On Uncles and Aunties

I think it was when Uncle George Humphrey passed away that I had a conversation with my brother Doug and we talked about what a good uncle he was and how all we cousins have been so lucky to have had such good uncles (and aunties, of course). Every single uncle and aunt always went out of his or her way, it seemed to us, to express interest in what we were up to, lend advice if needed and most certainly kept us laughing.

At Uncle Bill Alcott's recent passing, I was reminded that I had stashed away a letter he had written to my parents at my birth in 1952 while he was serving in the Army. He had also given me a necklace, a cross, that I still had tucked away in my jewelry box. I pulled them out today and wanted to post this photo and story for Doris, Marion, Carolyn, Lee Ann and Billy. We Alcott cousins may have drifted apart, moved far away (some of us), been busy with our own families, but we always hold dear all those happy memories of family life in the 50's, 60's and 70's.

I hope you can read the letter, or enlarge it enough -- it's very sweet (even though he expressed his hope that I had been a boy). In the photo dated December 1952, I am wearing the cross; I spent a nice afternoon cleaning it up and looking through pictures. Hopefully I will not let another two and a half years pass by before writing another family history post (so sorry)! --cds

Christmas Past

Since Jim and I are stuck here in Florida this Christmas all by our lonesome (sniff!  boo-hoo!), I have dared to dig into the photo box and pull out all the old Christmas photos I could find -- some are old, some more modern-era -- most are from my own collection, so I don't have too many from other Alcott families, but I have some. 

Judging by Aunt Ethel's lovely corsage (I secretly love those), I'd say this was a Christmas family dinner at the home of Ada and Bill Alcott -- Grandpa Carroll is there in the back on the right.

Santa Uncle Chet holding little Claudia, so 1952:

 

Not sure if this is a Christmas picture, but I meant to include it yesterday anyway -- wee baby Janet makes this 1952 as well:

 

Baby Claudia looks to be about 3 months old here, right, so this is probably December 1952 and Cousin Susan is carefully watching over me and playing with my toys!

 

I would love to have this tablecloth - Leonard, Claudia and father William Alcott:

 

Carving the Christmas bird - and I am rocking the tiara and Sally Star cowgirl outfit.  Oh, and the purse, too. 

I think this is also Santa Uncle Chet -- with Susan, Claudia and Claudia.

 



Same corner, a year later, and Santa has new glasses -- Janet, Claudia, George, Carole and others.

 

My brother Doug, so this is 1955:

At the Humphrey home and some of their very cool trainboards:

Doug and me on a Christmas Eve:

 

Our parents made us get washed, dressed and hair combed before we could walk down that hallway Christmas morning!  Pure torture!!  



Uncles Carl and Bill Alcott.

Eek!!

 

I understand that Doug and his boys have just reconditioned this same trainboard that our Dad made.  

 

This is Jim and Claudia's first Christmas together -- could we look any more 1970's??  

 

Here are my boys, Jamie and Joshua, probably 1981:

 

Santa Uncle Morrie visited Lois and Doug's home to see Jamie and cousin Patrick:

Patrick and Jamie (dressed alike once again!).

Santa Uncle Jack and Elf Cindy.

 

Santa Uncle Morrie with my boys and their cousin Dougie.

Cousin Alicia Bruce, playing with the Matchbox vehicles.

 

Lois with my brother Jeff's kids, Elaine and Cole.

 

A few of Lois's grandboys.

Jeff's daughter Elaine playing in her kitchen.

 

One of MY favorite Christmas past pictures.....  

--cds

A Christmas Eve Birthday

By my calculation, Jack Ellsworth Alcott would have been 90 years old today, correct? December 24, 1922. I think it would have been so special to have a Christmas Eve birthday - it's sort of a magical day to me anyway, I'm not sure why.  Happy memories, I guess.

 

So, our Uncle Jack was the oldest boy of the Alcott crew of 9 - often referred to as the President (did you guys hold meetings or what?).  He certainly knew how to keep the kids entertained at picnics.  I can recall lining up and listening, rather nervously because he was so serious-looking, to him go over the rules for the Peanut Scramble (oh yes, there were rules).

Jack is below holding Georgie, being smooched by Claudia Alcott and his daughter Jackie.  Len standing alongside (leaning a bit in order to fit into the frame!).

Jack, wife Thelma, Delores in back, Lois and Claudia on the ends; neighbor-friends in the middle.

Here is young Jack standing behind little Lois, cousin France in the middle, with Leonard and Delores.

 

Jack and Leonard, Lois and Carl.

 

This is a very old photo of the growing Alcott family:  Ethel, William Reynolds holding baby Delores, Thelma (Sis), Ada in back, the two boys are Jack and Leonard, with Grandpa Carroll (John E.) standing - am I right?  Someone is sitting in the car, but I can't tell if the person is male or female.

 

Jack doing what he did so well, dancing the ladies around the room - here with sister Lois.

 

Jack and sister Thelma (Sis).

 

Hello boys!  Leonard, Jack, George Humphrey and son Don.

May I just plug in here one of my favorite memories of Uncle Jack -- when I brought my Vermonter fiance to NJ to meet the family and Uncle Jack scared the bejeezus out of him by drawing poor Jim aside and asking him if he had any skeletons in his closet and telling him not to ever ever hurt me.  He's never forgotten that, Uncle -- good job!  --cds/ck

A Pretty December Wedding

Flipping back through my notebook of notes and dates and things, I discovered that this lovely little wedding took place 63 years ago, on December 3, 1949.  Delores Alcott and Morris Trout were married at the Thorofare home of the bride's parents, William and Ada Alcott. 

Sister Lois was Maid of Honor, wearing blue, I understand.  What do you think about that headpiece??  Hmmmm.....   And I believe the Best Man is Morrie's brother, Tommy?  Please correct me if I'm wrong.  [The cute little minister peeking through the background is Rev. Wayland, according to my notes.] 

Sweet-smiling little Delores, all grown up and married.

 Of course, our Aunti Dee was no stranger to lovely gown-wearing.  Here she is all dressed up for the prom.

 

 

 

 

Whoops!!  This must be a pre-prom photo.  [Sorry, Aunt Dee!  But didn't I say previously that we are all fair game and may all be subject to the posting of some of our more unflattering photos?]

 

 

Now this is better -- saucy!!

 

Very sweet family photo.  What color was the velvet dress? 

 

Maybe one of my favorite snapshots of Uncle Morrie.

 



 

Awwww.....  sweet brother and sister photo -- David and Susan Trout.

 



 

 --cds/ck