Every Friday The Psychogenealogist shares a "Pic of the Week." The intent is to provoke thought and imagination about the spaces where psychology, genealogy, and history converge.

This week's picture is a 100 year old used postcard of the "State House" in Dover, Delaware. I obtained this postcard from the same eBay lot of postcards that The Psychogenealogist Pic of the Week (#5) came was in.

The postcard, dated October 31, 1907 is addressed to "Miss Mabel Halley" of Hollinger, Nebraska. It appears to be have been sent from Cameron, Wisconsin. It reads:

Well today is the last day of the month. Harold and I will be out several days more before we go back. This is the fourth week (?) since we left Madison. I go up a branch (?) this morning up into a wilderness where they are still cutting logs.

C.R. (?)

What We Know:

Hollinger is an unincoproprated community in Furnas County, Nebraska.
An Ancestry.com search for "Mabel Holley" around 1907 in Nebraska turned up a 1910 federal census of interest. The census lists a 23 year old "Mable" (note the spelling difference) as a granddaughter living with "head of household" Marie J. Newton (age 73). There is also a Perley Newton (age 48) list as the son living in the same household.

Here is an undated photograph that matches the structure depicted in the postcard:

And here is a video describing the history the building, including the renovations that were made after the time depicted in the postcard image:

Learn more about the Old State House in the city of Dover, Delaware. See how to visit: http://history.delaware.gov/museums/sh/sh_main.shtml Built in 1791, this building has served as the capitol from its opening until 1933. Hear the sagas of various citizens of the First State. Come see where it all happened.

Questions:

Who is sending this postcard to Miss Mabel Holley?
Why is a postcard of a building in Delaware being sent to a young woman in Nebraska from a person traveling in Wisconsin?
Who are Mabel's parents and why is she living with her grandmother and likely uncle with a different last name?
What are the mystery words in the postcard?
Who is Harold? Why are they on this trip?
What were YOUR ancestors doing 100 years ago? Where did they live? Travel? Who did they write to and what stories did they tell? When you hear those stories what do you feel? How has your life been shaped by the ancestors you never met?

Do you have an old photograph or a genealogical story that you would like to share? I am happy to consider guest submissions for possible Pic of the Week or other blog posts in the future. Send an email to info@psychogenealogist.com for more information.

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