Dueber grade school – maybe two years of Central high school at most. He sold vegetables door to door as a child.
He met Monica at the St. Mary’s drama club. They were married in 1909, when Bill was 23 and Monica was 24. Many kids were born at 141 Fawcett.
Then they moved to 3129 W Tusc, a huge house with three floors. They had several servants, one that did the ironing, one to take care of the baby, a “colored” cook, a cleaner, and a chauffeur. William had a very large real estate business. He built 500 houses before the real estate crash of 1929.
He liked to sing when Monica played the piano. His favorite song was “Juanita”.
Voices: Mary (laughing), Tony, Mike, Dave, Tess
He met Monica at the St. Mary’s drama club. They were married in 1909, when Bill was 23 and Monica was 24. Many kids were born at 141 Fawcett.
Then they moved to 3129 W Tusc, a huge house with three floors. They had several servants, one that did the ironing, one to take care of the baby, a “colored” cook, a cleaner, and a chauffeur. William had a very large real estate business. He built 500 houses before the real estate crash of 1929.
He liked to sing when Monica played the piano. His favorite song was “Juanita”.
Voices: Mary (laughing), Tony, Mike, Dave, Tess
Joe's siblings talk about the sheriff's sale
The family home at 4521 3rd St. was saved by FDR’s Home Owners Loan Corporation (HOLC) program c. 1932 or 1933
Excerpts:
Uncle Bill jokes about getting a “stipend” for cost of being interviewed.
When the Sheriff arrived , Aunt Mary says, “Mom started to pray”. Luckily, no one showed up to bid. Then “Al Horstmann”, friend of Bill’s and an official in the Ohio Democratic party, got the home owners loan for William and Monica. Death of Tom.
Aunt Mary: “ Bad years, oh those years were so bad”.
Bill: “Dad knew all the plans”.
Tony: “had to grow vegetables to get spending money”.
Aunt Mary: “Joe and Norm were always late”.
(Voices: Tony “I lived there for my first 34 years” i.e. 1929- 1963, Bill, Wayne, Tess, Mike, Mary, Dave)
Excerpts:
Uncle Bill jokes about getting a “stipend” for cost of being interviewed.
When the Sheriff arrived , Aunt Mary says, “Mom started to pray”. Luckily, no one showed up to bid. Then “Al Horstmann”, friend of Bill’s and an official in the Ohio Democratic party, got the home owners loan for William and Monica. Death of Tom.
Aunt Mary: “ Bad years, oh those years were so bad”.
Bill: “Dad knew all the plans”.
Tony: “had to grow vegetables to get spending money”.
Aunt Mary: “Joe and Norm were always late”.
(Voices: Tony “I lived there for my first 34 years” i.e. 1929- 1963, Bill, Wayne, Tess, Mike, Mary, Dave)
childhood friends
Vikki, Mary, Tony, Dave, Wayne and Helen talk about childhood friends. - Circa 1990
jobs
Listen to Wayne, Mary, Tony, Tess and Vicki talk about previous jobs.
interview with Odane burnside (helen's cousin)
Listen to a phone interview with Odane Burnside, January 2003, age 87. Odane talks about the death of her husband and others. The interview was conducted by Mike.
Helen and siblings talk about their mother, Mary ann Immel Burnside
Bernice, Helen and Kenny discuss their mother Mary Ann Burnside (1980-1962) and her family. See the slideshow below for related pictures.
Recording of grandma Mary and Charlie Knouff ( her 2nd husband)
Recorded by Tom Berkshire, Bernice's son