| Starting in the last decade of the 19th century, and continuing almost as
long as the old one room schoolhouses existed, teachers gave these souvenir
books to their students at the end of the school year. Note that these are ONE
ROOM schools, so the list is of the entire student body and not the graduating
class only. You will notice that the school year ended in March then. Quite a
number of these books have survived in the old memento boxes of many families.
They are valuable to the genealogist and historical researcher in giving us
information about where families were located. There are many surprises in them
as people moved about much more than we might expect and may show up in places
where we would not expect them. I am hoping that putting my collection online
will encourage others of you to send yours in. Photocopies are OK, but scanned
images are preferred to keep the colors and for a more pleasing presentation.
Color Photocopies are usually as good as the originals.
It is also intreresting that the young teachers often did not go very far
from home. Many returned to teach their former school mates in their own school
or taught in the adjacent district. Even though they lived close to home, they
usually stayed at the home of a family very close to the school. See the
1880 Joe Holly Diary where he took his daughters to the Oldroyd and
Burton Hill Schools early Monday morning and picked them up Friday afternoons,
and also see the
1870 Sadie Monroe Diary where she taught at the Hulslander School and
stayed with her relatives next door to it even though her own house was within
sight but further down the road.
Most of these young teachers were women, and most taught only for a year to
three years. Once they married, both custom and hiring practices prevented their
further employment. In some cases, they married secretly to keep their jobs and
kept working until their first pregnancy "gave them away." When marriage was
revealed, dismissal was immediate except in rare cases.
I would also like any school pictures you may have in your possession,
including the identification of individuals where possible. Items listed on this
Table of Contents page that are not already linked are in process and will be
available as soon as possible. |
 |
If You have any examples of these books or photos, please share them with us. 
