Bluejake

I've been working on a genealogy of my family for the last couple of weeks. While searching for information, I came across a book that my Grandma Betty had filled out in December, 1983, called "Grandmother Remembers: A Written Heirloom for my Grandchildren". It's a short book, about 63 pages long, with photographs pasted in the margins and in the back. Each page is sort of a fill-in-the-blanks, that my Grandmother largely completed in black pen, in her own hand writing. At the beginning of the book, there are about 3 pages of family trees, which I'm omitting from my transcription below. Those pages have been included in the larger family tree I have created in my genealogy project. My grandmother died about eight years ago, so it was wonderful to rediscover her voice in the pages of this book. While many of the things she wrote are personal and probably relevant only to family, there are a number of passages that I think are genuinely interesting to anyone- particularly my Grandmother's thoughts on America, and her unusual recipe for "sweet potato balls".

[Cover page]

I liked to be called: Grandma

[a few pages of family tree information has been removed]

My Parents
My parents met: at a dance, where my mother taught social dancing
When: 1907
Where: New York City
They were married: May 30th, 1908, New York City
My father earned his living: manufacturing ladies coats and suits

I Was Born
Date: March 8, 1913
Where: 437 E80th Street, New York City
I was named: Beatrice Rena, nicknamed Betty
That name was chosen because: people were named for much loved relatives
I weighed: 7 lbs
I was told I resembled: my mother
My brothers and sisters' names: Aaron (Sonny), Evelyn Joyce

As a Young Girl
My family lived: 2752 Holland Avenue, Bronx, New York
I went to school: PS20, PS41, James Monroe H.S., Savage College, N.Y.U.
As a student: I liked English and science
My ambition was: to become a teacher and maybe a dancer
At home I was expected to: keep my room clean, sometimes do the dishes
My parents wer every strict about: my coming home times
My father taught me to value: other people's feelings, and be kind to everybody
My mother taught me to value: friends, family, and good neighbors
What I loved most about my Father was: his consideration of other people, and his gentleness
What I loved most about my Mother was: her thoughtfulness in remembering people's birthdays, anniversaries, etc.
My teenage years were: very happy ones with many good friends at home and at school

As a Girl, My Favorites
Song: Stardust
Movie: Charlie Chaplin
Actor: John Gilbert
Actress: Greta Garbo
Book: almost any one
Radio program: Happiness Boys
Season: Spring
Vacation Spot: Catskill mountain camps
Holiday: Channukah
Flower: Rose
Color: Red
Sport: Roller Skating, later tennis
Food: Frankfurters
Subject in school: science
Friend: Ruth Gluck

As a Young Woman
I graduated from: Savage College for Teachers [NYU], 1933
After I finished school: I did some teaching and had a dancing school for children
I worked as: a ballet dancer, and teacher
On weekends: I took dancing lessons and went to parites
The fashion rage at the time was: raccoon coats, dancing the Charlston, listening to the radio
I started to date at the age of: 16
I met your grandfather at: my friend Ruth Gluck's house
His full name: Edward Dobkin
His birthday: May 12, 1908
His heritage: Jewish
Our First date was: September, 1933. We went to the movies and for dinner.
His age when we met was: twenty-four
He lived: in Washington Heights
I lived: at 2752 Holland Avenue
He earned his living: working for the government and practicing law
I liked him because: he was quiet and seemed very nice
Grandfather said he liked me because: he thought I was pretty and danced well
When we dated we liked to go: to parties and to the movies

My Engagement
Our courtship lasted: 2 years
When I told my parents they: were very happy
We became engaged on: May 30th, 1934
When Grandfather proposed he said: "We love each other, so it would be nice to get married."

My Wedding Day
Grandfather an I were married: January 19, 1935
Time: 10pm
Place: Paramount, Manhattan
I wore: a beautiful satin dress
We celebrated our wedding by: having a lovely dinner, dancing and show
Our most memorable wedding gift was: beautiful silverware
My most vivid memory of my wedding day is: seeing all the beautiful wedding guests having a good time
After we married we traveled to: the Grossinger's Hotel in the Catskills

My First Year of Marriage
When grandfather and I were first married we lived in: 2911 Barnes Avenue, in a beautiful apartment
We lived there for: 16 years
My fondest memory of our first home is: that it was very nice, living in a building with lots of friends, and their children
Grandfather's job was: working for the government and practicing law
After we married I: worked teaching gym and dancing in schools
When we took trips, we liked to go: to the mountain and to the beach
As a wife I tried to be: happy and make your grandfather happy

Your Parent Was Born
Date: July 15, 1947
Where: Bronx Hospital, Bronx
We lived at: 2911 Barnes Avenue
Full name: Stephen Gary Dobkin
We chose that name because: daddy was named for his great-grandfather, Simon Bloom
Color of eyes at birth: blue
Color of hair at birth: brown
Weight at birth: 8 lbs, 3oz
I thought my baby resembled: a handsome actor!
Brothers' and sisters' named: Beatrice June
Favorite toy was: Panda
First word: da da
Sometimes we used the nickname: Stevie
I still smile when I think abou the time: he waited for sister's bus, and got all excited when he saw her camp bus!

My Child Growing Up
Schools Attended: PS76, JHS135, High School of Science, City College, NYU Law School
Best subject in school was: Literature, math, language, writing, art.
Showed talent in: writing, became editor of college newspaper, Ran movie projector in school
Ambition was: to become a lawyer, and did, as you know
Hobbies were: swimming, golf, going to movies, playing cards with friends

My Child's Teenage Years
Favorite type of music was: show music and popular songs
Favorite sport was: golf, baseball
Major interests were: literature, music, history
Household duties were: keeping room clean, shovelling snow
Spare time was spend: reading, playing piano, plaing pool, watching TV
Dating began at age of: 17
I set a curfew of: twelve o'clock
I was strict about: keeping clean, taking showers, cleaning room, telling us what time he would come home
I was very proud that: everybody liked your Daddy and still do. He did very well in school.
What I remember most about those teenage years is: your Daddy's good nature and mostly always smiling face. Always ready to help.

Your Parents
They met: at a wedding, when Mother's friend married Daddy's college friend, Dr. Joshua Berger
When: about 1973
Where: At a temple in Brooklyn
They were married: Dec 26 [omitted: 1976]
Date: Hampdon, Connecticut, home of mother's Aunt Ruth

Your Birth
When: October -, 1976
Where: Einstein Hospital, Bronx, NYC
When I first heard the news I: was very happy and thrilled to have two new grandchildren
I thought you resembled: mother and dad
When I brag about you I always say: you're beautiful and sweet and brilliant

When Our Family Gets Together
We always recall the time: that we heard the wonderful news, that two dolls were born
We fondly laugh about: taking care of twins. When one cries, the other sleeps, and vice-versa.
We still remember when you: come home from the hospital, and we couldn't help looking at you for hours
I am happy that we all: could help mother a little because she had to work very hard taking care of you, and feeding you, and changing your clothes, and loving you
I think our family is special because: everybody loves everybody, and likes to do things for each other
The first holiday you shared with us was: Christmas Day when you were only two months old

Holiday Traditions
Holiday: Birthday parties
Date or season: on the family birthdays
We celebrate this holiday by: getting together for a family party, presents and birthday cake
The special foods served are: all kinds of goodies
Holiday: Channukah and Christmas
Date or season: December
We celebrate this by: getting together and eating all kinds of food and exchanging presents
The special foods served are: Turkey, sweet potatoes and cranberry sauce
Holiday: Thanksgiving
Date or season: November
We Celebrate this holiday by: meeting at one of the relatives houses and having fun
The special foods served are: turkey, stuffing, and cakes and cookies
Holiday: Pesach or Easter
Date or season: Spring
We celebrate this holiday by: getting together at Grandpa and Grandma's house
The special foods served are: matzahs, matzoh ball soup, and passover cakes

Family recipes
1. Stuffed cornish hens
Ingredients and directions: Cornish hens are a cross between chicken and ducks. They are raised for food and are a tasty dish. You wash them, season them with salt, pepper, and garlic, and add apricot jam to the skin. Stuff with bread stuffing prepared with small pieces of apple and raisins. They are good with kasha, sweet potatoes, or baked potatoes. They are good at any time, particularly for company dinners. Cook 1.5 to 2 hours, 325 degrees.
2. Rolled sweet potato balls
Ingredients and directions: You take sweet potatoes, either boiled or canned, mash them, often removing the fluid. Add a little milk, and maple syrup. Mix it thoroughly. Crush corn flakes in a bowl. Take several spoons of potato mix, and roll into a ball, roll in corn flakes, place on cooking tin. Garnish with marshmallows, 15 minutes in oven.
3. Pot Roast
Ingredients: Choose tip of rib beef or bottom round.. Braise in frying pan until brown, with several cooked onions. Change to large pot, and add one package of onion soup, and place water about half way up roast. Cook two hours, take out meat, slice and replace in gravy. Cook 15 minutes more. Add browned potatoes.

Dear relatives [Pictures of each]
Lonny & Vinca, 1st cousins
Fred, Evelyn, Lewis, great-uncle and aunt, 1st cousin once removed
Ted Jarrett & Daddy, uncle
Bari, Daddy, aunt

Thoughts I'd like to share with you
My deepest values are: the golden rule, which says "do unto others, as you would have others do unto you." and everybody will love you.
I was proud of: my children, who went to school, til they finished college, and became a lawyer and a teacher, and picked wonderful people to marry!
Everyone thought I shouldn't but I was glad I: went to college, and had a very good education when most girls didn't have a chance to go
I was in for a complete surprise when: your mommy & daddy called to tell us we would become grandparents of twins!
A matter of concern was: for mommy to have two healthy babies because you dolls were quite large, and everything turned out perfectly!
I was always sorry I didn't: have more children, because your Daddy and Aunt Bari were very good, happy children.
I felt very strongly about: children going to school, studying well, playing too, after they came home from school, Hebrew School, and piano lessons.
I've changed my mind and now I think: that it is so nice that you children have so many nice friends to play with.

How the World Has Changed Since I Was a Little Girl
They invented: airplanes, radio, television, space ships, put men on the moon
They discovered: outer space, space ships, going 18000 miles an hour
The succeeded in preventing: many childhood diseases, polio, measles, whooping cough, etc.
When man landed on the moon I: couldn't believe it, nobody could!
A time saver my mother never had is: a washing machine, dish washer, a dryer.
Women today: can do almost anything they want to do, law, medicine, astronaut, etc.
Movie today: are more true to life then made-up stories
Dating today is different because: girls can ask boys out, or boys can still ask girls, and everybody is more friendly
I still like the old-fashed ways of: doing things because I think people were more sincere
I think the younger generation is wiser about: things because they watch television and read more
I think a woman president would be: very good for the country, because more women are against war

Today, My Favorites
Song: Stardust
Movie: Yentl
Actor: Paul Newman
Actress: Barbara Streisand
Television Program: Channel 13, opera and ballet
Newscaster: Chuck Scarboro
Season: Spring
Vacation spot: beach
Holiday: Passover
Flower: Rose
Color: Red
Dessert: Apple Pie
Saying: "Do unto others, as you want others to do unto you." Golden Rule

The Future
My wish for the future is: that you two grow up as sweet as you are to be thoughtful of each other and of your wonderful parents. Just do the best you can, and I'm sure, everything will turn out all right. Remember to enjoy everything, work, play, and discovering new things.

Grandfather Would Want You to Know [written by Grandpa Ed, in his hand writing]
My parents- father Abraham Dobkin- born 1880- died Dec 20, 1926. Born in Russia- arrived in U.S. in 1905. Married in March 1907 to my mother, Gussie Jaffe, born in 1889. My father served in Russian Army under the Czar before coming to the U.S. Thereafter he worked as a tailor, and later became a cloak and suit contractor. My mother died on 10/12/39. I was born on 5/12/08. My sister Lillian was born 8/28/10. She died in Los Angeles, California, where she had gone in 1938 with her husband, Irving Manulow, They were divorced. They had 2 daughters- Gloria, born in 1942, and Andrea, born in 1946. They live in California. Andrea is divorced. Gloria has 2 sons. Marc and Greg. She is married to Howard Elgort. My sister, Harriet, was born on 8/11/19. She was married to Morris Garrick on 4/1/42, when he was serving in the army. She has 3 children, Gail, born in 1943; Ann born in 1947, and Robert, born in 1950. I graduated from PS10 in Manhattan in 1921, from Townsend Harris Hall High School in 1924. I attended the College of the City of New York for 2 years, and then attended Brooklyn Law School, from which I graduated with an LLB degree in 1930. I worked in the US Post Office for many years, retiring with a pension in 1963. I maintained an office for the practice of law from 1933 to 1941, while working in the Post Office. In 1965, I became an examiner for the Office of Rent Control, and I conducted eviction hearings. I retired in 1977. I had various other jobs during my working years. I married Beatrice on 1/19/35. We have 2 children, Barbara June, and Stephen Gary. I love my children and my grandchildren.

I Forgot to Mention [back in Grandma's hand writing]
Your great grand parents came to the United States from various places in Europe. Countries like Russia and Austria. They heard that there were many opportunities here for bright people, who wanted to work for a better life. It seems that although this country is not perfect, people do have more freedom than anyplace else in the world. In some other countries, people, because of their religion or color, cannot attend school, or own property, or even vote. America offers the most opportunity to do all those things, and people can achieve what ever they want, so thank God for the good old United States of America!

[Several pages of pictures follow, as well as two pages of newsclipping about my father's various achievements in his work in the housing rights movement]

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