Holiday Customs - Family History & Genealogy Message Board

Re: Easter nests made of clothing?

jonathan761 — 2012-07-08 00:45:41Z

Well, being Jewish, that has got to be a Christian thing. Not being a native American, I can not imaging it would belong to them. Just a guess. Maybe one of the other three? LOL, maybe a drunken parent came home after binder. That maybe a joke but look back at national and world traditions for xmas, you'll see it is not to far off.

Jonathan

Re: christmas customs

Champlain9 — 2012-05-13 16:20:02Z

Me too!

Champlain

christmas customs

marigold64 — 2011-08-06 07:23:01Z

My mother's family was German and my father's, Irish. I think our family tradition was a combination of the two. On Christmas Eve we would open our gifts from our family and friends. Then during the night, "Santa" would come and leave our presents from him. When we grew up and knew about Santa, we kept the same tradition: We'd open our family presents on Christmas Eve, but our presents from our parents ("Santa") would be under the tree on Christmas morning! My husband and I kept this same tradition with our kids, who are now grown up and keeping the same tradition with their kids!

Re: Easter nests made of clothing?

sagesweetgrass — 2011-05-01 16:46:08Z

We also did this as children. However, our "nests" went beside our beds. With six siblings, I figured this made my mom's job easier by making sure we each got our intended basket. Recently, I asked my mom about this and she replied that it was what her mother did. Grandma had German roots. If you find anything on this, please let me know.

Re: Christmas Poem

ghritchie1 — 2011-01-02 04:33:55Z

Found the author of "Winnipeg at Christmas". Rose Fylemas 1877 - 1957. Cheers

Re: Christmas Poem

ghritchie1 — 2011-01-02 04:25:48Z

My 81 year old Mother recited this poem at the dinner table this evening. We too are looking for the author's name. My Mom was taught the poem in grade 5 or 6 in Isbister School, Winnipeg. That's as much as we know. Good luck. Gordon

Re: 7 fishes stew called baccala

rmmuldrew — 2010-12-13 02:58:46Z

Baccala (Italy), Bacalao (in Spain), or Bacalhau (in Portugal), simply means Cod.

Re: Christmas Poem

rmmuldrew — 2010-12-13 02:35:54Z

This poem has been reprinted so often errors are bound to creep in, but here is the definitive version. I transcribed it from a copy of the original PUNCH magazine (Volume 178) where the poem was first published in 1930. You'll see from this version that the poetic meter is perfect.

WINNIPEG AT CHRISTMAS

In Winnipeg at Christimas
There's lots and lots of snow,
Very clean and crisp and hard
And glittering like a Christmas-card
Everywhere you go;

Snow upon the housetops,
Snow along the street,
And QUEEN VICTORIA in her chair
Has snow upon her stony hair
And snow upon her feet

In Winnipeg at Christmas
They line the street with trees —
Christmas-trees lit up at night
With little balls of coloured light
As pretty as you please.

The people hurry past you
In furry boots and wraps;
The sleighs are like a picture-book
And all the big policemen look
Like Teddy bears in caps.

And oh! the smiling ladies
And jolly girls and boys;
And oh! the parties and the fun
With lovely things for everyone —
Books and sweets and toys

So, if some day at Christmas
You don't know where to go,
Just pack your boxes up, I beg.
And start at once for Winnipeg;
You'd like it there, I know.

R.F

Re: Christmas Poem

rmmuldrew — 2010-12-13 02:20:34Z

The name of the poem is actually "Winnipeg at Christmas". It was first published in Punch magazine in 1930.

SURNAME: Nicolas? Anyone out there?

John_Eileen_Family — 2010-12-06 14:40:32Z

I'm in search of those with the surname 'Nicolas' of French origin. I believe my great great grandfather was Felix Francois Nicolas. He was born in France around 1832 and, I believe, emigrated to Canada and then to the U.S. and ended up in Washington, Iowa. He died 20 May 1891 and is buried in Lakewood Cemetery, Minneapolis, MN. I'm basically "stuck" and don't seem to be able to get any further back in history. I also am looking for the maiden name of his wife, who was of Irish descent and named Joanna Francia. Any clues appreciated!!

Re: Boxing Day

mindfoggs2 — 2010-06-22 18:43:23Z

I know this is a 3yr+ post but I believe Boxing Day must have come over with the British when they took over Canada as England still observes Boxing Day on 26 Dec.

Where Boxing Day came from in England, I don't know.

Easter nests made of clothing?

Shelley_Floyd — 2010-04-05 17:39:27Z

It has been a long-standing tradition in our family to make Easter nests out of the clothing we wore for the day and leave them in a general area of the house, like the living room. These are then filled by the "Easter bunny". Originally, we recieved candy treats as well as new clothing, usually our swim suit for the coming warm days. Does anyone else celebrate like this? Any idea where it originated? Some family names: . Origins in Ireland, Prussia, possibly Holland. Native American roots and possibly Jewish ties. Any connections would be appreciated.

Re: Christmas Poem

margmartin1234 — 2010-01-20 17:18:24Z

I have " stony" hair too, from my old version. It's the one I use.

Re: Christmas Poem

EdPascal — 2010-01-20 16:04:06Z

Whoops - the name of the poem is "In Winnipeg at Christmas", rather than "In Winnipeg at (or in) Winter".

Ed

Re: Christmas Poem

margmartin1234 — 2010-01-19 18:21:14Z

Here it is 2010, with the Christmas of 2009 just past and the interest in " In Winnipeg At Winter" goes on !
I've been collecting photos to go with the poem for some years and this month I will finally start work on the picture book I have long planned to do. I've just been " waiting " for my grand daughter to be old enough to enjoy it.
Thanks for the link to the alternate words. They were the ones I had . I suspect with every recitation, it changes a little :)

Re: Christmas Poem

bettythompson150 — 2008-12-29 19:36:40Z

How nice to see that since my original post in 2002 re the poem In Winnipeg At Christmas, there are still people discovering it's existence, and enjoying it. Merry Christmas to all! If you look up Rose Fyleman on line you will find lots of information about her.

Re: Christmas Poem

sud123 — 2008-12-29 18:34:53Z

I saw this poem for the first time in my life. (I'm 79)But my wife immediately said, "Oh we had to memorize it in school. I come from Reg9ina Saskatchewan and I suppose that's why I was not familiar with it. However, it took me a long time to find it on the web and don't really know why? Anyway, it is a beautiful poem and we are sitting here at our kitchen table with our daughter and her husband looking out of our dining room window and lo' and behold there is almost 24" of snow on our picnic table and a perfectly clear sky and bright sunshine. Our daughter lives in Glasgow and can hardly wait to come to Winnipeg at Christmas. Blessings to you all and if you come to Winnipeg bring your tennis racquet's and we'll play some indoor tennis. (in winter of course)

Snickerdoodles: Salem County Christmas traditions

Valerie_Caulfield — 2008-12-21 19:13:05Z

Not much specific genealogy in this post, but as it relates to traditions and family origins in general, I hope sharing it will be accepted in the spirit of the season.

I'm joining some of my husband's cousins today for a "cookie swap". This a more modern approach to the old days when our mothers and grandmothers baked for weeks in advance of the holiday, as we try to adapt and still keep the best old traditions alive for the next generation.

So, each of us made 14 dozen of ONE kind of cookie, and will come home with as many different kinds to offer guests or give as gifts. The guys in the meantime, are heading out for a "cookie shoot" and will join us later for a potluck supper. My teenage son is very excited about the whole deal. He WANTS to come today, won't blow off this family event to just hang out with his friends. That says something in itself, no?

We were asked to be ready to share something about the Christmas memories around our cookies. Family historian that I am, got me to thinking how families passed along their traditions and with them, perhaps some clues to their culture.

SNICKERDOODLES:

(You can find dozens of recipes via Google, with little variation. Very simple recipe, easy to make for even beginning cooks.)

These cookies stand out among my earliest memories helping my mother baking Christmas cookies. You use cream of tartar instead of baking powder as in regular sugar cookie. That ingredient a historical marker, so a really old recipe.

We girls liked rolling up the little balls of dough in our hands, and dipping them in a bowl of cinnamon and sugar. They melt down quickly in a hot oven into perfect circles, as long as you leave enough space for that. Too close, they will end up running together, like chocolate chip cookies do.

When they bake,they puff up, but then crinkle on top when they cool. This time mine came out a bit crisper, and are good to dip into tea or milk. If you can resist overcooking, which means they still look sort of raw when you take them out, you get a chewier center. Those batches usually get eaten right off the rack, which reward is still the best part of making cookies.

I tried to find the historical origin of the recipe today on Google, though it seems nobody really knows. They are said to be most common from about our area of the Mid Atlantic, north to New England.

Various sources seem to agree that cookie making itself really wasn't all that common until the later 1800s when commercial baking ingredients became widely available. (Though perhaps just not commonly found in print?) I also found out that in olden days they made ammonia from the horns of deer that could be used to make dough rise. Same source was used to get gelatin for jams and jellies.

Some writers say snickerdoodles started here in the Mid Atlantic, because of all the Amish or Pennsylvania Dutch. Others say really just German or Dutch or even English of New England, which region was prone to using funny nonsense names. Snickerdoodles could be kin then to Yankee Doodle, see?

My mother's people trace back to Dutch and Germans (our Geigers/Kigers of Alsace, which region I read in a gourmet cooking magazine once, the only one in what is now France, with a Christmas cookie tradition). Other sources suggest New England, which all sort of mix up very early in my own blood lines here in Salem County anyway. So how the tradition started in general is anybody's guess.

I know the recipe is in my mother's old Joy of Cooking cookbook, that was probably her mother's book before her, published I think in the 1930s. I have it now (cover long gone) and every so often will go back and find old time recipes in there, though you better know what you're doing, as they don't explain much.

Salem county has been home to my people for something like 300 years now, so distinct cultural origins of the ancestors are so long mixed as to be indistinguishable at this late a date, rather like these cookies I made.

By comparison, in my husband's family, all who came over much later, you can still seperate out the recipes of the Polish side from the Irish. And yet we get to select from the best of each to pass down to our children. Our potluck contribution, by popular demand, will be his recipe for Kielbasi and beans. Uses traditional Polish sausage with an American barbecue flavored twist, so even in just our own time, we're making new traditions by a selective process.

Perhaps it is just that ready ability to mix, traditions old and new, that makes our family or area unique. Flavors and smells from the kitchen seem to be at heart of most memories so what feels the most like "home". In any case, it's making the time as well as the cookies we share that matters. Hope you all get to do the same.

Happy Holidays to my Salem County cousins (even the ones I can't trace yet).

Val

Re: Christmas Poem

ronotera — 2008-12-21 16:37:56Z

It seems that every year I post to this thread about Winnipeg at Christmas...a sort of annual blog for people (maybe expats) that would like a brief glimpse of Winnipeg at this time of year...much in the spirit of Rose Fyleman's poem.

The forecast for Christmas Day here in Winnipeg is -16oC (3oF)but it's been cold! Today it's -27oC (-16oF)and sunny. There's "lots and lots of snow" but most of it didn't come until a few weeks ago. Two nights ago it was that great fluffy stuff. The rink is in.

Re: 1916 Christmas Dinner

urnoldgoat — 2007-12-26 03:20:59Z

The HS on the program cover is U S Cavalry.

A embellished type of font.

Re: Christmas Poem

gerrybowler1 — 2007-12-11 05:15:59Z

I am very interested in learning more about the origins of this poem by Rose Fyleman, particularly the year it was written

Re: Christmas traditions

amina992 — 2007-05-21 16:52:51Z

thats a good one, I'm still laughing

Re: Genealogist Christmas

amina992 — 2007-05-21 16:50:17Z

that was so cute, I just loved it

Re: 1916 Christmas Dinner

MichaelHenderson65 — 2007-03-26 15:12:26Z

susan, do you know if he had a brother named Bertum Murphy.?
My father was born to a Mark Edward Murphy and Josephine La Rue in 1918 and then moved to FT. Scott Kansas and was adopted by the Hendersons at age 5.My passed away last month and I know nothing of his parents. I have visited Ft Ethan Allen. I have his adoption papers and thus know the names of this parents...does any of this sound familiar ?

Boxing Day

richardb235 — 2007-02-19 03:32:34Z

I travel to the USA frequently and have been asked where the Canadian tradition of boxing day started.
Can anyone give me a good answer? I have a few, but I'm not sure if they are true answers.

I have heard that it started when the rich gave boxed presents to their servants. I also heard that it evolved into a day when neighbours would gather bringing food for pot luck suppers in boxes.

Well???

Re: Christmas tradition/decoration of the Irish???

MaryLouMatulevicius — 2007-02-03 01:44:47Z

A large white candle must be placed in a window to welcome the Christ Child on Christmas day. It remains lit from midnight Christmas eve until midnight Christmas Day.

Re: Christmas Poem

2006-12-06 04:40:56Z

Hi Blackie;
You should be able to order "The Season" on line. A Google search turns a number of sites.
Rod

Re: Christmas Poem

2006-12-05 22:03:18Z

Rod Thanks so much for replying. And a special thanks for telling me about Fred Penner's C.D. "The Season". I can't get it here but I am going to phone HMV in Winnipeg and see it they can order it for me.
Broadway sounds beautiful today. We were married in St. Stephens Broadway United. I have always had a soft spot for Winnipeg's Broadway. New York's can't hold a torch to it.

Re: Christmas Poem

2006-12-05 21:53:43Z

Loreen,
I tried to get in touch with you with the phoe# you gave me last year but with no luck. I also sent a message to your e-mail but it was returned. You must still have my e-mail as you sent me one in January It is still the same. Iwill not be in this evening but if you send me a phone # I will be in touch.

Re: Christmas Poem

2006-12-05 19:16:19Z

Wow...fast reply!
Did you ever pick up a copy of Fred Penner's "The Season"?
Fred reads the poem on it and you'll find that it's a superb collection of Manitoba talent!
This year in Winnipeg, the snow has fallen in ernest. Broadway Avenue looks today like it did when Rose took the walk many years ago that inspired her poem. Today's temperature is about -8 oC and this year we should have our backyard rink in well before Christamas day!

Re: Christmas Poem

2006-12-05 19:02:38Z

Hi Rod, Blackie,

I have just received a note from Terry MacLeod, the host of the Winnipeg morning show on CBC, who tells me in fact he interviewed Jean MacDonald -- the 94-year-old lady in question -- in 2004 and produced a "radio Christmas card" which aired over the holidays that year.
I have suggested they rebroadcast it. I will also post it to this site if I can obtain a copy.
Happy Holidays!

Re: Christmas Poem

2006-12-05 18:56:35Z

Hi Blackie;
It looks like we've found the right person in Loreen to tell this unique and interesting Winnipeg story!

Re: Christmas Poem

2006-12-05 18:40:13Z

Blackie,

Let me know how to get hold of you, please. I work for CBC Radio and would love to "do" this story - either myself - or pass it on to my friends at Information Radio in Winnipeg. What a lovely Christmas tale! And I would love to meet your cousin's friend and have her share her memories of that walk with Rose Fyleman.
Thanks,

Loreen

Re: Christmas Poem

2006-12-05 17:54:57Z

Rod Are you still interested in the background of the poem?

Winnipeg at Christmas

2006-12-05 17:43:59Z

is loreen Pindra or anyone else still interesred in the background of the poem 'In Winnipeg at Christmas?

many nationality Christmas'

2006-11-23 05:23:57Z

My Family is made of many nationality- Germany, Scotch, English, Irish, French, Polish, Welsh and Cherokee. We decided years ago that it would be neat to take a different nationality for each Christmas. It was so neat to concentrate one nationality on a Christmas holiday. We learn so many ways each one celebrated. The Scotch, English, and Welsh was very similiar. The foods, decorations, and traditions were so interesting to learn about. We ended up after all the nationality were done to take the favorite parts of each and make them our traditions. Try taking a nationality of yours and find out how much fun it can be.

Re: Christmas tradition/decoration of the Irish???

2006-11-23 05:23:07Z

I wish this board was available years ago. My family started taking a different country we were from each year for Christmas. Irish was one we did. Off the top of my head here a few things I remember- Christmas Irish beef that you prepare for 2 weeks if I remember right (it taste alot like corned beef), Irish coffee, and they decorated alot with Holly which I think it brought good luck but I am not sure if that was the reason. Thats all I remember off my head. I would have to go into the attic and look though my notes I made. If I remember I will do that and come back.

Re: Christmas Traditions/Decorations of the British???

2006-11-23 05:22:11Z

British was another one my family did years ago. What I remember was Crackers you pulled and Figgy pudding. So I can't remember to much more. After Christmas the British have boxer day. It is not for the boxer. It is actually boxes that were given out to the serving members of the neighbor like the postman and milkman. I believe it is the day after Christmas but look it up to make sure. Oh yes and the Advent candles. You start 4 Sundays before Christmas and light the same candle for a week and then add a candle every Sunday until Christmas and then you light the white candle for Christ on Christmas day. Well I think that is all I remember. Have fun with making new traditions and memories. I know my family had a lot of fun.

1916 Christmas Dinner

timasu_1 — 2006-09-29 16:06:53Z

I have been trying to find information on Fort Ethan Allen in 1916. I would be VERY interested inthe other 3 pictures. My Great-Grandfather Mark E Murphy was stationed there when my grandftather - Mark E. Murphy Jr was born.
Any other info you may have that would point me in the right direction for this date would be much appreciated!
Thanks!
Susan (Murphy)Goff

Re: 7 fishes stew called baccala

critters1st — 2006-09-21 19:19:55Z

I believe u r referring to Cioppino. delicious!

http://www.newitalianrecipes.com/cioppino.html

1916 Christmas Dinner

Jacksbox4you — 2006-06-13 06:59:42Z

My interest was peaked as I read through these posts, so I googled the "Fort Ethan Allen" and came up with this link. Maybe it will help you.
http://personalweb.smcvt.edu/thefort/History/Default.htm

7 fishes stew called baccala

2006-03-13 17:56:37Z

What are the traditional 7 fishes in the Italian New Year/holiday stew? Is this a Northern or Southern Italian tradition or one widespread throughout the country? Why 7 fish?

Christmas day 1863

don_coatney — 2006-01-26 22:05:15Z

It is only fitting to post this letter today. My Great Grandfather William Curtis Morgan wrote this letter to his wife Mary Eveline Townsend. Happy holidays to all.
Don Coatney

Christmas Poem

2006-01-14 04:24:11Z

Ihave alot of background information about the poem' in Winnipeg at Christmas'. I would be happy to passit on to anyone who is interested.

Christmas Poem

2006-01-14 04:23:55Z

Thanks Blackie.
I'll await your reply.

Christmas Poem

2006-01-14 04:23:47Z

Your ides is a good one. Before I could say to go ahead I would speak to my cousin and she in turn would ask her friend how she felt about it.
You realize that this poem was probably written in the thirties when Rose would be elderly and the president of the women's club would be quite young.
I will post their answer later. It may take a few days.

Christmas Poem

2006-01-14 04:23:38Z

What a great story! Blackie, with your permission I would like to send these posts to a local radio station here in Winnipeg. I think it would make an interesting story, perhaps next year around Christmas time.

Christmas Poem

2006-01-14 04:23:27Z

My older cousin still lives in Winnipeg. She is a good friend of the lady who was president of the Women'sClub when Rose Fyleman came to Winnipeg. My cousin visits this lady frequently and has known about the origin of the poem for a long time. She passed the information on to me when she found I was so interested in the poem. I was quite excited to hear about it. I had memorized the poem when I was a child in Manitoba and taught it to many Manitoba children in Winnipeg. Next time I am in Winnipeg I intend to go with my cousin to meet Rose's friend.I hope to get a picture of her.
I'm glad I was able to pass this info along.

Christmas Poem

2006-01-14 04:23:16Z

Thank you Blackie!
Now my curiosity has ben piqued as to how you came across the story behind the poem.

Christmas Poem

2006-01-14 04:23:07Z

Rose Fyleman was invited to Winnipeg as the guest speaker at a Women's Club. She was staying at The Fort Gary Hotel. In the evening the president of the club and Rose decided to walk down to the parliament buildings so Rose could see the statue of Queen Victoria. It was such a beautiful evening that when they got back to the hotel, Rose sat down and wrote that poem which we all love so much. I have made Christmas cards with the poem on the front. The president of that club is in her nineties now and still living in Winnipeg in a seniors home.
So there you have the rest of the story!