June 2004 - Vol Four, No.7

History Helps, Volume Four, Number Seven, June 2004
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GREETINGS!

Since June was at one time considered the month for getting married, the following item is appropriate, though reminiscent of another time.

Wartime Weddings

"W.P.T.B. RESTRICTS WARTIME WEDDINGS

June -- traditional month of weddings -- is near.

At long last, the almost overlooked father of the bride gets a break?

No longer need he anxiously contemplate the mounting cost of getting daughter married. The Wartime Prices and Trade Board decided to curtail elaborate wedding attire for the duration.

The Board, not wishing to unduly blunt Cupid’s arrow, points out that the bride may still step altar-wards in [a] full-length gown of cream or white.

BUT -- costumes of the bride’s mother, bridesmaids or flower girls must conform to Board regulations; for them, no ‘long skirts.’ This is to conserve materials.

Custom or home dressmakers are advised that Administrator’s order A-474, governing manufacture of women’s, misses’ and children’s wear, eliminates all fussy detail, overall tucking, shirring or pleating. ‘Minor trimming’ is defined by the order."

Source: The [Delta] Optimist, 13 May 1943, page four.

More About Marrying (A Filler)

"WEDDING OMENS

At this, the marrying time of the year, it is useless to recall that a bright wedding day is a good omen. ‘Happy is the bride that the sun shines on,’ is an old, old maxim.

If we are to believe superstition, a bride’s happiness depends not a little on what she wears. ‘Something old and something new, something borrow and something blue,’ is invariably regarded by brides. According to an old rhyme:

Cemetery Transcriptions

A collection of cemetery transcriptions that I had not been aware of can be found at http://www.interment.net

This Cemetery Transcription Library contains much more than just British Columbia or Canadian entries, and doesn’t duplicate what is available at the B. C. Cemetery Finding Aid website.

The Tug (Not the Dredge), King Edward VII

"LAUNCHED ON FRASER

The Kind Edward VII. Takes the Water at Port Guichon.

It is the First Craft in British Columbia to be Named After the King ...

The first craft in British Columbia waters to be named after King Edward VII, was launched on the Fraser river at Port Guichon on Saturday evening. The event attracted a considerable crowd from the Delta. When the C. P. N. steamer Transfer passed Port Guichon in the afternoon the tug was still on the ways. It was decorated with flags and flowers and the preparations for the launching were very evident. As the sternwheeler under Capt. Baker’s command returned from Steveston the King Edward was seen on the waters of the Fraser with a happy crowd aboard. As the Transfer passed within a few feet of the tug Capt. Baker gave the whistle freedom and a shriek of congratulation sounded from the Transfer. Immediately came the cry of gladness from a little tug beside the King Edward and the crowd on the new boat cheered lustily and waved handkerchiefs to the captain and passengers on the Transfer.

The tug King Edward VII is a staunch craft 67 feet long over all, with 13.9 feet beam and a 7 foot draught. Her engines, 8x16, fore and aft compount [sic], with a 14-inch stroke, were built by the Schanke Machine Works of New Westminster, and will drive the new boat along at about nine miles per hour. The builder and designer is V. Martinolish [sic] of Port Guichon. The King Edward VII will work in connection with the Federation Canning Company’s Lighthouse cannery, which company also has the J. L. Card at work."

Source: The [Vancouver] Daily World, 02 July 1901, page one.

Women in Canadian History

If you’re interested in women’s history, this is an interesting website to look at. Go to http://www.niagara.com/~merrwill/

The website appears to not have been updated for some time, but still is worth exploring.

Something to Think About

I found this charming quote in the March 31st issue of Rootsweb Review, appropriate for all of us doing family history:

"He that boasts of his descent is like the potato, the best part of him is underground." -- Thomas Overbury

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Gwen Szychter, M.A.

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