An American Family History

Introduction by Maryon White, July 25, 1992
While Bill Smith's efforts to preserve family history have been primarily limited to facts, I have long felt the need to preserve what might be labeled fantasy. Our memories are notoriously unreliable, and yet, when compared to other people's memories, might help form a picture of the individuals in our backgrounds. With that in mind, I hereby start a "memory collection." 

I will jot down, as accurately as possible memories of our relatives. I hope you will feel free to correct my impressions, and more importantly to add any stories you can. Each time, the focus will be on just one part of the family. Of course, as this progresses, there will be repetitions and over-lapping, but I consider it a worthwhile project, and hope that at least some of you will feel the same way.

Perhaps some of you will wonder why I spend time writing about people long gone, and events probably best forgotten, but I hope some of you may find these accounts interesting and possible even of value as I tell you of the physical and emotional problems of some of our kin. There are many by-by-products from this memory exercise-some happy recollections, some sad reminders of things best forgotten, but mostly sheer amazement at the strength and fortitude that saw our elders through some really "horrific experiences."  I have already learned that I have had a pretty soft life, after all, and have come to appreciate more than ever, the wonderful aunts and uncles and cousins.  I have been privileged to share.

Letter Written by Jack Smith to Shelley Mitchell
Portland, Oregon
December 28, 1970

Dear Shelley,
Thanks for the nice card and letter.  No, we hadn't heard you were in Arcata. I don't know just how, but I was under the impression you kids lived in the San Francisco area.  I seldom hear from Virginia or any of the rest of those people down there except Ila. She usually writes us nice newsy letters on our birthdays and Christmas. She writes exceptionally nice newsy letters and of course, we appreciate them.

Relative to our genealogy. In 1925 or 26, the graduating law students all over the country that belonged to some fraternity took up tracing people's families as a means of making a few pennies to help tide them over until they could get established as lawyers. One of them let there in Red Oak for a couple of years, then left. I don't remember his name, where he went or the fraternity they all belonged to, but they traced by writing back and forth between them. He was supposed to trace back 5 generations on both sides. They succeeded on the Fox side (mothers') but could not go any further back on Dad's side than his father and mother and not very much about them, except they were very rich(?) and lived in Tennessee, and had 13 kids.   . .[He described the families here and I have included that part elsewhere]

Shelley, if you can make heads or tails from this, you have got me beat, but you asked for it, and maybe it will help you some.  We had the best Christmas I can remember. My whole family were here with the exception of my son in law John. He is doing a year in Thailand, so Kathryn will be with us til May at least. It's the first Christmas she has been home for 7 years, so it seems good to have her.Hope this finds you and yours all well and happy and with both front pockets full of $1000.00 bills.
Write again sometime,
As Ever, Uncle Jack    THE END

Letter from Bryan Smith to Shelley Mitchell
Moorcroft, Wyoming,
April 18, 1971

Dear Shelley,
I remember you children quite well. It is hard to write, I had to learn to print after I was 72. My early memories are very distinct. I would give a great deal if I had made notes of early family gatherings. My Grandfather Smith was a veteran of Mexican War, also a confederate soldier. Gus's birthday is mixed up, but I am sure she was close to me.  

Lest I forget, I will always remember your mother's family, especially Hazel and her kindness to Elmer.The Smiths always wanted to share.  

Now, Shelley, investigating your family tree is not so good.   Depends on what branch you follow whether you find a famous person or a hemp rope around the neck of some of your relatives and the other end tied to a limb of the family tree. Investigation is revealing. Interesting to see what 4 or 5 different historians will do with the same set of facts. On a rating of 100 for par, the average family history is 5. I can assure you that you come from above average family connections. Lots of kids with customary arms, legs, hair and teeth. No feeble minded ones, way above average. We are well as can be expected or better. Plenty to eat, burn and some money and happy. Would like to have stamina to write you some of the things I have learned.  Education should be a calculated risk.   Think it over.

Bill has received two weeks notice from Boeing after over 20 years. Jack is in Rawlings Wyoming, Joan in Seattle.   I am living. I still fumble and Stumble, but we are happy. I will never be free of Menier's Disease [vertigo].

Best regard to all.  Be sure and save your money as it may be worth something some day.
Love,
Uncle Bryan Smith

Introduction by Shelley Mitchell
When Maryon White entrusted me with the family memory books last year, I knew that they were too wonderful to just be kept at my house. I wanted to share these wonderful inspiring stories with everyone! I have transcribed all of the stories as carefully as I could and included as many photographs as possible. I realize that the finished product is not nearly as special or personal as the memory books, but at least the stories are there.

As I was typing the stories I read them again and was moved to tears of joy and laughter more than once. I am so proud to be a member of this unique and special family.

Thank you many times to Maryon for making this project happen, to Aunt Ethel for giving me an occasion to share it with everyone (the celebration this year of her hundredth birthday) and to my mother, Virginia Smith Miller for instilling in me the love and concern for family that comprises the thread that weaves all these stories together.

This story will never be complete and I encourage you to add to it as new generations are born and the stories change. As the tapestry that is our family grows and becomes more beautiful I hope these stories of how it started will inspire all of us to keep the spirit of our grandparents alive.