1884-1961 Incredible Massachusetts, New England Birthday Scrapbook and Journal: Almost 80 Years of Genealogical and Historical Data

On offer is the Birthday Book Scrapbook and Journal of Mabel Lavinia Earle (1873-1963). Mabel was the daughter of a prominent American Civil War lieutenant, from Lynn, Essex County, Massachusetts [SEE BIO NOTES BELOW}. On Christmas of 1884, at age 11, Mabel was gifted a Birthday Book by her cousin Barrie. Barrie started the book by writing some birthdays and marriages in his own hand. Mabel then kept the book religiously until shortly before her death. She recorded almost 80 years’ worth of the marriages, births and deaths of hundreds of family, friends and community members. She also meticulously cut out and glued or tucked in related news articles, obituaries, birth announcements and notes about others’ special life events. What Mabel unknowingly created is an absolute genealogical treasure trove for the New England region in the 19th and 20th centuries. 

While this Birthday Book is primarily a record of the lives of those Mabel knew, she also noted important moments in her own life and in the world as a whole: 

“1865 Fast-day on account of death of President Lincoln/Sadie Waltz (d. Spring 1937)/1938 Bought summer evening dress/Moved to 23 King St. from 124 Ocean  on June 1, 1926 to 27 Deer Cove June 1, 1939” [June 1]. 

“Sarah Saunderson Tirrell d.1930/1938 The Hurricane - worst from 4:30-8:30pm” [September 21] [HISTORICAL NOTE: Mabel is recording the Great New England Hurricane of 1938]. 

The following excerpts give the reader a sense of the sort of entries Mabel made on the busier days of her book:

“Louise S. Earle 1869  [her sister’s birthday]./Mother of the Misses Hollis [birthday]/Marriage of Kathleen Pollak to John Chester Ellickson 1933/Marriage of Francis Lee Friedman to Betty Anthony, 1944” [August 27].

“Aunt Emma Earle died - 1908/Uncle Frank - visiting Aunt L. at Rose Valley in 1867. Left next morning for Detroit, Niagara Falls and farther - to be gone about 3 weeks” [October 13] [Note: Aunt Louise’s trip is recorded in a few sections of Mabel’s book]. 

The care with which Mabel took to record the lives of her New England community cannot be overstated. Nearly 80 years of special events in the lives of the many friends and family members Mabel knew can act as a key to unlock many genealogical doors. She even records holidays and relocations of her contacts: “1938 Bill and Frances leave for California - to live there. (Frances returns alone May 1946). Bill died April 2, 1946.” [November 22]. 

The book measures 6”x4”. It contains 402 numbered pages plus an index and memo pages. Many of the pages are typed poetry reflecting each day of the year. Mabel has completed about 50% of the book and has written on the front and back covers. This book is in poor condition. The front cover has completely detached. The majority of the pages have detached from the spine. The pages themselves are in very good condition with only minor age toning. The inserted notes and clippings are also in good condition. The poor condition of the spine and detached front cover make it overall Fair to Poor. 

BIO NOTES ON THE EARLE FAMILY: Mabel was the youngest daughter of Julia Ann Snow and Lieutenant Anthony Earle. Lt. Earle was a prominent Civil War veteran in New England due to his storied military past. Lt. Earle mustered into the military with Company D of the 15th Massachusetts Volunteer Infantry to fight in the American Civil War. He was one of the 533 Union soldiers taken prisoner on October 21, 1861 during the Battle of Ball’s Bluff in Leesburg, Virginia. Following his return, Lt. Earle served in the 12th Regiment Massachusetts Infantry, as a draftee, ending his service by transfer to the 39th MVI on June 25, 1864. On Dec. 28, 1864 Anthony was promoted to 2nd Lieutenant, and to 1st Lieutenant on Dec. 30, 1864. He mustered out on July 16, 1865 and married Julia Ann Snow in 1867. Neither of his daughters ever married or had children. Mabel and her older sister, Louise,  lived together in Lynn, MA until Louise’s death.