So the last post left off in April. Easter was Sunday April 9 that year - here is an Easter card "For My Husband On Easter."
"It's time for Easter wishes
So I thought I'd take this way
To wish the sweetest guy I know
A Happy Easter Day
Ellen"
The 1950 US Census was also taken in April - on the 21st. Ma was listed as head of the household - she was a 56 year old widow - that sounds young to me, but I think I said before that Ma always seemed old. Hannie was 26 and Rita was 20 - both were telephone operators for the Telephone Company. My 29 year old father was listed as son-in-law. He was a foreman at a Slaughtering of Cattle Concern - he was back at the Brighton Abbatoir. My mother was 28 and as she told us in her diary she was "a lady of leisure."
The Callahans were still living downstairs at 4 Green Street - what did my mother say in her diary - they had no intention of moving? Dennis/Bunny was listed as a chauffeur for the Town's Highway Department - he was young too - 48 - with 2 young daughters.
Hannie was number 25 in the lower section - she worked 52 weeks last year and made $2200.
Mae Keohane and Eileen Cooney were not listed as living with the Keohanes and Mannings - did they move out when my father came home? I couldn't find Mae in a census, but Eileen was listed in Malden - living and working as a housemaid for George and Sadie Kramer on Ferry Street.
I was born in June. According to "Our Baby's Book," the big day was a Sunday - I arrived at 1:46 AM on June 4 in Waltham Hospital - 6 lbs 15 oz - 19 inches tall. Dr Albert Barron was the physician. The first visitors were: "Daddy, Grandma Keohane, Hannie Keohane, and Grandma & Grandpa Manning."
The hospital provided a certificate of birth but I don't think it was official as there was no stamp on it.
"Baby Girl Manning"
"The Waltham Hospital
Waltham, Massachusetts
Certificate Of Birth
By Authority of the Trustees
This Certifies That
Baby Girl Manning
Weighing 6.15 Pounds
Was Born In This Hospital
The 4th day of June 1950, At 1:46 AM
Albert L Barron/Attending Physician"
The Administrator also signed the certificate but I can't make out his name.
The above page has instructions for baby care.
"Formula
All equipment used in making the formula should be boiled for ten minutes and kept separate from other household equipment.
There are a number of methods of formula operation. The following is a simple one:
Take: Evaporated milk 7 1/2 ounces
Water 16 1/2 ounces
Cartose 3/4 ounces
or 1 1/2 measuring tablespoons.
Boil water for 3 minutes, add Karo to hot boiled water. Add this to measured evaporated milk. Stir and pour in bottles. Cap and place in refrigerator. This will give approximately 4 ounces in each of 6 sterilized bottles.
Offer up to 4 ounces at each feeding but, do not force.
Feed at: 6 am - 10 am - 2 pm - 6 pm - 10 pm.
The 2:00 am feeding should be ordinarily be given if the baby cries for it, so that it is well at first to make up six bottles until the schedule becomes definite. Consult your physician if in doubt.
Vitamins:
Vitamin C (Orange juice, Tomato Juice, or Vitamin C tablet) and Vitamin D (Codliver Oil or one of the various concentrates) should be started shortly after the baby arrives home. Consult your physician if in doubt. Remember that vitamin C is destroyed by heat. Use with slightly warm, but not hot water.
Cord: On
While it remains on, wash around and under it with rubbing alcohol on cotton, dry with cotton, and dust lightly with Dermatol powder. continue use of alcohol and dermatol after the cord falls off. If there is any discharge, keep band on baby until it is entirely healed. After that, the band is unnecessary.
Tub baths may be started was soon as the cord is off and the navel is completely healed.
Birth certificate:
The report of birth is filed by the hospital at the Waltham City Hall. In two or three weeks you will receive a supplementary form from Waltham City Hall on which you will record your final decision as to the baby's name. You may obtain copies of the birth certificate from Waltham City Hall after you have returned this supplementary form.
Length at birth 19" Weight at discharge 6. 3 1/2
Important:
Enjoy your baby. don't be afraid to hold your baby and to show your love and affection You will not spoil it. Remember that famous old prescription is still the best one ever written for babies:
'An hour of loving every day'
Signature J O'Leary RN(?)
Head nurse"
I can't believe my mother saved the cards of congratulation when I was born! Now I know for sure that I get my family history "hoarding" from her!!
"Baby coming, eh?
Well maybe you are hoping for a bouncing baby boy"
And, maybe He would like a girl to fill his life with joy? But whether it's a Boy or Girl there ain't no sense in quarreling ... 'Cause with a 'Mom' as nice as you, It's bound to be a Darling!
(Mimi) So glad to hear the good news. Best of luck & all good wishes, Bertha."
The card is postmarked June 4 at 12 PM from Boston, Mass - it is stamped "Save The Easy Way - Buy US Bonds - Payroll Savings. It has a 3 cent Thomas Jefferson stamp on it.
"For Baby, Mother and Dad"
"Tiny darling, you're too young by far
To know what a lucky baby you are,
But knowing your parents, it's easy to see
How happy your family will always be!"
"Harold, 'Gin' & 'Boys'
"Hi, Ellen,
Glad to hear you have
'produced' & everything is okay.
You did in one trip what
I didn't do in four! I
guess you just had to be
different from Madeline & I.
Get a good rest now so you'll
be ready for those diapers.
See you soon -
Love
Gin ~"
Newspaper clipping "Waltham Hospital Announces Six Arrivals." The third item states: "A daughter, yesterday, to Mr. and Mrs. John James Manning of 6 Green street, Watertown."
Postmarked June 5 at 11 PM. M1 was the maternity floor - I would float there when I was a nurses aide at Waltham Hospital. It was a happy place to work except when a woman had a still born or lost a baby. I felt like I was a real nurse when I would be palpating the new mother's stomachs for the fundus.
"To Welcome
the Baby
Girl
A welcome
to the Baby Girl,
Congratulations, too!
I'm very glad,
for well I know
How much this means to you!
Love Ma K."
These next few cards are postmarked June 6, 1950.
"11 Sycamore St.
Somerville 43,
Mass."
"A New Baby
What happiness a baby brings!
What joys your lives will hold
As with the passing years you see
Your baby's life unfold ...
Here's hoping that the happy dreams
You're dreaming all come true
As all life's richest blessings come
To Baby and to you!
Love, Frances, Bob & Bobby!"
(My mother's first cousin and Mae's sister Frances Smith.)
"Mrs. D.R. Courtney
220 Main St.
Watertown 72
Mass.
"Best Wishes
To Baby And Your
Here's hoping
all the happiness
The Baby's brought
to you
Will grow and grow
through all the years
While Baby's growing,
too!
Best Wishes to you
& daughter
from
Mary Courtney & Pauline"
"Your first Baby
How proud and happy
You must be!
To say Congratulations ~
to the brand new
Mother and Dad
Of the very cutest baby ~
That parents ever had ~
May all the pride and happiness
That fills your hearts today
Grow deeper and more wonderful
Along your future way.
Joyce Family"
(Martin Joyce and my father's aunt Margaret - their son Franny Joyce was an usher in my folks' wedding.)
"A Baby Girl!
Congratulations!
There's nothing sweeter
than a girl
And don't you ever doubt it --
But what's the use
of telling you
When you know all about it?"
Below: "Dear Ellen,
Mr. Bachman and I
wish to send you congratulations.
Am so glad that it is over
and from all accounts you have
a lovely baby. Will be glad to see you back again.
Sincerely your,
Edna L. Bachman"
(The Bachmans were living downstairs on Main Street from Mary Courtney and Pauline.)
"Congratulations
I hope that precious
little mite
Will laugh all day
and sleep all night,
And never do a thing
that's bad,
but grow up smart
like Mom "n' Dad.
Rita"
"To the Parents of the
New Baby
Glad to hear
the happy news
That Baby
has arrived --
Hope that Mother's
feeling fine
And Daddy has
SURVIVED!
Congratulations!
Kay & Joe Walsh"
These next few cards are postmarked June 7, 1950.
"Such wonderful News!
Sure calls for Congratualtions
of the happiest kind for parents
and Baby, too!
Alice & Walter Ryan"
(The Ryans lived next door on the first floor of the triple decker - they had 2 daughters - 8 year old Margaret and 7 year old Patricia - the Keohanes used to babysit for the girls.)
"So You Have a Little
DAUGHTER!
So a new note of joy
has been added!
Well, here are best wishes
for you
And the dear little girl
who's the reason
For all of your happiness too!
Congratulations!
Hannie"
Below: "I told Chris to write his name too.
Here it is"
"Hello, Baby!
A welcome note for Baby
And some happy wishes, too.
Especially intended
For Baby and for you.
Congratulations from
Mary Wallace"
"To Welcome
the
New Baby
For you - and your
sweet new little one.
All the happy things there are!"
Below: "Best wishes and congratulations, Ellen, to you and your husband. How lovely to have a dear little daughter. I envy you. hope to see the little lady before long. Sincerely, (Mrs) Alice Navien
June 1950"
(Alice Navien was Paul Navien's mother - she lived at 180 Main Street in Waltham. My mother used to date Paul but ditched him when she met my father - she told her sister Peggy to write to him and they ended up getting married.)
"Best Wishes To
Baby
B stands for Baby
and Bottles
For Bibs
and Booties, too
And B stands for
Billions of wishes
For Baby
and Both of you!
From
Norman"
The next few cards were postmarked June 8, 1950.
Notice that this card is addressed to me!
"Baby's Birthday
B is for Baby,
cunning and wee,
A is for Adorable
as can be
B is for Birthday
wishes true,
Y for the one
who gets them - You.
Aunt Hannah (Keohane DeCourcey - my grandfather's sister)
"A Little Baby Girl!
How Wonderful!
CONGRATULATIONS
Aunt Hannah"
Aunt Nellie sent the card from Falmouth - she and Freddie must have been down there with Mr Russell.
"To The New Baby
'You're Mighty Like a Rose'
You're such
a little darling
and so sweet, that goodness knows,
No wonder everybody thinks
You're mighty like a rose.
Aunt Nellie"
"To The Proud Parents
there's nothing like a BABY!
Congratulations!
There's nothing like a baby
To bring real joy to you
To cuddle and to care for
And to help make dreams come true
There's nothing like a baby
To love day after day
To put the sweet in 'Home, Sweet Home"
And steal your heart away!
Peggy, Paul & Chris"
This card is dated June 10, 1950 and the return address is 1265 Nelson Ave, Box 52, NY.
"To the NEW Baby Girl
If Mother and Dad had had their choice
Listen .... do you know what?
They wouldn't have picked a baby boy ...
They'd have picked just what they've got!
Congratulations, to Ellen and John and welcome Mary Ellen. Love to you all. Hannah & Family"
(This is from Ma's half sister Hannah O'Sullivan O'Connor - my mother and father stayed with her when they were in New York on vacation with their new car.)
The Baby Book states: "Baby's First Photograph was taken by Hannie - date June 10, 1950 - place Leaving Waltham Hospital - Baby resembles Daddy."
The back of the picture says "6/11/50 Leaving Waltham Hospital with Mary Ellen."
We made it home safely to Green Street. We are standing outside the back doors - triple decker in background. Ma is on the far left in the photo below.
Mum holding MEM and Ma
This card was postmarked June 16, 1950 in South Boston Postal Station.
"Congratulations
So happy to hear
That your dear little guest
Has safely arrived!
Of all news, that's the BEST!
Congratulations!
Mrs Kernell"
(Annie Kernell was a neighbor of the Mannings - she was in my folks' wedding picture.)
"Archdiocese of Boston
Archbishop's Office
Chancery Building, Lake Street
Brighton (Boston) 35, Mass.
Miss Mary E. Manning
6 Green St.
Watertown
Mass.
Please Do Not Fold"
"Holy Lord, Father Almighty, Eternal God,
Fountain of Life and Truth, pour forth, I beseech
Thee, upon Thy child
MARY
Thy most fatherly and everlasting Love: deign to illumine
her mind with the light of Thine own understanding; make
her pure and holy in Thy sight; render her worthy of Thy
Baptismal Grace, that thus she may ever hold fast to her
hope in Thee, to purity of heart, and to the teachings of Thy
Holy Church. Through Christ our Lord. Amen.
With this prayer and my blessing as the spiritual head of the Archdiocese
in which she became a child of God and a member of Christ's Holy
Church, I beg the protection of God, patronage of Mary Immaculate
and the loving care of her patron saints and guardian angel for
Mary Ellen Manning
baptized June 18, 1950 in Watertown
Saint Patrick's Church.
Richard J Cushing
Archbishop of Boston
Archbishop's House
Brighton, Massachusetts"
The Christening cards were tied up with pink ribbon.
"A Prayer For Baby's Christening
Dear Father:
Bless this little one
So tender and so small -
So recently come to this earth
Yet beloved by all -
Keep Baby always in your care
And safe within your love
And grant to Baby's parents
The joys they're dreaming of
Amen
Kay & Joe Walsh"
(My father's sister and her husband.)
"A Prayer for Baby's
Christening
'Suffer little children to come unto me,
and forbid them not: for of such is
the Kingdom of God.'
Luke 18:16
May God, who loves all children
In a very tender way,
Protect your darling baby
With his care, day after day;
And always may His sweetest joys
And richest blessings, too.
Be showered in abundance
On your little one and you.
From Grandpa & Grandma Manning"
"For Your Baby's Christening
This comes with many wishes
On the baby's christening day
For every kind of happiness
Along life's future way.
Martin & Margaret Joyce"
June 18, 1950 was also Father's Day - my mother got a card for my father.
"To A New Father
Stick Out Your Chest!
Yeah, That's The Way!
And Strut Your Stuff -- It's Father's Day!
Have A Happy One!
My mother signed the back of the card:
"To Daddy
from Mary Ellen"
The remaining pages of the Baby Book were:
Weights:
Birth: 6 lbs 18 oz.
1 week: 6 lbs 13 1/2 oz.
9 weeks: 12 lbs.
13 weeks: 13 1/4 lbs.
6 months: 18
7 months: 18 1/2 lbs.
8 Months: 19 1/2
9 months: 20
10 Months: 20
1 year: 21
"Dates when Baby -
First holds head erect - Sept 16, 1950
First stands erect - March 4, 1951
First creeps - March 7, 1951"
"Dates and Details:
Lower right 1 - Nov. 28, 1950
Lower Left 1 - Dec. 9, 1950
Upper left 1 - Mar. 20, 1950
Upper right 2 - Mar. 30, 1950
Upper right 1 - Apr. 1, 1950"
And I guess that's enough about me for now!
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