How Your Ancestors Might Have Spent Their Summer Vacation
Some things never seem to change, and that especially feels true around the summer! Our American ancestors have actively sought ways to indulge in the season’s leisure time and treats since the 19th century, but why?
Although many believe the history of summer vacation stems from an agricultural heritage. As school officials were looking to standardize a school year across the board, they noticed a large drop in attendance in the summer months. This was due, in part, to those in rural areas needing to help their families with farm duties.
The other reason, however, was the mass exodus from the cities each year during June, July, and August. Hoping to escape the oppressive heat and smells of close-quarters living, families would flock to seaside getaways, parks, and mountain retreats in droves.
Here are some facts about summer vacation that may explain how your great-grandparents enjoyed those sun-filled days:
1. Adventure to a National Park
Sprawling across three states (Wyoming, Idaho, and Montana), Yellowstone National Park is considered the place to go if you want to watch the buffalo roam and see Old Faithful sputter dramatically. It turns out not much has changed. There were 5,438 Visitors to Yellowstone National Park in 1895.
2. Enjoy an Ice Cream Cone
If you love nothing more than strolling into a cool ice cream parlor for your favorite chilly treat on a sweltering July day, you can thank Jacob Fussell for that. This Baltimore milk dealer has made ice cream commercially available in the US for over 170 years!
3. Snack on a Fresh Hot Dog
Nothing quite says summer like a juicy hot dog pillowed on a fluffy bun and overflowing with your favorite toppings. Hot dogs have been a summer hit for generations, as illustrated by the success of the famous Coney Island hot dog. In 1871, the German immigrant Charles Feltman’s Coney Island hot dog stand sold 3,684 hot dogs.
4. Escape to the Great Outdoors
Perhaps there is no better summer feeling than being surrounded by towering trees and cheery birdsong from every direction. At night, you slip into your tent and take in the noise of nature––but not before you look up to a clear night sky speckled with stars. In 1921, 9 million Americans went “autocamping” to escape from the bustle of everyday life.
5. Sip Some Ice, Cold Lemonade
Lemonade is the optimal summer thirst quencher. It was also a popular Coney Island treat, along with those famous hot dogs. Dutch immigrant Edward Bok charged Coney Island travelers (stopping in Brooklyn) 3 cents for a glass of lemonade in the 1870s.
Genealogy travel requires a specific packing list, but you should be careful not to bring too much! Here are things that could be useful!
Research Materials
A little purse with my phone, a flash drive for digital copies, bills, and change for copiers or copy cards
A pen or pencil and a notebook with my prioritized list of materials I need to find, with pertinent notes about the people I’m looking for
Maybe a tablet in a computer bag, but I do tend to be more of a paper-and-pen note-taker
The Essentials
Bring an extra layer. You can never tell whether a conference classroom or library will be sweltering or overly air-conditioned, so bring a sweater.
Small comforts. Include hand sanitizer, tissues, Dramamine (to help with microfilm reader motion sickness), your headache remedy of choice, gum (for a conference; it’s usually a no-no in libraries), and more comfortable shoes.
Drink and a snack. I rarely want to stop researching to get lunch; sometimes, there’s no place to get lunch, even if I want a break. If there's no snack room, you can leave water and a granola bar in the car for consumption outside.
Knowledge from the locals. If you’re going to a repository, cemetery, or conference that’s new to you, ask local genealogists what you should know before you go.
Things to Remember
Early-bird mindset. If you want to sit somewhere in particular for a class, arrive early to secure your spot. For some speakers, such as Elizabeth Shown Mills, arriving early is a good idea if you want to sit.
Only what’s allowed. Visit a repository website ahead of time for info on what you can bring inside, whether you can use a cell phone or digital camera to photograph records, and how you’ll make copies (such as on a photocopier or scanner). Also, double-check hours, any special closures, and whether materials are pulled from storage at particular times.
Make backup plans. Plan where you’ll park if you can’t find a spot there.
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