"The Recipe"

I'm still cleaning my office...and finding amazing piles of paper that there is no reason to keep! But a few treasures are appearing that will be added to this blog in the coming days. The following was published in "On Huguenot Street," the official newsletter of the Huguenot Historical Society of New Paltz, NY, in February 2000. I thought you might enjoy reading about an adventure I had with two of my grandsons.

A Whole Gallon of Yuck

By Grace Elting Castle

Eric Roth's newly-discovered recipe for non-alcoholic beer seemed just the right project for two young Oregon men about to make their first trip to New Paltz and their ancestral stone houses. The ingredients were carefully collected, the recipe decreased to a more manageable one gallon, and the project was begun.

Kyle Utterback, the 12-year-old in charge of most of the cooking during this special three week visit to Grandma's Illinois home, measured and stirred and wondered if this was really the way it was supposed to be done. His 14-year-old cousin, Ty Cary, observed the preparations and was certain that nothing good could come of anything that smelled so badly!

The plan was to save a special bottle of the 'brew' to take to Eric so that he could sample it during Stone House Day and perhaps have his photo taken with the cook and his helper (critic). But, on the morning the trip was to begin, 'the recipe' as it had been dubbed, was smelling so obnoxious that Kyle refused to taste it, and Ty announced that he would not be riding in the same car as the special bottle!

It was left to Grandma Grace to be the official taster---and she has yet to recover! This recipe turned into the most horrible, foul-tasting and smelling concoction imaginable. No, actually, it was unimaginable  and indescribable. Such spitting and sputtering you have never seen. Nor are you  likely to have ever witnessed such hilarity and carrying on as was displayed by the boys as they watched their Grandmother try to recuperate from 'the recipe.'

Needless to say, the brew was promptly poured down the sink, followed with a little prayer that it wouldn't eat the drainpipe, and our faithful archivist escaped having to pretend to like his special bottle of brew. We suspect it was the yeast that created the stench and bad taste---but we're not brave enough to try it again to be certain!

Note: The editor's note that appeared with my article stated that food historian Ms. Peter G. Rose, confirmed that the foul taste was probably due to the increased potency of modern yeast as opposed to the weaker consistencies commonly used in the 19th century. Alterations to the original recipe were also published.

Those Office Cleaning Surprises: Carlisle Notes

Though I don't do it nearly often enough, I love cleaning and sorting the stacks, piles and files in my office. Yes, it's the typical writer's room with just enough (most of the time) room to get to the computer, but this "stuff" is all really important, you know? 

So, recently I've been diligently going through everything trying to get this room to match the rest of the house.  Some months ago I donated a large amount of my books...but alas they've been replaced by new ones.

I've started to ship off files of information collected over the past decades hoping that the new owners will actually get around to writing about the topic that I once thought was "the one!"  I've stopped clipping items from the daily newspaper, except for items that might be used in upcoming articles for PI Magazine.  Good starts, I think. 

A couple of days ago, somewhere in one of the heaps, I found an envelope postmarked "1979" and received from my great-aunt Frances (Carlisle) Lanigan, who has since walked on. Inside was a treasure trove of family genealogy information.  Obviously, it was sent in response to my request when I thought genealogy was my calling.  I've since realized that the family STORIES are what I love to research and to write about, but I am so happy to rediscover Auntie's notes.

My Grandmother Pearl (Carlisle) Smith, Frances' older sister, had often mentioned that "We're related to President Grant."  I had forgotten about this note from Auntie:

            "Dency Ann King's mother was a Grant before marriage---
a relative of Ulisses (sic) S. Grant---the president."

Dency Ann (King) Carlisle was my great-great grandmother, grandmother of Pearl and Frances.

I'll have to check with the family genealogists' records to see what proof there might be, but this is the kind of interesting tidbit that can lead to an interesting family story.

These interesting names and dates were included in the envelope of notes. The persons mentioned are my great-great Carlisle grandparents and their children, including my great-grandfather John Edward Carlisle.  I do not have "official genealogical verification" for these dates, though I have no reason to doubt them.

George Carlisle                                b. Nov. 20, 1831

Dency Ann (King)                            b.  Feb. 28, 1837

                                                          d. Dec. 25, 1912

Children:

Ebenezer Ashley                             b. Oct. 15, 1852

                                                         d. March 1933

Frances Antoinette                         b. Nov. 3, 1855

John Edward                                   b. Oct. 24 or 26, 1857

George Washington

      Dennis                                       b.  Nov. 19, 1860

Ellroy Ellsworth                              b.  Dec. 14, 1862

Archibald                                         b. July 2, 1865

Jeffie & Sister  (died as babies)    b.  June 23, 1867

Minnie Dency                                 b. Aug. 26, 1870

                                                         d. Jan. 11, 1940

Hector Gregor                                b. Dec. 12, 1872

                                                        d. Jan. 12, 1940

It was John Edward Carlisle (above) who married Lillias Ann Horner. Their only child, Pearl Eleanor Carlisle was my grandmother. An earlier entry on this blog sought contact from anyone having information on the late Lillias (sometimes written as Lillian)  Horner Carlisle.

FaceBook Site for Historic Huguenot Street

I've just discovered the Historic Huguenot Street site on FaceBook. Really interesting information and lots more to come, I'm sure. Let's get an Elting presence on the fan group. Nearly 500 people have joined in so far, but I didn't see a lot of Elting names. Of course some of us are kind of "incognito" not having our maiden names included. Check it out and add some comments.

Biennial Elting Reunion

REUNION OF DESCENDANTS OF JAMES AND CORA MAE (BEERE) ELTING: July 19, 2010

Elting cousin Bobbie Soupos has announced a three day cruise between southern California and Ensenada, Mexico as the next reunion of the descendants of James and Cora Elting. Cabins are filling quickly so contact Bobbie at bsoupos@sbcglobal.com or the Carnival cruise rep, Megan Callahan at 888-407-2784, ext. 7103.

We have these reunions every two years at a US location---wherever a cousin will host it. They are always lots of fun, and open to ALL Eltings to participate.

Beere Family

Those Elting family members descended from James Everett and Ethel Grace (Smith) Elting may be interested in the FaceBook group entitled "Are You A Beere?SurnameBeere". I've joined and will be adding some of Dad's (James Everett) mother's family history soon. She was Cora Mae (Beere) Elting. I've never known of any people surnamed Beere other than Grandma's family so it will be interesting to see what connections can be made on this FaceBook site. You can get to it by searching for Beere and then clicking on "groups".

Revolutionary War Era to be background theme for "The Gathering"

Don't forget to calendar the August 13-15, 2010 "Gathering" in New Paltz, NY! It's going to be a great celebration of the history of the original families of New Paltz, with a background theme focusing on the the Revolutionary War period.

Registration and activity information will be posted here as it is developed, but it's never too early to make your room reservations in New Paltz or nearby villages. Availability is always limited in the summer and fall in the mid-Hudson River Valley.

The event, with Saturday as the main activity day, is hosted by the Family Collaboration Committee of the Huguenot Historical Society of New Paltz, NY. Most activities will take place on Historic Huguenot Street or nearby venues.

For further information: gecastle@cluesonline.com

Writing Family History

Have you ever had the urge to put all those little snippets of family history into a book? Perhaps others are urging you to do so as they want to have access to your collection? Or perhaps you have grandchildren who are (or will be someday) interested in the stories that are in your files.

Now is the time to begin! The following tips are derived from preparing for the publication of my book, "Answering the Call! An Elting Military Tribute." The stories and photos from this ten year research project were compiled into a book over the summer of 2008 (stretching a little bit into the fall as I struggled with a computer program formatting the pages).

1. Decide on the topic of your book and stick to it. For "Answering.." of course it was the military history of our family. If this step is neglected, you'll be bogged down in research (though happily) for centuries. It's OK to make copies of everything else family-related as you collect material for your book, but keep it separate and don't allow it to get you sidetracked on yet another topic.

2. Decide on your filing system and stick to it. Writing the book will be so much easier if the research material is carefully organized. File your topic material separately from the other family history treasures you've discovered.

3. Carefully document the source of all materials (Stories, photos, obituaries, newspaper and magazine articles, websites, etc.)

4. Set a deadline for completion of the research. I didn't---and after ten years had to tell myself "Enough, already!"

5. Begin compiling names and addresses (snail and e-mail) of interested persons (relatives, friends, librarians) when you begin the research and build on it throughout.

6. When you find someone with great information or stories, get it immediately. Use a recorder as much as possible. Hire someone to get it for you if you're too distant and can't get it any other way. People have a habit of passing away before we get the stories!

7. Stay abreast of technology. There is a multitude of information available on the Internet, for instance, that I could never have dreamed of when I decided to write this book.

8. Give your book a title from the very beginning of the project. It may not be the one you actually use, but having a title helps focus on the project. With a title you realize that you're working on a BOOK.

9. Be on the lookout for the best printing company. Most family histories will be self-published and you want your book comparable to ones released through the best publishers. Pay attention to who printed the books you purchase in local history venues (libraries, museums, gift shops). Contact the printer and ask all the questions you have. The best printers will happily assist you with each step. (My printer is Maverick Books in Bend, OR. Wonderful company!)

My book? It's 224 pages of Elting military history with photos and information not only on a representative number of the descendants of Jan and Jacomyntje (Slecht) Elting who have served in the US military from the mid-1600s through mid-2008, but also a smidgen of the history of the village of New Paltz, NY. Order at http://www.cluesonline.com/ or e-mail me at gecastle@cluesonline.com