Author Archives: Dave Robison

About Dave Robison

Professional Genealogist with more than 15 years experience. Currently engaging in lectures, instructional classes from introductory to advanced level research and contract client research. A Mayflower descendant and a pending member of the Sons of the American Revolution with more than 18 direct Revolutionary War Patriots.

Boston University

Let me take a short break from “Lest We Forget” to talk a little about the BU course in Genealogical research. I’ll admit the course is a little tougher than I expected. Especially when I submitted an assignment and anxiously awaited the results. Well, the grade cam back at an abysmal number: “You seem to grasp all of the concepts in this module and all of the information is well presented. However […dontcha just love “however’s”…] you missed the central goal. You’ve written a report that….

And on and on… The grade, as I said, was abysmal and I figured I’d have to ace every single element for the balance of the course to keep my head above the line. I sent a “private message” to the grader in a feeble attempt at reconsideration. HA! Reconsideration…. That was out of the question. I know that because I got a response that didn’t even address the points that I made in my plea. Instead, the TA sent a note to all the students to explain that this module has 3 assignments: 1 is graded on a scale based on 30 points, then another 30 and finally 40 for a total of 100. Well, that puts my “junk” score back in the running so I felt much better. Can’t wait to submit this week’s work!

All in all, this course seems to run from really easy “stuff” that I’ve been doing for a while to really hard “stuff” that I never even considered… Well, that why we take these courses.

Wish me luck!

Monday, March 10, 1913

Bob goes to the Marimon outfit

Bob goes to the Marimon outfit

Weather fine and warm
Bobie Lee and I went up to the bridge for the handcar and found that it was taken. we looked all over the yards for it but could not find it. After that we went out with Cullerne to run levels on the round house track. worked about 2 hrs Bob left tonight to go to the Marimon outfit to work for him.

[I believe that “Genealogy Lady is correct about “handoor” being “handcar” so I’ve changed it! Merci beaucoup, mon amie!]

Sunday, March 9, 1913 The day after the fire…

The day after the fire

The day after the fire

Sunday, March 9, 1913
“Lest We Forget”

I had breakfast and went uptown to the fire there was very little left everything was burned up
Than I could see the plate glasses on the other side was all broken from the heat and water.
After supper I took a long walk along the town that was left.

Saturday, March 8, 1913…A little excitement!

Sun shining all day nice and warm. Lee and I all alone
Cullerne still in town. Lee read a book all day and I cleaned the flat car and car
About 8 oclock PM block between 384 Ave caught fire and the hole block went up in smoke.
fire lasted about 3 hrs
Cullerne came back on the 1:30 AM train from town.

"FIRE!!"

“FIRE!!”

Fire! Now that’s better than hanging around the camp all day. I just hope no one was hurt.

A little warmer today! Friday, March 7, 1913

Friday, March 7, 1913
“Lest We Forget”

"Weather a little colder"

“Weather a little colder”

Weather a little colder
Cullerne Lee and I went out in the afternoon and levels for a ditch west of bridge about 1 1/2 Got through about 4:30 PM
Cullerne took the level to town to get it fixed

“Lest We Forget” Thursday, March 6, 1913

Wow! Am I behind! I’m going to get this up to date tonight…I hope!

"Weather fine and warm..."

“Weather fine and warm…”

Lest We Forget, Thursday, March 6, 1913:

Weather fine and warm. We three all stayed in the car all day. Cullerne did a little work in the office with Walton in Edmon[ton] After supper we went uptown to play pool. Art [?] Walton went home and I

“Lest We Forget” March 5, 1913

"Got up at 6:30..."

“Got up at 6:30…”

March 5, 1913
“Lest We Forget”

Got up at 6:30 and got ready to work. Cullerne went to the office and didn’t get back till nine and told us that Arthur was coming out with us. We all had dinner out. Arthur was about all in. We got back about 6:31 Weather a little dark and cloudie

Jim’s [?] letter [ ] a letter from Agatha and a card from C B L A

Help! If anyone can make out the last 2 lines, I’d appreciate it!

By the way…it’s 11:25 AM and we’ve barely gotten a snowflake! The news is showing video from areas not too far from here with upp to a foot of the white stuff… I hope that’s the story for the rest of the day because I’m on my way out to a genealogy workshop to help some “beginners” find their families.

“…and the level was out of order…” March 4, 1913

"...and the level was out of order..."

“…and the level was out of order…”

We started to work Cullerne Lee and I got out in the field and the level was out of order and we had to come back to the car in the afternoon we had Louis come out with us and we made him help us. at night he was pretty tired of the job we got home about 6 oclock weather fine and warm

Realizing that my grandfather was no big fan of punctuation, this entry has to be read a few times to figure out where the periods and commas should be. One of the sentences ends with a period, which helps. Initially, I was concerned that we wouldn’t get a weather report but after “translating” the last few words, it’s there!

Monday, March 3, 1913

“Lest We Forget”

03031013 LEST WE FORGET

Weather very warm thawed all day. In the afternoon we all went to work on a drain. Walton, Cullerne, Arthur, Davis and myself work all afternoon got home at 6:30 feeling very hungry

Sunday, March 2, 1913

Near Edmonton, Alberta, Lest We Forget Sunday, March 2, 1913

Near Edmonton, Alberta, Lest We Forget Sunday, March 2, 1913

Weather dark and cloudy all day but warm. I was all alone in the car all day. I started to wash about 9 oclock and finished about 3 oclock

After that I work on my album till supper time

After that Arthur and I went to church

And here’s another shot from “The Album”…by the way, this is the first time he mentions the album, which I assume is the photo album that contains the pictures that I’ve been putting up here occasionally.Clem Dickson Album (10)