Hi Robin I saw your post and although I'm not familiar with your Grandmother I am familiar with the Alsman name.If you knew her fathers name it would help alot. There is a gedcom file put on line by Allen Alsman you might find interesting you can find it at www.my-ged.com click on surnames and you'll find Alsman and there are many listed.
Was your father a Alsman? What was his name?
I'm fairly new at this myself and there is a Alsman research mail list if you'd like to be included let me know. I have learned alot from this list.
Patsy