52 Ancestors in 52 Weeks – Week 38: Unusual Source - My Grandfather's Wallet

I am working on this year-long prompt, hosted by Amy Johnson Crow. I will write each week in one of my two blogs, either Mam-ma’s Southern Family or at My Trails Into the Past. I’m looking forward to writing about my children’s ancestors in new and exciting ways.

My unusual source this week is my grandfather, Tom J Johnston’s wallet. My grandmother kept it just the way it was left when he died in 1973. I think she probably looked through it for any important papers and removed what money was there, but otherwise it was left the same.

What an interesting look at what he was doing in 1972-73. I scanned all of the cards and returned the items to the wallet. What I didn’t do was take a photo of the wallet before storing it away, so I don’t have one to show.

His wallet was stuffed with cards and photos. You would expect to see his driver’s license.



His 1944 Navy Discharge card was pretty worn. It must have either been removed often or has been in every wallet he has owned since he was discharged.


There was a 1966 Hilti Qualified Operator Card, authorizing him to operate power-assisted drive tools. He was a carpenter for Diablo Valley College, part of the Contra Costa County Community College District.

His 1970 California Fishing License was there with stamps to allow for fishing in 1972. He probably hadn’t gotten around to updating the stamp. He liked to fish at Clear Lake.



He gave $15.00 to Bay Area United Crusade in 1971.



He had his auto insurance from State Farm for a 1967 Dodge van and the 1964 Mercury sedan.



His staff card from Diablo Valley College.



His Carpenters Union No. 2046 card. On a side note, the union hall had no records for him.



I am so glad my grandmother gave me the wallet and that she had saved most of the items in it. It’s a glimpse into what activities he was involved in at the time of his death.

Copyright © 2018 by Lisa Suzanne Gorrell, Mam-ma's Southern Family

Comments

  1. TeresaSeptember 22, 2018 at 6:04 PM

    Wow - that is so cool! I love that he carried his discharge card with him :)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Lisa S. GorrellSeptember 22, 2018 at 6:21 PM

      I know. It's what helped me get his service records. I needed his service no. and it was on the card! Thanks for stopping by!

      Delete
  2. barbSeptember 23, 2018 at 1:22 PM

    That is awesome! I wonder how many others have wallets from a loved one?

    ReplyDelete

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