..............AND WHEREVER ELSE THAT LEADS ME...............




Wednesday, April 11, 2012

RUCKERS TOMB

Evergreen Cemetery.......


While driving by Evergreen Cemetery a few days ago, I caught a glimpse
through the trees of the massive Ruckers Tomb.
I hadn't seen the tomb in years* so I decided to take the time to visit.
Built in 1907 by the Rucker Brothers to honor their mother, Jane,
the tomb stands about 50 feet tall.


The granite tomb houses the remains of several of the Rucker family members.
There are twentytwo crypts in the tomb, about half of which are occupied.
At the time the tomb was built the cost was $30,000,
a fortune at that time.
The Rucker family is one of the prominent pioneer families of Everett, Wa.
and there are members of the family still living in Everett today.


Evergreen Cemetary has four governors buried there , as well as
Sen. Henry M. "Scoop" Jackson.


*Years ago I MIGHT have climbed this tomb
with friends......at night.....in the dark......
On second thought, I am taking the fifth.


                                                              

Thursday, April 5, 2012

Victorian Mourning Hair Art

Victorian "Family Tree" Hair Art Book..........................


There are nine pages in this amazing  book.
These pages were at one time tied together,
but the "ties" or ribbons are gone.
The family represented in these pages was from the Nora Springs,
Iowa area, and the dates are from 1887-1897.




Lillian M. Seaman......18yrs.





Benjamin Seaman...born August 6,1823




Binnie F. Seaman....born Oct. 30,1843........54years old




Alma......19 years old. Born 29,1867....died Sept. 26,1887.
This also has her hair from when she was two years old.




Josie, 17 years old, born August 31,1870...died Sept. 26, 1887
(Josie died the same day that Alma did. Interesting.)




Callie, 25 years old...born May 3, 1872.
This also has Callies baby hair.




Great Grandma Williams....83 years old.
Grandma Williams.....53 years old
Grandpa Williams.....80 years old.




Benji F. .....18years old....born Sept.4,1878





Everett F., born Sept 3, 1877......died Oct10,1894
Age 18.
( at one time a curl of baby hair was on this page)




The cover of this album.


I thought this was a real interesting example of
mourning hair art....as well as an interesting way to record a family tree.
Some in this family died at an early age and some lived to what was quite an old age for this time.

I am intrigued by the fact that two of the girls seemed to have died on the same day,
(Josie and Alma)
I wonder what the circumstances were?

Also the fact that some of the family have hair from when they were
babies as well as when they were older is interesting to me.
Was this because it was customary to collect "first curls"?
And was the fact that so many children died in early childhood the reason that
this was customary?

I think this is a lovely way to  mourn, remember,
and celebrate family members.

I do however find it sad that this is no longer in the possession
of the family that took the time to make this
tribute.


(This was offered in an online auction, I contacted the owner and 
she gave her permission to share it with you. )








Sunday, April 1, 2012

Mary Mourning Jesus

THE PIETA

Pieta
William-Adalphe Bouguereau
1876 


anonymous, circa 1500 (?)



Michelangelo


The Pieta is a subject in Christian art depicting
The Virgin Mary cradling the dead body of Jesus,
most often found in sculpture.
(Wikipedia)