I've linked a letter that Everett Ray Hollar (my great grandfather and namesake) wrote to his parents while in WWI. The best part of this letter is the second page where he talks about all of the girls he needs to write letters to. I found a letter that he sent to my great-grandmother, Norma in Missouri and he uses the wrong name and then goes through a big apology in the next letter. I think it is so cool to see how human my ancestors were. Wonder what they would think of their great-granddaughter reading their letters. If you have time and want a little challenge read these two links:
December 15, 1916 page 1
December 15, 1916 page 2
Saturday, March 17, 2012
Comfort found in History
I miss my grandparents - Jess & Lora Hollar. They were a huge influence in my life and I often find myself thinking of what they would think or say about different things in my life. After my grandfather passed away I accepted the job of family historian, uncovering, researching and reviewing all of the treasures that these wonderful people left behind. I was truly blessed by their presence in my life and I have been blessed by my historical journey too.
Here are some of the wonderful treasures that I have found in my research (enjoy):
Here are some of the wonderful treasures that I have found in my research (enjoy):
This is my great-great grandmother, Josephine C. Chappell
This is my great-grandmother, Norma Chappell Hollar (daughter of Josephine)
This is my great-grandmother, Norma Chappell Hollar (daughter of Josephine)
On the back of this picture it says,
"Ray (my great-grandfather & namesake) on the job just before he was killed"
based on other pictures I found I think he is the second from the right.
This is my grandfather, Jess E. Hollar - he was an amazing man.
As soon as I figure out how to do it I will post some of the letters I found also.
"Ray (my great-grandfather & namesake) on the job just before he was killed"
based on other pictures I found I think he is the second from the right.
This is my grandfather, Jess E. Hollar - he was an amazing man.
As soon as I figure out how to do it I will post some of the letters I found also.
Tuesday, March 13, 2012
Natural Bridge Wildlife Ranch
My favorite out-laws, John & Bon-Mom came to visit us in Texas this week. They got to go see K's theater debut as a snake, tree and bumblebee in The Jungle Book. What I have found out is that you shouldn't try to DO anything during spring break in Texas - we tried the San Antonio Zoo and Natural Bridge Wildlife Ranch yesterday but couldn't find parking and the lines were too line. So we decided that we'd go pick some strawberries today - but wait... they closed the strawberry fields, due to over-picking and poor production due to the cold weather last weekend. Therefore we changed our plans today and decided to get an early start on Natural Bridge Wildlife Ranch because of the long lines yesterday - we still sat in line for over an hour just to get into the park. Here's some of the pictures from our day! Oodles of fun!
Sunday, October 23, 2011
Random Post
K is going to be Dorothy from the Wizard of Oz for Halloween - I'm still working on it. We purchased one at the Halloween store but sadly with K's long legs it was quite a hootchy little number so we returned that and I undertook the task of making my girl a costume. I did most of the work last Sunday but I still need to hem it and put in the zipper (silently screaming inside). It will have to happen one day this week... probably Friday night.
A is taking dance class and she LOVES it - although in classic Jason's Clan girl style she got a run in her panty hose by the second day of class. Grr! She is very excited about playing T-ball next fall. She has been watching Z play and has been going out with the boys to practice throwing and hitting and she likes what she sees. I'm very excited that she wants to participate in a sport and the boys love that she wants to play with them.
B finished the football season and then his team finished 1st in their division in cross country! I was able to make it to San Antonio for the last meet last Monday and watched my son come in 7th overall with a time of 13 minutes 53 second - running a 2 miler!! I was so excited and impressed. He is now playing basketball and we are excited about the upcoming basketball games to go and watch.
Baseball is the sport this fall!! Z has been playing T-ball for the first time and he LOVES it! We love to watch him and on top of it the Cardinals (our hometown team) has made it into the World Series! Z has been watching some games with us - when he can stay awake. In addition to T-ball Z is still taking gymnastics and he really enjoys that too and is becoming very flexible.
Not a lot has been done on the family research. I recently purchased the Family Tree Maker again and would love to get to a place where I can incorporate all the rich history I've inherited, soon, hopefully soon! I'm still getting up and exercising several days a week but I've slid off the weight watchers wagon - I'm conscious of what I'm eating more than before but our schedule has made it extremely difficult for me to track my points.
That's the scoop - hope there is something in there that was newsworthy for you. Hugs to all my faithful fans, sorry I've become so bad at sharing!
A is taking dance class and she LOVES it - although in classic Jason's Clan girl style she got a run in her panty hose by the second day of class. Grr! She is very excited about playing T-ball next fall. She has been watching Z play and has been going out with the boys to practice throwing and hitting and she likes what she sees. I'm very excited that she wants to participate in a sport and the boys love that she wants to play with them.
B finished the football season and then his team finished 1st in their division in cross country! I was able to make it to San Antonio for the last meet last Monday and watched my son come in 7th overall with a time of 13 minutes 53 second - running a 2 miler!! I was so excited and impressed. He is now playing basketball and we are excited about the upcoming basketball games to go and watch.
Baseball is the sport this fall!! Z has been playing T-ball for the first time and he LOVES it! We love to watch him and on top of it the Cardinals (our hometown team) has made it into the World Series! Z has been watching some games with us - when he can stay awake. In addition to T-ball Z is still taking gymnastics and he really enjoys that too and is becoming very flexible.
Not a lot has been done on the family research. I recently purchased the Family Tree Maker again and would love to get to a place where I can incorporate all the rich history I've inherited, soon, hopefully soon! I'm still getting up and exercising several days a week but I've slid off the weight watchers wagon - I'm conscious of what I'm eating more than before but our schedule has made it extremely difficult for me to track my points.
That's the scoop - hope there is something in there that was newsworthy for you. Hugs to all my faithful fans, sorry I've become so bad at sharing!
Saturday, October 1, 2011
Some OLD pictures!!
On the back of this picture: Ray on the job just before he was killed. I'm not 100% sure which one is Ray, but this picture brings tears to my eyes - he died when my grandfather was 5 years old!
The Hollar Family in 1942 - I had no idea we had so many great pictures & lists of this side of my family!
My grandpa - LOVE!
My grandpa - LOVE!
My grandpa during WWII - second from the left back row (the handsome one - tee hee)
There are so many things that pull my attention and my time but this project keeps gravitating me to it, it is heart-wrenching but heart-warming at the same time. I'm SO thankful for these amazing treasures that my grandparents (Jess & Lora) left for our family. I miss them and it doesn't seem that a day goes by that I don't think of them or remember something that they taught me. I know that this isn't what I would usually put on this blog but I have 1000's of photos, letters and memories and I wish I could share them all with you. B&K have already started looking at and asking questions about our history, can't wait for Z&A to benefit from them too. My personal goal is to be able to take them home at Thanksgiving and Christmas to share with our families in the hopes of adding information, identities and simply sharing this inheritance.
Wednesday, September 21, 2011
San Diego (finally)
My friend, Joy, K and I had a wonderful time in San Diego but due to numerous things I haven't been able to post pictures... until NOW. We'll make this the first installment of pictures - stay tuned!
The view from our hotel! Gorgeous!
BEACH!
How's the water feel K?
Hard Rock Cafe - for lunch. When we saw this I said, "I bet Jason knows who Chris Cornell is. If he breaks a guitar then Jason will know him." Sure enough we texted and Jason's response - YES, one of my favorites! HA!!
While we were there we went to watch a Padre's game! They lost and we got COLD in July! But it was lots of fun!
The view from our hotel! Gorgeous!
BEACH!
How's the water feel K?
Hard Rock Cafe - for lunch. When we saw this I said, "I bet Jason knows who Chris Cornell is. If he breaks a guitar then Jason will know him." Sure enough we texted and Jason's response - YES, one of my favorites! HA!!
While we were there we went to watch a Padre's game! They lost and we got COLD in July! But it was lots of fun!Saturday, September 10, 2011
Labor of Love
After my grandfather passed away last year I willingly agreed to accept the job of family historian. I have been working on this "job" ever since. I brought home about 13 huge tubs of 'stuff' - letters, cards, obits, death notices, birth notices, insurance paperwork, warranty pamphlets, buttons, false teeth, war medals, letters from WWI and WWII soldiers.... the list is extensive. From all of that I now have 1 big box, 2 small boxes and 5 two inch binders and I have now begun the very tedious job of scanning all of this information into my computer to be able to share with my family. Tonight I scanned about 15 letters, including my Great-grandfather's honorable discharge paperwork. This job will take a LOT of time but every time I discover a FIND I'm more encouraged, intrigued and excited to continue.
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